What is claimed is:
1. A distributed communication system capable of providing emergency call diversion, comprising:
a client;
a device for processing a call to the client via a network of the distributed communication system; and
a call diversion server for controlling call diversion within the distributed communication system,
wherein, upon recognizing that a state exists within the distributed communication system requiring diversion of the call, the call diversion server is capable of causing the call to be processed according to a set of predetermined diversion rules so that the call is diverted.
2. The distributed communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the call diversion server is implemented as a program of instructions executed by the device, and wherein control of call diversion is distributed through the distributed communication system.
3. The distributed communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device comprises a gateway for connecting the distributed communication system with a second communication system for providing communication between the external communication system and the client.
4. The distributed communication system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second communication system comprises at least one of a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and a private branch exchange (PBX).
5. The distributed communication system as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a gatekeeper.
6. The distributed communication system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the call diversion server is implemented as a program of instructions executed by at least one of the gateway and the gatekeeper so that control of call diversion is distributed between the gateway and the gatekeeper.
7. The distributed communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a divert command is provided to the call diversion server for informing the call diversion server of the call diversion state, the divert command being provided in response to detection of an event wherein call diversion is required.
8. The distributed communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the call diversion server causes normal call processing to be resumed upon recognizing that the call diversion state has passed.
9. The distributed communication system as claimed in claim 8, wherein an end divert command is provided to the call diversion server for informing the call diversion server that the call diversion state has ended, the end divert command being provided in response to detection that the event requiring call diversion has ended.
10. The distributed communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the set of predetermined diversion rules comprises a rules database cross-referencing the device with types of calls employing the device for determining a desired diversion action to be taken to effect call diversion for the requested call.
11. The distributed communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distributed communication system comprises a telephony-over-LAN (ToL) system.
12. The distributed communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distributed communication system employs at least one of H.323 protocol and session initiation protocol (SIP).
13. The distributed communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device comprises at least one of a gateway, a gatekeeper, a client, and a private branch exchange (PBX).
14. A method for providing call diversion in a distributed communication system, comprising:
recognizing that a call diversion state exists for at least one device in the distributed communication system; and
processing a request for completion of a call employing the at least one device according to a set of predetermined diversion rules for providing diversion of the call.
15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step of recognizing that a call diversion state exists comprises receiving a divert command establishing the call diversion state, the divert command being provided in response to detection of an event wherein emergency call diversion is required.
16. The method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising recognizing that the call diversion state has ended and resuming normal call processing.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the step of recognizing that the call diversion state has ended comprises receiving an end divert command for ending the call diversion state, the end divert command being provided in response to detection that the event requiring call diversion has passed.
18. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step of processing a request for completion of a call employing the at least one device comprises querying a database cross-referencing the at least one device with types of calls employing the device for determining a desired diversion action to be taken to effect call diversion for the requested call.
19. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step of recognizing that a call diversion state exists comprises receiving a divert command establishing that a call diversion state exists for the at least one device, the divert command being provided upon detection that a response has not been provided to the request.
20. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the distributed communication system is a telephony-over-LAN (ToL) system.
21. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the distributed communication system employs at least one of H.323 protocol and session initiation protocol (SIP).
22. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least one device comprises at least one of a gateway, a gatekeeper, a client, and a private branch exchange (PBX).
23. A method for providing call diversion in a distributed communication system, comprising:
detecting an event wherein call diversion is required; and
communicating a divert command to a device of the distributed communication system in response to detection of the event for placing the device in a call diversion mode, the device being configured to process a request for completion of a call received while the device is in the call diversion mode according to a set of predetermined diversion rules for providing diversion of the call.
24. The method as claimed in claim 23, further comprising detecting when the event requiring call diversion has passed and communicating an exit divert command to the device in response thereto for removing the device from the call diversion mode, the device being configured to respond to the exit divert command by resuming normal call processing.
25. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the set of predetermined diversion rules comprises a rules database cross-referencing the device with types of calls employing the device for determining a desired diversion action to be taken to effect call diversion for the requested call.
26. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the distributed communication system is a telephony-over-LAN (ToL) system.
27. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the distributed communication system employs at least one of H.323 protocol and session initiation protocol (SIP).
28. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the affected device comprises one of a gateway, a gatekeeper, a client, and a private branch exchange (PBX).
29. A distributed communication system, comprising:
means for recognizing that a call diversion state exists for at least one device in the distributed communication system; and
means for processing a request for completion of a call employing the at least one device according to a predetermined call diversion rule.
30. The distributed communication system as claimed in claim 29, wherein the means for recognizing that a call diversion state exists comprises means for receiving a divert command establishing the call diversion state, the divert command being provided in response to detection of an event wherein emergency call diversion is required.
31. The distributed communication system as claimed in claim 29, further comprising means for recognizing that the call diversion state has ended and resuming normal call processing.
32. The distributed communication system as claimed in claim 3 1, wherein the means for recognizing that the call diversion state has ended comprises means for receiving an end divert command for ending the call diversion state, the end divert command being provided in response to detection that the event requiring call diversion has passed.
33. The distributed communication system as claimed in claim 29, wherein the means for processing a request for completion of a call employing the at least one device comprises means for querying a database cross-referencing the at least one device with types of calls employing the device for determining a desired diversion action to be taken to effect call diversion for the requested call.
34. The distributed communication system as claimed in claim 29, wherein the means for recognizing that a call diversion state exists comprises means for receiving a divert command establishing that a call diversion state exists for the at least one device, the divert command being provided upon detection that a response has not been provided to the request.
35. The distributed communication system as claimed in claim 29, wherein the distributed communication system employs at least one of H.323 protocol and session initiation protocol (SIP).
36. The distributed communication system as claimed in claim 29, wherein the at least one device comprises at least one of a gateway, a gatekeeper, a client, and a private branch exchange (PBX).
37. A distributed communication system, comprising:
means for detecting an event wherein call diversion is required; and
means for communicating a divert command to a device of the distributed communication system in response to detection of the event for placing the device in a call diversion mode, the device being configured to process a request for completion of a call received while the device is in the call diversion mode according to a set of predetermined diversion rules for providing diversion of the call if necessitated by the event.
38. The distributed communication system as claimed in claim 37, further comprising means for detecting when the event requiring call diversion has passed and communicating an exit divert command to the device in response thereto for removing the device from the call diversion mode, the device being configured to respond to the exit divert command by resuming normal call processing.
39. The distributed communication system as claimed in claim 37, wherein the set of predetermined diversion rules comprises a rules database cross-referencing the device with types of calls employing the device for determining a desired diversion action to be taken to effect call diversion for the requested call.
40. The method as claimed in claim 37, wherein the distributed communication system employs at least one of H.323 protocol and session initiation protocol (SIP).
41. The method as claimed in claim 37, wherein the device comprises one of a gateway, a gatekeeper, a client, and a private branch exchange (PBX).
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method for inputting characters on a mobile communication device having a housing, a display mounted on said housing, a numeric keyboard positioned on a front side of at least one hinged panel mounted on said housing, said device also having an alphanumeric keyboard comprising a first portion positioned on a back side of said panel and a second portion positioned on said housing and covered by said panel when said panel is in a closed position, the method comprising:
launching a predetermined application program when said panel is opened if said predetermined application program is not executing and if a home screen is in the foreground;
placing said predetermined application program in a foreground mode if said predetermined application program is executing in a background mode when said panel is opened and if said home screen is in the foreground; and
placing said predetermined application program in said background mode if said predetermined application program is executing in said foreground mode when said panel is closed and if said predetermined application program was placed in said foreground mode in response to said panel being in said open position.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said placing said predetermined application program in said background mode when said panel is closed is performed if said predetermined application program was not put in said foreground mode in response to user input after said panel was opened.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising disabling said numeric keyboard if said panel is open.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising disabling translation of at least one key on said numeric keyboard if said panel is open.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said alphanumeric keyboard comprises a QWERTY-style keyboard.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein said numeric keyboard a 12-key dial-pad.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising turning on a screen backlight of said device when said panel is opened.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
turning on at least one key backlight of said alphanumeric keyboard when said panel is opened; and
turning off said at least one key backlight of said alphanumeric keyboard when said panel is closed.
9. A method for inputting characters on a mobile communications device having a housing, a display mounted on said housing, a numeric keyboard positioned on a front side of at least one hinged panel mounted on said housing, said device also having an alphanumeric keyboard comprising a first portion positioned on a back side of said panel and a second portion positioned on said housing and covered by said panel when said panel is in a closed position, the method comprising:
step for launching a predetermined application program when said panel is opened if said predetermined application program is not executing and if a home screen is in the foreground;
step for placing said predetermined application program in a foreground mode if said predetermined application program is executing in a background mode when said panel is opened and if said home screen is in the foreground; and
step for placing said predetermined application program in said background mode if said predetermined application program is executing in said foreground mode when said panel is closed and if said predetermined application program was placed in said foreground mode in response to said panel being in said open position.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein said step for placing said predetermined application program in said background mode when said panel is closed is performed if said predetermined application program was not put in said foreground mode in response to user input after said panel was opened.
11. The method of claim 9, further comprising step for disabling said numeric keyboard if said panel is open.
12. The method of claim 9, further comprising step for disabling translation of at least one key on said numeric keyboard if said panel is open.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein said alphanumeric keyboard comprises a QWERTY-style keyboard.
14. The method of claim 9 wherein said numeric keyboard comprises a 12-key dial-pad.
15. The method of claim 9, further comprising step for turning on a screen backlight of said device when said panel is opened.
16. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
step for turning on at least one key backlight of said alphanumeric keyboard when said panel is opened; and
step for turning off said at least one key backlight of said alphanumeric keyboard when said panel is closed.
