Automated telecommunication peripheral system

• US 5,335,266 A
• Filed: 04/01/1992
• Issued: 08/02/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: United States Advance Network, Inc.
• Inventors: Billingsley, Samuel F. III, Richardson, Charles T. Jr., Austin, Kevin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Thomas W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TSANG, FAN S
• Application Number:
  US07/861,625
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67, 379/88, 379/89, 379/34, 379/35, 379/85, 379/86, 379/201, 379/202, 379/203, 379/204, 379/208, 379/218, 379/112
• US Class Current: 379/88.26
• 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 15/08 Metering calls to called party , i.e. B-party charged for the communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/47 Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/745 Customizing according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. friends or family
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/88 Provision for limiting connection, or expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/00 Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0108 Customization according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. customer preferences, friends and family, selecting services or billing options, Personal Communication Systems [PCS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0116 Provision for limiting expenditure, e.g. limit on call expenses or account
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0148 Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/62 Called party billing, e.g. reverse billing, freephone, collect call, 0800 or 0900
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2281 Call monitoring, e.g. for law enforcement purposes; Call tracing; Detection or prevention of malicious calls
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/36 Statistical metering, e.g. recording occasions when traffic exceeds capacity of trunks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42102 Making use of the called party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42221 Conversation recording systems at the subscriber's set H04M1/656
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4878 : Advertisement messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 : Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/50 : Centralised arrangements for answering calls; Centralised arrangements for recording messages for absent or busy subscribers H04M3/487 takes precedence; centralised dictation systems H04M11/10; Centralised arrangements for recording messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/51 : Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention , e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/527 : Centralised call answering arrangements not requiring operator intervention
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 : Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53325 : Interconnection arrangements between voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/00 : Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 : CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 : PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 : Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 : Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1313 : Metering, billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1324 : Conference call
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13299 : Bus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1337 : Operator, emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13376 : Information service, downloading of information, 0800/0900 services
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13377 : Recorded announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0016 : Arrangements providing connection between exchanges
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 : Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber

Abstract

Method and apparatus for providing customized telecommunication services through a peripheral node which includes a node interface for connection through incoming and outgoing telephone trunks to a carrier switch of a public switched network, an audio response unit for recording, playing, and analyzing audio signals, and a node controller for controlling operation of the node interface and the audio response unit.

Claims

1. A method of providing an automated operator service to bridge a call, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a bridging node located outside of a public switched network and connected to a carrier switch within the public switched network, wherein the bridging node includes a storage device with a plurality of stored voice prompts;

receiving on a first communication path at the bridging node from the carrier switch a call bridging request, including, an origination number and a destination assigned to a destination telephone located remotely from the bridging node, as a result of a caller dialing the destination number to initiate a first telephone call from an origination telephone located remotely from the bridging node to which is assigned an origination number;

comparing the origination number to a predefined origination number table to control access to the bridging node at the bridging node after receiving step;

after the comparing step, answering the first telephone call on the first communication path at the bridging node;

transmitting a voice prompt of the plurality of stored voice prompts from the bridging node to the origination telephone requesting selection of a billing method;

receiving a billing method selection indication at the bridging node from the origination telephone;

initiating a second telephone call from the bridging node through a second communication path to the destination telephone, including transmitting the destination number from the bridging node through the second communication path to the carrier switch; and

connecting the first communication path to the second communication path at the bridging node to bridge the origination telephone to the destination telephone.

2. A method of providing an automated operator service to bridge a call, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a bridging node located outside of a public switched network and connected to a carrier switch within the public switched network, wherein the bridging node includes a storage device with a plurality of stored voice prompts;

receiving on a first communication path at the bridging node from the carrier switch a call bridging request, including, at least, a destination assigned to a destination telephone located remotely from the bridging node, as a result of a caller dialing the destination number to initiate a first telephone call from an origination telephone located remotely from the bridging node to which is assigned an origination number;

answering the first telephone call on the first communication path at the bridging node;

transmitting a voice prompt to the origination telephone from the bridging node prompting the caller for a personal identification number, receiving a response at the bridging node from the caller, and comparing the response from the caller to a list of personal identification numbers at the bridging node to control access to the bridging node;

transmitting a voice prompt of the plurality of stored voice prompts from the bridging node to the origination telephone requesting selection of a billing method;

receiving a billing method selection indication at the bridging node from the origination telephone;

initiating a second telephone call from the bridging node through a second communication path to the destination telephone, including transmitting the destination number from the bridging node through the second communication path to the carrier switch; and

connecting the first communication path to the second communication path at the bridging node to bridge the origination telephone to the destination telephone.

