Web-enabled call management method and apparatus

Abstract

A web-enabled call-interface method and apparatus, capable of managing packet-based/Internet Protocol-based calls. The embodiments include a system, apparatus and method to manage calls through identifying the media type of an incoming or outgoing call, presenting call features associated with the media type to a subscriber, and receiving a call feature selection from the subscriber. When the call feature selected requires further input, the subscriber is prompted for the call feature input.

1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a call handler to identify a media type of a call; and    a media interface, coupled to the call handler, to present at least one call feature selection associate with the media call type.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the media interface is to determine whether the call feature selection requires additional information, and to prompt the subscriber for the additional information when required by the call feature selection  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , the call handler further comprising: 
 a call processor to facilitate audio calls through the media interface.    
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the call processor is also to facilitate video calls through the media interface.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , the call handler further comprising: 
 a conference call manager to facilitate calls to multiple parties.    
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 a voice mail database to store call messages; and    a voice mail manager, coupled to the voice mail database, to interface the voice mail database with the media interface.    
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 an electronic mail notification generator to send a rejection notification to a call originator when the call is rejected through the media interface.    
     
     
         8 . A method comprising: 
 identifying a media type of a call;    presenting at least one call feature selection associated with the media call type to a subscriber.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 determining whether the call feature selection requires additional information;    prompting the subscriber for the additional information when required by the call feature selection.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 accepting the call feature selection from the subscriber.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 accepting the additional information from the subscriber.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 activating the call feature selection.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 receiving the call;    determining a call originator of the call.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 searching a caller database for a record matching the call originator, the record containing a picture of the call originator;    displaying the picture of the call originator when the matching record is found.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein rejecting the call is one of the call features available for selection.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 sending the call originator a rejection notification when the call is rejected.    
     
     
         17 . A computer-readable medium encoded with data and instructions, the data and instructions causing an apparatus executing the instructions to: 
 identifying a media type of a call;    presenting at least one call feature selection associated with the media call type to a subscriber.    
     
     
         18 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 17  further encoded with data and instructions, comprising: 
 determining whether the call feature selection requires additional information;    prompting the subscriber for the additional information when required by the call feature selection.    
     
     
         19 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 18  further encoded with data and instructions, comprising: 
 accepting the call feature selection from the subscriber.    
     
     
         20 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 19 , further encoded with data and instructions, comprising: 
 accepting the additional information from the subscriber.    
     
     
         21 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 20 , further encoded with data and instructions, comprising: 
 activating the call feature selection.    
     
     
         22 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 21 , further encoded with data and instructions, comprising: 
 receiving the call;    determining a call originator of the call.    
     
     
         23 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 22 , further encoded with data and instructions, comprising: 
 searching a caller database for a record matching the call originator, the record containing a picture of the call originator;    displaying the picture of the call originator when the matching record is found.    
     
     
         24 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 22 , wherein rejecting the call is one of the call features available for selection.  
     
     
         25 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 24 , further encoded with data and instructions, comprising: 
 sending the call originator a rejection notification when the call is rejected.    
     
     
         26 . An apparatus comprising: 
 means for identifying a media type of a call;    means for presenting at least one call feature selection associated with the media call type to a subscriber.    
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , further comprising: 
 means for determining whether the call feature selection requires additional information;    means for prompting the subscriber for the additional information when required by the call feature selection.    
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , further comprising: 
 means for accepting the call feature selection from the subscriber.