Method and system for selectively performing call information query

• US 6,785,373 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2002
• Issued: 08/31/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
• Inventors: Baldwin, Brian Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, CREIGHTON H
• Application Number:
  US10/321,789
• Publication Number:
  US 20030156699A1
• Time in Patent Office: 623 Days
• Field of Search: 379/221.13, 379/207.02, 379/221.08, 379/211.02, 379/220.01, 379/201.01
• US Class Current: 379/207.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42297 with number portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/005 Personal communication services, e.g. provisions for portability of subscriber numbers

Abstract

A system and method for providing call information query stores modified call information associated with a telephone number within the local databases of a service provider'"'"'s local network. The modified call information enables a service provider to unilaterally alter how calls are routed and rated. The service switching points (SSPs) located within a same local network are equipped with modified intelligent network or advanced intelligent network software that enables the local SSPs to receive remote call information resulting from a remote query performed by a remote SSP. The local SSPs analyze the remote call information and generate queries to their local databases to obtain modified call information. New services requiring modified call information can then be implemented based upon the modified call information received as a result of the queries.

Claims

1. A method of processing a call from a calling telephone station to a called telephone number, the method comprising:

(a) storing modified call information for the called telephone number in a database;

(b) receiving call information for the called telephone number from a remote location;

(c) analyzing the call information to determine if the call information is current;

(d) accessing the database to obtain the modified call information for the called telephone number in response to a determination that the call information is not current; and

(e) routing the call using the modified call information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein (a) comprises storing modified call routing information for the called telephone number in a database.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein (a) comprises storing modified call rating information for the called telephone number in a database.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein (a) comprises storing modified call routing information and modified call rating information for the called telephone number in a database.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein (a) comprises storing modified call information for the called telephone number in a database in response to the called telephone number being ported to a new location.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein (a) comprises storing modified call routing information for the called telephone number in a database in response to the called telephone number being ported to a new location.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein (a) comprises storing modified call rating information for the called telephone number in a database in response to the called telephone number being ported to a new location.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein (b) comprises receiving call routing information for the called telephone number from a remote location.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein (c) comprises determining whether the called telephone number is unallocated.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein (c) comprises determining whether the called telephone number is open to porting.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein (d) comprises accessing the database to obtain modified call routing information.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein (d) comprises accessing the database to obtain modified call rating information.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein (d) comprises accessing the database to obtain modified call routing information and modified call rating information.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising regulating the number of times the database can be accessed.

9. The method of claim wherein (b) comprises receiving call rating information for the called telephone number from a remote location.