System and Method for Placing a Call Using a Local Access Number Shared by Multiple Users
First Claim
1. A method for placing a call through an Internet Protocol (IP) network, from a contact voice interface device for use by a contact user located in a first geographical area, to a subscribed voice interface device for use by a subscribed user located in a second geographical area, each geographical area defined by an area in which a local call can be made, the method comprising:
- assigning a local access phone number to the first geographical area;
the contact user initiating a first leg of the call, from the contact voice interface device to a first IP switch, by dialing the local access phone number using the contact voice interface device;
the contact user providing an identity of the subscribed voice interface device to which the call is to be completed;
transmitting the identity from the first IP switch to a second IP switch via the IP network, the second IP switch associated with the identity of the subscribed voice interface device provided;
the second IP switch establishing a second leg of the call at a local calling rate to the subscribed voice interface; and
bridging the first leg of the call to the second leg of the call through the IP network, thereby completing the call from the contact voice interface device to the subscribed voice interface device through the IP network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present document describes a method and system for placing a call through an Internet Protocol (IP) network, from a contact voice interface device for use by a contact user located in a first geographical area, to a subscribed voice interface device for use by a subscribed user located in a second geographical area, each geographical area defined by an area in which a local call can be made. The method comprises: assigning a local access phone number to the first geographical area; the contact user initiating a first leg of the call, from the contact voice interface device to a first IP switch, by dialing the local access phone number using the contact voice interface device; the contact user providing an identity of the subscribed voice interface device to which the call is to be completed; transmitting the identity from the first IP switch to a second IP switch via the IP network, the second IP switch associated with the identity of the subscribed voice interface device provided; the second IP switch establishing a second leg of the call at a local calling rate to the subscribed voice interface; and bridging the first leg of the call to the second leg of the call through the IP network, thereby completing the call from the contact voice interface device to the subscribed voice interface device through the IP network.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for placing a call through an Internet Protocol (IP) network, from a contact voice interface device for use by a contact user located in a first geographical area, to a subscribed voice interface device for use by a subscribed user located in a second geographical area, each geographical area defined by an area in which a local call can be made, the method comprising:
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assigning a local access phone number to the first geographical area; the contact user initiating a first leg of the call, from the contact voice interface device to a first IP switch, by dialing the local access phone number using the contact voice interface device; the contact user providing an identity of the subscribed voice interface device to which the call is to be completed; transmitting the identity from the first IP switch to a second IP switch via the IP network, the second IP switch associated with the identity of the subscribed voice interface device provided; the second IP switch establishing a second leg of the call at a local calling rate to the subscribed voice interface; and bridging the first leg of the call to the second leg of the call through the IP network, thereby completing the call from the contact voice interface device to the subscribed voice interface device through the IP network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for placing a call through an Internet Protocol (IP) network, from a contact voice interface device for use by a contact user located in a first geographical area, to a subscribed voice interface device for use by a subscribed user located in a second geographical area, each one of the first and second geographical areas being defined by an area in which a local call can be made, the system comprising:
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a first IP switch being locally accessible to the contact voice interface device for establishing a first leg of the call, and having access to the IP network, the first leg of the call being established by the contact user dialing a local access phone number assigned to the first geographical area using the contact voice interface device; a second IP switch accessible via the IP network, for establishing a second leg of the call at a local calling rate, to the subscribed voice interface device, upon receiving an identity of the subscribed voice interface device provided by the contact user and transmitted from the first IP switch to the second IP switch over via the IP network; and a bridge server accessible via the IP network, the bridge server for bridging the first leg of the call to a second leg of the call through the IP network thereby completing the call from the contact voice interface device to the subscribed voice interface device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A server for completing a call through an Internet Protocol (IP) network, from a first IP switch being locally accessible by a contact voice interface device for use by a contact user located in a first geographical area, to a second IP switch having local access to a subscribed voice interface device for use by a subscribed user located in a second geographical area, the bridge server comprising:
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an access to the IP network; a database, the database comprising a correspondence between the second IP switch and an identity of the subscribed voice interface device; and an application coupled to the database, the application being configured for; upon a first leg of the call being established from the contact voice interface device to the first IP switch by the contact user dialing a local access phone number assigned to the first geographical area, receiving an identity of the subscribed voice interface device to which the call is to be completed from the first IP switch; retrieving from the database the second IP switch corresponding to the identity received; transferring the identity to the second IP switch to enable the second IP switch to establish a second leg of the call, at a local calling rate, to the subscribed voice interface device associated with the identity; and establishing a communication over the IP network, to both the first IP switch and the second IP switch, thereby linking the first leg of the call to the second leg of the call and completing the call. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification