US5889845A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for providing a remote user with a virtual presence to an office
Assignee: Data Race Inc
•
Filing: 1996-11-01
•
Granted: 1999-03-30
•
Expires: 2016-11-01
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for enabling a remote user to maintain a virtual presence at a corporate office and behave substantially as if the user were physically present at the corporate office. First the remote user establishes a virtual presence connection at the corporate office, including providing identification and security information. Once the remote user is connected, the virtual presence server instructs the corporate PBX to automatically forward all calls to the remote user. The virtual presence server also routes email, faxes, and LAN data to the remote user. The virtual presence server also extends the corporate PBX and corporate LAN features to the remote user, just as if the remote user were physically located in the corporate office. According to the invention, the remote user makes outgoing telephone calls, sends faxes, transmits data, sends email and performs Internet access as if the remote user were physically present in the corporate office. The virtual presence server and/or the user communication device also performs a call forwarding operation to call forward telephone calls made to the user's home to the virtual presence server at the corporate office. These calls are then routed through the virtual presence server to the user's home. Thus the user can receive home telephone calls while the user is connected to the corporate office, wherein the home telephone calls are received on the same telephone line which is being used for the virtual presence connection.
Inventors
- 👤 Leven E. Staples
- 👤 W. B. Barker
- 👤 Kenneth L. Witt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:22
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/64; H04L12/6418; H04L51/00; H04L51/21; H04L51/222; H04L67/00; H04L67/14; H04L67/50; H04L67/56; H04L67/563; H04L69/00; H04L69/16; H04L69/161; H04L69/163; H04L69/164; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/42314; H04M3/54; H04M7/00; H04M7/12; H04M7/1205; H04M7/121; H04M7/122; H04M7/128; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/0016; H04Q3/0029; H04Q3/58; H04Q3/62; H04L2012/6429; H04L2012/6472; H04L2012/6475; H04L63/00; H04L63/04; H04L63/0428; H04L63/08; H04L63/083; H04L67/01; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329; H04M2203/00; H04M2203/15; H04M2203/156; H04M3/42323; H04M3/4234; H04M3/428; H04Q3/625
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 105
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A method for providing a remote user operating a user telephony communications device with access capabilities to a corporate office, wherein the corporate office includes a virtual presence server, wherein the corporate office includes a first telephone number associated with the remote user and used to access the remote user at the corporate office, the method comprising: the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office on a communication line and providing identification information; the virtual presence server performing a call forwarding operation to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said virtual presence server; and the virtual presence server communicating telephony control information with the user telephony communications device on the communication line, wherein said communicating telephony control information enables the user telephony communications device to behave as an extension to a telephony server at the corporate office; wherein the virtual presence server performs said call forwarding operation and communicates said telephony control information in response to the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office and providing said identification information.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
187 words
A method for providing a remote user operating a user telephony communications device with access capabilities to a corporate office, wherein the corporate office includes a virtual presence server, wherein the corporate office includes a first telephone number associated with the remote user and used to access the remote user at the corporate office, the method comprising: the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office on a communication line and providing identification information; the virtual presence server performing a call forwarding operation to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said virtual presence server; and the virtual presence server communicating telephony control information with the user telephony communications device on the communication line, wherein said communicating telephony control information enables the user telephony communications device to behave as an extension to a telephony server at the corporate office; wherein the virtual presence server performs said call forwarding operation and communicates said telephony control information in response to the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office and providing said identification information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1, wherein calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office are forwarded to said virtual presence server and transmitted on the communication line to the user telephony communications device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: the virtual presence server receiving a telephone call made to said first telephone number and forwarded to said virtual presence server, wherein said telephone call is intended for the remote user operating said user telephony communications device; and the virtual presence server routing said telephone call made to said first telephone number and forwarded to said virtual presence server to the user telephony communications device on the communication line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising: the user telephony communications device and the virtual presence server communicating voice information on the communication line after the virtual presence server routing said telephone call; the virtual presence server performing data transfers with the user telephony communications device on the communication line during the user telephony communications device and the virtual presence server communicating said voice information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual presence server communicates voice and telephony control information with the user telephony communications device on the communication line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual presence server communicates voice, data and telephony control information with the user telephony communications device on the communication line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: the virtual presence server performing data transfers with the user telephony communications device on the communication line after the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 7, further comprising: the virtual presence server routing electronic mail intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device on the communication line after the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 7, further comprising: the virtual presence server routing faxes intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device on the communication line after the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the corporate office includes a local area network, wherein the virtual presence server is coupled to the local area network, the method further comprising: the virtual presence server routing local area network data intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device on the communication line after the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
