Method for Identifying Phone Numbers and Alphanumeric Sequences
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- receiving a text source;
searching the text source for a pattern;
separating the pattern into parts corresponding to a telephone number; and
verifying whether the separated parts together form a valid telephone number.
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Abstract
A method and system provides the ability to identify phone numbers and alphanumeric sequences in a text source such as a web page and format them and/or convert them into usable information. According to one aspect, the invention automatically identifies and formats phone numbers in web pages so that they can be automatically dialed using VoIP or PSTN phone services. According to other aspects, the formatted phone number can be provided to any network voice applications, such as voice-over IP (VOIP) solutions, voice chat, voice IM, and wireless, WiFi, and WiMax connections. According to additional aspects, the invention can be integrated with internet browsing applications to allow automatic dialing of phone numbers over VOIP services or PSTN services. According to still other aspects, the invention allows technical support, electronic commerce, customer support numbers, phone numbers for product ordering, etc., on company web pages to be identified and dialed with a mouse click. According to yet other aspects, a search engine provider using the invention can charge an advertiser for phone calls placed to the advertiser, which are far more valuable than “clicks” on advertiser links, thereby reducing the “click fraud” problem afflicting current search engine technology.
34 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving a text source; searching the text source for a pattern; separating the pattern into parts corresponding to a telephone number; and verifying whether the separated parts together form a valid telephone number. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method comprising:
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receiving a text source; searching the text source for a series of characters; determining whether the series of characters contain a telephone number, including; determining whether the telephone number comprises a vanity number, and determining whether the telephone number comprises an international number. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method comprising:
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displaying a web page in a browser; causing the browser to highlight a phone number in the displayed web page; linking the highlighted phone number with a VoIP dialing application; and launching a VoIP call in response to a click on the highlighted phone number in the browser. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification