MLPP telephone emulation

1. A system for emulating an MLPP telephone without a need for a physical MLPP telephone instrument by using a software function that provides screen display of a well-recognized MLPP keypad generated by a computer-based application adaptable for any authorized user so that a user need not enter a series of special code sequences from a standard telephone keypad to activate priority features of an associated system, the system comprising:

a display device configured to display a visual representation of a data entry portion that accepts telephone call initiation information, including MLPP priority information, from a user; and

an information display portion that displays information relating to the data entry portion;

wherein at least part of the system is connected to a PSTN utilizing Internet protocol (IP), wherein the audio interface is accomplished utilizing voice over Internet protocol (VOIP, wherein call initiation signaling with the PSTN is accomplished using out-of-band signaling through a SCP of the intelligent network, wherein call initiation signaling with the PSTN is accomplished using out-of-band signaling via a gateway provided between the PSTN and a private network utilizing SIP signaling (session initiation protocol), and wherein a SIP resource priority header is used to indicate that a request needs priority treatment.

2. The system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the data entry portion comprises:

a visual representation, on the display device, of an MLPP telephone keypad; and

a data input device.

3. The system in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the visual representation, on a display device, comprises a visual representation on a video display terminal associated with a personal computer.

4. The system in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the data input device comprises a cursor-control device that allows a user to position a cursor, depicted on the display device, such that the cursor indicates a user-selected key of the MLPP keypad, and to provide at least two distinct input signals.

5. The system in accordance with claim 4 , wherein one of the said at least two distinct input signals is a data selection input signal that initiates a response from the system equivalent to depressing the indicated key of the MLPP keypad.

6. The system in accordance with claim 4 , wherein one of the said at least two distinct input signals is an information request signal that causes information relating to the indicated key to be displayed on the display device.

7. The system in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a standard audio interface portion that emulates telephone system audio communication consistent with a conventional (POTS) telephone set.

8. The system in accordance with claim 7 , wherein the audio interface portion comprises an associated conventional (POTS) telephone set.

9. The system in accordance with claim 7 , wherein the audio interface portion is provided by a personal computer that also hosts the data entry portion and the information display portion.

10. The system in accordance with claim 9 , wherein the audio interface portion comprises a USB handset.

11. A system for emulating an MLPP telephone without a need for a physical MLPP telephone instrument by using a software function that provides screen display of a well-recognized MLPP keypad generated by a computer-based application adaptable for any authorized user so that a user need not enter a series of special code sequences from a standard telephone keypad to activate priority features of an associated system, the system comprising:

a data entry portion including a visual representation, on a display device, of an MLPP telephone keypad, and a data input device, wherein the data entry portion accepts telephone call initiation information, including MLPP priority information, from a user;

an information display portion responsive to an information request signal that causes information relating to an indicated key of the MLPP telephone keypad to be displayed on the display device; and

an audio interface portion that emulates telephone system audio communication;

wherein at least art of the system is connected to the PSTN utilizing Internet protocol (IP), wherein the audio interface is accomplished utilizing voice over Internet protocol (VOIP, wherein call initiation signaling with the PSTN is accomplished using out-of-band signaling through a SCP of the intelligent network, wherein call initiation signaling with the PSTN is accomplished using out-of-band signaling via a gateway provided between the PSTN and a private network utilizing SIP signaling (session initiation protocol), and wherein a SIP resource priority header is used to indicate that a request needs priority treatment.

12. The system in accordance with claim 11 , wherein the data input device comprises a cursor-control device that allows a user to position a cursor, depicted on the display device, such that the cursor indicates a user-selected key of the MLPP keypad, and to provide at least two distinct input signals.

13. The system in accordance with claim 12 , wherein one of the said at least two distinct input signals is a data selection input signal that initiates a response from the system equivalent to depressing the indicated key of the MLPP keypad.

14. The system in accordance with claim 12 , wherein one of the said at least two distinct input signals is an information request signal that causes information relating to the indicated key to be displayed on the display device.

15. The system in accordance with claim 11 , wherein the audio interface portion emulates telephone system audio communication consistent with a conventional (POTS) telephone set.

16. The system in accordance with claim 11 , wherein at least part of the system is connected to the PSTN using a modem.

17. The system in accordance with claim 16 , wherein call initiation signaling with the PSTN is accomplished using in-band signaling after detecting end-office dial tone.

18. A system for emulating an MLP telephone without a need for a physical MLPP telephone instrument by using a software function that provides screen display of a well-recognized MLPP keypad generated by a computer-based application adaptable for any authorized user so that a user need not enter a series of special code sequences from a standard telephone keypad to activate priority features of an associated system, the system comprising:

a data entry portion including a visual representation, on a display device, of an MLPP telephone keypad, and a data input device, wherein the data entry portion accepts telephone call initiation information, including MLPP priority information, from a user,

wherein the data input device interacts with the visual representation to indicate a user-selected key of the MLPP keypad and to provide an information request signal;

an information display portion responsive to the information request signal that causes information relating to an indicated key of the MLPP telephone keypad to be displayed on the display device; and

an audio interface portion that emulates telephone system audio communication;

wherein at least part of the system is connected to the PSTN utilizing Internet protocol (IP), wherein the audio interface is accomplished utilizing voice over Internet protocol (VOIP, wherein call initiation signaling with the PSTN is accomplished using out-of-band signaling through a SCP of the intelligent network, wherein call initiation signaling with the PSTN is accomplished using out-of-band signaling via a gateway provided between the PSTN and a private network utilizing SIP signaling (session initiation protocol), and wherein a SIP resource priority header is used to indicate that a request needs priority treatment.