System and method for remotely controlling automated call placement call monitoring functions

For use with an automated call placement system having a switching service unit and a call monitoring unit capable of monitoring a selected one of lines coupled to said switching service unit, a method of remotely controlling said call monitoring unit, comprising:

• transmitting traffic carried on said selected one of said lines from a controller coupled to said call monitoring unit via a single wire pair interface of said controller;
• audibly reproducing said traffic with an in-band data-capable device coupled to said interface via a single wire pair;
• transmitting function menus from said controller via said interface;
• displaying said function menus on a display of said in-band data-capable device;
• transmitting in-band control commands from said device to said controller via said interface;
• and
• controlling functions of said call monitoring unit in response to said commands.

An automated call placement system, comprising:

• a switching service unit;
• a plurality of stations coupled to said switching service unit;
• a call monitoring unit capable of monitoring a selected one of lines coupled to said switching service unit;
• a controller, coupled to said call monitoring unit and having a single wire pair interface, that transmits traffic carried on said selected one of said lines via said interface, transmits function menus via the interface, receives in-band control commands via said interface and controls functions of said call monitoring unit in response thereto;
• and
• an in-band data-capable device having a display, coupled to said interface via a single wire pair, that receives and audibly reproduces said traffic, displays said function menus on said display and transmits said in-band control commands to said controller thereby to control said call monitoring unit.