Multi-line telephone calling
First Claim
1. A method of originating multiple calls from a single POTS telephone number, comprising:
- detecting, at a central office switch, a change in status of a first telephone at the POTS telephone number from an on-hook status to an off-hook status;
in response to the change in status of the first telephone, at the central office switch;
generating a dial tone for the first telephone;
receiving a plurality of digits from the first telephone; and
initiating the call over a voice connection using the plurality of digits;
detecting, at a data network connection point, a change in status of a second telephone at the POTS telephone number from an on-hook status to an off-hook status;
in response to the change in status, generating a signal indicating that the second telephone is operational;
receiving a plurality of digits from the second telephone; and
initiating the call over a data network using the plurality of digits.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Network architectures, methods, and operations for routing telephone calls are disclosed. A customer premise includes a conventional POTS dedicated communication line to a central office switch and a broadband connection to a data network. The central office switch and the data network are connected by a communication link. A first telephone call originated at the customer premise may be connected via the dedicated communication link. A second or subsequent call originated at the customer premise may be connected via the data network. Optionally, the same call identifier may be assigned to the first and second or subsequent calls.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of originating multiple calls from a single POTS telephone number, comprising:
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detecting, at a central office switch, a change in status of a first telephone at the POTS telephone number from an on-hook status to an off-hook status;
in response to the change in status of the first telephone, at the central office switch;
generating a dial tone for the first telephone;
receiving a plurality of digits from the first telephone; and
initiating the call over a voice connection using the plurality of digits;
detecting, at a data network connection point, a change in status of a second telephone at the POTS telephone number from an on-hook status to an off-hook status;
in response to the change in status, generating a signal indicating that the second telephone is operational;
receiving a plurality of digits from the second telephone; and
initiating the call over a data network using the plurality of digits. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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5. The method of claim 5, wherein blocking access for the second telephone to the voice connection comprises severing a logical connection between the second telephone and the voice connection.
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11. A method of originating multiple calls from a single POTS telephone number, comprising:
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connecting a call originating at a first telephone having the POTS telephone number via a dedicated voice connection;
blocking access to the dedicated voice connection for at least a second telephone having the POTS telephone number;
connecting a call originating at a second telephone having the POTS telephone number via a data network connected to the dedicated voice connection. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification