Web-based control of telephone
AssigneeTelemaze LLC
InventorsMargaret Susan Asprey, Samuel F. Wood, Jerry A. Klein
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In one embodiment, the system includes a processor (referred to herein as a tandem access controller) connected to the PSTN which would allow anyone to directly provision, that is to say set-up and make immediate changes to, the configuration of his or her phone line. In another embodiment, a tandem access controller (TAC) subsystem is connected internally to the PSTN in a local service area. The TAC provides features, selected by the subscriber, to all edge switches connected to the PSTN tandem switch. In one embodiment, the TAC is controlled by the subscriber using the web.
Claims18
A method performed by a user of a public switched telephone network (PSTN), said user having a communications device, said method comprising:
- accessing a remote tandem access controller (TAC) via the Internet by said user, said TAC within the PSTN being directly connected to a PSTN tandem switch for a local service area with respect to said user, said TAC for processing incoming calls from a calling party, via said tandem switch, intended to be received by said user's communications device;
- selecting features via the Internet to be applied by said TAC to said incoming calls,
- wherein said TAC receives a first call from a calling party intended for said user's communication device and processes said first call in accordance with said features, said method performed by said user further comprising:
- receiving a second call from said TAC, via said tandem switch, after said first call has been processed by said TAC in accordance with said features selected;
- and
- answering said second call to cause said TAC to complete a communications link between said calling party and said user.
A method performed by a controller connected directly to a tandem switch within a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), wherein a public telephone number is provided for calling parties to call to reach a subscriber, said public telephone number accessing said controller, said method comprising:
- receiving, by said controller, programming instructions to perform a function dictated by said subscriber;
- receiving a first call at said controller by a calling party calling said public telephone number;
- placing a second call by said controller to said subscriber using said subscriber's private telephone number without terminating said first call;
- and
- terminating said first call when said subscriber answers said second call and said controller connects said calling party to said subscriber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.