System and method for providing a remote user with a virtual presence to an office

• US 5,889,845 A
• Filed: 11/01/1996
• Issued: 03/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Data Race, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Data Race, Inc.
• Inventors: Witt, Kenneth L., Staples, Leven E., Barker, W. B.
• Primary Examiner(s): HONG, HARRY S
• Application Number:
  US08/740,775
• Time in Patent Office: 879 Days
• Field of Search: 379/265, 379/266, 379/309, 379/207, 379/201, 379/67, 379/89, 379/93.01, 379/93.24, 379/100.01, 379/100.08
• US Class Current: 379/211.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6429 Terminal adapters
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6472 Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6475 N-ISDN, Public Switched Telephone Network [PSTN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/222 using geographical location information, e.g. messages transmitted or received in proximity of a certain spot or area
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/563 Data redirection of data network streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/161 Implementation details of TCP/IP or UDP/IP stack architecture; Specification of modified or new header fields
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/163 In-band adaptation of TCP data exchange; In-band control procedures
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/164 Adaptation or special uses of UDP protocol
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/156 On-line status dependent routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42314 in private branch exchanges
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42323 PBX's with CTI arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4234 : Remote access to features of PBX or home telephone systems-teleworking in a PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/428 : Arrangements for placing incoming calls on hold
• 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 7/122 : where the PSTN/ISDN access is used as an access to networks other than PSTN/ISDN access arrangements to networks other than PSTN/ISDN H04M7/0066; access arrangements to public data networks H04L12/2856
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/128 : Details of addressing, directories or routing tables
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 : Provisions for intelligent networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/62 : for connecting to private branch exchanges
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/625 : Arrangements in the private branch exchange

Abstract

A system and method for enabling a remote user to maintain a virtual presence at a corporate office and behave substantially as if the user were physically present at the corporate office. First the remote user establishes a virtual presence connection at the corporate office, including providing identification and security information. Once the remote user is connected, the virtual presence server instructs the corporate PBX to automatically forward all calls to the remote user. The virtual presence server also routes email, faxes, and LAN data to the remote user. The virtual presence server also extends the corporate PBX and corporate LAN features to the remote user, just as if the remote user were physically located in the corporate office. According to the invention, the remote user makes outgoing telephone calls, sends faxes, transmits data, sends email and performs Internet access as if the remote user were physically present in the corporate office. The virtual presence server and/or the user communication device also performs a call forwarding operation to call forward telephone calls made to the user'"'"'s home to the virtual presence server at the corporate office. These calls are then routed through the virtual presence server to the user'"'"'s home. Thus the user can receive home telephone calls while the user is connected to the corporate office, wherein the home telephone calls are received on the same telephone line which is being used for the virtual presence connection.

Claims

1. A method for providing a remote user operating a user telephony communications device with access capabilities to a corporate office, wherein the corporate office includes a virtual presence server, wherein the corporate office includes a first telephone number associated with the remote user and used to access the remote user at the corporate office, the method comprising:

the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office on a communication line and providing identification information;

the virtual presence server performing a call forwarding operation to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said virtual presence server; and

the virtual presence server communicating telephony control information with the user telephony communications device on the communication line, wherein said communicating telephony control information enables the user telephony communications device to behave as an extension to a telephony server at the corporate office;

wherein the virtual presence server performs said call forwarding operation and communicates said telephony control information in response to the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office and providing said identification information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office are forwarded to said virtual presence server and transmitted on the communication line to the user telephony communications device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

the virtual presence server receiving a telephone call made to said first telephone number and forwarded to said virtual presence server, wherein said telephone call is intended for the remote user operating said user telephony communications device; and

the virtual presence server routing said telephone call made to said first telephone number and forwarded to said virtual presence server to the user telephony communications device on the communication line.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

the user telephony communications device and the virtual presence server communicating voice information on the communication line after the virtual presence server routing said telephone call;

