Virtual multi-line telephone service
First Claim
1. A method for providing a virtual multi-line (VML) telephone service, comprising:
- associating first and second telephone numbers with a telephone, such that the first telephone number is subject to a first billing scheme and the second number is subject to a second billing scheme;
transmitting a control code from the telephone to a network switch, indicating a choice of one of the first and second telephone numbers;
receiving a request to connect a call from the telephone to a destination number; and
connecting the call using one of the first and second telephone numbers while applying one of the first and second billing schemes to the call in accordance with the choice indicated by the control code.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for providing a virtual multi-line (VML) telephone service includes associating first and second telephone numbers with a telephone, such that the first telephone number is subject to a first billing scheme and the second number is subject to a second billing scheme. A control code is transmitted from the telephone to a network switch, indicating a choice of one of the first and second telephone numbers. Upon receiving a request to connect a call from the telephone to a destination number, the call is connected using one of the first and second telephone numbers while applying one of the first and second billing schemes to the call in accordance with the choice indicated by the control code.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for providing a virtual multi-line (VML) telephone service, comprising:
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associating first and second telephone numbers with a telephone, such that the first telephone number is subject to a first billing scheme and the second number is subject to a second billing scheme;
transmitting a control code from the telephone to a network switch, indicating a choice of one of the first and second telephone numbers;
receiving a request to connect a call from the telephone to a destination number; and
connecting the call using one of the first and second telephone numbers while applying one of the first and second billing schemes to the call in accordance with the choice indicated by the control code. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for providing a virtual multi-line (VML) telephone function on a subscriber telephone to which a first, permanent telephone number is assigned, the method comprising:
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assigning a second, temporary telephone number to the subscriber telephone for a predetermined, limited time period;
during the limited time period, transferring calls placed to the temporary telephone number so that the calls are received on the subscriber telephone via the permanent telephone number; and
after the limited time period has expired, rejecting further calls that are placed to the temporary telephone number. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. Apparatus for providing a virtual multi-line (VML) telephone service, comprising:
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service execution logic, which is adapted to associate a first and a second telephone number with a telephone, such that the first telephone number is subject to a first billing scheme and the second number is subject to a second billing scheme; and
a network interface, which is coupled to receive, via a network switch, a message comprising a control code transmitted from the telephone indicating a choice of one of the first and second telephone numbers and service request indicative of a request to connect a call from the telephone to a destination number, wherein the service execution logic is adapted, responsively to the control code and the service request, to instruct the switch to connect the call using one of the first and second telephone numbers while applying one of the first and second billing schemes to the call in accordance with the choice indicated by the control code. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification