Automatic routing and information system for telephonic services

• US 6,385,312 B1
• Filed: 06/19/1998
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NeuStar Information Services, Inc. (Neustar Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Murex Securities Limited (Wallsgrove Ltd.)
• Inventors: Moore, George G., Shaffer, James D.
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, CREIGHTON H
• Application Number:
  US09/100,567
• Time in Patent Office: 1,418 Days
• Field of Search: 379/201, 379/202, 379/207, 379/210, 379/211, 379/220, 379/221, 379/230, 379/265, 379/266, 379/93.01, 379/88.01, 379/88.13, 455/445, 455/428, 455/456
• US Class Current: 379/211.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/15 Information service where the information is dependent on the location of the subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42042 Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42093 Notifying the calling party of information on the called or connected party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42306 Number translation services, e.g. premium-rate, freephone or vanity number services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42323 PBX's with CTI arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42348 Location-based services which utilize the location information of a target
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13109 Initializing, personal profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 : PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13352 : Self-routing networks, real-time routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13353 : Routing table, map memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1337 : Operator, emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13376 : Information service, downloading of information, 0800/0900 services
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13377 : Recorded announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13378 : Speech recognition, speech analysis
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13405 : Dual frequency signaling, DTMF
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13541 : routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13547 : subscriber, e.g. profile, database, database access
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 : Provisions for intelligent networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/66 : Traffic distributors
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/665 : Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 : Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/20 : Manipulation of established connections
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 : Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

A system and method for automatically and seamlessly routing telephone calls across a telephone network. The system includes a telephone network interface box having a computer, a master file and client file stored in the computer. The master file is dynamically linked to the client file at routing time to produce a selected client location telephone number which is transmitted across the telephone network. In one embodiment, the system utilizes Automatic Number Identification to identify the calling party. The master file has a plurality of records having a telephone number and a spatial key and is updated frequently. The client file has a plurality of records having a spatial key and a client telephone number. Methods of generating client file records for both radius and polygon defined service areas through an automated computer process are included in the present invention. Another embodiment of the system provides real-time processing in situations where high call volumes and transaction processing speed are not a major issue. The real-time processing system is simple to update and requires minimal storage. A further embodiment of the system utilizes a spatial coordinate of an instantaneous location of a caller'"'"'s mobile telephone as an input to a real-time process which identifies one or more client service locations corresponding to the location of the caller'"'"'s telephone.

Claims

1. A real-time method of identifying client service areas spatially containing an instantaneous location of a mobile caller telephone for use in a telephone network call processing system, the method comprising:

providing a file of client service areas, wherein each service area is geographically indexed by spatial coordinate windows, and wherein each service area is associated with a service location;

obtaining a caller spatial coordinate corresponding to an instantaneous location of a mobile caller telephone;

indexing the caller spatial coordinate in a spatial coordinate window index of the client service areas file to generate a potential list of at least one service location whose service area potentially contains the location corresponding to the caller spatial coordinate;

determining which service areas include the location corresponding to the caller spatial coordinate; and

generating a list of service locations whose service areas contain the location corresponding to the caller spatial coordinate.

2. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the determining step utilizes the spatial coordinate of the instantaneous location of the mobile caller telephone and the spatial definition of the client service areas in the potential list.

3. The method defined in claim 1, additionally comprising determining a distance from the instantaneous location of the mobile caller telephone to the service location.

4. The method defined in claim 3, additionally comprising sorting the list of service locations whose service areas contain the instantaneous location of the mobile caller telephone by ascending distance.

5. A telephone network call processing system for real-time determination of client service areas that spatially contain an instantaneous location of a mobile caller telephone, the system comprising:

a file of client service areas, wherein each service area is geographically indexed by spatial coordinate windows, and wherein each service area is associated with a service location;

call decoding hardware capable of obtaining a caller spatial coordinate corresponding to an instantaneous location of a mobile caller telephone;

an initial service area list function capable of indexing the caller spatial coordinate in a spatial coordinate window index of the client service areas file to generate a potential list of at least one service location whose service area potentially contains the location corresponding to the caller spatial coordinate; and

a caller location inside service area extremes function capable of determining which client service areas include the location corresponding to the caller spatial coordinate and generating a list of service locations whose service areas contain the location corresponding to the caller spatial coordinate.

6. The system defined in claim 5, wherein the caller location inside service area extremes function utilizes the spatial coordinate of the instantaneous location of the mobile caller telephone and the spatial definition of the client service areas in the potential list.

