Methods, Systems, and Products for Processing Calls

• US 20090016519A1
• Filed: 09/26/2008
• Published: 01/15/2009
• 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 A., Bedingfield, James C. SR.
• Granted Patent: US 7,983,408 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/216.10
• 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. An alias is associated to a called party'"'"'s destination number. When the alias is then dialed for a call, the call is routed to the destination number. Exemplary embodiments thus enable a user to make calls without having to dial a long string of numbers. The user, instead, may simply select and dial an easy-to-remember alias associated with the called party.

Claims

1. A method for processing a call, comprising:

determining whether a dialed digit string is a complete string;

if the dialed digit string is a complete string, then routing the call 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 destination number that corresponds to the dialed digit string; and

routing the call to the destination number.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising associating dialing strings of any length with user-selected aliases.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising automatically adding digits to the dialed digit string.

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving the dialed digit string.

5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising assigning an alias to the destination number.

6. A method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving the alias as the dialed digit string.

7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a special feature digit to indicate the dialed digit string is to be interpreted according to the calling party'"'"'s personal dialing plan.

8. A method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a prefix that indicates the dialed digit string is to be interpreted according to the calling party'"'"'s personal dialing plan.

9. A method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a special purpose key to indicate the dialed digit string is to be interpreted according to the calling party'"'"'s personal dialing plan.

10. A method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a suffix that indicates the dialed digit string is to be interpreted according to the calling party'"'"'s personal dialing plan.

11. A method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a string of alphanumeric characters that indicates the dialed digit string is to be interpreted as an alias.

12. A method according to claim 1, further comprising automatically adding a “

1”

to the destination number.

13. A method for routing a call, comprising:

receiving a destination number;

receiving an alias;

associating the alias to the destination number;

receiving the alias as a dialed string for the call; and

routing the call to the destination number associated with the alias.

14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising automatically adding a “

1”

to the destination number.

15. A method according to claim 13, further comprising comparing a calling party'"'"'s directory number to the destination number.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein when a destination area code of the destination number matches an area code of the calling party'"'"'s directory number, then determining to dial the destination area code.

17. A method according to claim 15, wherein when a destination area code of the destination number fails to match an area code of the calling party'"'"'s directory number, then automatically adding a “

1”

to the destination number.

18. A method according to claim 13, further comprising determining whether the alias is already assigned to another destination number.

19. A method according to claim 13, further comprising receiving a prefix that indicates the alias is to be interpreted according to a personal dialing plan.

20. A method according to claim 13, further comprising receiving a suffix that indicates the alias is to be interpreted according to a personal dialing plan.