Telephone number area code preprocessor
DCFirst Claim
1. An apparatus for processing telephone numbers, comprising:
- an area code processor having means, responsive to called party information, for producing a list of telephone numbers; and
a caller interface, in communication with a calling party and the area code processor, having means for monitoring call initiation signals, means, responsive to the monitoring means, for receiving called party information, and means, responsive to the producing means, for selecting a target telephone number from the list of telephone numbers.
3 Assignments
Litigations
1 Petition
Accused Products
Abstract
This invention provides an apparatus and method for processing telephone numbers that assists telephone subscribers in reaching the desired destination when the area code is unknown or has changed. The invention can be integrated into a telephone unit, implemented as a stand-alone device connected to the subscriber'"'"'s telephone line (including wireless, cable-TV lines, and other modes of telecommunication), implemented as a utility on a personal computer that may or may not be connected to the Internet or to a telephone line, or implemented as part of the telephone switching system. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus for processing telephone numbers includes an area code processor and a caller interface. The area code processor has means, which are responsive to information about the called party, for producing a list of telephone numbers. The caller interface communicates with the area code processor and a calling party; and has means for monitoring call initiation signals, means for receiving called party information such as a telephone number, and means for selecting a target telephone number from the list of telephone numbers produced by the area code processor.
63 Citations
30 Claims
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1. An apparatus for processing telephone numbers, comprising:
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an area code processor having means, responsive to called party information, for producing a list of telephone numbers; and
a caller interface, in communication with a calling party and the area code processor, having means for monitoring call initiation signals, means, responsive to the monitoring means, for receiving called party information, and means, responsive to the producing means, for selecting a target telephone number from the list of telephone numbers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for processing telephone numbers, comprising the steps of:
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monitoring call initiation signals from a calling party;
receiving, responsive to the monitoring step, called party information;
producing, responsive to the called party information, a list of telephone numbers; and
selecting, responsive to the producing step, a target telephone number from the list of telephone numbers. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification