Kenneth Francis Witt

US Patent:

20020118671, Aug 29, 2002

Filed:

Jul 12, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/905162

Inventors:

Leven Staples - Granbury TX, US
William Barker - San Antonio TX, US
Kenneth Witt - San Antonio TX, US
David Oliver - San Antonio TX, US

Assignee:

Data Race, Inc.

International Classification:

H04L012/66

US Classification:

370/352000, 379/093010

Abstract:

A communication system, extends office telephony and network data services to remote clients through the Internet, comprises a telephony server, a local area network, a server system, and a user communication device. The telephony server (e.g. a Private Branch Exchange) provides telephony services for a plurality of office lines. The local area network couples to the Internet. The telephony server and local area network may reside within an office environment. The server system couples to the telephony server and to the local area network. The user communication device establishes a first connection to the server system through the Internet. In response to the first connection, the server system automatically provides access for the user communication device to the telephony server. Also, the server system automatically invokes a call forwarding operation in response to the first connection, so that subsequent telephone calls, intended to reach the user's office line, are forwarded to the server system. When the server system receives a first telephone call, which has been redirected by the telephony server from the user's office line, the server system forwards the first telephone call to the user communication device through the first connection. The user communication device may also establish a secure data connection to the server system through the Internet. The secure data connection provides the remote user with access to the local area network in a manner which protects the data security of the local area network.

US Patent:

58898450, Mar 30, 1999

Filed:

Nov 1, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/740775

Inventors:

Leven E. Staples - Granbury TX
W. B. Barker - San Antonio TX
Kenneth L. Witt - San Antonio TX

Assignee:

Data Race, Inc. - San Antonio TX

International Classification:

H04M 506

US Classification:

379211

Abstract:

A system and method for enabling a remote user to maintain a virtual presence at a corporate office and behave substantially as if the user were physically present at the corporate office. First the remote user establishes a virtual presence connection at the corporate office, including providing identification and security information. Once the remote user is connected, the virtual presence server instructs the corporate PBX to automatically forward all calls to the remote user. The virtual presence server also routes email, faxes, and LAN data to the remote user. The virtual presence server also extends the corporate PBX and corporate LAN features to the remote user, just as if the remote user were physically located in the corporate office. According to the invention, the remote user makes outgoing telephone calls, sends faxes, transmits data, sends email and performs Internet access as if the remote user were physically present in the corporate office. The virtual presence server and/or the user communication device also performs a call forwarding operation to call forward telephone calls made to the user's home to the virtual presence server at the corporate office.

US Patent:

57646392, Jun 9, 1998

Filed:

Nov 15, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/559472

Inventors:

Leven E. Staples - Granbury TX
W. B. Barker - San Antonio TX
Kenneth L. Witt - San Antonio TX

International Classification:

H04J 302

US Classification:

370401

Abstract:

A system and method for enabling a remote user to maintain a virtual presence at a corporate office and behave substantially as if the user were physically present at the corporate office. The remote user's telephone behaves as a PBX extension, and the remote user may send and receive faxes and email, have Internet access and maintain LAN connectivity, substantially as if the user were present at the corporate office. The remote computer system includes an individual remote worker unit or communication device, and the remote computer executes virtual presence software according to the present invention. The corporate office includes a virtual presence server according to the invention which connects to the corporate PBX and also to the corporate LAN. The virtual presence server executes software which enables the remote user to maintain a virtual presence at the corporate office. First the remote user establishes a virtual presence at the corporate office, including providing identification and security information.