Tandem Access Controller Within the Public Switched Telephone Network

• US 20060239437A1
• Filed: 07/05/2006
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: j2 Cloud Services, LLC (Consensus Cloud Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Telemaze, LLC
• Inventors: Wood, Samuel F., Asprey, Margaret Susan, Klein, Jerry A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,175,240 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1046 Call controllers; Call servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42153 by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42161 via computer interface
• 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 7/0003 Interconnection between telephone networks and data networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0009 where voice calls remain entirely in the telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0033 Notification or handling of incoming calls by a computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/126 Interworking of session control protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/129 Details of providing call progress tones or announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13109 Initializing, personal profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1313 Metering, billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13242 Broadcast, diffusion, multicast, point-to-multipoint (1 : N)
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13332 Broadband, CATV, dynamic bandwidth allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0025 : Provisions for signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/005 : Personal communication services, e.g. provisions for portability of subscriber numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/66 : Traffic distributors
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 : Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber

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.

Claims

1. A telephone system comprising:

a public switched telephone network (PSTN) having a tandem switch;

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 at least one feature to be applied to at least one telephone call made by said subscriber to be 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 made by said subscriber using a first telephone number, intended for a called party coupled to said PSTN, prior to the first call reaching a terminating central office;

said TAC being configured to apply said at least one feature to said first call;

said TAC being configured for placing a second call to said called party using a telephone number different from said first telephone number, and said TAC being configured to cause a communications path to be completed between said called party and said subscriber after said called party has answered said second call.

2. The system of claim 1 where the said second call has caller identification information associated with the second call, and said caller identification information has been previously modified by said subscriber.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the subscriber enters the telephone number of the called party during the first call.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the selection said at least one feature to be applied to said TAC is selected by the subscriber via the Internet using one of a computing device, a wireless device, a cellular device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and an information appliance.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said called party answering said second call causes said TAC to connect a called party'"'"'s communication device to other than said subscriber'"'"'s telephone, as designated by said subscriber pursuant to said features selected by said subscriber.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said first call is placed by said subscriber through a PSTN central office to said TAC, and said second call is placed by said TAC through a terminating central office.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said features are selected from one of:

a) selective call forwarding wherein said second call to a particular communications device is based a time of said first call.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said TAC is configured to receive a local third call, via said tandem switch, placed by said subscriber for a third party, said TAC placing a fourth call to said third party, via said tandem switch; and

said TAC connects said subscriber to said third party after said third party receives said fourth call.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one feature selected by said subscriber comprises at least one of:

Web-Based Telecom Navigator;

Manage Incoming Call Control;

Conditional Call Blocking/Forwarding/Alerting;

Call Screening/Retrieval from Voice Mail;

Interactive Voice Response and Speech Recognition;

Manage Outgoing Call Control;

Click-to-Dial Calling;

Group Calling and Messaging;

Web-Based Billing;

Cost-Effective Single Phone Number Access;

Free Local Calls, Incoming Calls (not 800 Toll Service);

Retain Current Number (Local Number Portability);

Low-Cost Calling Throughout LATA;

Flat-Rate Foreign Exchange;

Standard DTMF and VoIP Phones;

Centralized and Consistent Personal Data;

Private/Public Phone Directories and Calendars;

“

Post-It”

Style Annotation of Numbers;

Web Dialing;

Click-to-Dial from Web Pages, Directories, Calendars;

Multiple Phone List Management;

Voice Mail Access, Prompts, Alert Via Web;

Mode-Based Definition and Selection, comprising Time-of-Day, Day-of-Week, Follow-Me, Caller Recognition/Password, Caller ID, Vacation, Dinner Time, Go Away, Family Call Waiting;

Learning Modes;

Automatic Data Capture;

Build Phone List Based on Collected Usage Information;

VoIP Link Degradation Detection; and

Automatic Cutover to PSTN.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said called party answering said second call causes said TAC to connect the subscriber'"'"'s communication device to other than said subscriber'"'"'s telephone, as designated by said subscriber pursuant to said at least one feature selected by said subscriber.

