Method and apparatus for routing a dialed telephone number
First Claim
1. A telephone dialing device adapted for insertion and operation between a telephone and a telephone access line for selectively routing a dialed telephone number comprising:
- (a) a first connector for connection to the telephone;
(b) a receiver connected to the first connector for intercepting and decoding a dialed telephone number having a plurality of digits;
(c) a memory for storing at least one access code and at least one preselected sequence;
(d) a controller connected to the receiver and the memory for comparing at least one of the digits of said intercepted number to at least one preselected sequence and for generating a first dialing sequence to route the dialed telephone number through a first alternate carrier if said compared digits are in agreement with the first preselected sequence and for dialing the telephone number if the compared digits are not in agreement, wherein the first dialing sequence comprises an access code corresponding to a first preselected sequence for specifying the first alternate carrier; and
(e) a DTMF transmitter coupled to the controller for transmitting a specified dialing sequence and a tone detect circuit coupled to the controller for detecting the status of the telephone access line, such that the specified dialing sequence is transmitted to the telephone access line by flashing the telephone access line and re-transmitting the specified dialing sequence upon detecting a busy signal on the telephone access line.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for selectively routing a dialed telephone number. The apparatus intercepts a dialed telephone number having a plurality of digits and prevents the dialing of the number from being completed over the telephone access line. A comparator compares the digits of the dialed telephone number to a preselected combination of digits and also includes routing means for routing the dialed number along a first route if the compared digits are in agreement, but will route the dialed telephone number along a second route if the compared digits are not in agreement with the preselected combination.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A telephone dialing device adapted for insertion and operation between a telephone and a telephone access line for selectively routing a dialed telephone number comprising:
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(a) a first connector for connection to the telephone; (b) a receiver connected to the first connector for intercepting and decoding a dialed telephone number having a plurality of digits; (c) a memory for storing at least one access code and at least one preselected sequence; (d) a controller connected to the receiver and the memory for comparing at least one of the digits of said intercepted number to at least one preselected sequence and for generating a first dialing sequence to route the dialed telephone number through a first alternate carrier if said compared digits are in agreement with the first preselected sequence and for dialing the telephone number if the compared digits are not in agreement, wherein the first dialing sequence comprises an access code corresponding to a first preselected sequence for specifying the first alternate carrier; and (e) a DTMF transmitter coupled to the controller for transmitting a specified dialing sequence and a tone detect circuit coupled to the controller for detecting the status of the telephone access line, such that the specified dialing sequence is transmitted to the telephone access line by flashing the telephone access line and re-transmitting the specified dialing sequence upon detecting a busy signal on the telephone access line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A telephone dialing device adapted for insertion and operation between a telephone and a telephone access line for selectively routing a dialed telephone number comprising:
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(a) a first connector for connection to the telephone; (b) a receiver connected to the first connector for intercepting and decoding a dialed telephone number having a plurality of digits; (c) a memory for storing at least one access code and at least one preselected sequence; (d) a controller connected to the receiver and the memory for comparing at least one of the digits of said intercepted number to at least one preselected sequence and for generating a first dialing sequence to route the telephone number through a first alternate carrier if said compared digits are in agreement with the first preselected sequence and for dialing the telephone number if the compared digits are not in agreement, wherein the first dialing sequence comprises an access code corresponding to a first preselected sequence for specifying the first alternate carrier; and (e) said memory further comprises a call back value, a call count value and a registration number, and wherein the controller increments the call count value each time a dialing sequence is generated and executes a self-registration call whenever the call count value equals or exceeds the call back value by issuing a flashing instruction for the telephone access line and generating a dialing sequence consisting only of the registration number.
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Specification