Patent ID: 8175240
Filing Date: 2012-05-08
Classification: H04L,H04M,H04Q

Abstract:
1. A telephone system for use with at least two communication networks, wherein at least a first network is a packet network provisioned for voice over IP (VOIP) and a second network is coupled to at least one of switching facilities of a network comprising edge switches for routing calls from and to subscribers within a local geographic area and switching facilities for routing calls to other edge switches or other switching facilities local or in other geographic areas, the telephone system comprising: a controlling device coupled to at least one of said switching facilities via the second network, said controlling device being accessible by a web server for receiving calling capabilities selected by at least one subscriber, wherein the subscriber is other than one of the calling party and the called party, and the calling capabilities are applied to at least one telephone call made by the calling party to be routed through said at least one of said switching facilities; said controlling device configured to receive a call request made by said calling party intended for a the called party; said controlling device configured to apply at least one calling capability to a call initiated by said call request; said controlling device configured for initiating the call to said called party using a telephone number for the called party, and said controlling device configured to cause a communications path to be completed between said called party and said calling party after said called party has answered said call.