System and method for managing communications

Abstract

A communications network-based system and service is disclosed. The service permits subscribers to control and manage incoming telephone calls. Subscribers can establish preferences and set encumbrances. The service also connects calls to a called party otherwise prevented from receiving calls due to line encumbrances, permitting preselected or predesignated parties to by-pass line encumbrances.

1 . A method for establishing preferences for a communications service and for providing the communications service comprising the steps of: 
 receiving identifying data from a probably subscriber of a service through an interface system;    determining if the probably subscriber is a valid subscriber by comparing the identifying data to an identifying data record;    if the probable subscriber is a valid subscriber, sending default information to the subscriber through the interface system;    receiving a second item of information from the subscriber through the interface system, wherein the second item of information is related to a calling party that has been preselected to by-pass an encumbered line; and    storing the second item of information in a database accessible by a communications network.    
   
   
       2 - 53 . (canceled)