Importance

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Abstract

A telephone control system is disclosed which substantially enhances the accessibility of system subscribers by providing a variety of call-handling modes, and additionally provides various programming means by which those subscribers can tailor the system to suit their individual communications needs. In operation, subscribers are each assigned an individual unique telephone number (ACCESS NUMBER) which can be dialed from any location via the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Subscribers then distribute this telephone number to persons who may wish to call them. Calls for a subscriber are routed to the control system via the PSTN. The control system determines which subscriber a call is intended for, and by referring to a database determines the method of call handling which has been preselected by that subscriber. Should the selected call handling method require that the call be delivered to another telephone number, then the control system will cause the call to be switched to that telephone. The switching function may be located in the control system itself, or alternately may be located in the PSTN but under the control of the control system. In this way, the ACCESS NUMBER may be used as the sole telephone number for a subscriber. Callers need not know the subscribers specific whereabouts, and do not need to know the subscribers various location-specific telephone numbers such as home, office, car phone, and so forth. The ACCESS NUMBER is therefore associated with the subscriber, instead of with a specific telephone instrument or location as are other telephone numbers.

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First Claim