Systems and methods for voice and data communications including hybrid key system/PBX functionality

• US 7,006,614 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2002
• Issued: 02/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Converged Data Solutions Inc.
• Inventors: Feinberg, David S., Freund, Dolores M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tieu, Binh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Taylor, Barry W
• Application Number:
  US10/188,002
• Publication Number:
  US 20040001579A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,338 Days
• Field of Search: 379/156, 379/157, 379/161, 379/164, 379/165, 379/198, 379/200, 379/162, 379/225, 379/231, 379/232, 379/234
• US Class Current: 379/164
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/571 Blocking transmission of caller identification to called party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/67 by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/60 Semi-automatic systems, i.e. in which the numerical selection of the outgoing line is under the control of an operator

Abstract

A method for operating an integrated communications system providing voice and data communications to a plurality of users and simulating a key system. An outside line appearance is provided on a telephone coupled to the system; the outside line appearance is associated with a predetermined outside telecommunications trunk and has associated therewith a button and a lighting implement. In response to activation of the button, a lighting condition of the lighting implement is changed and a dial tone to the telephone by the integrated system. Digits are entered by a user depressing keys on the telephone and collected by the system. Restriction rule are applied to determine if a telephone number dialed by the user is restricted, and if restricted an error tone is provided. Caller ID information may be determined for the user. A determination is made as to whether the outside telecommunications trunk is available, and if not available an error indication is provided, and if available the caller ID information is applied and a call is initiated via the predetermined outside telecommunications trunk. Upon completion of the call, call statistics for the call in the integrated system are recorded within the system. The integrated system simulates a key system for the user and the particular telecommunications trunk, wherein for other users the integrates provided PBX telephone services.

Claims

1. A method for operating an integrated communications system providing voice and data communications to a plurality of users, the integrated communications system simulating a key system, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an outside line appearance on a telephone coupled to the integrated communications system, wherein the outside line appearance is associated with a predetermined outside telecommunications trunk and has associated therewith a button and a lighting implement;

in response to activation of the button, changing a lighting condition of the lighting implement and providing a dial tone to the telephone, wherein the dial tone is generated by the integrated communications system;

collecting digits entered by a user depressing keys on the telephone;

applying a restriction rule to determine if a telephone number dialed by the user is restricted, and if restricted providing an error tone and terminating the method;

determining caller ID information for the user;

determining whether the outside telecommunications trunk is available, and if not available providing an error indication and terminating the method, and if available applying the caller ID information and initiating a call via the predetermined outside telecommunications trunk; and

upon completion of the call, recording call statistics for the call in the integrated communications system;

wherein the integrated communications system simulates a key system for the user and the particular telecommunications trunk, wherein for other users the integrated communications system provides PBX telephone services.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the caller ID information is determined based on the primary extension of the telephone.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the caller ID information is determined based on configurable information associated with one or more users of a group.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein outside telecommunications trunk availability determination is based in part upon a selective blocking configuration.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the selective blocking configuration is based on the collected digits.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the selective blocking configuration is based upon the telephone.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein the selective blocking configuration is based upon time of day or day of week.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the outside telecommunications trunk comprises an IP trunk providing Voice over IP (VoIP) telecommunications utilizing VoIP resources of the integrated communications system.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the lighting implement determines whether the outside telecommunications trunk is available based on the status of the IP trunk and availability of the VoIP resources.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein upon activation of the button by the user, VoIP resources are allocated to the user and made unavailable to other users.

11. A method for operating an integrated communications system providing voice and data communications to a plurality of users, the integrated communications system emulating a key system, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an outside line appearance on a first telephone coupled to the integrated communications system, wherein the outside line appearance is associated with a predetermined outside telecommunications trunk and has associated therewith a first button and a first lighting implement;

in response to activation of the first button, changing a lighting condition of the first lighting implement and providing a dial tone to the first telephone, wherein the dial tone is generated by the integrated communications system;

changing a lighting condition on a second lighting implement associated with a second telephone, wherein the changed lighting condition is indicative of the dial tone in use by the first telephone;

wherein a user at the second telephone may activate a second button to perform a break in to the call being placed.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the break in is allowed based on a configuration setting associated with the second telephone.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the break in is allowed based on a password entered at the second telephone.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the lighting condition of the second lighting implement indicated whether a break in is allowed.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the outside telecommunications trunk comprises an IP trunk providing Voice over IP (VoIP) telecommunications utilizing VoIP resources of the integrated communications system.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first lighting implement determines whether the outside telecommunications trunk is available based on the status of the IP trunk and availability of the VoIP resources.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein upon activation of the button by the user, VoIP resources are allocated to the user and made unavailable to other users.

18. A method for operating an integrated communications system providing voice and data communications to a plurality of users, the integrated communications system simulating a key system, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an outside line appearance on a first telephone coupled to the integrated communications system, wherein the outside line appearance is associated with a first button and a first lighting implement;

receiving a first call from an outside telecommunications network wherein a lighting condition of the first lighting implement is changed to indicate the receipt of the first call, wherein caller ID information associated with the first call is displayed on the first telephone, wherein activation of the first button answers the first call;

wherein the outside telecommunications network is an IP trunk, and wherein the integrated communications system simulates a key system for the user and the particular telecommunications trunk, wherein for other users the integrated communications system provides PBX telephone services.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first lighting implement determines whether the outside telecommunications trunk is available based on the status of the IP trunk and availability of VoIP resources.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein upon activation of the button by the user, VoIP resources are allocated to the user and made unavailable to other users.