Automated system for establishing telephone voice connections

• US 4,600,814 A
• Filed: 10/05/1983
• Issued: 07/15/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Concerto Software Incorporated (Alvaria Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Manufacturing Administration and Management Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Cunniff, William B., Tyler, Walter
• Primary Examiner(s): BROWN, THOMAS
• Application Number:
  US06/538,770
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 179/6.02, 179/18 BC, 179/2 AS, 179/2 AM, 179/18 B, 179/18 BA, 179/18 AD, 179/90 BD, 179/90 BB, 179/90 B, 179/5 R, 179/5 P, 370/62
• US Class Current: 379/92.03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/5063 Centrally initiated conference, i.e. conference server dials participants
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/46 Arrangements for calling a number of substations in a predetermined sequence until an answer is obtained
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5158 in combination with automated outdialling systems devices for signalling identity of wanted subscriber H04M1/26
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 379/904 Auto-calling

Abstract

A computer inputed with a data base of potential call recipients and having an EIA RS-232 Data Communication Equipment interface drives an auto-call unit or dialer through a format conversion device to be compatible with the dialer EIA RS-366 automatic calling equipment interface. A line signalling device monitors the dial stream for conference connection commands and establishes a voice connection between the computer, an external or remote station and an internal or local extension upon receipt of such command. The computer thereupon disengages itself from the conference connection while maintaining the same between the remote and local stations. While a previously established conference connection may continue to be in progress, the computer is free to process a new sequence of dial digits from the data base to establish a conference connection between a next successive group of handsets in an automated, high speed repetitive manner.

Claims

1. A machine controlled automated outgoing calling system for originating and controlling telephonic communication connections, in a high speed, repetitive manner and which can service a plurality of receivers each having a telephone number, comprising:

a. telephone switching means for receiving dialing signals from a machine call originator for the purpose of dialing a plurality of receivers and establishing connections between the dialed receivers; and

for receiving control command signals for the purpose of establishing telephonic communication connections;

b. computer or data terminal equipment (DTE) means, serving as a call originator, for accessing stored data which includes telephone numbers of said plurlity of receivers to be called and creating, from said stored data, combinations of at least two receivers to be called for the purposes of automatically connecting said receivers of said combinations, and for creating a data stream which is a string of characters in a predetermined format for each said combination of receivers to be connected which represents the telephone numbers of the receivers and control commands for the the purposes of engaging said telephone switching means, dialing the telephone numbers of one combination of receivers, connecting said one combination of receivers to each other and disengaging from said switching means to permit the next connection of another combination of receivers to be initiated automatically for outputting said data stream; and

for receiving operational information indicating when the next said data stream can be automatically outputted; and

c. telecommunication (DCE) means including;

means for receiving said data stream from the DTE means;

means for processing and converting said data stream to said dialing signals and said control command signals for the purposes of engaging said telephone switching means and dialing said receivers and connecting at least two said receivers together and disengaging from said telephone switching means;

first operational means for transmitting said dialing signals and said control command signals to said telephone switching means; and

second operational means for transmitting operational information to said DTE means including an indication when the next data stream for the next connection of another combination of said receivers can be automatically serviced.

2. A machine controlled automated outgoing calling system according to claim 1, wherein said data stream from said DTE means is in a special predetermined format, and wherein said DCE means further comprises means for receiving and storing said data stream from said DTE means.

3. A machine controlled automated outgoing calling system according to claim 2, wherein said data stream is processed by said DCE means in accordance with the EIA RS-366 Standard.

4. A machine controlled automated outgoing calling system according to claim 1, wherein said telephone switching means initiates a telephonic communication connection function upon detection of the first occurrence of a control command signal, a hookswitch flash, an impedance level change, on an engaged line between said DCE means and said telephone switching means and establishes a telephonic communication connection upon detection of the second occurrence of a control command signal, hookswitch flash, an impedance level change on the engaged line between said DCE means and said telephone switching means, wherein said means for processing and converting and first operational means of said DCE means comprise line signalling means for receiving a unique control command contained in said data stream created by said DTE means and transmitted to said DCE means which said DCE means processes and converts separately from all other characters in said data stream, and responding to said unique control command which electronically causes a timed removal of impedance at the point of its connection between said DCE means and said telephone switching means, thereby simulating a hookswitch flash that said telephone switching means will interpret as said control command signal for establishing telephonic communication connections.

5. A machine controlled automated outgoing calling system according to claim 1, further comprising means for interconnecting a plurality of automated operational stations each comprising video display terminal (VDT) means for visually exhibiting reference information and which is interconnected with said DTE means, and associated telephone receiver means for voice telephonic communications which is interconnected with said telephone switching means.

6. A machine controlled automated outgoing calling system according to claim 5, further comprising means for interconnecting said VDT means with said DTE means whereby each of said VDT means is managed under operating systems and application programs control of said DTE means, wherein each said VDT means has a unique address for the purposes of communication with said DTE means and each said telephone receiver means associated with each said VDT means has an individual telephone number or address for the purpose of permitting said DTE means to establish telephonic communication with each of said telephone receiver means through said DCE means and said telephone switching means.

7. A machine controlled automated outgoing calling system according to claim 6, wherein said DTE means includes means for accessing stored data containing information regarding call recipients including telephone numbers of receivers where said call recipients can be contacted and reference information pertinent to the reason for the call and for each call recipient accessed generating two data streams, one of which contains the telephone number of said call recipient for transmission to said DCE means, and the other one of which contains reference information of said call recipient for transmission to an associated VDT means.

8. A machine controlled automated outgoing calling system according to claim 7, wherein said DTE means includes means for storing data containing the addresses of each said telephone receiver means and each said VDT means associated with each other and comprising an automated operational station for the purpose of coordinating and synchronizing said DTE means communication with each said automated operational station.

9. A machine controlled automated outgoing calling system according to claim 8, wherein each one of said automated operational stations include means for an operator manning said automated operational station to electronically signal said DTE means from said VDT means to initiate and manage automated telephonic communications with call recipients contained in the stored data of said DTE means.

10. A machine controlled automated outgoing calling system according to claim 1, wherein said first operational means of said DCE means comprises an automatic dialer (ACU) means.

11. A machine controlled automated outgoing calling system according to claim 10, wherein said DCE means further comprises line signalling means for responding to a unique control command by electronically causing an impedance level change at its point of connection with said telephone switching means upon receiving said unique control command from said DTE means.

12. A machine controlled automated outgoing calling system according to claim 11, wherein said ACU means and said line signalling means are connected in parallel to each other between said telephone switching means and said DTE means.

13. A machine controlled automated outgoing calling system according to claim 12, further comprising an interconnection means arranged in a parallel configuration for connecting said ACU means and line signalling means to said DTE means.

14. A machine controlled automated outgoing calling system according to claim 12, further comprising dialing and control command signal transmitting interconnection means arranged in a parallel configuration for connecting said ACU means and line signalling means to said telephone switching means.

15. An automatic outgoing calling method for originating and controlling telephonic communication connections, in a high speed, repetitive manner and which can service a plurality of receivers each having a telephone number, comprising the steps of:

a. receiving by a telephone switch dialing signals from a call originator for the purpose of dialing a plurality of receivers and establishing connections between the dialed receivers and receiving control command signals for the purpose of establishing telephonic communication connections;

b. accessing stored data, by a computer or data terminal equipment (DTE) serving as a call originator, which data includes telephone numbers of said plurality of receivers to be called and creating from said stored data, combinations of at least two receivers to be called for the purposes of automatically connecting said receivers of said combinations;

c. creating by the DTE a data stream which is a string of characters in a predetermined format for each said combination of receivers to be connected which includes the telephone numbers of the receivers and control commands for the purpose of engaging the telephone switch, dialing said telephone numbers of one combination of receivers, connecting said one combination of receivers to each other and disengaging the telephone switch to permit the next connection of another combination of receivers to be initiated automatically;

d. outputting said data stream by the DTE;

e. receiving operational information by the DTE which indicates when the next data stream can be automatically outputted;

f. receiving by telecommunication equipment (DCE) said data stream from the DTE;

g. processing and converting by the DCE said data stream to said dialing signals and said control command signals for the purposes of engaging the telephone switch and dialing of the receivers and connecting at least two said receivers to each other and disengaging from the telephone switch;

h. firstly transmitting by the DCE said dialing and control command signals to the telephone switch; and

i. secondly transmitting by the DCE operational information to the DTE including an indication when the next connection of another combination of said receivers can be automatically serviced.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the data stream from the DTE is in a predetermined format, and further comprising the step of receiving and storing said data stream from the DTE.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein said data stream is converted into a format which complies with EIA RS-366 Standard.

18. A method according to claim 15, wherein the telephone switch initiates a telephonic communication connection function upon detection of the first occurrence of a control command signal, a hookswitch flash, an impedance level change on an engaged line between the DCE and the telephone switch and establishes said telephonic communication connection upon detection of the second occurrence of a control command signal, hookswitch flash, an impedance level change on the engaged line between the DCE and the telephone switch, wherein said processing, converting and first transmitting comprise the steps of receiving a unique control command contained in said data stream created by the DTE and transmitted to the DCE, processing and converting by the DCE separately from all other characters in said data stream, responding to said unique control command which electronically causes a timed removal of impedance at the point of its connection between the DCE and the telephone switch, thereby simulating a hookswitch flash that the telephone switch will interpret as a control command signal for the purpose of establishing said telephonic communication connection, and timing the duration of said removal of impedance so that the telephone switch will interpret said impedance level change as a hookswitch flash.

19. A method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of interconnecting each of a plurality of automated operational stations, each of which comprises a visual display terminal (VDT), for servicing reference information and an associated telephone receiver, for servicing telephonic communication, with the DTE and telephone switch.

20. A method according to claim 19, further comprising the steps of interconnecting operational stations with the DTE and managing the operational stations under operating system and application program controls of the DTE.

21. A method according to claim 15, wherein the telephone switch provides line status signals and wherein the step of processing and converting includes the steps of:

outputting said dialing signals and said control command signals, as converted from said data stream, to the telephone switch and supervising the interaction with the telephone switch to automatically dial and connect the combination of receivers;

interacting with the telephone switch wherein said control command signals include control commands which are capable of engaging and disengaging the telephone switch; and

responding to line status signals of the telephone switch that either indicate a state of readiness to respond when said dialing signals and said control command signals can be acted upon or indicate conditions that would inhibit response to said dialing signals and control command signals.

22. A method according to claim 15, wherein the step of secondly transmitting comprises the steps of:

communicating to the DTE when detection of a signal from the telephone switch indicates a condition that would inhibit the connection in process for said data stream; and

communicating to the DTE when said data stream has been completely processed and is ready to service the next data stream.

23. A method according to claim 20, wherein said managing step comprises:

initiating and processing an operational cycle in which the DTE accesses stored data to select appropriate information;

generating a first data stream consisting of a selected telephone number of an intended call recipient and a telephone number of a receiver of one of said operational stations and said control commands;

outputting said first data stream to the DCE and supervising the interaction between the DCE and the telephone switch;

generating a second data stream from selected information containing reference information of said intended call recipient for the purpose of exhibiting said reference information visually on a visual display terminal (VDT) of said one of said operational stations; and

outputting said second data stream to the said VDT of said one of said operational stations and supervising the interaction between the DTE and said VDT.

24. A method according to claim 23, further comprising the step of synchronizing said steps of outputting said first data stream and said second data stream respectively outputted to the DCE and to said VDT, whereby the visual reference information exhibited on said VDT of said one of said operational stations corresponds to the telephone receiver which is dialed by the DCE.

25. A method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of interconnecting an autocall unit and a line signalling unit in parallel arrangement between the DTE and the telephone switch for performing the functions of said steps of receiving, processing, converting and first transmitting.