William Liang

US Patent:

7885396, Feb 8, 2011

Filed:

Jun 23, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/166667

Inventors:

William Wen Liang - Santa Clara CA, US
Scott Allen Henning - Plano TX, US

Assignee:

Cisco Technology, Inc. - San Jose CA

International Classification:

H04M 3/42

US Classification:

37920201, 379158, 379162, 37920701, 379421, 37920401, 370352

Abstract:

A method and system for providing a user who places a telephone call on hold with a partial hold option. When a user places a first call on partial hold and picks up a second call, the user can still hear conversation and activity that occurs on the first call. For example a user participating in a conference call may receive a second call. The user can place the conference call on partial hold and pick up a second call (i. e. engage in a conversation on a second telephone call). However, the incoming channel to the conference call will remain active and the user will be able to hear, in the background, what is taking place in the conference call. Should the user hear something interesting in the conference call, or if the user hears someone ask a question directed to the particular use, the user can switch back to the conference call.

US Patent:

7369652, May 6, 2008

Filed:

May 13, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/436906

Inventors:

William W. Liang - Santa Clara CA, US
Cullen F. Jennings - Milpitas CA, US

Assignee:

Cisco Technology, Inc. - San Jose CA

International Classification:

H04M 3/42

US Classification:

37920201, 37920601

Abstract:

Combining signals includes receiving signals from communication devices, where each signal is associated with a content describing the signal. The following is repeated for each signal: the content associated with a signal is examined, whether the signal is a voice signal is determined in accordance with the content, and the signals are sent to a signal combiner in accordance with the determination of whether the signal is a voice signal. The signals are combined at the signal combiner.