Automatically simultaneously ringing alternative telephone numbers
First Claim
1. A simultaneous number ringing system for ringing a first alternative number associated with a main number, comprising:
- a Service Control Point (SCP) within an Advanced Intelligent Network (AN), the SCP having a simultaneous ring application (SRA) resident thereon; and
a first call list associated with the main number and containing the first alternative number, the first call list being stored within the AN;
a Service Switching Point (SSP), within the AIN, operative to receive the main number from a calling subscriber and operative to fire a simultaneous trigger in response to a determination that a call attempt has been made to the main number and wherein the SRA is operative to retrieve the first alternative number from the first call list and to cause a Services Node (SN) within the AIN to place a first out-bound call attempt to the main number and a second out-bound call attempt to the first alternative number, in response to a determination that the simultaneous ring trigger has been fired and wherein the main number is a conventional directory number.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A Service Control Point (SCP) has a call list associated with the main telephone number of a called party. When a calling party attempts to contact the called party by calling the main number, a Service Switching Point (SSP) or a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) fires a trigger. The trigger causes the SCP to access the call list and to cause the SSP/MSC to simultaneously ring the main (called) telephone number and at least one alternative telephone number associated with the main telephone number. A simultaneous ring service subscriber can remotely access the SCP to modify a call list, to add or delete a call list and to select an active call list. When a subscriber has multiple call lists, the subscriber can set account parameters to automatically select the active call list, based on various call factors, such as call time and calling party.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A simultaneous number ringing system for ringing a first alternative number associated with a main number, comprising:
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a Service Control Point (SCP) within an Advanced Intelligent Network (AN), the SCP having a simultaneous ring application (SRA) resident thereon; and
a first call list associated with the main number and containing the first alternative number, the first call list being stored within the AN;
a Service Switching Point (SSP), within the AIN, operative to receive the main number from a calling subscriber and operative to fire a simultaneous trigger in response to a determination that a call attempt has been made to the main number and wherein the SRA is operative to retrieve the first alternative number from the first call list and to cause a Services Node (SN) within the AIN to place a first out-bound call attempt to the main number and a second out-bound call attempt to the first alternative number, in response to a determination that the simultaneous ring trigger has been fired and wherein the main number is a conventional directory number. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20)
the call attempt is made on a predetermined day of the week;
the call attempt is made at a predetermined hour of the day;
the call attempt is made by a predetermined calling party; and
the first call list has been disabled.
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11. A method for using a Service Control Point (SCP) to ring an alternative number associated with a main number, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a call attempt to the main number;
causing the SCP to determine a first alternative number from a first call list associated with the main number, wherein the SCP and the first call list are within an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN);
causing the SCP to simultaneously ring a telephone associated with the first alternative number and a telephone associated with the main number, and causing the SCP to cease ringing the first alternative number, in response to a determination that the telephone associated with the main number is answered, wherein the step of causing the SCP to simultaneously ring a telephone associated with the first alternative number and a telephone associated with the main number comprises the steps of;
causing a Services Node (SN) to place an out-bound call to the main number; and
causing the SN to place an out-bound call to the first alternative number. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for ringing an alternative number associated with a main number, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a call attempt directed to the main number;
causing a Service Switching Point (SSP) within an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) to fire a simultaneous ring trigger, in response to receiving the call attempt;
causing a Service Control Point (SCP) within an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) to retrieve the alternative number from a call list associated with the main number, in response to the firing of the simultaneous ring trigger;
causing a Services Node (SN) to place an out-bound call to the main number;
causing the SN to place an out-bound call to the alternative number;
causing the SSP to simultaneously ring the main number and the alternative number;
causing the SSP to cease ringing the alternative number, in response to a determination that the main number is answered; and
causing the SSP to cease ringing the main number, in response to a determination that the main number is answered.
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Specification