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: 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: 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, in situations wherein the users have only a single telephone line that is shared for receiving both extended telephone services and standard telephone services, and wherein the extended services are deliverable while the shared line is connected to the external network. The shared line can be a line serving a residence or business establishment containing equipment for communicating through the external network(s) and equipment used in standard telephony (e.g. standard telephones, standard facsimile receivers, standard computer fax modems, etc.). The extended services can be activated automatically, by interaction between users and computer intelligence in the PSTN, without assistance from human representatives of the PSTN.

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: The present method provides a technique for real-time monitoring of charges for using a communication network service, thereby enabling a user to continuously know the charges incurred during each usage. The user also is able to define a charge limit prior to using the service and the usage terminates automatically when the accumulated charge reaches that limit. The present method is particularly adapted to monitoring charges associated with a telephone conference call.

Abstract: A billing system and method is disclosed for a telephone system comprising at least one central office switching system, wherein a peripheral subsystem is connected to the central office switching systems via a call connection channel, the peripheral subsystem comprising means for providing at least one auxiliary call processing capability via the call connection channel. The a billing system comprises: a billing generation means running on said peripheral subsystem for generating billing data related to said auxiliary call processing capability; a collecting means for collecting said billing data; formatting said billing data to a specified formatted output and outputting said formatted output to said central office communication network.

Abstract: The disclosure allows for creation of special web-page repositories within subsystems of the present PSTN (public switched telephone network) that conform to present architectures for advanced intelligent network (AIN) constructs in telephony. Such repositories would be formed to receive facsimile (fax) telephone transmissions, convert them to HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) web page format, store the converted results and render the latter available for viewing simultaneously--under control of PSTN call management intelligence--to multiple users of the Internet and World Wide Web subject to authorization of would be viewers by the sending party.