Telephony call control using a data network and a graphical user interface and exchanging datagrams between parties to a telephone call

A voice mail system (VMS), comprising:

• a voice call network connection;
• a data network connection;
• a look-up table matching caller line identifications (CLIDs) with data network addresses for associated data network equipment;
• and
• means for, on receiving a voice call, looking up a data network address and sending a message to said address identifying said call.

A method of handling a voice call, comprising:

• determining a data network address of a network terminal associated with calling telephone station apparatus for said voice call;
• identifying a graphical page associated with called telephone station apparatus for said voice call;
• and
• sending said graphical page to said address.

A method comprising:

• (a) transmitting a call from a telephone handset to a caller gatekeeper;
• (b) exchanging set up information with a called gatekeeper;
• (c) diverting said call to a voice-mail system associated with said called gatekeeper;
• (d) sending the caller IP address to a web site server associated with said called gatekeeper;
• (e) sending a call control URL to said caller IP address from said web server;
• (f) receiving a call control command from said caller at said web server;
• and,
• (g) transmitting a call control signal to said voice mail system in response to said call control command.

A method comprising:

• (a) selecting a called party with an auto-dialler;
• (b) placing a call to said called party;
• (c) obtaining the called party's URL;
• (d) requesting the called party's URL;
• and,
• (e) transmitting the called party's URL to the caller's IP address.

A method comprising:

• (a) receiving an IP address of a caller;
• (b) sending a call control URL to said IP address;
• (c) receiving a call control command from said IP address;
• and,
• (d) transmitting a call control signal to a voice mail system in response to said call control command.

An apparatus comprising:

• (a) means for receiving an IP address of a caller;
• (b) means for sending a call control URL to said IP address;
• (c) means for receiving a call control command from said IP address;
• and,
• (d) means for transmitting a call control signal to a voice mail system in response to said call control command.

An apparatus comprising:

• (a) a network interface;
• (b) a processor connected to said network interface;
• (c) a voice-mail interface connected to said processor;
• (d) a memory associated with said processor;
• (e) an internet software application stored in said memory, for, via said network interface receiving IP addresses transmitting call control URL's, and for receiving call control commands;
• and,
• (f) a stored in said memory voice-mail system software application for, via said voice-mail interface, transmitting signals to said voice-mail interface in response to call control commands.

A method for operating a voice mail system comprising:

• (a) accepting a call at said voice mail system;
• (b) passing call control options to an associated data network element, said call control options having graphical components;
• (c) receiving call control signals for said call from said associated data element server;
• and,
• (d) controlling said call in response to said call control signals.

A method for operating a telephone station apparatus having a telephone and a connection to a data network through a computer terminal comprising:

• (a) initiating a call to a called party;
• (b) receiving graphical call control data;
• (c) displaying graphical call control data;
• and,
• (d) issuing call control commands through said computer terminal to said data network.