Providing alerting/call waiting/call holding services to on-line internet users

Abstract

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for handling incoming or intra-office calls when a telephone subscriber having a POTS, (Plain Old Telephone Service) telephone instrument and line connecting that customer to a serving switch, is connected to an Internet service provider for providing communications to the Internet. The bandwidth of the customer's line is divided into a lower band for providing communications, and a higher band for transmitting signaling and control information. When an incoming or intra-office call is received while the customer is connected to the Internet, the signal channel is used to transmit information which can be displayed to the called customer providing information about the call. If the called customer wishes to answer the call, the called customer can signal over the signaling channel a request that the incoming or intra-office call be completed. Otherwise, the called customer can signal over the signaling channel to the switch requesting that busy tone be returned to the caller, or that the caller be connected to voice mail. Advantageously, this arrangement provides an inexpensive system for allowing Internet users to be notified about incoming or intra-office calls, and to accept such calls at their discretion.