3. A method of providing an automated operator service to bridge a call, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a bridging node located outside of a public switched network and connected to a carrier switch within the public switched network, wherein the bridging node includes a storage device with a plurality of stored voice prompts;

receiving on a first communication path at the bridging node from the carrier switch a call bridging request, including, at least, a destination assigned to a destination telephone located remotely from the bridging node, as a result of a caller dialing the destination number to initiate a first telephone call from an origination telephone located remotely from the bridging node to which is assigned an origination number;

answering the first telephone call on the first communication path at the bridging node;

transmitting a voice prompt of the plurality of stored voice prompts from the bridging node to the origination telephone requesting selection of a billing method;

receiving a billing method selection indication at the bridging node from the origination telephone;

initiating a second telephone call from the bridging node through a second communication path to the destination telephone, including transmitting the destination number from the bridging node through the second communication path to the carrier switch;

connecting the first communication path to the second communication path at the bridging node to bridge the origination telephone to the destination telephone; and

recording conversation between the origination telephone and the destination telephone at the bridging node after the first communication path is connected to the second communication path.

4. A method of providing an automated operator service to bridge a call, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a bridging node located outside of a public switched network and connected to a carrier switch within the public switched network, wherein the bridging node includes a storage device with a plurality of stored voice prompts;

receiving on a first communication path at the bridging node from the carrier switch a call bridging request, including, at least, a destination assigned to a destination telephone located remotely from the bridging node, as a result of a caller dialing the destination number to initiate a first telephone call from an origination telephone located remotely from the bridging node to which is assigned an origination number;

answering the first telephone call on the first communication path at the bridging node;

transmitting a voice prompt of the plurality of stored voice prompts from the bridging node to the origination telephone requesting selection of a billing method;

receiving a billing method selection indication at the bridging node from the origination telephone;

initiating a second telephone call from the bridging node through a second communication path to the destination telephone, including transmitting the destination number from the bridging node through the second communication path to the carrier switch;

connecting the first communication path to the second communication path at the bridging node to bridge the origination telephone to the destination telephone;

accepting on a third communication path at the bridging node a monitoring call from a monitor telephone; and

connecting the monitor telephone to the origination telephone and the destination telephone by connecting the third communication path to the first and second communication paths at the bridging node.

5. A call bridging apparatus comprising:

an interface connected outside of a public switched network and through a carrier switch of the public switched network to an origination telephone having an origination number and a destination telephone having a destination number, said interface including, at least, a plurality of communication ports connected to the carrier switch;

an audio response means connected to said interface for storing and playing audio signals; and

a control means for controlling said call bridging apparatus, said control means including, at least,

a receiving means for directing said interface to accept a call through a first communication port from a caller dialing the destination number from the origination telephone,

a calling means for directing said interface and said audio response means to call the destination telephone through a second communication port,

a connecting means for directing said interface to connect the origination telephone to the destination telephone by connecting the first communication port to the second communication port, and

a monitoring means for directing said audio response means to record conversation between the origination telephone and the destination telephone.

6. A call bridging apparatus comprising:

an interface connected outside of a public switched network and through a carrier switch of the public switched network to an origination telephone having an origination number and a destination telephone having a destination number, said interface including, at least, a plurality of communication ports connected to the carrier switch;

an audio response means connected to said interface for storing and playing audio signals; and

a control means for controlling said call bridging apparatus, said control means including, at least,

a receiving means for directing said interface to accept a call through a first communication port from a caller dialing the destination number from the origination telephone,

a calling means for directing said interface and said audio response means to call the destination telephone through a second communication port,

a connecting means for directing said interface to connect the origination telephone to the destination telephone by connecting the first communication port to the second communication port, and

a monitoring means for directing said interface to accept a call from a monitoring telephone through a third communication port and connecting the monitoring telephone to the origination telephone and destination telephone.

7. A method of providing telecommunication services, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an audio response node located outside of a public switched network;

receiving on a particular input port of the audio response node an access request from a caller dialing a destination number from a origination telephone to which is assigned an origination number, wherein the access request includes the origination number and the destination number;

generating input port identification data identifying the particular input port receiving the access request;

analyzing the origination number, the destination number, and the input port identification data to select and initiate a particular telecommunication service from a variety of telecommunication services provided by the audio response node, wherein the particular telecommunication service includes calling a destination number through an output port and bridging the input port with the output port; and

recording conversation flowing through the input port and output port.