CA2161508C - Method of invoking speed calls in a cti system - Google Patents
Method of invoking speed calls in a cti system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2161508C CA2161508C CA002161508A CA2161508A CA2161508C CA 2161508 C CA2161508 C CA 2161508C CA 002161508 A CA002161508 A CA 002161508A CA 2161508 A CA2161508 A CA 2161508A CA 2161508 C CA2161508 C CA 2161508C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- application program
- computer
- telephone
- icons
- call
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/26—Devices for calling a subscriber
- H04M1/27—Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/247—Telephone sets including user guidance or feature selection means facilitating their use
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/26—Devices for calling a subscriber
- H04M1/27—Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously
- H04M1/274—Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously with provision for storing more than one subscriber number at a time, e.g. using toothed disc
- H04M1/2745—Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously with provision for storing more than one subscriber number at a time, e.g. using toothed disc using static electronic memories, e.g. chips
- H04M1/27467—Methods of retrieving data
- H04M1/27475—Methods of retrieving data using interactive graphical means or pictorial representations
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/44—Additional connecting arrangements for providing access to frequently-wanted subscribers, e.g. abbreviated dialling
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L12/00—Data switching networks
- H04L12/54—Store-and-forward switching systems
- H04L12/56—Packet switching systems
- H04L12/5601—Transfer mode dependent, e.g. ATM
- H04L2012/5614—User Network Interface
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L12/00—Data switching networks
- H04L12/54—Store-and-forward switching systems
- H04L12/56—Packet switching systems
- H04L12/5601—Transfer mode dependent, e.g. ATM
- H04L2012/5638—Services, e.g. multimedia, GOS, QOS
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/247—Telephone sets including user guidance or feature selection means facilitating their use
- H04M1/2473—Telephone terminals interfacing a personal computer, e.g. using an API (Application Programming Interface)
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/57—Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/42314—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers in private branch exchanges
- H04M3/42323—PBX's with CTI arrangements
Abstract
A personal computer operates a speed call application program in the background which permanently displays speed call button icons in the foreground on the computer display. When one of the icon buttons is invoked, e.g. by pointing and clicking to it, the speed call application program accesses a database, retrieves a called party identification number, which can be the called party directory number, begins operation of a call processing program, and passes the retrieved number to the call processing program. The call processing program then controls the dialing of an outgoing call from a telephone or the equivalent associated with the user.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of telephony, and in particular to a method for invoking features such as speed calls in a computer-telephony (CTI) system.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
When using a CTI system which utilizes a multi-tasking personal computer, it is desirable to readily be able to invoke speed calls, that is, to be able to cause an outgoing call to be initiated by pressing one button (or the equivalent) or to similarly perform other communication control functions. Prior to the present invention, a user of a personal computer was required to stop using the application program that was being used, then to open a telephony application program. The telephony application program would present options to the user, one of which may be a speed call option.
The previous method, however, required that the telephony application program is operating, before speed calls can be made or other communication control functions invoked. The time and steps required to open the telephony application program is sometimes longer and more tedious than manually dialing the entire called party telephone number, resulting in the telephony application program often not being used.
Further, operating the telephony application program utilizes what can often be scarce computing resources, impacting the speed of operation of application programs running on the same computer or server, or utilizes what can often be scarce bandwidth on a local area network (LAN) or the equivalent over which a telephony server communicates with the personal computer.
SUI~IARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a personal computer operates a speed call application program in background while permanently displaying speed call button icons, feature access codes or feature activation status keys in foreground on the computer display. When one of the icon buttons is invoked, e.g. by pointing and clicking to it, using a voice command or otherwise selecting it, the speed call application program accesses a database, retrieves a called party identification number, which can be the called party directory number, begins operation of a call processing program, and passes the retrieved number to the call processing program. The call processing program then controls the dialing of an outgoing call from a telephone or the equivalent associated with the user.
The computer or server which can control the outgoing call thus does not need to continuously operate the call processing program. Yet the permanent display of the speed call icons in foreground over a display of files or any other application program information, graphics, etc., provides immediate and constant access of the speed call user to the speed call functionality of a CTI system.
The invention further distinguishes further from other previous programs which provide "soft keys" on a personal computer screen, since the soft keys could only be seen when the application program itself is operated.
Operation of a different application program has caused the soft keys to disappear from the display.
Memory resident programs such as clocks, calculators, etc., typically disappear from the computer screen (i.e. are run in background), upon invoking
This invention relates to the field of telephony, and in particular to a method for invoking features such as speed calls in a computer-telephony (CTI) system.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
When using a CTI system which utilizes a multi-tasking personal computer, it is desirable to readily be able to invoke speed calls, that is, to be able to cause an outgoing call to be initiated by pressing one button (or the equivalent) or to similarly perform other communication control functions. Prior to the present invention, a user of a personal computer was required to stop using the application program that was being used, then to open a telephony application program. The telephony application program would present options to the user, one of which may be a speed call option.
The previous method, however, required that the telephony application program is operating, before speed calls can be made or other communication control functions invoked. The time and steps required to open the telephony application program is sometimes longer and more tedious than manually dialing the entire called party telephone number, resulting in the telephony application program often not being used.
Further, operating the telephony application program utilizes what can often be scarce computing resources, impacting the speed of operation of application programs running on the same computer or server, or utilizes what can often be scarce bandwidth on a local area network (LAN) or the equivalent over which a telephony server communicates with the personal computer.
SUI~IARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a personal computer operates a speed call application program in background while permanently displaying speed call button icons, feature access codes or feature activation status keys in foreground on the computer display. When one of the icon buttons is invoked, e.g. by pointing and clicking to it, using a voice command or otherwise selecting it, the speed call application program accesses a database, retrieves a called party identification number, which can be the called party directory number, begins operation of a call processing program, and passes the retrieved number to the call processing program. The call processing program then controls the dialing of an outgoing call from a telephone or the equivalent associated with the user.
The computer or server which can control the outgoing call thus does not need to continuously operate the call processing program. Yet the permanent display of the speed call icons in foreground over a display of files or any other application program information, graphics, etc., provides immediate and constant access of the speed call user to the speed call functionality of a CTI system.
The invention further distinguishes further from other previous programs which provide "soft keys" on a personal computer screen, since the soft keys could only be seen when the application program itself is operated.
Operation of a different application program has caused the soft keys to disappear from the display.
Memory resident programs such as clocks, calculators, etc., typically disappear from the computer screen (i.e. are run in background), upon invoking
2 another application program. Further, such resident programs are self-contained, and do not invoke and pass data to another application program such as a telephone call completion program.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of providing telephone call functions on a multi-tasking computer is comprised of operating a telephone application program in background which permanently displays speedcall button icons in foreground on the computer display screen, selecting an icon, and operating the telephone application program for controlling an outgoing call from a telephone associated with the computer, using a called party identification number associated with the icons.
BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE DRAWINGS
A better understanding of the invention will be obtained by reading the description of the invention below, with reference to the following drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a block diagram of system on which the present invention may be operated, Figure 2 illustrates a personal computer screen used in the present invention, Figure 3 illustrates operation of a system such as that shown in the block diagram of Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figure 1 illustrates in block diagram a system on which the present invention can be implemented, as described in detail in U.S. patent application S.N.
339,463 filed November 14, 1994, entitled Local Area Communications Server System, invented by Deborah Pinard et al, which is incorporated herein by reference.
However, in summary, a personal computer 1 is associated with a telephone or other station apparatus (herein referred to in general as a telephone 3). The personal
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of providing telephone call functions on a multi-tasking computer is comprised of operating a telephone application program in background which permanently displays speedcall button icons in foreground on the computer display screen, selecting an icon, and operating the telephone application program for controlling an outgoing call from a telephone associated with the computer, using a called party identification number associated with the icons.
BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE DRAWINGS
A better understanding of the invention will be obtained by reading the description of the invention below, with reference to the following drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a block diagram of system on which the present invention may be operated, Figure 2 illustrates a personal computer screen used in the present invention, Figure 3 illustrates operation of a system such as that shown in the block diagram of Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figure 1 illustrates in block diagram a system on which the present invention can be implemented, as described in detail in U.S. patent application S.N.
339,463 filed November 14, 1994, entitled Local Area Communications Server System, invented by Deborah Pinard et al, which is incorporated herein by reference.
However, in summary, a personal computer 1 is associated with a telephone or other station apparatus (herein referred to in general as a telephone 3). The personal
3 y~21615p~
computer is in communication with a CTI server 5 via a LAN 7 or asynchronous transfer mode link. A memory storing a database (w:hich will be referred to in general as a database 9) is connected to the LAN. The telephone 3 is connected either to the server 5 or to the personal computer 1, and the server 5 is connected to a switched network such as a public switched network il.
In operation of the above, in order to make an outgoing call over telephone 3, a user invokes operation of a CTI program on t:he personal computer 1, which is stored in the server 5, but which could be stored in a memory of the personal computer 1. As a result, the server communicates with the personal computer over the LAN 7, causing the personal computer to display telephony functions, such as a dialog box requesting a series of digits to be dialed to be manually entered, or displaying a group of speed call button icons. The telephony display appears in the foreground over the display of another application program that may have been previously in use. Once the dialed number has been entered, or a speed dial icon selected, the application program proceeds to dial and control the outgoing call.
When the user wishes to use the previous or another application program, once invoked it appears in the foreground on the computer screen.
With reference to Figures 2 and 3, in accordance with the present invention, a speedcall application program is stored in a memory of the personal computer 1. A database 15 of called line identification numbers, such as directory numbers, is stored in a memory of personal computer.
The speedcall application program 13 causes display on the computer screen 17 a group of icons 19, such as buttons, each of which is associated with one called line identification. Each button can be labeled
computer is in communication with a CTI server 5 via a LAN 7 or asynchronous transfer mode link. A memory storing a database (w:hich will be referred to in general as a database 9) is connected to the LAN. The telephone 3 is connected either to the server 5 or to the personal computer 1, and the server 5 is connected to a switched network such as a public switched network il.
In operation of the above, in order to make an outgoing call over telephone 3, a user invokes operation of a CTI program on t:he personal computer 1, which is stored in the server 5, but which could be stored in a memory of the personal computer 1. As a result, the server communicates with the personal computer over the LAN 7, causing the personal computer to display telephony functions, such as a dialog box requesting a series of digits to be dialed to be manually entered, or displaying a group of speed call button icons. The telephony display appears in the foreground over the display of another application program that may have been previously in use. Once the dialed number has been entered, or a speed dial icon selected, the application program proceeds to dial and control the outgoing call.
When the user wishes to use the previous or another application program, once invoked it appears in the foreground on the computer screen.
With reference to Figures 2 and 3, in accordance with the present invention, a speedcall application program is stored in a memory of the personal computer 1. A database 15 of called line identification numbers, such as directory numbers, is stored in a memory of personal computer.
The speedcall application program 13 causes display on the computer screen 17 a group of icons 19, such as buttons, each of which is associated with one called line identification. Each button can be labeled
4 r 2i6i508 with the name of a called party or some other identification.
The speedcall application program, operated in an initialization mode, preferably presents dialog boxes to the user on the computer screen which requests an identification of the called party to be displayed, and an associated directory number to be dialed. It then stores this data in t:he database 15. The speedcall application program creates an icon 19 with an identification of the called party, and displays it on the computer screen. For example, this could be an artificial intelligence code which keeps track of most dialed numbers and presents an enquiry to the user if each of those numbers should be added as speed call numbers. The identification of the called party need not be restricted to text or a number, but can constitute the form of the icon, e.g. the icon can be an identifying graphic, such as a logo of a company or institution, it can be a picture of the face of a called party, etc.
It is an important aspect of this invention that the speedcall application program should always be operating, and should always display the speedcall icons on the computer screen, in the foreground, no matter what may be the background, e.g. a file of some other application program, a desktop, etc. Thus whatever function is performed on the computer, the speedcall buttons are always displayed.
In operation, no matter what application program is currently running on the personal computer, when the user wishes to make a speed call, he or she selects the desired speedcall icon 19. The speedcall application program 13 then looks up in the database 15 the identification of the called party, e.g. the directory number corresponding to the selected icon..
L. ,... 5 21615u8 The speedcall application program then invokes a call processing program 21 in the server, and passes the identification number retrieved from the database to the call processing program. The call processing program 21 then places an offhook condition on telephone 3, and dials the called number via the public switched network 11. controlling the completion of the call from the public switched network to the telephone 3.
It will be noted that the system operates only l0 the speedcall application program prior to making the call, which typically is a much smaller program than a full CTI application program necessary in the prior art.
In addition, the speedcall icons are always available for use by the user, no matter what application program is in use on the computer.
It will be recognized that the invention need not be implemented on the system as shown in Figures 1 and 3. The computer 1 can contain a call processing circuit, to which telephone 3 and the public switched network is connected. The server 5 and LAN 7 in this case are deleted. In this case, or a case in which the computer has a telephony circuit which interfaces a server, the telephone 3 can be connected to the computer, rather than to the server, and the offhook status can be enabled by the telephony circuit in the personal computer. Indeed, the invention can be implemented on other CTI hardware platforms, using the principles described herein.
It should be recognized that the present invention is not limited to speedcall icons all of which are associated with a single called line. For example, a speedcall icon can be a "last number redial" icon, which, when invoked, causes the speedcall application program to provide the last called party number identification to the call processing program. The call ~ 261508 processing program then uses this instead of a number retrieved from the database to process the outgoing call.
Alternatively, the last number dialed can be stored in association with an identification of the calling line in the server or computer operating the call processing. Selecting the last number dialed icon on the computer screen causes the speedcall application program to send a message to the call processing program to use that stored last number dialed, and redial it, in a new call from telephone 3.
Other CTI icons could also be located permanently in foreground on the computer screen, such as electronic mail control, feature invocation, etc.
It is also preferred that the speedcall application program should provide to the user the ability to control the degree of invisibility of the speedcall icons 19. Thus the user can choose to make them totally invisible, transparent to any degree whereby the test, graphics, etc. of another application program that the icons are in the foreground over, are visible through the icons. The icons could also be made opaque.
It should be noted that the icons can be selected by any known means, such as pointing and clicking a cursor, voice activating them, by touch screen, etc. Voice activation is particularly useful in the event the icons are highly transparent (or invisible, although still in the foreground). This can be implemented by incorporating a language (word corresponding to each icon) detection circuit in the computer, which is connected to a microphone, the output of the voice detection circuit being provided to the speed dial application program.
Tools for creating the display, the icons, for invoking the icons as active, and for enabling resulting operation of the application programs are well known to persons skilled in the art. For example, in the event that the computer used is the Apple Macintosh, a tool that can be used is Hypercard, as described in the text "The Complete Hypercard Handbook", by Danny Goodman, copyright 1987, published by Bantam Books Inc. In the event that the computer is an IBM compatible personal computer using a Windows 3.1 operating system, a tool that can be used is t:he programming techniques described in the text "Programming Windows 3.1", by Charles Petzold, copyright 1992, published by Microsoft Press.
A person understanding this invention may now conceive of alternative structures and embodiments or variations of the above. All of those which fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto are considered to be part of the present invention.
The speedcall application program, operated in an initialization mode, preferably presents dialog boxes to the user on the computer screen which requests an identification of the called party to be displayed, and an associated directory number to be dialed. It then stores this data in t:he database 15. The speedcall application program creates an icon 19 with an identification of the called party, and displays it on the computer screen. For example, this could be an artificial intelligence code which keeps track of most dialed numbers and presents an enquiry to the user if each of those numbers should be added as speed call numbers. The identification of the called party need not be restricted to text or a number, but can constitute the form of the icon, e.g. the icon can be an identifying graphic, such as a logo of a company or institution, it can be a picture of the face of a called party, etc.
It is an important aspect of this invention that the speedcall application program should always be operating, and should always display the speedcall icons on the computer screen, in the foreground, no matter what may be the background, e.g. a file of some other application program, a desktop, etc. Thus whatever function is performed on the computer, the speedcall buttons are always displayed.
In operation, no matter what application program is currently running on the personal computer, when the user wishes to make a speed call, he or she selects the desired speedcall icon 19. The speedcall application program 13 then looks up in the database 15 the identification of the called party, e.g. the directory number corresponding to the selected icon..
L. ,... 5 21615u8 The speedcall application program then invokes a call processing program 21 in the server, and passes the identification number retrieved from the database to the call processing program. The call processing program 21 then places an offhook condition on telephone 3, and dials the called number via the public switched network 11. controlling the completion of the call from the public switched network to the telephone 3.
It will be noted that the system operates only l0 the speedcall application program prior to making the call, which typically is a much smaller program than a full CTI application program necessary in the prior art.
In addition, the speedcall icons are always available for use by the user, no matter what application program is in use on the computer.
It will be recognized that the invention need not be implemented on the system as shown in Figures 1 and 3. The computer 1 can contain a call processing circuit, to which telephone 3 and the public switched network is connected. The server 5 and LAN 7 in this case are deleted. In this case, or a case in which the computer has a telephony circuit which interfaces a server, the telephone 3 can be connected to the computer, rather than to the server, and the offhook status can be enabled by the telephony circuit in the personal computer. Indeed, the invention can be implemented on other CTI hardware platforms, using the principles described herein.
It should be recognized that the present invention is not limited to speedcall icons all of which are associated with a single called line. For example, a speedcall icon can be a "last number redial" icon, which, when invoked, causes the speedcall application program to provide the last called party number identification to the call processing program. The call ~ 261508 processing program then uses this instead of a number retrieved from the database to process the outgoing call.
Alternatively, the last number dialed can be stored in association with an identification of the calling line in the server or computer operating the call processing. Selecting the last number dialed icon on the computer screen causes the speedcall application program to send a message to the call processing program to use that stored last number dialed, and redial it, in a new call from telephone 3.
Other CTI icons could also be located permanently in foreground on the computer screen, such as electronic mail control, feature invocation, etc.
It is also preferred that the speedcall application program should provide to the user the ability to control the degree of invisibility of the speedcall icons 19. Thus the user can choose to make them totally invisible, transparent to any degree whereby the test, graphics, etc. of another application program that the icons are in the foreground over, are visible through the icons. The icons could also be made opaque.
It should be noted that the icons can be selected by any known means, such as pointing and clicking a cursor, voice activating them, by touch screen, etc. Voice activation is particularly useful in the event the icons are highly transparent (or invisible, although still in the foreground). This can be implemented by incorporating a language (word corresponding to each icon) detection circuit in the computer, which is connected to a microphone, the output of the voice detection circuit being provided to the speed dial application program.
Tools for creating the display, the icons, for invoking the icons as active, and for enabling resulting operation of the application programs are well known to persons skilled in the art. For example, in the event that the computer used is the Apple Macintosh, a tool that can be used is Hypercard, as described in the text "The Complete Hypercard Handbook", by Danny Goodman, copyright 1987, published by Bantam Books Inc. In the event that the computer is an IBM compatible personal computer using a Windows 3.1 operating system, a tool that can be used is t:he programming techniques described in the text "Programming Windows 3.1", by Charles Petzold, copyright 1992, published by Microsoft Press.
A person understanding this invention may now conceive of alternative structures and embodiments or variations of the above. All of those which fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto are considered to be part of the present invention.
Claims (13)
1. A method of providing telephone call functions on a multi-tasking computer comprising:
(a) operating a telephone application program in background which permanently displays a plurality of speedcall button icons in foreground on a computer display screen, (b) selecting one of said icons, (c) accessing said telephone application program, and (d) operating said telephone application program for controlling an outgoing call from a telephone associated with the computer, using a called party directory number associated with said selected icon.
(a) operating a telephone application program in background which permanently displays a plurality of speedcall button icons in foreground on a computer display screen, (b) selecting one of said icons, (c) accessing said telephone application program, and (d) operating said telephone application program for controlling an outgoing call from a telephone associated with the computer, using a called party directory number associated with said selected icon.
2. A method as defined in claim 1 comprising storing speedcall party identification numbers in a database, associating each stored identification number with one of the icons, looking up an associated identification number in the database upon enabling of one of said icons, and providing an identification number stored in the database associated with the invoked icon to the telephone application program.
3. A method as defined in claim 2 in which the telephone application program is comprised of a speedcall application program and a call processing program, and operating the speedcall application program to perform the looking up step, passing said stored identification number to the call processing program, and controlling the outgoing call from the call processing program.
4. A method as defined in claim 2, including storing the speedcall application program in a memory of the computer, and storing the call processing program in a telephone call server which is in communication with the computer and with an external switched network.
5. A method as defined in claim 4 in which the telephone associated with the computer is connected to the server.
6. A method as defined in claim 4 in which the telephone associated with the computer is connected to the telephone.
7. A method as defined in claim 2, including storing both the speedcall and call processing program in at least one memory of the computer, and controlling the outgoing call from a telephone connected to the computer.
8. A method as defined in claim 1 including operating said telephone application program in background which displays communication control icons in foreground on said computer display screen.
9. A method as defined in claim 1 including operating said telephone application program in background which displays communication control icons transparently on said computer display screen.
10. A method of providing telephone call functions on a multi-tasking computer comprising:
(a) operating a telephone application program in background which permanently displays speedcall button icons transparently in foreground on a computer display screen, (b) selecting one of said icons, (c) accessing said telephone application program, (d) operating said telephone application program for controlling an outgoing call from a telephone associated with the computer, using a called party identification number associated with said icon.
(a) operating a telephone application program in background which permanently displays speedcall button icons transparently in foreground on a computer display screen, (b) selecting one of said icons, (c) accessing said telephone application program, (d) operating said telephone application program for controlling an outgoing call from a telephone associated with the computer, using a called party identification number associated with said icon.
