Described are call handling methods performed by a carrier network or client stations. A method performed by a carrier network includes designating rules for call handling for an account, receiving first and second voice calls for the account, wherein the voice calls may be either an incoming calls or originated calls and handling the first and second voice calls for the account based on the rules. A method performed by a client station includes receiving a first invitation to a first call, responding to the first invitation causing the first call to be active, receiving a second invitation to a second call while the first call remains active and responding to the second invitation causing the second call to be active and the first call to be on hold, the client station is prevented from originating a call when one call is active and one call is on hold.

Rerouting apparatus for rerouting data including multimedia data. The apparatus is for association with electronic equipment and allows for routing the data to a device regarded as the most convenient for playing the media. The apparatus comprises an announcer device for indicating to surrounding equipment that associated equipment is available for rerouting, thereby to enable receipt of rerouted communications therefrom, and a scout device for scanning surroundings of the associated equipment to find out about compatible equipment in the vicinity, thereby to reroute communications thereto. The apparatus may be attached to any device having data processing capability, to enable rerouting of data and communications therebetween.

Methods are provided for routing communications between different recipients at an entity having access to a shared communication log and using presence information. The methods include receiving a communication from a user to an entity by a primary recipient at a call center for the entity, obtaining identifying information for the user, storing a communication log regarding the communication of the user, identifying a current presence of a secondary recipient for the entity, transferring the communication from the primary recipient to the secondary recipient in response to the presence identification of the secondary recipient indicating the secondary recipient is accessible, updating the communication log with information regarding the transfer from the primary recipient to the secondary recipient, and providing the communication log to the secondary recipient during the communication between the first user and the primary recipient or secondary recipient.

A first electronic device receives a phone call that was routed to the first electronic device by a call-routing service. While receiving the call, the first electronic device receives a request to route the phone call to a second electronic device. In response to receiving the request to route the phone call to the second electronic device, in accordance with a determination that a first routing criteria have been met, the first electronic device sends a request to the call-routing service to route the phone call to the second electronic device instead of routing the phone call to the first electronic device. In accordance with a determination that a second routing criteria have been met, the first electronic device causes call data associated with the call to be routed through the first electronic device to the second electronic device.

According to one embodiment, a system includes a base station wirelessly connected to a first handset and a second handset, the base station including a first communication port configured to create a wireless connection to a first mobile telephone and a second mobile telephone via Bluetooth, where the first mobile telephone uses a first mobile telephone network and the second mobile telephone uses a second mobile telephone network.

In a call forwarding system, a management apparatus of the call forwarding system determines service terminals capable of near field wireless communication within a reception range of near field wireless communication, generates a terminal list, and receives a call event message reporting the receipt of a call from a reference terminal. The management apparatus may transmit a call report message including the terminal list to the reference terminal and the service terminals. The management apparatus may forward the call initially received by the reference terminal to a terminal which transmitted a receipt request message by transmitting a call forwarding request message to the reference terminal. The management apparatus may transmit, to the reference terminal and the service terminals, a receipt report message reporting the call was forwarded. According to a change receipt message or upon non-receipt by an intended terminal, the call may be reforwarded to another terminal.

A call transfer method applicable in a call transfer device for use in a vehicle controls a communication device to communicate with a mobile phone of a driver when a vehicle is started. When an incoming call to the driver is detected, it is determined whether the incoming call meets one or more predetermined conditions before a transfer of the call can take place. A pressure detecting device is installed under every seat for passengers and if the presence of at least one passenger is detected, the incoming call to the driver can be handed off to the phone of the passenger. If no passengers are being carried, other options can be employed in relation to the incoming call.

A method and a call routing system (CRS) are provided for routing an incoming call made to one of multiple numbers of a user to a call receiving client application (CRCA) deployed on one or more user devices when the called number is not reachable. The CRS, in communication with the CRCA deployed on one or more user devices, sets up a user account using one or more of the user's multiple numbers. The CRS detects availability of the CRCA on one or more user devices over a data network to accept an incoming call. The CRS receives the incoming call made to one of the numbers, when the called number is not reachable. The CRS routes the incoming call to the CRCA on one or more user devices over the data network on detecting the availability of the CRCA on one or more user devices over the data network.

A system for handling incoming special number calls conveyed via a telecommunication system to a predetermined destination includes: (a) a data store for storing information regarding a plurality of pre-identified special number call originating devices; (b) a detecting unit coupled with the data store and with the telecommunication system; the detecting unit detecting a received communication incoming to the predetermined destination from one pre-identified special number call originating device of the plurality of pre-identified special number call originating devices; and (c) a treating unit coupled with the detecting unit and with the telecommunication system; the treating unit effecting a predetermined treatment of the received communication.

An automated registration service supported on an application server that interoperates with an IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) core network is configured to dynamically register and deregister devices that are all associated with one or more commonly-utilized phone numbers. The service may assign the phone number to registered devices and, in contrast, un-assign the phone number from deregistered devices. The registration and deregistration of the devices may occur based on the amount of interaction with the device and other real-time contextual information. Furthermore, the automated registration service intelligently determines which registered devices to forward incoming video and/or audio calls to based on various contextual information, including the capabilities of device, identified location of a user, user preferences, etc. By intelligently selecting which devices should receive an incoming call, unnecessary use of bandwidth, data, and resources (e.g., battery power) can be reduced.