EP0990338A1

EP0990338A1 - Method and system for providing temporary telephony services

Info

Publication number: EP0990338A1
Application number: EP98931368A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Donald H. Graham, Iii; Jay Randall Stryker
Original assignee: Technology Interlink Corp
Current assignee: Technology Interlink Corp
Priority date: 1997-06-17
Filing date: 1998-06-17
Publication date: 2000-04-05
Also published as: CA2294248A1; AU8151698A; WO1998058486A1

Abstract

A system for providing temporary direct telephony services is disclosed. A server (172) having a plurality of connections (176) with a private branch exchange (130) (PBX) selectively assigns one or more of a plurality of direct in-dial (DID) telephone numbers to a guest. The server (172) associates a guest room (138) with the guest. The server (172) detects an incoming transmission of a DID telephone number and routes the incoming call to the guest room (138) assigned to the corresponding DID telephone number. Each guest room (138) has a telephone (134) which is connected to PBX (130) via a telephonic connection (135). The system (172) permits the guest to move to another guest room (138) and yet keep the same DID numbers previously assigned. In another embodiment, a method for providing temporary telephony services comprises: 1) selectively assigning one or more of a plurality of DID telephone numbers to a guest; 2) selectively associating one of a plurality of guest rooms (138) to the guest, each of the rooms having a telephone (134); and 3) detecting an incoming call of a DID telephone number via the PBX and routing the call to the guest room (138) assigned to the guest to whom the corresponding DID telephone number is assigned. The method permits the guest to move to another guest room (138) and yet keep the same DID numbers previously assigned.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING TEMPORARY TELEPHONY SERVICES

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a telecommunications system and more particularly to a method and system for providing temporary telephony services .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Facsimile transmission of information across telephone lines has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. To an increasingly greater extent, businesses and individuals regularly rely on facsimile machines as a near instantaneous means of communication. With the increased reliance on facsimile machines, people find it more burdensome and unproductive to travel away from their offices and homes unless they can maintain communication via facsimile.

Problems surface, however, when, for example, people check into hotels and attempt to receive confidential communications. Few hotels are configured to allow phone calls directly to fax machines located in guest rooms. Typically, an incoming caller must contact the hotel operator who then connects the caller to a guest room. If the incoming caller is a fax machine, the operator cannot poll the incoming caller to determine the destination of the message, nor can the hotel operator determine whether the intended recipient is a guest in the hotel. Hotels attempt to solve these problems by providing a dedicated fax line at a centralized location for receiving all faxes, and then subsequently, distributing the faxes to the intended recipients if they are guests in the hotel. This is generally inconvenient for guests who either have to go to the centralized location to retrieve the fax or have to wait for a messenger to deliver the fax to their hotel rooms . Another concern is maintaining confidentiality. If the message or document being faxed contains confidential information, then the confidentiality is potentially lost because the hotel operators may discern the information contained in the fax. Additional problems result when the hotels receive facsimile communications for guests who have already checked-out of the hotel. Placing a fax machine in a guest's hotel room does not solve the problem. Rarely is a guest room pre-wired with more than one phone line, and thus, installing a second phone line can be expensive and problematic for hotels.

Even with two or more lines into a hotel room, conventional approaches do not solve the problem of preventing facsimile transmissions from occurring after the guest has checked out. This problem raises serious issues regarding the confidentiality of facsimile communications.

One effort to provide improved facsimile services is U.S. Patent No. 5,287,199, issued on February 15, 1994, to

Zocolillo. Zocolillo discloses a fax message processing and routing system wherein a processor, connected to a communication switching system, receives all incoming fax messages. Based upon the number dialed by the sender, the processor retrieves a processing record in a data base and analyzes at least a portion of the incoming message to determine how to route the incoming fax. Zocolillo' s system then converts the information to a different format and delivers the information to the intended recipient. A disadvantage associated with this approach is that each message must be analyzed to determine the routing instructions for that message. Moreover, Zocolillo 's system is not designed to be used by hotel guests. Zocolillo¹ s system acts as a central repository for receiving messages and then redistributes the messages based on preprogrammed instructions. If the intended recipient is a hotel guest, Zocolillo' s system fails because it cannot communicate directly with the hotel guests, but instead must go through the hotel operator, which requires human interaction with all the associated problems of inefficiency, delay and lack of confidentiality.

Another approach for providing facsimile services is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,461,488, issued October 24, 1995, to Witek. Like Zocolillo, Witek discloses a fax distribution system wherein a central computer receives all facsimile messages, analyzes at least part of the message, and then distributes the messages based on the analysis. Witek' s analysis uses optical character recognition to convert the facsimile to a textual format and then, based on the name of the addressee, delivers the message electronically. Witek is not designed to work with a typical hotel configuration, because, like Zocolillo, Witek cannot communicate directly with hotel guests. Another attempt to provide improved facsimile services is presented in U.S. Patent No. 5,425,081, issued June 13, 1995, to Gordon et al . ("Gordon"). Gordon discloses a system for providing temporary facsimile services to facsimile machines provided in hotel rooms. Gordon utilizes a centralized receiver with a plurality of direct in-dial telephone numbers which can be selectively assigned to guest users. A sender will transmit a facsimile message to the direct in-dial line, which will cause the message to be delivered to the centralized receiver. The centralized receiver utilizes non-telephonic means (e.g., electronic beeper signal) to contact a destination facsimile machine and cause the destination facsimile machine to initiate a telephonic connection with the centralized receiver. Once the telephonic connection is made, the receiver can deliver the facsimile message directly to the destination facsimile machine .

Gordon apparently recognizes the problem with most hotels in that direct facsimile transmissions to the hotel guest cannot be made because of the need to go through a hotel operator. Gordon apparently attempts to avoid the problem by having the facsimile machine initiate a telephone call to the centralized receiver, rather than having the centralized receiver call the facsimile machine. In avoiding the real problem, Gordon introduces other complications. A non-telephonic signal (usually, an RF signal) is needed to communicate with the facsimile machine to request the machine to initiate a direct communication link. Such a step requires a customized device with a non- telephonic receiver (e.g., a beeper means) for receiving and responding to the non-telephonic signal. Installing such custom devices can be cost prohibitive for most hotels .

Therefore, a need has arisen for a new method and system for providing temporary direct telephony services that overcomes the disadvantages and deficiencies of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system for providing temporary direct telephony services is disclosed. The system is used in a facility with a private branch exchange ("PBX") having a plurality of direct in-dial telephone lines, a plurality of telephones, a plurality of guest locations, and a plurality of single telephone lines between the PBX and each of the guest locations. Each of the direct in-dial telephone lines has the capability of carrying a plurality of direct in-dial telephone numbers. A centralized server having a plurality of connections with the PBX selectively assigns one or more of the plurality of direct in-dial telephone numbers to the guest user. The centralized server associates a guest room/location or the guest with a DID number, each guest room/location having a telephone located therein. The assignment is for as long as the guest stays in the particular guest room/location. The centralized server can detect an incoming transmission of a direct in- dial telephone number and route the incoming call to the guest location assigned to the corresponding direct in-dial telephone number. The system permits the guest user to change guest locations and yet keep the same assigned direct in-dial number by reprogramming the telephone system to change the guest location.

In another embodiment, a method for providing temporary direct voice services in accordance with the following steps: 1) selectively assigning one or more of a plurality of direct in-dial telephone numbers to a guest user; 2) selectively assigning one of a plurality of guest rooms/locations to the guest user, each of the rooms having a telephone; and 3) detecting an incoming transmission of a DID number on a direct in-dial telephone line via a PBX and routing the transmission to the guest room assigned to the guest user to whom the corresponding direct in-dial telephone number is assigned.

In another embodiment, a system for providing temporary direct telephony services is disclosed. The system is used in a facility with a private branch exchange ("PBX") having a plurality of direct in-dial telephone lines, a plurality of telephones, a plurality of data processing devices (e.g., facsimile machines), a plurality of guest locations, and a plurality of single telephone lines between the PBX and each of the guest locations. In most cases, each of the telephone lines is shared by one of the telephones and one of the data processing devices.

Each of the direct in-dial telephone lines is identified uniquely by a direct in-dial telephone number. A centralized server having a plurality of connections with the PBX selectively assigns one or more of the plurality of direct in-dial telephone numbers to the guest user. The centralized server associates the direct in-dial telephone number with the guest room or the guest, each guest room having a telephone and, perhaps, a data processing device located therein, said assignment being for as long as the guest stays in the particular guest room.

The centralized server can detect an incoming transmission on a direct in-dial telephone line and route the incoming call to the guest location assigned to the corresponding direct in-dial telephone number. A distributed controller is physically located inside the guest room and has a single telephonic connection with the PBX. Typically the distributed controller will also have connections to one telephone and one data processing device, both of which are also in the guest room. The distributed controller analyzes incoming calls and routes the call either to the telephone in the event the call is a voice transmission or to the data processing device in the event the transmission is a data transmission.

In another embodiment, a method for providing temporary direct voice and data communication services in accordance with the following steps: 1) selectively assigning one or more of a plurality of direct in-dial telephone lines to a guest user; 2) selectively associating one of a plurality of guest rooms or guest user to a direct in-dial telephone number, each of the rooms having a telephone and a data processing device; 3) detecting an incoming transmission on the direct in-dial telephone lines and routing the transmission to the guest room assigned to the guest user to whom the corresponding direct in-dial telephone line is assigned; and 4) analyzing the incoming transmission and further routing the incoming transmission to the telephone in the event the incoming transmission is a voice transmission or to the data processing device in the event the incoming transmission is a data transmission. In another embodiment, a system for providing temporary direct telephony services is disclosed, wherein the system utilizes a PBX having a plurality of direct in- dial telephone lines, a plurality of telephones, a plurality of guest locations, and a plurality of single telephone lines between the PBX and each of the guest locations. A centralized server having a plurality of connections with the PBX selectively assigns one or more of the plurality of direct in-dial telephone numbers to the guest user. The centralized server associates a guest room or guest with a direct in-dial telephone number, each guest room having a telephone located therein, the association or assignment being for as long as the guest stays in the particular guest room. The centralized server can detect an incoming transmission on a direct in-dial telephone line and route the incoming call to the guest location assigned to the corresponding direct in-dial telephone number.

One technical advantage of the present invention is that a method for providing temporary direct telephony services is provided. Another technical advantage is that the invention provides a system for upgrading an existing hotel telephone system to provide temporary direct voice and data communications without having to re-wire the hotel rooms for additional phone lines. Another technical advantage is that a temporary direct voice and data service can be provided to a guest user without having to utilize any external communication means. Another technical advantage is that a temporary voice and data service is provided to guest users without adding additional labor demands on system operator personnel . Another technical advantage is that a data transmission can be routed directly to the intended recipient without having to first capture and analyze the transmission to determine instructions for routing the message.

Another technical advantage of the present invention is that a method for providing temporary direct telephony services is provided. Another technical advantage is that the invention provides a system for upgrading an existing hotel telephone system to provide temporary direct voice and data communications without having to re-wire the hotel rooms for additional phone lines. Another technical advantage is that a temporary direct voice and data service can be provided to a guest user without having to utilize any external communication means. Another technical advantage is that a temporary voice and data service is provided to guest users without adding additional labor demands on system operator personnel. Another technical advantage is that a data transmission can be routed directly to the intended recipient without having to first capture and analyze the transmission to determine instructions for routing the message.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows in block diagram form a system for providing temporary direct voice and data services to a hotel and its guests.

FIG. 2 is flow diagram illustrating the functions performed by the centralized server of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the controller shown in FIG 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention and its advantages are best understood by referring to FIGs. 1 through 3 of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.

FIG. 1 shows, in block diagram form, a system for providing temporary direct voice and data services for a hotel. The system comprises in combination a centralized server 172 and a plurality of distributed controllers 174. The centralized server 172 has a plurality of connections 176 with a hotel PBX 130, as well as a connection 177 with the property management system 131, which normally tracks guests and their hotel billings. Centralized server 172 also has a connection, directly or indirectly, to a printer 132. In FIG. 1, the connection to printer 132 is shown as a direct connection, but may also be an indirect connection, for example, through a hotel billing/check-in system 131.

The hotel leases or otherwise acquires a plurality of direct in-dial ("DID") telephone lines (not shown) which can be accessed by calling any of a series of sequential DID telephone numbers. With DID lines, normally the last 2 to 5 digits of an incoming telephone call are not read by the local telephone company, but instead are passed to the hotel PBX 130 and are read by it. The hotel PBX 130 is connected to a public telephone system 120, which provides access to the plurality of DID telephone lines. Hotel PBX 130 also has at least one telephone connection 135 to each of the hotel rooms 138 to be served. Typically, the connection 135 is a single telephonic connection between the hotel PBX 130 and guest room 138, but in other embodiments wherein there is more than a single connection to guest room 138, controller 178 may or may not be used. One distributed controller 174 is placed inside each guest room 138 to receive direct voice and data communications. The distributed controller 174 is connected to both a telephone 134 and a data processing device 136, which latter device may be a facsimile machine, a computer, or any other data processor. Hence, each room being served by the system contains a telephone 134 and a data processing device 136 which will share a common telephonic connection 135 to receive and send messages. As illustrated in FIG. 2, upon check-in, the hotel's property management system (PMS) 131 automatically transmits to the centralized server 172 the name and room number of a guest (not shown) . The centralized server 172 maintains a database 201, which includes information on available telephone numbers which can be assigned to guests. The centralized server 172, and more particularly, the Property Management System (PMS) Transaction Layer 210, upon the check-in of a guest , assigns and activates a first DID telephone number for voice communications and a second DID telephone number for data communications. The PMS Transaction Layer 210 updates data base 201 after every check-in or check-out to keep track of all guests and all assigned and activated telephone numbers. Once the first and second DID numbers have been assigned to a guest , the PMS Transaction Layer 210 will cause to be printed a guest welcome card 139. The card 139 will identify the assigned DID numbers. FIG. 1 shows a sample guest card 139.

Also upon check-in, the hotel property management system 131 typically assigns a guest room 138 to the guest. The guest room 138 contains a telephone 134 and a data processing device 136, and therefore, the assigning of a guest room 138 to a guest associates a particular telephone 134 and a particular data processing device 136 with the guest. Though the embodiment presented in FIG. 2 shows that the PMS 131 assigns the room number, it is contemplated that this function can also be achieved by the centralized server 172.

The telephone 134 and the data processing device 136 are assigned to the guest for as long as he or she occupies the guest room 138. Telephone 134 and the data processing device 136 are de-assigned when guest checks out of the assigned guest room 138, and thereafter, may be reassigned immediately by PMS 131 to a different guest. Moreover, upon checkout, PMS Transaction Layer 210 may deactivate the first and second DID numbers assigned to the departing guest, but the deactivated numbers are not subject to immediate reassignment to a new user. These numbers continue to be assigned to the departing guest for an extended, indefinite period of time to allow for (1) reassignment to another guest after an extended period of time or (2) set aside for reactivation should the same guest return. For example, if the previously checked-out guest does not have his number set aside for a future return, the same first and second DID numbers can be reactivated and associated with a different hotel guest in guest room 138 or a different guest in a different guest room. Rarely can guests return to a hotel and obtain the same rooms that they previously occupied. With the optional method of setting aside numbers contemplated by the present invention, however, the change in guest rooms 138 becomes transparent to an outside caller because the outside caller still uses the same assigned phone numbers. When the guest has no intention of returning to the hotel, the DID numbers will be deactivated and held deactivated for a reasonable period of time so that the next guest to be assigned those DID numbers shall receive minimum calls intended for prior guests.

As indicated in FIG. 2, when a call comes into the hotel PBX 130, the PBX 130 informs the centralized controller 172 as to which DID number is being called. More particularly, PBX interface 220 receives the DID information from PBX 130. PBX interface 220 then queries database 201 to determine which guest room 138 is assigned to the DID number being called, and then transfers the call through the hotel PBX 130 to the guest room 138 that should receive the call. The PBX interface 220 also determines based upon the number called whether the incoming call is a voice call or a data call.

If PBX interface 220 determines that the DID number being called is assigned to a guest who has checked out, the PBX interface 220 will cause one of several options to occur, depending upon the preferences of the guest : 1) the caller may receive a prerecorded, standardized message indicating that the guest has check out of the hotel; 2) the caller may receive a prerecorded, standardized message indicating that the guest is temporarily unavailable and to please try the call again at a later time; or 3) the caller may be transferred to a message center, such as voice mail for voice calls or a centralized data processing device for data calls. Option 2 above may be used by a guest who has checked out, but plans to return to the hotel, and which guest requires complete confidentiality of communications. Option 3 may also be used by a guest who has checked out and who plans to return to the hotel, but which guest does not require confidentiality of messages.

If PBX interface 220 determines that the telephone line 135 running to the guest room 138 is occupied, then centralized server 172 will cause PBX 130 to transfer the incoming call to a PBX extension that is programmed to ring busy, or to a message center, such as voice mail for voice calls or a centralized data processing device for data calls or to internal storage for subsequent guest retrieval. Of course, the latter option would only be used by a guest who does not require confidentiality of messages .

Once it has determined whether an incoming call is a voice or data call, PBX interface 220 is responsible for programming the distributed controller 174 to route the incoming call to the telephone 134 or the data processing device 136. The programming function will be discussed, infra, in greater detail in connection with FIG. 3.

A billing module 230 keeps track of billing information for the usage of the data processing device 136 on a guest-by-guest basis. For example, distributed controller 174, upon completion of a facsimile transmission, sends details about the facsimile to the billing module 230. The billing module 230 then queries database 201 to determine the applicable charge rate to be applied to guest . Billing module 230 then generates a billing record, updating database 201 and hotel PMS 131.

The present invention, as embodied in FIG. 2, contemplates that the hotel PBX 130 and the hotel PMS 131 keep track of all voice telephone usage for purposes of billing a guest. It is contemplated, however, that server 172 could perform this function also.

As indicated in FIG. 2, centralized server 172 contains and maintains a database 201 wherein relevant guest and system information is stored, for example, room numbers, guest names, assigned DID numbers, pricing information, long distance calls made, and fax billing information. User interface 250 allows hotel management to query database 201 to obtain detailed information from the database. User interface 250 also allows hotel management to change billing information, such as billing rates, and modify the list of available DID numbers. Finally, user interface 250 can be used to generate reports on usage and billing on a customer-by-customer basis, or on a group basis. Centralized server 172 may also contain a watchdog module 260 to monitor the activity of the other modules operating within centralized server 172, and alert hotel management as to any detected anomalies. FIG. 3 illustrates the operating details of the distributed controller 174. A microprocessor 301 monitors various hardware and software signals and programs or connects internal switches as necessary. For example, switch 360, switch 370, switch 380, and switch 390 are normally open and close only upon signaling of microprocessor 301.

The operation of distributed controller 174 and its cooperation with server 172 are best illustrated by example. The PBX 130 is programmed to transfer all DID numbers to centralized server 172. Thus, when an outside caller places a call using a DID number, the PBX 130 passes the DID number being called to centralized server 172. The PBX interface 220 of server 172 queries database 201 to determine which guest is assigned to the DID number being called and to determine in which guest room 138 the guest is located. Based upon this information, PBX interface 220 will instruct PBX 130 as to which guest room 138 the call is to be transferred.

Upon transfer to the guest room 138, switch 360, switch 370, switch 380, and switch 390 are all open. As a result, neither the digital processing device 136 nor the telephone 134 will ring. (Despite the fact that the distributed controller 174 has disconnected the telephone ring capability of telephone 134, it nevertheless passes through the message waiting signal, such as a message waiting light, from PBX 130 to telephone 134.) Instead, the present invention utilizes the first ring to signal distributed controller 174 as to what type of call is being passed. There are three basic calls that can be delivered to distributed controller 174: a voice call; a fax call; and a programming call. A programming call is a signal generated by centralized server 172 to program or activate different features of distributed controller 174. Centralized server 172 utilizes the ring signal to communicate with distributed controller 174. Ring detector 310 of distributed controller 174 monitors the first ring of every call and prevents the ring from passing by keeping the switches open. Ring detector starts an internal timer to determine if a second ring occurs within a set period of time, said period of time corresponding to the length of time that typically separates two rings (i.e., a ringing cycle) . If a second ring is received within a ringing cycle, microprocessor 301 presumes the call to be a voice call and passes it immediately to telephone 134, by signaling switch 360 to connect to the telephone 134 and signally switch 390 to connect telephone line 135. If a second ring is not received with a ringing cycle, microprocessor 301 closes switch 380, thereby connecting telephone line 135 to DTMF generator and receiver 340. Microprocessor 301 also prompts the generator and receiver 340 to await a subsequent handshake call from centralized server 172 via PBX 130. The handshake call lets centralized server 172 know that distributed controller 174 is not in use by guest and that the device is, therefore, ready to either receive a fax or receive a programming instruction. The handshake response from centralized server 172 identifies the incoming call as a call for the digital processing device 135 or a programming call for DTMF generator and receiver 340. During the brief handshake period, distributed controller 174 will not allow the guest to place outbound calls by either the telephone 134 or digital processing device 136.

If the incoming call is for digital processing device 136, processor 301 then awaits the next incoming call from centralized server 172 via PBX 130, at which time distributed controller 174 answers and processor 301 instructs switches 360 and 390 to close and, thereby, connect telephone line 135 to digital processing device 136. The next ring will permit the digital processing device 136 to operate in a usual fashion.

If the incoming call is a programming call, switch 380 will close, thereby connecting telephone line 135 to DTMF generator and receiver 340. DTMF generator and receiver 340 may thereafter cause microprocessor 301 to program distributed controller 174 to activate or modify various features of the controller 174. One example of a programming call is the call from centralized server 172 which programs distributed controller 174 to establish the set period of time within which it should expect a second ring (as previously described) .

The present invention also contemplates that advanced ringing features of PBX 130 may be utilized by centralized server 172 to communicate with distributed controller 174. One example of an advanced ringing feature is the "priority ring" mode, wherein a priority or distinctive ring is used to differentiate "outside" callers from "inside" callers (i.e., callers who utilize another phone connected to the PBX) . Centralized server 172 can utilize the distinctive ring feature to indicate that the incoming call is either a programming call or a call for the digital processing device. The utilization of such a priority ring would then cause distributed controller to initiate a handshake call, whereupon controller 174 and centralized server 172 will communicate as discussed above. Another example is the "short duration" ring mode, wherein a short duration ring can be used to differentiate calls. Of course, in situations where the priority ring mode is unavailable and where the short duration ring is unreliable, the first ring signal as explained in detail above can be used. As illustrated in FIG. 3, distributed controller 174 has two current sensors (325 and 330) to monitor the current demand of digital processing device 136 and telephone 134, respectively. When either digital processing device 136 or telephone 134 is taken "off hook", current sensors 325 and 330, respectively, signal microprocessor 301 that a request for telephone line 135 has been made. If the telephone line 135 is not in use, microprocessor 301 will close switch 390 and instruct switch 360 to connect to either telephone 134 or digital processing device 136, as is appropriate.

Also as illustrated in FIG. 3, distributed controller 174 contains flash memory 350 wherein certain programming values or other information can be temporarily stored.

While the foregoing discussion may have been presented in the context of a hotel, the present invention will readily work within any operation which has a PBX and a plurality of telephones. Specifically, the present invention is especially relevant in today's virtual office environment wherein a company maintains a plurality of desks each having a telephone and perhaps a fax machine, but with few or none of the desks being assigned to specific employees. In a virtual office environment, an employee sits at any available desk, and usually, the employee sits at a different desk the next day. With the system outlined above, the daily change in desks would be transparent to outside callers because each employee would have a personal telephone number and a separate, personal fax number (if available), which numbers would be reprogrammed on a daily basis to ring at whichever desk is occupied by the employee.

In an alternative embodiment, a centralized server 172 is utilized with a plurality of telephones 134, but without a plurality of distributed controllers 174. Such a system is especially useful in a virtual office environment, where an employer has a large number of desks, each with a single telephonic connection to a PBX. In such situations, great flexibility can be achieved with assigning telephones. With this embodiment, an employee in a virtual office can sit at a different desk every day of the week, and yet still have the same telephone number. Thus, the daily change in desks is transparent to the outside caller. Of course, in such an arrangement, each employee could still utilize the telephone line at his or her desk for a digital processing device, but would have to manually switch the telephone line from the telephone to the digital processing device.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described by the foregoing detailed description, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A system for providing temporary telephony services to a plurality of guest users, said system comprising:

a private branch exchange (PBX) coupling a public telephone network to a plurality of guest telephone lines, said PBX being capable of receiving calls on a plurality of direct in-dial (DID) number,

a server comprising

means for selectively assigning DID numbers to individual guest users,

means for associating individual guest telephone lines with individual guest users, and

means for detecting an incoming transmission on one of the DID numbers and routing the incoming transmission to the individual guest telephone line associated with the individual guest user to whom said one DID number is assigned; and

a plurality of telephones coupled to said individual guest telephone lines.

The system of claim 1 wherein the server further comprises means for receiving into memory the incoming transmission and the PBX has means for indicating to the individual guest user that said guest user has a message waiting.

The system of claim 2 wherein the means for indicating that the guest user has a message waiting is not disabled.

The system of claim 1 wherein the server further comprises means for notifying an incoming caller that said one DID number being dialed by said caller is occupied.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of controllers, each of the controllers coupling one of said plurality of telephones to one of said plurality of guest telephone lines.

6. A method for providing temporary telephony services to a plurality of guest users, said method comprising the steps :

selectively assigning any of a plurality of direct in- dial (DID) numbers to a guest user,

associating individual guest telephone lines with the guest user, and

detecting an incoming transmission on the DID number assigned to the guest user and routing the incoming transmission to the individual guest telephone line associated with the guest user.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising determining when the guest user is unavailable and informing an incoming caller that said guest user is unavailable.

The method of claim 6 further comprising determining when the guest user is unavailable and receiving the incoming transmission into a storage medium for delivery to the guest user at a later time.

9. A method for providing temporary telephony services to a plurality of guest users, said method comprising the steps :

using a server to selectively assign any of a plurality of direct in-dial (DID) numbers to an individual guest user, said DID numbers being incoming over DID lines coupled to a private branch exchange

(PBX) ;

using the server to associate an individual guest telephone line with the individual guest user, said guest telephone line being coupled to said PBX;

detecting an incoming transmission on one of the plurality of DID numbers and determining the individual guest user to whom said one DID number is assigned; and

routing the incoming transmission to the individual guest telephone line assigned to the individual guest user to whom said one DID number is assigned.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising determining when the individual guest user is unavailable and informing an incoming caller that said guest user is unavailable .

