Apparatus and method for routing a dedicated number through alternate telephone carriers
First Claim
1. A method for routing a call based on a dialed number from a location to one of a plurality of interexchange carriers, said location having a predetermined sequence of ranked preferred interexchange carriers assigned thereto, said method comprising:
- selecting one of a specific carrier and a default carrier;
setting a primary carrier to said specific carrier when said specific carrier is selected, and to one of an authorized Primary Interexchange Carrier and a first ranked carrier of said predetermined sequence of ranked preferred interexchange carriers for said location when said default carrier is selected;
selecting at least one alternate carrier sequentially from a highest remaining ranked carrier in said predetermined sequence of ranked preferred carriers; and
sequentially routing said call to said primary carrier and said at least one alternate carrier until a connection is established.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided for routing a call to dedicated number through an AIN-based network. A predetermined sequence of preferred or ranked carriers is assigned to an end office from which a call originates. Input of the dedicated number at an end office number triggers the network to assign a primary carrier to connect the call based on a user selection, a Primary Interexchanged Carrier, or the first carrier indicated by the predetermined sequence. An alternate and secondary carrier may also be assigned based upon the predetermined sequence. The call is routed sequentially to the primary, alternate, and secondary carrier until a connection is established or until all routes are exhausted. The features of the invention are particular useful for routing calls to the Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS).
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A method for routing a call based on a dialed number from a location to one of a plurality of interexchange carriers, said location having a predetermined sequence of ranked preferred interexchange carriers assigned thereto, said method comprising:
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selecting one of a specific carrier and a default carrier; setting a primary carrier to said specific carrier when said specific carrier is selected, and to one of an authorized Primary Interexchange Carrier and a first ranked carrier of said predetermined sequence of ranked preferred interexchange carriers for said location when said default carrier is selected; selecting at least one alternate carrier sequentially from a highest remaining ranked carrier in said predetermined sequence of ranked preferred carriers; and sequentially routing said call to said primary carrier and said at least one alternate carrier until a connection is established. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for routing a government emergency call from one of a plurality of locations through one of a plurality of carriers, each of said plurality of locations having predetermined ranking of preferred interexchange carriers, assigned thereto comprising:
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recognizing said call at one location of said plurality of locations; setting a primary carrier, in order of preference, to one of an authorized manually selected carrier if entered, an authorized Primary Interexchange Carrier, and a first ranked carrier of said predetermined ranking of preferred carriers for said one location; selecting an alternate and secondary carrier sequentially from a highest and next highest remaining carrier in said predetermined ranking of preferred carriers for said one location, respectively; and sequentially routing said call to interexchange carriers corresponding to said primary carrier, and to said alternate and secondary carriers when selected, until a connection is established. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A network capable of routing a call based on a dialed dedicated number through a plurality of interexchange carriers upon entry of said dedicated number and a request code, said network including a device for dialing said dedicated number and said request code, a node connected to said device, and a central control connected to said node, said node having a predetermined sequence of three preferred carriers, assigned thereto comprising:
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said node requesting carrier data from said central control responsive to entry of said dedicated number; said central control, responsive to a first condition of said request code, setting a primary carrier to one of said three preferred carriers which has a carrier identification code that matches a predetermined portion of said request code; said central control, responsive to a second condition of said request code, disconnecting said call; said central control, responsive to a third condition of said request code, setting a primary carrier to a Primary Interexchange Carrier for said node if said Primary Interexchange Carrier is authorized, and to a first ranked carrier of said three preferred carriers if said Primary Interexchange Carrier is not authorized; said central control, responsive to a fourth condition of said request code, setting an alternate carrier to a highest remaining rank carrier of said three preferred carriers, and setting a secondary carrier to a next highest remaining rank carriers of said three preferred carriers; said central control replying to said node with said carrier data, including at least said primary carrier, and said alternate and secondary carriers when set; said node routing said call to an interexchange carrier corresponding to said primary carrier; and said node, responsive to a selection of alternate and secondary carriers by said central control and a failure of said node to connect with said interexchange carrier corresponding to said primary carrier, sequentially routing said call to an interexchange carrier corresponding to said alternate and secondary carriers until a connection established. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for improving the probability that a call based on a dialed dedicated number will be routed through a node to one of a plurality of interexchange carriers, said node having a predetermined sequence of preferred carriers assigned thereto, comprising:
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means for recognizing said dedicated number; means for assigning primary, alternate and secondary interexchange carriers responsive to said means for recognizing; and means for sequentially routing said dedicated number from said node to said primary, alternate, and secondary carriers until a connection is established. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A method for routing a call based on a dialed number from a location to one of a plurality of interexchange carriers, said location having a predetermined sequence of ranked preferred interexchange carriers, assigned thereto said method comprising:
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setting a primary carrier to one of an authorized Primary Interexchange Carrier and a first ranked carrier of said predetermined sequence of ranked preferred carriers for said location; selecting at least one alternate carrier sequentially from a highest remaining ranked carrier in said predetermined sequence of ranked preferred carriers; and sequentially routing said call to said primary carrier and said at least one alternate carrier until a connection is established. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for routing a call from one of a plurality of locations through one of a plurality of carriers, each of said plurality of locations having a predetermined ranking of preferred interexchange carriers, assigned thereto comprising:
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recognizing said call at one location of said plurality of locations; setting a primary carrier, in order of preference, to one of an authorized manually selected carrier if entered, an authorized Primary Interexchange Carrier, and a first ranked carrier of said predetermined ranking of preferred carriers for said one location; selecting, when said authorized manually selected carrier is not entered, an alternate and secondary carrier sequentially from a highest and next highest remaining carrier in said predetermined ranking of preferred carriers for said one location, respectively; and sequentially routing said call to interexchange carriers corresponding to said primary carrier, and said alternate, and secondary carriers when selected, until a connection is established. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A network capable of routing a call based on a dial and dedicated number through a plurality of interexchange carriers upon entry of said dedicated number and a request code, said network including a device for dialing said dedicated number and said request code, a node connected to said device, and a central control connected to said node, said node having a predetermined sequence of preferred carriers, assigned thereto comprising:
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said node requesting carrier data from said central control responsive to entry of said dedicated number; said central control, responsive to a first condition of said request code, setting a primary carrier to one of said predetermined sequence of preferred carriers which has a carrier identification code that matches a predetermined portion of said request code; said central control, responsive to a second condition of said request code, disconnecting said call; said central control, responsive to a third condition of said request code, setting said primary carrier to a Primary Interexchange Carrier for said node if said Primary Interexchange Carrier is authorized, and to a first ranked carrier of said predetermined sequence of preferred carriers if said Primary Interexchange Carrier is not authorized; said central control, responsive to said third condition of said request code, setting an alternate carrier to a highest remaining rank carrier of said predetermined sequence of preferred carriers, and setting a secondary carrier to a next highest remaining rank carriers of said preferred carriers; said central control replying to said node with said carrier data, including at least said primary carrier, and said alternate and secondary carriers when set; said node routing said call to an interexchange carrier corresponding to said primary carrier; and said node, responsive to a selection of alternate and secondary carriers by said central control and a failure of said node to connect with said interexchange carrier corresponding to said primary carrier, sequentially routing said call to an interexchange carrier corresponding to said alternate and secondary carriers until a connection established. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification