Telephone control system with branch routing

An integrated control system and data base for connection to a telephone network for receiving and processing calls from a caller to a user, the control system comprising:

• input/output means for connection to telephone network lines to input and output telephone calls;
• switching control means for controllably connecting a call on one line to a different line;
• memory means for controllably storing and recalling electronic signals;
• and
• electronic processing means for accessing said memory means and said switching control means to direct the flow of input and output calls, said electronic processing means including means for:
• a) processing calls to the system directed to a specific user in a selected one of at least two distinct modes, one such mode being call forwarding in which case the processing means proceeds with functions b) through d), another such mode being branch routing in which case the processing means proceeds with functions e) and f), the system having a presently commanded mode,
• b) recalling from said memory means a forwarding number,
• c) implementing a call to said forwarding number,
• d) switching the caller's call to said forwarding number,
• e) responding to an incoming call to a specific user by transmitting to the caller a signal indicating that said incoming call can be branched to any of a plurality of options responsive to the caller transmitting an appropriate command corresponding to the desired branch,
• f) responsive to the caller transmitting said command, proceeding with functions b)-d) to forward said call, and
• g) responding to said user entering a timer command mode and a corresponding time interval command to appropriately change to the presently commanded mode for said commanded interval.

An integrated control system and data base for connection to a telephone network for receiving and processing calls from a caller to a user, said telephone network providing automatic number identification (ANI) to said control system, the control system comprising:

• input/output means for connection to telephone network lines to input and output telephone calls;
• switching control means for controllably connecting a call on one line to a different line;
• memory means for controllably storing and recalling electronic signals;
• and
• electronic processing means for accessing said memory means and said switching control means to direct the flow of input and output calls, said electronic processing means including means for:
• a) processing calls to the system directed to a specific user in a selected one of at least two distinct modes, one such mode being call forwarding in which case the processing means proceeds with functions b) through d), another such mode being branch routing in which case the processing means proceeds with functions e) and f),
• b) recalling from said memory means a forwarding number,
• c) implementing a call to said forwarding number,
• d) switching the caller's call to said forwarding number,
• e) responding to an incoming call to a specific user by transmitting to the caller a signal indicating that said incoming call can be branched to any of a plurality of options responsive to the caller transmitting an appropriate command corresponding to the desired branch,
• f) responsive to the caller transmitting said command, proceeding with functions b)-d) to forward said call,
• g) utilizing said ANI as said user's memory means stored forwarding number, whereby the user can update the forwarding number without manually entering the number of the telephone at the user's present location
• h) wherein calls to said system are made by dialing a sequence which includes digits to identify one of a plurality of call processing modes and
• i) identifying a call to said system by a specific user by matching the ANI with a memory means stored number for said user and processing said digits as a specific mode command control signal from said user.

An integrated control system and data base for connection to a telephone network for receiving and processing calls from a caller to a user, the control system comprising:

• input/output means for connection to telephone network lines to input and output telephone calls;
• switching control means for controllably connecting a call on one line to a different line;
• memory means for controllably storing and recalling electronic signals;
• and
• electronic processing means for accessing said memory means and said switching control means to direct the flow of input and output calls, said electronic processing means including means for:
• a) processing calls to the system directed to a specific user in a selected one of at least two distinct modes, one such mode being call forwarding in which case the processing means proceeds with functions b) through d), another such mode being branch routing in which case the processing means proceeds with functions e) and f),
• b) recalling from said memory means a forwarding number,
• c) implementing a call to said forwarding number,
• d) switching the caller's call to said forwarding number,
• e) responding to an incoming call to a specific user by transmitting to the caller a signal indicating that said incoming call can be branched to any of a plurality of options responsive to the caller transmitting an appropriate command corresponding to the desired branch,
• f) responsive to the caller transmitting said command, proceeding with functions b)-d) to forward said call, and
• g) identifying a message center control signal from said caller and, regardless of the user's present call processing mode, permitting said caller to access a user's provided message center memory and store a message for later access by the user.

An integrated control system and data base for connection to a telephone network for receiving and processing calls from a caller to a user, the control system comprising:

• input/output means for connection to telephone network lines to input and output telephone calls;
• switching control means for controllably connecting a call on one line to a different line;
• memory means for controllably storing and recalling electronic signals;
• and
• electronic processing means for accessing said memory means and said switching control means to direct the flow of input and output calls, said electronic processing means including means for:
• a) processing calls to the system directed to a specific user in a selected one of at least two distinct modes, one such mode being call forwarding in which case the processing means proceeds with functions b) and c), another such mode being branch routing in which case the processing means proceeds with functions d) and e),
• b) recalling from said memory means a forwarding number,
• c) implementing a call to said forwarding number, and upon implementing a call to said forwarding number, initiating a predetermined timeout interval, identifying the condition of the user's line within said timeout interval, wherein the duration of said timeout interval is predetermined as a function of whether the call from the caller is detected as local or long distance to thereby switch the caller's call to said forwarding number, and, if the user's phone rings within said timeout interval, allowing the user's phone to ring for a predetermined sequence and, if the user does not answer within said sequence, terminating the attempt to forward the call or identifying the condition of the user's phone being busy within said timeout interval to thereby terminate the attempt to forward the call,
• d) responding to an incoming call to a specific user by transmitting to the caller a signal indicating that said incoming call can be branched to any of a plurality of options responsive to the caller transmitting an appropriate command corresponding to the desired branch, and
• e) responsive to the caller transmitting said command, proceeding with functions b)-d) to forward said call.

An integrated control system and data base for connection to a telephone network for receiving and processing calls from a caller to a user, the control system comprising:

• input/output means for connection to telephone network lines to input and output telephone calls;
• switching control means for controllably connecting a call on one line to a different line;
• memory means for controllably storing and recalling electronic signals;
• and
• electronic processing means for accessing said memory means and said switching control means to direct the flow of input and output calls, said electronic processing means including means for:
• a) processing calls to the system directed to a specific user in a selected one of at least two distinct modes, one such mode being call forwarding in which case the processing means proceeds with functions b) through d), another such mode being branch routing in which case the processing means proceeds with function e),
• b) recalling from said memory means a forwarding number,
• c) implementing a call to said forwarding number,
• d) switching the caller's call to said forwarding number,
• e) responding to an incoming call to a specific user by transmitting to the caller a signal indicating that said incoming call can be branched to any of a plurality of options responsive to the caller transmitting an appropriate caller command corresponding to the desired branch,
• f) identifying a user command from said user indicating that the user desires to place a call to a number, calling said number, connecting said user to said called number while causing the connection to be monitored such that, in response to a signal, the user may enter further commands to the system, and
• g) responsive to the caller transmitting said caller command, proceeding with functions b)-d) to forward said call.

An integrated control system and data base for connection to a telephone network for receiving and processing calls from a caller to a user, the control system comprising:

• input/output means for connection to telephone network lines to input and output telephone calls;
• switching control means for controllably connecting a call on one line to a different line;
• memory means for controllably storing and recalling electronic signals;
• and
• electronic processing means for accessing said memory means and said switching control means to direct the flow of input and output calls, said electronic processing means including means for:
• a) processing calls to the system directed to a specific user in a selected one of at least three distinct modes, one such mode being call forwarding in which case the processing means proceeds with functions b) through d), another such mode being branch routing in which case the processing means proceeds with functions e) and f) and a third such mode being a message center mode wherein the electronic processing means further comprises means for storing as a user mode control signal representing that the user is not available and, upon recalling said user mode signal in processing an incoming call, transmitting a courtesy message and recording a message sent by the caller,
• b) recalling from said memory means a forwarding number,
• c) implementing a call to said forwarding number,
• d) switching the caller's call to said forwarding number,
• e) responding to an incoming call to a specific user by transmitting to the caller a signal indicating that said incoming call can be branched to any of a plurality of options responsive to the caller transmitting an appropriate command corresponding to the desired branch,
• f) responsive to the caller transmitting said command, proceeding with functions b)-d) to forward said call, and
• g) in response to said user calling the system and accessing a recorded message from a caller, identifying a command from said user indicating that the user desires to place a call to a predetermined number, calling said number, connecting the user to said called number while causing the connection to be monitored such that, in response to a signal, the user is returned to his or her recorded messages in the system.

An integrated control system and data base for connection to a telephone network for receiving and processing calls from a caller to a user, the control system comprising:

• input/output means for connection to telephone network lines to input and output telephone calls;
• switching control means for controllably connecting a call on one line to a different line;
• memory means for controllably storing and recalling electronic signals;
• and
• electronic processing means for accessing said memory means and said switching control means to direct the flow of input and output calls, said electronic processing means including means for:
• g) processing calls to the system directed to a specific user in a selected one of at least two distinct modes, one such mode being call forwarding in which case the processing means proceeds with functions b) through d), another such mode being branch routing in which case the processing means proceeds with functions e) and f),
• b) recalling from said memory means a forwarding number,
• c) implementing a call to said forwarding number,
• d) switching the caller's call to said forwarding number,
• e) responding to an incoming call to a specific user by transmitting to the caller a signal indicating that said incoming call can be branched to any of a plurality of options responsive to the caller transmitting an appropriate command corresponding to the desired branch,
• f) responsive to the caller transmitting said command, proceeding with functions b)-d) to forward said call, and
• g) implementing user call processing mode changes responsive to predetermined command sequences and further including user controls which, when transmitted, automatically implement said predetermined command sequences.

A control system for connection to a telephone network, said control system comprising:

• (a) communication means for connection to communication facilities of said network for processing telephone calls via said facilities;
• (b) control means for controllably routing a call placed to one telephone network address to another telephone address of said network;
• (c) memory means for storing signals including signals representative of telephone network addresses;
• and
• (d) electronic processing means for processing a telephone call received via said communication means, said processing means including a call processing mode, wherein the electronic processing means responds to an incoming call with a prompt indicating to the caller that said incoming call can be routed to any one of a plurality of locations, each location having a telephone network address represented in said memory means and, responsive to the caller transmitting a command identifying one of said locations, causing said control means to route said incoming call to the telephone network address corresponding to said one of said locations identified by said caller, said processing means also having a meet-me mode wherein the user has a paging system which has a plurality of notification states for providing different notices to said user and wherein said electronic processing means further comprises means for storing as a user mode control signal a meet-me mode signal and, upon recalling said meet-me mode signal in processing an incoming call, recalling from said memory means a user notification procedure, controlling said paging system to provide a specific notice to the user indicating that the user has a call waiting.

A control system for connection to a telephone network, said control system comprising:

• (a) communication means for connection to communication facilities of said network for processing telephone calls via said facilities;
• (b) control means for controllably routing a call placed to one telephone network address to another telephone address of said network;
• (c) memory means for storing signals including signals representative of telephone network addresses;
• and
• (d) electronic processing means for processing a telephone call received via said communication means, said processing means including a call processing mode, wherein the electronic processing means responds to an incoming call with a prompt indicating to the caller that said incoming call can be routed to any one of a plurality of locations, each location having a telephone network address represented in said memory means and, responsive to the caller transmitting a command identifying one of said locations, causing said control means to route said incoming call to the telephone network address corresponding to said one of said locations identified by said caller, said processing means also having a meet-me mode wherein the user has a notification system which has a plurality of notification states for providing different notices to said user and wherein said electronic processing means further comprises means for storing as a user mode control signal a meet-me mode signal and, upon recalling said meet-me mode signal in processing an incoming call, recalling from said memory means a user notification procedure, controlling said notification system to provide a specific notice to the user indicating that the user has a call waiting, the electronic processing means further comprises means for notifying the user by transmitting a predetermined signal to the user when the caller does not wait on the line for the user.

A control system for connection to a telephone network, said control system comprising:

• (a) communication means for connection to communication facilities of said network for processing telephone calls via said facilities;
• (b) control means for controllably routing a call placed to one telephone network address to another telephone address of said network;
• (c) memory means for storing signals including signals representative of telephone network addresses;
• and
• (d) electronic processing means for processing a telephone call received via said communication means, said processing means including a call processing mode, wherein the electronic processing means responds to an incoming call with a prompt indicating to the caller that said incoming call can be routed to any one of a plurality of locations, each location having a telephone network address represented in said memory means and, responsive to the caller transmitting a command identifying one of said locations, causing said control means to route said incoming call to the telephone network address corresponding to said one of said locations identified by said caller;
• (e) a paging system wherein each user carries a paging device which receives signals from a paging system with a unique identification code assigned to each paging device, and wherein each paging device includes a signal transmitter and transmitter control means for controlling said signal transmitter such that a data signal may be transmitted to the control system;
• and
• (f) a locator system comprising a plurality of predeterminedly located locator transmitters, with each locator transmitter transmitting to a proximate paging device a locator system signal, and wherein said transmitter control means controls said signal transmitter to transmit a control signal based on said locator system signal to said control system to revise said memory means.

A control system for connection to a telephone network, said control system comprising:

• (a) communication means for connection to communication facilities of said network for processing telephone calls via said facilities, said telephone network providing automatic number identification (ANI) to said control system;
• (b) control means for controllably routing a call placed to one telephone network address to another telephone address of said network;
• (c) memory means for storing signals including signals representative of telephone network addresses;
• and
• (d) electronic processing means for processing a telephone call received via said communications means, said processing means including a plurality of call processing modes, wherein calls to said system are made by a user inputting a sequence which includes digits to identify one of said plurality of call processing modes, the electronic processing means responding to an incoming call with a prompt indicating to the caller that said incoming call can be routed to any one of a plurality of locations, each location having a telephone network address represented in said memory means and, responsive to the caller transmitting a command identifying one of said locations, causing said control means to route said incoming call to the telephone network address corresponding to said one of said locations identified by said caller, and wherein the electronic processing means further comprises means for identifying a call to said system by said user by matching the ANI with a memory means stored number for said user and processing said digits as a specific mode command control signal from said user.

A control system for connection to a telephone network, said control system comprising:

• (a) communication means for connection to communication facilities of said network for processing telephone calls via said facilities;
• (b) control means for controllably routing a call placed to one telephone network address to another telephone address of said network;
• (c) memory means for storing signals including signals representative of telephone network addresses;
• and
• (d) electronic processing means for processing a telephone call received via said communication means, said processing means including a plurality of call processing modes, wherein the electronic processing means responds, in one mode, to an incoming call with a prompt indicating to the caller that said incoming call can be routed to any one of a plurality of locations, each location having a telephone network address represented in said memory means and, responsive to the caller transmitting a command identifying one of said locations, causing said control means to route said incoming call to the telephone network address corresponding to said one of said locations identified by said caller, and wherein incoming calls are handled differently depending upon the call processing mode currently commanded and further including a schedule mode, wherein said electronic processing means responds to a stored sequence comprising a plurality of call processing mode changes and corresponding times for each such call processing mode change in said stored sequence to automatically change to the commanded call-processing mode at the commanded times.

A control system for connection to a telephone network, said control system comprising:

• (a) communication means for connection to communication facilities of said network for processing telephone calls via said facilities;
• (b) control means for controllably routing a call placed to one telephone network address to another telephone address of said network;
• (c) memory means for storing signals including signals representative of telephone network addresses;
• and
• (d) electronic processing means for processing a telephone call received via said communication means, said processing means having a plurality of call processing modes, including a call branching mode, wherein the electronic processing means responds to an incoming call with a prompt indicating to the caller that said incoming call can be routed to any one of a plurality of locations, each location having a telephone network address represented in said memory means and, responsive to the caller transmitting a command identifying one of said locations, causing said control means to route said incoming call to the telephone network address corresponding to said one of said locations identified by said caller, said processing means also including a timer mode, wherein said electronic processing means responds to said user entering a timer command to change to the presently commanded mode for said commanded interval, thereafter reverting to another mode.

A method of receiving and processing incoming telephone calls to a telephone control system, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) storing in a memory electronic signals including signals representative of telephone network addresses;
• (b) processing an incoming telephone call from a caller, including communicating information to said caller indicating that said incoming call can be routed to any one of at least two telephone network addresses, sensing the transmission by the caller of a command corresponding to the desired telephone network address and, responsive thereto, routing said incoming call to the telephone network address corresponding to the command transmitted by said caller;
• and
• (c) handling incoming calls differently depending upon the state of a call processing mode currently commanded and, in a schedule mode, responding to a stored sequence comprising a plurality of call processing mode changes and corresponding times for each such call processing mode change in said stored sequence to automatically change to the commanded call-processing mode at the commanded time.

A method of receiving and processing incoming telephone calls to a telephone control system, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) storing in a memory electronic signals including signals representative of telephone network addresses;
• (b) in at least one mode of operation, processing an incoming telephone call from a caller, including communicating information to said caller indicating that said incoming call can be routed to any one of at least two telephone network addresses, sensing the transmission by the caller of a command corresponding to the desired telephone network address and, responsive thereto, routing said incoming call to the telephone network address corresponding to the command transmitted by said caller;
• and
• (c) in a timer mode, responding to said user entering a timer command mode and a corresponding time interval command to change to a presently commanded mode for said commanded interval, thereafter reverting to another mode.

An integrated control system and data base for connection to a telephone network for receiving and processing calls from a caller to a user, the control system comprising:

• input/output means for connection to telephone network lines to input and output telephone calls;
• switching control means for controllably connecting a call on one line to a different line;
• memory means for controllably storing and recalling electronic signals;
• and
• electronic processing means for accessing said memory means and said switching control means to direct the flow of input and output calls, said electronic processing means including means for:
• a) processing calls to the system directed to a specific user in a selected one of at least two distinct modes, one such mode being call forwarding in which case the processing means proceeds with functions b) through d), another such mode being branch routing in which case the processing means proceeds with functions e) and f),
• b) recalling from said memory means a forwarding number,
• c) implementing a call to said forwarding number,
• d) switching the caller's call to said forwarding number,
• e) responding to an incoming call to a specific user by transmitting to the caller a signal indicating that said incoming call can be branched to any of a plurality of options responsive to the caller transmitting an appropriate command corresponding to the desired branch,
• f) responsive to the caller transmitting said command, proceeding with functions b)-d) to forward said call;
• and
• a paging system wherein each user carries a paging device which receives a radio frequency signals broadcast from a central paging system with a unique identification code assigned to each paging device;
• said control system including a page alert mode wherein the electronic processing means includes means for storing a page alert mode signal and responsive to an incoming call when said page alert mode signal is present, paging said specific user to establish communication with said control system.

An integrated control system and data base for connection to a telephone network for receiving and processing calls from a caller to a user, the control system comprising:

• input/output means for connection to telephone network lines to input and output telephone calls;
• switching control means for controllably connecting a call on one line to a different line;
• memory means for controllably storing and recalling electronic signals;
• and
• electronic processing means for accessing said memory means and said switching control means to direct the flow of input and output calls, said electronic processing means including means for:
• a) processing calls to the system directed to a specific user in a selected one of at least two distinct modes, one such mode being call forwarding in which case the processing means proceeds with functions b) through d), another such mode being branch routing in which case the processing means proceeds with functions e) and f),
• b) recalling from said memory means a forwarding number,
• c) implementing a call to said forwarding number,
• d) switching the caller's call to said forwarding number,
• e) responding to an incoming call to a specific user by transmitting to the caller a signal indicating that said incoming call can be branched to any of a plurality of options responsive to the caller transmitting an appropriate command corresponding to the desired branch,
• f) responsive to the caller transmitting said command, proceeding with functions b)-d) to forward said call,
• g) identifying a call to said system from a specific user from any one of a plurality of telephones via the telephone network,
• h) changing said specific user's memory means stored forwarding number responsive to a command from said specific user, and
• i) changing a user's call processing mode responsive to a command from said user.

An integrated control system and data base for connection to a telephone network for receiving and processing calls from a caller to a user, the control system comprising:

• input/output means for connection to telephone network lines to input and output telephone calls;
• a paging system wherein each user carries a paging device which receives radio frequency signals broadcast from a central paging system with a unique identification code assigned to each paging device,
• switching control means for controllably connecting a call on one line to a different line;
• memory means for controllably storing and recalling electronic signals;
• and
• electronic processing means for accessing said memory means and said switching control means to direct the flow of input and output calls, said electronic processing means including means for:
• a) processing calls to the system directed to a specific user in a selected one of at least two distinct modes, one such mode being call forwarding in which case the processing means proceeds with functions b) through d), another such mode being branch routing in which case the processing means proceeds with functions e) and f),
• b) recalling from said memory means a forwarding number,
• c) implementing a call to said forwarding number,
• d) switching the caller's call to said forwarding number,
• e) responding to an incoming call to a specific user by transmitting to the caller a signal indicating that said incoming call can be branched to any of a plurality of options responsive to the caller transmitting an appropriate command corresponding to the desired branch,
• f) responsive to the caller transmitting said command, proceeding with functions b)-d) to forward said call;
• and wherein said control system includes a page alert mode wherein the electronic processing means includes means for storing as a user mode control signal a page alert mode signal and responsive to an incoming call wherein said page alert mode signal is present, paging said specific user to establish communication with said control system.

An integrated control system and data base for connection to a telephone network for receiving and processing calls from a caller to a user, the control system comprising:

• input/output means for connection to telephone network lines to input and output telephone calls;
• switching control means for controllably connecting a call on one line to a different line;
• memory means for controllably storing and recalling electronic signals;
• and
• electronic processing means for accessing said memory means and said switching control means to direct the flow of input and output calls, said electronic processing means including means for:
• a) processing calls to the system directed to a specific user in a selected one of at least two distinct modes, one such mode being call forwarding in which case the processing means proceeds with functions b) through e), another such mode being branch routing in which case the processing means proceeds with functions f) and g),
• b) recalling from said memory means a forwarding number,
• c) implementing a call to said forwarding number,
• d) switching the caller's call to said forwarding number,
• e) upon implementing call forwarding in accordance with functions b) through d), generating signals which to a caller indicate normal call processing operation, said signals indicate to a user that the user can transmit an identification code to gain access to his or her system provided functions and, upon receipt of said identification code, terminating the call forwarding and transferring the user to a remote command mode,
• f) responding to an incoming call to a specific user by transmitting to the caller a signal indicating that said incoming call can be branched to any of a plurality of options responsive to the caller transmitting an appropriate command corresponding to the desired branch,
• g) responsive to the caller transmitting said command, proceeding with functions b)-d) to forward said call.

An integrated control system and data base for connection to a telephone network for receiving and processing calls from a caller to a user, the control system comprising:

• a paging system wherein each user carriers a paging device to receive radio frequency signals broadcast from a central paging system with a unique identification code assigned to each paging device and wherein each paging device includes a radio frequency transmitter and radio control means for controlling said radio frequency transmitter whereby a data signal may be transmitted from the paging device to the control system to modify call processing by said control system;
• input/output means for connection to telephone network lines to input and output telephone calls;
• switching control means for controllably connecting a call on one line to a different line;
• memory means for controllably storing and recalling electronic signals;
• and
• electronic processing means for accessing said memory means and said switching control means to direct the flow of input and output calls, said electronic processing means being responsive to said paging system for modifying how calls are processed by said system, said electronic processing means including means for:
• a) processing calls to the system directed to a specific user in a selected one of at least two distinct modes, one such mode being call forwarding in which case the processing means proceeds with functions b) through d), another such mode being branch routing in which case the processing means proceeds with functions e) and f),
• b) recalling from said memory means a forwarding number,
• c) implementing a call to said forwarding number,
• d) switching the caller's call to said forwarding number,
• e) responding to an incoming call to a specific user by transmitting to the caller a signal indicating that said incoming call can be branched to any of a plurality of options responsive to the caller transmitting an appropriate command corresponding to the desired branch,
• f) responsive to the caller transmitting said command, proceeding with functions b)-d) to forward said call.

An integrated control system and data base for connection to a telephone network for receiving and processing calls from a caller to a user, the control system comprising:

• input/output means for connection to telephone network lines to input and output telephone calls;
• switching control means for controllably connecting a call on one line to a different line;
• memory means for controllably storing and recalling electronic signals;
• and
• electronic processing means for accessing said memory means and said switching control means to direct the flow of input and output calls, said electronic processing means including means for:
• a) processing calls to the system directed to a specific user in a selected one of at least three distinct modes, one such mode being call forwarding in which case the processing means proceeds with functions b) through d), another such mode being branch routing in which case the processing means proceeds with functions e) and f) and a third being a meet-me mode wherein the electronic processing means further comprises means for storing as a user mode control signal a meet-me mode signal and, upon recalling said meet-me mode signal in processing an incoming call, the processing means proceeds with function g),
• b) recalling from said memory means a forwarding number,
• c) implementing a call to said forwarding number,
• d) switching the caller's call to said forwarding number,
• e) responding to an incoming call to a specific user by transmitting to the caller a signal indicating that said incoming call can be branched to any of a plurality of options responsive to the caller transmitting an appropriate command corresponding to the desired branch,
• f) responsive to the caller transmitting said command, proceeding with functions b)-d) to forward said call, and
• g) recalling from said memory means a pager access control procedure, controlling a paging system to page the user with a specific one of a plurality of indications, said specific one indicating that there is a call waiting.

An integrated control system and data base for connection to a telephone network for receiving and processing calls from a caller to a user, the control system comprising:

• input/output means for connection to telephone network lines to input and output telephone calls;
• switching control means for controllably connecting a call on one line to a different line;
• memory means for controllably storing and recalling electronic signals;
• electronic processing means for accessing said memory means and said switching control means to direct the flow of input and output calls, said electronic processing means including means for:
• a) processing calls to the system directed to a specific user in a selected one of at least two distinct modes, one such mode being call forwarding in which case the processing means proceeds with functions b) through d), another such mode being branch routing in which case the processing means proceeds with functions e) and f),
• b) recalling from said memory means a forwarding number,
• c) implementing a call to said forwarding number,
• d) switching the caller's call to said forwarding number,
• e) responding to an incoming call to a specific user by transmitting to the caller a signal indicating that said incoming call can be branched to any of a plurality of options responsive to the caller transmitting an appropriate command corresponding to the desired branch,
• f) responsive to the caller transmitting said command, proceeding with functions b)-d) to forward said call, and
• a paging system wherein each user carries a paging device which receives radio frequency signals broadcast from a central paging system with a unique identification code assigned to each paging device, and wherein each paging device includes:
• a radio frequency transmitter;
• and
• radio control means for controlling said radio frequency transmitter such that a data signal may be transmitted to the control system to revise said control system memory means.

A control system for connection to a telephone

• network, said control system comprising:
• (a) communication means for connection to communication facilities of said network for processing telephone calls via said facilities;
• (b) control means for controllably routing a call placed to one telephone network address to another telephone address of said network;
• (c) memory means for storing signals including signals representative of telephone network addresses;
• and
• (d) electronic processing means for processing a telephone call received via said communication means, said processing means including a call processing mode, wherein the electronic processing means responds to an incoming call with a prompt indicating to the caller that said incoming call can be routed to any one of a plurality of locations, each location having a telephone network address represented in said memory means and, responsive to the caller transmitting a command identifying one of said locations, causing said control means to route said incoming call to the telephone network address corresponding to said one of said locations identified by said caller and means for generating predetermined signals which to the caller indicate normal call processing operation but to a user indicate that the user can transmit an identification command to gain access to system provided functions in a command mode and, upon receipt of said identification command, causing said control means to terminate the routing of the call to the telephone network address and instead transfer the user to a system command mode.