The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 30, 2014
Filed:
Jan. 25, 2012
Samuel F. Wood, Los Altos, CA (US);
Jerry A. Klein, Los Altos, CA (US);
Margaret Susan Asprey, Los Altos, CA (US);
Samuel F. Wood, Los Altos, CA (US);
Jerry A. Klein, Los Altos, CA (US);
Margaret Susan Asprey, Los Altos, CA (US);
Focal IP, LLC, Wilmington, DE (US);
Abstract
A system includes a tandem access controller (TAC) coupled to a PSTN, where the TAC allows a subscriber to set-up and make changes to the configuration of his/her phone line or other communications device. Such changes include selective call forwarding. The TAC is controlled by the subscriber using the web. The TAC is coupled internally to the PSTN in a local service area and is outside the subscriber's central office. A calling party makes a first call to the subscriber using the subscriber's public telephone number. The TAC receives the first call prior to the call reaching the subscriber's terminating central office. The TAC then carries out the subscriber's instructions for the first call, such as making one or more second calls using telephone numbers different from the subscriber's public telephone number. When the second call is answered, the answering phone is connected by the TAC to the caller.