Methods and apparatus for autonomously managing communications using an intelligent intermediary
US8121653B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 18, 2006 |
| Grant date | Feb 21, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M2250/12
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Apparatus for handling an incoming telephone call including a call processor coupled to a wired or wireless telephone network for receiving an incoming telephone call directed to a called person, a conversation detector for determining whether a conversation is currently taking place between said called person and one or more other persons who are near to said called person, and a call inhibitor for inhibiting the delivery of, delaying or rerouting said incoming call if said conversation detector determines that a conversation is taking place. Each participant in the conversation is provided with a speech detector, and vibrator for producing a tactile alert when incoming calls directed to a participant arrive, and a manually operated control for issuing a veto command that inhibits the delivery of, delays, or reroutes the incoming call so that the conversation is not interrupted.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.