Method and apparatus for providing forwarding on ring-no-answer for remote telephone extensions using voice over packet-data-network systems (VOPS)

A method that implements forwarding on ring-no-answer with a remote telephone extension over a packet data network, said packet data network communicatively coupling a remote telephone Interface to a telephone interface control system, wherein said telephone interface control system comprises:

• a) a first telephone interface;
• b) a control system that communicates to said remote telephone interface over said packet data network through a data network interface and communicates over an interface that:
• 1) can receive an indication that a ringing voltage or tip-ground signal is appearing at said first telephone interface;
• 2) can generate an off-hook signal;
• said method comprising:
• directing a ringing voltage or tip-ground signal to said first telephone interface from a source that is external to said telephone interface control system, said directing in response to a calling device's attempt to establish a connection to a remote device that is coupled to said remote telephone interface;
• indicating to said control system at said interface that said ringing voltage or tip-ground signal is appearing at said first telephone interface;
• calling said remote device over said packet data network while maintaining said first telephone interface in an on-hook state, said control system causing said calling in response to said indicating;
• removing said ringing voltage or tip-ground signal at said first telephone interface in response to a decision that said calling device's attempt was not answered by said remote device;
• and,
• forwarding said calling device's attempt to another location in response to said decision.

A telephone interface control system that helps implement a remote telephone extension over a packet data network, where, said packet data network communicatively couples a remote telephone interface to said telephone interface control system, said telephone interface control system comprising:

• a) a first telephone interface over which a call made to a remote device that is coupled to said remote telephone interface is received by said telephone interface control system;
• b) a control system that communicates to said remote telephone interface over said packet data network through a data network interface, said control system having an interface that:
• 1) can receive an indication that a ringing voltage or tip-ground signal is appearing at said first telephone interface;
• 2) can generate an off-hook signal;
• said control system configured to:
• 1) call said remote device over said packet data network in response to said indication;
• 2) generate said off-hook signal in response to said indication;
• and
• c) a control feature unit that controls signaling between said first telephone interface and said interface, said control feature unit coupled between said first telephone interface and said interface, said control feature configured to:
• 1) provide said indication to said interface;
• 2) block said off-hook signal from reaching said first telephone interface so that said first telephone interface is maintained in an on-hook state;
• 3) in response to said off-hook signal, provide an artificial loop current and block said indication so as to appear to said control system that a calling device that has caused said ringing voltage or tip-ground signal to appear at said first telephone interface has responded to said off-hook signal.

A telephone interface control system that helps implement a remote telephone extension over a packet data network, where, said packet data network communicatively couples a remote telephone interface to said telephone interface control system, said telephone interface control system comprising:

• a) first means for receiving a call made to a remote device that is coupled to said remote telephone interface;
• b) second means for communicating to said remote telephone interface over said packet data network through a data network interface, said second means further comprising means for:
• 1) receiving an indication that a ringing voltage or tip-ground signal is appearing at said first means;
• 2) generating an off-hook signal;
• said second means also for:
• 1) calling said remote device over said packet data network in response to said indication;
• 2) generating said off-hook signal in response to said indication;
• and
• c) third means for controlling signaling between said first means and said additional means, said third means for:
• 1) providing said indication to said additional means;
• 2) blocking said off-hook signal so as to prevent said off-hook signal from reaching said first means so that said first means is maintained in an on-hook state;
• 3) in response to said off-hook signal, providing an artificial loop current and blocking said indication so as to appear to said second means that a calling device that has caused said ringing voltage or tip-ground signal to appear at said first means has responded to said off-hook signal.