Direct distance dialing (DDD) access to a communications services platform
First Claim
Patent Images
1. In a telecommunications network for routing calls to a platforn that provides multiple communications services on behalf of a subscriber, a method comprising the steps of:
- receiving it a local exchange carrier (LEC) switch, a call flow a caller that was initiated as a direct distance dialing (DDD) call by dialing a first DDD number;
translating, at the LEC switch, the first DDD number to a second DDD number;
routing the call from the LEC switch to an inter-exchange carrier(IEC) switch using the second DDD number and a special carrier identification code (CIC) generated by the LEC switch, the special CIC designating the call as one destined to a communications services platform;
sending a query message from the IEC switch to a data access point (DAP) based on the special CIC and the second DDD number;
receiving from the DAP at the IEC switch a translation of the second DDD number to a physical network address for the communications services platform; and
using said physical network address to redirect the call from the IEC switch to the communication services platform via an IEC network and an IEC bridging switch.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Direct Distance Dialing (DDD) access is provided for a communications services platform. A caller may dial a local DDD number or a long distance DDD number to access the communications services platform. A platform may provide a plurality of different communications services, including voicemail services, paging services, automatic routing services, and facsimile messaging services. Expenses associated with servicing the call are partitioned between a caller and a subscriber of the communications services platform in an intuitive and reasonable fashion.
-
Citations
3 Claims
-
1. In a telecommunications network for routing calls to a platforn that provides multiple communications services on behalf of a subscriber, a method comprising the steps of:
-
receiving it a local exchange carrier (LEC) switch, a call flow a caller that was initiated as a direct distance dialing (DDD) call by dialing a first DDD number; translating, at the LEC switch, the first DDD number to a second DDD number; routing the call from the LEC switch to an inter-exchange carrier(IEC) switch using the second DDD number and a special carrier identification code (CIC) generated by the LEC switch, the special CIC designating the call as one destined to a communications services platform; sending a query message from the IEC switch to a data access point (DAP) based on the special CIC and the second DDD number; receiving from the DAP at the IEC switch a translation of the second DDD number to a physical network address for the communications services platform; and using said physical network address to redirect the call from the IEC switch to the communication services platform via an IEC network and an IEC bridging switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
-
Specification