Systems and methods for call measurement

• US 20060188081A1
• Filed: 02/16/2006
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Murray Hooper, Shane O'Neil
• Original Assignee: Murray Hooper, Shane O'Neil
• Inventors: O'Neil, Shane, Hooper, Murray
• Application Number:
  US11/354,817
• Publication Number:
  US 20060188081A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/211.20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/06 Recording class or number of calling , i.e. A-party or called party , i.e. B-party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/41 Billing record details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure of call data record [CDR]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/43 Billing software details
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/56 for VoIP communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0164 Billing record, e.g. Call Data Record [CDR], Toll Ticket[TT], Automatic Message Accounting [AMA], Call Line Identifier [CLI], details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/202 VoIP; Packet switched telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems

Abstract

Systems and methods for call measurement services. The system includes a routing system, a client database, and a call block database. The routing system is configured to receiving an incoming call containing incoming call data which may include an original dialed number and a caller identifier. The client database stores at least one published number and at least one termination number, wherein each termination number corresponds to at least one published number. The call block database stores at least one blocked number. The routing system is operatively coupled to the client database and to the call block database and wherein the routing system is configured to route the incoming call to one of the termination numbers. Blocked numbers may be added to the call block database when telemarketing calling patterns are detected.

Claims

1. A call measurement system, comprising:

(a) a routing system configured to receiving an incoming call comprising incoming call data, wherein the incoming call data may include an original dialed number and a caller identifier;

(b) a client database storing;

(i) at least one published number; and

(ii) at least one termination number, wherein each termination number corresponds to at least one published number;

(c) a call block database storing at least one blocked number; and

(d) wherein the routing system is operatively coupled to the client database and to the call block database and wherein the routing system is configured to route the incoming call to one of the termination numbers.

2. A call measurement system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the routing system is configured to compare the caller identifier data to the at least one blocked number and wherein if the caller identifier data corresponds to a blocked number, the routing system is configured to terminate the incoming call.

3. A call measurement system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a reporting system, wherein the reporting system includes a call tracking database storing incoming call data.

4. A call measurement system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the call block database stores globally blocked numbers and individually blocked numbers and wherein each individually blocked number corresponds to a specific termination number.

5. A method of routing incoming calls comprising incoming call data, wherein the incoming call data includes, original dialed number data and caller identifier data, the steps of the method comprising:

(a) providing a client database storing;

(i) at least one published number; and

(ii) at least one termination number, wherein each termination number corresponds to at least one published number;

(b) providing a call block database storing call block data corresponding to at least one blocked number;

(c) receiving at least one incoming call comprising incoming call data, wherein the incoming call data includes an original dialed number and a caller identifier; and

(d) comparing the caller identifier data to the call block data and if the caller identifier data does not correspond to a blocked number, routing the incoming call to a termination number.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein step (c) comprises comparing the original dialed number to the at least one published number.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein step (d) further comprises routing the incoming call to the termination number corresponding to a published number which matches the original dialed number.

8. The method of claim 5 further comprising the steps of:

(e) storing incoming call data for each incoming call, in a call tracking database;

(f) searching the incoming call data in the call tracking database to locate a telemarketing calling pattern; and

(g) wherein if a telemarketing pattern is located, for at least one caller identifier corresponding to the telemarketing pattern storing a corresponding blocked number in the call block database.

9. A method of creating a call block database comprising the following steps:

(a) providing a client database storing;

(i) a plurality of published numbers; and

(ii) a plurality of termination numbers, wherein each termination number corresponds to at least one published number;

(b) providing a call block database configured to store at least one blocked number;

(c) receiving a plurality of incoming calls comprising incoming call data, wherein the incoming call data includes an original dialed number and a caller identifier;

(d) storing incoming call data for each incoming call, in a call tracking database; and

(e) searching the incoming call data in the call tracking database to locate telemarketing calling patterns.

10. The method of creating a call block database as claimed in claim 9, wherein step (e) further comprises checking the incoming call data in the call tracking database for multiple incoming calls having the same caller identifier.

11. The method of creating a call block database as claimed in claim 10, wherein step (e) further comprises for those multiple calls having the same caller identifier:

(i) determining if the incoming call data corresponding to the multiple calls includes more than one original dialed number.

12. The method of creating a call block database as claimed in claim 9, further comprising the following step:

(f) wherein if a telemarketing pattern is located, for at least one caller identifier corresponding to the telemarketing pattern storing a corresponding blocked number in the call block database.

13. The method of creating a call block database as claimed in claim 12, further comprising the following step:

(g) investigating to confirm if the at least one caller identifier corresponds to a telemarketer.

14. The method of creating a call block database as claimed in claim 13, further comprising the following step:

(h) wherein if the at least one caller identifier does not correspond to a telemarketer, deleting the corresponding blocked number from the call block database.

15. The method of creating a call block database as claimed in claim 12, further comprising periodically deleting blocked numbers from the call block database.

16. The method of creating a call block database as claimed in claim 15, further comprising investigating to confirm if at least one blocked number in the call block database corresponds to a telemarketer.

17. The method of creating a call block database as claimed in claim 16, further comprising the following step:

(a) wherein if the at least blocked number does not correspond to a telemarketer, deleting the blocked number from the call block database.

18. A call block database created in accordance with the method of claim 12.

19. A call measurement system comprising a call block database created in accordance with the method of claim 12.