Method for handling incoming calls directed to a virtual communication service subscriber via a guest PBX

• US 6,763,102 B1
• Filed: 04/05/2001
• Issued: 07/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wang, Shaoqing Q., Foladare, Mark Jeffrey, Chen, Yihsiu, Westrich, Robert S., Weber, Roy Philip, Zelezniak, Aleksandr, Goldman, Shelley B.
• Primary Examiner(s): ADDY, THJUAN KNOWLIN
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mwanyoha, Sadiki
• Application Number:
  US09/826,714
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• Field of Search: 379/221.15, 379/233, 379/88.03, 379/88.24, 379/93.01, 379/93.24, 379/196, 379/211.02, 370/271, 370/354, 370/401
• US Class Current: 379/221.15
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2472 with programmable function keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42229 Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location diverting calls from one subscriber to another subscriber, i.e. two different subscriptions H04M3/54; selecting arrangements in intelligent networks H04Q3/005
• 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

Abstract

A method of handling incoming calls directed to a virtual communication subscriber is disclosed. An incoming call intended for the virtual communication subscriber is received at a first communication device. A call is placed to a second communication device using contact information provided by the virtual communication subscriber. Extension information is provided to a guest PBX when the call is answered which corresponds to a communication line associated with the second communication device. Upon connection to the second communication device, the incoming call is bridged with the call placed to the second communication device.

Claims

1. A method of handling incoming calls directed to a virtual communication subscriber, the virtual communication subscriber being associated with a fixed communication device having an associated telephone number which is connected to a host Public Branch Exchange (PBX), the virtual communication subscriber being at a remote location and being connected to a communication network via a guest (PBX) which is not affiliated with the host PBX, the virtual communication subscriber being provided with PBX-like functionality at the remote location without being directly connected to the host PBX, the virtual communication subscriber being provided with voice and data capabilities at the remote location via a data connection and a voice connection, the PBX-like functionality being provided using a PBX interface which is provided via the data connection, the PBX interface being able to communicate PBX-like commands to the host PBX for call completion, the host PBX having a virtual communication system (VCS) associated therewith including an interactive voice response (IVR) system for communicating with the guest PBX;

the method comprising the steps of;

receiving at the VCS contact information from the virtual communication subscriber, the contact information including a reach telephone number and extension information for a communication device which is co-located with the virtual communication subscriber;

receiving an incoming call intended for the virtual communication subscriber which is received at the telephone associated with the virtual communication subscriber'"'"'s fixed location;

placing a call to the virtual communication subscriber using the received contact information;

providing from the VCS the extension information to the guest PBX when the call is answered, by instructing the IVR system to provide the extension information to the guest PBX, wherein the IVR generates speech corresponding to the extension information; and

upon connection to the communication device co-located with the virtual communication subscriber, bridging the incoming call with the call placed to the virtual communication subscriber via the guest PBX.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the extension information is a room number.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the extension information is the name of the virtual communication subscriber.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the extension information is an extension line associated with the main number of the guest PBX.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein said calling party is using a multimedia communication device.

5. A method of handling incoming calls directed to a virtual communication subscriber, the virtual communication subscriber being associated with a fixed communication device having an associated telephone number which is connected to a host Public Branch Exchange (PBX), the virtual communication subscriber being at a remote location and being connected to a communication network via a guest (PBX) which is not affiliated with the host PBX, the virtual communication subscriber being provided with PBX-like functionality at the remote location without being directly connected to the host PBX, the virtual communication subscriber being provided with voice and data capabilities at the remote location via a data connection and a voice connection, the PBX-like functionality being provided using a PBX interface which is provided via the data connection, the PBX interface being able to communicate PBX-like commands to the host PBX for call completion, the host PBX having a virtual communication system (VCS) associated therewith including an interactive voice response (IVR) system for communicating with the guest PBX;

the method comprising the steps of;

receiving at the VCS contact information from the virtual communication subscriber, the contact information including a reach telephone number and extension information for a communication device which is co-located with the virtual communication subscriber;

receiving an incoming call intended for the virtual communication subscriber which is received at the telephone associated with the virtual communication subscriber'"'"'s fixed location;

placing a call to the virtual communication subscriber using the received contact information;

providing the extension information to the guest PBX when the call is answered, by providing from the VCS to the calling party the extension information for the virtual communication subscriber wherein the calling party provides the extension information to the guest PBX when the call is answered; and

upon connection to the communication device co-located with the virtual communication subscriber, bridging the incoming call with the call placed to the virtual communication.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the calling party speaks the extension information to the guest PBX.

7. The method of claim of claim 5 wherein the calling party inputs Dual Tone Multifrequency (DMTF) tones corresponding to the extension information into a communication device associated with the calling party.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the extension information is a room number.

9. The method of claim 5 wherein the extension information is the name of the virtual communication subscriber.

10. The method of claim 5 wherein the extension information is an extension line associated with the main number of the guest PBX.

11. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of:

sending a message via the virtual communication subscriber'"'"'s data connection indicating that an incoming call has been received.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said message includes the calling party'"'"'s telephone number.

13. The method of claim 11 further including the step of:

receiving an instruction from the virtual communication subscriber via the data connection in response to the message regarding disposition of the incoming call.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the instruction indicates that the virtual communication subscriber will answer the incoming call.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the instruction indicates that the incoming call should be sent to voice mail.

17. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of providing the extension information to the guest PBX when the call is answered further comprises the step of:

sending the calling party'"'"'s device an instant message which contains the extension information; and

forwarding the incoming call to the guest PBX.

18. A method of handling incoming calls directed to a virtual communication subscriber, the virtual communication subscriber being associated with a first communication device connected to a host Public Branch Exchange (PBX), the virtual communication subscriber being at a remote location and using a second communication device which is connected to a communication network via a guest (PBX) which is not affiliated with the host PBX, the virtual communication subscriber being provided with PBX-like functionality at the remote location using a PBX interface which is provided via a data connection, the PBX interface being able to communicate PBX-like commands to the host PBX for call completion, the virtual communication subscriber providing contact information for the second communication device, the host PBX having a virtual communication system (VCS) associated therewith including an interactive voice response (IVR) system for communicating with the guest PBX;

the method comprising the steps of;

receiving at the VCS an incoming call intended for the virtual communication subscriber at the first communication device;

placing a call to the second communication device using the contact information;

providing from the VCS extension information to the guest PBX when the call is answered, by instructing the IVR system to provide the extension information to the guest PBX, wherein the IVR generates speech corresponding to the extension information;

the extension information corresponding to a communication line associated with the second communication device; and

upon connection to the second communication device, bridging the incoming call with the call placed to the second communication device.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the extension information is a room number.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the extension information is the name of the virtual communication subscriber.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein the extension information is an extension line associated with the main number of the guest PBX.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein said calling party is using a multimedia communication device.