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising determining when the individual guest user is unavailable and receiving the incoming transmission into a storage medium for delivery to the guest user at a later time.

12. A server for use with a private branch exchange (PBX) and a plurality of telephones, said PBX coupling a public telephone network to a plurality of telephone lines, said PBX being capable of receiving calls on a plurality of direct in-dial (DID) lines with a plurality of DID numbers and being capable of determining which of said DID numbers is dialed when a call is received on one of said plurality of DID numbers, said server comprising:

means for coupling the server to the PBX;

means for associating one or more of said plurality of DID numbers to a guest;

means for assigning one or more of said telephones to the guest;

means for detecting an incoming call on one of said plurality of DID numbers;

means for identifying the guest associated with said one DID number which was dialed for the incoming call; and

means for routing the incoming call to the telephone assigned to the guest associated with said one DID number dialed.

13. The server of claim 12 above further comprising means for calculating billing information for usage of the server.

14. The server of claim 12 above further comprising database means for tracking assignments of DID numbers to guests, billing information, and a pool of available DID numbers.

15. The server of claim 12 further comprising means for receiving into memory the incoming call and means for indicating to the individual guest that said individual guest has a message waiting.

16. The server of claim 12 further comprising means for notifying an incoming caller that said one DID number being dialed by said caller is occupied.

17. A server for use with a private branch exchange (PBX) and a plurality of telephones, said PBX coupling a public telephone network to a plurality of telephone lines, said PBX being capable of receiving calls on a plurality of direct in-dial (DID) lines with a plurality of DID numbers and being capable of determining which of said DID numbers is dialed when a call is received on one of said plurality of DID numbers, said server comprising:

a device for coupling the server to the PBX;

a first module for assigning one or more of said plurality of DID numbers to a guest;

a second module for assigning one or more of said plurality of telephone lines to the guest;

a device for detecting an incoming call on one of said plurality of DID numbers;

a third module for identifying the guest assigned to said one DID number which was dialed for the incoming call; and

a device for routing the incoming call to the telephone assigned to the guest for whom said one DID number dialed is assigned.

The server of claim 17 above further comprising a calculator for calculating billing information for usage of the server.

19. The server of claim 17 above further comprising a database for tracking assignments of DID numbers to guests, billing information, and a pool of available DID numbers.

20. The server of claim 17 further comprising a fourth module for receiving into memory said incoming call and said PBX has means for indicating to the guest that the guest has a message waiting.

21. The server of claim 17 further comprising a device for notifying an incoming caller that the DID number being dialed by said caller is occupied.

22. A server for providing temporary telephony services for use with a private branch exchange coupled to a public telephone network, said server comprising:

means for selectively assigning any of a plurality of direct in-dial (DID) numbers to any of a plurality of guest users,

means for associating individual guest telephone numbers with individual guest users, and

means for detecting an incoming transmission of the DID number assigned to the individual guest user and routing the transmission to the individual guest telephone number associated with the individual guest user to whom the DID number is assigned.

23. A system for providing temporary telephony services to a plurality of guest users, said system comprising:

a private branch exchange (PBX) coupling a public telephone network to a plurality of guest telephone lines, said PBX being capable of receiving calls on a plurality of direct in-dial (DID) lines with a plurality of DID numbers,

a server coupled to the PBX, the server comprising,

means for selectively assigning DID numbers to individual guest users,

means for associating individual guest telephone lines with an individual guest user,

means for detecting an incoming transmission of the DID numbers and routing the incoming transmission to the individual guest telephone line associated with the individual guest user to whom the DID number is assigned, and

means for determining whether the incoming transmission is a voice or data transmission; and

a plurality of controllers, each controller being coupled to the PBX via one of said plurality of guest telephone lines, each controller also being coupled to a telephone and to a data processing device, and each controller having means for further routing said incoming transmission to the telephone if the incoming transmission is a voice transmission or routing said incoming transmission to the data processing device if the incoming transmission is a data transmission.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein the data processing device coupled to each of said plurality of controllers is a facsimile machine.

25. The system of claim 22 wherein the means for determining whether the incoming transmission is a voice or data transmission receives input from the server via the individual guest telephone line connected therebetween.

26. The system of claim 22 wherein the plurality of controllers is programmed by the server.

27. The system of claim 22 wherein the server further comprises means for receiving into memory a voice or data transmission and the PBX has means for indicating to an individual guest user that said guest user has a message waiting.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein the means for indicating that the guest user has a message waiting is not disabled.

29. The system of claim 22 wherein the server further comprises means for notifying an incoming caller that the DID number being dialed by said caller is occupied.

30. A method for providing temporary telephony services to a guest user, said method comprising the steps:

selectively assigning any of a plurality of direct in- dial (DID) numbers to the guest user;

selectively associating any of a plurality of guest locations to the guest user, each of said guest locations having a telephone and a digital processing device;

detecting an incoming transmission on one of said plurality of direct in-dial telephone numbers and routing the incoming transmission to the guest location associated with the guest user to whom said one direct in-dial telephone number is assigned; and

analyzing the incoming transmission and further routing the incoming transmission to the telephone in the event the incoming transmission is a voice transmission or to the data processing device in the event the incoming transmission is a data transmission.

31. The method of claim 30 further comprising determining when the guest user is unavailable and informing an incoming caller that said guest user is unavailable.

32. The method of claim 30 further comprising determining when the guest user is unavailable and receiving the incoming transmission into a storage medium for delivery to said guest user at a later time.

33. A method of providing temporary telephony services to a plurality of guest users, comprising:

assigning any of a plurality of direct in-dial (DID) numbers to an individual guest user;

assigning any of a plurality of controllers to the individual guest user, said controller being coupled to a telephone and a data processing device;

detecting an incoming call on the assigned DID number;

determining the individual guest user to whom the

DID number is assigned;

routing the incoming call to the controller assigned to the individual guest user to whom the DID number is assigned;

analyzing the incoming call and determining whether the incoming call is a voice or data transmission; and

causing the controller to further route the incoming call to the telephone if the incoming call is a voice transmission or to the data processing device if the incoming call is a data transmission.

34. The method of claim 33 further comprising determining when the individual guest user is unavailable and informing an incoming caller that said individual guest user is unavailable.

35. The method of claim 33 further comprising determining when the individual guest user is unavailable and receiving the incoming call into a storage medium for delivery to the individual guest user at a later time.

36. A server for use with a private branch exchange (PBX), a plurality of telephones, and a plurality of digital processing devices, said PBX coupling a public telephone network to a plurality of telephone lines, said PBX being capable of receiving calls on a plurality of direct in-dial (DID) numbers and being capable of determining which of said DID numbers is dialed when a call is received on one of said plurality of DID numbers, said server comprising:

means for coupling the server to the PBX;

means for associating one or more of said plurality of DID numbers with the guest;

means for assigning one or more of said plurality of telephones to the guest;

means for assigning one or more of said plurality of digital processing devices to the guest;

means for detecting an incoming call on one of said plurality of DID numbers;

means for identifying the guest associated with said one DID number which was dialed for the incoming call;

means for determining whether the incoming call is a voice or data transmission;

means for routing the voice transmission to the telephone assigned to the guest associated with said one DID number dialed; and means for routing the data transmission to the digital processing device assigned to the guest associated with said one DID number dialed.

37. The server of claim 36 above further comprising means for calculating billing information for usage of the server.

38. The server of claim 36 above further comprising database means for tracking assignments of DID numbers to guests, billing information, and a pool of available DID numbers.

39. The server of claim 36 further comprising means for receiving into memory the voice or data transmission and the PBX has means for indicating to the guest that said guest has a message waiting.

40. The server of claim 36 further comprising means for notifying an incoming caller that said one DID number being dialed by said caller is occupied.

41. A server for use with a private branch exchange (PBX), a plurality of telephones and a plurality of digital processing devices, said PBX coupling a public telephone network to a plurality of telephone lines, said PBX being capable of receiving calls on a plurality of direct in-dial (DID) numbers and being capable of determining which of said DID numbers is dialed when a call is received on one of said plurality of DID numbers, said server comprising:

a device for coupling the server to the PBX;

a third module for assigning one or more of said plurality of digital processing devices to the guest;

a fourth module for identifying the guest assigned to said one DID number which was dialed for the incoming call;

a fifth module to determine whether the incoming call is a voice or data transmission; and

a device for routing the incoming call to the telephone assigned to the guest if the incoming call is a voice transmission and for routing the incoming call to the digital processing device assigned to the guest if the incoming call is a data transmission.

42. The server of claim 41 above further comprising a calculator for calculating billing information for usage of the server.

43. The server of claim 41 above further comprising a database for tracking assignments of DID numbers to guests, billing information, and a pool of available DID numbers.

44. The server of claim 41 further comprising a sixth module for receiving into memory the voice or data transmission and the PBX has a device for indicating to the guest that said guest has a message waiting.

45. The server of claim 41 further comprising a device for notifying an incoming caller that said one DID number being dialed by said caller is occupied.