Call monitoring
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of monitoring calls routed to a voice mail system, comprising the steps of:
- receiving a call from a calling party directed to a subscriber directory number;
determining whether the call should be forwarded to the voice mail system;
if the call should be forwarded to the voice mail system, querying a first network element for call monitoring services;
at the first network element, providing call monitoring instructions to a second network element;
at the second network element, setting up a communication between the calling party and the voice mail system;
at the second network element, calling the subscriber via the subscriber directory number; and
if the subscriber answers the call from the second network element, setting up a three-way communication between the calling party, the voice mail system and the subscriber without input from the subscriber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for monitoring calls routed to a telephone network-based voice mail system. When a subscriber receives a telephone call, a determination is made as to whether the call should be routed to the voice mail system. If call monitoring services are activated, a three-way communication is set up between the calling party, the voice mail system and the subscriber. The subscriber is bridged into the call on a listen-only basis, but upon command by the subscriber, the subscriber may answer the call.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring calls routed to a voice mail system, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a call from a calling party directed to a subscriber directory number;
determining whether the call should be forwarded to the voice mail system;
if the call should be forwarded to the voice mail system, querying a first network element for call monitoring services;
at the first network element, providing call monitoring instructions to a second network element;
at the second network element, setting up a communication between the calling party and the voice mail system;
at the second network element, calling the subscriber via the subscriber directory number; and
if the subscriber answers the call from the second network element, setting up a three-way communication between the calling party, the voice mail system and the subscriber without input from the subscriber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for monitoring calls routed to a voice mail system, comprising the steps of:
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a switch operative to receive a call from a calling party directed to a subscriber directory number;
to determine whether the call should be forwarded to the voice mail system;
to query a first network element for call monitoring services if the call should be forwarded to the voice mail system;
the first network element operative to provide call monitoring instructions to a second network element;
the second network element operative to set up a communication between the calling party and the voice mail system;
to call the subscriber via the subscriber directory number; and
to set up a three-way communication between the calling party, the voice mail system and the subscriber without input from the subscriber if the subscriber answers the call from the second network element. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification