User invocation of services in public switched telephone network via parallel data networks

Abstract From the Canadian patent

This invention allows customers and other users of the Public Switched TelephoneNetwork (PSTN) to enable disable or modify special services provided by the network. The PSTN is defined here as all equipment world wide (land-based radio or other), enabling ordinary telephone users to connect to other telephone users but excludes, private telephone networks such as "tie line" systems maintained or leased by private enterprises. Presently contemplated actions can be taken independent of the state of the customer's telephone line (e.g. on-hook or off-hook) and usually involve use of equipment, other than telephones and communication networks other than the PSTN (e.g. computers operating through …