METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TELEPHONE NUMBERS LINKING CALLERS WITH GREATER FUNCTIONALITY

• US 20100189245A1
• Filed: 01/26/2009
• Published: 07/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: RAJ, Satish
• Granted Patent: US 8,320,542 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/207.20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• 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 15/43 Billing software details
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13345 Intelligent networks, SCP
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking

Abstract

Methods and systems provided telephone accessible services to callers which are responsive to information about the caller obtained during the call. A telephone service point located anywhere within the telephone network receives a telephone call to particular numbers referred to as hypernumbers and provides services specified for the dialed number. The service point may request data from the caller'"'"'s communication device and provide services or route the call in response to caller-specific information received from the communication device. Caller communication devices may be configured with software to communicate with the service point, including gathering requested caller information and transmitting the information to the service point. The service point may be configured to send information to the caller'"'"'s communication device. The service point may be configured to send caller data to a server of the hypernumber owner and route the call to particular destinations based upon the caller data.

Claims

1. A method for communicating using a communication device, comprising:

placing a call to a number dialed into the communication device;

activating a hypernumber software module within the communication device;

collecting caller data; and

transmitting the caller data to a hypernumber service point.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a notification from the hypernumber service point that the call was placed to a hypernumber, wherein the step of activating the hypernumber software module is accomplished in response to receiving the notification.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically recognizing that the dialed number is a hypernumber, wherein the step of collecting caller data is accomplished in response to recognizing that the dialed number is a hypernumber.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a request for caller information from the hypernumber service point, wherein the step of collecting caller data collects at least a portion of the requested caller information.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving information from the hypernumber service point.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a notification from the hypernumber service point that the call was placed to a hypernumber; and

establishing a communication session with the hypernumber service point;

wherein caller data is transmitted to the hypernumber service point via the communication session.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving task options from the hypernumber service point;

receiving a task option selection from a user of the communication device; and

transmitting the task option selection to the hypernumber service point.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the caller data includes at least one of location data, personal information about the owner of the communication device, electronic coupons and promotions stored in memory of the communication device and a specification of the communication device.

9. A method for communicating, comprising:

receiving a telephone call from a communication device placed to a hypernumber;

sending a request for caller data to the communication device;

receiving caller data from the communication device; and

forwarding the telephone call based upon the received caller data.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

sending a query to a hypernumber database including the hypernumber; and

receiving routing instructions from the hypernumber database corresponding to the hypernumber,

wherein the step of forwarding the telephone call comprises forwarding the telephone call in accordance with the received routing instructions.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising forwarding the received caller data to a second server.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving routing instructions from the second server, wherein the step of forwarding the telephone call comprises forwarding the telephone call in accordance with the received routing instructions.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising forwarding an Internet address for a second server to the communication device in a message configured to enable the communication device to establish an Internet communication session with the second server.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

requesting caller location information from a cellular telephone service provider with which the communication device is communicating; and

receiving caller location information from the cellular telephone service provider.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

sending task options to the communication device;

receiving a task option selection from the communication device; and

forwarding the telephone call based upon the received task option selection.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the received caller data includes at least one of location data, personal information about an owner of the communication device, electronic coupons and promotions stored in the communication device and a specification of the communication device.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of forwarding the telephone call comprises transmitting the telephone call to a second server as a voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) call.

18. A method, comprising:

receiving caller data from a hypernumber service point;

processing the received caller data; and

providing call routing instructions to the hypernumber service point based upon the received caller data.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

sending task options to the hypernumber service point for forwarding to a communication device;

receiving a task option selection from the hypernumber service point; and

providing call routing instructions to the hypernumber service point based upon the received task option selection.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising receiving a voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) call from the hypernumber service point.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

sending to the hypernumber service point an Internet protocol (IP) address for forwarding to a communication device;

receiving a request for an Internet communication session from the communication device directed to the IP address; and

sending data to the communication device via the Internet communication session.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising displaying received caller data to an operator to which the call routing instructions will direct a call from the communication device.

23. A communication device, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor;

wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform steps comprising;

placing a call to a number dialed into the communication device;

activating a hypernumber software module within the communication device;

collecting caller data; and

transmitting the caller data to a hypernumber service point.

24. The communication device of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to perform steps further comprising receiving a notification from the hypernumber service point that the call was placed to a hypernumber, wherein the step of activating the hypernumber software module is accomplished in response to receiving the notification.

25. The communication device of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to perform steps further comprising automatically recognizing that the dialed number is a hypernumber, wherein the step of collecting caller data is accomplished in response to recognizing that the dialed number is a hypernumber.

26. The communication device of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to perform steps further comprising receiving a request for caller information from the hypernumber service point, wherein the step of collecting caller data collects at least a portion of the requested caller information.

27. The communication device of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to perform steps further comprising receiving information from the hypernumber service point.

28. The communication device of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to perform steps further comprising:

receiving a notification from the hypernumber service point that the call was placed to a hypernumber; and

establishing a communication session with the hypernumber service point,

wherein the caller data is transmitted to the hypernumber service point via the communication session.

29. The communication device of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to perform steps further comprising:

receiving task options from the hypernumber service point;

receiving a task option selection from a user of the communication device; and

transmitting the task option selection to the hypernumber service point.

30. The communication device of claim 23, further comprising a Global Positioning Satellite system receiver coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to perform steps such that the caller data includes at least one of location data, personal information about the owner of the communication device, electronic coupons and promotions stored in the memory of the communication device and a specification of the communication device.

31. A computer system, comprising:

a memory;

a processor coupled to the server memory; and

a network connection coupled to the processor,

wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps comprising;

receiving a telephone call from a communication device placed to a hypernumber;

sending a request for caller data to the communication device;

receiving caller data from the communication device; and

forwarding the telephone call based upon the received caller data.

32. The computer system of claim 31, wherein the server processor is configured with software instructions to further perform steps comprising:

sending a query to a hypernumber database including the hypernumber; and

receiving routing instructions from the hypernumber database corresponding to the hypernumber,

wherein the step of forwarding the telephone call comprises forwarding the telephone call in accordance with the received routing instructions.

33. The computer system of claim 31, wherein the server processor is configured with software instructions to further perform steps comprising forwarding the received caller data to a second server.

34. The computer system of claim 32, wherein the server processor is configured with software instructions to further perform steps comprising receiving routing instructions from the second server, wherein the step of forwarding the telephone call comprises forwarding the telephone call in accordance with the received routing instructions.

35. The computer system of claim 31, wherein the server processor is configured with software instructions to further perform steps comprising forwarding an Internet address for a second server to the communication device in a message configured to enable the communication device to establish an Internet communication session with the second server.

36. The computer system of claim 31, wherein the server processor is configured with software instructions to further perform steps comprising:

requesting caller location information from a cellular telephone service provider with which the communication device is communicating; and

receiving caller location information from the cellular telephone service provider.

37. The computer system of claim 31, wherein the server processor is configured with software instructions to further perform steps comprising:

sending task options to the communication device;

receiving a task option selection from the communication device; and

forwarding the telephone call based upon the received task option selection.

38. The computer system of claim 31, wherein the server processor is configured with software instructions to further perform steps such that the step of forwarding the telephone call comprises transmitting the telephone call to a second server as a voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) call.

39. A server, comprising:

a server memory;

a server processor coupled to the server memory; and

a network connection coupled to the server processor,

wherein the server processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps comprising;

receiving caller data from a hypernumber service point;

processing the received caller data; and

providing call routing instructions to the hypernumber service point based upon the received caller data.

40. The server of claim 39, wherein the server processor is configured with software instructions to further perform steps comprising:

sending task options to the hypernumber service point for forwarding to a communication device;

receiving a task option selection from the hypernumber service point; and

providing call routing instructions to the hypernumber service point based upon the received task option selection.

41. The server of claim 39, wherein the server processor is configured with software instructions to further perform steps comprising receiving a voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) call from the hypernumber service point.

42. The server of claim 39, wherein the server processor is configured with software instructions to further perform steps comprising:

sending to the hypernumber service point an Internet protocol (IP) address for forwarding to a communication device;

receiving a request for an Internet communication session from the communication device directed to the IP address; and

sending data to the communication device via the Internet communication session.

43. The server of claim 39, wherein the server processor is configured with software instructions to further perform steps comprising displaying received caller data to an operator to which the call routing instructions will direct a call from the communication device.

44. A communication device, comprising:

means for placing a call to a number dialed into the communication device;

means for activating a hypernumber software module within the communication device;

means for collecting caller data; and

means for transmitting the caller data to a hypernumber service point.

45. The communication device of claim 44, further comprising means for receiving a notification from the hypernumber service point that the call was placed to a hypernumber, wherein means for activating the hypernumber software module comprises means for activating the hypernumber software module in response to receiving the notification.

46. The communication device of claim 44, further comprising means for automatically recognizing that the dialed number is a hypernumber, wherein means for collecting caller data comprises means for collecting caller data in response to recognizing that the dialed number is a hypernumber.

47. The communication device of claim 44, further comprising means for receiving a request for caller information from the hypernumber service point, wherein means for collecting caller data comprises means for collecting at least a portion of the requested caller information.

48. The communication device of claim 44, further comprising means for receiving information from the hypernumber service point.

49. The communication device of claim 44, further comprising:

means for receiving a notification from the hypernumber service point that the call was placed to a hypernumber; and

means for establishing a communication session with the hypernumber service point,

wherein means for transmitting caller data to the hypernumber service point comprises means for transmitting the caller data via the communication session.

50. The communication device of claim 44, further comprising:

means for receiving task options from the hypernumber service point;

means for receiving a task option selection from a user of the communication device; and

means for transmitting the task option selection to the hypernumber service point.

51. The communication device of claim 44, wherein means for collecting caller data comprises means for collecting at least one of location data, personal information about an owner of the communication device, electronic coupons and promotions stored in memory of the communication device and a specification of the communication device.

52. A computer system, comprising:

means for receiving a telephone call from a communication device placed to a hypernumber;

means for sending a request for caller data to the communication device;

means for receiving caller data from the communication device; and

means for forwarding the telephone call based upon the received caller data.

53. The computer system of claim 52, further comprising:

means for querying a hypernumber database including the hypernumber; and

means for receiving routing instructions from the hypernumber database corresponding to the hypernumber,

wherein means for forwarding the telephone call comprises means for forwarding the telephone call in accordance with the received routing instructions.

54. The computer system of claim 52, further comprising means for forwarding the received caller data to a second server.

55. The computer system of claim 54, further comprising means for receiving routing instructions from the second server, wherein means for forwarding the telephone call comprises means for forwarding the telephone call in accordance with the received routing instructions.

56. The computer system of claim 52, further comprising means for forwarding an Internet address for a second server to the communication device in a message configured to enable the communication device to establish an Internet communication session with the second server.

57. The computer system of claim 52, further comprising:

means for requesting caller location information from a cellular telephone service provider with which the communication device is communicating; and

means for receiving caller location information from the cellular telephone service provider.

58. The computer system of claim 52, further comprising:

means for sending task options to the communication device;

means for receiving a task option selection from the communication device; and

means for forwarding the telephone call based upon the received task option selection.

59. The computer system of claim 52, wherein the means for forwarding the telephone call comprises means for transmitting the telephone call to a second server as a voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) call.

60. A server, comprising:

means for receiving caller data from a hypernumber service point;

means for processing the received caller data; and

means for providing call routing instructions to the hypernumber service point based upon the received caller data.

61. The server of claim 60, further comprising:

means for sending task options to the hypernumber service point for forwarding to a communication device;

means for receiving a task option selection from the hypernumber service point; and

means for providing call routing instructions to the hypernumber service point based upon the received task option selection.

62. The server of claim 60, further comprising means for receiving a voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) call from the hypernumber service point.

63. The server of claim 60, further comprising:

means for sending to the hypernumber service point an Internet protocol (IP) address for forwarding to a communication device;

means for receiving a request for an Internet communication session from the communication device directed to the IP address; and

means for sending data to the communication device via the Internet communication session.

64. The server of claim 62, further comprising means for displaying received caller data to an operator to which the call routing instructions will direct a call from the communication device.

65. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium, comprising;

at lease one instruction for placing a call to a number dialed into the communication device;

at lease one instruction for activating a hypernumber software module within the communication device;

at lease one instruction for collecting caller data; and

at lease one instruction for transmitting the caller data to a hypernumber service point.

66. The computer program product of claim 65, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for receiving a notification from the hypernumber service point that the call was placed to a hypernumber,

wherein the step of activating the hypernumber software module is accomplished in response to receiving the notification.

67. The computer program product of claim 65, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for automatically recognizing that the dialed number is a hypernumber,

wherein the at least one instruction for collecting caller data is accomplished in response to recognizing that the dialed number is a hypernumber.

68. The computer program product of claim 65, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for receiving a request for caller information from the hypernumber service point,

wherein the at least one instruction for collecting caller data collects at least a portion of the requested caller information.

69. The computer program product of claim 65, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for receiving information from the hypernumber service point.

70. The computer program product of claim 65, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for receiving a notification from the hypernumber service point that the call was placed to a hypernumber; and

at least one instruction for establishing a communication session with the hypernumber service point,

wherein the caller data is transmitted to the hypernumber service point via the communication session.

71. The computer program product of claim 65, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for receiving task options from the hypernumber service point;

at least one instruction for receiving a task option selection from a user of the communication device; and

at least one instruction for transmitting the task option selection to the hypernumber service point.

72. The computer program product of claim 65, wherein the caller data includes one of at least location data, personal information about the owner of the communication device, electronic coupons and promotions stored in the memory of the communication device and a specification of the communication device.

73. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium, comprising;

at least one instruction for receiving a telephone call from a communication device placed to a hypernumber;

at least one instruction for sending a request for caller data to the communication device;

at least one instruction for receiving caller data from the communication device; and

at least one instruction for forwarding the telephone call based upon the received caller data.

74. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for sending a query to a hypernumber database including the hypernumber; and

at least one instruction for receiving routing instructions from the hypernumber database corresponding to the hypernumber,

wherein the at least one instruction for forwarding the telephone call comprises forwarding the telephone call in accordance with the received routing instructions.

75. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for forwarding the received caller data to a second server.

76. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for receiving routing instructions from the second server,

wherein the at least one instruction for forwarding the telephone call comprises forwarding the telephone call in accordance with the received routing instructions.

77. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for forwarding an Internet address for a second server to the communication device in a message configured to enable the communication device to establish an Internet communication session with the second server.

78. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for requesting caller location information from a cellular telephone service provider with which the communication device is communicating; and

at least one instruction for receiving caller location information from the cellular telephone service provider.

79. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for sending task options to the communication device;

at least one instruction for receiving a task option selection from the communication device; and

at least one instruction for forwarding the telephone call based upon the received task option selection.

80. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein the at least one instruction for forwarding the telephone call comprises transmitting the telephone call to a second server as a voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) call.

81. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium, comprising;

at least one instruction for receiving caller data from a hypernumber service point;

at least one instruction for processing the received caller data; and

at least one instruction for providing call routing instructions to the hypernumber service point based upon the received caller data.

82. The computer program product of claim 81, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for sending task options to the hypernumber service point for forwarding to a communication device;

at least one instruction for receiving a task option selection from the hypernumber service point; and

at least one instruction for providing call routing instructions to the hypernumber service point based upon the received task option selection.

83. The computer program product of claim 81, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for receiving a voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) call from the hypernumber service point.

84. The computer program product of claim 81, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for sending to the hypernumber service point an Internet protocol (IP) address for forwarding to a communication device;

at least one instruction for receiving a request for an Internet communication session from the communication device directed to the IP address; and

at least one instruction for sending data to the communication device via the Internet communication session.

85. The computer program product of claim 81, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for displaying received caller data to an operator to which the call routing instructions will direct a call from the communication device.