Tandem access controller within the public switched telephone network

• US 20060239436A1
• Filed: 07/05/2006
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: j2 Cloud Services, LLC (Consensus Cloud Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Telemaze, LLC
• Inventors: Wood, Samuel F., Asprey, Margaret Susan, Klein, Jerry A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,155,298 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1046 Call controllers; Call servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42153 by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42161 via computer interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42229 Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location diverting calls from one subscriber to another subscriber, i.e. two different subscriptions H04M3/54; selecting arrangements in intelligent networks H04Q3/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0003 Interconnection between telephone networks and data networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0009 where voice calls remain entirely in the telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0033 Notification or handling of incoming calls by a computer
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/126 Interworking of session control protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/129 Details of providing call progress tones or announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13109 Initializing, personal profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1313 Metering, billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13242 Broadcast, diffusion, multicast, point-to-multipoint (1 : N)
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13332 Broadband, CATV, dynamic bandwidth allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0025 : Provisions for signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/005 : Personal communication services, e.g. provisions for portability of subscriber numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/66 : Traffic distributors
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 : Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber

Abstract

In one embodiment, the system includes a processor, referred to herein as a tandem access controller (TAC), coupled to the PSTN, where the TAC allows a subscriber to set-up and make changes to the configuration of his or her phone line or other communications device. Such changes include selective call forwarding. In one embodiment, the TAC is controlled by the subscriber using the web. The TAC is coupled internally to the PSTN in a local service area and is outside the central office of the subscriber. A calling party makes a first call to the subscriber using the subscriber'"'"'s public telephone number. The TAC receives the first call prior to the call reaching the subscriber'"'"'s terminating central office, which in some cases avoids a toll. The TAC then carries out the subscriber'"'"'s instructions for the first call, such as making one or more second calls using telephone numbers different from the subscriber'"'"'s public telephone number. When the second call is answered, the answering phone is connected by the TAC to the caller.

Claims

1. A method performed by a user of a public switched telephone network (PSTN), said user having a communications device, said method comprising:

accessing a remote tandem access controller (TAC) via the Internet by said user, said TAC being within the PSTN and coupled to a PSTN tandem switch for a local service area with respect to said user, said TAC for processing incoming calls from a calling party, via said tandem switch, intended by said calling party to be received by said user'"'"'s communications device;

selecting features by the user via the Internet to be applied by said TAC to said incoming calls,

wherein said TAC receives a first call from a calling party intended for said user'"'"'s communication device and processes said first call in accordance with said features prior to the first call reaching a terminating central office, said method performed by said user further comprising;

receiving a second call by said user from said TAC, via said tandem switch, after said first call has been processed by said TAC in accordance with said features selected and without the first call reaching the terminating central office; and

answering said second call to cause said TAC to complete a communications link between said calling party and said user.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said TAC receiving a first call from said calling party comprises said calling party calling a first telephone number, and said receiving a second call from said TAC comprises said TAC placing said second call to a communications device designated by said user using a second telephone number.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said user'"'"'s communications device is a telephone, and wherein answering said second call causes said TAC to connect a calling party'"'"'s communication device to said user'"'"'s telephone.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said user'"'"'s communications device is a telephone, and wherein answering said second call causes said TAC to connect a calling party'"'"'s communication device to other than said user'"'"'s telephone, as designated by said user during said step of selecting features.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said user'"'"'s communications device is a computer, and wherein answering said second call causes said TAC to connect a calling party'"'"'s communication device to said user'"'"'s computer.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said first call is placed by said calling party through a PSTN central office to said TAC, and said second call is a non-toll call placed by said TAC through a central office to said user'"'"'s communications device.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said features are selected from the one of:

a) selective call forwarding wherein said second call is to a particular communications device is based on one of a time of said first call and the party making the first call; and

b) conditional call blocking.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said TAC receiving a first call from a calling party comprises receiving said first call via said tandem switch in said PSTN.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising accessing said TAC by said user via the Internet to obtain information regarding calls received and placed by said user.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

accessing said TAC to place a call by said user to a third party, said TAC placing said call to said third party; and

communicating with said third party after said TAC connects said user'"'"'s communications device to a communications device of said third party.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said accessing said TAC comprises using the Internet to communicate a telephone number to said TAC for placing a call to said third party.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the selection of features to be applied to said TAC to one of an incoming and an outgoing call are selected by the subscriber via the Internet using one of a computing device, a wireless device, a cellular device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and an information appliance;

and wherein said function selected by said subscriber comprises at least one of;

Web-Based Telecom Navigator;

Manage Incoming Call Control;

Conditional Call Blocking/Forwarding/Alerting;

Call Screening/Retrieval from Voice Mail;

Interactive Voice Response and Speech Recognition;

Manage Outgoing Call Control;

Click-to-Dial Calling;

Group Calling and Messaging;

Web-Based Billing;

Cost-Effective Single Phone Number Access;

Free Local Calls, Incoming Calls (not 800 Toll Service);

Retain Current Number (Local Number Portability);

Low-Cost Calling Throughout LATA;

Flat-Rate Foreign Exchange;

Standard DTMF and VoIP Phones;

Centralized and Consistent Personal Data;

Private/Public Phone Directories and Calendars;

“

Post-It”

Style Annotation of Numbers;

Web Dialing;

Click-to-Dial from Web Pages, Directories, Calendars;

Multiple Phone List Management;

Voice Mail Access, Prompts, Alert Via Web;

Mode-Based Definition and Selection, comprising Time-of-Day, Day-of-Week, Follow-Me, Caller Recognition/Password, Caller ID, Vacation, Dinner Time, Go Away, Family Call Waiting;

Learning Modes;

Automatic Data Capture;

Build Phone List Based on Collected Usage Information;

VoIP Link Degradation Detection; and

Automatic Cutover to PSTN.

13. A method performed by a processor coupled to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) tandem switch and within the PSTN comprising:

receiving a first call through said tandem switch from a calling party intended for a subscriber after said calling party has entered a first telephone number, said first telephone number being said subscriber'"'"'s public telephone number, said processor applying features selected by said subscriber to said first call prior to the first call reaching a terminating central office;

placing a second call to said subscriber using a second telephone number different from said first telephone number, said second call being a non-toll call to said subscriber, said processor completing a communications path between said calling party and said subscriber after said subscriber has received said second call; and

activating features selected by said subscriber via the Internet to be applied to a call intended for said subscriber.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising connecting a calling party'"'"'s communication device to other than said subscriber'"'"'s telephone, as designated by said subscriber pursuant to said features selected by said subscriber, after said subscriber has answered said second call.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein said first call is placed by said calling party through a PSTN central office to said processor, and said second call is placed by said processor through a central office.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein said features are selected from:

a) one of selective call forwarding wherein said second call to a particular communications device is based on one of a time of said first call and the particular calling party making said first call; and

b) conditional call blocking.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

receiving a local third call by said processor, via said tandem switch, placed by said subscriber for a third party, said processor placing a fourth call to said third party, via said tandem switch; and

connecting said subscriber to said third party after said third party receives said fourth call.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the selection of features to be applied to said TAC to one of an incoming and an outgoing call are selected by the subscriber via the Internet using one of a computing device, a wireless device, a cellular device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and an information appliance;

and wherein said function selected by said subscriber comprises at least one of;

Web-Based Telecom Navigator;

Manage Incoming Call Control;

Conditional Call Blocking/Forwarding/Alerting;

Call Screening/Retrieval from Voice Mail;

Interactive Voice Response and Speech Recognition;

Manage Outgoing Call Control;

Click-to-Dial Calling;

Group Calling and Messaging;

Web-Based Billing;

Cost-Effective Single Phone Number Access;

Free Local Calls, Incoming Calls (not 800 Toll Service);

Retain Current Number (Local Number Portability);

Low-Cost Calling Throughout LATA;

Flat-Rate Foreign Exchange;

Standard DTMF and VoIP Phones;

Centralized and Consistent Personal Data;

Private/Public Phone Directories and Calendars;

“

Post-It”

Style Annotation of Numbers;

Web Dialing;

Click-to-Dial from Web Pages, Directories, Calendars;

Multiple Phone List Management;

Voice Mail Access, Prompts, Alert Via Web;

Mode-Based Definition and Selection, comprising Time-of-Day, Day-of-Week, Follow-Me, Caller Recognition/Password, Caller ID, Vacation, Dinner Time, Go Away, Family Call Waiting;

Learning Modes;

Automatic Data Capture;

Build Phone List Based on Collected Usage Information;

VoIP Link Degradation Detection; and

Automatic Cutover to PSTN.

19. A method of placing and receiving telephone calls through a public switched telephone network (PSTN) tandem switch and within the PSTN comprising the steps of:

receiving a first call from a tandem access controller (TAC) through said tandem switch from a calling party intended for a subscriber after said calling party has entered a first telephone number, said first telephone number being said subscriber'"'"'s public telephone number, said TAC being in a local service area with respect to said subscriber, said TAC receiving the first call prior to the first call reaching a terminating central office;

activating features, selected by said subscriber via the Internet, to said first call prior to the first call reaching a terminating central office;

placing a second call to said subscriber using a second telephone number different from said first telephone number, said second call being a non-toll call to said subscriber; and

completing a communications path between said calling party and said subscriber after said subscriber has received said second call.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein answering said second call causes said TAC to connect a calling party'"'"'s communication device to other than said subscriber'"'"'s telephone, as designated by said subscriber pursuant to said features selected by said subscriber.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein:

said first call is placed by said calling party through a PSTN central office to said TAC; and

said second call is placed by said TAC through a terminating central office.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein said features are selected from one of:

a) selective call forward wherein said second call is made to a particular communications device based on one of a time of first call and the particular calling party making said first call; and

b) conditional call blocking.

23. The method of claim 19 comprising said further steps of:

receiving a local third call at said TAC, via said tandem switch, placed by said subscriber for a third party,

placing a fourth call through said TAC to said third party, via said tandem switch; and

connecting said subscriber through said TAC to said third party after said third party receives said fourth call.

24. The method of claim 19 wherein said function selected by said subscriber comprises at least one of:

Web-Based Telecom Navigator;

Manage Incoming Call Control;

Conditional Call Blocking/Forwarding/Alerting;

Call Screening/Retrieval from Voice Mail;

Interactive Voice Response and Speech Recognition;

Manage Outgoing Call Control;

Click-to-Dial Calling;

Group Calling and Messaging;

Web-Based Billing;

Cost-Effective Single Phone Number Access;

Free Local Calls, Incoming Calls (not 800 Toll Service);

Retain Current Number (Local Number Portability);

Low-Cost Calling Throughout LATA;

Flat-Rate Foreign Exchange;

Standard DTMF and VoIP Phones;

Centralized and Consistent Personal Data;

Private/Public Phone Directories and Calendars;

“

Post-It”

Style Annotation of Numbers;

Web Dialing;

Click-to-Dial from Web Pages, Directories, Calendars;

Multiple Phone List Management;

Voice Mail Access, Prompts, Alert Via Web;

Mode-Based Definition and Selection, comprising Time-of-Day, Day-of-Week, Follow-Me, Caller Recognition/Password, Caller ID, Vacation, Dinner Time, Go Away, Family

Call Waiting;

Learning Modes;

Automatic Data Capture;

Build Phone List Based on Collected Usage Information;

VoIP Link Degradation Detection; and

Automatic Cutover to PSTN.