Triggered playback of recorded messages to incoming telephone calls to a cellular phone

Abstract

The present invention provides system and method for delayed answering of a call to a cellular phone which can operate in either a distributed or a centralized manner. In particular, the system and method according to the present invention allows the cellular phone user upon receiving a call to play a message to the caller, such as informing the caller to “hold on” for a short time and that the user will be available shortly. The present invention provides a number of advantageous alternatives to provide a cellular phone user flexibility in answering incoming calls.

1. A distributed system to delay answering a call made to a cellular, said system comprising:
 means to record a message to be provided to a caller making calls to said cellular phone; and 
 means to instruct said message to be played to said caller, said means to instruct being selected from the group consisting of a button on said cellular phone, a keypad entry to said cellular phone, an entry on a calendar, an entry on a clock, an entry into a location device, and combinations thereof; 
 wherein said caller is connected, said message is played, and, after said message is played, said caller remains connected. 
 
     
     
       2. A centralized system to delay answering a call made to a cellular phone, said system comprising:
 means to record a message to be provided to a caller making calls to said cellular phone; and 
 means to instruct said message to be played to said caller, said means to instruct being selected from the group consisting of a button on said cellular phone, a keypad entry to said cellular phone, an entry on a calendar, an entry on a clock, an entry into a location device, a telephone order, an electronic message, a webpage interface, interaction with a service representative, and combinations thereof; 
 wherein said caller is connected, said message is played, and, after said message is played, said caller remains connected. 
 
     
     
       3. A method of delaying answering a call made to a cellular phone, said method being carried out on a distributed system and comprising the steps of:
 recording a message to be provided to a caller making calls to said cellular phone; 
 instructing said message to be played to said caller, said step of instructing being selected from the group consisting of pushing a button on said cellular phone, entering a command using a keypad of said cellular phone, receiving a command from a calendar, receiving a command from a clock, receiving a command from a location device, and combinations thereof; 
 connecting to said caller; 
 playing said message to said caller; and 
 maintaining the connection with said caller after said message has been played. 
 
     
     
       4. A method of delaying answering a call made to a cellular phone, said method being carried out on a centralized system and comprising the steps of:
 recording a message to be provided to a caller making calls to said cellular phone; 
 instructing said message to be played to said caller; said step of instructing being selected from, the group consisting of pushing a button on said cellular phone, centering a command using a keypad of said cellular phone, receiving a command from a calendar, receiving a command from a clock, receiving a command from a location device, placing a telephone order, sending an electronic message, interacting with a webpage, interacting with a service representative, and combinations thereof; 
 connecting to said caller; 
 playing said message to said caller; and 
 maintaining the connection with said caller after said message has been played. 
 
     
     
       5. A cellular telephone switching machine capable of delaying answering a call made to a cellular, said switch comprising:
 a telephone switch device configured to play a pre-recorded message;   the telephone switch device configured to be responsive to a button on a cellular phone, a keypad entry on said cellular phone, an entry on a calendar, an entry on a clock, an entry into a location device, and combinations thereof for establishing a connection between a communication device of a caller to said cellular phone and said pre-recorded message; and   wherein said communication device of the caller is connected, said message is played, and, after said message is played, said communication device of the caller remains connected.   
     
     
       6. A method comprising:
 receiving at a switch device a call from a caller communication device;   routing the call to a receiving mobile communication device;   sending a message to the caller communication device in response to receiving at least one from the group consisting of: an indication of selection of a user interface on the receiving mobile communication device, a command from an electronic calendar, a command from a clock, a command regarding a location, placement of a telephone order, an electronic message, indication of interaction with a web page, indication of interaction with a service representative, and combinations thereof;   maintaining connection of the receiving mobile communication device to the caller communication device after playing the message.   
     
     
       7. A method comprising:
 receiving at a switch device a call from a caller communication device;   routing the call to a receiving mobile communication device;   sending a message to the caller communication device in response to receiving at least one from the group consisting of: an indication of selection of a user interface on the receiving mobile communication device, an electronic message, and combinations thereof;   maintaining connection of the receiving mobile communication device to the caller communication device after playing the message.   
     
     
       8. The method of claim 7 further comprising: receiving a signal to interrupt the message. 
     
     
       9. The method of claim 7 further comprising: connecting the caller communication device to voice mail. 
     
     
       10. A method comprising:
 receiving at a receiving mobile communication device a call from a caller communication device through a switch device;   sending a signal to the switch device to trigger playing a message to the caller communication device in response to receiving at least one from the group consisting of: an indication of selection of a user interface on the receiving mobile communication device, a command from an electronic calendar, a command from a clock, a command regarding a location, placement of a telephone order, an electronic message, indication of interaction with a web page, indication of interaction with a service representative, and combinations thereof;   maintaining connection of the receiving mobile communication device to the caller communication device after playing the message.   
     
     
       11. The method of claim 10 further comprising: sending a signal to interrupt the message. 
     
     
       12. The method of claim 10 further comprising: sending a signal to connect the caller communication device to voice mail. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus comprising:
 a mobile communication device configured to receive a call from a caller communication device through a switch device;   the mobile communication device configured to send a signal to the switch device to trigger playing a message to the caller communication device in response to receiving at least one from the group consisting of: an indication of selection of a user interface on the receiving mobile communication device, a command from an electronic calendar, a command from a clock, a command regarding a location, placement of a telephone order, an electronic message, indication of interaction with a web page, indication of interaction with a service representative, and combinations thereof;   the mobile communication device configured to maintain connection to the caller communication device after the playing of the message.   
     
     
       14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the mobile communication device is further configured to send a signal to interrupt the message. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the mobile communication device is further configured to send a signal to connect the caller communication device to voice mail.