Voice call processing methods

• US 6,353,660 B1
• Filed: 03/02/2000
• Issued: 03/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intellectual Ventures I LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: SS8 Networks Incorporated
• Inventors: Kimball, John, Burger, Eric William
• Primary Examiner(s): Weaver, Scott L.
• Application Number:
  US09/517,304
• Time in Patent Office: 733 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67.1, 379/88.17, 379/88.22, 379/88.25, 379/90.01, 379/93.01, 379/93.24, 379/201.01, 379/201.11, 379/210.03, 379/211.01, 379/211.02, 379/212.01, 379/214.01, 370/912, 370/352, 370/353, 370/354, 370/355, 370/356, 709/227
• US Class Current: 379/88.17
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4563 Voicemail monitoring during recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/203 composed of PSTN and data network, e.g. the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42008 Systems for anonymous communication between parties, e.g. by use of disposal contact identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4281 when the called subscriber is connected to a data network using his telephone line, e.g. dial-up connection, Internet browsing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53308 Message originator indirectly connected to the message centre, e.g. after detection of busy or absent state of a called party

Abstract

A call screening method allows a subscriber to screen calls made to the subscriber from callers using the PSTN while the subscriber uses another communications medium. An enhanced services platform (ESP) receives a first call from a caller using a particular public telephone number for the particular subscriber. The ESP identifies the particular public telephone number for the particular subscriber. The ESP accesses a database storing a public telephone number and a private packet-based address for subscribers to retrieve a private packet-based address of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular public telephone number. An introductory message is provided to the caller and prompts the caller to leave a message. The ESP accesses the particular subscriber based on the particular subscriber private packet-based address to establish an audio connection via the communication medium. The subscriber is notified of the first call. If the subscriber answers the call, a communication path is provided between the caller and the subscriber via the communication medium so that the subscriber may hear the caller leave the message but the caller does not hear or know that the particular subscriber is listening. The ESP connects the caller and the subscriber for two-way communication upon the authorization of the subscriber. In another embodiment, both the caller and the subscriber use a packet-based network. In another aspect of the invention, the ESP records the caller'"'"'s voice in response to the prompt, and plays the recording to the subscriber if the subscriber answers the call. In yet another aspect of the invention, the ESP provides a method for anonymously connecting an accesser to a subscriber using a packet-based network.

Claims

1. A call screening method for allowing a subscriber to screen calls made to the subscriber from callers, comprising:

receiving a first call at an enhanced service platform unit from a caller who uses a particular public address to indicate a call destination associated with a particular subscriber;

the particular public address selected from the group consisting of a public telephone number associated with the particular subscriber and a public packet-based address associated with the particular subscriber;

accessing a database storing a public address and a private packet-based address for each subscriber to retrieve a private packet-based address of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular public address;

providing an introductory message to the caller in communication with the enhanced service platform unit and prompting the caller to leave a message;

accessing the particular subscriber based on the retrieved private packet-based address to establish an audio connection via a packet-based network;

notifying the particular subscriber of the first call;

when the particular subscriber answers the first call, providing a one-way communication path between the caller and the particular subscriber via the packet-based network so that the particular subscriber may hear the caller leave the message but the caller does not hear or know that the particular subscriber is listening; and

connecting the caller and the particular subscriber for two-way communication upon authorization by the particular subscriber.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the database stores the public address, the private packet-based address and a private telephone number for each subscriber;

when the particular subscriber cannot be accessed via the packet-based network, the method further comprises;

retrieving the private telephone number of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular public address;

placing a second call to the particular subscriber using the retrieved private telephone number via the public switched telephone network; and

when the particular subscriber answers the second call, providing a one-way communication path between the caller and the particular subscriber so that the particular subscriber may hear the caller leave the message but the caller does not hear or know that the particular subscriber is listening.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising designating, by the subscriber, at least one subscriber configuration value selected from the group consisting of (A) privacy hours during which the ESP will not connect callers to the subscriber, (B) a voice mail address to record calls, (C) a call forwarding packet-based address, (D) a call forwarding telephone number, (E) at least one telephone number to block, (F) at least one packet-based address to block, and (G) business hours during which the ESP will connect callers to the subscriber.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the private packet based address is selected from the set consisting of a URL, an email address, a voice-mail address, and an H.323 address.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the public packet-based address is selected from the set consisting of a URL, an email address, a voice-mail address, and an H.323 address.

6. A call screening method for allowing a subscriber to screen calls made to the subscriber from callers, comprising:

receiving a first call at an enhanced service platform unit from a caller who uses a particular public address to indicate a call destination associated with a particular subscriber;

the particular public address selected from the group consisting of a public telephone number associated with the particular subscriber and a public packet-based address associated with the particular subscriber;

accessing a database storing a public address, a private telephone number and a private packet-based address for each subscriber to retrieve a private telephone number of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular public address;

providing an introductory message to the caller in communication with the enhanced service platform unit and prompting the caller to leave a message;

accessing the particular subscriber via a public switched telephone network based on the particular subscriber private telephone number to establish an audio connection;

notifying the particular subscriber of the first call;

when the particular subscriber answers the first call, providing a one-way communication path between the caller and the particular subscriber via the public switched telephone network so that the particular subscriber may hear the caller leave the message but the caller does not hear or know that the particular subscriber is listening;

connecting the caller and the particular subscriber for two-way communication upon authorization by the particular subscriber;

when the particular subscriber cannot be accessed via the public switched telephone network;

retrieving from the database the private packet-based address of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular public address;

placing a second call to the particular subscriber using the retrieved private packet-based address via the packet-based network; and

when the particular subscriber answers the second call, providing a one-way communication path between the caller and the particular subscriber so that the particular subscriber may hear the caller leave the message but the caller does not hear or know that the particular subscriber is listening.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

after said step of providing an introductory message and in response to the prompting the caller to leave the message, recording the caller'"'"'s message; and

wherein said step of providing a one-way communication path includes playing the caller'"'"'s recorded message so that the particular subscriber may hear the caller leave the message but the caller does not hear or know that the particular subscriber is listening.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising designating, by the subscriber, at least one subscriber configuration value selected from the group consisting of (A) privacy hours during which the ESP will not connect callers to the subscriber, (B) a voice mail address to record calls, (C) a call forwarding packet-based address, (D) a call forwarding telephone number, (E) at least one telephone number to block, (F) at least one packet-based address to block, and (G) business hours during which the ESP will connect callers to the subscriber.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the public packet-based address is selected from the set consisting of a URL, an email address, a voice-mail address, and an H.323 address.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the public packet-based address is selected from the set consisting of a URL, an email address, a voice-mail address, and an H.323 address.

11. An enhanced services platform for allowing a subscriber to screen calls made to the subscriber, comprising:

a processor;

a first interface coupled to a public switched telephone network;

a second interface coupled to a packet-based network;

a memory having a database storing a public address and a private packet-based address for each subscriber;

at least one bus connecting the processor, the memory, the first interface and the second interface;

the memory storing a call processing module, the call processing module including instructions for execution by the processor for;

receiving a first call via the first or second interface from a caller who uses a particular public address to indicate a call destination associated with a particular subscriber;

the particular public address selected from the group consisting of a public telephone number associated with the particular subscriber and a public packet-based address associated with the particular subscriber;

accessing the database to retrieve a private packet-based address of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular public address;

providing an introductory message to the caller and prompting the caller to leave a message via the first interface;

accessing the particular subscriber based on the retrieved private packet-based address to establish a communication connection via the packet-based network;

notifying the particular subscriber of the first call via the packet-based network;

when the particular subscriber answers the first call, providing a one-way communication path between the caller and the particular subscriber via the communication medium so that the particular subscriber may hear the caller leave the message but the caller does not hear or know that the particular subscriber is listening; and

connecting the caller and the particular subscriber for two-way communication upon authorization by the particular subscriber.

12. The enhanced service platform of claim 11, wherein

the database stores the public address, the private packet-based address and a private telephone number for each subscriber;

the call processing module includes additional instructions, activated when the particular subscriber cannot be accessed via the packet-based network, the additional instructions for;

retrieving the private telephone number of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular public address;

placing a second call to the particular subscriber using the retrieved private telephone number via the public switched telephone network; and

when the particular subscriber answers the second call, providing a one-way communication path between the caller and the particular subscriber so that the particular subscriber may hear the caller leave the message but the caller does not hear or know that the particular subscriber is listening.

13. The enhanced service platform of claim 11, wherein the memory includes a subscriber account configuration module having instructions for enabling the subscriber to designate at least one subscriber configuration value selected from the group consisting of (A) privacy hours during which the ESP will not connect callers to the subscriber, (B) a voice mail address to record calls, (C) a call forwarding packet-based address, (D) a call forwarding telephone number, (E) at least one telephone number to block, (F) at least one packet-based address to block, and (G) business hours during which the ESP will connect callers to the subscriber.

14. The enhanced service platform of claim 11, wherein the public packet-based address is selected from the set consisting of a URL, an email address, a voice-mail address, and an H.323 address.

15. The enhanced service platform of claim 11, wherein the private packet based address is selected from the set consisting of a URL, an email address, a voice-mail address, and an H.323 address.

16. An enhanced services platform for allowing a subscriber to screen calls made to the subscriber, comprising:

a processor;

a first interface coupled to a public switched telephone network;

a second interface coupled to a packet-based network;

a memory having a database storing a public address, a private telephone number and a private packet-based address for each subscriber;

at least one bus connecting the processor, the memory, the first interface and the second interface;

the memory storing a call processing module, the call processing module including instructions for execution by the processor for;

receiving a first call via the first or second interface from a caller who uses a particular public address to indicate a call destination associated with a particular subscriber;

the particular public address selected from the group consisting of a public telephone number associated with the particular subscriber and a public packet-based address associated with the particular subscriber;

accessing the database to retrieve a private telephone number of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular public address;

providing an introductory message to the caller in communication with the enhanced service platform unit and prompting the caller to leave a message;

accessing the particular subscriber via a public switched telephone network based on the retrieved private telephone number to establish an audio connection;

notifying the particular subscriber of the first call;

when the particular subscriber answers the first call, providing a one-way communication path between the caller and the particular subscriber via the public switched telephone network so that the particular subscriber may hear the caller leave the message but the caller does not hear or know that the particular subscriber is listening;

connecting the caller and the particular subscriber for two-way communication upon authorization by the particular subscriber;

when the particular subscriber cannot be accessed via the public switched telephone network;

retrieving from the database the private packet-based address of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular public address;

placing a second call to the particular subscriber using the retrieved private packet-based address via the packet-based network; and

when the particular subscriber answers the second call, providing a one-way communication path between the caller and the particular subscriber so that the particular subscriber may hear the caller leave the message but the caller does not hear or know that the particular subscriber is listening.

17. The enhanced service platform of claim 16, wherein the memory includes a subscriber account configuration module having instructions for enabling the subscriber to designate at least one subscriber configuration value selected from the group consisting of (A) privacy hours during which th e ESP will not connect callers to the subscriber, (B) a voice mail address to record calls, (C) a call forwarding packet-based address, (D) a call forwarding telephone number, (E) at least one telephone number to block, (F) at least o n e packet-based address to block, and (G) business hours during which the ESP will connect callers to the subscriber.

18. The enhanced service platform of claim 16, wherein the public packet-based address is selected from the set consisting of a URL, an email address, a voice-mail address, and an H.323 address.

19. The enhanced service platform of claim 16, wherein the private packet based address is selected from the set consisting of a URL, an email address, a voice-mail address, and an H.323 address.

20. A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer system, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium and a computer program mechanism embedded therein, the computer program mechanism comprising:

a call processing module, the call processing module including instructions for execution by the processor for;

receiving a first call from a caller who uses a particular public address to indicate a call destination associated with a particular subscriber;

the particular public address selected from the group consisting of a public telephone number associated with the particular subscriber and a public packet-based address associated with the particular subscriber;

accessing a database that stores a public telephone number and a private packet-based address for each subscriber and retrieving from the database a private packet-based address of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular public telephone number;

providing an introductory message to the caller and prompting the caller to leave a message;

accessing the particular subscriber based on the particular subscriber private packet-based address to establish a communication connection via a packet-based network;

notifying the particular subscriber of the first call via the packet-based network;

when the particular subscriber answers the first call, providing a one-way communication path between the caller and the particular subscriber via the packet-based network so that the particular subscriber may hear the caller leave the message but the caller does not hear or know that the particular subscriber is listening; and

connecting the caller and the particular subscriber for two-way communication upon authorization by the particular subscriber.

21. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein

the database accessed by the accessing step stores the public address, the private packet-based address and a private telephone number for each subscriber;

the call processing module includes additional instructions, activated when the particular subscriber cannot be accessed via the communication medium, the additional instructions for;

retrieving the private telephone number of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular public telephone number;

placing a second call to the particular subscriber using the retrieved private telephone number via the public switched telephone network; and

when the particular subscriber answers the second call, providing a one-way communication path between the caller and the particular subscriber so that the particular subscriber may hear the caller leave the message but the caller does not hear or know that the particular subscriber is listening.

22. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein the memory includes a subscriber account configuration module having instructions for enabling the subscriber to designate at least one subscriber configuration value selected from the group consisting of (A) privacy hours during which the ESP will not connect callers to the subscriber, (B) a voice mail address to record calls, (C) a call forwarding packet-based address, (D) a call forwarding telephone number, (E) at least one telephone number to block, (F) at least one packet-based address to block, and (G) business hours during which the ESP will connect callers to the subscriber.

23. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein the public packet-based address is selected from the set consisting of a URL, an email address, a voice-mail address, and an H.323 address.

24. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein the private packet based address is selected from the set consisting of a URL, an email address, a voice-mail address, and an H.323 address.

25. A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer system, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium and a computer program mechanism embedded therein, the computer program mechanism comprising:

a call processing module, the call processing module including instructions for execution by the processor for;

receiving a first call from a caller who uses a particular public address to indicate a call destination associated with a particular subscriber;

the particular public address selected from the group consisting of a public telephone number associated with the particular subscriber and a public packet-based address associated with the particular subscriber;

accessing a database that stores a public telephone number and a private packet-based address for each subscriber and retrieving from the database a private packet-based address of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular public telephone number;

providing an introductory message to the caller and prompting the caller to leave a message;

accessing the particular subscriber via a public switched telephone network based on the particular subscriber private telephone number to establish an audio connection;

notifying the particular subscriber of the first call;

when the particular subscriber answers the first call, providing a one-way communication path between the caller and the particular subscriber via the public switched telephone network so that the particular subscriber may hear the caller leave the message but the caller does not hear or know that the particular subscriber is listening;

connecting the caller and the particular subscriber for two-way communication upon authorization by the particular subscriber;

when the particular subscriber cannot be accessed via the public switched telephone network;

retrieving from the database the private packet-based address of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular public address;

placing a second call to the particular subscriber using the retrieved private packet-based address via the packet-based network; and

when the particular subscriber answers the second call, providing a one-way communication path between the caller and the particular subscriber so that the particular subscriber may hear the caller leave the message but the caller does not hear or know that the particular subscriber is listening.

26. The computer program product of claim 25, wherein the memory includes a subscriber account configuration module having instructions for enabling the subscriber to designate at least one subscriber configuration value selected from the group consisting of (A) privacy hours during which the ESP will not connect callers to the subscriber, (B) a voice mail address to record calls, (C) a call forwarding packet-based address, (D) a call forwarding telephone number, (E) at least one telephone number to block, (F) at least one packet-based address to block, and (G) business hours during which the ESP will connect callers to the subscriber.

