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United States Patent5924016
Fuller , ; et al.July 13, 1999
Title
Control and monitoring apparatus and method for a telephone system
Abstract
A telephone switching and control system connected to a telephone network for providing telephone calling services to an authorized user. The telephone switching and control system monitoring a telephone call placed via the control system to provide a additional feature not otherwise available in said telephone network.
Inventors:Fuller; Robert M. (Redmond, WA), Epler; Frederick A.  (Issaquah, WA), Manowski; Maxwell E.  (Enumclaw, WA)
Assignee:Aspect Telecommunications Corporation (San Jose, CA)
Appl. No.:454834
Filed:May 31, 1995
Current U.S. Class:379/202.01 379/79 379/88.25 379/93.06 455/460 
Field of Search:379/57,88,127,142,201,207,210,211,212,67,89,88.23,93.06,202,79 340/825.49,825.03 455/31.1,460
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Primary Examiner: Cumming; William
Attorney, Agent or Firm:Ladas & Parry
Parent Case Text


This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/273,008 filed Jul. 8, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,037 which application is in turn is a division of application Ser. No. 07/480,242, filed Feb. 15, 1990 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,161, issued Dec. 20, 1994), which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/439,601, filed Nov. 21, 1989 (now abandoned), which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 06/841,931, filed Mar. 20, 1986 (now U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,335, issued Jan. 9, 1990), which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 06/650,821, filed Sep. 14, 1984 (now abandoned).
Claims

We claim:
1. 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 an incoming call to the system directed to a user in a selected one of at least two distinct modes, one such mode being call forwarding in which case the processing means invokes functions b) and c),
b) recalling from said memory means a forwarding number for the user,
c) causing said switch control means to switch the incoming call in said switch to said forwarding number,
d) monitoring a call to said system from the user, including during outbound calls made by the 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 call from the user in a control mode wherein the user may enter commands to change said selected one of at least two distinct modes, and
f) identifying a call to said system from the user requesting the present mode by which the system processes incoming calls directed to the user, recalling from said memory means the current mode by which the system processes incoming calls directed to the user, transmitting courtesy messages which indicate said current mode and inform the user as to how to enter a mode command to change said mode, and responding to the user transmitting a specific mode command to appropriately change the mode by which the system processes subsequent incoming calls directed to the user.

2. The control system of claim 1 wherein said mode commands are entered via the user's telephone keypad.

3. The control system of claim 1 wherein said user mode commands are entered via voice commands from the user.

4. 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 telephone network providing information regarding the network address of a calling station to said control system, 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 modes, one such mode being call forwarding in which case the processing means invokes functions b) through c),
b) recalling from said memory means a forwarding number for the user,
c) causing said switch control means to switch the call to the user in said switch to said forwarding number,
d) monitoring a call to said system from the user, including during outbound calls made by the 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 call from the user in a control mode wherein the user may enter commands to change said selected one of at least two distinct modes, and
f) identifying a call to said system by the user, and utilizing said information as the user's memory means stored forwarding number, whereby the user can update the forwarding number without manually entering the number of the telephone at the user's present location.

5. 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 invokes functions b) through c),
b) recalling from said memory means a forwarding number for the user,
c) causing said switch control means to switch the call to the user in said switch to said forwarding number,
d) monitoring a call to said system from the user, including during outbound calls made by the 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 call from the user in a control mode wherein the user may enter commands to change said selected one of at least two distinct modes, and
identifying the user's presently selected call processing mode and transmitting a courtesy message to the user setting forth the user's presently selected call processing mode.

6. A telephone system for providing telephone services, said system comprising:
(a) a telephone switching system for concurrently servicing a plurality of telephone subscribers;
(b) a telephone switching system controller coupled to said switching system via communications facilities, said controller communicating with said switching system via said communication facilities by means of switch functions to provide an additional telephone service for said subscribers, said controller receiving calls from subscribers via said communications facilities and monitoring the received calls, including during at least a portion of the time that calls are placed by subscribers to and received by another party, and if a subscriber signals said controller to provide said additional service during the call received by said another party, then said controller responds by communicating a corresponding sequence of switch functions to said switching system, said controller further including a voice screening mode of operation wherein during a telephone call, said controller transmits a prompt for the caller to transmit identification information, records the caller's response to said prompt, instructs said switching system to connect to a subscriber-selected one of a plurality of telephone network addresses, and transmits the caller's recorded response.

7. The telephone system of claim 6, wherein said controller includes a memory, wherein said additional telephone service is implemented by a sequence of switch functions stored in said memory, and wherein said controller is, during a telephone call from said subscriber, responsive to commands from said subscriber for modifying the sequence of switch functions stored in said memory.

8. The telephone system of claim 7 wherein 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, implementing at least one of the commanded options by transmitting said sequence of switch functions to said switching system.

9. The telephone system of claim 8, 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.

10. The telephone system of claim 9, 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.

11. The telephone system of claim 6, wherein, in said voice screening mode of operation, said controller responds to a command response from the subscriber to appropriately process said telephone call.

12. The telephone system of claim 6, wherein said controller monitors said telephone call for a predetermined command and upon receipt of the predetermined command terminating, if started, or skipping, if not yet initiated:
(i) the transmission of said prompt to said caller,
(ii) the recordation of the callers response and
(iii) the transmission of the response to the subscriber, and immediately 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.

13. A telephone system for providing telephone services, said system comprising:
(a) a telephone switching system for concurrently servicing a plurality of telephone subscribers;
(b) a telephone switching system controller coupled to said switching system via communications facilities, said controller communicating with said switching system via said communication facilities by means of switch functions to provide at least one additional telephone service for said subscribers, said controller including a memory for storing a plurality of sequences of said switch functions, said controller receiving calls from subscribers via said communications facilities and monitoring the received calls, including during at least a portion of the time that calls are placed by subscribers to and received by another party, and if a subscriber signals said controller to provide said at least one additional telephone service during the call received by said another party, then said controller responds by communicating a corresponding sequence of said switch functions to said telephone switching system; and
(c) a paging system wherein said subscriber carries a paging device for receiving radio frequency signals broadcast from a paging system with a unique identification code assigned to each paging device, and wherein each paging device includes a transmitter for transmitting a data signal to the controller to revise at least one of the sequences of switch functions stored in said memory.

14. The telephone system of claim 13 wherein the transmitter in said paging device is a radio frequency transmitter.

15. A telephone system for providing telephone services, said system comprising:
(a) a telephone switching system for concurrently servicing a plurality of telephone subscribers;
(b) a telephone switching system controller coupled to said switching system via communications facilities, said controller communicating with said switching system via said communication facilities by means of switch functions to provide at least one additional telephone service for said subscribers, said controller including a memory for storing a plurality of sequences of said switch functions, said controller receiving calls from subscribers via said communications facilities and monitoring the received calls, including during at least a portion of the time that calls are placed by subscribers to and received by another party, whereby if a subscriber signals said controller to provide said at least one additional service during the call received by said another party, then said controller responds by communicating a corresponding sequence of said switch functions to said telephone switching system; and
(c) a paging system wherein said subscriber carries a paging device for receiving radio frequency signals broadcast from a paging system with a unique identification code assigned to each paging device, and wherein each paging device includes a transmitter for transmitting a data signal to the controller to invoke at least one of the sequences of switch functions stored in said memory.

16. The telephone system of claim 15, in combination with a locator system wherein said locator system comprises a plurality of predeterminedly located locator transmitters, with each locator transmitter transmitting to a proximate paging device an address signal, and wherein said controller controls said transmitter to transmit a signal based on said address signal to said controller system to revise at least one of the sequences of switch functions stored in said memory based on said address signal.

17. The telephone system of claim 16 wherein the transmitter in said paging device is a radio frequency transmitter.

18. A telephone system for providing telephone services, said system comprising:
(a) a telephone switching system for concurrently servicing a plurality of telephone subscribers;
(b) a telephone switching system controller coupled to said switching system via communications facilities, said controller communicating with said switching system via said communication facilities by means of switch functions to provide at least one additional telephone service for said subscribers, said controller including a memory for storing a plurality of sequences of said switch functions, said controller receiving calls from subscribers via said communications facilities and monitoring the received calls, including during at least a portion of the time that calls are placed by subscribers to and received by another party, and if a subscriber signals said controller to provide said at least one additional service during the call received by said another party, then said controller responds by communicating a corresponding sequence of said switch functions to said telephone switching system; and
(c) a locator system wherein said locator system comprises a plurality of predeterminedly located locator transmitters, with each locator transmitter transmitting to a proximate paging device an address signal, and wherein said proximate paging device includes a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting a signal based on said address signal to said controller system to revise at least one of the sequences of switch functions stored in said memory.

19. The telephone system of claim 18, in combination with a locator system wherein said locator system comprises a plurality of predeterminedly located locator transmitters, with each locator transmitter transmitting to a proximate paging device an address signal, and wherein said controller controls said transmitter to transmit a signal based on said address signal to said controller system to invoke at least one of the sequences of switch functions stored in said memory based on said address signal.

20. The telephone system of claim 19 wherein the transmitter in said paging device is a radio frequency transmitter.

21. A telephone system for providing telephone services, said system comprising:
(a) a telephone switching system for concurrently servicing a plurality of telephone subscribers;
(b) a telephone switching system controller coupled to said switching system via communications facilities, said controller communicating with said switching system via said communication facilities by means of switch functions to provide at least one additional telephone service for said subscribers, said controller receiving calls from subscribers via said communications facilities and monitoring the received calls, including during at least a portion of the time that calls are placed by subscribers to and received by another party, whereby a subscriber may signal said controller to provide said at least one additional service when requested by the subscriber during the call received by said another party, said controller including a memory for storing a plurality of sequences of said switch functions and a present mode by which the system processes incoming calls directed to said subscriber and wherein said controller identifies a call to said system from said subscriber requesting a present mode by which the system processes incoming calls directed to said subscriber, said controller, in response to an inquiry from said subscriber, recalling from said memory the current mode by which the system processes incoming calls directed to said subscriber and transmitting information to said subscriber which advises said subscriber of said present mode.

22. The telephone system of claim 21, wherein said controller includes a schedule mode of operation wherein said memory stores with at least selected ones of said sequences, a corresponding time for each, and wherein said controller automatically changes mode at the specified times.

23. The telephone system of claim 21, wherein said controller includes a timer mode of operation wherein said memory stores a timer command mode and a corresponding time interval command, said controller changing a presently commanded mode to a different mode for said commanded interval and thereafter reverting to another call processing mode.

24. The telephone system of claim 21, wherein said telephone switching system provides automatic identification information for a caller to said controller, and wherein the controller identifies a call placed by a subscriber and utilizes said automatic identification information to update a sequence of switch functions stored in said memory as a forwarding number, whereby the subscriber can update said forwarding number without manually entering the number of the telephone at the subscriber's present location.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The subject matter disclosed and claimed in copending and allowed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 06/841,931, entitled "Remote Access Telephone Control System", invented by the same inventors and assigned to the same assignee as the instant application, is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the telephone equipment art and, more particularly, to a telephone control system which allows subscribers to remotely control a plurality of call handling utilities to predeterminedly direct incoming calls.

Despite the availability of numerous telephone central exchange provided functions, such as "call-forwarding", "three-way calling", "call-waiting" and "speed-dialing", as well as the advent and availability of paging and mobile telephone systems, the completion of a call to a system subscriber can often be a complicated, time consuming and tedious task. Unless the telephone subscriber is located at the telephone which receives calls to his assigned phone number, completion of a call from a calling party, despite the aforementioned services, generally involves the calling party leaving a message and awaiting a call back by the subscriber. Even if the subscriber is accessible via mobile telephone or a paging system, human intervention is commonly required to look up and dial specific mobile telephone or paging numbers to attempt to contact the subscriber. Thus, additional delays and costs are incurred.

In addition, even if the subscriber is on a paging system, the successful direction of a message to the subscriber requires that the subscriber manually inform the system of his whereabouts.

Finally, existing telephone control systems offer very limited control to either the subscriber or the calling party with respect to the processing of calls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a telephone control system which allows subscribers to access the system, even remotely, and implement any of a number of utilities for the handling of subscriber directed calls.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a telephone control system wherein each subscriber is assigned one telephone number and calls to the system on that number are automatically directed to the subscriber regardless of his location.

It is a further object of the invention to provide the above described telephone control system wherein the system interfaces with callers and subscribers via courtesy messages which minimize or eliminate the need for users to recall complicated control commands.

It is a further object of the invention to provide the above described control system wherein subscribers are provided with portable pager-like communicators which include RF transmitters for transmission directly to the paging system.

It is a further object of the present invention to. provide the above described control system wherein the communicator devices automatically respond to remote locater transmitters to transmit back to the control system the phone number of a telephone proximate the user.

These and other objects of the invention will be more fully understood with reference to the detailed description and claims herein below.

In summary, the present invention is directed to a control system which is connected to a telephone exchange and wherein each user of the system is assigned a unique telephone number with the control system routing calls to the user via a user controlled number. The control system comprises an input/output device which is adapted for connection to the telephone exchange trunks or lines to input and output telephone calls. A switching control means controllably connects a call on one line to a different line. Provided memory controllably stores and recalls electronic signals. An electronic-processing means is provided for accessing the memory, switching control means and input/output device to direct the flow of input and output calls. The electronic processing means includes means for: a) identifying a call to the system from a caller directed to a specific user, b) recalling from the memory a forwarding number for the user, c) implementing a call to the forwarding number, d) switching the caller's call to the forwarding number, e) identifying a call to the system from a specific user, f) changing the specific user's memory stored forwarding number responsive to a command from the specific user, g) processing calls to the system directed to a specific user in a selected one of a plurality of modes and, h) changing a users call processing mode responsive to a command from the user.

In accordance with one feature of the invention, the control system may forward incoming calls for a subscriber to a telephone number that has been preselected by the subscriber. The call may be directly forwarded, or may be preceded by a brief announcement informing the caller that the call is being forwarded.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the control system may first screen incoming calls before causing them to be forwarded. The call may be screened by any of several methods, including a `priority-screen` which allows the caller to determine whether or not the call should be forwarded to the subscriber, a `VIP code-screen` which will only forward calls if the caller enters a preselected code, and a `voice-screen` which records the caller's name and business, places the caller on hold while contacting the subscriber, plays the recorded message, and allows the subscriber to determine if he wishes to be connected to the caller. With any of these screening methods, should the call not ultimately be forwarded to the subscriber, then the call may be delivered to a `message center`, where a message may be left for later pickup by the subscriber.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the control system may cause the subscriber's pager to be activated in conjunction with forwarding of a call. In this way, the subscriber is given notice that the call is being forwarded to the pre-selected telephone number.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the control system may, prior to forwarding a call, provide a courtesy message to the caller such as ". . when the call is answered, please ask for your party by name . . . ", or alternately inform the caller ". . . when the call is answered, please ask for extension number 1234."

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the control system may send all calls to a `message center` where all messages may be left for later pickup by the subscriber. In this way the call is handled without disturbing the subscriber.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the control system may handle calls via a `branch-routing` mode. In this mode, callers may choose from a directory of options. As an example, the caller may be told: "You have reached ABC Real Estate. Please touch 1 to speak to Mr. Smith, 2 to speak to Mr. Jones, or hold the line to speak to the receptionist." Depending on the programming of the system, each of these selections may cause the call to be forwarded to a specific telephone number, or to another access number. No command may cause the system to follow a predetermined default method for disposing of the call.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the control system may handle calls via a `meet-me` mode. In this mode, the caller is placed on hold after being told that the user is being paged to a phone. The control system then pages the user. The user then may call the access system, and enter a code to be connected to the caller. In addition, the caller may be given the opportunity to touch 9 to leave a message if he does not wish to wait. If the caller chooses to leave a message, then when the subscriber calls in, he will be informed that the caller did not wait and instead left a message. If the caller hangs up without leaving a message, then the subscriber will be so informed.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the call-handling modes and other features of the control system may be programmed by the subscriber by accessing a command mode by dialing the access number from a touch-tone phone, entering a Personal Identification Number (PIN) code, and then following a series of menu items to select the desired feature, call-handling mode, or forwarding number. This process is further simplified by providing the subscriber with `mode memories` which contain the most often used call handling modes, and `number memories` which contain often used telephone numbers such as home phone, office phone, car phone, and so on.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the subscriber may invoke a `feature timer` which will cause a new call handling mode to take effect at the expiration of a selected time interval.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the subscriber may invoke a `weekly schedule` which will cause the current call-handling mode to be automatically selected from a pre-programmed list of call-handling modes, based upon the time-of-day and day-of-week.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the subscriber may cause his calls to be forwarded to him at his current location, without the subscriber needing to enter the telephone number of the current location. Instead, the telephone number of the location is automatically received by the control system as an Automatic Number Identification (ANI) via ANI-capable facilities from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The subscriber need only call the control system, enter his PIN code, and select a forwarding mode.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the subscriber may program the operation of the control system by picking up a preregistered phone such as his office or home telephone and touching a 2 or 3 digit speed-dial code. In combination with the ANI capability described above this makes programming very simple. By way of example, if a subscriber is at home, he may pick up the phone and dial log. This causes the telephone company central office to memory dial an 800 number with an NNX that points to ANI-capable trunks connected to the control system. The control system recognizes the ANI as belonging to the home phone of one of it's subscribers. The control system then causes all calls to that subscriber to be priority-screen forwarded to the home. If the subscriber had dialed 11#, an 800 number with the same NNX but different last four digits would be dialed, which would cause the control system to select voice-screened forwarding to the home, and so forth.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the subscriber may elect to make an `outside call` while in the control system command mode, by touching 9 and dialing the desired telephone number.

The control system is further enhanced by the addition of a communicator feature. This feature allows a subsqriber to move from place to place and have his calls follow him without the need for him to call into the control system. The communicator is a portable device carried on the subscriber's person. The device contains an RF transmitter, an RF receiver, an ultrasonic receiver, a keypad, a `beeper`, and control circuitry. The communicator receives ultrasonic messages from small wall mounted ultrasonic transmitters. These transmitters contain the phone number, and optionally the extension number, of the nearest telephone or a mode appropriate for the location such as do not disturb in a hospital operating room. The communicator also receives radio frequency messages from the control system indicating, or paging, an incoming call for the user. The communicator device can send various radio frequency messages back to the control system, including a message containing the phone number received from the ultrasonic transmitter, a message acknowledging receipt of the page, and messages in response to keypad selections by the subscriber indicating a desire to select a new mode of call handling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the various modes of operation and interfacing equipment for the preferred embodiment of the telephone control system;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the principle components of the telephone control system;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the Communicator;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the Ultrasonic Transmitter;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the Call Processing facility;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operation of the E & M Control Circuit;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the Subscriber Master Record;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the Mode Memory;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the Main Task for the Call Processing facility;

FIG. 10 is flowchart of the Code Processing Facility Network Message Task;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the Code Processing Facility Call Termination Task;

FIGS. 12a and 12b form is a flowchart of the Call Processing Facility--Call Handler Task;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the Call Processing Facility--Dynamic Mode Assignment;

FIGS. 14 and 14a is a flowchart of the Call Processing Facility--Direct Forwarding Function;

FIGS. 15a and 15b form is a flowchart of the Call Processing Facility Announced Forwarding Function;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the Call Processing Facility--Priority/Urgent Screen Function;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the Call Processing Facility--VIP Code Screen Function;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the Call Processing Facility--Branch Routing Function;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the Call Processing Facility--Caller Message Center Function;

FIGS. 20a, 20a-l, 20b and 20c is a flowchart of the Call Processing Facility--Voice-Screen Function;

FIGS. 21a and 21b form a flowchart of the Call Processing Facility--Meet Me Caller Function;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the Call Processing Facility--`Send Page` Subroutine;

FIGS. 23a and 23b form a flowchart of the Call Processing Facility--Command Mode Function;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of the Call Processing Facility--Command Message Center Function;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of the Call Processing Facility--Command Forwarding Number Function;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of the Call Processing Facility--Command Feature Timer Function;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart of the Call Processing Facility--Command Memory Function;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart of the Call Processing--Facility Command Outside Call Function;

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of the Call Processing Facility--Command Help Function;

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of the Call Processing Facility Command Meet Me Function;

FIGS. 31 and 31a a form flowchart of the Call Processing Facility--Command Branch Route Function;

FIG. 32 is a flowchart of the Call Processing Facility--Command Advanced Features Function;

FIG. 33 is a block diagram illustrating the principle components of the Meet Me Facility;

FIG. 34 is a flowchart of the Meet Me Facility Main Task;

FIG. 35 is a block diagram illustrating the principle components of the Subscriber Access Facility;

FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating operation of the E & M Control Circuit for the Subscriber Access Facility;

FIGS. 37a, 37b and 37b-1 form a flowchart of the Subscriber Access Facility Main Task;

FIG. 38 is a block diagram illustrating the principle components of the Communicator Access Facility;

FIG. 39 is a flowchart of the Communicator Access Facility Main Task;

FIGS. 40 and 40a form a flowchart of the Communicator Main Task;

FIG. 41 is a block diagram illustrating the principle components of the Pager Dialing Facility;

FIG. 42 is a flowchart of the Pager Dialing Facility Main Task;

FIG. 43 is a block diagram illustrating the principle components of the Client Services Facility; and

FIG. 44 is a flowchart of the Client Services Facility Main Task.

SPECIFICATION

Overview

FIG. 1 illustrates in block diagram form, the manner in which the Telephone Control System may be used to enhance the accessibility of it's subscribers.

As is shown, the Telephone Control System 1 connects with the PSTN 2 via facilities 3. The Telephone Control System 1 may control switch 4, causing it to connect incoming and outgoing trunks.

As is shown, alternate preferred embodiments exist with respect to switch 4.

In the first preferred embodiment, the sw itch 4 is actually part of the PSTN 1. In this embodiment, the facilities 3 must be capable of transmitting switch control signals from the Telephone Control System 1 to the switch 4. An example of this type of facility is a CENTREX line, which allows the transmission of switch control signals in the form of `hookswitch flashes` and touch tones to initiate call-conferencing and call-transfer. A recently available variation of the CENTREX facility is a CENTREX DID trunk, which not only has the `hookflash` capability, but also provides the called number in the form of Direct-Inward-Dialing digits. This is the form of facility 3 which is referred to in the detailed description of the preferred embodiment. Another variation of the CENTREX facility provides the called number via a separate data-link known as Simplified Message Desk Interface (SMDI).

Copending U.S. application Ser. No. 06/841,931, which issued Jan. 9, 1990, as U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,335, incorporated by reference herein, describes in detail a system for controlling the PSTN switch.

In an alternate preferred embodiment, the. switch 4 is part of the Telephone Control System 1. In this embodiment, the facilities 3 need only include standard DID trunks for the incoming calls, and standard outgoing trunks. The access control system 1 controls switch 4 directly, causing it to connect paths between various incoming and outgoing trunks as required.

Again referring to FIG. 1, the Telephone Control System 1 also connects to the PSTN 2 via standard tip-ring phone lines 5, for purposes of communicating with Paging System 6. The Paging System may be any of the commonly known paging systems such as those comprised of transmitters such as Motorola's PACE or Quintron model QT250B and paging terminals such as Glenayre model GL30OOXL or BBL System 3, which send encoded messages via radio frequency to cause a unique pager, or beeper, worn by a paging system subscriber, to sound an alert, produce a message in a display, activate a light, vibrate, or produce any of a variety of other alerting mechanisms. Typically, these paging systems will cause a pager to be alerted in response to another individual dialing a phone number which corresponds to that individual's pager. This phone number is routed via the PSTN 2 to a paging terminal via facilities 7, which in turn determines, typically via DID digits, who the call is intended for, and then sends a radio frequency message to alert that individual's pager. To cause a subscriber's pager to be activated, the Telephone Control System 1 then need only come off hook on one of the lines 5, and dial the phone number that corresponds to the subscriber's pager. Although not described in this preferred embodiment, it is anticipated that the Telephone Control System 1 could also interface to a paging system directly via a dedicated data link.

An additional facility 5 connects the Telephone Control System 1 to the PSTN 2. This facility is a trunk which provides the Automatic Number Identification (ANI) of the calling party. An example of such a trunk is the Feature Group D (FGD) trunk which is commonly used by interexchange carriers. The interexchange carriers use the ANI information to properly bill the calling party. The Telephone Control System 1 uses this ANI information in a new and different manner. As will be described in further detail herein, subscribers of the Telephone Control System 1 may program the Telephone Control System 1 by calling it through trunking facilities 5. The access control system 1 automatically acquires the ANI, or phone number of the calling party. This allows the access control system 1 to program the forwarding number for the subscriber without the subscriber needing to manually enter it. Although not described in the preferred embodiment, it is anticipated that other types of facilities which provide ANI information may also be used for this purpose. An example of another type of facility which provides ANI is a CENTREX line with an SMDI data link, which is now available from several types of central offices. The SMDI data link is capable of passing both the called party number and the calling party number (ANI).

Still referring to FIG. 1, The Telephone Control System 1 is also connected to a Packet Radio Transmitter/Receiver 9 via data-link 10. The Packet Radio Transmitter/Receiver 9 may consist of any of the commonly known radio transceivers such as YAESU FT-470 and 1COM IC-u 4AT, equipped with a packet radio interface such as HEATHMT HK-21. As will be described in further detail herein, the Packet Radio Transmitter/Receiver 9 is used by the Telephone Control System 1 to interface. with the portable Communicator device 11, carried by an Telephone Control System subscriber. The Communicator 11 may both send and receive DATA messages via radio frequency. The Communicator 11 may also receive ultrasonic messages from fixed ultrasonic transmitter 12, shown located in room 13. Ultrasonic transmitter 12 continuously transmits the phone number, and, if appropriate, the extension, of the phone 14 located in the same room or a signal indicating an appropriate call control mode for a given situation such as do not disturb in a hospital operating room. It should be noted that, although the preferred embodiment disclosed herein describes transmitter 12 as ultrasonic, it is anticipated that an infrared transmitter may also be used. The ultrasonic transmitter has the advantage that it will pass signals through a layer of clothes, which would be important for example if the subscriber were carrying the Communicator 11 in a shirt pocket.

To aide in the discussion of the illustrative examples which follow, FIG. 1 also shows a subscriber's home 15, with a home phone 16; a subscribers office 17, with an office phone 18; a cellular telephone system 19, which interfaces to a subscriber's car-phone 20; a factory 21, with a factory phone 22; a pay telephone 23; a subscriber 24 with pager 25; and a caller's telephone 26.

The illustrative examples which follow are intended only to clarify some of the concepts, features, and objects of the invention, and do not define the scope of the invention. In the examples, the greetings include the phrase "ACCESSLINE". It should be understood that the phrase "ACCESSLINE" is a registered trademark of AccessLine Technologies, Inc., and therefore those practicing the present invention will need to select alternate terminology if they are not licensed to use that phrase.

Methods of Call-Handling

Following are several illustrative examples of.the various call-handling modes of the Telephone Control system 1.

Direct Forwarding

For the sake of this example, assume that a caller at phone 26 wishes to speak to a subscriber to the access control system 1, and further assume that the subscriber is at home 15, and that he has preprogrammed the system to `direct forward` his calls to him at his home phone 16. The caller dials the access number for the subscriber, and the PSTN delivers the call to the Telephone Control System 1 via facilities 3. The facilities 3 provide the access control system 1 with the called party information (DID) digits. The Telephone Control System then refers to it's internal database to determine how to handle the call. The access control system determines that calls for this subscriber are to be handled via `direct forwarding` mode, and that the call is to be forwarded to the subscriber's home. The access control system then dials the subscriber's home on an outgoing facility 3, and instructs the switch 4 to connect the incoming facility to the outgoing facility to complete the call. The PSTN 2 then delivers the call to home phone 16, causing it to ring, and the subscriber may pick up the phone and connect to the caller. Note that this mode of call-handling is referred to as `direct forwarding` because the call is forwarded without any announcement or prompting from the Telephone Control System 1.

Announced Forwarding

Assume again that a caller at phone 26 wishes to speak to a subscriber to the Telephone Control System 1. Also assume that the subscriber is at home 15, and that this time he has preprogrammed the system to `Announce-forward` his calls to him at his home phone 16. Again, the caller dials the access number for the subscriber, and the PSTN delivers the call to the Telephone Control System 1 via facilities 3. Upon receiving the DID digits for this subscriber, the Telephone control System 1
determines that calls for this subscriber are to be handled via `announced forwarding` mode, and that the call is to be forwarded to the subscriber's home. The access control system then plays a brief greeting to the caller: "Hello, you have reached the **ACCESSLINE** for Mr. Jones. We're Connecting your call." The Telephone Control System then dials the phone number for phone 16 on an outgoing facility 3, and instructs the switch 4 to connect the incoming facility to the outgoing facility to complete the call. The PSTN 2 then delivers the call to home phone 16, causing it to ring, and the subscriber may pick up the phone and connect to the caller.

Forwarding with Page

Assume again that a caller at phone 26 wishes to speak to a subscriber to the Telephone Control System 1. Also assume again that the subscriber is at home 15, and that this time he has preprogrammed the system to `Forward with page` his calls to him at his home phone 16. Again, the caller dials the access number for the subscriber, and the PSTK delivers the call to the Telephone Control System 1 via facilities 3.

Upon receiving the DID digits for this subscriber, the access control system 1 determines that calls for this subscriber are to be handled via `forward with page` mode, and that the call is to be forwarded to the subscriber's home. The access control system then plays a brief greeting to the caller: "Hello, you have reached the **ACCESSLINE** for Mr. Jones. We are sending a page to inform your party of the call. Please stay on the line." The Telephone Control System 1 then dials the phone number for the pager corresponding to this subscriber and informs the caller "We have sent a page to alert your party and will connect you momentarily." The access control system then dials the phone number for phone 16 on an outgoing facility 3, and instructs the switch 4 to connect the incoming facility to the outgoing facility to complete the call. The PSTN 2 then delivers the call to home phone 16, causing it to ring, and the subscriber may pick up the phone and connect to the caller. The subscriber, having been alerted to the incoming call by his pager, was ready to receive it.

Message Center

In some cases the subscriber may not be able to take calls and may wish that his callers simply leave a message. In these cases, the subscriber may program the access control system 1 to connect calls to the subscriber's preselected `message center`. The Telephone Control System 1 may connect calls to either an `internal message center` or an `external message center`. The `external message center` is simply a phone number that the Telephone Control System 1 will forward calls to if in this mode. This may be the phone number for an answering service, a receptionist, a voice mail system, or any other appropriate location as desired by the subscriber. If the subscriber elects to use the `internal message center`, then an example of a typical call may be as follows.

Assume that a caller at phone 26 wishes to speak to a subscriber to the Telephone Control System 1. Also assume that the subscriber does not wish to be disturbed and that he has preprogrammed the system to `internal message center` mode. The caller dials the access number for the subscriber, and the PSTU delivers the call to the Telephone Control System 1 via facilities 3. Upon receiving the DID digits for this subscriber, the Telephone Control System 1 determines that calls for this subscriber are to be handled via `internal message center` mode. The Telephone Control System then plays a brief greeting to the caller: "Hello, you have reached the **ACCESSLINE** for Mr. Jones. Your party is not readily available at the moment, however we will connect you to your party's message center where you may leave a detailed message . . . . . Please leave your message at the tone." The Telephone Control System 1 then records the callers message and saves it for later playback by the subscriber. In addition, should the subscriber have so elected, the access control system 1 may dial the phone number corresponding to the subscriber's pager, to alert the subscriber to the message.

Priority-Call Screening

Assume again that a caller at phone 26 wishes to speak to a subscriber to the Telephone Control System 1. This time assume that the subscriber is at his office 17, and that he has preprogrammed the system to send his calls to him at his office via `priority call-screening`, with a message asking the caller to ask for extension 123, which in this example is the extension number of the phone 18 on his desk. Again, the caller at phone 26 dials the access number for the subscriber, and the PSTN 2
delivers the call to the access control system 1 via facilities 3. Upon receiving the DID digits for this subscriber, the Telephone Control System 1 determines that calls for this subscriber are to be handled via `priority call-screening` mode, and that the call is to be forwarded to the subscriber's office. The access control system 1 then plays a brief greeting to the caller: "Hello, you have reached the **ACCESSLINE** for Mr. Jones. Your party is not readily available at the moment. If this call is urgent then please touch 0 now and we will attempt to connect you to your party. Otherwise, please hold the line and we will connect you to your party's message center where you may leave a detailed message." If the caller does not touch 0, then the call is delivered to the `message center` as described above. If the caller does touch 0, then the Telephone Control System 1 may inform the caller: "Please standby while we connect your call. When the call is answered please ask for extension number
123." The access control system then dials the preprogrammed lead phone number for the subscriber's office 17 on an outgoing facility 3, and instructs the switch 4 to connect the incoming facility to the outgoing facility to complete the call. The PSTN
2 then delivers the call to the receptionist at office 17, causing it to ring. When the receptionist answers, the caller will ask for extension 123, as he was instructed by access control system 1, and the receptionist may connect the call to the subscriber's desk phone 18.

VIP Code Screening

Assume again that a caller at phone 26 wishes to speak to a subscriber to the Telephone Control System 1. This time assume that the subscriber is in his car, and that he has preprogrammed the system to send his calls to him at his car-phone 20
via `VIP code-screening`. In this mode, only those callers who have been told a special VIP code will be able to reach the subscriber. All other callers will be sent to the message center. Again, the caller at phone 26 dials the access number for the subscriber, and the PSTN 2 delivers the call to the Telephone Control System 1 via facilities 3. Upon receiving the DID digits for this subscriber, the access control system 1 determines that calls for this subscriber are to be handled via `VIP code-screening` mode, and that the call is to be forwarded to the subscriber's car phone 20. The Telephone Control System 1 then plays a brief greeting to the caller: "Hello, you have reached the **ACCESSLINE** for Mr. Jones. Your party is not readily available at the moment. Please enter your VIP code now, or hold the line and we will connect you to your party's message center where you may leave a detailed message." If the caller does not enter the correct VIP code, then the call is delivered to the `message center` as described above. If the caller does enter the VIP code, then the Telephone Control System 1 may inform the caller: "Please standby while we connect your call." The Telephone Control System then dials the telephone number for car-phone 20 on an outgoing facility 3, and instructs the switch 4 to connect the incoming facility to the outgoing facility to complete the call. The PSTN 2 then delivers the call to the cellular telephone system 19, which in turn delivers the call to the car-phone 20.

Voice-Screening

Assume again that a caller at phone 26 wishes to speak to a subscriber of the Telephone Control System 1. This time assume that the subscriber, Mr. Jones, is visiting his client's factory 21, and that he has preprogrammed the system to send his calls to him at this location via `voice-screening`. Again, the caller at phone 26 dials the access number for the subscriber, and the PSTN 2 delivers the call to the access control system 1 via facilities 3. Upon receiving the DID digits for this subscriber, the Telephone Control System 1 determines that calls for this subscriber are to be handled via `voice-screening` mode, and that the call is to be forwarded to his client's factory 21. The access control system 1 then plays a brief greeting to the caller: "Hello, you have reached the **ACCESSLINE** for Mr. Jones. Please state your name and the purpose of your call at the tone. After the tone, please stay on the line while we attempt to locate your party and connect your call." The access control system 1 then records the caller's name and business, and then responds: "Thank you, please standby." The access control system then dials the telephone number for factory 21 on an outgoing facility 3, leaving the incoming call on hold. The PSTN
2 then delivers the outgoing call to the lead telephone number of factory 21, which is answered by the factory's receptionist. The Telephone Control System tells the receptionist "We have a call holding for Mr. Jones. Please locate the party." The receptionist pages Mr. Jones via the factory's speaker system, informing him of the call. Mr. Jones then answers the call at phone 22, and enters his Personal Identification Number (PIN) code. The access control system 1 then plays back the callers name and business. The Telephone Control System 1 then asks Mr. Jones: "Please touch 1 to connect the call, 2 to send the-caller away, or 3 to send the caller to your message center." In this example, Mr. Jones wishes to speak to the caller, so he touches 1. The Telephone Control System 1 instructs the switch 4 to connect the incoming facility to the outgoing facility to complete the call.

Branch-Routing

Assume again that a caller at phone 26 wishes to speak to a subscriber of the Telephone Control System 1. This time assume that the subscriber is not a person, but a business; the ABC Factory company 21, and that the Telephone Control System 1
has been preprogrammed to handle their calls via `branch-routing` mode. Again, the caller at phone 26 dials the access number for the subscriber, and the PSTN 2 delivers the call to the Telephone Control System 1 via facilities 3. Upon receiving the DID digits for this subscriber, the Telephone Control-System 1 determines that calls for this subscriber are to be handled via `branch-routing` mode. The Telephone Control System 1 then refers to it's memory and plays a pre-recorded `branch-routing` greeting to the caller: "Hello, you have reached the ABC Factory Company. Please touch 1 to speak to the manufacturing manager, 2 to speak to accounts receivable, 3 to speak to accounts payable, 4 to speak to purchasing, or hold the line to speak to the receptionist." Should the caller need help, he will hold the line for a moment, and the Telephone Control System 1 responds: "Please standby." The Telephone Control System then dials the telephone number for the factory's reception phone 22 on an outgoing facility 3, and instructs the switch 4 to connect the incoming facility to the outgoing facility to complete the call.

Meet-Me

Assume again that a caller at phone 26 wishes to speak to a subscriber to the Telephone Control System 1. This time assume that the subscriber, Mr. Jones, is away from the office today, and that he has preprogrammed the system to handle his calls via `meet-me` mode. Again, the caller at phone 26 dials the access number for the subscriber, and the PSTN 2 delivers the call to the Telephone Control System 1 via facilities 3. Upon receiving the DID digits for this subscriber, the Telephone Control System 1 determines that calls for this subscriber are to be handled via `meet-me` mode. The Telephone Control System 1 then responds by producing audible ringback to the caller, while dialing the phone number for the pager corresponding to this subscriber on facilities 5. The Telephone Control System 1 then plays a brief message to the caller: "Hello, you have reached the **ACCESSLINE** for Mr. Jones. We are paging your party to a phone, please standby. If you are unable to wait you may touch 9 to leave a message. otherwise please hold the line." The Telephone Control System 1 then places the caller on hold and waits for the subscriber to call in. Meanwhile the subscriber 24 has received the page via his pager 25, and is proceeding to pay phone 23 to answer the call. The subscriber dials his own access number and the PSTN 2 delivers the call to the Telephone Control System 1 via facilities 3. The subscriber then enters his own PIN code and is informed "You have a caller holding for you on your meet-me service. Please touch 4 to be connected to the caller." It is also anticipated that if the caller had hung up or left a message in the meantime, that the subscriber would be so informed. Assuming that the caller is still holding, and that the subscriber touches 4, the access control system 1 instructs the switch 4 to connect the incoming facility to the outgoing facility to complete the call.

Methods of Programming

Although various methods of `remotely programmable call forwarding` have been attempted in the prior art, these have proven to have limited widespread appeal due to the complicated and inflexible methods by which the users were required to program the systems. By contrast, the access control system employs a variety of different methods to allow the subscriber to easily and effectively program the operation of the Telephone Control System. Following are several illustrative examples of the various methods a subscriber may employ to program the Telephone Control System 1.

Command Mode

To use the Command Mode method of programming, the subscriber simply dials his own access number from any telephone, and enters his PIN code. The PSTN 2 delivers the call to the Telephone Control System 1 via facilities 3. The Telephone Control System 1 then informs the caller of the current feature which is selected, and then provides the subscriber with a simple menu of options by which he can choose a new feature. For example, in response to the entry of the PIN code, the subscriber may be prompted: "Hello Mr. Jones. Your calls are currently being VIP code screened to your office. Touch 1 to check messages, 2 to change your forwarding number, 3 to select a memory, 8 for advanced features, 9 to make a call, or touch 0 for help." The subscriber may then make his desired selection. Please note that although the preferred embodiment herein discusses the use of touch tone as the signalling method by which the subscriber controls the Command Mode of the access control system, the inventors anticipate that other signalling methods may also be employed, including, but not limited to, rotary dial pulse detection and voice recognition.

Another feature of the Telephone Control System Command Mode allows the subscriber to program `mode memories` which contain the most often used call handling methods for that subscriber. For example, a subscriber may program memory 10 to be announced forwarding to his office, memory 20 to be voice screened forwarding to his home, memory 30 to be message center mode, and so forth.

Weekly Schedule

Subscribers who have some routine to their weekly activities may soon grow weary of constantly calling the Telephone Control System and selecting the same call handling methods at the same time, day after day. For this reason, the weekly schedule feature provides a very real benefit to the subscriber. As an example, let us assume that a subscriber, Mr. Jones, starts work at 8:00 AM every morning, and leaves for home at 5:00 PM in the evening. Let us further assume that he takes an hour for lunch from 12:00 to 1:00 PM each day. The weekly schedule for this subscriber might be pre-programmed into the Telephone Control System's database to be:

______________________________________ DAY TIME MODE MEMORY FEATURE ______________________________________ Mon-Fri 7:30 am 30 Message Center Mon-Fri 8:00 am 10 Announced forwarding to office Mon-Fri 12:00 noon 30 Message center Mon-Fri
1:00 pm 10 Announced forwarding to office Mon-Fri 5:00 pm 20 Voice screen forwarding to home ______________________________________

As calls are received by the Telephone Control System for this subscriber, the Telephone Control System 1 refers to this database and determines the correct call handling method for the day of week and time of day, and delivers the call accordingly.

Another feature of the weekly schedule allows the subscriber to override the weekly schedule should his schedule deviate from the preprogrammed sequence. In this way the subscriber can move freely about his routine activites, and only he needs to program the access control system should his schedule change from the normal.

Feature Timer

To illustrate the use of the Feature Timer capability of the Telephone Control System, assume that a subscriber is visiting a client's office for a one hour appointment, and wishes to have his calls forwarded to him at this location during that time. He may use the Command Mode as described above to select announced forwarding mode and change the forwarding number to be the telephone number of his client's phone. When he leaves he intends to change the the call handling mode back to his message center. However, if the subscriber forgets to call the Telephone Control System as he is leaving the client's office, then the client may still continue to receive calls intended for the subscriber. To overcome this problem, the subscriber may have instead used the Feature Timer function when he first called the access control system when he got to the client's office. In this example, the subscriber could have called the access control system, and used Command Mode to select announced forwarding to his client's office. However, instead of hanging up at that point, he could have activated the Feature Timer, programming it to maintain the current mode for one hour and then automatically change the call handling mode to message center mode. In this way, the subscriber would not have to remember to call the Telephone Control System as he leaves the client's office, and the client would not be bothered with the subscriber's calls after he left.

Programming a Forwarding Number Using ANI

One difficulty in prior art implementations of remotely programmable call forwarding devices, is that it takes quite a few digits for the user to call the system, enter an access code, and then enter the forwarding number. One means by which the invention described herein overcomes this difficulty is by employing special trunks which provide the called party number, also referred to as ANI. To see how this improves the ease of programming, consider the following example. Assume that the subscriber is visiting factory 21, and that this is a location that he does not visit regularly, and therefore does not have it's telephone number preprogrammed into the Telephone Control System 1. Further assume, as was discussed earlier, that the access control system 1 is connected to the PSTN with Feature Group D trunks 8 which provide ANI, and which can be reached by dialing an 800 number. To cause his calls to get to him at the factory 21, the subscriber in this example would pick up telephone 22 and dial the 800 number which corresponds to the Feature Group D trunk. The PSTN 2 would deliver the call to the Telephone Control System 1 and the Telephone Control System 1 would receive the ANI information digits containing the telephone number of telephone 22. The subscriber then need only enter his PIN code and the call handling feature memory he wishes to use, which might be memory 40, announced forwarding. The subscriber could then hang up and the Telephone Control System 1 would program the database to send all calls for that subscriber to telephone 22 via announced forwarding. As should be obvious, the sequence of digits entered by the subscriber was shorter than if he had to actually enter the phone number. It should also be pointed out that another advantage of this method of programming is that the same sequence of digits is used to program the system each time. In other words, if the subscriber went to another location and wanted his calls to be sent to him via announced forwarding, he could pick up a phone and dial the exact same sequence of digits as was described above. This makes the programming of the Telephone Control System less demanding on the subscriber since he only has to memorize one sequence to accomplish this function. It is also anticipated by the inventors that a subscriber to this service may employ a `pocket dialer` preprogrammed with this fixed digit sequence, thereby even further simplifying the ease of programming.

Programming the Telephone Control System using Speed Calling and ANI

A well known service offered by many telephone companies is `Speed Calling`. This service allows users to preprogram often used telephone numbers into memories which can be recalled by dialing a one, two, or three digit code. To see how subscribers can use this service to improve the ease of programming the Telephone Control system, consider the following example. Assume that an Telephone Control System-subscriber, who lives at home 15, has preprogrammed the access control system with his home phone number 16. Let us further assume, as was discussed earlier, that the Telephone Control System 1 is connected to the PSTN 2 with Feature Group D trunks 8 which provide ANI, and which can be reached by dialing an 800 number, and assume further that an entire 800-NNX has been dedicated to this trunk group, in this example 800-999-XXXX. By this invention, the last four digits of the 800 number will be used to signify the mode memory which is being selected. In this example, also assume that the subscriber has preprogrammed his telco speed dialing feature so that the sequence 2# causes the telephone number 1-800-999-0010 to be dialed, and that the sequence 3# causes the telephone number 1-800-999-0011 to be dialed. In this example, when the subscriber picks up telephone 16 and dials 2#, the speed dialing feature will cause the number 1-800-999-0010 to be dialed. The PSTN 2 will deliver the call to the access control system 1 via Feature Group D trunks 8. The access control system
1 will receive the ANI digits, and referring to it's database recognize the call as originating at the home telephone of one of it's subscribers. It then will invoke the preprogrammed mode memory 10 for that subscriber, which in this example might be voice-screened forwarding to his home phone. As a further example, if the subscriber had dialed 3#, the Telephone Control System 1 would have invoked memory 11 for that subscriber.

Communicator

As described earlier, the Communicator is a portable device carried on the subscriber's person. This example demonstrates some of the ways by which the Communicator can simplify the call handling and programming operations for the Telephone Control System subscriber. Still referring to FIG. 1, assume that the subscriber is carrying a communicator 11 on his belt, and that he has just entered room 13. Also assume that he has selected the `automatic phone number` mode of operation for the Communicator 11. When he enters the room, the Communicator 11 detects a signal from the fixed ultrasonic transmitter 12 located near the ceiling. This signal is decoded by the Communicator 11 and is determined to contain a phone number, which in this example happens to correspond to the phone instrument 14 located in the same room 13. Upon receipt of the ultrasonic signal, the Communicator 11 transmits a brief packet message via radio frequency. This message contains the subscriber's access number and the phone number just received form the ultrasonic transmitter 12. This radio frequency message is detected by packet radio transceiver 9 and passed on to the access control system 1 via data link 10. The Telephone Control System 1 then changes the forwarding number for this subscriber to be the new number.

Assume now that a caller at phone 26 wishes to speak to this subscriber. The caller dials the access number for the subscriber, and the PSTN delivers the call to the access control system 1 via facilities 3. Upon receiving the DID digits for this subscriber, the Telephone Control System 1 determines that calls for this subscriber are to be handled via `direct forwarding` mode, and that the call is to be forwarded to the subscriber at telephone 14. The access control system 1 then sends a page message to the packet radio transceiver 9 via data-link 10. The packet radio transceiver 9 in turn transmits a radio frequency packet message to Communicator 11, causing the beeper in the Communicator 11 to alert the subscriber to the incoming call. The Communicator 11 may also then send an acknowledgment message back via radio frequency to the packet radio transceiver 9. Meanwhile, the Telephone Control System 1 has begun to dial the phone number for phone 14 on an outgoing facility 3, and instructs the switch 4 to connect the incoming facility to the outgoing facility to complete the call. The PSTN 2 then delivers the call to phone 14, causing it to ring, and the subscriber may pick up the phone and connect to the caller. Continuing the illustrative example, assume that the subscriber completes the call and leaves the room 13. Communicator 11 detects the loss of signal from ultrasonic transmitter 12, and realizes therefore that the subscriber has left the room and is no longer able to receive calls at this location. The Communicator 11 then transmits a brief packet message via radio frequency. This message contains the subscriber's access number and a special message indicating that no phone number is available and that a default mode memory is to be used for call handling. This radio frequency message is detected by packet radio transceiver 9 and passed on to the Telephone Control System 1 via data link 10. The Telephone Control System 1 then changes the method of call handling for this subscriber to the default mode, which may typically be message center mode. It should be obvious now that if the subscriber were to reenter room 13, or to enter another room with a similar ultrasonic transmitter, that a similar sequence of events would occur causing the calls for this subscriber to be routed to the appropriate room. In this way, without any specific action or effort on the part of the subscriber, his calls will follow him from location to location and be handled automatically and properly.

Another feature of the Communicator allows the subscriber to enter a `manual phone number` mode whereby the Communicator will ignore the messages received from the ultrasonic transmitters, maintaining the last used mode or forwarding number.

Another feature of the Communicator allows the subscriber to select a new method of call-handling by touching keys on the Communicator's keypad. This will cause the Communicator 11 to transmit a `new mode memory request` packet message via radio frequency to the packet radio transceiver, which in turn will send the message to Telephone Control System 1 via data-link 10, causing the Telephone Control System 1 to change the call handling method for that subscriber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the telephone control system 1. The preferred embodiment of the telephone control system 1 consists of a variety of subsystems, or facilities. A Call Processing Facility (CPF) 100 is shown connected to trunks 3. A Pager Dialing Facility (PDF) 105 is shown connected to telephone lines 5. A Subscriber Access Facility (SAF) 110 is shown connected to trunks 8. A Meet-Me Facility (MMF) 115 is shown connected to lines 120. A Communicator Access Facility (CAF) 125 is shown connected to datalink 10. A Client Services Facility (CSF) 130 is also shown. Each ofthese facilities is connected to high speed data network 150.

A block diagram of the Communicator 11 is shown in FIG. 3. The operation of the Communicator 11 is controlled by microprocessor 200, which in the preferred embodiment is a single chip microprocessor containing it's own Read-Only-Memory (ROM) and Random-Access-Memory (RAM). A keypad 205, and display 210 are shown connected to microprocessor 10. A transmit data output port 215 is provided by the microprocessor 200. This transmit data is passed to packet data encoder 220 which formats the data into packets before sending the packets to antenna 230 via radio frequency transmitter 225. Radio frequency receiver 235 receives data packets from antenna 230 and passes them to packet data decoder 240, which removes the packet format and passes the raw received data to the receive data input port 245 on microprocessor 200. Output port 250 may be used to apply a tone signal to beeper driver 255 which supplies sufficient current to drive beeper 260 to produce an alerting sound. A transducer 265, capable of receiving signals in the ultrasonic frequency range, passes these signals to a 40 Kilohertz filter and amplifier 270. The resulting signal is applied to detector 275 which removes the 40 Kilohertz component from the signal and passes the resulting serial data to input port 280 of microprocessor 200. Also shown is a crystal oscillator 285 which controls the timing of all operations of the microprocessor 200. Power for the Communicator 11 is supplied by battery 290. Improvements that currently exist in the ART may be made to the ultrasonic transmitter and detector to enhance its ability to communicate the ultrasonic data in the presence of multi-path echoes. These improvements include, but are not limited to: frequency shift keying; the transmission of synchronized data and the use of a clock recovery logic to extract the clock timing over a long integration period resulting in a clock move resistant to echoes; the use of error detecting and correcting codes; and the use of sampling and voting techniques to determine the correct bit value after multiple samples during a bit period, the bit period being determined by. the clock recovery logic above. In addition, multiple transmitters may be used as a method of obtaining increased coverage and area transmission diversity.

A block diagram of the Ultrasonic Transmitter 12 is illustrated in FIG. 4. Oscillator 300 provides a 40 Kilohertz signal to one input of AND gate 305. The output of crystal oscillator 310 is applied to divider 311 which produces a 75 Hertz signal to the clock input of 6-bit counter 315. The 6 outputs of counter 315 are applied to the address inputs of Read-Only-Memory 320. Memory 320 is pre-programmed with data representing the phone number of the nearest telephone. This data may contain the area code plus seven digits and the extension number if appropriate. With each digit represented by 4 bits, 14 digits and 8 bits of checksum may be transmitted. Only the least significant bits in ROM 320 need be programmed, as the LSB output 325 is used to apply this data to a second input of AND gate 305. As can be seen, the serial data at 325 will continuously output the phone number at a rate of 75 bits per second. AND gate 305 combines the serial data 325 and the 40 Kilohertz signal from oscillator 300 producing a resultant signal which is applied to transducer driver 330. The output of driver 330 is then applied to transducer 335. As should be obvious, the transducer will be generating a 40 Kilohertz signal while the serial data output 325 is high, and will be generating no signal while the serial data output 325 is low. The data is therefore modulated on the 40 Kilohertz carrier at a rate of 75 baud. The 64 bits from the ROM 320 are thus transmitted in a period of
0.853 seconds. This is adequate for the transmission of a phone number and extension. Although this baud rate is relatively low; it has the advantage of reducing the effect of multipath (reflections of the ultrasonic signal arriving at the receiver at different times and phases), and thus improves the reliability of transmission as compared with higher baud rates.

A block diagram of the Call Processing Facility (CPF) 100 is shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 5, CPF trunk interface 400 interfaces the CPF 100 with trunk 3. As was discussed earlier, the preferred embodiment of the telephone control system 1 employs a CENTREX DID trunk. In this embodiment trunk 3 is provided via a
4-wire E&M trunk provisioned with TYPE I signalling, which is well known in the art. This type of trunk provides a 2-wire balanced transmit audio connection, shown terminated by line termination 405. This type of trunk also provides a 2-wire balanced receive audio connection, shown terminated by line termination 410. The E-Lead of trunk 3 is shown connected to the current limiting and overvoltage protection at reference 415. In a similar fashion, the M-Lead of trunk 3 is shown connected to the current limiting and overvoltage protection at reference 420. 2-to-4 wire convertor 425 takes the separate balanced transmit and receive signals from line terminators 405 and 410 and combines them into one single-ended signal at reference 430, which is applied to call processor 435. The E-Lead signal from limiter/protector 415 is passed to current detector 440. As is shown, current detector 440 provides a path for the E-Lead signal through to the negative battery reference of -48 volts at 445. Current Detector 440 also provides an "E-Lead Detect" logic signal indicating the presence of current via the E-lead. This signal is applied to E&M lead control circuit 450. The M-Lead signal for limiter/protector 420 is passed to M-Lead.relay 455. This relay is controlled by an "IM-Lead Control" signal from control circuit 450. By activating or deactivating relay 455, control circuit 450 is able to take the M-Lead on-hook or off-hook, as the M-Lead will be connected either to -48 volts or to ground. The control circuit 450 outputs an "Incoming Call" signal 470 to buffer 460, and outputs a "Loop Status" signal 475 to call processor 435. The control circuit 450 has as additiona