the virtual presence server performing data transfers with the user telephony communications device on the communication line during the user telephony communications device and the virtual presence server communicating said voice information.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual presence server communicates voice and telephony control information with the user telephony communications device on the communication line.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual presence server communicates voice, data and telephony control information with the user telephony communications device on the communication line.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

the virtual presence server performing data transfers with the user telephony communications device on the communication line after the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

the virtual presence server routing electronic mail intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device on the communication line after the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

the virtual presence server routing faxes intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device on the communication line after the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the corporate office includes a local area network, wherein the virtual presence server is coupled to the local area network, the method further comprising:

the virtual presence server routing local area network data intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device on the communication line after the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the user telephony communications device includes a second telephone number, wherein the second telephone number is used to access the user telephony communications device, the method further comprising:

performing a call forwarding operation to call forward telephone calls made to said second number to said virtual presence server;

wherein said telephone calls made to the second telephone number and forwarded to the virtual presence server are routed through said virtual presence server to said user telephony communications device on the communication line.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

a party making a telephone call to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device;

wherein said telephone call to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device is automatically forwarded to the virtual presence server at the corporate office;

the virtual presence server receiving said telephone call made to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device and forwarded to the virtual presence server at the corporate office;

the virtual presence server routing said telephone call made to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device and forwarded to the virtual presence server at the corporate office to the user telephony communications device on the communication line.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the virtual presence server automatically performs said call forwarding operation to call forward telephone calls made to said second number to said virtual presence server in response to the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office and providing said identification information.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the user telephony communications device includes a second telephone number, wherein the second telephone number is used to access the user telephony communications device, the method further comprising:

instructing a telephone company central office to forward telephone calls made to the second telephone number to the virtual presence server at the corporate office;

wherein said telephone calls made to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device and forwarded to the virtual presence server at the corporate office are routed through said virtual presence server to said user telephony communications device on the communication line.

15. The method of claim 14,

wherein the virtual presence server automatically instructs said telephone company central office to forward telephone calls made to the second telephone number to the virtual presence server at the corporate office in response to the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office and providing said identification information.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said instructing the telephone company central office comprises the virtual presence server performing a remote access call forwarding operation to forward telephone calls made to the second telephone number to the virtual presence server at the corporate office.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the corporate office includes a corporate office telephone coupled to the telephony server and used by the remote user when the remote user is physically present in the corporate office;

wherein the user telephony communications device behaves substantially like said corporate office telephone in response to the virtual presence server communicating said telephony control information with the user telephony communications device.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

the remote user calling a party using the communication line after said connecting and after the virtual presence server communicates telephony control information with said user telephony communications device, wherein said calling includes the user telephony communications device using said telephony control information to behave as an extension to the telephony server.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the corporate office further includes a plurality of telephones coupled to said telephony server, wherein each of said plurality of telephones coupled to said telephony server have a local extension, the method further comprising:

the remote user calling a co-worker at the corporate office using the communication line after said connecting and after the virtual presence server communicates telephony control information with the user telephony communications device, wherein said calling the co-worker includes the remote user dialing a local extension of a telephone associated with said co-worker.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein said telephony control information includes one or more of message indications, line indications, and LCD display information.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein said identification information comprises an identity of the remote user operating the user telephony communications device.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

the virtual presence server storing said identification information provided by the user telephony communications device;

wherein said virtual presence server performing said call forwarding operation includes;

accessing said identification information received from said user telephony communications device; and

performing said call forwarding operation using said identification information.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

the user telephony communications device disconnecting from the corporate office;

the virtual presence server performing a discontinue operation to discontinue said call forwarding operation in response to said disconnecting;

wherein after said discontinue operation telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office are received by a telephony device at the corporate office associated with said first telephone number.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual presence server performing said call forwarding operation comprises the virtual presence server instructing the telephony server at the corporate office to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said virtual presence server.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

the user telephony communications device disconnecting from the corporate office;

the virtual presence server instructing the telephony server at the corporate office to discontinue said call forwarding operation;

wherein, after the telephony server at the corporate office discontinues said call forwarding operation, telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office are received by the telephony server and not forwarded to the virtual presence server.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual presence server is also said telephony server.

