Method and apparatus that provides a reusable voice path in addition to release link functionality for use with a platform having a voice activated front end

A method of enabling a communication session by employing a voice integrated platform having a voice activated front-end and a telecommunications central office switch, comprising:

• establishing a voice command link between said voice integrated platform and a remote device;
• directing said telecommunications central office switch to establish a voice communication path associated with said remote device employing said voice integrated platform;
• releasing said voice command link;
• and
• maintaining at least a portion of said voice communication path to allow reuse as directed by said remote device.

A method of enabling a communication session by employing an intelligent peripheral having a voice activated front-end and a telecommunications central office switch, comprising:

• establishing a voice command link between said intelligent peripheral and a remote device;
• directing said telecommunications central office switch to establish a voice communication path associated with said remote device employing said intelligent peripheral;
• releasing said voice command link;
• and
• maintaining at least a portion of said voice communication path to allow reuse as directed by said remote device.

A telephony server system associated with a telecommunications central office switch, comprising;

• a voice integrated platform that has a voice activated front end;
• and
• a system access module, including:
• a call coordinator, coupled to said voice integrated platform and said telecommunications central office switch, that establishes, and later releases, a voice command link between said voice integrated platform and a remote device to utilize said voice integrated platform to direct said telecommunications central office switch to establish a voice communication path associated with said remote device;
• and
• a call manager, coupled to said call coordinator, that allows reuse of at least a portion of said voice communication path as directed by said remote device.