Abstract: One or more elements in a telecommunications network (10, 10′ and 10″) receive a call hold-initiating message when a first party places a second party to the call on hold, and in doing so, triggers a call hold event in the network. In response to the call hold-initiating message, the network element may take one or more actions, including releasing one or more network resources and/or providing a service to the second party during the period the call remains on hold. Upon resumption of the call, the network will re-acquire the resources that had been previously released.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and technique for obtaining calling party information where existing “caller-id” techniques do not provide calling party information. Described is a service for a subscriber of a communication medium service for handling incoming calls when the subscriber is connected to the Internet. The techniques give a calling party a chance to provide information to the called party in the form of a voice recording in described circumstances, such as where caller identification information is unavailable if there is an unlisted phone number of a calling party.

Abstract: In a packetized communications system call waiting functionality is expanded to provide for handling of unlimited calls concurrently of one or more service types. When a subscriber is engaged in an ongoing call, incoming calls can be placed on a call queue by a call manager such that bandwidth and other resources are not allocated to a waiting call between the call manager and broadband residential gateway, and thereafter can be accessed by the subscriber in the order received or in the order desired by the subscriber. For subscribers with a device having video display capability, identification information regarding each call in the queue such as service type waiting time and caller identification information may be displayed at the subscriber's premises to allow the subscriber to manage their incoming calls. Also, a particularized tone may be heard to identify the incoming call including its service type.

Abstract: A method to handle an incoming call to a target telephone that is engaged in a present call. A first signal to the target telephone indicates an incoming call, and a second signal to the calling telephone indicates that the target telephone is busy. Another method issues a first signal to a target telephone to indicate an incoming call. A ringback tone is issued to the calling telephone causing a speaker of the calling telephone to provide a ringing sound to the caller. A switch-hook signal from the target telephone indicates a desire of a user of the target telephone to place a party to the present call on hold, and to connect to the incoming call. A busy signal, is issued to the calling telephone causing its speaker to provide a busy sound if the switch-hook signal is not received by the time a variable reaches a predetermined limit.

Abstract: The system for transmitting a change in call queued/hold state across a communications network (termed “call state notification system” herein) functions to provide an indication to the parties on the existing call connection that the calling party has placed the call on hold and/or the call center has advanced the call connection to the head of the queue for connection to an agent. This is accomplished by enabling the calling party to place their call termination on hold to serve another call or to perform some other task without having to physically monitor the call connection. When the calling party removes the hold state at their terminal device, the call center receives a notification of the reconnection of the calling party to the call connection.

Abstract: An incoming call notification apparatus which is capable of notifying an operator of a called terminal of an incoming call received when the terminal was not capable of answering an incoming call. When a terminal calls another terminal which is in use or in communication with still another terminal, an incoming call information storage apparatus stores incoming call information of the incoming call. When the called terminal becomes capable of accepting a call, a call setup message transmission apparatus reads out the stored incoming call information, produces a call setup message containing the incoming call information, and then transmits the call setup message to the called terminal. A disconnect apparatus executes incoming call abortion processing after completion of a calling (ALERT) sequence carried out in response to the call setup message during the incoming call processing.

Abstract: A call waiting indicator comprises a tone detector which is provided in a computer which has a telephony connection. The tone detector receives an input from the telephony connection and identifies or determines a signal which is indicative of a waiting call. An alert generator connected to the tone detector is configured to alert the user of the computer via an output device of the computer that a call waiting signal has been detected. In this way, a user can be connected to the Internet yet still receive a visual or aural alert of the existence of a waiting call. The waiting call can then be taken via a handset, fax machine or via telephony software on the computer.

Abstract: A connector for use in a business telephone system such as a PBX, Key, or other type of system with audio on hold capabilities. The connector eliminates the need for time consuming stripping, splicing, and manual connecting operations typically done by the installation technicians. The connector, thereby, decreases the time necessary to install a business phone system with audio on hold capabilities, and eliminates the hazard of accidental shorting which can cause unwanted down time for the system. The connector directly connects the output from an audio source to the designated location on a telecommunications connecting block and therefore to the KSU of the telephone system, thus allowing a caller on hold to listen to, e.g., music, an advertisement, or the radio.

Abstract: The present invention allows a single trigger, such as a Termination Attempt Trigger, to invoke multiple feature service logic programs (feature SLPs) through the use of a Feature Interaction Manager service logic program (FIM-SLP) installed at a service control point (SCP). A database, accessible by the service control point, contains subscriber information such as the type of services subscribed and the order in which the services are to be invoked. The Feature Interaction Manager service logic program invokes individual feature SLPs based on the information contained in the database that specify how the feature SLPs will interact. In one embodiment, the present invention allows multiple services to be deployed within a common service control point. In a different embodiment, the Feature Interaction Manager service logic program located in a first service control point can also invoke features SLPs that are located in other service control points.

Abstract: When a call is placed to an organization seeking information from a representative of that organization, the call is frequently placed on hold for an extended period of time. After the call is made and the called party's telephone is placed on hold, the caller enters a code signal to place the call on hold. At this instant, both telephones are on hold. At some time after this “Hold On Hold” connection is established when a representative of the organization called answers the telephone and speaks to identify himself, the network identifies the signals as being generated by a live person, and a ring signal is sent to the caller's telephone to alert the caller that the call is no longer on hold.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the system includes a processor (referred to herein as a tandem access controller) connected to the PSTN which would allow anyone to directly provision, that is to say set-up and make immediate changes to, the configuration of his or her phone line. In another embodiment, a tandem access controller (TAC) subsystem is connected internally to the PSTN in a local service area. The TAC provides features, selected by the subscriber, to all edge switches connected to the PSTN tandem switch. In one embodiment, the TAC is controlled by the subscriber using the web.

Abstract: An efficient and effective method and system for providing to a customer an audible call notification of a current call and a subsequently received call waiting call. The present embodiments notify the customer that a current call is waiting in an effective manner that reduces confusion. Confusion is reduced by the combination of audible call waiting indicators and audible caller identification information associated with the calling telephone station. Additionally, both the indicator and the representation of the information can be provided automatically without significant delay. The indication is provided even when standard caller identification information is not available by prompting the caller to provide spoken caller identification information. The spoken caller identification information is provided to the called party along with call disposition options, such as options to accept or reject the call, route the call to voice mail or send a sales refusal message.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are provided for personal telecommunication incoming call screening and alerting for call waiting applications. During a first telecommunication call, the method includes, first, receiving a second telecommunication call, and second, determining a relative priority of the second telecommunication call compared to the first telecommunication call. When the second telecommunication call has a same relative priority or a higher relative priority than the first telecommunication call, the method provides a first level of priority service to the second telecommunication call, such as interrupting the user and providing a distinctive user alert during the first telecommunication call indicative of the same or higher level of priority.

Abstract: A communication device connecting a computer to a data-network correctly recognizes a telecommunication company call-waiting signal, and notifies a user regarding the attempted call. The user is allowed to handle the call-waiting event by performing a sequence of predefined alternative actions in a flexible manner that correspond to the known options supplied by the telecommunication company in respect to the call-waiting event.

Abstract: An efficient and effective method and system for providing to a customer an audible call notification of a current call and a subsequently received call waiting call. The present embodiments notify the customer that a current call is waiting in an effective manner that reduces confusion. Confusion is reduced by the combination of audible call waiting indicators and audible caller identification information associated with the calling telephone station. Additionally, both the indicator and the representation of the information can be provided automatically without significant delay. The indication is provided even when standard caller identification information is not available by prompting the caller to provide spoken caller identification information. The spoken caller identification information is provided to the called party along with call disposition options, such as options to accept or reject the call, route the call to voice mail or send a sales refusal message.

Abstract: In S10, a CPU detects whether the transmission start button 3a has been turned ON to request an automatic facsimile transmission. If so, then the telephone circuit is closed, and a dial tone is transmitted from an exchange system. After waiting three seconds after the dial tone has been received, then in S16, the CPU automatically retrieves an access code from a RAM and dials the access code. Upon receipt of the dial signal, the exchange system will set an interrupt prohibition, which will prohibit interruption during the communication just to be performed. Next in S20, the CPU retrieves a remote facsimile number from the RAM and dials the remote facsimile number. Once the line is connected with the remote facsimile machine, image information is transmitted from the facsimile machine to the remote facsimile machine in S22.

Abstract: Processing a call from a calling party at a calling communication station to a called communication station includes detecting signalling information for the call, including determining whether standard caller identification for the calling communication station can be provided to the called communication station and detecting a privacy level selected by a called party at the called communication station. The call is routed in response to the signalling information and the privacy level.

Abstract: Reliable detection of a call-waiting tone is provided by employing a correlation based technique. A modem or other device employing such a technique need not rely on carrier drop detection and is generally insensitive to other energy or noise on the line.

Abstract: A switching system includes an interrupt notification unit which enables a first telephone, when a dial tone is being sent to the first telephone prior to dialing of a phone number of a second telephone, to notify its user of an incoming call from a third telephone. An interrupt call control unit enables a connection between the first telephone and the third telephone to be established when a predetermined number for accepting the incoming call is dialed on the first telephone after the notification of the incoming call.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a music-on-hold service to an originating subscriber requesting a call connection to a busy terminating subscriber in a key telephone system, using an external music-on-hold source coupled to a previously selected central office line port of a central office line circuit to provide a pre-recorded melody.

Abstract: A modem (34, 40) at a customer premises (14, 38) and a switch at an exchange (12, 50) are modified to allow a data session (102, 202) supported on a dedicated wireline communication resource (16) to be optionally terminated (110), but preferably suspended (114, 218), upon detection of a subsequently placed voice call (104, 204) on the dedicated wireline communication resource (16). Before termination of a data session, a user either selects a termination option or is provided with an in-call option to terminate the data session, with the voice call then switched (122) to the dedicated wireline communication resource (16). The data session is therefore cleared down rather than lost through connection corruption. Alternatively, the modem (34, 40) and the exchange (50) interact to silence modem transmissions therebetween, whilst retaining a data connection (20) between the exchange (12, 50) and an end-point data service provider (ISP, 18).

Abstract: In a multimedia communications system (100) that provides for two-way interactive calls, multimedia data is provided to callers when interactive calls are placed on hold. When a user places a call over the network (202), a determination is made as to whether or not the destination is available. If the destination is not available, the caller is placed on hold (204). While on hold, the user is invited to accept multimedia data, including, for example, a cartoon, interactive game, information, advertisement or the like (206). If the user accepts the invitation (208), bearer channels are set up to send the multimedia data (212). The user may end the multimedia session if the destination becomes available or may continue the multimedia session during and after the voice call to the destination.

Abstract: A system and method for providing communication assistance service based call alerting to an on-line data network user who has not pre-subscribed for automated data network call notification service, and connecting an incoming call at the on-line user's request. Initially, a Trunk Offering feature request or a call completion request to an on-line data network user is received at a voice network operator position system manned by either a live or automated communication assistance service entity, and which runs a service package application software program. The caller is prompted for caller information and a call alert charging strategy is established. The communication assistance service entity then requests that the on-line user be notified of the call request via the data network. After the online user is determined to be available for call alerting, the call alert charging strategy is implemented.

Abstract: A telephone user sets up a “personalized” menu identifying a set of information options from which he or she desires to select when placed on-hold in a telephone system. The user's personal preferences are then saved. When the party later makes a call to a telephone system or is called, and then is placed on-hold, the party's telephone service provider or local equipment accesses the user's personalized menu and offers the one or more information options as defined in the menu. In an illustrative embodiment, the personalized menu options are voiced over the telephone line and the user then makes selections using keypad (i.e. DTMF signaling) or voice input. A response may be interrupted to make another menu selection, or to repeat the current response. If the response being played has not completed when the other party returns, that response is suspended and may be completed when the user is placed back on hold or the call is completed.

Abstract: A method and system of processing a call from a calling party to a called party are provided to enable selective call waiting which involves determining whether the called party is busy on another call; receiving a password from the calling party; and providing a call waiting signal to the called party only if the password corresponds to at least one predefined password associated with the called party.

Abstract: When a public switched telephone network (PSTN) subscriber (28) is occupying their telephone link to connect a personal computer to a computer network, the method provides automatic redirection of an incoming call to said telephone link to a subscriber proxy (38) connected to the PSTN (30) for producing audio interaction with the caller. The subscriber proxy is also connected to said computer network and is capable of sending and receiving messages over said computer network to the subscriber's computer thereby providing the subscriber with a capability to receive notification on said computer of the PSTN call attempt. Optionally, the subscriber has a further capability to interact with said computer to operate the proxy to control and interact with the incoming voice telephone call while the subscriber continues to occupy their telephone link connecting their computer to the computer network.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided in which an incoming call directed to a first subscriber's communication device is received from a first caller. Upon detecting that the first subscriber's communication device is in use, it is determined whether call waiting interruption is allowed for the incoming call based upon one or more call waiting activation criteria. If call waiting interruption is allowed for the incoming call, a current user of the first subscriber's communication device is notified of the incoming call.

Abstract: A method for providing IN services in a network which use one or more network resources and can be triggered via suitable activated triggers in the network, the triggers being activated via an open network interface, and a network system having an intelligent network and at least one open network interface which can be used to activate triggers in the intelligent network which can trigger services which can be provided by the intelligent network.

Abstract: A method of providing media content, such as music and video, to callers on hold involves the generation of the media content locally in the environment of the held caller, rather than the transmission of the content over the network. The local call server of the held caller is signalled when the call has been placed on hold by the server which has placed the call on hold. The caller's server then activates a music-on-hold server (or other media content generator) to provide the media content directly to the caller's telephony terminal. The advantage of this is that the media content is not transmitted across the network, allowing a higher bandwidth to be used locally for the media content without utilising wide area network resources. This results also in the media content being provided in a higher quality format to the caller, avoiding the loss of quality associated with transmitting music using compressive voice codecs over packet-based networks.

Abstract: A method for placing a call intended for an enhanced network user on hold is disclosed. A calling party is enabled to select the type of information which is provided to the calling party while the calling party is on hold by using a Distributed Feature Network (DFN) architecture. The DFN includes a plurality of feature boxes with each feature box being created for the purpose of enabling a particular communication feature. A call intended for one of a group of ENUs is received by the DFN and an estimated hold time is determined for the call. The hold time is communicated to a caller associated with the call and the caller is provided with a list of options for information to be received by the caller while the caller is on hold. The caller's selection of a hold option is received by the DFN. A feature box is created for providing the caller with the selected information option, and the call is connected to the created feature box.

Abstract: An Advanced Internet Call Session Manager service system allows a service subscriber to screen telephone calls while connected to the Internet with improved efficiency. In the preferred embodiment, only for those callers who enter a Personal Identification Number established by the subscriber, and only if other calling ID and screening criteria established by the subscriber are met, will an incoming call (while the subscriber is connected to the Internet) be treated as an Internet Call Waiting call (which the subscriber may choose to connect to or ignore). No other calls disturb the subscriber's usage of the Internet. That is, the subscriber does not receive any pop-up messages or audio reminders. A log (including any voice messages) is kept of all incoming calls—whether or not they were presented as Internet Call Waiting calls—for later review by the subscriber.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling call notification for a user of a telephonic device, such as a telephone, computer or video conference system, include forming a notification message having content-specific information relating to the subject matter of interest to the calling party. Preferably, the notification message also includes caller identification. In one embodiment, the application of the method is restricted to call-waiting circumstances, but this is not critical. The content-specific information is acquired using automated processes, such as interactive voice recognition. Voice responses are converted to a proper text format for presentation on a display of the target telephonic device. The display of the notification message presents the content-specific information in a nonintrusive manner. The called party is thereby able to form an informed decision as to whether to answer the incoming call, interrupt an ongoing call, or forward the call and/or the notification message to a mailbox.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and system for processing a telephone call to an on-line subscriber, when the subscriber telephone line is busy as a result of the on-line connection. The subscriber sets an on-line state, the state being available-for-incoming-calls or not-available-for-incoming-calls. Once the subscriber sets the on-line state, telephone calls to the subscriber telephone number while the subscriber is on-line are processed according to the on-line state. As examples, if the state is available-for-incoming-calls, the subscriber is notified of the incoming call and the call is processed according to the subscriber's instructions. If the state is not-available-for-incoming-calls, messaging according to the subscriber's preset instructions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, communication system, and Internet Call Waiting/Holding (ICW/H) server for providing internet call waiting service without dropping the connection between a computer and an Internet Service Provider (ISP). A computer, via a modem or the like, initiates an internet call waiting connection between the computer and the ISP via a switch. The ISP assigns a dynamic Internet Protocol (IP) address to the computer for the internet call waiting connection. The computer sends the directory number and the dynamic IP address of the computer to an Internet Call Waiting/Holding (ICW/H) server, which stores them. The ICW/H server sends a message to the switch indicating that the call waiting service is active. The switch, upon receiving an incoming call request intended for the computer while the internet call waiting connection is active, routes the incoming call request to the ICW/H server.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for accessing originating central office equipment to control the disclosure of a calling party directory telephone number and/or name (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “DN” or “directory telephone number with a corresponding name”) to a called party who subscribes to Caller ID service or to any other Custom Local Area Switching System (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “CLASS”) service which discloses the calling party DN to the called party by performing a desired one of a plurality of automatic and/or manual calling operations. The apparatus and method are also for receiving, displaying and storing to memory a calling party DN sent from terminating central office equipment via a voice channel of a called party busy or idle telephone line in response to the receipt of the calling party flagged “public” DN sent from originating central office equipment to which the calling party telephone line is connected.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and system for processing a telephone call to an on-line subscriber, when the subscriber telephone line is busy as a result of the on-line connection. The subscriber sets an on-line state, the state being available-for-incoming-calls or not-available-for-incoming-calls. Once the subscriber sets the on-line state, telephone calls to the subscriber telephone number while the subscriber is on-line are processed according to the on-line state. As examples, if the state is available-for-incoming-calls, the subscriber is notified of the incoming call and the call is processed according to the subscriber's instructions. If the state is not-available-for-incoming-calls, the caller may be informed and the call is forwarded to another number or sent to messaging according to the subscriber's preset instructions.

Abstract: A caller-controlled barge-in telephone service, managed by telephone systems, intercepts telephone calls directed to instantly busy telephone lines predesignated as objects of this service, and: 1) verifies that the called line is a respectively predesignated object of this service and that the caller is entitled to invoke the service relative to that line; and 2) forms a bridging connection between the caller and parties to a telephone call instantly busying the called line. Verification that a caller is entitled to the service can be implemented by playing a voice announcement requesting the caller to speak or key in an authorization code. If the caller fails to respond or returns an invalid code, the caller is either disconnected or transferred to a voice mail service. Disconnection of the caller may be preceded by a voice announcement (e.g. a spoken “goodbye”).

Abstract: The present invention has the purpose of realizing an infallible in-call incoming signal notification incoming signal notification service with this erroneous action eliminated to the extent possible.

Abstract: In a communication system wherein a communication connection is established between a communication apparatus of a first subscriber and a communication apparatus of a second subscriber, a method of terminating the communication connection by a subscriber placed on hold comprises the steps of displaying to the on hold subscriber a prompt to leave a message; in response to selection of the prompt, recording the message left by the on hold subscriber; transmitting the message to the other subscriber; terminating the communication connection; and providing a visual indication to the other subscriber that the communication connection has been terminated by the on hold subscriber and that the on hold subscriber has sent a message. A method of signifying one of the subscriber's desire to return to a communication connection when the communication connection has been placed on hold is also provided.

Abstract: A method of and system for enhanced call waiting in a telecommunications network in which the handling of an incoming call is based on a set of user preferences. When a request for completing an incoming telephone call to a destination number is received, the system determines whether the destination number is busy. If the destination number is not busy, the system completes the telephone call to the destination number. If, however, the destination number is busy, the system determines whether the incoming telephone call corresponds to several parameters contained in one or more sets of user preferences. These parameters may include: whether the set is activated; the source of the incoming call; and the date and time of the incoming call. If the incoming telephone call does not correspond to any of these parameters, the incoming telephone call is handled with call waiting.

Abstract: A called party is engaged in a first communication with a third party. A calling party then makes a call to the called party while the first communication is ongoing and a call waiting indication is provided to the calling party. Responsive thereto, an identifying signal is selected by the calling party and sent to the called party to announce that the calling party is waiting. The identifying signal may be a tone, sound, or voice message. The called party may respond to the identifying signal by taking the call, dropping the call, or diverting the calling party to an alternative destination, such as voice mail or some call forwarding destination.

Abstract: A method for placing a call intended for an enhanced network user on hold is disclosed. A calling party is enabled to select the type of information which is provided to the calling party while the calling party is on hold by using a Distributed Feature Network (DFN) architecture. The DFN includes a plurality of feature boxes with each feature box being created for the purpose of enabling a particular communication feature. A call intended for one of a group of ENUs is received by the DFN and an estimated hold time is determined for the call. The hold time is communicated to a caller associated with the call and the caller is provided with a list of options for information to be received by the caller while the caller is on hold. The caller's selection of a hold option is received by the DFN. A feature box is created for providing the caller with the selected information option, and the call is connected to the created feature box.

Abstract: The invention is a method of receiving digital data from a Local Switching Office (LSO) on first party equipment that is communicating, in an off-hook state, via the LSO with second party equipment. The method presumes that the first party equipment has a telephone line interface that interfaces with a telephone line and an acoustic transducer interface with a loudspeaker and a microphone.

Abstract: A call management system provides an Internet call management service that permits a subscriber to receive information about incoming calls, and provides a personal message to the caller over a voice channel. The caller may be given a personal notification, as a spoken audio message that includes the callers's name, advising the caller that a personal message is forthcoming and requesting that the caller stand by to receive the personal message. The subscriber enters the personal message as text, which is transmitted over a data channel to the call management system. The call management system converts the text message into speech, and then “reads” the message as a spoken, audio message to the caller, using the voice channel over which the call was received by the call management system.

Abstract: A system (10) and method (40) for providing audible caller information to telephone service subscribers is presented. The system (10) includes a pre-processor (28) that converts textual caller information from a first data format to a second data format suitable for text-to-speech synthesis (TTS). The pre-processor (28) can be incorporated in a service node/intelligent peripheral (SN/IP) (24) in an advanced intelligent network (AIN). In this configuration, the pre-processor (28) can be used to convert caller-ID with name database entries into a predetermined TTS format. The TTS formatted information can be provided to a TTS synthesized (30) included in the SN/IP (24). In conjunction with a switching service point (SSP) (20), the pre-processor (28) can provide a talking call-waiting feature to subscribers with significantly improved intelligibility.

Abstract: The present invention involves a call-waiting apparatus. The apparatus includes a line connector for connection to an incoming telephone line, a phone connector for connection to a telephone handset, and a modem/fax connector for connection to a computer modem or fax machine. The apparatus also includes a controller coupled to the line connector, phone connector, and the modem connector. The controller includes an automatic mode in which upon detecting a call-waiting signal from an incoming communication the controller automatically causes a connection between the line connector and the modem/fax connector to be changed to a connection between the line connector and the phone connector. The controller may also include a manual mode in which upon detecting a call-waiting signal from an incoming communication, the controller actuates one or more alarms indicating an incoming communication.

Abstract: A system for a web-based call center to provide assistance to multiple simultaneous customers. The system includes at least one external communication pathway through which a customer can submit a request to the enterprise contact center. The enterprise contact center includes a pool of agents that can provide information in response to requests submitted by customers. The system also includes a software engine that routes and schedules customer request to available agents via internal communication pathways. Agents can view customer data on a user interface. The customer data can aid the agents in providing information to the customers. Agents can multi-task by providing assistance to multiple customers at one time. Agents can respond to customer requests using web and telephone communication pathways.

Abstract: The present invention affords a predefined class of authorized users of the PSTN (public switched telephone network) access to extended telephone services through public communication networks external to the PSTN, the latter networks including the web and Internet. Authorized users in the predefined class can receive the extended services at residences, offices, and locations remote from both residences and offices. Authorized users can activate respective extended services through the external networks, and can do so without having to communicate with telephone company, representatives. Resource management intelligence of the PSTN is adapted to link to the external networks for communicating with and delivering extended telephone services to the authorized users. Extended telephone services include variations of presently standard telephone services such as call waiting, caller ID, call forwarding facsimile image transmittal, voice mail, etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to inform an online computer user of the presence of an incoming telephone call without disturbing an associated modem connection is disclosed. A device is connected to a telephone line, modem and telephone set, and utilizes a call waiting service provided by the telephone company. Upon detection of a call waiting signal the device generates a four second warbling tone to a piezoelectric sounder alerting the user to the presence of an inbound telephone call. The user may answer or ignore the telephone call. Caller identifiers included in incoming calls may be used to alert the user of the origin of the incoming call before the user decides to accept or ignore the call. When the device determines that the user has lifted the telephone set, it places the modem on hold, generates a signal displayed as a colored LED display, connects the telephone to the incoming tip/ring connection, thus establishing a connection to the caller.

Abstract: A telephone routing system which provides notification to subscribers that an incoming telephone call has been received. In particular, the system is directed toward subscribers who employ their telephone line in order to establish a connection over the Internet. In the situation where an incoming call is received during an Internet session, the routing system provides notification to the subscriber that the call has been received. In particular, when the incoming call is received, an interactive screen display may appear on the subscriber's computer through use of the subscriber's PC software. The subscriber may be provided a selection of options on how the call should be routed. Once the instructions are received from the subscriber, the system routes the call accordingly.