27. A system which provides a remote user with access capabilities to a corporate office, comprising:

a user telephony communications device physically located remotely from the corporate office, wherein the user telephony communications device is operated by the remote user, wherein the user telephony communications device is adapted for coupling to a transmission medium, wherein the user telephony communications device transmits communications to the corporate office on the transmission medium, wherein said communications include identification information;

a telephony server located at the corporate office, wherein the telephony server controls a plurality of telephones, wherein the corporate office includes a first telephone number associated with the remote user, wherein the first telephone number is used to access the remote user at the corporate office; and

a virtual presence server located at the corporate office and coupled to said telephony server, wherein the user telephony communications device is operable to connect to the virtual presence server, wherein the virtual presence server includes;

at least one input for coupling to the transmission medium, wherein said at least one input receives communications from said user telephony communications device on the transmission medium;

a memory for storing said identification information received from said user telephony communications device; and

a communication device coupled to said memory and to said at least one input for communicating with the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium;

wherein the virtual presence server is operable to perform a call forwarding operation to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said virtual presence server;

wherein the virtual presence server is operable to route said telephone calls made to said first telephone number and forwarded to said virtual presence server to the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium;

wherein the virtual presence server is operable to communicate telephony control information with the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium, wherein said telephony control information enables the user telephony communications device to behave as an extension to the telephony server at the corporate office; and

wherein the virtual presence server is operable to perform said call forwarding operation and communicate said telephony control information in response to the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office and providing said identification information.

28. The system of claim 27,

wherein the virtual presence server is operable to receive a telephone call made to said first telephone number and forwarded to said virtual presence server, wherein said telephone call is intended for the remote user operating said user telephony communications device;

and

wherein the virtual presence server is operable to route said telephone call to said user telephony communications device through the transmission medium.

29. The system of claim 27,

wherein the user telephony communications device and the virtual presence server are operable to simultaneously communicate voice and data information on the transmission medium.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein said virtual presence server further includes:

processing logic for accessing said identification information received from said user telephony communications device; and

call forwarding logic for performing said call forwarding operation using said identification information.

31. The system of claim 27, wherein the virtual presence server is operable to perform data transfers with the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium after the user telephony communications device connects to the corporate office.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the virtual presence server is operable to route electronic mail intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium after the user telephony communications device connects to the corporate office.

33. The system of claim 31, wherein the virtual presence server is operable to route faxes intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium after the user telephony communications device connects to the corporate office.

34. The system of claim 27, further comprising:

a local area network located at the corporate office, wherein the virtual presence server is coupled to the local area network;

wherein the virtual presence server is operable to route local area network data intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device after the user telephony communications device connects to the corporate office.

35. The system of claim 27, wherein the user telephony communications device includes a second telephone number, wherein the second telephone number is used to access the user telephony communications device;

wherein the virtual presence server is operable to perform a call forwarding operation to call forward telephone calls made to said second number to said virtual presence server at the corporate office;

wherein the virtual presence server is operable to route said telephone calls made to the second telephone number and forwarded to the virtual presence server to said user telephony communications device on the transmission medium.

36. The system of claim 27, wherein the corporate office includes a corporate office telephone coupled to the telephony server and used by the remote user when the remote user is physically present in the corporate office;

wherein the user telephony communications device behaves substantially like said corporate office telephone in response to said telephony control information.

37. The system of claim 27,

wherein the corporate office further includes a plurality of telephones coupled to said telephony server, wherein each of said plurality of telephones coupled to said telephony server have a local extension;

wherein the user telephony communications device is operable to call a co-worker at the corporate office through the transmission medium by dialing a local extension of a telephone associated with said co-worker.

