Systems and methods for phone call management

Abstract

A communication system includes client software operating on a PC, or similar platform, and a client telephone that is connected to a call routing server. A user manages telephone communication, including incoming and outgoing calls, conference calls and call forwarding, through the client software. The client software commands the call routing server using instant messenger communication.

1 . A method of managing telephone calls to and from a telephone comprising:
 sending a first instant messenger communication from a client device associated with the telephone to a call routing server that is connected to the telephone, the first instant messenger communication containing information regarding an outgoing telephone call including a destination;   the call routing server placing the outgoing telephone call to the destination and connecting the telephone to the destination in response to the first instant messenger communication; and   in response to the call routing server receiving an incoming telephone call directed to the telephone, sending a second instant messenger communication to the client device that is associated with the telephone, the second instant messenger communication including information regarding the incoming telephone call.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising connecting the telephone to an interactive voice response server while the call routing server places the outgoing telephone call, prior to connecting the telephone to the destination, the interactive voice response server providing voice information to the telephone. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein an incoming telephone call is placed on hold in response to an instant messenger command sent from the client device to the call routing server. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a telephone call is transferred in response to an instant messenger command sent from the client device to the call routing server. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the instant messenger commands are dependent on presence information regarding the user. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein an incoming telephone call is hung-up in response to an instant messenger command sent from the client device to the call routing server.