Method for remotely controlling a telephone loop/channel from another telephone loop/channel

• US 5,719,925 A
• Filed: 03/30/1995
• Issued: 02/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Talkswitch Incorporated
• Original Assignee: John T. Peoples
• Inventors: Peoples, John T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong, Harry S.
• Application Number:
  US08/413,267
• Time in Patent Office: 1,055 Days
• Field of Search: 379/201, 379/202, 379/203, 379/207, 379/211, 379/212, 379/221, 379/67, 379/88, 379/89, 379/355, 379/219, 379/220
• US Class Current: 379/201.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/08 Metering calls to called party , i.e. B-party charged for the communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/56 for VoIP communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8083 involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions or volume discounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/90 using Intelligent Networks [IN] or Advanced Intelligent Networks [AIN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/016 Billing using Intelligent Networks [IN] or Advanced Intelligent Networks [AIN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0184 involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions, volume discounts, cell discounts, group billing, frequent calling destination(s) or user history list
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/202 VoIP; Packet switched telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/62 Called party billing, e.g. reverse billing, freephone, collect call, 0800 or 0900
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/002 Applications of echo suppressors or cancellers in telephonic connections in two-way loud-speaking telephone systems H04M9/08, echo suppressors or cancellers per se H04B3/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• 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 3/44 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 3/48 Arrangements for recalling a calling subscriber when the wanted subscriber ceases to be busy
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/50 Centralised arrangements for answering calls; Centralised arrangements for recording messages for absent or busy subscribers H04M3/487 takes precedence; centralised dictation systems H04M11/10; Centralised arrangements for recording messages
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0457 Connection protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13092 Scanning of subscriber lines, monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 : PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 : Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 : Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 : Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13152 : Callback
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13175 : Graphical user interface [GUI], WWW interface, visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1318 : Ringing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1319 : Amplifier, attenuation circuit, echo suppressor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13209 : ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13282 : Call forward, follow-me, call diversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1332 : Logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13322 : Integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13331 : Abbreviated dialling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13349 : Network management
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13372 : Intercepting operator

Abstract

Techniques for establishing a connection between a calling party and a called party using the processing of a controller located on a customer premises and served by two incoming telephone loops or ISDN-type channels so as to minimize telephone costs, preserve privacy, and provide heretofore unavailable services. After a first telephony connection is established with the calling party over the secondary loop/channel, the calling party provides control information to the controller. The controller utilizes the control information to establish a connection over the primary loop/channel, and the primary and secondary loops/channels are bridged so that the calling party may monitor the call progression on the primary loop/channel and provide supplemental control information, as needed.

Claims

1. A method for interconnecting first and second subscriber loops via a controller located at a subscriber premises wherein both the loops terminate in the controller and are served by the same public central switching office, the method comprising the steps of

in response to an incoming call on the second subscriber loop from a calling party, establishing a call connection over the second subscriber loop via the controller between the calling party and the controller,

providing a menu of selectable operations accessible to the calling party via the controller,

remotely selecting one of the menu operations by the calling party, each of the menu operations defining at least one sub-operation to be carded out via the first subscriber loop,

controlling the first subscriber loop via the controller in response to the at least one sub-operation corresponding to the selected one of the operations, and

bridging the first and second subscriber loops to form a bridged connection so as to allow the calling party to monitor the first subscriber loop and, whenever required, to provide information to the first subscriber loop.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein one of the menu operations is a call connection function having a sub-operation of drawing dial tone over the first subscriber loop, and the information includes the telephone number to be called using the first subscriber loop.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the central switching office provides a call forwarding function, wherein one of the menu operations is call forwarding having a sub-operation of drawing dial tone, and the information includes the call forwarding code followed by the telephone number to which an incoming call to the first subscriber loop is to be forwarded.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the central switching office provides a call forwarding function, wherein one of the menu operations is call forwarding having a sub-operation of drawing dial tone, and the information includes the call forwarding cancel code.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 further including the step of verifying a security code provided by the calling party prior to initiating the step of providing a menu of selectable operations.

6. A method for interconnecting first and second subscriber loops via a controller located at a subscriber premises wherein both the loops terminate in the controller, the method comprising the steps of

in response to an incoming call on the second subscriber loop from a calling party, establishing a call connection over the second subscriber loop via the controller between the calling party and the controller.

providing a menu of selectable operations accessible to the calling party via the controller,

remotely selecting one of the menu operations by the calling party, each of the menu operations defining at least one sub-operation to be carded out via the first subscriber loop,

controlling the first subscriber loop via the controller in response to the at least one sub-operation corresponding to the selected one of the operations,

bridging the first and second subscriber loops to form a bridged connection so as to allow the calling party to monitor the first subscriber loop and, whenever required, to provide information to the first subscriber loop,

monitoring the call connection for an identification code,

removing the bridged connection,

again providing the menu of selectable operations to the calling party over the second subscriber loop via the controller,

remotely selecting a second one of the operations by the calling party,

controlling the first subscriber loop via the controller in response to the at least one sub-operation corresponding to the second selected one of the operations, and

bridging the first and second subscriber loops to form a second bridged connection so as to allow the calling party to monitor the first subscriber loop and, whenever required, to provide information to the first subscriber loop.

7. A method for establishing a call connection over a subscriber loop terminating in a controller, the method comprising the steps of

storing a pre-selected telephone number in the controller,

detecting a first incoming call signal over the loop via the controller without completing a call connection over the loop,

storing information relating to the time of arrival of the first incoming call signal in the controller,

detecting a second incoming call signal over the loop without completing a call connection over the loop,

storing information relating to the time of arrival of the second incoming call signal,

if the time difference between the time of arrival of the second incoming call and the time of arrival of the first incoming call is less than a pre-determined value, initiating an outgoing call over the loop with reference to the pre-selected telephone number, and

establishing a call connection between the loop and the controller whenever the outgoing call is answered.

8. The method as recited in claim 7 further including another subscriber loop incoming to the controller, the method further comprising the steps of

establishing a call connection between the other subscriber loop and the controller whenever the outgoing call is answered by a called party remotely responding to the outgoing call,

providing a menu of selectable operations accessible to the called party via the controller,

remotely selecting one of the menu operations by the called party, each of the menu operations defining at least one sub-operation to be carded out via the other subscriber loop,

controlling the other subscriber loop via the controller in response to the at least one sub-operation corresponding to the selected one of the operations, and

bridging the subscriber loop and the other subscriber loop to form a bridged connection so as to allow the called party to monitor the other subscriber loop and, whenever required, to provide information to the other subscriber loop.

9. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein one of the menu operations is a call connection function having a sub-operation of drawing dial tone over the other subscriber loop, and the information includes the telephone number to be called using the other subscriber loop.

10. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein the other subscriber loop is served by a central office providing a call forwarding function, wherein one of the menu operations is call forwarding having a sub-operation of drawing dial tone, and the information includes the call forwarding code followed by the telephone number to which an incoming call to the other subscriber loop is to be forwarded.

11. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein the other subscriber loop is served by a central office providing a call forwarding function, wherein one of the menu operations is call forwarding having a sub-operation of drawing dial tone, and the information includes the call forwarding cancel code.

12. A method for interconnecting first and second ISDN channels of an ISDN line via a controller located at a subscriber premises, the ISDN line being served by a public central switching office, the method comprising the steps of

in response to an incoming calling on the second ISDN channel from a calling party, establishing a call connection over the second ISDN channel via the controller between the calling party and the controller,

providing a menu of selectable operations accessible to the calling party via the controller,

remotely selecting one of the menu operations by the calling party, each of the menu operations defining at least one sub-operation to be carded out via the first ISDN channel,

controlling the first ISDN channel via the controller in response to the at least one sub-operation corresponding to the selected one of the operations, and

bridging the first and second channels to form a bridged connection so as to allow the calling party to monitor the first ISDN channel and, whenever required, to provide information to the first ISDN channel.