Patent ID: 8718257

Claim:
A system for providing answering services, comprising: a controller inside a public network comprising circuit switched networks and/or packet switched networks, wherein the controller provides call information for an incoming call directed to a user, said call information included in a signal accompanying the incoming call, said signal including an original called number and a redirecting number associated with said user; an answering services provider that receives call information from the controller, the answering services provider including a telephone operator; an answering services provider database, wherein said answering services provider database associates and stores information of said user, said stored user information comprising the manner in which incoming calls to said user should be answered by said telephone operator; wherein said controller forwards said incoming call and said call information to said answering services provider, said forwarded call information including said original called number, said redirecting number, and further including redirection information relating to the forwarding of the incoming call; wherein the call information in the signal is detected by the answering services provider based upon the original called number and/or the redirecting number and without the need to provide, in advance of the incoming call, a unique telephone number or identification code to the user distinct from the original called number and the redirecting number; and wherein said answering services provider uses said call information to access said stored user information and instruct said telephone operator to answer the incoming call in a manner directed by said stored user information.