Transferring a call to a backup according to call context

US7072457B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Michael Wayne Brown · Georgetown, US
• Joseph Herbert McIntyre · Austin, US
• Michael A. Paolini · Round Rock, US
• James Mark Weaver · Austin, US
• Scott Lee Winters · Austin, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 17, 2001
• Grant date: Jul 4, 2006
• Expiry date: Mar 12, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04M2242/30
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A method, system, and program for transferring a call to a backup according to call context are provided. A context for a call from a caller to an intended callee is detected. An intended party backup profile is accessed that indicates multiple backup parties designated by the intended callee. At least one backup party is automatically selected from among the multiple backup parties according to the context for the call. The call may be automatically forwarded to at least one backup party if the intended callee has currently elected to forward calls. Alternatively, after detecting that the intended callee is unavailable, the call may be automatically transferred to at least one backup party.