System and method for automated emergency call breakthrough

• US 6,208,726 B1
• Filed: 11/23/1998
• Issued: 03/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stern, Benjamin J., Begeja, Lee, Bansal, Pradeep K., Farah, Jeffrey Joseph, Kapadia, Rajesh, Renger, Bernard S L
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong, Harry S.
• Application Number:
  US09/198,106
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 379/188, 379/196, 379/197, 379/198, 379/201, 379/207, 379/208, 379/218, 379/903
• US Class Current: 379/208.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2854 Wide area networks, e.g. public data networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/04 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/20 with means for interrupting existing connections; with means for breaking-in on conversations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 379/903 Password

Abstract

An emergency breakthrough system allows users to break through a busy signal, using an automated rather than operator assisted technique. Upon receipt of a busy signal, rather than hanging up and dialing an operator to gain a manual assistance for third party call breakthrough, the calling party is able to keypad an enablement request, such as *85, requesting emergency call breakthrough. After that entry, the system awaits a breakthrough passcode, such as a four digit number, which if validated permits the user to breakthrough the busy signal and reach the called party, without operator intervention. Predesignated numbers can gain automated access by ANI identity of the calling number.

Claims

1. A system for providing call breakthrough service, comprising:

a first interface for receiving a request for breakthrough service from a calling party calling a subscriber;

a breakthrough profile database, containing a list of subscribers subscribing to breakthrough service;

a processor, connected to the breakthrough profile database, the processor processing the request for breakthrough service by interrogating the breakthrough profile database to determine the validity of the breakthrough request; and

a second interface, connected to the processor, for connecting the calling party to the subscriber when the breakthrough request is validated.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor performs breakthrough validation by verifying the subscriber subscribes to the breakthrough service by interrogating the breakthrough profile database, and by verifying a breakthrough password entered by the calling party.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein a breakthrough profile server is located in a local central office of the public switched telephone network.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein a breakthrough password is modifiable by the subscriber.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the breakthrough service is defeatable by the subscriber on a per-call basis.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein an original call of the called party is restored after completion of the breakthrough service.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein a breakthrough profile server is located in an IP telephony network.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein a breakthrough profile server is located in a wireless network.

9. A method for providing call breakthrough service, comprising:

presenting a first interface for receiving a request for breakthrough service from a calling party to a subscriber;

accessing a breakthrough profile database, containing a list of subscribers subscribing to the breakthrough service;

processing the request for breakthrough service by interrogating the breakthrough profile database to determine the validity of the breakthrough request; and

connecting the party making the breakthrough request to the subscriber when the breakthrough request is validated.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the validating is performed by verifying the subscriber subscribes to the breakthrough service by interrogating the breakthrough profile database, and by verifying a breakthrough password entered by the calling party.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the breakthrough profile server is located in a local central office of the public switched telephone network.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein a breakthrough password is modifiable by the subscriber.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the breakthrough service is defeatable by the subscriber on a per-call basis.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of restoring an original call of the called party after completion of the breakthrough service.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein a breakthrough profile server is located in an IP telephony network.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein a breakthrough profile server is located in a wireless network.