88 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the user telephony communications device includes a second telephone number, wherein the second telephone number is used to access the user telephony communications device, the method further comprising: performing a call forwarding operation to call forward telephone calls made to said second number to said virtual presence server; wherein said telephone calls made to the second telephone number and forwarded to the virtual presence server are routed through said virtual presence server to said user telephony communications device on the communication line.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
123 words
The method of claim 11, further comprising: a party making a telephone call to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device; wherein said telephone call to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device is automatically forwarded to the virtual presence server at the corporate office; the virtual presence server receiving said telephone call made to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device and forwarded to the virtual presence server at the corporate office; the virtual presence server routing said telephone call made to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device and forwarded to the virtual presence server at the corporate office to the user telephony communications device on the communication line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the virtual presence server automatically performs said call forwarding operation to call forward telephone calls made to said second number to said virtual presence server in response to the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office and providing said identification information.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
103 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the user telephony communications device includes a second telephone number, wherein the second telephone number is used to access the user telephony communications device, the method further comprising: instructing a telephone company central office to forward telephone calls made to the second telephone number to the virtual presence server at the corporate office; wherein said telephone calls made to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device and forwarded to the virtual presence server at the corporate office are routed through said virtual presence server to said user telephony communications device on the communication line.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the virtual presence server automatically instructs said telephone company central office to forward telephone calls made to the second telephone number to the virtual presence server at the corporate office in response to the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office and providing said identification information.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said instructing the telephone company central office comprises the virtual presence server performing a remote access call forwarding operation to forward telephone calls made to the second telephone number to the virtual presence server at the corporate office.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the corporate office includes a corporate office telephone coupled to the telephony server and used by the remote user when the remote user is physically present in the corporate office; wherein the user telephony communications device behaves substantially like said corporate office telephone in response to the virtual presence server communicating said telephony control information with the user telephony communications device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: the remote user calling a party using the communication line after said connecting and after the virtual presence server communicates telephony control information with said user telephony communications device, wherein said calling includes the user telephony communications device using said telephony control information to behave as an extension to the telephony server.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
93 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the corporate office further includes a plurality of telephones coupled to said telephony server, wherein each of said plurality of telephones coupled to said telephony server have a local extension, the method further comprising: the remote user calling a co-worker at the corporate office using the communication line after said connecting and after the virtual presence server communicates telephony control information with the user telephony communications device, wherein said calling the co-worker includes the remote user dialing a local extension of a telephone associated with said co-worker.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said telephony control information includes one or more of message indications, line indications, and LCD display information.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said identification information comprises an identity of the remote user operating the user telephony communications device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: the virtual presence server storing said identification information provided by the user telephony communications device; wherein said virtual presence server performing said call forwarding operation includes: accessing said identification information received from said user telephony communications device; and performing said call forwarding operation using said identification information.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: the user telephony communications device disconnecting from the corporate office; the virtual presence server performing a discontinue operation to discontinue said call forwarding operation in response to said disconnecting; wherein after said discontinue operation telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office are received by a telephony device at the corporate office associated with said first telephone number.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual presence server performing said call forwarding operation comprises the virtual presence server instructing the telephony server at the corporate office to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said virtual presence server.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 24, further comprising: the user telephony communications device disconnecting from the corporate office; the virtual presence server instructing the telephony server at the corporate office to discontinue said call forwarding operation; wherein, after the telephony server at the corporate office discontinues said call forwarding operation, telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office are received by the telephony server and not forwarded to the virtual presence server.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual presence server is also said telephony server.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
385 words
A system which provides a remote user with access capabilities to a corporate office, comprising: a user telephony communications device physically located remotely from the corporate office, wherein the user telephony communications device is operated by the remote user, wherein the user telephony communications device is adapted for coupling to a transmission medium, wherein the user telephony communications device transmits communications to the corporate office on the transmission medium, wherein said communications include identification information; a telephony server located at the corporate office, wherein the telephony server controls a plurality of telephones, wherein the corporate office includes a first telephone number associated with the remote user, wherein the first telephone number is used to access the remote user at the corporate office; and a virtual presence server located at the corporate office and coupled to said telephony server, wherein the user telephony communications device is operable to connect to the virtual presence server, wherein the virtual presence server includes: at least one input for coupling to the transmission medium, wherein said at least one input receives communications from said user telephony communications device on the transmission medium; a memory for storing said identification information received from said user telephony communications device; and a communication device coupled to said memory and to said at least one input for communicating with the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium; wherein the virtual presence server is operable to perform a call forwarding operation to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said virtual presence server; wherein the virtual presence server is operable to route said telephone calls made to said first telephone number and forwarded to said virtual presence server to the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium; wherein the virtual presence server is operable to communicate telephony control information with the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium, wherein said telephony control information enables the user telephony communications device to behave as an extension to the telephony server at the corporate office; and wherein the virtual presence server is operable to perform said call forwarding operation and communicate said telephony control information in response to the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office and providing said identification information.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
385 words
A system which provides a remote user with access capabilities to a corporate office, comprising: a user telephony communications device physically located remotely from the corporate office, wherein the user telephony communications device is operated by the remote user, wherein the user telephony communications device is adapted for coupling to a transmission medium, wherein the user telephony communications device transmits communications to the corporate office on the transmission medium, wherein said communications include identification information; a telephony server located at the corporate office, wherein the telephony server controls a plurality of telephones, wherein the corporate office includes a first telephone number associated with the remote user, wherein the first telephone number is used to access the remote user at the corporate office; and a virtual presence server located at the corporate office and coupled to said telephony server, wherein the user telephony communications device is operable to connect to the virtual presence server, wherein the virtual presence server includes: at least one input for coupling to the transmission medium, wherein said at least one input receives communications from said user telephony communications device on the transmission medium; a memory for storing said identification information received from said user telephony communications device; and a communication device coupled to said memory and to said at least one input for communicating with the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium; wherein the virtual presence server is operable to perform a call forwarding operation to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said virtual presence server; wherein the virtual presence server is operable to route said telephone calls made to said first telephone number and forwarded to said virtual presence server to the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium; wherein the virtual presence server is operable to communicate telephony control information with the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium, wherein said telephony control information enables the user telephony communications device to behave as an extension to the telephony server at the corporate office; and wherein the virtual presence server is operable to perform said call forwarding operation and communicate said telephony control information in response to the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office and providing said identification information.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
69 words
The system of claim 27, wherein the virtual presence server is operable to receive a telephone call made to said first telephone number and forwarded to said virtual presence server, wherein said telephone call is intended for the remote user operating said user telephony communications device; and wherein the virtual presence server is operable to route said telephone call to said user telephony communications device through the transmission medium.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 27, wherein the user telephony communications device and the virtual presence server are operable to simultaneously communicate voice and data information on the transmission medium.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 27, wherein said virtual presence server further includes: processing logic for accessing said identification information received from said user telephony communications device; and call forwarding logic for performing said call forwarding operation using said identification information.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 27, wherein the virtual presence server is operable to perform data transfers with the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium after the user telephony communications device connects to the corporate office.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 31, wherein the virtual presence server is operable to route electronic mail intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium after the user telephony communications device connects to the corporate office.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 31, wherein the virtual presence server is operable to route faxes intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium after the user telephony communications device connects to the corporate office.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system of claim 27, further comprising: a local area network located at the corporate office, wherein the virtual presence server is coupled to the local area network; wherein the virtual presence server is operable to route local area network data intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device after the user telephony communications device connects to the corporate office.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
97 words
The system of claim 27, wherein the user telephony communications device includes a second telephone number, wherein the second telephone number is used to access the user telephony communications device; wherein the virtual presence server is operable to perform a call forwarding operation to call forward telephone calls made to said second number to said virtual presence server at the corporate office; wherein the virtual presence server is operable to route said telephone calls made to the second telephone number and forwarded to the virtual presence server to said user telephony communications device on the transmission medium.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of claim 27, wherein the corporate office includes a corporate office telephone coupled to the telephony server and used by the remote user when the remote user is physically present in the corporate office; wherein the user telephony communications device behaves substantially like said corporate office telephone in response to said telephony control information.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system of claim 27, wherein the corporate office further includes a plurality of telephones coupled to said telephony server, wherein each of said plurality of telephones coupled to said telephony server have a local extension; wherein the user telephony communications device is operable to call a co-worker at the corporate office through the transmission medium by dialing a local extension of a telephone associated with said co-worker.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 27, wherein said telephony control information includes one or more of message indications, line indications, and LCD display information.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
86 words
The system of claim 27, wherein the user telephony communications device is operable to disconnect from the corporate office; wherein, in response to the user telephony communications device disconnecting from the corporate office, the virtual presence server performs a discontinue operation to discontinue said call forwarding operation; wherein after said discontinue operation telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office are received by a telephony device at the corporate office associated with said first telephone number.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 27, wherein the virtual presence server is operable to perform said call forwarding operation by instructing the telephony server at the corporate office to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said virtual presence server.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
100 words
The system of claim 40, wherein the user telephony communications device is operable to disconnect from the corporate office; wherein, in response to the user telephony communications device disconnecting from the corporate office, the virtual presence server is operable to instruct the telephony server at the corporate office to discontinue said call forwarding operation; wherein, after the telephony server at the corporate office discontinues said call forwarding operation, telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office are received by the telephony server and not forwarded to the virtual presence server.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
298 words
A system which provides a remote user with access capabilities to a corporate office, wherein the system is located at the corporate office, wherein the remote user operates a user telephony communications device physically located remotely from the corporate office, wherein the corporate office includes a first telephone number associated with the remote user, wherein the first telephone number is used to access the remote user at the corporate office, wherein the system includes: at least one input for coupling to a transmission medium, wherein said at least one input receives communications from the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium; a memory for storing identification information received from the user telephony communications device; and a communication device coupled to the memory and to the at least one input for communicating voice and data information to the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium; wherein the system is operable to perform a call forwarding operation to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said system; wherein the system is operable to route said telephone calls made to said first telephone number and forwarded to said system to the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium; wherein the system is operable to communicate telephony control information with the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium, wherein said telephony control information enables the user telephony communications device to behave as an extension to a telephony server at the corporate office; and wherein the system is operable to perform said call forwarding operation and communicate said telephony control information in response to the system receiving a communication from the user telephony communications device and receiving said identification information from the user telephony communications device.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
298 words
A system which provides a remote user with access capabilities to a corporate office, wherein the system is located at the corporate office, wherein the remote user operates a user telephony communications device physically located remotely from the corporate office, wherein the corporate office includes a first telephone number associated with the remote user, wherein the first telephone number is used to access the remote user at the corporate office, wherein the system includes: at least one input for coupling to a transmission medium, wherein said at least one input receives communications from the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium; a memory for storing identification information received from the user telephony communications device; and a communication device coupled to the memory and to the at least one input for communicating voice and data information to the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium; wherein the system is operable to perform a call forwarding operation to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said system; wherein the system is operable to route said telephone calls made to said first telephone number and forwarded to said system to the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium; wherein the system is operable to communicate telephony control information with the user telephony communications device on the transmission medium, wherein said telephony control information enables the user telephony communications device to behave as an extension to a telephony server at the corporate office; and wherein the system is operable to perform said call forwarding operation and communicate said telephony control information in response to the system receiving a communication from the user telephony communications device and receiving said identification information from the user telephony communications device.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system of claim 42, wherein the system at the corporate office is operable to receive a telephone call intended for said first telephone number, wherein said telephone call is intended for the remote user operating the user telephony communications device; and wherein the system is operable to route said telephone call to the user telephony communications device through the transmission medium in response to the system receiving said telephone call.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 42, wherein the system is operable to simultaneously communicate voice and data information to the user telephony communications device through the transmission medium.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 42, wherein said system further includes: processing logic for accessing said identification information received from the user telephony communications device; and call forwarding logic for performing said call forwarding operation using said identification information.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 42, wherein the system is operable to perform data transfers with the user telephony communications device through the transmission medium after the system receives a connection from the user telephony communications device.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 46, wherein the system is operable to route electronic mails intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device through the transmission medium after the system receives a connection from the user telephony communications device.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 46, wherein the system is operable to route faxes intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device through the transmission medium after the system receives a connection from the user telephony communications device.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
64 words
The system of claim 42, wherein a local area network is located at the corporate office, wherein the system is coupled to the local area network; wherein the system is operable to route local area network data intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device through the transmission medium after the system receives a connection from the user telephony communications device.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
89 words
The system of claim 42, wherein the user telephony communications device includes a second telephone number, wherein the second telephone number is used to access the user telephony communications device; wherein the system is operable to perform a call forwarding operation to call forward telephone calls made to said second number to said system at the corporate office; wherein the system is operable to route said telephone calls made to the second telephone number and forwarded to the system to the user telephony communications device through the transmission medium.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 42, wherein the corporate office includes a corporate office telephone used by the remote user when the remote user is physically present in the corporate office; wherein the user telephony communications device behaves substantially like said corporate office telephone in response to said telephony control information.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 42, wherein the corporate office further includes a plurality of telephones, wherein each of said plurality of telephones have a local extension; wherein the user telephony communications device is operable to call a co-worker at the corporate office through the transmission medium by dialing a local extension of a telephone associated with said co-worker.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 42, wherein said telephony control information includes one or more of message indications, line indications, and LCD display information.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
70 words
The system of claim 42, wherein, in response to the user telephony communications device disconnecting from the corporate office, the system performs a discontinue operation to discontinue said call forwarding operation; wherein after said discontinue operation telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office are received by a telephony device at the corporate office associated with said first telephone number.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 42, wherein the system is operable to perform said call forwarding operation by instructing the telephony server at the corporate office to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said system.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
84 words
The system of claim 55, wherein, in response to the user telephony communications device disconnecting from the corporate office, the system is operable to instruct the telephony server at the corporate office to discontinue said call forwarding operation; wherein, after the telephony server at the corporate office discontinues said call forwarding operation, telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office are received by the telephony sever and not forwarded to the virtual presence server.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 42, wherein the system operates as the telephony server at the corporate office.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
233 words
A method for providing a remote user operating a user telephony communications device with access capabilities to a corporate office, wherein the corporate office includes a virtual presence server, wherein the corporate office includes a first telephone number associated with the remote user, wherein the first telephone number is used to access the remote user at the corporate office, wherein the user telephony communications device includes a second telephone number, wherein the second telephone number is used to access the user telephony communications device, the method comprising: the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office; the user telephony communications device providing identification information to the virtual presence server at the corporate office, said identification information including an identity of the remote user operating the user telephony communications device; the virtual presence server performing a call forwarding operation to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said virtual presence server; performing a call forwarding operation to call forward telephone calls made to said second number to said virtual presence server; wherein said telephone calls forwarded to the virtual presence server are routed through said virtual presence server to said user telephony communications device; and wherein said call forwarding operations are performed in response to the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office and providing said identification information.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
233 words
A method for providing a remote user operating a user telephony communications device with access capabilities to a corporate office, wherein the corporate office includes a virtual presence server, wherein the corporate office includes a first telephone number associated with the remote user, wherein the first telephone number is used to access the remote user at the corporate office, wherein the user telephony communications device includes a second telephone number, wherein the second telephone number is used to access the user telephony communications device, the method comprising: the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office; the user telephony communications device providing identification information to the virtual presence server at the corporate office, said identification information including an identity of the remote user operating the user telephony communications device; the virtual presence server performing a call forwarding operation to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said virtual presence server; performing a call forwarding operation to call forward telephone calls made to said second number to said virtual presence server; wherein said telephone calls forwarded to the virtual presence server are routed through said virtual presence server to said user telephony communications device; and wherein said call forwarding operations are performed in response to the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office and providing said identification information.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method of claim 58, wherein the virtual presence server performing said call forwarding operation to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said virtual presence server comprises the virtual presence server instructing a telephony server at the corporate office to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said virtual presence server.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 58, wherein said performing a call forwarding operation to call forward telephone calls made to said second number to said virtual presence server comprises instructing a telephone company central office to forward telephone calls made to the second telephone number to the virtual presence server at the corporate office.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 58, further comprising: the virtual presence server routing a telephone call made to said first telephone number and forwarded to said virtual presence server to the user telephony communications device.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 58, further comprising: the virtual presence server receiving a telephone call made to said first telephone number and forwarded to said virtual presence server, wherein said telephone call is intended for the user operating said user telephony communications device; and the virtual presence server routing said telephone call made to said first telephone number and forwarded to said virtual presence server to the user telephony communications device.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 62, further comprising: the user telephony communications device and the virtual presence server communicating voice information after the virtual presence server routing said telephone call; the virtual presence server performing data transfers with the user telephony communications device during the user telephony communications device and the virtual presence server communicating said voice information.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
119 words
The method of claim 58, further comprising: a party making a telephone call to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device; wherein said telephone call to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device is automatically forwarded to the virtual presence server at the corporate office; the virtual presence server receiving said telephone call made to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device and forwarded to the virtual presence server at the corporate office; the virtual presence server routing said telephone call made to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device and forwarded to the virtual presence server at the corporate office to the user telephony communications device.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 58, wherein said virtual presence server performing said call forwarding operations includes: accessing said identification information received from said user telephony communications device; and performing said call forwarding operations using said identification information.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 58, further comprising: the virtual presence server performing data transfers with the user telephony communications device after the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 66, further comprising: the virtual presence server routing electronic mail intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device after the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 66, further comprising: the virtual presence server routing faxes intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device after the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 58, wherein the corporate office includes a local area network, wherein the virtual presence server is coupled to the local area network, the method further comprising: the virtual presence server routing local area network data intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device after the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 58, wherein the corporate office includes a telephony server, the method further comprising: the virtual presence server communicating telephony control information with the user telephony communications device, wherein said communicating telephony control information enables the user telephony communications device to behave as an extension to the telephony server at the corporate office.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 70, wherein the virtual presence server communicates said telephony control information with the user telephony communications device in response to the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office and providing said identification information.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 70, wherein the corporate office includes a corporate office telephone coupled to the telephony server and used by the remote user when the remote user is physically present in the corporate office; wherein the user telephony communications device behaves substantially like said corporate office telephone in response to the virtual presence server communicating said telephony control information with the user telephony communications device.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 70, further comprising: the remote user calling a party after said connecting and after the virtual presence server communicates telephony control information with said user telephony communications device, wherein said calling includes the user telephony communications device using said telephony control information to behave as an extension to the telephony server.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
89 words
The method of claim 70, wherein the corporate office further includes a plurality of telephones coupled to said telephony server, wherein each of said plurality of telephones coupled to said telephony server have a local extension, the method further comprising: the remote user calling a co-worker at the corporate office after said connecting and after the virtual presence server communicates telephony control information with the user telephony communications device, wherein said calling the co-worker includes the remote user dialing a local extension of a telephone associated with said co-worker.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 70, wherein said telephony control information includes one or more of message indications, line indications, and LCD display information.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
103 words
The method of claim 58, further comprising: the user telephony communications device disconnecting from the corporate office; the virtual presence server performing one or more discontinue operations to discontinue said call forwarding operations in response to said disconnecting; wherein after said discontinue operations telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office are received by a telephony device at the corporate office associated with said first telephone number, and telephone calls made to said second telephone number which are intended for the user telephony communications device are received by the user telephony communications device.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 76, wherein said discontinue operations comprise instructing a telephony server at the corporate office to discontinue forwarding telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said virtual presence server and instructing a telephone company central office to discontinue forwarding telephone calls made to the second telephone number to the virtual presence server at the corporate office.
Claim 82
Independent Claim
263 words
A system which provides a remote user with access capabilities to a corporate office, wherein the system is located at the corporate office, wherein the remote user operates a user telephony communications device physically located remotely from the corporate office, wherein the corporate office includes a first telephone number associated with the remote user, wherein the first telephone number is used to access the remote user at the corporate office, wherein the user telephony communications device includes a second telephone number, wherein the second telephone number is used to access the user telephony communications device, wherein the system includes: at least one input for coupling to a transmission medium, wherein said at least one input receives communications from the user telephony communications device; a memory for storing identification information received from the user telephony communications device; and a communication device coupled to the memory and to the at least one input for communicating with the user telephony communications device; wherein the system is operable to perform a call forwarding operation to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said system; wherein the system is operable to perform a call forwarding operation to call forward telephone calls made to said second number to said system; wherein said telephone calls forwarded to the system are routed through said system to said user telephony communications device; and wherein the system performs said call forwarding operations in response to the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office and providing said identification information.
Claim 83
Independent Claim
263 words
A system which provides a remote user with access capabilities to a corporate office, wherein the system is located at the corporate office, wherein the remote user operates a user telephony communications device physically located remotely from the corporate office, wherein the corporate office includes a first telephone number associated with the remote user, wherein the first telephone number is used to access the remote user at the corporate office, wherein the user telephony communications device includes a second telephone number, wherein the second telephone number is used to access the user telephony communications device, wherein the system includes: at least one input for coupling to a transmission medium, wherein said at least one input receives communications from the user telephony communications device; a memory for storing identification information received from the user telephony communications device; and a communication device coupled to the memory and to the at least one input for communicating with the user telephony communications device; wherein the system is operable to perform a call forwarding operation to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said system; wherein the system is operable to perform a call forwarding operation to call forward telephone calls made to said second number to said system; wherein said telephone calls forwarded to the system are routed through said system to said user telephony communications device; and wherein the system performs said call forwarding operations in response to the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office and providing said identification information.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system of claim 78, wherein said call forwarding operation to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said system comprises instructing a telephony server at the corporate office to forward telephone calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office to said system.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 78, wherein said call forwarding operation to call forward telephone calls made to said second number to said system comprises instructing a telephone company central office to forward telephone calls made to the second telephone number to the system.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
67 words
The system of claim 78, wherein the system at the corporate office is operable to receive a telephone call intended for said first telephone number, wherein said telephone call is intended for the remote user operating the user telephony communications device; and wherein the system is operable to route said telephone call to the user telephony communications device in response to the system receiving said telephone call.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
118 words
The system of claim 78, wherein, in response to a party making a telephone call to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device, said telephone call to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device is automatically forwarded to the system at the corporate office; wherein the system is operable to receive said telephone call made to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device and forwarded to the system at the corporate office; wherein the system is operable to route said telephone call made to the second telephone number of the user telephony communications device and forwarded to the system at the corporate office to the user telephony communications device.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 78, wherein said system further includes: processing logic for accessing said identification information received from the user telephony communications device; and call forwarding logic for performing said call forwarding operation using said identification information.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 78, wherein the system is operable to perform data transfers with the user telephony communications device after the system receives a connection from the user telephony communications device.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 84, wherein the system is operable to route electronic mails intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device after the system receives a connection from the user telephony communications device.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 84, wherein the system is operable to route faxes intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device after the system receives a connection from the user telephony communications device.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 78, wherein a local area network is located at the corporate office, wherein the system is coupled to the local area network; wherein the system is operable to route local area network data intended for the remote user to the user telephony communications device after the system receives a connection from the user telephony communications device.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 78, wherein the system is operable to communicate telephony control information with the user telephony communications device, wherein said telephony control information enables the user telephony communications device to behave as an extension to a telephony server at the corporate office.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 88, wherein the system is operable to communicate said telephony control information with the user telephony communications device in response to the system receiving a communication from the user telephony communications device and receiving said identification information from the user telephony communications device.