38. The system of claim 27, wherein said telephony control information includes one or more of message indications, line indications, and LCD display information.

39. The system of claim 27,

wherein the user telephony communications device is operable to disconnect from the corporate office;

wherein, in response to the user telephony communications device disconnecting from the corporate office, the virtual presence server performs a discontinue operation to discontinue said call forwarding operation;

wherein after said discontinue operation telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office are received by a telephony device at the corporate office associated with said first telephone number.

40. The system of claim 27, wherein the virtual presence server is operable to perform said call forwarding operation by instructing the telephony server at the corporate office to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said virtual presence server.

41. The system of claim 40,

wherein the user telephony communications device is operable to disconnect from the corporate office;

wherein, in response to the user telephony communications device disconnecting from the corporate office, the virtual presence server is operable to instruct the telephony server at the corporate office to discontinue said call forwarding operation;

wherein, after the telephony server at the corporate office discontinues said call forwarding operation, telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office are received by the telephony server and not forwarded to the virtual presence server.

42. A system which provides a remote user with access capabilities to a corporate office, wherein the system is located at the corporate office, wherein the remote user operates a user telephony communications device physically located remotely from the corporate office, wherein the corporate office includes a first telephone number associated with the remote user, wherein the first telephone number is used to access the remote user at the corporate office, wherein the system includes:

at least one input for coupling to a transmission medium, wherein said at least one input receives communications from the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium;

a memory for storing identification information received from the user telephony communications device; and

a communication device coupled to the memory and to the at least one input for communicating voice and data information to the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium;

wherein the system is operable to perform a call forwarding operation to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said system;

wherein the system is operable to route said telephone calls made to said first telephone number and forwarded to said system to the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium;

wherein the system is operable to communicate telephony control information with the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium, wherein said telephony control information enables the user telephony communications device to behave as an extension to a telephony server at the corporate office; and

wherein the system is operable to perform said call forwarding operation and communicate said telephony control information in response to the system receiving a communication from the user telephony communications device and receiving said identification information from the user telephony communications device.

43. The system of claim 42,

wherein the system at the corporate office is operable to receive a telephone call intended for said first telephone number, wherein said telephone call is intended for the remote user operating the user telephony communications device;

and

wherein the system is operable to route said telephone call to the user telephony communications device through the transmission medium in response to the system receiving said telephone call.

44. The system of claim 42,

wherein the system is operable to simultaneously communicate voice and data information to the user telephony communications device through the transmission medium.

45. The system of claim 42, wherein said system further includes:

processing logic for accessing said identification information received from the user telephony communications device; and

call forwarding logic for performing said call forwarding operation using said identification information.

46. The system of claim 42, wherein the system is operable to perform data transfers with the user telephony communications device through the transmission medium after the system receives a connection from the user telephony communications device.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the system is operable to route electronic mails intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device through the transmission medium after the system receives a connection from the user telephony communications device.

48. The system of claim 46, wherein the system is operable to route faxes intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device through the transmission medium after the system receives a connection from the user telephony communications device.

49. The system of claim 42, wherein a local area network is located at the corporate office, wherein the system is coupled to the local area network;

wherein the system is operable to route local area network data intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device through the transmission medium after the system receives a connection from the user telephony communications device.

50. The system of claim 42, wherein the user telephony communications device includes a second telephone number, wherein the second telephone number is used to access the user telephony communications device;

wherein the system is operable to perform a call forwarding operation to call forward telephone calls made to said second number to said system at the corporate office;

wherein the system is operable to route said telephone calls made to the second telephone number and forwarded to the system to the user telephony communications device through the transmission medium.

51. The system of claim 42, wherein the corporate office includes a corporate office telephone used by the remote user when the remote user is physically present in the corporate office;

wherein the user telephony communications device behaves substantially like said corporate office telephone in response to said telephony control information.

