Patent ID: 7551725
Filing Date: 2009-06-23
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
1. A method of monitoring calls routed to a voice mail system, comprising: receiving an incoming communication request from a calling party directed to a directory number of a subscriber, wherein the directory number is associated with a plurality of telecommunications units to be simultaneously rung; placing outgoing communication requests to the plurality of telecommunications units, in response to the incoming communication request; determining whether the incoming communication request should be forwarded to the voice mail system; if the incoming communication request should be forwarded to the voice mail system, then dropping each of the outgoing communication requests and setting up a first communication between the calling party and the voice mail system; providing a notification to each of the plurality of telecommunications units that the first communication between the calling party and the voice mail system has been set up; receiving an indication from at least one telecommunications unit to connect with the first communication between the calling party and the voice mail system; and in response to receiving the indication from the at least one telecommunications unit, setting up a second communication between the calling party, the voice mail system, and the at least one telecommunications unit.