Telephone call control system for the public switched telephone network

• US 6,574,328 B1
• Filed: 05/04/2000
• Issued: 06/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: j2 Cloud Services, LLC (Consensus Cloud Solutions, Inc.), Onecloud
• Original Assignee: Telemaze, LLC
• Inventors: Wood, Samuel F., Asprey, Margaret Susan, Klein, Jerry A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Matar, Ahmad F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): AL AUBAIDI, RASHA S
• Application Number:
  US09/565,565
• Time in Patent Office: 1,125 Days
• Field of Search: 379/224, 379/221.08, 379/221.11
• US Class Current: 379/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42153 by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42161 via computer interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0033 Notification or handling of incoming calls by a computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/005 Personal communication services, e.g. provisions for portability of subscriber numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/66 Traffic distributors
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber

Abstract

In one embodiment, the system includes a processor (referred to herein as a tandem access controller) connected to the PSTN which would allow anyone to directly provision, that is to say set-up and make immediate changes to, the configuration of his or her phone line. In another embodiment, a tandem access controller (TAC) subsystem is connected internally to the PSTN in a local service area. The TAC provides features, selected by the subscriber, to all edge switches connected to the PSTN tandem switch. In one embodiment, the TAC is controlled by the subscriber using the web.

Claims

1. A telephone system comprising:

a public switched telephone network (PSTN) having a tandem switch; and

a tandem access controller (TAC), within the PSTN, connected to said tandem switch, said TAC being accessible via the Internet by at least one subscriber for selecting features to be applied to telephone calls intended for said subscriber routed through said PSTN,

said TAC being in a local service area with respect to said subscriber,

said TAC for receiving a first call by a calling party, entering a first telephone number, intended for said subscriber,

said TAC for applying said features to said first call, placing a second call to said subscriber using a second telephone number different from said first telephone number, and completing a communications path between said calling party and said subscriber after said subscriber has answered said second call.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein answering said second call causes said TAC to connect a calling party'"'"'s communication device to other than said subscriber'"'"'s telephone, as designated by said subscriber pursuant to said features selected by said subscriber.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said first call is placed by said calling party through a PSTN central office to said TAC, and said second call is placed by said TAC through a central office.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said features are selected from the group consisting of conditional call blocking and call forwarding.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said features include selective call forwarding.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said features include selective call forwarding, wherein said TAC makes said second call to a particular communications device based on a time of said first call.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said features include selective call forwarding, wherein said TAC makes said second call to a particular communications device based on the particular calling party making said first call.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said TAC also receives a local third call, via said tandem switch, placed by said subscriber for a third party, said TAC placing a fourth call to said third party, via said tandem switch; and

said TAC connects said subscriber to said third party after said third party receives said fourth call.