7. The system defined in claim 5, additionally comprising a process for determining a distance from the instantaneous location of the mobile caller telephone to the service location.

8. The system defined in claim 7, additionally comprising a process for sorting the list of service locations whose service areas contain the instantaneous location of the mobile caller telephone by ascending distance.

9. An automated call processing system for use in a telephone network, comprising:

a switch connected to the telephone network;

a routing computer connected to the switch;

a plurality of client service area files accessible by the routing computer, wherein each said file comprises information defining service areas, wherein each service area is geographically indexed by spatial coordinate windows, and wherein each service area is associated with a service location;

a call decoding module, associated with the switch, for receiving a dialed telephone number and a caller spatial coordinate corresponding to an instantaneous location of a mobile caller telephone from the telephone network;

a selector, associated with the telephone network, for selecting one of a plurality of client service area files based on the dialed telephone number; and

a real-time processing module responsive to the caller spatial coordinate for retrieving a client service location telephone number corresponding to a selected service location, said processing module utilizing the selected client service area file, wherein a client service location is selected if the caller spatial coordinate is included in a client service area.

10. The system defined in claim 9, wherein the mobile caller telephone comprises a personal communications system telephone.

11. The system defined in claim 9, wherein the mobile caller telephone comprises a cellular telephone.

12. The system defined in claim 9, additionally comprising an outbound calling module associated with the switch for transmitting the retrieved client service location telephone number to the telephone network.

13. The system defined in claim 9, wherein the caller spatial coordinate lies within the client service area.

14. The system defined in claim 9, wherein the caller spatial coordinate partially lies within the client service area.

15. An automated call processing system, comprising:

a switch connected to a telephone network;

a routing computer connected to the switch;

a plurality of client service area files accessible by the routing computer, wherein each said file comprises business information and information defining service areas, wherein each service area is geographically indexed by spatial coordinate windows, and wherein each service area is related to a service location;

a real-time processing module, executed by the routing computer, responsive to a dialed telephone number for selecting one of the plurality of client service area files and responsive to a caller spatial coordinate corresponding to an instantaneous location of a mobile caller telephone for retrieving, from a selected client service area file, a client service location identification (ID) corresponding to the selected client service location, wherein a client service location is selected if the caller spatial coordinate is included in a client service area; and

a database access function for indexing the selected client service area file by use of the client service location ID to access the business information.

16. The system defined in claim 15, wherein the mobile caller telephone comprises a cellular telephone.

17. The system defined in claim 15, wherein the mobile caller telephone comprises a personal communications system telephone.

18. The system defined in claim 15, additionally comprising an outbound calling module associated with the switch for transmitting the retrieved business information to the telephone network.

19. The system defined in claim 15, wherein the business information comprises at least one of the following:

service location telephone number;

days of business operation;

hours of business operation;

name of business;

address;

micro-area directions;

time zone; and

daylight savings indicator.

20. In a call processing system, a real-time method of call processing for use in a telephone network, comprising the steps:

receiving a dialed telephone number and a caller spatial coordinate corresponding to an instantaneous location of a mobile caller telephone;

providing a client service location identification (ID) corresponding to a selected service location in response to the dialed telephone number and the caller spatial coordinate, wherein the service location is selected if the caller spatial coordinate is included in a service area having a predefined geographic configuration; and

indexing a client service location file by use of the client service location ID to access information about the service location.

21. The method defined in claim 20, additionally comprising transmitting the accessed client service location information to the telephone network.

22. The method defined in claim 20, wherein the client service location file is one of a plurality of client service location files.

23. The method defined in claim 22, wherein providing the client service location identification (ID) utilizes the dialed telephone number to select one of the client service location files corresponding to a client identified by the dialed telephone number.

24. The method defined in claim 20, wherein the client service location file comprises a plurality of records, each record having a client service location identification (ID), a boundary description of the service area for the service location, and other location-specific information.

25. The method defined in claim 24, wherein the location-specific information comprises at least one of the following:

a service location telephone number;

days of business operation;

hours of business operation;

name of business;

address;

micro-area directions;

time zone; and

daylight savings indicator.

26. The method defined in claim 20, wherein the caller spatial coordinate lies within the service area.

27. The method defined in claim 20, wherein the caller spatial coordinate partially lies within the service area.

28. The method defined in claim 20, wherein the mobile caller telephone comprises a personal communications system telephone.

29. The method defined in claim 20, wherein the mobile caller telephone comprises a cellular telephone.

30. A call processing system for use in a telephone network, comprising:

a call decoding module capable of receiving a dialed telephone number and a caller spatial coordinate from the telephone network, wherein the caller spatial coordinate corresponds to an instantaneous location of a mobile caller telephone;

a real-time processing module responsive to the dialed telephone number and the caller spatial coordinate for providing a client service location identification (ID) corresponding to a selected service location, wherein the service location is selected if the caller spatial coordinate is included in a service area having a client defined geographic configuration; and

a client service location file indexed by the client service location ID to retrieve information about the service location.

31. The system defined in claim 30, additionally comprising an outbound calling module for transmitting the retrieved information about the service location to the telephone network.

32. The system defined in claim 30, wherein the client service location file is one of a plurality of client service location files.

33. The system defined in claim 32, wherein the real-time processing module utilizes the dialed telephone number to select one of the client service location files corresponding to a client identified by the dialed telephone number.

34. The system defined in claim 30, wherein the client service location file comprises a plurality of records, each record having a client service location identification (ID), a boundary description of the service area for the service location, and other location-specific information.

35. The system defined in claim 34, wherein the location-specific information comprises at least one of the following:

a service location telephone number;

days of business operation;

hours of business operation;

name of business;

address;

micro-area directions;

time zone; and

daylight savings indicator.

36. The system defined in claim 34, wherein the boundary description of a polygonal service area comprises each vertex of a polygon.

37. The system defined in claim 34, wherein the boundary description of a radius-defined service area comprises a center point and a radius.

38. The system defined in claim 30, wherein the caller spatial coordinate lies within the service area.

39. The method defined in claim 30, wherein the caller spatial coordinate partially lies within the service area.

40. An automated call processing system for use in a telephone network, comprising:

a call decoding module capable of receiving a dialed number and a caller spatial coordinate corresponding to an instantaneous location of a mobile caller telephone;

a coordinate to spatial key module responsive to the caller spatial coordinate for determining a spatial key;

a selector responsive to the dialed number for selecting a client database from a plurality of client databases accessible by the system;

a central switch process responsive to the spatial key for providing selected spatial key dependent data of a service location for the selected client, wherein the service location is associated with a service area; and

an outbound calling module for transmitting the selected spatial key dependent data to the telephone network.

41. The system defined in claim 40, wherein the caller is connected to the service location based on the selected spatial key dependent data transmitted to the telephone network.

42. The system defined in claim 40, wherein the spatial key comprises a postal code.

43. The system defined in claim 42, wherein the postal code comprises a zip+4 number.

44. An automated call processing system for use in a telephone network, comprising:

a call decoding module capable of receiving a caller spatial coordinate corresponding to an instantaneous location of a mobile caller telephone;

a look-up function responsive to the caller spatial coordinate for determining a spatial key, wherein the spatial key is stored in a master database;

a central switch process responsive to the spatial key for providing client information of a service location, wherein the service location has a predefined geographic relationship to the caller spatial coordinate, and wherein the relationship is determined by a user-defined boundary about the service location; and

an outbound calling module for transmitting the client information to the telephone network such that the caller is connected to the service location.

45. The system defined in claim 44, wherein the user-defined boundary defines a radial distance from the service location.

46. The system defined in claim 44, wherein the user-defined boundary defines a polygon about the service location.

47. An automated call processing system for use with mobile telephones in a telephone network having a switch, comprising:

a routing computer connected to the switch;

a client file comprising a plurality of records, each record comprising a client service location identification (ID), the client file accessible by the routing computer, and wherein records are assigned to the client file based upon the service location ID, with respect to a geographic area;

an inbound receiving module capable of receiving a caller spatial coordinate and a dialed telephone number from the telephone network;

a selector, associated with the routing computer, for selecting one of a plurality of client files based on the dialed telephone number; and

a call process capable of producing selected client information, wherein the selected client file is accessed by the call process using the caller spatial coordinate so as to provide a selected service location ID.

48. The system defined in claim 47, additionally comprising a coordinate to window code function responsive to the caller spatial coordinate and capable of determining a window code.

49. The system defined in claim 48, wherein each record of the client file includes a window code.

50. The system defined in claim 49, wherein the call process utilizes the window code determined by the coordinate to window code function in accessing the client file.

51. The system defined in claim 47, wherein the service location ID comprises a client telephone number.

52. The system defined in claim 47, additionally comprising an outbound calling module associated with the switch for transmitting the selected client information to the telephone network.

53. The system defined in claim 47, wherein the selected client information comprises a telephone number associated with a client service location identified by the selected service location ID.

54. An automated call processing system for use with mobile telephones in a telephone network having a switch, comprising:

a routing computer connected to the switch;

a client file comprising a plurality of records, each record comprising a client service location identification (ID), the client file accessible by the routing computer, and wherein records are assigned to the client file based upon the service location ID, with respect to a geographic area;

an inbound receiving module capable of receiving a mobile caller spatial coordinate; and

a call process capable of producing selected client information, wherein the client file is accessed by the call process using the mobile caller spatial coordinate to provide a selected service location ID.

55. The system defined in claim 54, additionally comprising a coordinate to window code function responsive to the mobile caller spatial coordinate and capable of determining a window code.

56. The system defined in claim 54, wherein each record of the client file includes a window code, and wherein the call process accesses the client file using the window code determined by the coordinate to window code function.

57. The system defined in claim 54, wherein the inbound receiving module is capable of receiving a dialed telephone number from the telephone network.

58. The system defined in claim 57, additionally comprising a selector, associated with the routing computer, for selecting one of a plurality of client files based on the dialed telephone number.

59. The system defined in claim 54, wherein the caller spatial coordinate has a one thousandth of a degree latitude precision.

60. In a telephone network, an automated call processing system capable of caller location based routing for use with mobile phones, the system comprising:

an inbound receiving module capable of receiving a mobile caller spatial coordinate corresponding to an instantaneous location of a mobile telephone caller;

a call process responsive to the mobile caller spatial coordinate for providing a client service location telephone number, wherein a service location is provided if the mobile caller spatial coordinate is included in a service area having a client defined geographic configuration; and

an outbound calling module for transmitting the provided client service location telephone number to the telephone network.

61. The system defined in claim 60, wherein the call processing process utilizes a window code to service location telephone number table.

62. The system defined in claim 61, additionally comprising a coordinate to window code function responsive to the mobile caller spatial coordinate and capable of determining a window code.

63. The system defined in claim 61, wherein each record of the table includes a window code.

64. A program storage device storing instructions that, when executed in a telecommunications system, perform the real-time method comprising:

obtaining a caller spatial coordinate corresponding to an instantaneous location of a mobile caller telephone;

indexing the caller spatial coordinate in a spatial coordinate window index of a client service areas file to generate a potential list of at least one service location whose service area potentially contains the location corresponding to the caller spatial coordinate, wherein each service area is geographically indexed by spatial coordinate windows, and wherein each service area is associated with a service location;

determining which service areas include the location corresponding to the caller spatial coordinate; and

generating a list of service locations whose service areas contain the location corresponding to the caller spatial coordinate.

65. A computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program for determination of within which client service area an instantaneous location of a mobile caller telephone lies, the program comprising:

means for obtaining a caller spatial coordinate corresponding to an instantaneous location of a mobile caller telephone;

means for indexing the caller spatial coordinate in a spatial coordinate window index of a client service areas file to generate a potential list of at least one service location whose service area potentially contains the location corresponding to the caller spatial coordinate, wherein each service area is geographically indexed by spatial coordinate windows, and wherein each service area is associated with a service location;

means for determining which client service areas include the location corresponding to the caller spatial coordinate; and

means for generating a list of service locations whose service areas contain the location corresponding to the caller spatial coordinate.

66. A real-time method of identifying client service locations related to an instantaneous location of a mobile caller telephone for use in a telephone network call processing system, the method comprising:

providing a file of client service locations wherein each service location is geographically indexed by spatial coordinate windows;

obtaining a caller spatial coordinate corresponding to an instantaneous location of a mobile caller telephone;

indexing the caller spatial coordinate in a spatial coordinate window index of the client service locations file to generate a potential list of one or more service locations whose locations have a predefined relationship with the location corresponding to the caller spatial coordinate; and

generating a list of service locations from said potential list that meet a predefined criterion.

67. The method defined in claim 66, wherein said predefined criterion is a maximum distance from said caller spatial coordinate.

68. The method defined in claim 66, additionally comprising determining a distance from the instantaneous location of the mobile caller telephone to the service location.

69. The method defined in claim 68, additionally comprising sorting the list of service locations that meet said predefined criterion by ascending distance.

70. A method for providing information over a network related to nearby service locations based on a current mobile device location, the method comprising:

receiving a spatial key corresponding to a current location of a mobile device;

accessing a service location database containing spatial definitions and service location information for a plurality of service locations;

selecting at least one service location from the service location database based on a dynamic determination whether spatial definitions associated with at least one service location and the spatial key are both at least partly contained in a defined service area; and

providing information associated with the at least one selected service location to the mobile device.

71. The method of claim 70, additionally comprising receiving a caller input from the mobile device.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein receiving the caller input is performed through a voice response unit.

73. The method of claim 71, wherein receiving the caller input is performed through a network interface box.

74. The method of claim 71, wherein the caller input includes dual tone multi frequency (DTMF) input.

75. The method of claim 71, wherein the caller input includes voice commands.

76. The method of claim 70, additionally comprising providing information so as to connect a telephone call between the mobile device and a selected service location.

77. The method of claim 70, wherein the service area has a client defined geographic configuration.

78. The method of claim 70, wherein the service location database comprises a plurality of client service location files.

79. The method of claim 70, wherein the spatial key is a representation of a geographic coordinate location.

80. A system for providing information related to nearby service locations over a network based on a current mobile device location, the system comprising:

a decoding module configured to receive a spatial key corresponding to a current location of a mobile device;

a service location database containing spatial definitions and service location information for a plurality of service locations;

a real-time processing module configured to select at least one service location from the service location database based on a dynamic determination whether spatial definitions associated with the service locations and the spatial key are both at least partly contained in a defined service area; and

an outbound module configured to provide information associated with the at least one selected service location to the mobile device.

81. The system of claim 80, wherein the decoding module is additionally configured to receive a caller input from the mobile device.

82. The system of claim 81, additionally comprising a voice response unit configured to receive the caller input from the mobile device.

83. The system of claim 81, additionally comprising a network interface box configured to receive the caller input the mobile device.

84. The system of claim 81, wherein the caller input includes dual tone multi frequency (CTMF) input.

85. The system of claim 81, wherein the caller input includes voice commands.

86. The system of claim 80, wherein the outbound module is additionally configured to connect a telephone call between the mobile device and a selected service location.

87. The system of claim 80, wherein the service area has a client defined geographic configuration.

88. The system of claim 80, wherein the service location database comprises a plurality of client service location files.

89. A method for providing information regarding a nearby service location over a network based on a current mobile device location, the method comprising:

receiving a spatial key corresponding to a current location of a mobile device;

accessing a service location database containing spatial definitions and service location information for a plurality of service locations;

selecting zero or more service locations from the service location database based on a dynamic determination whether spatial definitions associated with one or more service locations and the spatial key are both at least partly contained in a defined service area; and

providing information related to the zero or more service locations to the network.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein the provided service location information includes information to connect a telephone call between the mobile device and a selected service location.

91. The method of claim 89, wherein the provided service location information includes at least one of:

a service location telephone number;

days of business operation;

hours of business operation;

name of business;

address;

micro-area directions;

time zone; and

daylight savings indicator.

92. The method of claim 89, additionally comprising receiving a caller input from the mobile device.

93. The method of claim 92, wherein receiving the caller input is performed through a voice response unit.

94. The method of claim 92, wherein receiving the caller input is performed through a network interface box.

95. The method of claim 92, wherein the caller input includes dual tone multi frequency (DTMF) input.

96. The method of claim 92, wherein the caller input includes voice commands.

97. The method of claim 89, wherein the spatial key is a representation of a geographic coordinate location.

98. A system for providing information regarding a nearby service location over a network based on a current mobile device location, the system comprising:

a decoding module configured to receive a spatial key corresponding to a current location of a mobile device;

a service location database containing spatial definitions and service location information for a plurality of service locations;

a real-time processing module configured to select at least one service location from the service location file based on a dynamic determination whether spatial definitions associated with the service locations and the spatial key are both at least partly contained in a defined service area; and

an outbound module configured to provide information associated with the at least one service location to the network.

99. The system of claim 98, wherein the information provided to the network includes information to connect a telephone call between the mobile device and a selected service location.

100. The system of claim 98, wherein the service location information provided to the telephone network includes at least one of:

a service location telephone number;

days of business operation;

hours of business operation;

name of business;

address;

micro-area directions;

time zone; and

daylight savings indicator.

101. The system of claim 98, wherein the decoding module is additionally configured to receive input from the mobile device.

102. The system of claim 101, additionally comprising a voice response unit configured to receive the input from the mobile device.

103. The system of claim 101, additionally comprising a network interface box configured to receive the input from the mobile device.

104. The system of claim 101, wherein the input includes dual tone multi frequency (DTMF) input.

105. The system of claim 100, wherein the input includes voice commands.