System and method for routing a call to a called party's landline or wireless communication unit

US6208854A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• AMERITECH LLC · US

Inventors

• Richard N. Roberts · Elgin, US
• Todd August Bartels · New Berlin, US
• Terrence J. McCarthy · Carol Stream, US
• Wayne Robert Heinmiller · Elgin, US
• Rodney T Brand · Lisle, US
• Leslie Bernard Moore · DeSoto, US
• Carlos Donoso · Bartlett, US
• Kara Elisia Ford · Fishers, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 14, 1998
• Grant date: Mar 27, 2001
• Expiry date: May 14, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04M2207/206
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A method and system are provided for routing a call to a called party's landline or wireless communication unit based on the availability of the wireless communication unit. A call placed to a called party's landline communication unit is routed to the called party's wireless communication unit if the wireless communication unit is determined available, otherwise, the call is routed to the called party's landline communication unit. Unlike past attempts to facilitate communication with a called party having wireless and landline communication units, these preferred embodiments operate automatically (without called party intervention) before a call is terminated at the landline communication unit and are responsive to the availability of the called party's wireless communication unit. Further, there preferred embodiments do not rely on complex, pre-determined hunting sequences or expensive adjunct customer premises equipment.