Importance

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Abstract

A method and system for establishing a telephone connection between a calling party and a paged party. When a calling party initiates a telephone call to a local area telephone system embodying the invention, a PBX serving the system transfers the call to voice processing equipment ('VPM'). The VPM responds by sending a voice menu to the caller over a telephone line. The voice menu provides the caller an option to page the called party, and preferably also provides the other options typically available in conventional voice mail and automated attendant systems. In response to selection of the paging option by the caller, an RF paging signal is transmitted to the paged party by a set of radio transmitters. The paged party carries a badge designed to vibrate (or otherwise signal the badge holder) upon reception of a paging signal intended for the paged party. In response to the paging signal, the paged party may go to the nearest telephone, and use the telephone key pad to instruct the VPM to establish a direct connection between the paged party's line and the caller's line. The invention enables a PBX system with only a few shared telephones to serve many people efficiently, enables more complete integration of PBX system users with a telecommunications/voice system, and enables employers to remain in close contact with their employees. No human operator is required to perform the functions of the inventive system.

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First Claim