Patent ID: 6865403
Filing Date: 2005-03-08
Classification: H04B,H04M

Abstract:
1. A control system coupled externally to a subscriber terminal, the subscriber terminal having a status, the control system comprising, in combination: an actuator that can be selectively actuated by a human; a controller receiving an actuation signal in response to actuation of the actuator; a routine performed by the controller for (i) determining, based at least on the actuation signal and the status of the subscriber terminal, an action to be taken by the subscriber terminal, (ii) generating a directive indicative of the action, and (iii) sending the directive to the subscriber terminal, whereby the subscriber terminal may then take the action in response to the directive; wherein, if the subscriber terminal is on and engaged in a call placed via a voice-activated-dialing platform, then the action comprises the subscriber terminal sending one or more digits to the voice-activated-dialing platform suitable for instructing the voice-activated-dialing platform to disconnect the call but to retain a connection between the voice-activated-dialing platform and the subscriber terminal, whereby another call may then be placed from the subscriber terminal via the voice-activated dialing platform.