11. A method as defined in claim 10 including operating said telephone application program in background which displays communication control icons in foreground on said computer display screen.
12. A method as defined in claim 11 in which the display of said icons is a permanent display in foreground over a display resulting from any other application program operated by the computer.
13. A method as defined in claim 8 in which the display of said icons is a permanent display in foreground over a display resulting from any other application program operated by the computer.
Priority Applications (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002161508A CA2161508C (en) | 1995-10-26 | 1995-10-26 | Method of invoking speed calls in a cti system |
| SE9603856A SE9603856L (en) | 1995-10-26 | 1996-10-21 | Ways of forming quick calls in a CTI system |
| DE19644211A DE19644211A1 (en) | 1995-10-26 | 1996-10-24 | Speed call function for making telephone call from personal computer |
| GB9622280A GB2306871B (en) | 1995-10-26 | 1996-10-25 | A method of providing functions on a computer |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002161508A CA2161508C (en) | 1995-10-26 | 1995-10-26 | Method of invoking speed calls in a cti system |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2161508A1 CA2161508A1 (en) | 1997-04-27 |
| CA2161508C true CA2161508C (en) | 2000-01-11 |
Family
ID=4156857
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002161508A Expired - Fee Related CA2161508C (en) | 1995-10-26 | 1995-10-26 | Method of invoking speed calls in a cti system |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2161508C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE19644211A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2306871B (en) |
| SE (1) | SE9603856L (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH11215221A (en) * | 1998-01-28 | 1999-08-06 | Nec Corp | Information terminal capable of telephone dialing, telephone dialing method and recording medium having recorded program for telephone dialing |
| US6754313B1 (en) * | 1999-12-07 | 2004-06-22 | Microsoft Corporation | Application programming interface for computer telephone sets |
| DE10032757A1 (en) * | 2000-07-05 | 2002-01-17 | Deutsche Telekom Ag | Method for establishing a telecommunication connection |
| GB0023388D0 (en) * | 2000-09-25 | 2000-11-08 | Olive Media Ltd | Image display scheme for a computer |
-
1995
- 1995-10-26 CA CA002161508A patent/CA2161508C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1996
- 1996-10-21 SE SE9603856A patent/SE9603856L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1996-10-24 DE DE19644211A patent/DE19644211A1/en not_active Ceased
- 1996-10-25 GB GB9622280A patent/GB2306871B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| SE9603856D0 (en) | 1996-10-21 |
| CA2161508A1 (en) | 1997-04-27 |
| GB2306871B (en) | 1999-11-03 |
| SE9603856L (en) | 1997-04-27 |
| DE19644211A1 (en) | 1997-04-30 |
| GB9622280D0 (en) | 1996-12-18 |
| GB2306871A (en) | 1997-05-07 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US6285364B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for organizing and displaying internet and telephone information | |
| US7720207B2 (en) | Telephone functions for computers | |
| US7225409B1 (en) | Graphical user interface for a screen telephone | |
| US6429855B2 (en) | Computer-telephony integration employing an intelligent keyboard and method for same | |
| US6421432B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for controlling a computer to implement telephone functions with a displayed telephone of variable size | |
| US7441205B2 (en) | Displaying and activating telephone numbers | |
| CA2161506C (en) | File retrieval with incoming calls | |
| US4754326A (en) | Method and apparatus for assisting user of information retrieval systems | |
| US5065309A (en) | Personal computer note-taking facility | |
| US6400820B1 (en) | Java enabled groupware | |
| EP1637978A2 (en) | Method and device for key input in mobile terminal | |
| US5412713A (en) | Display for a telephone terminal | |
| US6792090B1 (en) | Telephone directory address storing method and information terminal having telephone function as well as storage medium on which program therefor is recorded | |
| CA2161508C (en) | Method of invoking speed calls in a cti system | |
| CA1253625A (en) | Personal computer note-taking facility | |
| Cisco | Cisco IP Phone BTXML Version 2.0 Application Development Guide | |
| KR20040095410A (en) | Method for processing data service using multi window in mobile phone | |
| US20020080230A1 (en) | Including a persons image in a store | |
| KR0147034B1 (en) | Communication protocol | |
| CN1344993A (en) | Method for building information element and electronic equipment | |
| Wullert II et al. | Hardware and software design of the Programmable Displayphone | |
| KR20040044832A (en) | Method for displaying background color of input text in mobile phone | |
| JPH08251268A (en) | Telephone terminal equipment | |
| JPH03291038A (en) | Computer with telephone function |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |