US5588037A — Remote access telephone control system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 270 words

A control system for connection to a telephone network, said network including at least one telephone switch which is capable of connecting a plurality of telephone lines such that a plurality of parties can simultaneously be in telephone contact with other parties at the same time via said switch, said control system receiving and processing calls from callers to users, the control system comprising: input/output means for connection to telephone network lines to input and output telephone calls; switch control means for controlling said at least one switch to connect 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 switch 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 user in a selected one of at least two distinct programmable modes, one such mode being call forwarding in which case the processing means proceeds with functions b) through c), b) recalling from said memory means a forwarding number for said user, c) causing said switch control means to switch the caller's call in said switch to said forwarding number, d) monitoring a call to said system from said user, including during calls made by said user via said control system to one or more third parties, e) in response to the user transmitting a predetermined command while the call is being monitored, placing the user's call in a control mode wherein user may enter commands to change a users call processing mode.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 270 words

A control system for connection to a telephone network, said network including at least one telephone switch which is capable of connecting a plurality of telephone lines such that a plurality of parties can simultaneously be in telephone contact with other parties at the same time via said switch, said control system receiving and processing calls from callers to users, the control system comprising: input/output means for connection to telephone network lines to input and output telephone calls; switch control means for controlling said at least one switch to connect 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 switch 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 user in a selected one of at least two distinct programmable modes, one such mode being call forwarding in which case the processing means proceeds with functions b) through c), b) recalling from said memory means a forwarding number for said user, c) causing said switch control means to switch the caller's call in said switch to said forwarding number, d) monitoring a call to said system from said user, including during calls made by said user via said control system to one or more third parties, e) in response to the user transmitting a predetermined command while the call is being monitored, placing the user's call in a control mode wherein user may enter commands to change a users call processing mode.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 30 words

The control system of claim 1 wherein the electronic processing means further comprises means for transmitting a courtesy message indicating to the caller that a call transfer is being effectuated.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 58 words

The control system of claim 1 including 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.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 71 words

The control system of claim 1 including a call screening mode wherein the electronic processing means further comprises means for storing as a user mode control signal a screening mode signal and, in processing an incoming call when in said call screening mode, detecting whether or not said caller transmits a specific command, and proceeding with functions b)-d) to forward said call in response to said caller transmitting said specific command.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 37 words

The control system of claim 4 wherein the electronic processing means further comprises means for responding to said caller not transmitting said specific command to process said caller's call in accordance with a predetermined default processing mode.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 78 words

The control system of claim 1 including a screening mode wherein the electronic processing means further comprises means for storing as a user mode control signal a screening mode signal that represents the user not being available except for callers having a code and, upon recalling said screening mode signal in processing an incoming call, transmitting a courtesy message to the caller and, responsive to said caller transmitting said code, proceeding with functions b)-d) to forward said call.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 36 words

The control system of claim 6 wherein the electronic processing means further comprises means for responding to said caller not entering said code to process said caller's call in accordance with a predetermined default processing mode.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 62 words

The control system of claim 6 wherein the electronic processing means further comprises means operable in said screening mode for transmitting a courtesy message indicating that the caller can leave a message, and, in response to said caller not entering said code, recording a message sent by the caller, and allowing the specific user to call the system and access said message.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 86 words

The control system of claim 1 including a screening mode wherein the electronic control system comprises means for storing as a user mode control signal a screening mode signal and, when in said screening mode in processing an incoming call, transmitting a message requesting that the caller transmit specific identification information, noting the caller's response to said message, implementing a call to a user's telephone operatively coupled to said input/output means, and transmitting a signal to said user via said user's telephone indicating the caller's response.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 16 words

The control system of claim 1 wherein said command is entered via the user's telephone keypad.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 37 words

The control system of claim 1 wherein the electronic processing means further comprises means for, upon implementing call forwarding in accordance with functions b) through d), generating signals which to a caller indicate normal call processing operation.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 47 words

The control system of claim 1 wherein the electronic processing means further comprises means for, upon implementing call forwarding in accordance with functions b) through d), transmitting a courtesy message which directs the caller to ask for the called party by name upon completion of the call.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 22 words

The control system of of claim 12 wherein the courtesy message transmitted to the caller is controllable by command from the user.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 46 words

The control system of claim 1 wherein the electronic processing means further comprises means for, upon implementing call forwarding in accordance with functions b) through d), transmitting a courtesy message which directs the caller to ask for the called party's extension upon completion of the call.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 283 words

A control system for a telephone network for receiving and processing telephone calls, said network including at least one telephone switch which can handle a plurality of calls at the same time on lines of said switch, said switch being responsive to control signals for switching a call on one line to a different line, said control system comprising: (a) communication means for connection to communication facilities of said network for making and receiving telephone calls; (b) switch control means for controlling said switch to transfer a call on one line to a different line; (c) memory means for controllably storing and recalling electronic signals; 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 by transmitting an audio signal indicating to the caller that said incoming call can be branched to any one of a plurality of options and, responsive to the caller transmitting a branch command, causing said control means to route said incoming call to an appropriate option corresponding to the command transmitted by said caller, said electronic processing means monitoring said call for at least a portion of its duration, including during telephone calls placed via said control system to one or more third parties, for said particular command and, in response to receipt of said particular command, returning the call to a mode wherein the caller may enter another command to branch to yet another option, and in response to receipt of another command, causing said control means to route said incoming call to an appropriate option corresponding to the command transmitted by said caller.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 283 words

A control system for a telephone network for receiving and processing telephone calls, said network including at least one telephone switch which can handle a plurality of calls at the same time on lines of said switch, said switch being responsive to control signals for switching a call on one line to a different line, said control system comprising: (a) communication means for connection to communication facilities of said network for making and receiving telephone calls; (b) switch control means for controlling said switch to transfer a call on one line to a different line; (c) memory means for controllably storing and recalling electronic signals; 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 by transmitting an audio signal indicating to the caller that said incoming call can be branched to any one of a plurality of options and, responsive to the caller transmitting a branch command, causing said control means to route said incoming call to an appropriate option corresponding to the command transmitted by said caller, said electronic processing means monitoring said call for at least a portion of its duration, including during telephone calls placed via said control system to one or more third parties, for said particular command and, in response to receipt of said particular command, returning the call to a mode wherein the caller may enter another command to branch to yet another option, and in response to receipt of another command, causing said control means to route said incoming call to an appropriate option corresponding to the command transmitted by said caller.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 277 words

A control system connected to a telephone network, said network including at least one telephone switch which is capable of connecting a plurality of telephone lines such that a plurality of telephone subscribers can simultaneously be in telephone contact with one another and wherein each user of the system is assigned a unique telephone number, said control system routing a call to a user controlled number, the control system comprising: input/output means for connection to telephone network lines to input and output telephone calls; switch control means for controllably connecting a call on one line to a different line in said switch by transmitting commands to said switch; and electronic processing means for controlling said switch control means and said input/output means to direct a flow of calls to said switch, means for responding to incoming calls by transmitting a courtesy message indicating to the caller that his or her call can be branched to any one of a plurality of options responsive to the caller transmitting an appropriate command corresponding to the desired branch, and, responsive to the caller transmitting said command, implementing the commanded option by causing said control means to route said incoming call to a selected branch address, the selected branch address corresponding to the option commanded by the caller, said electronic processing means also monitoring at least selected ones of said incoming calls during at least a portion of their duration, including during outbound calls made to other telephone addresses, for a signal from the caller, and, in response to said signal, returning to a mode wherein an additional outbound call may be commanded by said caller to yet another telephone address.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 277 words

A control system connected to a telephone network, said network including at least one telephone switch which is capable of connecting a plurality of telephone lines such that a plurality of telephone subscribers can simultaneously be in telephone contact with one another and wherein each user of the system is assigned a unique telephone number, said control system routing a call to a user controlled number, the control system comprising: input/output means for connection to telephone network lines to input and output telephone calls; switch control means for controllably connecting a call on one line to a different line in said switch by transmitting commands to said switch; and electronic processing means for controlling said switch control means and said input/output means to direct a flow of calls to said switch, means for responding to incoming calls by transmitting a courtesy message indicating to the caller that his or her call can be branched to any one of a plurality of options responsive to the caller transmitting an appropriate command corresponding to the desired branch, and, responsive to the caller transmitting said command, implementing the commanded option by causing said control means to route said incoming call to a selected branch address, the selected branch address corresponding to the option commanded by the caller, said electronic processing means also monitoring at least selected ones of said incoming calls during at least a portion of their duration, including during outbound calls made to other telephone addresses, for a signal from the caller, and, in response to said signal, returning to a mode wherein an additional outbound call may be commanded by said caller to yet another telephone address.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 181 words

A telephone system comprising: (a) a telephone switching system for concurrently servicing a plurality of telephone system subscribers, said telephone switching system providing a call conferencing facility; and (b) a telephone switching system controller coupled to said switching system via communications facilities, said controller providing an enhanced telephone service for the subscribers wherein at least one subscriber may place a series of outbound calls to called parties during a single telephone session with said telephone switching system controller using the call conferencing facility, said controller answering an inbound call from a subscriber via said telephone switching system, allowing the subscriber to place an outbound call via said telephone switching system controller to a first called party using the call conferencing facility of said telephone switching system and monitoring for a distinctive signal supplied by the subscriber and, if said distinctive signal is detected, allowing the subscriber to extend the inbound call via said telephone switching system controller to a second called party by terminating the outbound call to the first called party and initiating a conference call with said second party.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 181 words

A telephone system comprising: (a) a telephone switching system for concurrently servicing a plurality of telephone system subscribers, said telephone switching system providing a call conferencing facility; and (b) a telephone switching system controller coupled to said switching system via communications facilities, said controller providing an enhanced telephone service for the subscribers wherein at least one subscriber may place a series of outbound calls to called parties during a single telephone session with said telephone switching system controller using the call conferencing facility, said controller answering an inbound call from a subscriber via said telephone switching system, allowing the subscriber to place an outbound call via said telephone switching system controller to a first called party using the call conferencing facility of said telephone switching system and monitoring for a distinctive signal supplied by the subscriber and, if said distinctive signal is detected, allowing the subscriber to extend the inbound call via said telephone switching system controller to a second called party by terminating the outbound call to the first called party and initiating a conference call with said second party.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 58 words

The telephone system of claim 17, wherein said controller includes a memory, wherein said enhanced telephone service is implemented by a sequence of switch functions stored in said memory, and wherein said controller is, during a telephone call from the subscriber, responsive to commands from the subscriber for modifying the sequence of switch functions stored in said memory.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 74 words

The telephone system of claim 17, wherein controller monitors each telephone call in said series for a command entered by said subscriber indicating that the subscriber desires to enter to a command mode wherein the subscriber can change data stored in a memory, the data stored in said memory including speed dial telephone numbers accessible by said subscriber, and implementing said command mode in response to receipt of said command entered by said subscriber.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 206 words

A telephone system comprising: (a) a telephone switching system for concurrently servicing a plurality of telephone system subscribers; (b) a telephone switching system controller coupled to said switching system via communications facilities, said controller providing an enhanced telephone service for the subscribers wherein at least one subscriber may place a series of calls to other parties during a single telephone session with said telephone switching system controller, said controller receiving a call from a subscriber via said telephone switching system, allowing the subscriber to place a call via said telephone switching system controller to another party and monitoring the call placed by the subscriber for a distinctive signal supplied by the subscriber and, if said distinctive signal is detected, allowing the subscriber to extend the call via said telephone switching system controller to still other parties, said controller, when receiving a telephone call from a caller, takes control of said telephone call, directs a courtesy message to said caller indicating that said call may be branched to any of a plurality of options, and responsive to the caller transmitting an appropriate command corresponding to a desired option, implements at least one of the commanded options by transmitting said sequence of switch functions to said switching system.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 206 words

A telephone system comprising: (a) a telephone switching system for concurrently servicing a plurality of telephone system subscribers; (b) a telephone switching system controller coupled to said switching system via communications facilities, said controller providing an enhanced telephone service for the subscribers wherein at least one subscriber may place a series of calls to other parties during a single telephone session with said telephone switching system controller, said controller receiving a call from a subscriber via said telephone switching system, allowing the subscriber to place a call via said telephone switching system controller to another party and monitoring the call placed by the subscriber for a distinctive signal supplied by the subscriber and, if said distinctive signal is detected, allowing the subscriber to extend the call via said telephone switching system controller to still other parties, said controller, when receiving a telephone call from a caller, takes control of said telephone call, directs a courtesy message to said caller indicating that said call may be branched to any of a plurality of options, and responsive to the caller transmitting an appropriate command corresponding to a desired option, implements at least one of the commanded options by transmitting said sequence of switch functions to said switching system.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 34 words

The telephone system of claim 20, wherein said controller, during a telephone call from said subscriber, being responsive to commands from said subscriber for modifying the sequence of switch functions stored in said memory.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 51 words

The telephone system of claim 20, wherein said controller includes a message center mode of operation wherein during the telephone call a signal is transmitted to the caller indicating that the caller can leave a message, and as one of said plurality of options, recording a message sent by the caller.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 56 words

The telephone system of claim 20, wherein said memory stores a plurality of sequences and wherein said controller, responsive to the caller transmitting an appropriate command corresponding to the desired option, implementing the commanded option by transmitting said a selected one of said sequences of switch functions corresponding to the commanded option to said switching system.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 40 words

The telephone system of claim 23, wherein said sequence of switch functions corresponding to the option commanded by said caller instructs said switching system to transfer said telephone call to a subscriber-selected one of a plurality of telephone network addresses.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 51 words

The telephone system of claim 24, wherein said controller includes a message center mode of operation wherein during the telephone call a signal is transmitted to the caller indicating that the caller can leave a message, and as one of said plurality of options, recording a message sent by the caller.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 73 words

The telephone system of claim 24, wherein said controller includes a call screening mode of operation wherein during the telephone call, said controller detects whether or not said caller transmits a command indicating how said call is to be processed, and, responsive to said caller transmitting said command, instructing said switching system to transfer said telephone call to a subscriber-selected one of a plurality of telephone network addresses represented in said memory means.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 62 words

The telephone system of claim 24, further including a notification system which has a plurality of notification states for providing different notices to said subscriber and wherein said controller includes a meet-me mode of operation wherein, dining the telephone call, said controller controls said notification system to provide a specific notice to the subscriber indicating that the subscriber has a call waiting.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 40 words

The telephone system of claim 27, wherein said controller transmits a signal informing the caller that by transmitting a command the caller can record a message and, responsive to receipt of said command from the caller, recording the caller's message.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 14 words

The telephone system of claim 27, wherein said notification system is a paging system.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 36 words

The telephone system of claim 27, wherein said controller notifies the subscriber by recalling a predetermined signal and transmitting said signal to the subscriber when the caller does not wait on the line for the subscriber.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 37 words

The telephone system of claim 24, wherein said controller responds to said subscriber transmitting a specific mode command to appropriately change a call processing mode by which the system processes subsequent incoming calls directed to said subscriber.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 213 words

A control device which controls a telecommunication switch of the type which provides communication services to a plurality of telephone subscribers on telephone links coupling subscriber telephone equipment to said switch, said control device comprising: a controller for controlling said telecommunication switch by transmitting switch instructions to said switch via communication links coupling said controller to said telecommunication switch, said controller being responsive to a telephone call placed by a subscriber to said controller for the purpose of placing a series of telephone calls to third parties as requested by said subscriber, said controller having a subscriber telephone number associated therewith which is accessible via the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), said controller, in response to a received telephone call, transmitting audible sounds which to a caller sound as normal call processing, but which indicate to the subscriber that a command may be entered, and, in response to receipt of said command, transmitting switch instruction to said switch to cause said switch place a first call of said series of calls externally of said controller, said controller remaining connected to said switch in order to monitor each of said telephone calls in said series for receipt of a further command entered by said subscriber to place yet another telephone call in said series.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 213 words

A control device which controls a telecommunication switch of the type which provides communication services to a plurality of telephone subscribers on telephone links coupling subscriber telephone equipment to said switch, said control device comprising: a controller for controlling said telecommunication switch by transmitting switch instructions to said switch via communication links coupling said controller to said telecommunication switch, said controller being responsive to a telephone call placed by a subscriber to said controller for the purpose of placing a series of telephone calls to third parties as requested by said subscriber, said controller having a subscriber telephone number associated therewith which is accessible via the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), said controller, in response to a received telephone call, transmitting audible sounds which to a caller sound as normal call processing, but which indicate to the subscriber that a command may be entered, and, in response to receipt of said command, transmitting switch instruction to said switch to cause said switch place a first call of said series of calls externally of said controller, said controller remaining connected to said switch in order to monitor each of said telephone calls in said series for receipt of a further command entered by said subscriber to place yet another telephone call in said series.

Claim 39

Independent Claim 184 words

A method of controlling a telecommunication switch from a remote location, said telecommunication switch being of the type which provides a portion of a public switched telephone network and provides communication services to a plurality of telephone subscribers, said method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting a prompt to a calling party indicating that a received call may be handled in any one of a plurality of ways in response to a command; (b) decoding the command received via a plurality of switches in said public switched telephone network from said remote location and transmitting switch instructions to said switch in response to the received command; and (c) monitoring calls placed by callers throughout at least a portion of the calls that a calling party is in communication with another party, for receipt of a request that an additional communication service be provided, said request being a signal which propagates through said plurality of switches in said public switched telephone network, and providing said additional communication service in response to said request, said additional communication service not otherwise being available in said telecommunications switch.

Claim 40

Independent Claim 184 words

A method of controlling a telecommunication switch from a remote location, said telecommunication switch being of the type which provides a portion of a public switched telephone network and provides communication services to a plurality of telephone subscribers, said method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting a prompt to a calling party indicating that a received call may be handled in any one of a plurality of ways in response to a command; (b) decoding the command received via a plurality of switches in said public switched telephone network from said remote location and transmitting switch instructions to said switch in response to the received command; and (c) monitoring calls placed by callers throughout at least a portion of the calls that a calling party is in communication with another party, for receipt of a request that an additional communication service be provided, said request being a signal which propagates through said plurality of switches in said public switched telephone network, and providing said additional communication service in response to said request, said additional communication service not otherwise being available in said telecommunications switch.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 41 words

The method of claim 33 wherein said additional communication service is provided by combining switch instructions in a programmed pattern and transmitting said switch instructions to said switch as a sequence of switch instructions in response to receipt of said request.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 55 words

The method of claim 33 wherein the communication services in said switch include a plurality of subscriber controllable features controlled on telephone communication facilities coupling subscriber telephone equipment to said switch, said method including modifying said additional communication service by changing said programmed pattern of switch instructions in response to commands entered by a subscriber.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method of claim 33 wherein the additional communication service comprises responding to said request by transmitting switch instructions permitting the calling party to place a toll-incurring call to yet another party.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 33 wherein the additional communication service comprises responding to said request by transmitting switch instructions connecting the calling party to a voice mail box.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 195 words

A telephone switch control device which controls a telecommunication switch over a communications link by sending switch control functions to said telecommunications switch via said link, said switch being interconnected with a plurality of other switches in a telephone network with subscriber telecommunications equipment being connected to said telephone network via a local switching system of the type which provides predetermined communication services to a plurality of telephone subscribers, the communication services of said telecommunications switch including subscriber controlled features controlled via said subscriber telecommunications equipment, said telephone switch control device providing at least one additional communication service to authorized ones of said subscribers, which additional communication service is in addition to said predetermined communication services available in said local switching system, said telephone switch control device collecting authorization information inputted by a subscriber via said communications link and monitoring, via said communications link, at least a portion of one telephone call placed by an authorized subscriber via said remote switching system and said telecommunications switch, but externally of said communications link, to at least one third party for a signal indicating a request for said at least one additional communication service to be provided.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 195 words

A telephone switch control device which controls a telecommunication switch over a communications link by sending switch control functions to said telecommunications switch via said link, said switch being interconnected with a plurality of other switches in a telephone network with subscriber telecommunications equipment being connected to said telephone network via a local switching system of the type which provides predetermined communication services to a plurality of telephone subscribers, the communication services of said telecommunications switch including subscriber controlled features controlled via said subscriber telecommunications equipment, said telephone switch control device providing at least one additional communication service to authorized ones of said subscribers, which additional communication service is in addition to said predetermined communication services available in said local switching system, said telephone switch control device collecting authorization information inputted by a subscriber via said communications link and monitoring, via said communications link, at least a portion of one telephone call placed by an authorized subscriber via said remote switching system and said telecommunications switch, but externally of said communications link, to at least one third party for a signal indicating a request for said at least one additional communication service to be provided.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 140 words

A telephone switching and control system connected to a telephone network for providing telephone calling services to authorized users, said telephone switching and control system comprising: (a) at least one switch for concurrently servicing a plurality of users; and (b) at least one controller for receiving user authorization information, controlling said at least one switch and, during a call by a user, permitting that call to be extended to two or more network addresses one at a time in a series of extensions of that call without requiring the user to go on hook, said controller storing a plurality of speed dial numbers for the user and monitoring the call by the user for receipt of a speed dial signal, and, upon receipt thereof, retrieving an associated telephone network address from memory and extending the call to such network address.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 140 words

A telephone switching and control system connected to a telephone network for providing telephone calling services to authorized users, said telephone switching and control system comprising: (a) at least one switch for concurrently servicing a plurality of users; and (b) at least one controller for receiving user authorization information, controlling said at least one switch and, during a call by a user, permitting that call to be extended to two or more network addresses one at a time in a series of extensions of that call without requiring the user to go on hook, said controller storing a plurality of speed dial numbers for the user and monitoring the call by the user for receipt of a speed dial signal, and, upon receipt thereof, retrieving an associated telephone network address from memory and extending the call to such network address.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 66 words

The telephone switching and control system of claim 39 wherein said at least one controller causes the call from the user to be monitored for a first distinctive signal input by the user indicating that the user desires to extend the call to another network address and for a second distinctive signal indicating the user desires to use a speed dial number when extending the call.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 22 words

The telephone switching and control system of claim 39 wherein said user is identified to said system by transmitting an identification signal.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 17 words

The telephone switching and control system of claim 41 wherein said identification signal is an access code.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 26 words

The telephone switching and control system of claim 41 wherein said user is required to enter its identification signal no more than once during said call.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 30 words

The telephone switching and control system of claim 39 wherein the speed dial numbers stored for the user by said at least one controller are remotely programmable by the user.

