Economical call processing system and method, such as for providing one-number telecommunication services
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for routing calls from at least one caller to a subscriber of telecommunications services, wherein at least one call from the caller is routed from a local telecommunications network to a distant central telecommunications server, wherein the local telecommunications network includes a local dialable network that differs from a local dialable network to which the central telecommunications server is associated, the method comprising:
- at a local controller coupled to and associated with the local telecommunications network, receiving from the local telecommunications network an incoming call from a calling number associated with a caller, to a called number associated with the subscriber;
at the local controller, locally storing at least the called number associated with the caller;
at the local controller, initiating a 1-800 call to the central telecommunications server over a 1-800 network via the local telecommunications network;
at the local controller, transferring the called number to the central telecommunications server via the 1-800 call over the 1-800 network;
at the central telecommunications server, receiving the calling and called numbers and retrieving a subscriber profile based on the called number, wherein the subscriber profile is associated with the subscriber and identifies subscriber defined call routing preferences;
at the central telecommunications server, receiving the incoming call; and
at the central telecommunications server, routing the incoming call based on at least one subscriber defined call routing preference in the retrieved subscriber profile.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and associated method receive, from a local telecommunications network, a call from a first number, to a second number associated with an individual or subscriber. The system and method locally store at least the second number, and initiate a dial-up call to a central telecommunication server or a dialed-up network via the local telecommunications network. The system and method then transfer at least the second number to the central telecommunications server via the dial-up call over the dial-up network. The dial-up network can be a 1-800 network, long distance network, or other network.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for routing calls from at least one caller to a subscriber of telecommunications services, wherein at least one call from the caller is routed from a local telecommunications network to a distant central telecommunications server, wherein the local telecommunications network includes a local dialable network that differs from a local dialable network to which the central telecommunications server is associated, the method comprising:
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at a local controller coupled to and associated with the local telecommunications network, receiving from the local telecommunications network an incoming call from a calling number associated with a caller, to a called number associated with the subscriber; at the local controller, locally storing at least the called number associated with the caller; at the local controller, initiating a 1-800 call to the central telecommunications server over a 1-800 network via the local telecommunications network; at the local controller, transferring the called number to the central telecommunications server via the 1-800 call over the 1-800 network; at the central telecommunications server, receiving the calling and called numbers and retrieving a subscriber profile based on the called number, wherein the subscriber profile is associated with the subscriber and identifies subscriber defined call routing preferences; at the central telecommunications server, receiving the incoming call; and at the central telecommunications server, routing the incoming call based on at least one subscriber defined call routing preference in the retrieved subscriber profile. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An apparatus for routing calls for a subscriber from a local telecommunications network to a distant central telecommunications server, the apparatus comprising:
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a memory, a computer coupled to the memory; a telecommunications call handling subsystem coupled between the local telecommunications network and the computer, wherein the computer and call handling subsystem are configured to; receive a call from a first number to a second number associated with the subscriber;
store in the memory at least the second number;
initiate a 1-800 call to the central telecommunications server over a 1-800 network via the local telecommunications network; and
transfer at least the second number to the central telecommunications server via the 1-800 call over the 1-800 network; andwherein transferring at least the second number includes transferring to the central telecommunications server the called and calling numbers in ISDN fields in the 1-800 call, and wherein the computer and call handling subsystem are further configured to; provide the second number to the central telecommunications server as in-band signaling in response to a first error message received from the central telecommunications server; initiate another 1-800 call to the central telecommunications server over a second 1-800 network in response to a second error message received from the central telecommunications server; and connect the call with the 1-800 call in response to an acknowledgement message received from the central telecommunications server. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for routing calls for a subscriber from a local telecommunications network to a distant central telecommunications server, the apparatus comprising:
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a memory, a computer coupled to the memory; a telecommunications call handling subsystem coupled between the local telecommunications network and the computer, wherein the computer and call handling subsystem are configured to; receive a call from a first number to a second number associated with the subscriber;
store in the memory at least the second number;
initiate a 1-800 call to the central telecommunications server over a 1-800 network via the local telecommunications network; and
transfer at least the second number to the central telecommunications server via the 1-800 call over the 1-800 network; andwherein a caller places the call from the first number, and wherein the computer and call handling subsystem are further configured to; provide voice scripts to the caller; initiate the 1-800 call to a first 1-800 number based on a first input signal received from the caller; and initiate another 1-800 call to another 1-800 number based on a second input signal received from the caller. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. The apparatus for routing calls for a subscriber from a local telecommunications network to a distant central telecommunications server, the apparatus comprising:
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a memory, a computer coupled to the memory; a telecommunications call handling subsystem coupled between the local telecommunications network and the computer, wherein the computer and call handling subsystem are configured to; receive a call from a first number to a second number associated with the subscriber;
store in the memory at least the second number;
initiate a 1-800 call to the central telecommunications server over a 1-800 network via the local telecommunications network; and
transfer at least the second number to the central telecommunications server via the 1-800 call over the 1-800 network; andwherein the computer and call handling subsystem are further configured to; receive a routing message from the central telecommunications server; place another 1-800 call to another apparatus based on the received routing message, wherein the another apparatus is substantially similar to the apparatus; and connect the call with the another 1-800 call.
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19. An apparatus for routing calls for a subscriber from a local controller coupled to a local telecommunications network, the apparatus comprising
a memory, a computer coupled to the memory, a telecommunications call handling subsystem coupled between a 1-800 network and the computer, wherein the computer and call handling subsystem are configured to: -
receive a 1-800 call over a 1-800 network from the local controller based on a call received by the local controller from a first number to a second number associated with the subscriber;
receive the first and second numbers from the local controller via the 1-800 call over the 1-800 network; and
determine routing of the call based on the received first and second numbers; andwherein the telecommunications call handling subsystem is coupled to a second 1-800 network, and wherein the computer and call handling subsystem are further configured to instruct the local controller to place at least some 1-800 calls over the second 1-800 network. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification