Patent ID: 6477246
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
A method for providing expanded telecommunication services on a telecommunication system where a call from a first entity to a second entity is placed when the first entity enters a number for the second entity, comprising the steps of:receiving the call from the first entity at a PSTN switch; directing the call and the call information from the switch to a gateway; directing the call and the call information from the gateway to a server; determining whether the computer device of the second entity is communicating with the server; sending a message to the computer device via an Internet Protocol connection indicating the presence of the call and the identifying number of the first entity and the number of the second entity that was entered; and directing the call to one of a plurality of telephonic devices according to the number of the second entity that was entered; wherein the step of directing the call and the call information from the switch to the gateway uses a call directing method selected from the group consisting of busy call forward, no answer call forward, call forward all, and telephone number portability.