System and Method for Identifying Redirected Calls

Abstract

Methods and systems for providing information regarding an incoming call are provided. A particular method includes generating a first distinctive ring at a communication device receiving the incoming call when the incoming call is received without being redirected. The method also includes generating a second distinctive ring at the communication device when the incoming call is a redirected call.

1 . A method of providing information regarding an incoming call, the method comprising:
 generating a first distinctive ring at a communication device receiving the incoming call when the incoming call is received without being redirected; and   generating a second distinctive ring at the communication device receiving the incoming call when the incoming call is a redirected call.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising generating a third distinctive ring at the communication device receiving the incoming call when the incoming call is a redirected call from a particular redirect number address. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first distinctive ring and the second distinctive ring are selected by a user associated with the communication device. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first distinctive ring has a particular pattern, and wherein the second distinctive ring has the particular pattern that is played faster than the first distinctive ring. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first distinctive ring has a particular pattern, and wherein the second distinctive ring has the particular pattern that is played slower than the first distinctive ring. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising activating a distinctive ring feature for forwarded calls. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein activating the distinctive ring feature comprises using pound commands entered via the communication device. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selecting at least the second distinctive ring. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the second distinctive ring is selected from a list of available distinctive rings. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving caller identification information with the incoming call. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the caller identification information includes a phone number of a party initiating the incoming call. 
   
   
       12 . A method comprising:
 receiving input to activate a distinctive ring feature for redirected calls for a communication device;   changing a parameter stored in a record of a network element of a telecommunication network indicating activation of the distinctive ring feature for redirected calls for the communication device; and   receiving input selecting a first distinctive ring for incoming calls to the communication device that are redirected incoming calls.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising receiving input selecting a second distinctive ring for incoming calls to the communication device that are not redirected calls. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the telecommunication network comprises a voice over internet protocol network. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the telecommunication network comprises an Advanced Intelligent Network. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 receiving input specifying a particular redirect number address; and   receiving input selecting a second distinctive ring for incoming calls to the communication device redirected from the particular redirect number address.   
   
   
       17 . A method comprising:
 receiving input specifying a distinctive ring for forwarded calls received by a communication device; and   changing a parameter stored in a record of a network element of a telecommunication network, the parameter indicating the distinctive ring for the communication device.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the distinctive ring is selected from a list of available rings. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the input is received via a short message service system. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising receiving input specifying a second distinctive ring for calls received by the communication device that are received without being redirected.