Method for routing incoming calls to a user's premises on a POTS telephone line

US6058178A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• SoloPoint, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Martin S. McKendry · Carmel Valley, US
• Karen L. Styres · Monte Sereno, US
• Edward M. Soloko · San Jose, US
• Miller Thomas Abel · Mercer Island, US
• Scott A. Van Gundy · Los Gatos, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 20, 1996
• Grant date: May 2, 2000
• Expiry date: Feb 20, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04M3/42229
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

When a caller calls a POTS telephone number for a user's premises, the incoming call is selectively routed to any combination of local extensions on the owner's premises, and to remote extensions such as a telephone instrument on another premises, a pager, a cellular telephone, a central office voice mail box, and a cellular telephone voice mail box. Control over the incoming call is maintained throughout the duration of the call to allow further routing of the incoming call. Consequently, the incoming call can be routed to multiple locations on the user's premises, or to a telephone answering service at any time after taking the incoming call. Moreover, the incoming call can be routed directly based on the type of call, e.g., voice, facsimile, or modem.