Method for routing telephone calls to subscribers of different service providers within a common numbering plan area

• US 5,887,056 A
• Filed: 06/30/1995
• Issued: 03/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens Stromberg-Carlson
• Original Assignee: Siemens Information And Communication Networks, Inc.
• Inventors: Sonnenberg, Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Matar, Ahmad F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wolinsky, Scott
• Application Number:
  US08/497,282
• Time in Patent Office: 1,362 Days
• Field of Search: 379/114, 379/112, 379/201, 379/207, 379/127, 379/211, 379/221, 379/220, 379/219, 379/229, 379/265, 379/115, 379/210
• US Class Current: 379/221.13
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42297 with number portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13102 Common translator
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13149 Change of provider, e.g. network or service
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13176 Common channel signaling, CCS7
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13216 Code signals, frame structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13345 Intelligent networks, SCP
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13513 UPT - personal as opposed to terminal mobility, inc. number portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13527 protocols - X.25, TCAP etc.
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13533 multivendor and hybrid, e.g. public/private, networks, inc. international
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13541 routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13542 numbering plans, e.g. number re-allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/005 Personal communication services, e.g. provisions for portability of subscriber numbers

Abstract

A method for enabling a plurality of Local Service Providers within a common Numbering Plan Area (NPA) to serve Subscribers of the plurality of Local Service Providers. The method includes the step of assigning to each Subscriber of a Local Service Provider within the common NPA a unique three digit code, hereinafter referred to as a SPA code. The service provider area (SPA) code is used by the telephone system in the same manner presently used for routing calls made when a calling Subscriber dials the NPA code of the called party. Here, however, the SPA code is not dialed by the calling Subscriber. The dialed directory number, NXX-XXXX, of a called Subscriber subscribed to a different Local Service Provider, is sent to a database. The database maintains a record of the relationships between the directory numbers of Subscribers and the SPA codes of the Subscribers. The database retrieves the SPA code associated with the dialed directory number presently serving the called Subscriber. The call is routed as SPA-NXX-XXXX. Because the ten digit format, SPA-NXX-XXXX, is the same as the present NPA-NXX-XXXX, ten digit format, existing signaling and routing mechanisms may be used to route the call. Thus, each one of the Subscribers of each one of the plurality of Local Service Providers is assigned a common SPA code, each one of the Local Service Providers having a different SPA code.

Claims

1. A method for routing a call to a called Subscriber having been assigned a directory number NXX-XXXX by a first Local Service Provider and currently subscribed to a different Local Service Provider, both Local Service Providers providing service within a common Numbering Plan Area (NPA), comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a database storing a relationship between the directory number NXX-XXXX assigned to the called Subscriber within the common Numbering Plan Area (NPA) and a call routing identifier, SPA, of said different Local Service Provider where;

SPA is a three digit designation code assigned to each one of the Local Service Providers within the common Numbering Plan Area (NPA), each one of the Local Service Providers being assigned a different Service Provider Area (SPA) code in the common Numbering Plan Area (NPA); and

,

NXX is a three digit designation code representative of an exchange area within the common Numbering Plan Area (NPA);

(b) retrieving from the database the SPA call routing identifier of said different Local Service Provider, in response to a calling party dialing the directory number NXX-XXXX to place a call; and

(c) routing the call placed by the calling party to the called Subscriber using the retrieved SPA call routing identifier prefixed to the dialed directory number, SPA-NXX-XXXX.

2. A method for routing a call placed by a calling party to a called Subscriber previously subscribed to a first Local Service Provider and currently subscribed to a different Local Service Provider, both Local Service Providers providing service within a common Numbering Plan Area (NPA), the called Subscriber having been assigned a directory number, NXX-XXXX, comprising the Steps of:

(a) providing a database storing a relationship between the directory number NXX-XXXX assigned to the called Subscriber and a Service Provider Area (SPA) code of said different Local Service Provider where;

an SPA code is a three digit designation code assigned to each one of the Local Service Providers within the common Numbering Plan Area (NPA), each one of the Local Service Providers being assigned a different Service Provider Area (SPA) code in the common Numbering Plan Area (NPA); and

,

NXX is a three digit designation code representative of a local area within the common Numbering Plan Area (NPA);

(b) converting, in the database, a dialed number dialed by the calling party into a call routing output, SPA-NXX-XXXX, assigned to the called Subscriber; and

(c) routing the call placed by the calling party to the called Subscriber using the call routing output, SPA-NXX-XXXX.

3. A system used in routing a call to a called subscriber having been assigned a directory number NXX-XXXX by a first Local Service Provider providing service within a Numbering Plan Area (NPA) and currently subscribed to a different Local Service Provider providing service within the Numbering Plan Area (NPA), such system comprising:

a database storing a relationship between the directory number NXX-XXXX assigned to the called subscriber within the Numbering Plan Area (NPA) and a call routing identifier, SPA, associated with the directory number, where;

SPA is a three digit designation code assigned to each one of the Local Service Providers within the Numbering Plan Area (NPA), each one of the Local Service Providers being assigned a different Service Provider Area (SPA) code in the Numbering Plan Area (NPA); and

, NXX is a three digit exchange code representative of a local exchange area within the Numbering Plan Area.

4. A system for routing a call to a called subscriber having been assigned a directory number NXX-XXXX by a first Local Service Provider providing service within a Numbering Plan Area and currently subscribed to a different Local Service Provider providing service within the Numbering Plan Area, such system comprising:

a database for storing a relationship between the directory number NXX-XXXX assigned to the called subscriber in the Numbering Plan Area and a call routing identifier of said different Local Service Provider; and

means for enabling one of the Local Service Providers to access the database and retrieve the call routing identifier of said different Local Service Provider to route the call to the called subscriber.