Patent ID: 8488766

Claim:
A method for managing a communications line associated with a plurality of users of a communications network, comprising: receiving first user line management information, for a first user of the communications line, specifying first preferences of the first user for communicating with contacts of the first user included in a first address book, wherein the first preferences identify the contacts of the first user and corresponding procedures for handling calls between the first user and the contacts of the first user; receiving second user line management information, for a second user of the communications line, specifying second preferences of the second user for communicating with contacts of the second user included in a second address book distinct from the first address book, wherein the second preferences identify the contacts of the second user and corresponding procedures for handling calls between the second user and the contacts of the second user; receiving, from the communications network, information regarding a call directed to the communications line; determining a handling procedure for the call based on the received first and second user line management information; and transmitting, to the communications network, instructions regarding the determined handling procedure, such that the communications network handles the call in accordance with the determined handling procedure.