52. The system of claim 42,

wherein the corporate office further includes a plurality of telephones, wherein each of said plurality of telephones have a local extension;

wherein the user telephony communications device is operable to call a co-worker at the corporate office through the transmission medium by dialing a local extension of a telephone associated with said co-worker.

53. The system of claim 42, wherein said telephony control information includes one or more of message indications, line indications, and LCD display information.

54. The system of claim 42,

wherein, in response to the user telephony communications device disconnecting from the corporate office, the system performs a discontinue operation to discontinue said call forwarding operation;

wherein after said discontinue operation telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office are received by a telephony device at the corporate office associated with said first telephone number.

55. The system of claim 42, wherein the system is operable to perform said call forwarding operation by instructing the telephony server at the corporate office to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said system.

56. The system of claim 55,

wherein, in response to the user telephony communications device disconnecting from the corporate office, the system is operable to instruct the telephony server at the corporate office to discontinue said call forwarding operation;

wherein, after the telephony server at the corporate office discontinues said call forwarding operation, telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office are received by the telephony sever and not forwarded to the virtual presence server.

57. The system of claim 42, wherein the system operates as the telephony server at the corporate office.

58. A method for providing a remote user operating a user telephony communications device with access capabilities to a corporate office, wherein the corporate office includes a virtual presence server, wherein the corporate office includes a first telephone number associated with the remote user, wherein the first telephone number is used to access the remote user at the corporate office, wherein the user telephony communications device includes a second telephone number, wherein the second telephone number is used to access the user telephony communications device, the method comprising:

the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office;

the user telephony communications device providing identification information to the virtual presence server at the corporate office, said identification information including an identity of the remote user operating the user telephony communications device;

the virtual presence server performing a call forwarding operation to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said virtual presence server;

performing a call forwarding operation to call forward telephone calls made to said second number to said virtual presence server;

wherein said telephone calls forwarded to the virtual presence server are routed through said virtual presence server to said user telephony communications device; and

wherein said call forwarding operations are performed in response to the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office and providing said identification information.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the virtual presence server performing said call forwarding operation to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said virtual presence server comprises the virtual presence server instructing a telephony server at the corporate office to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said virtual presence server.

60. The method of claim 58,

wherein said performing a call forwarding operation to call forward telephone calls made to said second number to said virtual presence server comprises instructing a telephone company central office to forward telephone calls made to the second telephone number to the virtual presence server at the corporate office.

61. The method of claim 58, further comprising:

the virtual presence server routing a telephone call made to said first telephone number and forwarded to said virtual presence server to the user telephony communications device.

62. The method of claim 58, further comprising:

the virtual presence server receiving a telephone call made to said first telephone number and forwarded to said virtual presence server, wherein said telephone call is intended for the user operating said user telephony communications device; and

the virtual presence server routing said telephone call made to said first telephone number and forwarded to said virtual presence server to the user telephony communications device.

63. The method of claim 62, further comprising:

the user telephony communications device and the virtual presence server communicating voice information after the virtual presence server routing said telephone call;

the virtual presence server performing data transfers with the user telephony communications device during the user telephony communications device and the virtual presence server communicating said voice information.

64. The method of claim 58, further comprising:

a party making a telephone call to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device;

wherein said telephone call to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device is automatically forwarded to the virtual presence server at the corporate office;

the virtual presence server receiving said telephone call made to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device and forwarded to the virtual presence server at the corporate office;

the virtual presence server routing said telephone call made to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device and forwarded to the virtual presence server at the corporate office to the user telephony communications device.

65. The method of claim 58, wherein said virtual presence server performing said call forwarding operations includes:

accessing said identification information received from said user telephony communications device; and

performing said call forwarding operations using said identification information.

66. The method of claim 58, further comprising:

the virtual presence server performing data transfers with the user telephony communications device after the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office.

67. The method of claim 66, further comprising:

the virtual presence server routing electronic mail intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device after the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office.

68. The method of claim 66, further comprising:

the virtual presence server routing faxes intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device after the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office.

