Method and apparatus for providing expanded telecommunications service

• US 20050141490A1
• Filed: 02/18/2005
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CallWave Communications, LLC
• Original Assignee: FuzeBox, Inc.
• Inventors: Dolan, Robert A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,397,910 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/57 Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2236 Quality of speech transmission monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/428 Arrangements for placing incoming calls on hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4281 when the called subscriber is connected to a data network using his telephone line, e.g. dial-up connection, Internet browsing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/54 Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; to voice mail H04M3/53308
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal

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.

Claims

1-28. -28. (canceled)

29. A method of providing a called entity the ability to selectively accept phone calls, the method comprising:

receiving over a PSTN, at a call processing apparatus, a call from a first entity directed to a second entity'"'"'s virtual telephone number;

opening a communication channel over the Internet with a networked computer associated with the second entity;

recording speech from the first entity and transmitting the speech over the Internet communication channel to the networked computer to be played by the networked computer to the second entity; and

receiving an instruction, over the Internet communication channel from the second entity via the networked computer, and at least partly in response to the received instruction, causing the first entity call to be selectively connected to one of a plurality of potential second entity terminal destinations.

30. The method as defined in claim 29, wherein the first entity is connected to the PSTN via a local switch.

31. The method as defined in claim 29, wherein the call processing apparatus is connected to the PSTN via a local switch.

32. The method as defined in claim 29, wherein the second entity is connected to the Internet via a dial-up connection.

33. The method as defined in claim 29, wherein the second entity is connected to the Internet via an always on connection.

34. The method as defined in claim 29, wherein the second entity is connected to the Internet via a wireless connection.