Patent ID: 6236716
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
A premises based call parking and paging system that serves a plurality of possible intended recipients, the call parking and paging system comprising:a switch that receives a call from a caller on a telephone number corresponding to a plurality of possible intended recipients, wherein a first set of the plurality of possible intended recipients are assigned telephone extensions that are coupled to the switch, and wherein a second set of the plurality of possible intended recipients are not assigned telephone extensions;a directory system coupled to the switch that interacts with the caller to allow the caller to identify an intended recipient from the plurality of possible intended recipients;a call parking entity coupled to the switch;a paging entity coupled to the switch;wherein, when the intended recipient is one of the first set of the plurality of possible intended recipients, the switch routes the call to a corresponding assigned telephone extension;wherein, when the intended recipient is one of the second set of the plurality of possible intended recipients, the switch routes the call to the call parking entity, the call parking entity automatically parks the call, and the paging entity provides a voice announcement corresponding to the intended recipient of the call;wherein, when the intended recipient is one of the first set of the plurality of possible intended recipients and the intended recipient does not receive the call at the corresponding assigned telephone extension, the switch optionally routes the call to the call parking entity, the call parking entity automatically parks the call, and the paging entity provides a voice announcement corresponding to the intended recipient of the call; andthe call parking entity, upon receipt of a response from the intended recipient, delivering the call to the intended recipient.