69. The method of claim 58, wherein the corporate office includes a local area network, wherein the virtual presence server is coupled to the local area network, the method further comprising:

the virtual presence server routing local area network data intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device after the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office.

70. The method of claim 58, wherein the corporate office includes a telephony server, the method further comprising:

the virtual presence server communicating telephony control information with the user telephony communications device, wherein said communicating telephony control information enables the user telephony communications device to behave as an extension to the telephony server at the corporate office.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein the virtual presence server communicates said telephony control information with the user telephony communications device in response to the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office and providing said identification information.

72. The method of claim 70, wherein the corporate office includes a corporate office telephone coupled to the telephony server and used by the remote user when the remote user is physically present in the corporate office;

wherein the user telephony communications device behaves substantially like said corporate office telephone in response to the virtual presence server communicating said telephony control information with the user telephony communications device.

73. The method of claim 70, further comprising:

the remote user calling a party after said connecting and after the virtual presence server communicates telephony control information with said user telephony communications device, wherein said calling includes the user telephony communications device using said telephony control information to behave as an extension to the telephony server.

74. The method of claim 70, wherein the corporate office further includes a plurality of telephones coupled to said telephony server, wherein each of said plurality of telephones coupled to said telephony server have a local extension, the method further comprising:

the remote user calling a co-worker at the corporate office after said connecting and after the virtual presence server communicates telephony control information with the user telephony communications device, wherein said calling the co-worker includes the remote user dialing a local extension of a telephone associated with said co-worker.

75. The method of claim 70, wherein said telephony control information includes one or more of message indications, line indications, and LCD display information.

76. The method of claim 58, further comprising:

the user telephony communications device disconnecting from the corporate office;

the virtual presence server performing one or more discontinue operations to discontinue said call forwarding operations in response to said disconnecting;

wherein after said discontinue operations telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office are received by a telephony device at the corporate office associated with said first telephone number, and telephone calls made to said second telephone number which are intended for the user telephony communications device are received by the user telephony communications device.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein said discontinue operations comprise instructing a telephony server at the corporate office to discontinue forwarding telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said virtual presence server and instructing a telephone company central office to discontinue forwarding telephone calls made to the second telephone number to the virtual presence server at the corporate office.

78. A system which provides a remote user with access capabilities to a corporate office, wherein the system is located at the corporate office, wherein the remote user operates a user telephony communications device physically located remotely from the corporate office, wherein the corporate office includes a first telephone number associated with the remote user, wherein the first telephone number is used to access the remote user at the corporate office, wherein the user telephony communications device includes a second telephone number, wherein the second telephone number is used to access the user telephony communications device, wherein the system includes:

at least one input for coupling to a transmission medium, wherein said at least one input receives communications from the user telephony communications device;

a memory for storing identification information received from the user telephony communications device; and

a communication device coupled to the memory and to the at least one input for communicating with the user telephony communications device;

wherein the system is operable to perform a call forwarding operation to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said system;

wherein the system is operable to perform a call forwarding operation to call forward telephone calls made to said second number to said system;

wherein said telephone calls forwarded to the system are routed through said system to said user telephony communications device; and

wherein the system performs said call forwarding operations in response to the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office and providing said identification information.

79. The system of claim 78, wherein said call forwarding operation to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said system comprises instructing a telephony server at the corporate office to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said system.

80. The system of claim 78,

wherein said call forwarding operation to call forward telephone calls made to said second number to said system comprises instructing a telephone company central office to forward telephone calls made to the second telephone number to the system.

81. The system of claim 78,

wherein the system at the corporate office is operable to receive a telephone call intended for said first telephone number, wherein said telephone call is intended for the remote user operating the user telephony communications device;

and

wherein the system is operable to route said telephone call to the user telephony communications device in response to the system receiving said telephone call.

82. The system of claim 78,

wherein, in response to a party making a telephone call to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device, said telephone call to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device is automatically forwarded to the system at the corporate office;

wherein the system is operable to receive said telephone call made to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device and forwarded to the system at the corporate office;

wherein the system is operable to route said telephone call made to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device and forwarded to the system at the corporate office to the user telephony communications device.

83. The system of claim 78, wherein said system further includes:

processing logic for accessing said identification information received from the user telephony communications device; and

call forwarding logic for performing said call forwarding operation using said identification information.

84. The system of claim 78, wherein the system is operable to perform data transfers with the user telephony communications device after the system receives a connection from the user telephony communications device.

85. The system of claim 84, wherein the system is operable to route electronic mails intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device after the system receives a connection from the user telephony communications device.

86. The system of claim 84, wherein the system is operable to route faxes intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device after the system receives a connection from the user telephony communications device.

87. The system of claim 78, wherein a local area network is located at the corporate office, wherein the system is coupled to the local area network;

wherein the system is operable to route local area network data intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device after the system receives a connection from the user telephony communications device.

88. The system of claim 78,

wherein the system is operable to communicate telephony control information with the user telephony communications device, wherein said telephony control information enables the user telephony communications device to behave as an extension to a telephony server at the corporate office.

89. The system of claim 88, wherein the system is operable to communicate said telephony control information with the user telephony communications device in response to the system receiving a communication from the user telephony communications device and receiving said identification information from the user telephony communications device.

90. A method for providing a remote user operating a user telephony communications device with access capabilities to a corporate office, wherein the corporate office includes a virtual presence server, the method comprising:

the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office on a communication line and providing identification information; and

the virtual presence server communicating telephony control information with the user telephony communications device on the communication line, wherein said communicating telephony control information enables the user telephony communications device to behave as an extension to a telephony server at the corporate office;

wherein the virtual presence server communicates said telephony control information on the communication line in response to the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office and providing said identification information.

91. The method of claim 90, wherein the corporate office includes a corporate office telephone coupled to the telephony server and used by the remote user when the remote user is physically present in the corporate office;

wherein the user telephony communications device behaves substantially like said corporate office telephone in response to the virtual presence server communicating said telephony control information with the user telephony communications device.

92. The method of claim 90, further comprising:

the remote user calling a party after said connecting and after the virtual presence server communicates telephony control information with said user telephony communications device, wherein said calling includes the user telephony communications device using said telephony control information to behave as an extension to the telephony server.

93. The method of claim 90, wherein the corporate office further includes a plurality of telephones coupled to said telephony server, wherein each of said plurality of telephones coupled to said telephony server have a local extension, the method further comprising:

the remote user calling a co-worker at the corporate office after said connecting and after the virtual presence server communicates telephony control information with the user telephony communications device, wherein said calling the co-worker includes the remote user dialing a local extension of a telephone associated with said co-worker.

94. The method of claim 90, wherein said telephony control information includes one or more of message indications, line indications, and LCD display information.

95. The method of claim 90, wherein the corporate office includes a first telephone number associated with the remote user and used to access the remote user at the corporate office;

wherein calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office are automatically routed on the communication line to the user telephony communications device.

96. The method of claim 95, further comprising:

the corporate office receiving a telephone call made to said first telephone number, wherein said telephone call is intended for the remote user operating said user telephony communications device; and

automatically routing said telephone call made to said first telephone number to the user telephony communications device on the communication line, wherein said automatically routing is performed in response to the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office and providing said identification information.

97. The method of claim 96, further comprising:

the user telephony communications device and the virtual presence server communicating voice information on the communication line after said automatically routing said telephone call;

the virtual presence server performing data transfers with the use telephony communications device on the communication line during the user telephony communications device and the virtual presence server communicating said voice information.

98. The method of claim 96, wherein the virtual presence server communicates voice and telephony control information with the user telephony communications device on the communication line.

99. The method of claim 96, wherein the virtual presence server communicates voice, data and telephony control information with the user telephony communications device on the communication line.