System and method for making telecommunication calls
First Claim
1. ) A method for connecting a user to a telephone number, comprising the steps of:
- a) receiving a phone address entered by a caller;
b) determining the entry modality used by said caller to enter the received phone address;
c) decoding said received phone address according to the determined entry modality;
d) consulting a reference table using the decoded phone address, said reference table being periodically updated by a centralized master reference table; and
e) connecting the caller to the telephone number that results from said step of consulting the reference table.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The system and method are directed to an improved calling procedure. In a preferred embodiment, instead of dialing telephone numbers, callers enter mnemonic, alphanumeric “phone addresses” (PA'"'"'s). PA'"'"'s may be entered using methods such as telephone keypad entry, keyboard entry, voice input, and handwriting input. A reference table, such as a database, lookup table, or the like, associates these phone addresses with actual telephone numbers. Accordingly, when caller enters a PA, the system connects the caller to the corresponding telephone number. In one embodiment, restrictions may be put into place whereby a caller must fulfill certain requirements, such as physical location or personal identity, to be connected to the corresponding telephone number. Additionally, in another embodiment, two or more parties may share the same PA. If a caller enters such a PA, the system acts in order to determine which of the parties who share that PA the caller wishes and/or is entitled to reach.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. ) A method for connecting a user to a telephone number, comprising the steps of:
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a) receiving a phone address entered by a caller;
b) determining the entry modality used by said caller to enter the received phone address;
c) decoding said received phone address according to the determined entry modality;
d) consulting a reference table using the decoded phone address, said reference table being periodically updated by a centralized master reference table; and
e) connecting the caller to the telephone number that results from said step of consulting the reference table. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. ) A system for connecting a user to a telephone number, comprising:
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a memory having program code stored therein; and
a processor connected to said memory for carrying out instructions in accordance with stored program code;
wherein said program code, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to perform the steps of;
a) receiving a phone address entered by a caller;
b) determining the entry modality used by said caller to enter the received phone address;
c) decoding said received phone address according to the determined entry modality;
d) consulting a reference table using the decoded phone address, said reference table being periodically updated by a centralized master reference table; and
e) connecting the caller to the telephone number that results from said step of consulting the reference table. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 19, 20, 21)
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11. ) A method for determining telephone numbers, comprising the steps of:
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a) receiving from a caller an ambiguous phone address;
b) collecting the additional information specified by an ambiguity resolving parameter; and
c) determining, using said additional information, whether said phone address resolves to a telephone number. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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12. ) A system for determining telephone numbers, comprising:
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a memory having program code stored therein; and
a processor connected to said memory for carrying out instructions in accordance with stored program code;
wherein said program code, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to perform the steps of;
a) receiving from a caller an ambiguous phone address;
b) collecting the additional information specified by an ambiguity resolving parameter; and
c) determining, using said additional information, whether said phone address resolves to a telephone number.
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30. ) A method for determining a telephone number, comprising the steps of:
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a) receiving a phone address; and
b) determining a telephone number correlated with the received phone address.
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31. ) A system for determining a telephone number, comprising:
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a memory having program code stored therein; and
a processor connected to said memory for carrying out instructions in accordance with stored program code;
wherein said program code, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to perform the steps of;
a) receiving a phone address; and
b) determining a telephone number correlated with the received phone address.
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Specification