Patent ID: 7359500

Claim:
A method for carrying out predetermined actions by a receiving telecom device, comprising the steps of: providing a data entry device integral with the receiving telecom device; selectively entering and storing by a user by way of the data entry device a first answer string associated with at least a first predetermined event, the first answer string having at least one character, in a programmable and non-volatile memory portion of the receiving telecom device; monitoring a telephone line for an incoming call; accepting incoming calls that meet predetermined appropriateness criteria; signaling a line interface unit to go off-hook; monitoring the off-hook telephone line for the occurrence of at least one predetermined event; accepting events that meet predetermined event criteria; if accepting the first predetermined event, completing a sequence of command steps in accordance with the first answer string stored in the memory portion; and resuming a predetermined mode of operation, wherein the sequence of command steps is effective to accomplish at least one of disabling, enabling, initiating and halting a calling feature.