Patent ID: 6259692
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
An Internet call-waiting telephony system, comprising:a client computer station comprising a PSTN telephone and a video display unit (VDU), the computer station and the PSTN telephone connected to a single telephone line;a telephony link connecting the client's computer station and the client's public-switched telephony network (PSTN) telephone, on the single line, to a local PSTN switch;a port at the local PSTN switch adapted to receive PSTN telephone calls directed to the client;a status indicator at the PSTN switch indicating the client's Internet connection status; andan IP interface connected to both the PSTN and the Internet;wherein the system, during periods of time that the status indicator indicates the client is Internet-connected, on receiving a PSTN call directed to the client, sends, via the IP interface, an alert signal of the call waiting to an IP address associated with the client, and the computer station provides an alert event comprising one or both of an audio signal and a visual indicia upon receipt of the alert signal, and enables a user-initiated response to the PSTN switch via the IP interface, indicating one of acceptance or refusal of the call waiting.