System and method for remote updating of a telephone number transformation definition

• US 6,608,890 B1
• Filed: 06/15/1999
• Issued: 08/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Unify GmbH & Co. KG (Atos SE), Technalink, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Schulz, Egon, Di Carlo, Vincenzo Scotto
• Primary Examiner(s): TIEU, BENNY QUOC
• Application Number:
  US09/333,320
• Time in Patent Office: 1,526 Days
• Field of Search: 379/201-1-2, 379/211.01, 379/211.02, 379/221.01, 379/221.13, 379/114.02, 379/114.05, 379/114.06
• US Class Current: 379/201.05
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1309 Apparatus individually associated with a subscriber line, line circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13092 Scanning of subscriber lines, monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13102 Common translator
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13109 Initializing, personal profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13202 Network termination [NT]
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13213 Counting, timing circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13349 Network management
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0016 Arrangements providing connection between exchanges

Abstract

A system and a method are described for updating routing presets for a customer. The network access numbers entered in the equipment of the customer are selected by a service provider on the basis of a requirement profile of the customer, which may include both data aspects and costs aspects, and are transmitted to a transformation device using a defined communication protocol. The advantages for the customer are that it, so to speak, always dials the required network independently of the entered number, and no specific costs are incurred by the customer.

Claims

1. An improved method for remote updating of a telephone number transformation definition in a transformation device by an updating point, the transformation device transforming at least one telephone number being dialed by a communication subscriber to a new telephone number defined by the telephone number transformation definition, the improvement which comprises:

connecting the transformation device to the updating point;

updating the telephone number transformation definition to a current definition on a time-controlled basis;

controlling, via the current definition, access to various communication networks;

analyzing statistically a dialing behavior of the communication subscriber via the updating point;

carrying out and defining the current definition in dependence on at least one predetermined communication-network-specific criterion provided by the communications subscriber to the updating point;

monitoring, via the updating point, the various communication networks for the predetermined communications-network-specific criterion; and

carrying out the remote updating of the telephone number transformation definition in dependence on a change in the predetermined communications-network-specific criterion.

2. A system for remote updating of a telephone number transformation definition for transformation of at least one telephone number dialed by a communication subscriber to a new telephone number defined by the telephone number transformation definition, the system comprising:

at least one transformation device variably defining at least two telephone number transformations;

one updating point for remote updating of at least one variable definition of said at least two telephone number transformations, the remote updating carried out by said updating point such that said updating point first contacts and connects to said at least one transformation device and then updates said at least one variable definition of said at least two telephone number transformations;

a same communication medium connecting said transformation device and said updating point;

means for updating the telephone number transformation definition to a current definition on a time-controlled basis; and

means for starting a further updating attempt after a predetermined time interval known to both said updating point and said transformation device if a connection of the communication subscriber is busy at a previously notified updating time;

said at least two telephone number transformations connecting a communication terminal connected to said at least one transformation device to two different communication networks, and the remote updating of the at least one variable definition carried out in dependence on a change to at least one variable parameter of a respective communication network.

3. A system for remote updating of a telephone number transformation definition for transformation of at least one telephone number dialed by a communication subscriber to a new telephone number defined by the telephone number transformation definition, the system comprising:

at least one transformation device variably defining at least two telephone number transformations;

one updating point for remote updating of at least one variable definition of said at least two telephone number transformations, the remote updating carried out by said updating point such that said updating point first contacts and connects to said at least one transformation device and then updates said at least one variable definition of said at least two telephone number transformations;

a same communication medium connecting said transformation device and said updating point;

means for updating the telephone number transformation definition to a current definition on a time-controlled basis; and

means for starting a further updating attempt after a predetermined time interval known to both said updating point and said transformation device if a connection of the communication subscriber is busy at a previously notified updating time;

the remote updating being carried out in dependence on at least one criterion dependent on at least one of the communication terminal and being subscriber specific.

4. The system according to claim 3, including:

a communication network that is common to said updating point and to the communication terminal and via which said remote updating is carried out; and

a controller for controlling a timing of said remote updating.

5. The system according to claim 4, including means for deactivating a ringing signal at the communication terminal.