Method and apparatus for providing expanded telecommunications service
First Claim
1. A method for providing expanded telecommunication services on a telecommunication system where a call from a first entity to a second entity is placed when the first entity enters a number for the second entity, comprising the steps of:
- receiving the call from the first entity at a local exchange switch;
identifying a number of the first entity;
directing the call and the number of the first entity from the switch to a gateway;
directing the call and the number of the entity from the gateway to a server;
determining whether the command center of the second entity is communicating with the server;
sending a message to the command center over a single line indicating the presence of the call and the identifying number of the first entity and the number of the second entity that was entered;
directing the call to one of a plurality telephonic devices according to the number of the second entity that was entered.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
System and method for putting control of incoming telephone calls in the hands of subscribers with the aid of computer software and the Internet. In effect, a very efficient multiplexer is provided that does not require a change in the behavior of the called party or the calling party. This system permits the called party to hear a spoken message by the calling party in real time, and the content of the spoken message permits the called party to decide how to handle the call. The system adaptively learns and captures the rules of the called party for handling calls, and learns which callers the called party always wishes to talk to. The system uses special control software on the called party'"'"'s computer which is connected to the Internet. The system employs a central server in which all of the required intelligence is resident. Audio signals are exchanged via non-data channels provided by the telephone companies and by the Internet. Either a very simple Internet busy pick-up is provided, or a very complex messaging system is provided, as desired. A feature is the monitoring and screening of incoming calls before deciding how to handle them. Another feature is the capturing and storage of the decision making profile.
-
Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A method for providing expanded telecommunication services on a telecommunication system where a call from a first entity to a second entity is placed when the first entity enters a number for the second entity, comprising the steps of:
-
receiving the call from the first entity at a local exchange switch;
identifying a number of the first entity;
directing the call and the number of the first entity from the switch to a gateway;
directing the call and the number of the entity from the gateway to a server;
determining whether the command center of the second entity is communicating with the server;
sending a message to the command center over a single line indicating the presence of the call and the identifying number of the first entity and the number of the second entity that was entered;
directing the call to one of a plurality telephonic devices according to the number of the second entity that was entered. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 7)
-
-
4. A system for providing expanded telephone services connected to a telecommunications network, comprising:
-
a local exchange switch connected to the telecommunications network;
a central server connected to the local exchange switch, comprising;
means for storing messages;
means for providing user authentication; and
means for providing call control;
a plurality of telephones;
a command center connected to the plurality of telephones, comprising;
means for connecting the command center to the central server through the Internet, using no more than one single telephone line;
means for receiving information from the central server concerning an incoming call, caller ID, and a number to which a call is directed;
means for displaying caller ID information;
means for directing the call to only one of the plurality of telephones according to the number to which the call is directed;
means to direct the central server to answer the call and record a message; and
means to forward the call to another location.
-
-
5. A method for providing expanded telecommunication services on a telecommunication system comprising the steps of:
-
monitoring and screening incoming calls based on properties such as call type, caller number, called number, time of day, family member called;
locating the subscriber;
allowing the subscriber to specify call treatment;
observing and noting subscriber treatment of call;
profiling dynamically call treatment by subscriber;
reviewing by subscriber suggested call handling rules; and
capturing and storing dynamic profile of subscriber call treatment.
-
-
6. A method for providing expanded telecommunication services on a telecommunication system that includes a server comprising the steps of:
-
developing a database of important telephone numbers;
answering a call by the server only if the line is busy and the caller number is in the database;
permitting the subscriber to monitor a message from the caller audibly over the Internet;
permitting the subscriber to make a decision how to handle the call over the Internet; and
permitting the subscriber to specify the disposition of the call.
-
-
8. A method for providing expanded telecommunication services on a telecommunication system where a call from a first entity to a second entity is placed when the first entity enters a number for the second entity, comprising the steps of:
-
receiving the call from the first entity at a local exchange switch;
identifying a number of the first entity;
directing the call and the number of the first entity from the switch to a gateway;
determining whether the command center of the second entity is communicating with the server;
sending a message to the command center over a single line indicating the presence of the call and identifying the number of the first entity and the number of the second entity that was entered;
holding the call at the server; and
dialing from the second entity to the server to make a call cross-connect between the firs entity and the second entity at the server.
-
-
9. A method for providing expanded telecommunication services on a telecommunication system where a call from a first entity to a second entity is placed when the first entity enters a number for the second entity, comprising:
-
(a) receiving the call from the first entity at a local exchange switch;
(b) directing the call and the call information of the first entity from the switch to a gateway;
(c) directing the call and the call information of the entity from the gateway to a server;
(d) identifying the first entity;
(e) determining whether the command center of the second entity is communicating with the server;
(f) sending a message to the command center over an Internet Protocol connection indicating the presence of the call and delivering identifying information of the first entity and the identifying information of the call;
(g) receiving input from the second entity onto the command center; and
(h) directing the call. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A system for providing expanded telephone services connected to a telecommunications network, comprising:
-
(a) a local exchange switch to the telecommunications network;
(b) a gateway connecting the local exchange switch to a central server, (c) a central server connected to the gateway, comprising (i) means for storing messages, (ii) means for storing call handling instructions, (iii) means for providing user authentication, and (iv) means for providing call control;
(d) a plurality of devices including telephones and Internet Protocol connected terminals;
(e) a command center hosted on or connected to the plurality of devices comprising (i) means for connecting the command center to the central server through the Internet, (ii) means for receiving call information from the central server concerning an incoming call, caller information and audible signals, and a number to which a call is directed, (iii) means for displaying call information on a command center, (iv) means for receiving input from the user to the command center, (v) means for directing the call to a plurality of devices according to the call information and/or user input from the command center means, (vi) means for direct the central server to record and store a message, and (v) means to forward the call to another location.
-
-
22. A method for providing expanded telecommunication services on a telecommunications system, comprising:
-
(a) monitoring and screening incoming calls based on properties such as call type, caller number, called number, time of day, family member called;
(b) allowing the subscriber to specify call treatment;
(c) observing and noting subscriber treatment of call;
(d) capturing and storing a dynamic profile of subscriber call treatment(s);
(e) processing a subscriber'"'"'s dynamic call treatment profile to infer caller priority and potential automated call handling rules;
(f) reviewing by subscriber suggested automated call handling rules; and
(g) assembling and storing automated call handling rules accepted by the subscriber.
-
-
23. A method for providing expanded telecommunication services on a telecommunication system that includes a server, comprising:
-
(a) developing a database which contains the priority of a subscriber'"'"'s call types and callers;
(b) providing in the database a plurality of class-of-service techniques for answering a call by the server; and
(c) permitting the subscriber to establish different levels of availability for incoming calls.
-
-
24. A method for providing expanded telecommunication services on a telecommunication system that includes a server, comprising matching a subscriber'"'"'s availability level to the identified priority level of an incoming call to select an appropriate technique for answering the call.
-
25. A method for providing expanded telecommunication services on a telecommunication system that includes a server, comprising including with a subscriber'"'"'s incoming-call-availability-level a monitor-call-availability-level.
-
26. A method for providing expanded telecommunication services on a telecommunication system that includes a server, comprising matching a subscriber'"'"'s monitor-call-availability level to an identified priority level of an incoming call so that the subscriber can monitor a message from callers audibly from a command center device.
-
27. A method for providing expanded telecommunication services on a telecommunication system that includes a server, comprising permitting a subscriber to override an automatically selected call handling technique by manually specifying a call handling technique on a command center.
-
28. A method for providing expanded telecommunication services on a telecommunication system that includes a server, comprising dynamically updating a subscriber'"'"'s automatic call handling profile when a subscriber overrides an automatic call handling decision.
Specification