11. A method of modifying a telephone subscriber'"'"'s inbound or 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:

accessing the TAC via the Internet by said subscriber to select at least one capability to be applied by said TAC to one of an incoming and outgoing call; 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 by the subscriber.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the at least one capability to be applied by said TAC to one of an incoming and outgoing call are selected by the subscriber via the Internet using one of a computing device, a wireless device, a cellular device, a personal digital assistant (PDA) and an information appliance, and said capabilities comprise at least one of:

Web-Based Telecom Navigator;

Manage Incoming Call Control;

Conditional Call Blocking/Forwarding/Alerting;

Call Screening/Retrieval from Voice Mail;

Interactive Voice Response and Speech Recognition;

Manage Outgoing Call Control;

Click-to-Dial Calling;

Group Calling and Messaging;

Web-Based Billing;

Cost-Effective Single Phone Number Access;

Free Local Calls, Incoming Calls (not 800 Toll Service);

Retain Current Number (Local Number Portability);

Low-Cost Calling Throughout LATA;

Flat-Rate Foreign Exchange;

Standard DTMF and VoIP Phones;

Centralized and Consistent Personal Data;

Private/Public Phone Directories and Calendars;

“

Post-It”

Style Annotation of Numbers;

Web Dialing;

Click-to-Dial from Web Pages, Directories, Calendars;

Multiple Phone List Management;

Voice Mail Access, Prompts, Alert Via Web;

Mode-Based Definition and Selection, comprising Time-of-Day, Day-of-Week, Follow-Me, Caller Recognition/Password, Caller ID, Vacation, Dinner Time, Go Away, Family Call Waiting;

Learning Modes;

Automatic Data Capture;

Build Phone List Based on Collected Usage Information;

VoIP Link Degradation Detection; and

Automatic Cutover to PSTN.

13. A telephone system comprising:

a public switched telephone network (PSTN) having a tandem switch;

a tandem access controller (TAC) coupled to said tandem switch, said TAC being accessible via the Internet by selecting at least one feature to be applied to at least one telephone call to be routed through said PSTN;

said TAC being part of a local service area with respect to said at least one telephone call;

said TAC being configured to receive a first call, by a calling party, to a first telephone number, prior to the first call reaching a terminating central office, intended for a called party;

said TAC being configured to place a second call to said called party in said PSTN using a second telephone number different from said first telephone number; and

said TAC causing a communications path to be completed between said called party and said calling party after said called party has answered said second call.

14. The system of claim 13 where said second call has caller identification information associated with the second call, and said caller identification information has been previously modified by one authorized to access said TAC through the Internet.

15. The system of claim 13 where said second telephone number is selected during the first call.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein the at least one feature to be applied to at least one telephone call are selected by one authorized to access said TAC through the Internet using a computing device, a wireless device, a cellular device, a PDA, and an information appliance.

17. A method of modifying at least one calling capability of at least one telephone'"'"'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:

accessing the TAC via the Internet for modifying at least one calling capability of at least one telephone'"'"'s outbound calling capabilities in a local service area of said PSTN system; 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.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the selection of at least one capability to be applied to said TAC is selected via the Internet using one of a computing device, a wireless device, a cellular device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and an information appliance, and wherein said at least one calling capability comprises at least one of:

Web-Based Telecom Navigator;

Manage Incoming Call Control;

Conditional Call Blocking/Forwarding/Alerting;

Call Screening/Retrieval from Voice Mail;

Interactive Voice Response and Speech Recognition;

Manage Outgoing Call Control;

Click-to-Dial Calling;

Group Calling and Messaging;

Web-Based Billing;

Cost-Effective Single Phone Number Access;

Free Local Calls, Incoming Calls (not 800 Toll Service);

Retain Current Number (Local Number Portability);

Low-Cost Calling Throughout LATA;

Flat-Rate Foreign Exchange;

Standard DTMF and VoIP Phones;

Centralized and Consistent Personal Data;

Private/Public Phone Directories and Calendars;

“

Post-It”

Style Annotation of Numbers;

Web Dialing;

Click-to-Dial from Web Pages, Directories, Calendars;

Multiple Phone List Management;

Voice Mail Access, Prompts, Alert Via Web;

Mode-Based Definition and Selection, comprising Time-of-Day, Day-of-Week, Follow-Me, Caller Recognition/Password, Caller ID, Vacation, Dinner Time, Go

Away, Family Call Waiting;

Learning Modes;

Automatic Data Capture;

Build Phone List Based on Collected Usage Information;

VoIP Link Degradation Detection; and

Automatic Cutover to PSTN.