27. The computer program product of claim 25, wherein the public packet-based address is selected from the set consisting of a URL, an email address, a voice-mail address, and an H.323 address.

28. The computer program product of claim 25, wherein the private packet based address is selected from the set consisting of a URL, an email address, a voice-mail address, and an H.323 address.

29. A call screening method for allowing a subscriber to screen calls made to the subscriber, comprising:

receiving a first call at an enhanced service platform unit from a caller who uses a particular public address to indicate a call destination associated with a particular subscriber;

the particular public address selected from the group consisting of a public telephone number associated with the particular subscriber and a public packet-based address associated with the particular subscriber;

accessing a database storing a public address and a private packet-based address for each subscriber to retrieve a private packet-based address of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular public address;

providing an introductory message to the caller in communication with the enhanced service platform unit that prompts the caller to leave a message;

recording the caller'"'"'s message;

accessing the particular subscriber via a packet-based network, based on the retrieved private packet-based address to establish an audio connection via the packet-based network;

notifying the particular subscriber of the first call via the packet-based network;

when the particular subscriber answers the first call, providing a one-way communication path between the caller and the particular subscriber via the packet-based network;

playing the caller'"'"'s recorded message so that the particular subscriber may hear the caller'"'"'s recorded message but the caller does not hear or know that the particular subscriber is listening to the recorded message; and

connecting the caller and the particular subscriber for two-way communication upon authorization by the particular subscriber.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein

the database stores the public address, the private packet-based address and a private telephone number for each subscriber; and

when the particular subscriber cannot be accessed via the packet-based network, the method further comprises;

retrieving the private telephone number of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular public address;

placing a second call to the particular subscriber using the retrieved private telephone number via a public switched telephone network; and

when the particular subscriber answers the second call, providing a one-way communication path between the caller and the particular subscriber via a public switched telephone network, playing the caller'"'"'s recorded message so that the particular subscriber may hear the caller'"'"'s recorded message but the caller does not hear or know that the particular subscriber is listening to the recorded message, and connecting the caller and the particular subscriber for two-way communication upon authorization by the particular subscriber.

31. The method of claim 29, further comprising designating, by the subscriber, at least one subscriber configuration value selected from the group consisting of (A) privacy hours during which the ESP will not connect callers to the subscriber, (B) a voice mail address to record calls, (C) a call forwarding packet-based address, (D) a call forwarding telephone number, (E) at least one telephone number to block, (F) at least one packet-based address to block, and (G) business hours during which the ESP will connect callers to the subscriber.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the private packet based address is selected from the set consisting of a URL, an email address, a voice-mail address, and an H.323 address.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the public packet-based address is selected from the set consisting of a URL, an email address, a voice-mail address, and an H.323 address.

34. An enhanced services platform for allowing a subscriber to screen calls, comprising:

a processor;

a first interface coupled to a public switched telephone network;

a second interface coupled to a packet-based network;

a memory having a database storing a public address and a private packet-based address for each subscriber;

at least one bus connecting the processor, the memory, the first interface and the second interface;

the memory storing a call processing module, the call processing module including instructions for execution by the processor for;

receiving a first call via the first or second interface from a caller who uses a particular public address to indicate a call destination associated with a particular subscriber;

the particular public address selected from the group consisting of a public telephone number associated with the particular subscriber and a public packet-based address associated with the particular subscriber;

accessing a database storing a public address and a private packet-based address for each subscriber to retrieve a private packet-based address of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular public address;

providing an introductory message to the caller in communication with the enhanced service platform unit that prompts the caller to leave a message;

recording the caller'"'"'s message;

accessing the particular subscriber based on the retrieved private packet-based address to establish an audio connection via the packet-based network;

notifying the particular subscriber of the first call via the packet-based network;

when the particular subscriber answers the first call, providing a one-way communication path between the caller and the particular subscriber via the packet-based network;

playing the caller'"'"'s recorded message so that the particular subscriber may hear the caller'"'"'s recorded message but the caller does not hear or know that the particular subscriber is listening to the recorded message; and

connecting the caller and the particular subscriber for two-way communication upon authorization by the particular subscriber.

35. The enhanced service platform of claim 34, wherein

the database stores the public address, the private packet-based address and a private telephone number for each subscriber;

the call processing module includes additional instructions, activated when the particular subscriber cannot be accessed via the packet-based network, the additional instructions for;

retrieving the private telephone number of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular public address;

placing a second call to the particular subscriber using the retrieved private telephone number via a public switched telephone network; and

when the particular subscriber answers the second call, providing a one-way communication path between the caller and the particular subscriber via a public switched telephone network, playing the caller'"'"'s recorded message so that the particular subscriber may hear the caller'"'"'s recorded message but the caller does not hear or know that the particular subscriber is listening to the recorded message, and connecting the caller and the particular subscriber for two-way communication upon authorization by the particular subscriber.

36. The enhanced services platform of claim 34, wherein the memory includes a subscriber account configuration module having instruction for enabling the subscriber to designate at least one subscriber configuration value selected from the group consisting of (A) privacy hours during which the ESP will not connect callers to the subscriber, (B) a voice mail address to record calls, (C) a call forwarding packet-based address, (D) a call forwarding telephone number, (E) at least one telephone number to block, (F) at least one packet-based address to block, and (G) business hours during which the ESP will connect callers to the subscriber.

37. The enhanced services platform of claim 34, wherein the private packet-based address is selected from the set consisting of a URL, an email address, a voice-mail address, and an H.323 address.

38. The enhanced services platform of claim 34, wherein the public packet-based address is selected from the set consisting of a URL, an email address, a voice-mail address, and an H.323 address.

45. The method of claim 35 wherein

the database stores the public address, the private packet-based address and a private telephone number for each subscriber;

when the particular subscriber cannot be accessed via the packet-based network, the method further comprises;

retrieving the private telephone number of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular public address;

placing a second call to the particular subscriber using the retrieved private telephone number via the public switched telephone network; and

when the particular subscriber answers the second call, connecting the accesser and the particular subscriber without informing the accesser of the packet-based address and the private telephone number of the particular subscriber, and without informing the particular subscriber of the accesser packet-based address.

39. A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer system, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium and a computer program mechanism embedded therein, the computer program mechanism comprising:

a call processing module, the call processing module including instructions for execution by the processor for;

receiving a first call at an enhanced service platform unit from a caller who uses a particular public address to indicate a call destination associated with a particular subscriber;

the particular public address selected from the group consisting of a public telephone number associated with the particular subscriber and a public packet-based address associated with the particular subscriber;

accessing a database storing a public address and a private packet-based address for each subscriber to retrieve a private packet-based address of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular public address;

providing an introductory message to the caller in communication with the enhanced service platform unit that prompts the caller to leave a message;

recording the caller'"'"'s message;

accessing the particular subscriber via the packet-based network, based on the retrieved private packet-based address to establish an audio connection via the packet-based network;

notifying the particular subscriber of the first call via the packet-based network;

when the particular subscriber answers the first call, providing a one-way communication path between the caller and the particular subscriber via the packet-based network;

playing the caller'"'"'s recorded message so that the particular subscriber may hear the caller'"'"'s recorded message but the caller does not hear or know that the particular subscriber is listening to the recorded message; and

connecting the caller and the particular subscriber for two-way communication upon authorization by the particular subscriber.

40. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein

the database accessed by the accessing step stores the public address, the private packet-based address and a private telephone number for each subscriber;

the call processing module includes additional instructions, activated when the particular subscriber cannot be accessed via the packet-based network, the method further comprises;

retrieving the private telephone number of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular public address;

placing a second call to the particular subscriber using the retrieved private telephone number via a public switched telephone network; and

when the particular subscriber answers the second call, providing a one-way communication path between the caller and the particular subscriber via a public switched telephone network, playing the caller'"'"'s recorded message so that the particular subscriber may hear the caller'"'"'s recorded message but the caller does not hear or know that the particular subscriber is listening to the recorded message, and connecting the caller and the particular subscriber for two-way communication upon authorization by the particular subscriber.

41. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein the memory includes a subscriber account configuration module having instructions for enabling the subscriber to designate at least one subscriber configuration value selected from the group consisting of (A) privacy hours during which the ESP will not connect callers to the subscriber, (B) a voice mail address to record calls, (C) a call forwarding packet-based address, (D) a call forwarding telephone number, (E) at least one telephone number to block, (F) at least one packet-based address to block, and (G) business hours during which the ESP will connect callers to the subscriber.

42. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein the private packet based address is selected from the set consisting of a URL, an email address, a voice-mail address, and an H.323 address.

43. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein the public packet-based address is selected from the set consisting of a URL, an email address, a voice-mail address, and an H.323 address.

44. A packet-based communication method for anonymously enabling a subscriber to communicate with an accesser, the method allowing the accesser to communicate with the subscriber without the accesser knowing the identity of the subscriber prior to establishing communication with the subscriber, but knowing a particular subscriber with whom communication is desired, and allowing the identity of the particular subscriber and the accesser to be kept anonymous during communication between the particular subscriber and the accesser unless voluntarily revealed by either the particular subscriber or the accesser, the method comprising:

receiving a published public address from the accesser, the accesser having an accesser packet-based address;

accessing a database storing a public address and a private packet-based address for each subscriber to retrieve a private packet-based address of a particular subscriber on the basis of the received public address; and

connecting the accesser to the particular subscriber using the private subscriber packet-based address without informing the accesser of the private subscriber packet-based address of the particular subscriber, and without informing the particular subscriber of the accesser packet-based address.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein:

the database stores a plurality of private packet-based addresses for a subset of the subscribers; and

the method includes selecting one of the plurality of private packet-based addresses for the particular subscriber in accordance with predefined selection criteria, and connecting the accesser to the particular subscriber using the selected private subscriber packet-based address.

47. The method of claim 44, further including:

recording a message from the accesser if the particular subscriber is unavailable to receive a call.

48. The method of claim 44, further comprising designating, by the subscriber, at least one subscriber configuration value selected from the group consisting of (A) privacy hours during which the ESP will not connect callers to the subscriber, (B) a voice mail address to record calls, (C) a call forwarding packet-based address, (D) a call forwarding telephone number, (E) at least one telephone number to block, (F) at least one packet-based address to block, and (G) business hours during which the ESP will connect callers to the subscriber.

49. The method of claim 44, wherein the private packet based address is selected from the set consisting of a URL, an email address, a voice-mail address, and an H.323 address.

50. The method of claim 44, wherein the public packet-based address is selected from the set consisting of a URL, an email address, a voice-mail address, and an H.323 address.

51. An enhanced services platform for allowing a subscriber to anonymously communicate with an accesser, the accesser communicates with the subscriber without the accesser knowing the identity of the subscriber prior to establishing communication with the subscriber, but knowing a particular subscriber with whom communication is desired, and allows the identity of the particular subscriber and the accesser to be kept anonymous during communication between the particular subscriber and the accesser unless voluntarily revealed by either the particular subscriber or the accesser, comprising:

a processor;

a first interface coupled to a packet-based network;

a second interface coupled to a packet-based network;

a memory having a database storing a public address and a private packet-based address for each subscriber;

at least one bus connecting the processor, the memory, the first interface and the second interface;

the memory storing a call processing module, the call processing module including instructions for execution by the processor for;

receiving a published public address from the accesser, the accesser having an accesser packet-based address;

accessing the database to retrieve a private packet-based address of a particular subscriber on the basis of the received public address; and

connecting the accesser to the particular subscriber using the private subscriber packet-based address without informing the accesser of the private subscriber packet-based address of the particular subscriber, and without informing the particular subscriber of the accesser packet-based address.

