Method and apparatus for providing expanded telecommunications service

A system for providing expanded telephone services connected to a telecommunications network, comprising:

• a local exchange switch connected to the telecommunications network;
• a central server connected to the local exchange switch, comprising:
• means for storing messages;
• means for providing user authentication;
• and
• means for providing call control;
• a plurality of telephones;
• a command center connected to the plurality of telephones, comprising:
• means for connecting the command center to the central server through the Internet, using no more than one single telephone line;
• means for receiving information from the central server concerning an incoming call, caller ID, and a number to which a call is directed;
• means for displaying caller ID information;
• means for directing the call to only one of the plurality of telephones according to the number to which the call is directed;
• means to direct the central server to answer the call and record a message;
• and
• means to forward the call to another location.

A method for providing expanded telecommunication services on a telecommunication system comprising the steps of:

• monitoring and screening incoming calls based on properties such as call type, caller number, called number, time of day, family member called;
• locating the subscriber;
• allowing the subscriber to specify call treatment;
• observing and noting subscriber treatment of call;
• profiling dynamically call treatment by subscriber;
• reviewing by subscriber suggested call handling rules;
• and
• capturing and storing dynamic profile of subscriber call treatment.

A method for providing expanded telecommunication services on a telecommunication system that includes a server comprising the steps of:

• developing a database of important telephone numbers;
• answering a call by the server only if the line is busy and the caller number is in the database;
• permitting the subscriber to monitor a message from the caller audibly over the Internet;
• permitting the subscriber to make a decision how to handle the call over the Internet;
• and
• permitting the subscriber to specify the disposition of the call.

A method for providing expanded telecommunication services on a telecommunication system where a call from a first entity to a second entity is placed when the first entity enters a number for the second entity, comprising the steps of:

• receiving the call from the first entity at a local exchange switch;
• identifying a number of the first entity;
• directing the call and the number of the first entity from the switch to a gateway;
• determining whether the command center of the second entity is communicating with the server;
• sending a message to the command center over a single line indicating the presence of the call and identifying the number of the first entity and the number of the second entity that was entered;
• holding the call at the server;
• and
• dialing from the second entity to the server to make a call cross-connect between the firs entity and the second entity at the server.

A method for providing expanded telecommunication services on a telecommunication system where a call from a first entity to a second entity is placed when the first entity enters a number for the second entity, comprising:

• (a) receiving the call from the first entity at a local exchange switch;
• (b) directing the call and the call information of the first entity from the switch to a gateway;
• (c) directing the call and the call information of the entity from the gateway to a server;
• (d) identifying the first entity;
• (e) determining whether the command center of the second entity is communicating with the server;
• (f) sending a message to the command center over an Internet Protocol connection indicating the presence of the call and delivering identifying information of the first entity and the identifying information of the call;
• (g) receiving input from the second entity onto the command center;
• and
• (h) directing the call.

A system for providing expanded telephone services connected to a telecommunications network, comprising:

• (a) a local exchange switch to the telecommunications network;
• (b) a gateway connecting the local exchange switch to a central server,
• (c) a central server connected to the gateway, comprising
• (i) means for storing messages,
• (ii) means for storing call handling instructions,
• (iii) means for providing user authentication, and
• (iv) means for providing call control;
• (d) a plurality of devices including telephones and Internet Protocol connected terminals;
• (e) a command center hosted on or connected to the plurality of devices comprising
• (i) means for connecting the command center to the central server through the Internet,
• (ii) means for receiving call information from the central server concerning an incoming call, caller information and audible signals, and a number to which a call is directed,
• (iii) means for displaying call information on a command center,
• (iv) means for receiving input from the user to the command center,
• (v) means for directing the call to a plurality of devices according to the call information and/or user input from the command center means,
• (vi) means for direct the central server to record and store a message, and
• (v) means to forward the call to another location.

A method for providing expanded telecommunication services on a telecommunications system, comprising:

• (a) monitoring and screening incoming calls based on properties such as call type, caller number, called number, time of day, family member called;
• (b) allowing the subscriber to specify call treatment;
• (c) observing and noting subscriber treatment of call;
• (d) capturing and storing a dynamic profile of subscriber call treatment(s);
• (e) processing a subscriber's dynamic call treatment profile to infer caller priority and potential automated call handling rules;
• (f) reviewing by subscriber suggested automated call handling rules;
• and
• (g) assembling and storing automated call handling rules accepted by the subscriber.

A method for providing expanded telecommunication services on a telecommunication system that includes a server, comprising:

• (a) developing a database which contains the priority of a subscriber's call types and callers;
• (b) providing in the database a plurality of class-of-service techniques for answering a call by the server;
• and
• (c) permitting the subscriber to establish different levels of availability for incoming calls.