Method for placing a call intended for an enhanced network user on hold while the enhanced network user is unavailable to take the call using a distributed feature architecture

US6456711B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• AT&T CORP. · US

Inventors

• Eric Cheung · New York, US
• Mark Jeffrey Foladare · East Brunswick Township, US
• Shelley B. Goldman · East Brunswick Township, US
• Gerald Karam · Morristown, US
• James Christopher Ramming · Palo Alto, US
• Roy Philip Weber · Bound Brook, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 12, 2000
• Grant date: Sep 24, 2002
• Expiry date: Dec 12, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04M2242/22
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A method for placing a call intended for an enhanced network user on hold is disclosed. A calling party is enabled to select the type of information which is provided to the calling party while the calling party is on hold by using a Distributed Feature Network (DFN) architecture. The DFN includes a plurality of feature boxes with each feature box being created for the purpose of enabling a particular communication feature. A call intended for one of a group of ENUs is received by the DFN and an estimated hold time is determined for the call. The hold time is communicated to a caller associated with the call and the caller is provided with a list of options for information to be received by the caller while the caller is on hold. The caller's selection of a hold option is received by the DFN. A feature box is created for providing the caller with the selected information option, and the call is connected to the created feature box. When the DFN determines that one of the group of ENUs is available, the call is rerouted from the created feature box to the available ENU.