US 2005/0232248 A1 · Call waiting feature for a telephone line connected to the internet

Abstract

Conventional Internet access service and new computer programs are added to a conventional telephone central office. This system is able to alert a subscriber whose telephone line is connected to the Internet of a waiting call via the Internet access connection. Specifically, in response to a call that is waiting for a subscriber, the system establishes a new communication with the subscriber using the Internet access connection and new programs in the subscriber's data terminal. The system then notifies the subscriber of the waiting call via the Internet access connection. The system may then forward the telephone call to the subscriber via the Internet access connection responsive to a subscriber's request to do so without terminating the subscriber's Internet connection, or the subscriber may choose to answer the call in a conventional manner, or may select another option in response to the call notification.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A method of processing a telephone call from a calling station to a called station that is busy as a result of having established a connection to a data network via an enhanced telephone switching system, said method comprising the steps of

receiving said call at said enhanced telephone switching system and, responsive to said called station being busy, sending a message to said called station via said connection to said data network to alert a subscriber at said called station to the receipt of said call, and
connecting said calling station to said called station via said connection to said data network so that a caller at said calling station may communicate with a subscriber at said called station.

A method of processing a three-way calling feature for a first telephone station set whose telephone line is connected to the Internet, comprising the steps of

responsive to receiving at an enhanced telephone switching system an initial call from said first telephone station, extending a connection from said first telephone station to said Internet,
receiving a voice call from a second telephone station directed to said first telephone station and, responsive to said first telephone station being connected to said Internet, sending a data message via said connection to said first telephone station to alert a subscriber to the receipt of the voice call from said second telephone station, and
bridging a connection to said second telephone station to the connection between said Internet and said first telephone station so that a caller at said second telephone station may communicate with said subscriber at said first telephone station, then
responsive to receiving a voice call from a third telephone station directed to said first telephone station while said first telephone station is connected to said second telephone station, bridging connections to said second telephone station and said third telephone station to a three-way conference circuit, and bridging said three-way conference circuit to the connection between said Internet and said first telephone station.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Call waiting feature for a telephone line connected to the internet

Life of this patent

Call waiting feature for a telephone line connected to the internet

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27