Best rate telecommunication access code and data transceiver/facilitator (BRTF)

• US 5,638,433 A
• Filed: 08/01/1995
• Issued: 06/10/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Multiple Access Communications LLC
• Original Assignee: Best Rate, Inc.
• Inventors: Learish, Donald B., Bubien, Walter J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zele, Krista M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hunter, Daniel S.
• Application Number:
  US08/439,864
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 379/112, 379/113, 379/114, 379/115, 379/121, 379/133, 379/134, 379/140
• US Class Current: 379/130
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27 Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27485 Appending a prefix to or inserting a pause into a dialling sequence
• 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 15/30 the meter or calculation of charges not being controlled from an exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8044 Least cost routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/42 Least cost routing, i.e. provision for selecting the lowest cost tariff
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/745 Least cost routing, e.g. Automatic or manual, call by call or by preselection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/92 Autonomous calculations of charges in terminal, i.e. meter not controlled from exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1309 Apparatus individually associated with a subscriber line, line circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13138 Least cost routing, LCR
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13174 Data transmission, file transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13199 Modem, modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13405 Dual frequency signaling, DTMF

Abstract

An automated transparent programmable telecommunication access call facilitator and dialing memory device for use by connection to a consumer telephone, fax or modem system which electronically, via outside data input, stores a combination of access codes, sequence of numbers and determined data transmission to facilitate user subscribership interconnected grouped discount least cost routing call completion that has been predetermined and automatically updated to offer subscribers the optimum quality and realized group discount cost for the service that is provided through the invention. When a call is initiated, the device uses the consumer dialed number transmitted from the telephone, fax or modem system to retrieve from the memory bank the appropriate one or more choices for use of access code, sequence of numbers and determined data transmission to facilitate user subscribership interconnected grouped discount least cost routing call completion in conjunction with the consumer dialed number and transmits both over the telephone line so that the subscribers call is automatically connected to the subscribers calling destination via the telecommunication company or choice for connection as determined by the provided service and as facilitated by the invention. This least cost routing device functions in a hands free and transparent manner with no effort or choice for call routing decisions having to be made on the part of the user of the invention.

Claims

1. A device for automatically dialing one or more of a selected grouping of numbers in conjunction with determined data transmission to facilitate user subscribership interconnected grouped discount least cost routing call completion preceding a caller'"'"'s dialed number, said caller'"'"'s dialed number being input from an external telephone dialing device, to accomplish completion of a call to said dialed number, said device comprising:

a first electronic memory for storing said selected grouping of numbers, each said selected grouping of numbers being operationally related to pre-selected routing criteria which are linked with said caller'"'"'s dialed number;

means for searching said first electronic memory to obtain one or more of said selected grouping of numbers in conjunction with determined data transmission to facilitate user subscribership interconnected grouped discount least cost routing call completion in accordance with said pre-selected routing criteria;

means for arranging said obtained selected grouping of numbers in conjunction with determined data transmission to facilitate user subscribership interconnected grouped discount least cost routing call completion with the caller'"'"'s dialed number, to provide a combined number in conjunction with determined data transmission to facilitate user determined data transmission to facilitate user subscribership interconnected grouped discount least cost routing call completion, said combined number corresponding to said obtained selected grouping of numbers and said caller'"'"'s dialed number;

means for automatically dialing said combined number in conjunction with determined data transmission to facilitate user subscribership interconnected grouped discount least cost routing call completion wherein a cost advantage to the caller is obtained for the caller'"'"'s selected destination the routing of a call being accomplished in satisfaction of said pre-selected routing criteria and being transparent to the caller so that no choices for intervention or extra effort on the part of the caller is required; and

means for accessing a communications access means of a data transmission center (DTC), said DTC storing telecommunication access codes, sequences of numbers and data within a second electronic memory, to connect said device to said DTC for transferring said codes and data to said second memory, and from said second memory the communications access means to connect said device for transferring data back to the DTC based on the device'"'"'CPU operational programming as determined by the DTC for the capturing of data obtained from the device during the device'"'"'s normal call facilitation operation.

2. The device for automatically dialing as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a clock which stores the date and time of day to provide a clock output signal and wherein said means for searching is further responsive to said clock output signal, whereby the pre-selected routing criteria for connection to said dialed number is obtained by referencing said clock and said first electronic memory and an accurate record of callers long distance call durations are stored in said first electronic memory for billing purposes.

3. The device for automatically dialing as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device can be incorporated integrally with said external telephone, a facsimile machine or modem dialing device.