Claim 54

Independent Claim 67 words

A method of providing telephone services comprising: (a) servicing a plurality of telephone subscribers coupled to a telephone network; and (b) detecting a call placed by a subscriber and during said call placed by the subscriber permitting the subscriber to initiate a series of call extensions to other parties, without disconnecting the call placed by the subscriber using subscriber-stored codes representing the other parties in said series.

Claim 55

Independent Claim 67 words

A method of providing telephone services comprising: (a) servicing a plurality of telephone subscribers coupled to a telephone network; and (b) detecting a call placed by a subscriber and during said call placed by the subscriber permitting the subscriber to initiate a series of call extensions to other parties, without disconnecting the call placed by the subscriber using subscriber-stored codes representing the other parties in said series.

Claim 56

Independent Claim 104 words

A method of providing telephone calling services to an authorized user, said method comprising: (a) providing telephone services to a plurality of users; and (b) upon receiving user authorization information during a call from a user, permitting the user to extend that call to two or more network addresses, one at a time in a series of extensions of that call, without requiring the user to go on hook between extensions of that call, with at least one extension of the call being to a network address represented in a memory by a code and occurring in response to the user providing said code.

Claim 57

Independent Claim 104 words

A method of providing telephone calling services to an authorized user, said method comprising: (a) providing telephone services to a plurality of users; and (b) upon receiving user authorization information during a call from a user, permitting the user to extend that call to two or more network addresses, one at a time in a series of extensions of that call, without requiring the user to go on hook between extensions of that call, with at least one extension of the call being to a network address represented in a memory by a code and occurring in response to the user providing said code.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method of claim 46 further including monitoring the call for a distinctive signal input by the user indicating that the user desires to enter a command mode in which the user can change a commanded mode of operation.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 47 wherein said distinctive signal is an in-band signal.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 48 wherein said in-band signal includes a DTMF tone.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 46 further including identifying the user to said system by the user transmitting an identification signal.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 50 wherein said identification signal is an access code.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 50 wherein said user is required to enter their identification signal no more than once during said call.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 57 words

The method of claim 46 further including storing speed dial numbers for the user, said code being one of said speed dial numbers, and monitoring the call from the user for receipt of a speed dial signal and, upon receipt thereof, downloading an associated telephone number from memory and using the downloaded number to extend the call.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 53 wherein the network address stored in memory for the user by said at least one controller is remotely programmable by the user.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 132 words

A telephone system comprising: (a) a telephone switching system for concurrently servicing a plurality of telephone system subscribers; (b) a telephone switching system controller coupled to said switching system via communications facilities, said controller providing an enhanced telephone service, said controller receiving calls from calling parties and during such calls generating signals which to a caller indicate normal call processing operation, but to a subscriber indicate that certain subscriber-accessible features may be accessed by inputting a pin code, and monitoring the at least a portion of said calls for the subscriber's pin code to be supplied by the calling party and, if the subscriber's pin code is detected, allowing the calling party to access enhanced features which are not available to a calling party who does not enter the subscriber's pin code.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 132 words

A telephone system comprising: (a) a telephone switching system for concurrently servicing a plurality of telephone system subscribers; (b) a telephone switching system controller coupled to said switching system via communications facilities, said controller providing an enhanced telephone service, said controller receiving calls from calling parties and during such calls generating signals which to a caller indicate normal call processing operation, but to a subscriber indicate that certain subscriber-accessible features may be accessed by inputting a pin code, and monitoring the at least a portion of said calls for the subscriber's pin code to be supplied by the calling party and, if the subscriber's pin code is detected, allowing the calling party to access enhanced features which are not available to a calling party who does not enter the subscriber's pin code.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-12-24	2000-06-24	2000-12-24	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-12-24	2004-06-24	2004-12-24	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-12-24	2008-06-24	2008-12-24	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Remote access telephone control system

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