52. The enhanced services platform of claim 51 wherein

the database stores the public address, the private packet-based address and a private telephone number for each subscriber;

the call processing module includes additional instructions, activated when the particular subscriber cannot be accessed via the packet-based network, the additional instructions for;

retrieving the private telephone number of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular public address;

placing a second call to the particular subscriber using the retrieved private telephone number via the public switched telephone network; and

when the particular subscriber answers the second call, providing a connection between the accesser and the particular subscriber without informing the accesser of the packet-based address and the private telephone number of the particular subscriber, and without informing the particular subscriber of the accesser packet-based address.

53. The enhanced services platform of claim 51, wherein the database stores a plurality of private packet-based addresses for a subset of the subscribers;

and the call processing module includes additional instructions for;

selecting one of the plurality of private packet-based addresses for the particular subscriber in accordance with predefined selection criteria, and connecting the accesser to the particular subscriber using the selected private subscriber packet-based address.

54. The enhanced services platform of claim 51, wherein the call processing module includes additional instructions for:

recording a message from the accesser if the particular subscriber is unavailable to receive a call.

55. The enhanced services platform of claim 51, further comprising designating, by the subscriber, at least one subscriber configuration value selected from the group consisting of (A) privacy hours during which the ESP will not connect callers to the subscriber, (B) a voice mail address to record calls, (C) a call forwarding packet-based address, (D) a call forwarding telephone number, (E) at least one telephone number to block, (F) at least one packet-based address to block, and (G) business hours during which the ESP will connect callers to the subscriber.

56. The enhanced services platform of claim 51, wherein the private packet based address is selected from the set consisting of a URL, an email address, a voice-mail address, and an H.323 address.

57. The enhanced services platform of claim 51, wherein the public packet-based address is selected from the set consisting of a URL, an email address, a voice-mail address, and an H.323 address.

58. A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer system, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium and a computer program mechanism embedded therein, the computer program mechanism comprising:

a call processing module, the call processing module including instructions for execution by the processor for;

receiving a published public address from the accesser, the accesser having an accesser packet-based address;

accessing a database storing a public address and a private packet-based address for each subscriber to retrieve a private packet-based address of a particular subscriber on the basis of the received public address; and

connecting the accesser to the particular subscriber using the private subscriber packet-based address without informing the accesser of the private subscriber packet-based address of the particular subscriber, and without informing the particular subscriber of the accesser packet-based address.

59. The computer program product of claim 58, wherein

the database accessed by the accessing instructions stores the public address, the private packet-based address and a private telephone number for each subscriber;

the call processing module includes additional instructions, activated when the particular subscriber cannot be accessed via the packet-based network, the additional instructions for;

retrieving the private telephone number of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular public address;

placing a second call to the particular subscriber using the retrieved private telephone number via the public switched telephone network; and

when the particular subscriber answers the second call, providing a connection between the accesser and the particular subscriber without informing the accesser of the packet-based address and the private telephone number of the particular subscriber, and without informing the particular subscriber of the accesser packet-based address.

60. The computer program product of claim 58 wherein the database stores a plurality of private packet-based addresses for a subset of the subscribers;

and the call processing module includes additional instructions for;

selecting one of the plurality of private packet-based addresses for the particular subscriber in accordance with predefined selection criteria, and connecting the accesser to the particular subscriber using the selected private subscriber packet-based address.

61. The computer program product of claim 58, wherein the call processing module includes additional instructions for:

recording a message from the accesser if the particular subscriber is unavailable to receive a call.

62. The method of claim 58, further comprising designating, by the subscriber, at least one subscriber configuration value selected from the group consisting of (A) privacy hours during which the ESP will not connect callers to the subscriber, (B) a voice mail address to record calls, (C) a call forwarding packet-based address, (D) a call forwarding telephone number, (E) at least one telephone number to block, (F) at least one packet-based address to block, and (G) business hours during which the ESP will connect callers to the subscriber.

63. The method of claim 58, wherein the private packet based address is selected from the set consisting of a URL, an email address, a voice-mail address, and an H.323 address.

64. The method of claim 58, wherein the public packet-based address is selected from the set consisting of a URL, an email address, a voice-mail address, and an H.323 address.