Method for handling incoming calls directed to a virtual communication service subscriber via a guest PBX

Claim 1

A method of handling incoming calls directed to a virtual communication subscriber, the virtual communication subscriber being associated with a fixed communication device having an associated telephone number which is connected to a host Public Branch Exchange (PBX), the virtual communication subscriber being at a remote location and being connected to a communication network via a guest (PBX) which is not affiliated with the host PBX, the virtual communication subscriber being provided with PBX-like functionality at the remote location without being directly connected to the host PBX, the virtual communication subscriber being provided with voice and data capabilities at the remote location via a data connection and a voice connection, the PBX-like functionality being provided using a PBX interface which is provided via the data connection, the PBX interface being able to communicate PBX-like commands to the host PBX for call completion, the host PBX having a virtual communication system (VCS) associated therewith including an interactive voice response (IVR) system for communicating with the guest PBX; the method comprising the steps of: receiving at the VCS contact information from the virtual communication subscriber, the contact information including a reach telephone number and extension information for a communication device which is co-located with the virtual communication subscriber; receiving an incoming call intended for the virtual communication subscriber which is received at the telephone associated with the virtual communication subscriber's fixed location; placing a call to the virtual communication subscriber using the received contact information; providing from the VCS the extension information to the guest PBX when the call is answered, by instructing the IVR system to provide the extension information to the guest PBX, wherein the IVR generates speech corresponding to the extension information; and upon connection to the communication device co-located with the virtual communication subscriber, bridging the incoming call with the call placed to the virtual communication subscriber via the guest PBX.

Claim 2

A method of handling incoming calls directed to a virtual communication subscriber, the virtual communication subscriber being associated with a fixed communication device having an associated telephone number which is connected to a host Public Branch Exchange (PBX), the virtual communication subscriber being at a remote location and being connected to a communication network via a guest (PBX) which is not affiliated with the host PBX, the virtual communication subscriber being provided with PBX-like functionality at the remote location without being directly connected to the host PBX, the virtual communication subscriber being provided with voice and data capabilities at the remote location via a data connection and a voice connection, the PBX-like functionality being provided using a PBX interface which is provided via the data connection, the PBX interface being able to communicate PBX-like commands to the host PBX for call completion, the host PBX having a virtual communication system (VCS) associated therewith including an interactive voice response (IVR) system for communicating with the guest PBX; the method comprising the steps of: receiving at the VCS contact information from the virtual communication subscriber, the contact information including a reach telephone number and extension information for a communication device which is co-located with the virtual communication subscriber; receiving an incoming call intended for the virtual communication subscriber which is received at the telephone associated with the virtual communication subscriber's fixed location; placing a call to the virtual communication subscriber using the received contact information; providing from the VCS the extension information to the guest PBX when the call is answered, by instructing the IVR system to provide the extension information to the guest PBX, wherein the IVR generates speech corresponding to the extension information; and upon connection to the communication device co-located with the virtual communication subscriber, bridging the incoming call with the call placed to the virtual communication subscriber via the guest PBX.

Claim 6

A method of handling incoming calls directed to a virtual communication subscriber, the virtual communication subscriber being associated with a fixed communication device having an associated telephone number which is connected to a host Public Branch Exchange (PBX), the virtual communication subscriber being at a remote location and being connected to a communication network via a guest (PBX) which is not affiliated with the host PBX, the virtual communication subscriber being provided with PBX-like functionality at the remote location without being directly connected to the host PBX, the virtual communication subscriber being provided with voice and data capabilities at the remote location via a data connection and a voice connection, the PBX-like functionality being provided using a PBX interface which is provided via the data connection, the PBX interface being able to communicate PBX-like commands to the host PBX for call completion, the host PBX having a virtual communication system (VCS) associated therewith including an interactive voice response (IVR) system for communicating with the guest PBX; the method comprising the steps of: receiving at the VCS contact information from the virtual communication subscriber, the contact information including a reach telephone number and extension information for a communication device which is co-located with the virtual communication subscriber; receiving an incoming call intended for the virtual communication subscriber which is received at the telephone associated with the virtual communication subscriber's fixed location; placing a call to the virtual communication subscriber using the received contact information; providing the extension information to the guest PBX when the call is answered, by providing from the VCS to the calling party the extension information for the virtual communication subscriber wherein the calling party provides the extension information to the guest PBX when the call is answered; and upon connection to the communication device co-located with the virtual communication subscriber, bridging the incoming call with the call placed to the virtual communication.

Claim 7

A method of handling incoming calls directed to a virtual communication subscriber, the virtual communication subscriber being associated with a fixed communication device having an associated telephone number which is connected to a host Public Branch Exchange (PBX), the virtual communication subscriber being at a remote location and being connected to a communication network via a guest (PBX) which is not affiliated with the host PBX, the virtual communication subscriber being provided with PBX-like functionality at the remote location without being directly connected to the host PBX, the virtual communication subscriber being provided with voice and data capabilities at the remote location via a data connection and a voice connection, the PBX-like functionality being provided using a PBX interface which is provided via the data connection, the PBX interface being able to communicate PBX-like commands to the host PBX for call completion, the host PBX having a virtual communication system (VCS) associated therewith including an interactive voice response (IVR) system for communicating with the guest PBX; the method comprising the steps of: receiving at the VCS contact information from the virtual communication subscriber, the contact information including a reach telephone number and extension information for a communication device which is co-located with the virtual communication subscriber; receiving an incoming call intended for the virtual communication subscriber which is received at the telephone associated with the virtual communication subscriber's fixed location; placing a call to the virtual communication subscriber using the received contact information; providing the extension information to the guest PBX when the call is answered, by providing from the VCS to the calling party the extension information for the virtual communication subscriber wherein the calling party provides the extension information to the guest PBX when the call is answered; and upon connection to the communication device co-located with the virtual communication subscriber, bridging the incoming call with the call placed to the virtual communication.

Claim 20

A method of handling incoming calls directed to a virtual communication subscriber, the virtual communication subscriber being associated with a first communication device connected to a host Public Branch Exchange (PBX), the virtual communication subscriber being at a remote location and using a second communication device which is connected to a communication network via a guest (PBX) which is not affiliated with the host PBX, the virtual communication subscriber being provided with PBX-like functionality at the remote location using a PBX interface which is provided via a data connection, the PBX interface being able to communicate PBX-like commands to the host PBX for call completion, the virtual communication subscriber providing contact information for the second communication device, the host PBX having a virtual communication system (VCS) associated therewith including an interactive voice response (IVR) system for communicating with the guest PBX; the method comprising the steps of: receiving at the VCS an incoming call intended for the virtual communication subscriber at the first communication device; placing a call to the second communication device using the contact information; providing from the VCS extension information to the guest PBX when the call is answered, by instructing the IVR system to provide the extension information to the guest PBX, wherein the IVR generates speech corresponding to the extension information; the extension information corresponding to a communication line associated with the second communication device; and upon connection to the second communication device, bridging the incoming call with the call placed to the second communication device.

Claim 21

A method of handling incoming calls directed to a virtual communication subscriber, the virtual communication subscriber being associated with a first communication device connected to a host Public Branch Exchange (PBX), the virtual communication subscriber being at a remote location and using a second communication device which is connected to a communication network via a guest (PBX) which is not affiliated with the host PBX, the virtual communication subscriber being provided with PBX-like functionality at the remote location using a PBX interface which is provided via a data connection, the PBX interface being able to communicate PBX-like commands to the host PBX for call completion, the virtual communication subscriber providing contact information for the second communication device, the host PBX having a virtual communication system (VCS) associated therewith including an interactive voice response (IVR) system for communicating with the guest PBX; the method comprising the steps of: receiving at the VCS an incoming call intended for the virtual communication subscriber at the first communication device; placing a call to the second communication device using the contact information; providing from the VCS extension information to the guest PBX when the call is answered, by instructing the IVR system to provide the extension information to the guest PBX, wherein the IVR generates speech corresponding to the extension information; the extension information corresponding to a communication line associated with the second communication device; and upon connection to the second communication device, bridging the incoming call with the call placed to the second communication device.