Method and system for placing and redirecting IP-based telephone calls
OwnerThomas C. Mandleinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention includes methods for allowing a user to selectively forward incoming POTS telephone calls received at a computer on a LAN to an IP-based device on the LAN. The methods allow a user with an IP-based device on a LAN to place an IP-based telephone call from the IP-based device through the computer and out on a POTS line to destination telephone numbers. Systems and computer media incorporating the methods of the present invention are also disclosed.
Claims33
A method of receiving a plain old telephone system (POTS) telephone call on an Internet Protocol (IP)-based device connected to an IP-based Local Area Network (LAN), comprising:
- receiving the incoming POTS telephone call;
- and
- selectively forwarding the incoming POTS telephone call to the IP-based device over the IP-based LAN using IP-based communications.
A method of placing a telephone call from an Internet Protocol (IP)-based device on a Local Area Network (LAN) to a plain old telephone system (POTS) line, comprising:
- initiating an IP-based telephone call from an IP-based device in communication with a LAN;
- receiving the IP-based telephone call at a computer on the LAN;
- translating the IP-based telephone call into a POTS telephone call;
- and
- routing the POTS telephone call over a POTS line.
A method of placing and receiving IP-based telephone calls over an IP-based network, the method comprising:
- providing an IP-based device configured for communicating IP-based telephone calls over an IP-based network;
- providing a computer operable for communication with the IP-based device over the IP-based network and in communication with a plain old telephone system (POTS) telephone line;
- in response to receiving an incoming POTS telephone call at the computer, selectively forwarding the incoming POTS telephone call to the IP-based device over the IP-based network;
- in response to initiating an IP-based telephone call from the IP-based device, receiving the IP-based telephone call at the computer, translating the IP-based telephone call into a outgoing POTS telephone call and routing the outgoing POTS telephone call through the POTS telephone line.
A system for placing and receiving IP-based telephone calls over an IP-based network, comprising:
- an IP-based device configured for IP-based communication over an IP-based network;
- a computer configured for communication with a plain old telephone system (POTS) line and configured for IP-based communication with the IP-based device over the IP-based network;
- and
- the IP-based device further configured to receive and send IP-based telephone calls using the computer and the POTS line.
A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method of placing and receiving IP-based telephone calls over an IP-based network, the method comprising:
- providing an IP-based device configured for communicating IP-based telephone calls over an IP-based network;
- providing a computer operable for communication with the IP-based device over the IP-based network and in communication with a telephone connected to a plain old telephone system (POTS) telephone line;
- in response to receiving an incoming POTS telephone call at the computer, selectively forwarding the incoming POTS telephone call to the IP-based device over the IP-based network;
- in response to initiating an IP-based telephone call from the IP-based device, receiving the IP-based telephone call at the computer, translating the IP-based telephone call into a outgoing POTS telephone call and routing the outgoing POTS telephone call over the POTS telephone line.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.