Method and apparatus for assigning telephone numbers

• US 7,027,575 B1
• Filed: 08/04/1999
• Issued: 04/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Burgess, Paul Norman
• Primary Examiner(s): Deane, Jr., William J.
• Application Number:
  US09/366,896
• Time in Patent Office: 2,442 Days
• Field of Search: 379/127.01, 379111-134, 379/201.01, 379/211.01, 379/211.02, 379/212.01, 455/408, 455/406, 455/404, 455/419
• US Class Current: 379/201.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber

Abstract

Telephone numbers are omitted from a communications device (200) or line (110b), thereby inhibiting incoming calls. Outgoing calls are permitted on the line or communications device and are facilitated in part by an equipment identifier (122b, 222) used in a telecommunications network. A surrogate telephone number, which may already be assigned to a customer, is used for billing, caller identification and other functions. The equipment identifier is used for maintenance, administration and other functions associated with the communications device or line. A telephone number is temporarily made available to the communications device or line for a predetermined period of time upon request by a user. This advantageously reduces the number of telephone numbers required in a telecommunications network.

Claims

1. A method for assigning a telephone number to a communications device or line comprising the steps of:

A) assigning a unique equipment identifier to the communications device or line;

B) associating the unique equipment identifier with a telecommunications network such that an outgoing call may be originated from the communications device or line that has the unique equipment identifier; and

C) omitting association of a telephone number with the unique equipment identifier, thereby inhibiting incoming calls to the communications device or line by lack of a telephone number being associated therewith.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

D) associating a currently assigned telephone number with the communications device or line for billing.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

D) associating a currently assigned telephone number with the communications device or line for maintenance on the communications device or line.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

D) associating a currently assigned telephone number with the communications line or device for automatic number identification.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

D) associating a currently assigned telephone number with the communications line or device for purposes other than receiving an incoming telephone call.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

D) associating a currently assigned telephone number with the communications line or device for calling number identification.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

D) temporarily assigning an unassigned telephone number to the communications device or line in response to a request for a temporary telephone number.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the request for a temporary telephone number is initiated by a telephone call.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the communications device is a wireless telephone.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the unassigned telephone number is assigned for a predetermined period of time.

11. A communications device comprising:

a memory storing a unique equipment identifier, the equipment identifier uniquely identifying a communications device or line, wherein no incoming call is receivable and outgoing calls are operably placed using the communications device or line based on the equipment identifier, and wherein no telephone number is associated the communications device or line for the purpose of receiving incoming calls.

12. A telecommunications switch comprising:

a plurality of lines for outgoing and incoming telephone calls;

a memory associated with each line of the plurality of lines;

the memory storing an equipment identifier used to communicate with each line; and

wherein at least one of the plurality of lines has no assigned telephone number for receiving incoming calls and has a capability to originate outgoing calls.

13. A method for assigning a telephone number to a communications line comprising the steps of:

A) assigning a unique equipment identifier to the communications line;

B) associating the unique equipment identifier with a telecommunications network such that an outgoing call may be originated from the communications line that has the unique equipment identifier; and

C) omitting association of a telephone number with the unique equipment identifier to inhibit incoming calls to the communications line by lack of a telephone number being associated therewith.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:

D) associating a currently assigned telephone number with the communications line for billing.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of:

E) associating a currently assigned telephone number with the communications line for maintenance on the communications line.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of:

F) associating a currently assigned telephone number with the communications line for automatic number identification.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of:

G) associating a currently assigned telephone number with the communications line for purposes other than receiving an incoming telephone call.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of:

H) associating a currently assigned telephone number with the communications line for calling number identification.

19. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:

D) temporarily assigning an unassigned telephone number to the communications line in response to a request for a temporary telephone number.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the request for a temporary telephone number is initiated by a telephone call.