Claim 95
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for providing a remote user operating a user telephony communications device with access capabilities to a corporate office, wherein the corporate office includes a virtual presence server, the method comprising: the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office on a communication line and providing identification information; and the virtual presence server communicating telephony control information with the user telephony communications device on the communication line, wherein said communicating telephony control information enables the user telephony communications device to behave as an extension to a telephony server at the corporate office; wherein the virtual presence server communicates said telephony control information on the communication line in response to the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office and providing said identification information.
Claim 96
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for providing a remote user operating a user telephony communications device with access capabilities to a corporate office, wherein the corporate office includes a virtual presence server, the method comprising: the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office on a communication line and providing identification information; and the virtual presence server communicating telephony control information with the user telephony communications device on the communication line, wherein said communicating telephony control information enables the user telephony communications device to behave as an extension to a telephony server at the corporate office; wherein the virtual presence server communicates said telephony control information on the communication line in response to the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office and providing said identification information.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 90, wherein the corporate office includes a corporate office telephone coupled to the telephony server and used by the remote user when the remote user is physically present in the corporate office; wherein the user telephony communications device behaves substantially like said corporate office telephone in response to the virtual presence server communicating said telephony control information with the user telephony communications device.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 90, further comprising: the remote user calling a party after said connecting and after the virtual presence server communicates telephony control information with said user telephony communications device, wherein said calling includes the user telephony communications device using said telephony control information to behave as an extension to the telephony server.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
89 words
The method of claim 90, wherein the corporate office further includes a plurality of telephones coupled to said telephony server, wherein each of said plurality of telephones coupled to said telephony server have a local extension, the method further comprising: the remote user calling a co-worker at the corporate office after said connecting and after the virtual presence server communicates telephony control information with the user telephony communications device, wherein said calling the co-worker includes the remote user dialing a local extension of a telephone associated with said co-worker.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 90, wherein said telephony control information includes one or more of message indications, line indications, and LCD display information.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 90, wherein the corporate office includes a first telephone number associated with the remote user and used to access the remote user at the corporate office; wherein calls made to said first telephone number which are intended for the user at the corporate office are automatically routed on the communication line to the user telephony communications device.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 95, further comprising: the corporate office receiving a telephone call made to said first telephone number, wherein said telephone call is intended for the remote user operating said user telephony communications device; and automatically routing said telephone call made to said first telephone number to the user telephony communications device on the communication line, wherein said automatically routing is performed in response to the user telephony communications device connecting to the corporate office and providing said identification information.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 96, further comprising: the user telephony communications device and the virtual presence server communicating voice information on the communication line after said automatically routing said telephone call; the virtual presence server performing data transfers with the use telephony communications device on the communication line during the user telephony communications device and the virtual presence server communicating said voice information.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 96, wherein the virtual presence server communicates voice and telephony control information with the user telephony communications device on the communication line.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 96, wherein the virtual presence server communicates voice, data and telephony control information with the user telephony communications device on the communication line.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-03-29 | 2002-09-28 | 2003-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-29 | 2006-09-28 | 2007-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-29 | 2010-09-28 | 2011-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |