Method and apparatus for providing expanded telecommunications service
First Claim
1. A method of providing telecommunication services, comprising:
- receiving at a server a call from a first entity intended for a second entity that was forwarded via a PSTN, wherein the call was forwarded by a call directing method selected from the group including busy call forward, no answer call forward, call forward all, and telephone number portability;
determining whether a first computer device of the second entity is online;
sending a message to the first computer device via an Internet Protocol connection indicating the call has been received and providing identification information related to the call originator and the number of the second entity that was entered; and
directing the call to one of a plurality of telephonic devices according to a phone number of the second entity that was entered by the first entity.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
System and method for putting control of incoming telephone calls in the hands of subscribers with the aid of computer software and the Internet. In effect, a very efficient multiplexer is provided that does not require a change in the behavior of the called party or the calling party. This system permits the called party to hear a spoken message by the calling party in real time, and the content of the spoken message permits the called party to decide how to handle the call. The system adaptively learns and captures the rules of the called party for handling calls, and learns which callers the called party always wishes to talk to. The system uses special control software on the called party'"'"'s computer which is connected to the Internet. The system employs a central server in which all of the required intelligence is resident. Audio signals are exchanged via non-data channels provided by the telephone companies and by the Internet. Either a very simple Internet busy pick-up is provided, or a very complex messaging system is provided, as desired. A feature is the monitoring and screening of incoming calls before deciding how to handle them. Another feature is the capturing and storage of the decision making profile.
283 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of providing telecommunication services, comprising:
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receiving at a server a call from a first entity intended for a second entity that was forwarded via a PSTN, wherein the call was forwarded by a call directing method selected from the group including busy call forward, no answer call forward, call forward all, and telephone number portability;
determining whether a first computer device of the second entity is online;
sending a message to the first computer device via an Internet Protocol connection indicating the call has been received and providing identification information related to the call originator and the number of the second entity that was entered; and
directing the call to one of a plurality of telephonic devices according to a phone number of the second entity that was entered by the first entity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for providing expanded telecommunication services on a telecommunication system where a call from a first entity to a second entity is placed after the first entity enters a number for the second entity, comprising:
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receiving the call from the first entity as a result of a call directing method selected from the group including one or more of busy call forward, no answer call forward, call forward all, and telephone number portability;
determining whether the computer device of the second entity is communicating with the server;
sending a message to the computer device over a data network indicating the presence of the call and identifying the number of the first entity;
holding the call at the server; and
cross-connecting the first entity and the second entity.
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7. A method for providing expanded telecommunication services on a telecommunication system where a call from a first entity to a second entity is placed when the first entity enters a number for the second entity, comprising:
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receiving the call from the first entity at a server via a switched telephone network as a result of a call directing method selected from the group including at least one of busy call forward, no answer call forward, call forward all, and telephone number portability;
determining whether the computer device of the second entity is communicating with the server over a network;
sending a message to the computer device over the network indicating the presence of the call and delivering identifying information of the first entity and a verbal communication from the first entity;
receiving input from the second entity via the computer device; and
directing the call in response to the input. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system providing telephone services connectable to a telecommunications network, the system comprising:
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a call processing system connectable to a switched telephone network to receive calls directed to the call processing system by a call directing method selected from the group including at least one of busy call forward, no answer call forward, call forward all, and telephone number portability, the call processing system including;
a data storage device that stores software configured to;
determine if at least a first subscriber'"'"'s computing device is communicating with the server over a data network;
transmit caller communications for incoming calls to the first subscriber'"'"'s computing device over the data network so that the subscriber can screen the calls;
receive first subscriber call processing instructions over the data network;
process incoming calls in accordance with the first subscriber call instructions. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A method of providing a called party the ability to screen calls, the method comprising:
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receiving, at a call processing apparatus, a forwarded call from a calling party intended for the called party, wherein signaling information associated with the forwarded call includes the calling party'"'"'s phone number, and wherein the call was forwarded to the call processing apparatus as a result of a call directing method selected from the group including at least one of busy call forward, no answer call forward, and call forward all;
playing a greeting to the calling party;
opening a communication channel over the Internet with a networked computer associated with the called party; and
transmitting in substantially real time at least a portion of the signaling information and a voice communication from the calling party over the communication channel to the networked computer so that the called party can screen the calling party'"'"'s call. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification