Telephonic communications – Special services – Abbreviated dialing or direct call
Reexamination Certificate
1997-10-10
2001-05-08
Smith, Creighton (Department: 2742)
Telephonic communications
Special services
Abbreviated dialing or direct call
C379S201060, C379S207030
Reexamination Certificate
active
06229885
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a method for providing a private exchange functionality to a remote terminal. More specifically, the invention is directed to a method which provides remote emulation of the functionality of a private branch exchange including such features as: extension dialing, speed dialing, and auto dial back.
The popularity of the home office and “telecommuting” in the work force has created new opportunities for the communication industry. Individuals working from home now demand the same telecommunication features and options available to them at the workplace. To service that growing market, communications companies are now providing the same office support services found in many of today's larger corporations. For example, ISDN access lines, video and telephone conferencing, and high speed modem access are now but a few of the features now available in the home office.
At present, if a worker at home wishes to contact a co-worker at the workplace, he must have the actual telephone number of the worker or must have the main PBX access number and the extension of the worker to be able to place a call to the worker at the workplace. Furthermore, the at-home worker does not get any of the other benefits of the PBX, namely speed dialing or automatic dial back which are functions which may be available to the worker at their workstation at the workplace. It is desirable to provide a method by which the home worker can have access to PBX functionalities such as extension dialing even when they are remote from the workplace private exchange that provides such functionality.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method by which a first telephone can access functionality available at a telephone switch remote from the first telephone. For instance, the invention provides that a home worker using a first telephone can have functionality that is also available at a private branch exchange remote from the first telephone. The functionality can include the extension dialing of a second telephone that is coupled to the private branch exchange. In accordance with the present invention, access to such functionality is achieved by providing a database in association with the local exchange to which the homeworker is coupled or connected. That database stores information to translate functionality requests into actual telephone numbers to be dialed. The local office then initiates calls using the actual telephone numbers and establishes connections between the at-home or remote caller and the desired telephone that is coupled to the private branch exchange.
In accordance with the present invention, in addition to extension dialing, the remote caller may have access to such functions as speed dialing or automatic call back dialing.
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Japanese Search Report/Office Action.
Buhrmann Michael
Kauser Nicolas
AT&T Wireless Svcs. Inc.
Smith Creighton
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