Call routing based on prior telephone calls
First Claim
1. A method for routing a call through a telecommunications network that is dialed by a caller to a lifetime number of a subscriber that may be in common with the lifetime number of at least one other subscriber, comprising the steps of:
- determining, within the telecommunications network, whether the lifetime number dialed by the subscriber is unique to a single subscriber, and if so, then routing the call to that subscriber, but if not, then;
determining whether the dialed lifetime number is common to a plurality of subscribers, and if so, thenexamining a history of prior calls of one of the called party and each subscribers having a lifetime number in common with the dialed lifetime number to determine whether there have been at least one past call between said each subscriber and the called party, and if so, thenrouting the call to said each party.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A call through a telecommunications network (10) that is dialed by a caller (12) to a lifetime number of a subscriber (14) that may be in common with the lifetime number of at least one other subscriber is routed in accordance with the past call history of one of the calling party and the subscribers with lifetime numbers common to the dialed number. The call from the caller is routed to that lifetime number subscriber to whom the caller has previously called on the basis that the caller is more likely to want a connection with someone who the caller had previously called.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for routing a call through a telecommunications network that is dialed by a caller to a lifetime number of a subscriber that may be in common with the lifetime number of at least one other subscriber, comprising the steps of:
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determining, within the telecommunications network, whether the lifetime number dialed by the subscriber is unique to a single subscriber, and if so, then routing the call to that subscriber, but if not, then; determining whether the dialed lifetime number is common to a plurality of subscribers, and if so, then examining a history of prior calls of one of the called party and each subscribers having a lifetime number in common with the dialed lifetime number to determine whether there have been at least one past call between said each subscriber and the called party, and if so, then routing the call to said each party. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for routing a call through a telecommunications network that is dialed by a caller to a lifetime number of a subscriber that may be in common with the lifetime number of at least one other subscriber, comprising the steps of:
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(a) determining, within the telecommunications network, whether the lifetime number dialed by the subscriber is unique to a single subscriber, and if so, then routing the call to that subscriber, but if not, then; (b) determining whether the dialed lifetime number is common to a plurality of subscribers, and if so, (c) selecting a first one of said lifetime number subscribers having lifetime number in common with the dialed number; (d) providing an announcement to the calling party identifying said selected subscriber to whom the call will be routed; and (e) prompting the calling party to provide an indication of whether such routing is correct prior to actually routing the call; and (f) routing the call to said selected subscriber when the calling party has indicated the routing in correct. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 12, 13)
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11. A method for routing a call through a telecommunications network that is dialed by a caller to a lifetime number of a subscriber that may be in common with the lifetime number of at least one other subscriber, comprising the steps of:
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(a) selecting a first one of said lifetime number subscribers having lifetime number in common with the dialed number; (b) providing an announcement to the calling party identifying said selected subscriber to whom the call will be routed; and (c) prompting the calling party to provide an indication of whether such routing is correct prior to actually routing the call; and (d) routing the call to said selected subscriber when the calling party has indicated the routing in correct. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method for routing a call through a telecommunications network that is dialed by a caller to a lifetime number of a subscriber that may be in common with the lifetime number of at least one other subscriber, comprising the steps of:
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determining, within the telecommunications network, whether the lifetime number dialed by the subscriber is unique to a single subscriber, and if so, then routing the call to that subscriber, but if not, then; determining whether the dialed lifetime number is common to a plurality of subscribers, and if so, then prompting the calling party to enter a name associated with the called party; accepting the name entered by the calling party; comparing the name of the called party entered by the calling party to the names associated with the lifetime numbers common to the dialed number; routing the call to the called party whose name matches the name entered by the caller. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification