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Method and apparatus for receiving and processing an incoming call

  • US 6,021,190 A
  • Filed: 12/30/1994
  • Issued: 02/01/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1984
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for processing an incoming telephone call from a calling party directed to a telephone number, said incoming telephone call received by said apparatus via a telephone exchange separate and distinct from said apparatus, and for routing said incoming telephone call based upon selection criteria accessed by said apparatus, said apparatus comprising:

  • interface electronics for receiving said incoming telephone call, for detecting information received during said incoming telephone call relating to said calling party, and for transferring said detected information to a processor; and

    said processor, responsive to said interface electronics, for accessing a database which has stored said selection criteria and call routing information, said processor using said detected information as a retrieval key for said selection criteria, and for using said selection criteria to determine how to route said incoming telephone call by accessing said database to obtain said call routing information; and

    said processor interacting with said interface electronics to cause said incoming telephone call to be routed in accordance with said call routing information by transmitting instructions to said telephone exchange instructing that an outbound call be made from said telephone exchange to a destination defined by said call routing information and that said incoming telephone call be connected with said destination via said outbound call.

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