Remote call monitoring
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring calls, the method comprising:
- comparing, at a first network element, a called number of a received call to a directory number stored in a list of directory numbers to determine whether a remote call monitoring service should be applied to the received call;
forwarding the received call to a second network element when the remote call monitoring service is to be applied to the received call; and
forwarding the received call to the voice mail system when the remote call monitoring service should not be applied to the received call;
wherein forwarding the received call to the second network element comprises;
determining whether a calling party'"'"'s identification for the calling party is on an always monitor list provided by the subscriber, forwarding the received call to the voice mail system when the calling party'"'"'s identification is not on the always monitor list, and causing the second network element to set up a three-way communication between the calling party, the voice mail system, and the subscriber so that the subscriber may monitor the received call when the calling party'"'"'s identification is on the always monitor list;
wherein the always monitor list includes a list of calling party identifications associated with a plurality of calling parties, and wherein the received call is forwarded to the remote call monitoring service when it is from any of the calling party identifications listed in the always monitor list.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for monitoring calls routed to a telephone network voice mail system from a variety of remote telephone locations. When a subscriber receives a telephone call, a determination is made as to whether the subscriber'"'"'s line is busy or whether the call goes unanswered. If remote call monitoring services are activated, a three-way communication is set up between the calling party, the voice mail system and the subscriber via a remote call monitoring directory number provided by the subscriber. The subscriber is patched into the call on a listen-only basis, but upon command by the subscriber, the subscriber may answer the call. The subscriber may set up a number of remote call monitoring filters, including an “always monitor” list, a “never monitor” list, and a schedule of days or times during which the subscriber allows or excludes remote call monitoring. Remote call monitoring services may be provided by a telephone services provider that is independent from the subscriber'"'"'s home telephone services provider.
50 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring calls, the method comprising:
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comparing, at a first network element, a called number of a received call to a directory number stored in a list of directory numbers to determine whether a remote call monitoring service should be applied to the received call; forwarding the received call to a second network element when the remote call monitoring service is to be applied to the received call; and forwarding the received call to the voice mail system when the remote call monitoring service should not be applied to the received call; wherein forwarding the received call to the second network element comprises; determining whether a calling party'"'"'s identification for the calling party is on an always monitor list provided by the subscriber, forwarding the received call to the voice mail system when the calling party'"'"'s identification is not on the always monitor list, and causing the second network element to set up a three-way communication between the calling party, the voice mail system, and the subscriber so that the subscriber may monitor the received call when the calling party'"'"'s identification is on the always monitor list; wherein the always monitor list includes a list of calling party identifications associated with a plurality of calling parties, and wherein the received call is forwarded to the remote call monitoring service when it is from any of the calling party identifications listed in the always monitor list. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification