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

• US 6,134,312 A
• Filed: 01/30/1998
• Issued: 10/17/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Talkswitch Incorporated
• Original Assignee: John Terrance Peoples
• Inventors: Peoples, John Terrance
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong, Harry S.
• Application Number:
  US09/016,673
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 379/201, 379/202, 379/203, 379/207, 379/211, 379/212, 379/219, 379/220, 379/221, 379/355, 379/142, 379/67.1, 379/88.01, 379/88.28
• 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 controlling a first subscriber loop from a second subscriber loop 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

configuring the controller with:

an off-hook functionality for the first loop;

a call answering functionality for the second loop; and

a bridging functionality to interconnect both the first loop and the second loop,

in response to an incoming call on the second loop from a remotely-located calling party, establishing a call connection over the second loop via the controller between the calling party and the controller using the call answering functionality for the second loop,

bridging the first loop to the second loop using the bridging functionality,

drawing dial tone over the first loop via the controller upon establishing is the call connection using the off-hook functionality of the first loop, and

transmitting control information as provided by the remotely-located calling party over the second loop to control the first loop.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the control information includes a telephone number to effect a second call connection over the first loop.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the control information includes either:

(i) a call forwarding code and a telephone number for call forwarding;

or (ii) a cancel call forwarding code;

or (iii) a sequence of a cancel call forwarding code, an initiate call forwarding code, and a telephone number for call forwarding.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 further including the step of verifying a security code provided by the calling party prior to the step of drawing dial tone over the first loop.

5. A method for controlling a first subscriber loop from a second subscriber loop 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

configuring the controller with:

an off-hook functionality for the first loop;

a call answering functionality, an on-hook functionality, and a call-out functionality for the second loop; and

a bridging functionality to interconnect both the first loop and the second loop,

in response to an incoming call on the second loop from a remotely-located calling party, establishing a first call connection over the second loop via the controller between the calling party and the controller using the call answering functionality for the second loop,

receiving first control information as provided by the remotely-located calling party over the second loop for use by the call-out functionality for the second loop,

terminating the first call connection using the on-hook functionality of the second loop,

establishing a second call connection on the second loop with the remotely-located calling party using the first control information and the call-out functionality for the second loop,

bridging the first loop to the second loop using the bridging functionality,

drawing dial tone over the first loop via the controller upon establishing the second call connection using the off-hook functionality of the first loop, and

transmitting second control information as provided by the remotely-located calling party over the second loop to control the first loop.

6. The method as recited in claim 5 wherein the second control information includes a telephone number to effect a third call connection over the first loop.

7. The method as recited in claim 5 wherein the second control information includes either:

(i) a call forwarding code and a telephone number for call forwarding;

or (ii) a cancel call forwarding code;

or (iii) a sequence of a cancel call forwarding code, an initiate call forwarding code, and a telephone number for call forwarding.

8. The method as recited in claim 5 further including the step of verifying a security code provided by the calling party prior to the step of terminating the first call connection.

9. A method for controlling a first subscriber loop from a second subscriber loop 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

configuring the controller with:

a call answering functionality and a caller identification functionality for the first loop;

a call-out functionality for the second loop;

a bridging functionality to interconnect both the first loop and the second loop; and

a memory having a pre-determined list of caller-identifications,

in response to an incoming call on the first loop, answering the incoming call using the call answering functionality and identifying the incoming caller-identification using the caller identification functionality for the first loop,

if the incoming caller-identification is one from the pre-determined list, calling out over the second loop to a pre-determined call-out telephone number using the call-out functionality of the second loop, and

bridging the first loop to the second loop using the bridging functionality.

10. 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 call on the second ISDN channel from a remotely-located calling party, establishing a call connection over the second ISDN channel via the controller between the calling party and the controller, and

supplying control information to the controller by the calling party to control operation of the first ISDN channel.

11. The method as recited in claim 10 further including, after the step of establishing, the steps of

drawing dial tone over the first ISDN channel via the controller upon establishing the call connection, and

bridging the first ISDN channel and the second ISDN channel via the controller, and

wherein the step of supplying includes the step of transmitting control information by the calling party over the second ISDN channel to the first ISDN channel to control operation of the first ISDN channel.