17. A program storage device readable by a machine, embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method for inputting characters on a mobile communications device having a housing, a display mounted on said housing, a numeric keyboard positioned on a front side of at least one hinged panel mounted on said housing, said device also having an alphanumeric keyboard comprising a first portion positioned on a back side of said panel and a second portion positioned on said housing and covered by said panel when said panel is in a closed position, the method comprising:
launching a predetermined application program when said panel is opened if said predetermined application program is not executing and if a home screen is in the foreground;
placing said predetermined application program in a foreground mode if said predetermined application program is executing in a background mode when said panel is opened and if said home screen is in the foreground; and
placing said predetermined application program in said background mode if said predetermined application program is executing in said foreground mode when said panel is closed and if said predetermined application program was placed in said foreground mode in response to said panel being in said open position.
18. The program storage device of claim 17 wherein said placing said predetermined application program in said background mode when said panel is closed is performed if said predetermined application program was not put in said foreground mode in response to user input after said panel was opened.
19. The program storage device of claim 17 wherein said method further comprises disabling said numeric keyboard if said panel is open.
20. The program storage device of claim 17 wherein said method further comprises disabling translation of at least one key on said numeric keyboard if said panel is open.
21. The program storage device of claim 17 wherein said alpha numeric keyboard comprises a QWERTY-style keyboard.
22. The program storage device of claim 17 wherein said numeric keyboard comprises a 12-key dial-pad.
23. The program storage device of claim 17 wherein said method further comprises turning on a screen backlight of said device when said panel is opened.
24. The program storage device of claim 17 wherein said method further comprises:
turning on at least one key backlight of said alphanumeric keyboard when said panel is opened; and
turning off said at least one key backlight of said alphanumeric keyboard when said panel is closed.
25. An apparatus for inputting characters on a mobile communications device having a housing, a display mounted on said housing, a numeric keyboard positioned on a front side of at least one hinged panel mounted on said housing, said device also having an alphanumeric keyboard comprising a first portion positioned on a back side of said panel and a second portion positioned on said housing and covered by said panel when said panel is in a closed position, the apparatus comprising:
means for launching a predetermined application program when said panel is opened if said predetermined application program is not executing and if a home screen is in the foreground;
means for placing said predetermined application program in a foreground mode if said predetermined application program is executing in a background mode when said panel is opened and if said home screen is in the foreground; and
means for placing said predetermined application program in said background mode if said predetermined application program is executing in said foreground mode when said panel is closed and if said predetermined application program was placed in said foreground mode in response to said panel being in said open position.
26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said means for placing said predetermined application program in said background mode when said panel is closed is performed if said predetermined application program was not put in said foreground mode in response to user input after said panel was opened.
27. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising means for disabling said numeric keyboard if said panel is open.
28. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising means for disabling translation of at least one key on said numeric keyboard if said panel is open.
29. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said alphanumeric keyboard comprises a QWERTY-style keyboard.
30. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said numeric keyboard comprises a 12-key dial-pad.
31. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising means for turning on a screen backlight of said device when said panel is opened.
32. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising:
means for turning on at least one key backlight of said alphanumeric keyboard when said panel is opened; and
means for turning off said at least one key backlight of said alphanumeric keyboard when said panel is closed.
33. A mobile communications device comprising:
a housing;
a display mounted on said housing;
a numeric keyboard positioned on a front side of at least one hinged panel mounted on said housing;
an alphanumeric keyboard comprising:
a first portion positioned on a back side of said panel; and
a second portion positioned on said housing and covered by said panel when said panel is in a closed position; and
a processor configured to:
launch a predetermined application program when said panel is opened if said predetermined application program is not executing and if a home screen is in the foreground;
place said predetermined application program in a foreground mode if said predetermined application program is executing in a background mode when said panel is opened and if said home screen is in the foreground; and
place said predetermined application program in said background mode if said predetermined application program is executing in said foreground mode when said panel is closed and if said predetermined application program was placed in said foreground mode in response to said panel being in said open position.
34. The mobile communications device of claim 33 wherein said processor is further configured to place said predetermined application program in said background mode when said panel is closed if said predetermined application program was not put in said foreground mode in response to user input after said panel was opened.
35. The mobile communications device of claim 33 wherein said processor is further configured to disable said numeric keyboard if said panel is open.
36. The mobile communications device of claim 33 wherein said processor is further configured to disable translation of at least one key on said numeric keyboard if said panel is open.
37. The mobile communications device of claim 33 wherein said alphanumeric keyboard comprises a QWERTY-style keyboard.
38. The mobile communications device of claim 33 wherein said numeric keyboard comprises a 12-key dial-pad.
39. The mobile communications device of claim 33 wherein said processor is further configured to turn on a screen backlight of said device when said panel is opened.
40. The mobile communications device of claim 33 wherein said processor is further configured to:
turn on at least one key backlight of said alphanumeric keyboard when said panel is opened; and
turn off said at least one key backlight of said alphanumeric keyboard when said panel is closed.