Methods and systems for processing calls

• US 20070116249A1
• Filed: 08/25/2006
• Published: 05/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Koch, Robert, Bedingfield, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,443,974 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/355.50
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/12 intelligent networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42272 whereby the subscriber registers to the terminals for personalised service provision

Abstract

Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for processing calls. A dialed digit string is received and analyzed to determine whether the dialed digit string is a complete string according to a dialing plan of a service provider. If the dialed digit string is a complete string, then the call is sent for routing to the dialed digit string. If the dialed digit string is not a complete string, then it is determined whether the dialed digit string is a valid string according to a calling party'"'"'s personal dialing plan. If the dialed digit string is valid, then a number is retrieved that corresponds to the dialed digit string according to the calling party'"'"'s personal dialing plan. The call is then routed to the number.

Claims

1. A method for processing a call, comprising:

receiving a dialed digit string;

analyzing the dialed digit string to determine whether the dialed digit string is a complete string according to a dialing plan of a service provider;

if the dialed digit string is a complete string, then sending the call for routing to the dialed digit string;

if the dialed digit string is not a complete string, then determining whether the dialed digit string is a valid string according to a calling party'"'"'s personal dialing plan;

if the dialed digit string is valid, then retrieving a number that corresponds to the dialed digit string according to the calling party'"'"'s personal dialing plan; and

sending the call for routing to the number.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising substituting the number for the dialed digit string.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein retrieving the number comprises searching a register for an entry matching the dialed digit string.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein retrieving the number comprises applying a rule to the dialed digit string whereby the dialed digit string is converted into a complete dialing string.

5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising associating the dialed digit string to the number.

6. A method according to claim 1, further comprising providing an option to define a time between an input of digits.

7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising prompting to add an entry to the calling party'"'"'s personal dialing plan.

8. A system for processing a call, comprising:

software for storing a personal dialing plan of a calling party;

the software determining whether a dialed digit string is a complete string according to a dialing plan of a service provider and, if the dialed digit string is a complete string, then sending the call for routing to the dialed digit string;

the software determining whether the dialed digit string is a valid string according to the personal dialing plan of the calling party and, if the dialed digit string is valid, then retrieving a number that corresponds to the dialed digit string according to the calling party'"'"'s personal dialing plan; and

the software sending the call for routing to the number.

9. A system according to claim 8, further comprising substituting the number for the dialed digit string.

10. A system according to claim 8, wherein retrieving the number comprises searching a register for an entry matching the dialed digit string.

11. A system according to claim 8, wherein retrieving the number comprises applying a rule to the dialed digit string whereby the dialed digit string is converted into a complete dialing string.

12. A system according to claim 8, further comprising associating the dialed digit string to the number.

13. A system according to claim 8, further comprising providing an option to define a time between an input of digits.

14. A system according to claim 8, further comprising prompting to add an entry to the calling party'"'"'s personal dialing plan.

15. A method for creating a personal dialing plan of a calling party, comprising:

receiving a request to add an entry to the calling party'"'"'s personal dialing plan;

receiving a complete dialing string recognizable by a service provider;

receiving an alias; and

associating the alias to the complete dialing string in the calling party'"'"'s personal dialing plan.

16. A method according to claim 15, further comprising determining whether the alias is already assigned to another entry in the calling party'"'"'s personal dialing plan.

17. A method according to claim 15, further comprising testing the alias.

18. A method according to claim 15, further comprising deleting an existing entry from the calling party'"'"'s personal dialing plan.

19. A method according to claim 15, further comprising storing a rule associated with the calling party'"'"'s personal dialing plan.

20. A method according to claim 19, further comprising receiving a code that identifies the rule.