Tandem access controller within the public switched telephone network
First Claim
1. A method for using a tandem access controller (TAC) coupled to a tandem switch within a public switch telephone network (PSTN), wherein a public telephone number is provided for a calling party to call to reach a subscriber, said public telephone number being capable of accessing said TAC, said method comprising the steps of:
- receiving at said TAC at least one program instruction to perform at least one function selected by said subscriber;
receiving a first call at said TAC placed by a calling party calling said public telephone number, said first call being received by said TAC prior to said first call reaching a terminating central office;
placing a second call by said TAC to said subscriber using a private telephone number of said subscriber while maintaining said first call; and
automatically coupling said first call and said second call, whereby said calling party is connected to said subscriber by said TAC.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, the system includes a processor, referred to herein as a tandem access controller (TAC), coupled to the PSTN, where the TAC allows a subscriber to set-up and make changes to the configuration of his or her phone line or other communications device. Such changes include selective call forwarding. In one embodiment, the TAC is controlled by the subscriber using the web. The TAC is coupled internally to the PSTN in a local service area and is outside the central office of the subscriber. A calling party makes a first call to the subscriber using the subscriber'"'"'s public telephone number. The TAC receives the first call prior to the call reaching the subscriber'"'"'s terminating central office, which in some cases avoids a toll. The TAC then carries out the subscriber'"'"'s instructions for the first call, such as making one or more second calls using telephone numbers different from the subscriber'"'"'s public telephone number. When the second call is answered, the answering phone is connected by the TAC to the caller.
213 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for using a tandem access controller (TAC) coupled to a tandem switch within a public switch telephone network (PSTN), wherein a public telephone number is provided for a calling party to call to reach a subscriber, said public telephone number being capable of accessing said TAC, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving at said TAC at least one program instruction to perform at least one function selected by said subscriber; receiving a first call at said TAC placed by a calling party calling said public telephone number, said first call being received by said TAC prior to said first call reaching a terminating central office; placing a second call by said TAC to said subscriber using a private telephone number of said subscriber while maintaining said first call; and automatically coupling said first call and said second call, whereby said calling party is connected to said subscriber by said TAC. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method for using a tandem access controller (TAC) for coupling to a tandem switch within a public switch telephone network (PSTN), wherein at least one public telephone number is capable of accessing said TAC, said method comprising:
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receiving at said TAC at least one instruction to perform at least one selected function; receiving a first call at said TAC via said public telephone number prior to the first call reaching a terminating central office; placing a second call by said TAC via a second telephone number different from the public telephone number while maintaining said first call; and
coupling said first call to said second call by said TAC. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. A method for using a tandem access controller (TAC) coupled to a tandem switch within a public switch telephone network (PSTN), wherein at least one public telephone number is capable of accessing said controller, said method comprising:
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receiving at said TAC at least one instruction to perform at least one selected function; receiving a first call at said TAC via said public telephone number prior to said first call reaching a terminating central office; placing a second call by said TAC via a second telephone number different from said public telephone number while maintaining said first call; and coupling said first call to said second call by said TAC. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A method of modifying at least one calling capability of at least one communication device'"'"'s outbound calling capabilities in a local service area of a public switch telephone network (PSTN) system having a tandem access controller (TAC) coupled to a tandem switch, comprising the steps of:
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accessing the TAC via the Internet; and placing a non-toll call to said TAC coupled to said tandem switch, wherein the call is received by the TAC prior to the call reaching a terminating central office, the call having applied to it a calling capability selected via the Internet. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A method for using a tandem access controller (TAC) coupled to a tandem switch within a public switch telephone network (PSTN), wherein at least one communication device is capable of accessing said TAC, said method comprising:
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receiving at said TAC at least one instruction to perform at least one selected function; receiving a first call at said TAC via said at least one communication device prior to the first call reaching a terminating central office; placing a second call by said TAC via a different communication device while maintaining said first call; and coupling said first call and said second call, whereby said at least one communication device is connected to said different communication device by said TAC. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A telephone system comprising:
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a public switched telephone network (PSTN) having a tandem switch; and a tandem access controller (TAC), within the PSTN, coupled 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 being configured to receive a first call by a calling party, entering a first telephone number, intended for said subscriber, said TAC receiving the first call prior to the first call reaching a terminating central office, said TAC being configured to apply said features to said first call, for placing a second call to said subscriber using a second telephone number different from said first telephone number, and to complete a communications path between said calling party and said subscriber after said subscriber has answered said second call. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification