System and method for automatically distributing communications to selected locations

• US 6,466,798 B1
• Filed: 10/12/2000
• Issued: 10/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ayala, Rajasekhar, Blumhardt, Mark Sheldon
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUNG, NAY AUNG
• Application Number:
  US09/689,372
• Time in Patent Office: 733 Days
• Field of Search: 455/413, 455/414, 455/417, 455/445, 455/461, 455/459, 455/558, 379/67.1, 379/200, 379/211.02, 379/214.01, 379/221.08, 379/221.09, 379/265.03, 379/265.04, 379/265.11, 379/265.02
• US Class Current: 455/461
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/12 intelligent networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42229 Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location diverting calls from one subscriber to another subscriber, i.e. two different subscriptions H04M3/54; selecting arrangements in intelligent networks H04Q3/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/46 Arrangements for calling a number of substations in a predetermined sequence until an answer is obtained
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/523 with call distribution or queueing

Abstract

A system and method for automatically distributing communications to selected locations includes switching means which is provided in electrical communication with a calling party'"'"'s CPE device and a plurality of secondary parties'"'"' CPE devices. As disclosed, the system may be adapted for use in both advanced intelligent networks (AIN) and non-AIN arrangements. Similarly, the switching means may be provisioned with automatic call distribution (ACD) architecture or, in specified AIN arrangements, with a Service Node or advanced functionality controlled by a properly interfaced service control point (SCP) or adjunct. In operation, the switching means parks incoming communication on queue while performing selected routing functions in an attempt to locate the secondary party if one of the plurality of selected communication addresses. In the preferred embodiment, the selected routing functions are performed in a predetermined sequence.

Claims

1. For use in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN), a system for automatically routing communications from a calling party having a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) device to a secondary party having a single calling number for a plurality of CPE devices, each of said secondary party CPE devices placed at a different geographic location and having a corresponding communication address, the system comprising:

an AIN Release 1 Service Switching Point (SSP) in electrical communication with said calling party CPE device and said plurality of secondary party CPE devices, and having Automatic Call Distribution architecture;

a Signal transfer Point (STP) in electrical communication with said SSP; and

an AIN Release 1 Service Control Point (SCP) in electrical communication with said STP, said SCP adapted to retain complete control of the routing of said communication and perform selected routing functions in a predetermined sequence in an attempt to locate said secondary party at one of said communication addresses, and to direct said SSP how to terminate said communication.

2. A system as in claim 1, further including a voice mail system in electrical communication with said SSP.

3. A system as in claim 1, further comprising Log-in means in electrical communication with said SSP for initiating a Log-in Number unique to said secondary party such that said secondary party may receive said communication from any subscribing CPE device.

4. For use in an Advance Intelligent Network (AIN), a system for automatically routing communications from a calling party having a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) device to a secondary party having a single calling number for a plurality of CPE devices, each of said secondary party CPE devices placed at a different geographic location and having a corresponding communication address, the system comprising:

an AIN Release 1 Service Switching Point (SSP) in electrical communication with said calling party CPE device and said plurality of secondary party CPE devices, and having Automatic Call Distribution architecture; and

an AIN adjunct processor in electrical communication with said SSP, said adjunct processor adapted to retain complete control of the routing of said communication and perform selected routing functions in a predetermined sequence in an attempt to locate said secondary party at one of said communication addresses, and to direct said SSP how to terminate said communication.

5. For use in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN), a system for automatically routing communications from a calling party having a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) device to a secondary party having a single calling number for a plurality of CPE devices, each of said secondary party CPE devices placed at a different geographic location and having a corresponding communication address, the system comprising:

an AIN release one service node in electrical communication with said calling party CPE device and said plurality of secondary party CPE devices, said service node having Automatic Call Distribution architecture and adapted to retain complete control of said communication and perform selected routed functions in a predetermined sequence in an attempt to locate said secondary party at one of said communication addresses.

6. For use in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN), a method of automatically routing communications from a calling party having a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) device to a secondary party having a single called number for a plurality of CPE devices, each of said secondary party CPE devices placed at a different geographic location and having a corresponding communication address, comprising:

providing a Release 1 Service Switching Point (SSP) in electrical communication with said calling party CPE device and said plurality of secondary party CPE devices, said SSP having Automatic Call Distribution architecture;

providing a Signal Transfer Point (STP) in electrical communication with said SSP;

providing a Release 1 Service Control Point in electrical communication with said STP;

routing said communication signals from said calling party CPE device to said SSP;

identifying said called number as that of said secondary party;

transferring control of routing said communication to said SCP; and

performing selected routing functions in a predetermined sequence in an attempt to locate said secondary party at one of said communication addresses, and instruct said SSP how to terminate said communication.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of paging said secondary party.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of initiating a Log-in Number unique to said secondary party from any CPE device so as to receive said communication.

9. For use in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN), a method of automatically routing communications from a calling party having a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) device to a secondary party having a single called number for a plurality of CPE devices, each of said secondary party CPE devices placed at a different geographic location and having a corresponding communication address, comprising:

providing a Release 1 Service Switching Point (SSP) in electrical communication with said calling party CPE device and said plurality of secondary party CPE devices, said SSP having Automatic Call Distribution architecture;

providing an AIN adjunct processor in electrical communication with said SSP;

routing said communication signals from said calling party CPE device to said SSP;

identifying said called number as that of said secondary party;

transferring control of routing said communication to said adjunct processor; and

performing selected routing functions in a predetermined sequence in an attempt to locate said secondary party at one of said communication addresses, and instruct said SSP where to direct said communication.

10. For use in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN), a method of automatically routing communications from a calling party having a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) device to a secondary party having a single called number for a plurality of CPE devices, each of said secondary party CPE devices placed at a different geographic location and having a corresponding communication address, comprising:

providing an AIN release one service node in electrical communication with said calling party CPE device and said plurality of secondary party CPE devices, said SSP having Automatic Call Distribution architecture;

routing said communication signals from said calling party CPE device to said AIN service node;

identifying said called number as that of said secondary party; and

performing selected routing functions in a predetermined sequence in an attempt to locate said secondary party at one of said communication addresses, and instruct said service node how to direct said communication signals.