Private branch exchange with remote access to features

• US 20060159246A1
• Filed: 01/14/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Avaya Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Avaya Technology Corporation Miami Lakes FLA US
• Inventors: Stefanacci, Emil F., Milton, Stephen M., Abramson, Sandra R., McMillen, C. Joanne, Wallach, Ryan Scott
• Application Number:
  US11/036,553
• Publication Number:
  US 20060159246A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/207.20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/053 remote terminal provisioning, e.g. of applets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42153 by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42195 Arrangements for calling back a calling subscriber when the wanted subscriber ceases to be busy H04M3/48
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4234 Remote access to features of PBX or home telephone systems-teleworking in a PBX
• 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 3/44 Additional connecting arrangements for providing access to frequently-wanted subscribers, e.g. abbreviated dialling at the subscriber's set H04M1/27; automatic redialling H04M3/424
• 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 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15

Abstract

An apparatus and methods are disclosed that enable a user to access a telecommunications feature of a private branch exchange (e.g., call forwarding, automatic callback, etc.) by calling, from an off-premises telecommunications terminal, a telephone number that routes to the private branch exchange and that corresponds to the feature. When the telephone number is called, the corresponding telecommunications feature is activated or deactivated, as appropriate. For example, calling “555-1111” from might activate automatic callback, and calling “555-2222” might deactivate automatic callback.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

(a) setting a flag that uniquely corresponds to the combination of a first telephone number and a second telephone number when a call attempt to said second telephone number is received from a first telecommunications terminal whose telephone number is coupled with said first telephone number.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

(b) clearing said flag when a call attempt to a third telephone number is received from a second telecommunications terminal whose telephone number is coupled with said first telephone number.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said first telecommunications terminal and said second telecommunications terminal are the same.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the telephone number of said first telecommunication terminal exists within the address space of the Public Switched Telephone Network.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the telephone number of said first telecommunication terminal exists within the address space of a private branch exchange telephone system.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said first telephone number exists within the address space of a private branch exchange telephone system and said second telephone number exists within the address space of the Public Switched Telephone Network.

7. A method comprising:

(a) activating a first telecommunications feature when a call attempt to a second telephone number is received from a first telecommunications terminal whose telephone number is coupled with a first telephone number;

wherein said first telecommunications feature corresponds to said second telephone number.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said first telecommunications feature is activated for said first telecommunications terminal only.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

(b) deactivating said first telecommunications feature when a call attempt to a third telephone number is received from a second telecommunications terminal whose telephone number is coupled with said first telephone number.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said first telecommunications terminal and said second telecommunications terminal are the same.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the telephone number of said first telecommunication terminal exists within the address space of the Public Switched Telephone Network.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein the telephone number of said first telecommunication terminal exists within the address space of a private branch exchange telephone system.

13. The method of claim 7 wherein said first telephone number exists within the address space of a private branch exchange telephone system and said second telephone number exists within the address space of the Public Switched Telephone Network.

14. The method of claim 7 further comprising (b) activating a second telecommunications feature for said first telecommunications terminal when a call attempt to a third telephone number is received from said first telecommunications terminal;

wherein said second telecommunications feature corresponds to said third telephone number.

15. A method comprising:

(a) setting a flag that uniquely corresponds to the combination of a first endpoint address and a first uniform resource identifier when a session-initiation message that specifies said first uniform resource identifier is received from a first telecommunications terminal.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

(b) clearing said flag when a session-initiation message that specifies a second uniform resource identifier is received from a second telecommunications terminal.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said first telecommunications terminal and said second telecommunications terminal are the same.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein said first endpoint address is the endpoint address of said first telecommunications terminal.

19. A method comprising:

(a) activating a first telecommunications feature when a session-initiation message that specifies a first uniform resource identifier is received from a first telecommunications terminal;

wherein said first telecommunications feature corresponds to said first uniform resource identifier.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said first telecommunications feature is activated for said first telecommunications terminal only.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein said first telecommunications feature is activated for the telecommunications terminal whose endpoint address is specified in said session-initiation message.

22. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

(b) deactivating said first telecommunications feature when a session-initiation message that specifies a second uniform resource identifier is received from a second telecommunications terminal.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said first telecommunications terminal and said second telecommunications terminal are the same.