Methods, systems, and products for managing communications

Abstract

A communications network-based system and service is disclosed. The service permits subscribers to control and manage incoming telephone calls. Subscribers can establish preferences for how calls will be handled by a communications network if the calls are received by while the subscriber in connected to an information network. The service also notifies a subscriber of a calling party's call based on whether preselected or predesignated preferences of the called party correspond to identifier(s) of the calling party.

1 . A method of managing a communication, comprising:
 receiving a communication from a calling number;   communicating the calling number to a called number;   querying for a reception status that determines whether to route the communication to the called number;   receiving the reception status;   if the reception status is restricted, then prompting the calling number for a forwarding number, receiving the forwarding number, and routing the communication to the forwarding number;   if the call reception status is not restricted, then querying to determine whether the called number is encumbered;   if the called number is encumbered, then querying for an encumberment feature that describes calling numbers, dates, and times for which communications are permissibly routed to the called number;   if the calling number is encumbered and permitted, then routing the communication to the called number;   if the calling number is encumbered and not permitted, then waiting for an assent from the called number;   if an assent is received, then routing the communication to the called number; and   if an assent is not received, then routing the communication to the forwarding number.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising communicating a time associated with the communication to the called number. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising communicating a name associated with the communication to the called number. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein when the calling number is encumbered and not permitted, and when the communication is routed to the forwarding number, then communicating a calling time to the called number. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising providing an interface that allows configuration of periods during which the communication is routed away from the called number. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising receiving a command from the called number that authorizes routing the communication to the called number. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a pass code from the called number;   comparing the pass code to a stored pass code; and   when the pass code matches the stored pass code associated with the calling number, then routing the communication to the called number, regardless of the reception status.   
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a pass code from the called number;   comparing the pass code to a stored pass code;   when the pass code matches the stored pass code associated with the calling number, then comparing a current time to a permissible time period associated with the pass code;   if the current time is within the permissible time period, then routing the communication to the called number; and   if the current is not within the permissible time period, then routing the communication to the forwarding number.   
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein when the reception status is restricted, and when the calling number is not permitted, then prohibiting routing of the communication to the called number. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein when the reception status is restricted, then announcing to the calling number that the called number is not accepting calls. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein when the reception status is restricted, then announcing to the calling number to try again at another time. 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein when the reception status is restricted, then retrieving a custom announcement associated with the called number and presenting the custom announcement to the calling number. 
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 1 , while determining the reception status and the encumberment feature, further comprising presenting an announcement to the calling party. 
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein when calling number fails to provide the forwarding number, then retrieving another forwarding number associated with the called number. 
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein when calling number fails to provide the forwarding number, and after the calling number has been communicated to the called number, then receiving another forwarding number from the called number and forwarding the communication to the another forwarding number. 
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining that the called number is connected to an information network;   comparing the calling number and current time to a range of disconnect times; and   disconnecting the called party from the information network.   
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising notifying the called number that the information network will be disconnected. 
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising notifying the called number how long in time before the disconnection is made. 
   
   
       19 . A system for managing a communication, comprising:
 means for receiving a communication from a calling number;   means for communicating the calling number to a called number;   means for querying for a reception status that determines whether to route the communication to the called number;   means for receiving the reception status;   if the reception status is restricted, then means for prompting the calling number for a forwarding number, receiving the forwarding number, and routing the communication to the forwarding number;   if the call reception status is not restricted, then means for querying to determine whether the called number is encumbered;   if the called number is encumbered, then means for querying for an encumberment feature that describes calling numbers, dates, and times for which communications are permissibly routed to the called number;   if the calling number is encumbered and permitted, then means for routing the communication to the called number;   if the calling number is encumbered and not permitted, then means for waiting for an assent from the called number;   if an assent is received, then means for routing the communication to the called number; and   if an assent is not received, then means for routing the communication to the forwarding number.   
   
   
       20 . A method of managing a call, comprising:
 receiving a call from a calling number;   communicating the calling number to a called number;   querying for a reception status that determines whether to route the call to the called number;   receiving the reception status;   if the reception status is restricted, then prompting the calling number for a forwarding number, receiving the forwarding number, and routing the call to the forwarding number;   when calling number fails to provide the forwarding number, and after the calling number has been communicated to the called number, then prompting the called number for another forwarding number, and forwarding the communication to the another forwarding number;   if the call reception status is not restricted, then querying to determine whether the called number is encumbered;   if the called number is encumbered, then querying for an encumberment feature that describes calling numbers, dates, and times for which calls are permissibly routed to the called number;   if the calling number is encumbered and permitted, then routing the call to the called number;   if the calling number is encumbered and not permitted, then waiting for an assent from the called number;   if an assent is received, then routing the call to the called number; and   if an assent is not received, then routing the call to the forwarding number.