Method and apparatus for managing telephone calls

A method for processing calls, comprising:

• operatively connecting a switch to an inbound controller, an inbound gateway, an outbound controller, and an outbound gateway;
• exchanging first control signals over a session initiation protocol (SIP) between the inbound gateway and the inbound controller based on inbound communications to generate second SIP control signals based on information in the first control signals and configuration and authentication information;
• receiving inbound communication at the switch over a real time protocol from the inbound gateway, and exchanging the second control signals with the inbound controller;
• exchanging fourth control signals between the outbound controller and the outbound gateway via a real time protocol in order to send the inbound communications outbound over at least one communications network;
• and
• routing inbound communications based on the second control signals and the routing controller to at least one of a voicemail database or at least one communications network by sending outbound communications based on the inbound communications to the outbound controller via a real time protocol and exchanging third control signals with the outbound controller, including routing information relating to the outbound communications.

A method for processing calls, comprising:

• receiving a call from a caller at an origination point on a first network;
• exchanging communications signals between the first network and a second network using a session initiation protocol, and processing the communications signals at the second network using configuration and authentication information;
• determining at least one destination point from a group of destination points based on the processing;
• directing the communications signals to the at the at least one destination point and, prior to connecting the caller and the user, notifying a user of the call from the origination point.

A method for processing calls, comprising the steps of:

• receiving a call from a caller at an origination point on a first network;
• exchanging communications signals between the first network and a second network using a session initiation protocol, and processing the communications signals at the second network using configuration and authentication information;
• determining two or more destination points from a group of destination points based on the processing;
• sending a signal to each of the two or more destination points substantially simultaneously;
• establishing a communication with one selected destination point based on a user input;
• presenting a user at the one selected destination point with identifying information about the caller and a plurality of options for handling the call;
• and
• if the user chooses to accept the call, allowing the user transfer the call by providing an input that re-initiates the sending step.

A computer program product for use in a call processing system, comprising:

• a computer readable medium;
• computer program instructions, recorded on the computer readable medium, executable by a processor, for implementing a call processing system comprising the steps of:
• receiving a call from a caller at an origination point on a first network;
• exchanging communications signals between the first network and a second network using a session initiation protocol, and processing the communications signals at the second network using configuration and authentication information;
• determining two or more destination points from a group of destination points based on the processing;
• sending a signal to each of the two or more destination points substantially simultaneously;
• establishing a communication with one selected destination point based on a user input;
• presenting a user at the one selected destination point with identifying information about the caller and a plurality of options for handling the call;
• and
• if the user chooses to accept the call, allowing the user transfer the call by providing an input that re-initiates the sending step.