Intelligent remote caller ID

Abstract

An intelligent remote caller identification system is provided that typically includes a central office, a service control point, and an internet call routing system. The central office typically triggers a query responsive to receiving a call request. The service control point is coupled to the central office, receives the query, and triggers an internet call routing query. The internet call routing system is coupled to the service control point and typically receives the internet call routing query, determines the presence of the called party with respect to a registered communication device, and sends an internet-based message to the called party at the registered communication device in response to the presence determination. Methods and other systems are also provided.

1 . A method of providing call information at a remote location, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a call query from a telephone routing device; and    sending a plurality of messages to a called party via registered communication devices associated with the plurality of telephone numbers based upon a set of rules by the user associated with a called party telephone number, wherein the messages prompt the user with at least one option for handling an incoming call, the at least one option including a choice of connecting the incoming call to the communication device being used to respond to the message.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the set of rules include time and date restriction controls specified by the user.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the set of rules include calling party restriction controls specified by the user.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein set of the rules include present device restriction controls specified by the user.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the present device restriction controls allow the user to specify a presence state for a particular registered communication device, the particular registered communication device being sent a message only if the particular registered communication device is in the specified presence state.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one option further includes the choice of designating a telephone number in a response to the message, whereby an incoming call is then connected to the designated telephone number.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one options are displayed as part of a received message by a registered communication device.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one options are displayed by locally stored software at a registered communication device that is activated upon receipt of the message by the registered communication device.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the set of rules include a time period for waiting to receive an instruction from the user before proceeding to connect the telephone call to the called party telephone number.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the set of rules includes an instruction for sending messages to one or more registered communication devices if the called party is not present at a registered communication device associated with the called party telephone number, the messages prompting the user for instructions on handling an incoming call.  
     
     
         11 . A computer readable medium having a program for providing call information at a remote location, the program having instructions for performing the steps of: 
 receiving a call query from a telephone routing device; and    sending a plurality of messages to a called party via registered communication devices associated with the plurality of telephone numbers based upon a set of rules by the user associated with a called party telephone number, wherein the messages prompt the user with at least one option for handling an incoming call, the at least one option including a choice of connecting the incoming call to the communication device being used to respond to the message.    
     
     
         12 . The program of  claim 11 , wherein the set of rules include time and date restriction controls specified by the user.  
     
     
         13 . The program of  claim 11 , wherein the set of rules include calling party restriction controls specified by the user.  
     
     
         14 . The program of  claim 11 , wherein the set of rules include present device restriction controls specified by the user.  
     
     
         15 . The program of  claim 14 , wherein the present device restriction controls allow the user to specify a presence state for a particular registered communication device, the particular registered communication device being sent a message only if the particular registered communication device is in the specified presence state.  
     
     
         16 . The program of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one option further includes the choice of designating a telephone number in a response to the message, whereby an incoming call is then connected to the designated telephone number.  
     
     
         17 . The program of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one options are displayed as part of a received message by a registered communication device.  
     
     
         18 . The program of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one options are displayed by locally stored software at a registered communication device that is activated upon receipt of the message by the registered communication device.  
     
     
         19 . The program of  claim 11 , wherein the set of rules include a time period for waiting to receive an instruction from the user before proceeding to connect the telephone call to the called party telephone number.  
     
     
         20 . The program of of  claim 1 , wherein the set of rules includes an instruction for sending messages to one or more registered communication devices if the called party is not present at a registered communication device associated with the called party telephone number, the messages prompting the user for instructions on handling an incoming call.