Automatic area code detector and dialer
First Claim
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1. A method of out-dialing a number having a plurality of digits, comprising:
- initiating a call by dialing a sequence of digits included in the number to be out-dialed;
recognizing at least a part of said dialed digits, and further recognizing the sequence and positions of said recognized dialed digits within the number to be out-dialed;
before the number is out-dialed, automatically searching a database that includes at least portions of a plurality of previously out-dialed numbers, for said recognized dialed digits, for the recognized sequence of said recognized dialed digits, and for the recognized positions of said recognized dialed digits within said at least portions of a plurality of previously out-dialed numbers;
before the number is out-dialed, automatically matching at least a portion of a previously out-dialed number in said database to said recognized dialed digits, and the sequence and positions of said recognized dialed digits;
automatically identifying said previously out-dialed number containing said matched dialed digits and the sequence and positions of said recognized dialed digits; and
causing said identified previously out-dialed number to be out-dialed.
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Abstract
The present invention comprises four principle elements: (1) a telephone instrument; (2) a computer; (3) an automatic dialer; and (4) a telephone line. These elements allow for automatic dialing of local and long distance calls in the United States, as well as automatic dialing of international calls. The automatic dialing feature is accomplished, in part, by implementing a computerized data base grouped in n-files. These files may be searched by the computer system during and after the caller dials a number. If the dialed number matches one of the numbers in the files, the system may automatically out-dial the dialed number.
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Citations
61 Claims
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1. A method of out-dialing a number having a plurality of digits, comprising:
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initiating a call by dialing a sequence of digits included in the number to be out-dialed; recognizing at least a part of said dialed digits, and further recognizing the sequence and positions of said recognized dialed digits within the number to be out-dialed; before the number is out-dialed, automatically searching a database that includes at least portions of a plurality of previously out-dialed numbers, for said recognized dialed digits, for the recognized sequence of said recognized dialed digits, and for the recognized positions of said recognized dialed digits within said at least portions of a plurality of previously out-dialed numbers; before the number is out-dialed, automatically matching at least a portion of a previously out-dialed number in said database to said recognized dialed digits, and the sequence and positions of said recognized dialed digits; automatically identifying said previously out-dialed number containing said matched dialed digits and the sequence and positions of said recognized dialed digits; and causing said identified previously out-dialed number to be out-dialed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of out-dialing a plurality of digits, comprising:
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initiating a call by dialing a sequence of digits included in the number to be out-dialed; recognizing at least one of said dialed digits, and further recognizing the sequence and positions of said recognized at least one of said dialed digits within the number to be out-dialed; before the number is out-dialed, automatically searching a database that includes at least portions of a plurality of previously out-dialed numbers, for said recognized at least one of said dialed digits, for the recognized sequence of said at least one of said recognized dialed digits, and for the recognized positions of said at least one of said recognized dialed digits within said at least portions of a plurality of previously out-dialed numbers; before the number is out-dialed, automatically matching at least a portion of a previously out-dialed number in said database to said at least one of said recognized dialed digits, and the sequence and positions of said at least one of said recognized dialed digits; automatically identifying said previously out-dialed number containing said matched at least one of said dialed digits and the sequence and positions of said recognized at least one of said dialed digits; and causing said identified previously out-dialed number to be out-dialed. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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45. An apparatus for out-dialing a number having a plurality of digits, by dialing a sequence of digits included in the number to be out-dialed, comprising:
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a device for recognizing at least a part of said dialed digits, and for recognizing the sequence and positions of said recognized dialed digits within the number to be out-dialed; said device automatically searching a database before the number is out-dialed, said database including at least portions of a plurality of previously out-dialed numbers, for said recognized dialed digits, for the recognized sequence of said recognized dialed digits, and for the recognized positions of said recognized dialed digits within said at least portions of a plurality of previously out-dialed numbers; said device automatically matching at least a portion of a previously out-dialed number in said database to said recognized dialed digits, and the sequence and positions of said recognized dialed digits before the number is out-dialed; said device automatically identifying said previously out-dialed number containing said matched dialed digits and the sequence and positions of said recognized dialed digits; and said device causing said identified previously out-dialed number to be out-dialed. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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59. An apparatus for out-dialing a plurality of digits, comprising:
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a device for recognizing at least one of said dialed digits, and for recognizing the sequence and positions of said recognized at least one of said dialed digits within the number to be out-dialed; said device automatically searching a database before the number is out-dialed, said database including at least portions of a plurality of previously out-dialed numbers, for said recognized at least one of said dialed digits, for the recognized sequence of said recognized at least one of said dialed digits, and for the recognized positions of said recognized at least one of said dialed digits within said at least portions of a plurality of previously out-dialed numbers; said device automatically matching at least a portion of a previously out-dialed number in said database to said recognized at least one of said dialed digits, and the sequence and positions of said recognized at least one of said dialed digits before the number is out-dialed; said device automatically identifying said previously out-dialed number containing said matched at least one of said dialed digits and the sequence and positions of said recognized at least one of said dialed digits; and said device causing said identified previously out-dialed number to be out-dialed. - View Dependent Claims (60, 61)
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Specification