Branch calling and caller ID based call routing telephone features

A controller connected within the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and configured to perform enhanced routing operations, comprising:

• a processing system connected within the PSTN and linked via the interne for selecting at least one calling feature, the processing system configured to perform the steps of:
• receiving a call from a calling party, using a communications device, intended for a subscriber, whereby said processing system implements a calling feature previously designated by said subscriber via the internet;
• placing at least two calls simultaneously to at least two different communications devices previously designated by the subscriber;
• detecting that the call has been answered at one of the communications devices;
• and
• in response to the detecting, abandoning other calls to the remaining one or more communications devices and establishing a connection between the calling party's communications device and the answered communications device.

A method performed by a processing system coupled to a switching facility for routing calls to edge switches or other switching facilities in local or other geographic areas, within a communication network, comprising the steps of:

• placing at least two calls simultaneously to at least two different communications devices designated by a subscriber using a communications device, the processing system processing the calls pursuant to at least one calling feature designated by said subscriber,
• where the at least one calling feature had previously been communicated to the processing system by said subscriber via the internet;
• receiving the at least two calls made simultaneously to said at least two different communications devices designated by said subscriber via the internet;
• detecting that one of the calls has been answered at one of the communications devices;
• and
• in response to the detecting, abandoning other calls to the remaining one or more communications devices and establishing a connection between said subscriber's communications device and the answered communications device.

A controller connected to a tandem switch within the public switched telephone network (PSTN) comprising:

• a processing system linked to the internet for allowing a subscriber to select at least one calling feature over the web, the processing system configured to perform the process comprising the steps of:
• placing at least two calls simultaneously to at least two different communications devices designated by a subscriber using a communications device, the processing system processing the calls pursuant to at least one calling feature designated by said subscriber, where the at least one calling feature had previously been communicated to the processing system by said subscriber via the internet;
• receiving at least two calls made simultaneously to said at least two different communications devices designated by the subscriber via the internet;
• detecting that the call has been answered at one of the communications devices;
• and
• in response to the detecting, abandoning other calls to the remaining one or more communications devices and establishing a connection between the calling party's communications device and the answered communications device.

A controller connected to a switching facility allowing access to local and other geographic areas within the public switched telephone network (PSTN) comprising:

• a processing system linked to the internet for allowing a subscriber to select at least one calling feature via the internet, the processing system configured to perform the process comprising the steps of:
• receiving a call under the control of said controller from a calling party, using a communications device, intended for a subscriber, the processing system processing the call pursuant to at least one calling feature designated by said subscriber, where the at least one calling feature had previously been communicated to the processing system by said subscriber via the internet;
• invoking the at least one calling feature prior to said received call reaching a terminating central office, said at least one calling feature placing at least two calls simultaneously to at least two different communications devices previously designated by said subscriber;
• detecting that one of at least two calls has been answered at one of the communications devices;
• and
• in response to the detecting, abandoning other calls to the remaining one or more communications devices and establishing a connection between the calling party's communications device and the answered communications device.

A method for processing an incoming call from a switching facility on a communication network that comprises edge switches for routing calls to subscribers within a local geographic area and switching facilities for routing calls to edge switches, or other switching facilities local or in other geographic areas the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a first call, which is intended for a specified recipient, at a controlling device in communication with the switching facility;
• identifying one or more control criteria previously associated with the specified recipient, wherein the one or more control criteria was entered via a web-based interface;
• initiating a second call at the controlling device in accordance with the control criteria associated with the specified recipient;
• and
• connecting the first and second calls at the controlling device after the second call is received by a communication device associated with the specified recipient.

A method for processing an incoming call from a switching facility on a communication network that comprises edge switches for routing calls within a local geographic area and switching facilities for routing calls to other geographic areas, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a first call, at a controlling device in communication with the switching facility;
• which is intended for a specified recipient;
• identifying one or more control criteria previously associated with the specified recipient, wherein the one or more control criteria are entered via a web-based interface;
• initiating a second call at the controlling device via a packet-based connection in accordance with the control criteria associated with the specified recipient;
• and
• connecting the first and second calls at the controlling device after the second call is received by a communication device associated with the specified recipient.

A method for processing an incoming call from a switching facility on a communication network that comprises edge switches for routing calls within a local geographic area and switching facilities for routing calls to other geographic areas, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a first call, which is intended for a specified recipient, at a controlling device in communication with the switching facility;
• identifying one or more control criteria previously associated with the specified recipient, wherein the one or more control criteria are previously entered via a web-based interface;
• and
• initiating one or more calls at the controlling device in accordance with the control criteria associated with the specified recipient;
• and
• if the one or more calls are not answered by the specified recipient, routing the first call from the controlling device to a voicemail server.

A method for processing an incoming call from a switching facility on a communication network that comprises edge switches for routing calls within a local geographic area and switching facilities for routing calls to other geographic areas, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a first call, which is intended for a specified recipient, at a controlling device in communication with the switching facility;
• identifying one or more control criteria previously associated with the specified recipient, wherein the one or more control criteria are entered via a web-based interface;
• and
• routing the first call from the controlling device to a voicemail server in accordance with the control criteria associated with the specified recipient.

A method for processing an incoming call from a switching facility on a communication network that comprises edge switches for routing calls within a local geographic area and switching facilities for routing calls to other geographic areas, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a first call, which is intended for a specified recipient, at a controlling device in communication with one of the switching facilities;
• identifying a control criteria previously associated with the specified recipient, wherein the control criteria is previously entered via a web-based interface and instructs the controlling device to block calls for the specified recipient;
• and
• blocking the first call received at the controlling device in accordance with the control criteria.