Telecommunications System and Method

Abstract

A telecommunications system includes switching circuitry for coupling a call to a extension coupled to the system, voice processing circuitry for automatically interacting with the call, a microprocessor, a first data bus connected, between the microprocessor and the switching circuitry, and a second data bus connected between the microprocessor and the voice processing circuitry. In the telecommunications system, a method includes coupling, with the switching circuitry, a call to a telecommunications extension coupled to the system, and the voice processing circuitry automatically interacting with the call when the telecommunications extension does not answer the call.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . In a telecommunications system comprising a microprocessor, a first data bus connected between the microprocessor and switching circuitry, and a second data bus connected between the microprocessor and voice processing circuitry, a method comprising:
 coupling, with the switching circuitry, a call to a telecommunications extension coupled to the system; and   the voice processing circuitry automatically interacting with the call when the telecommunications extension does not answer the call.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second data busses share at least one data path. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the switching circuitry and the voice processing circuitry are controlled by the microprocessor. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor is implemented in a single Integrated chip. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the voice processing circuitry couples the call to a voice mail box when the telecommunications extension does not answer the call. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the voice processing circuitry automatically interacts with the call when the telecommunications extension does not go off hook to answer the call. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the voice processing circuitry further comprises a conference bridge operable for coupling the call to one or more internal or external telecommunications devices. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises circuitry operable for recording all or a portion of the call after the telecommunications extension is connected to the calf wherein the circuitry operable for recording operates in response to an activating signal activating tactilely initiated on the telecommunications extension. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the voice processing circuitry automatically interacting with the call further comprises:
 playing a message to the call;   receiving a signal sent from the call; and   connecting the call to the telephone extension in response to the signal sent from the call.   
     
     
         10 . In a system comprising a microprocessor, a first data bus connecting the microprocessor to switching circuitry, and a second data bus connecting the microprocessor to voice processing circuitry, a method comprising:
 the switching circuitry coupling a call to an extension coupled to the system; and   the voice processing circuitry automatically interacting with the call.   
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the first and second data busses share at least one data path. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the switching circuitry and the voice processing circuitry are directly controlled by the microprocessor. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the microprocessor is implemented in a single integrated chip. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the voice processing circuitry automatically interacting with the call comprises coupling the call to a voice mail box when the telephone extension does not answer the call. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the extension is operable for establishing a voice channel between the extension and the call. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising coupling the call to one or more internal or external telecommunications devices. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited In  claim 10 , further comprising recording at least a portion of the call after the extension is connected to the call. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the recording of at least a portion of the call is initiated in response to an activating signal tactically initiated on the telephone extension. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the voice processing circuitry automatically interacting with the call further comprises:
 playing a pre-recorded message to the call;   receiving a signal sent from the call; and   connecting the call to the extension in response to the signal sent from the call tones.   
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the voice processing circuitry automatically interacting with the call further comprises playing a pre-recorded message to the call when the extension does not answer the call.