Patent ID: 7012996

Claim:
A method of directing calls in a telephone network comprising the steps of: receiving a call at a remote location, wherein said remote location is remote with respect to a central location in data communication therewith; if routing information for said call sufficient for completion of desired directing of said call can be determined at said remote location in response to an interaction between a caller and said remote location, then directing said call to a desired extension in accordance with said interaction; and if said routing information for said call sufficient for completion of desired directing of said call cannot be determined at said remote location in response to said interaction, then providing data associated with said call, including data obtained in response to said interaction, to said central location for interaction between the remote location and the central location, said central location being in data communication with a plurality of remote locations including said remote location, and determining automatically at said central location, from said interaction, routing information sufficient for completion of desired directing of said call which remains at said remote location.