4. The device for automatically dialing as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a clock which stores the date and time of day of all operations of the device, and means responsive to said stored date and time to access said DTC, wherein communication to and from said data transmission center is activated according to said clock.

5. The device for automatically dialing as claimed in claim 1, further comprised in that said device may be incorporated integrally with said external telephone dialing device.

6. The device for automatically dialing as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a communication link to a data transmission center (DTC), said data transmission center storing telecommunication access codes, sequences of numbers and data, and being capable of transmitting said telecommunication access codes, sequences of number and data, to said first electronic memory, and the memory transmitting user call activity back to the DTC.

7. The device for automatically dialing as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a second clock which stores the date and time of day, wherein communication to and from said data transmission center is activated based on data received from said clock.

8. An apparatus for automatically selecting a telecommunications routing in accordance with a pre-selected routing criteria from a plurality of available telecommunications routings between a calling station and a destination station, said apparatus comprising:

a calling station memory for storing a plurality of routing codes in conjunction with determined data transmission to facilitate user subscribership interconnected grouped discount least cost routing call completion, each routing code indicative of a different telecommunications routing;

means responsive to a number dialed at said calling station for providing a search signal, upon detection of a dialed number requiring a non-local termination;

means responsive to said search signal for searching said memory according to said dialed number to select one of said routing codes in conjunction with determined data transmission to facilitate user subscribership interconnected grouped discount least cost routing call completion indicative of a selected telecommunications routing for satisfying said pre-selected routing criteria;

means for arranging said selected routing code in conjunction with determined data transmission to facilitate user subscribership interconnected grouped discount least cost routing call completion with said dialed number to provide a composite number signal capable of providing dialed information in conjunction with determined data transmission to facilitate user subscribership interconnected grouped discount least cost routing call completion to enable said calling station to be connected to said destination station via said selected telecommunications routing;

clock means for providing an output signal indicative of the date and time;

means for inputting said output signal with said search signal to enable searching said memory according to both said clock output signal and said dialed number and maintaining said clock signal and dialed number call duration in said memory of the device;

calling station dialer means responsive to said clock output signal to access a communications access means of a data transmission center (DTC), which enables a calling station to connect to said DTC, at a selected time and date to enable the connection of said DTC to said calling station, said DTC including processing means for storing access codes indicative of carrier controlled links; and

means coupled to said calling station memory to enable said DTC to transmit and receive data to be stored in and transferred from said memory during said connection.

9. The selection apparatus according to claim 8 further including automatic dialing means responsive to said composite number signal in conjunction with determined data transmission to facilitate user subscribership interconnected grouped discount least cost routing call completion for automatically dialing said composite number in conjunction with determined data transmission to facilitate user subscribership interconnected grouped discount least cost routing call completion in conjunction with said dialed number.

10. The selection apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising off hook detection means associated with a calling line of said calling station which operates to provide an output signal when said calling line goes off hook, and means to respond to said off hook output signal to monitor dialing on said calling line to provide said search signal upon detection of a dialed non-local destination and to transmit said dialing to the calling line when a dialed local destination station is detected.

11. The selection apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a line interrupter switch coupled between a calling station input and a calling station output to enable dialing to be transmitted to said calling station output when a dialed local destination station is detected and to switch said dialing from said output when said a dialed non-local destination station is detected.

12. The system according to claim 8, further including automatic dialing means for providing a dialing and data modem sequence output according to said composite number to thereby cause the connection between said calling station and said destination station that requires specific and variable data sequencing for connection.

13. A device for automatically dialing a selected grouping of numbers in conjunction with determined data transmission to facilitate user subscribership interconnected grouped discount least cost routing call completion preceding a caller'"'"'s dialed number, said caller'"'"'s dialed number being input from an external telephone dialing device, to accomplish completion of caller'"'"'s selected destination, said device comprising:

an electronic memory for receiving and storing said selected grouping of numbers in conjunction with determined data transmission to facilitate user subscribership interconnected grouped discount least cost routing call completion;

means for interrogating said electronic memory to obtain the device'"'"'s choice of said selected grouping of numbers in conjunction with determined data transmission to facilitate user subscribership interconnected grouped discount least cost routing call completion;

means for automatically dialing the device'"'"'s choice of said selected grouping of numbers in conjunction with determined data transmission to facilitate user subscribership interconnected grouped discount least cost routing call completion followed by said caller'"'"'s dialed number, wherein a grouped subscriber cost advantage is obtained for the caller'"'"'s selected destination and where a maintained paid subscribership is offered by and through the device in a manner that is transparent to the caller so that no intervention, thought for choice or extra effort on the part of the caller is required; and

a first clock which stores the date and time of day and day of month, such that a grouped subscriber cost advantage is obtained for connection to said caller'"'"'s selected destination by referencing said first clock and said electronic memory, and whereby call activity and duration is maintained in said memory for downloading.

