Speed forwarding system for personal number communications system

• US 5,724,409 A
• Filed: 06/30/1994
• Issued: 03/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jasper Wireless LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: BellSouth Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Malik, Dale W., Mirchandani, Sonu
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsang, Fan S.
• Application Number:
  US08/268,805
• Time in Patent Office: 1,342 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67, 379/88, 379/89, 379/142, 379/210, 379/211, 379/212, 379/245, 379/207, 379/230
• US Class Current: 379/211.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42229 Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location diverting calls from one subscriber to another subscriber, i.e. two different subscriptions H04M3/54; selecting arrangements in intelligent networks H04Q3/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/005 Personal communication services, e.g. provisions for portability of subscriber numbers

Abstract

A method for a subscriber having a personal number to forward calls to a selected calling line. A communication directed to a predetermined number is received, and the calling line identification number (CLID) from which the call originated is obtained, as well as any extra digits entered by the subscriber. (80) The CLID is matched in a table to determine the subscriber associated with the CLID. (81) If no matches are found, the call is disconnected. (83) If more than one match is found, additional information is obtained to identify the desired subscriber. (85) Once the subscriber has been identified, a pointer is updated. (84) The pointer specifies the location (CLID) to which the calls are to be routed. Calls for that subscriber at his or her personal number are then forwarded to the calling line having that CLID.

Claims

1. A method for forwarding calls to a line selected by a calling party, said calling party being a subscriber having a telephone number, said method comprising the steps of:

(A) receiving a communication directed to a predetermined number;

(B) obtaining a calling line identification number for said communication;

(C) looking for said calling line identification number in a table to determine said subscriber associated with said calling line identification number;

(D) if there is only one subscriber associated with said calling line identification number, then proceeding to step (G);

(E) otherwise, receiving a personal identification number from said calling party;

(F) determining which subscriber is associated with both said calling line identification number and said personal identification number; and

(G) forwarding calls for said subscriber at said telephone number to said line having said calling line identification number.

2. A method for forwarding calls to a line selected by a calling party, said calling party being a subscriber having a telephone number, said method comprising the steps of:

(A) receiving a communication directed to a predetermined number;

(B) obtaining a calling line identification number for said communication;

(C) looking for said calling line identification number in a table to determine said subscriber associated with said calling line identification number;

(D) if there is only one subscriber associated with said calling line identification number, then proceeding to step (H);

(E) otherwise, playing a message to said calling party directing said calling party to enter a personal identification number;

(F) receiving said personal identification number from said calling party;

(G) determining which subscriber is associated with both said calling line identification number and said personal identification number; and

(H) forwarding calls for said subscriber at said telephone number to said line having said calling line identification number.

3. A method for forwarding calls to a line selected by a calling party, said calling party being a subscriber having a telephone number, said method comprising the steps of:

(A) receiving a communication directed to a predetermined number;

(B) obtaining a calling line identification number for said communication;

(C) looking for said calling line identification number in a table;

(D) if said calling line identification number is found, then determining said subscriber associated with said calling line identification number, then proceeding to step (G);

(E) otherwise, receiving said telephone number and a personal identification number from said calling party;

(F) determining said subscriber associated with both said telephone number and said personal identification number; and

(G) forwarding calls for said subscriber at said telephone number to said line having said calling line identification number.

4. A method for forwarding calls to a line selected by a calling party, said calling party being a subscriber having a telephone number, said method comprising the steps of:

(A) receiving a communication directed to a predetermined number;

(B) obtaining a calling line identification number for said communication;

(C) looking for said calling line identification number in a table;

(D) if said calling line identification number is found, then determining said subscriber associated with said calling line identification number, then proceeding to step (H);

(E) otherwise, playing a message to said calling party directing said calling party to enter said telephone number and a personal identification number;

(F) receiving said telephone number and said personal identification number from said calling party;

(G) determining said subscriber associated with both said telephone number and said personal identification number; and

(H) forwarding calls for said subscriber at said telephone number to said line having said calling line identification number.

5. A method for forwarding calls to a line selected by a calling party, said calling party being a subscriber having a telephone number, said method comprising the steps of:

(A) receiving a communication directed to one of a plurality of predetermined numbers;

(B) obtaining a calling line identification number for said communication;

(C) looking for said calling line identification number in a table associated with said one of said predetermined numbers to determine said subscriber associated with said calling line identification number;

(D) if there is only one subscriber associated with said calling line identification number, then proceeding to step (G);

(E) otherwise, receiving a personal identification number from said calling party;

(F) determining which subscriber is associated with both said calling line identification number and said personal identification number; and

(G) forwarding calls for said subscriber at said telephone number to said line having said calling line identification number.

6. A method for forwarding calls to a line selected by a calling party, said calling party being a subscriber having a telephone number, said method comprising the steps of:

(A) receiving a communication directed to one of a plurality of predetermined numbers;

(B) obtaining a calling line identification number for said communication;

(C) looking for said calling line identification number in a table associated with said one of said predetermined numbers to determine said subscriber associated with said calling line identification number;

(D) if there is only one subscriber associated with said calling line identification number, then proceeding to step (H);

(E) otherwise, playing a message to said calling party directing said calling party to enter a personal identification number

(F) receiving said personal identification number from said calling party;

(G) determining which subscriber is associated with both said calling line identification number and said personal identification number; and

(H) forwarding calls for said subscriber at said telephone number to said line having said calling line identification number.

7. A method for forwarding calls to a line selected by a calling party, said calling party being a subscriber having a telephone number, said method comprising the steps of:

(A) receiving a communication directed to one of a plurality of predetermined numbers;

(B) obtaining a calling line identification number for said communication;

(C) looking for said calling line identification number in a table associated with said one of said predetermined numbers to determine said subscriber associated with said calling line identification number;

(D) if said calling line identification number is found, then determining said subscriber associated with said calling line identification number, then proceeding to step (G);

(E) otherwise, receiving said telephone number and a personal identification number from said calling party;

(F) determining said subscriber associated with both said telephone number and said personal identification number; and

(G) forwarding calls for said subscriber at said telephone number to said line having said calling line identification number.

8. A method for forwarding calls to a line selected by a calling party, said calling party being a subscriber having a telephone number, said method comprising the steps of:

(A) receiving a communication directed to one of a plurality of predetermined numbers;

(B) obtaining a calling line identification number for said communication;

(C) looking for said calling line identification number in a table associated with said one of said predetermined numbers to determine said subscriber associated with said calling line identification number;

(D) if said calling line identification number is found, then determining said subscriber associated with said calling line identification number, then proceeding to step (H);

(E) otherwise, playing a message to said calling party directing said calling party to enter said telephone number and a personal identification number;

(F) receiving said telephone number and said personal identification number from said calling party;

(G) determining said subscriber associated with both said telephone number and said personal identification number; and

(H) forwarding calls for said subscriber at said telephone number to said line having said calling line identification number.