Patent ID: 7496357
Filing Date: 2009-02-24
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
1. An automated telephone assistant device, comprising: a base unit in communication with an extension control device, the base unit connecting at least one telephone jack to a network interface device, the network interface device in communication with a telephone network, the base unit communicating with the extension control device via a non-audio signal, the extension control device receiving power from a current on a telephone line, the extension control device building up a charge that generates a ring event on the telephone line, at least one of the base unit and the extension control device executing at least a first algorithm, the algorithm entered and modifiable to the base unit by a user through the extension control device, the first algorithm selectively communicating an incoming telephone call received from the telephone network to a selected telephone jack via the base unit, the base unit accessing one or more user-defined rules to select the telephone jack and to route the incoming communication to the selected telephone jack, the base unit further accessing another user-defined rule to prevent routing of the incoming communication to the selected telephone jack such that an idle, selected telephone jack maintains an on-hook state of a telephone line serving the telephone jack during communication of the incoming telephone call to the base unit.