14. The device for automatically dialing as claimed in claim 13, wherein said device may be incorporated integrally with said external telephone dialing device.

15. A telephone control circuit comprising:

a first connector jack for connecting to a local telephone, facsimile machine or modem;

a dial tone generator connected to the first jack for providing a dial tone to the local telephone, facsimile machine or modem through the first jack;

an off-hook detector connected to the first jack for detecting when the telephone, facsimile machine or modem is off hook;

a first line interrupter switch connected to the first jack;

a processor connected to the off-hook detector and to the first line interrupter switch for closing the first line interrupter switch when the off-hook detector detects an off-hook condition;

a first buffer connected to the first line interrupter switch for storing DTMF tones from the first line interrupter switch and the first jack;

a DTMF decoder connected to the first buffer and to the processor for providing data signals to the processor which are related to the DTMF tones;

a DTMF generator connected to the processor for generating DTMF tones in response to data from the processor;

a second buffer connected to the generator for delivering the DTMF tones to a transceiver telephone line;

a second line interrupter switch connected through the telephone line to the second buffer and the first line interrupter switch connected to the processor for control of the second line interrupter switch;

a second connector jack connected to the second line interrupter switch for connection to an external telephone line; and

a random access memory connected to the processor for storing and transferring data.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a data transmission center connected to the second jack through an external telephone line, a third buffer connected to the second line interrupter switch, and a data receiver and sender connected to the third buffer and connected to the processor for transmitting and receiving data from the data transmission center to the processor.

17. A method of connecting telephones, facsimile machines or modems to external telephone lines, comprising:

connecting a telephone, facsimile machine or modem to a first jack;

generating a dial tone and providing the dial tone to the first jack;

detecting an off-hook condition of the telephone, facsimile machine or modem connected to the first jack;

switching DTMF signals from the telephone, facsimile machine or computer modem through a first buffer to a DTMF decoder and providing data signals to or from a central processor;

controlling the closing of a second switch with the processor and connecting a telephone line to a second jack for connection to an external telephone line;

providing data signals to a DTMF generator and when required, data tones are generated by a data receiver decoder (DRD) modem and providing DTMF and data tone signals when required from the generator and DRD modem through a second buffer to a transceiver telephone line;

controlling the first switch from the processor and connecting the transceiver telephone line to the first jack; and

communicating data of a standard or a non-standard protocol between the processor and a memory for connection of a called destination.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising connecting a data transmission center through the external telephone line to the second jack and second switch through a buffer and a data receiver/sender to the processor, and storing the data from the receiver in the processor in the memory or uploading to captured data from a BRTF call facilitation stored in memory.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising discriminating between a local call, a long distance call or incoming call with the processor, closing the first and second switches for direct connection of the incoming call when detected and replicating consumer dialed tone in the generator when a local out going call is discerned, selecting a choice of telecommunication access code, sequence of numbers and path connection data from the memory when a long distance call is discerned and closing the second switch, supplying the data related to the least cost routing access and telephone number to the DTMF generator and supplying tones from the generator or from the DRD modem through the second switch to the external line and then closing the first switch to connect the external line through the second jack.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising dialing a call with a telephone, fax or modem connected to the first jack and decoding the dialed number in the DTMF decoder, noting the date and time of the dialed call with the processor and a clock and the memory attached to the processor, comparing an area code or exchange number of the dialed number and the date and time combination, and searching the memory for an appropriate selection of access code, sequence of numbers and data if determined by the memory to be a long distance call, locating one or more choices of access code, sequence of numbers and data and adding the selection of access code, sequence of numbers and data to data relating to the dialed number, and generating DTMF tones or data tones related to the device'"'"'s choices of access code, sequence of numbers and data preceding and with the dialed number.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising monitoring date and time from a clock connected to the processor and determining an update interval from the memory, transmitting data to the DTMF generator dialing a data transmission center (FDTC), upon connection with the DTC, sending the subscriber'"'"'s identification code from the memory and processor through the DTMF generator and DRD modem, validating the subscriber'"'"'s subscription with the DTC, finding new access codes and data for call path completion, and transmitting the access codes and data back through the second jack and second switch to the buffer and data receiver to the processor and memory, decoding and storing data to and from the DTC through the data receiver, with processor memory sending to the DTC a data record of operations facilitated by the BRTF with time duration, time of day and day of month held in and from said memory.