Tandem access controller within the public switched telephone network

US8848894B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• FOCAL IP, LLC · US

Inventors

• Samuel F. Wood · Los Altos, US
• Jerry A. Klein · Los Altos, US
• Margaret Susan Asprey · Los Altos, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 25, 2012
• Grant date: Sep 30, 2014
• Expiry date: Jan 25, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04Q2213/13389
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A system includes a tandem access controller (TAC) coupled to a PSTN, where the TAC allows a subscriber to set-up and make changes to the configuration of his/her phone line or other communications device. Such changes include selective call forwarding. The TAC is controlled by the subscriber using the web. The TAC is coupled internally to the PSTN in a local service area and is outside the subscriber's central office. A calling party makes a first call to the subscriber using the subscriber's public telephone number. The TAC receives the first call prior to the call reaching the subscriber's terminating central office. The TAC then carries out the subscriber's instructions for the first call, such as making one or more second calls using telephone numbers different from the subscriber's public telephone number. When the second call is answered, the answering phone is connected by the TAC to the caller.