Method and system for selectively performing call information query

• US 7,286,660 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2004
• Issued: 10/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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:
  US10/891,831
• Publication Number:
  US 20050036600A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• Field of Search: 379/219, 379/220.01, 379/221.13
• US Class Current: 379/221.13
• 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, the method comprising:

storing modified call information for a called telephone number in a data storage device;

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

analyzing the call information to determine if the call information is current;

obtaining the modified call information for the called telephone number from the data storage device in response to a determination that the call information is not current;

routing the call using the modified call information; and

regulating the number of attempts to obtain modified call information that can be made.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein storing modified call information for a called telephone number in a data storage device comprises storing modified call routing information for the called telephone number.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein storing modified call information for a called telephone number in a data storage device comprises storing modified call rating information for the called telephone number.

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

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

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

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

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

9. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving call information for the called telephone number from a remote location comprises receiving call rating information for the called telephone number from a remote location.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing the call information to determine if the call information is current comprises determining whether the called telephone number is unallocated.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing the call information to determine if the call information is current comprises determining whether the called telephone number is open to porting.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the modified call information for the called telephone number from the data storage device in response to a determination that the call information is not current comprises performing a search to obtain modified call routing information.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the modified call information for the called telephone number from the data storage device in response to a determination that the call information is not current comprises performing a search to obtain modified call rating information.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the modified call information for the called telephone number from the data storage device in response to a determination that the call information is not current comprises performing a search to obtain modified call routing information and modified call rating information.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein routing the call using the modified call information comprises routing the call to a new location using the modified call information.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein routing the call using the modified call information comprises routing the call to a switch using the modified call information.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein routing the call using the modified call information comprises routing the call to a service switching point using the modified call information.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein routing the call using the modified call information comprises routing the call to a service node using the modified call information.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein routing the call using the modified call information comprises routing the call to an intelligent peripheral using the modified call information.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein routing the call using the modified call information comprises routing the call to a voicemail system using the modified call information.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the data storage device is a database.

22. A computer readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions for processing a call, the set of instructions to direct a processor to perform acts of:

storing modified call information for a called telephone number in a data storage device;

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

analyzing the call information to determine if the call information is current;

obtaining the modified call information for the called telephone number from the data storage device in response to a determination that the call information is not current;

routing the call using the modified call; and

regulating the number of attempts to obtain modified call information that can be made.

23. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 22 wherein the data storage device is a database.

24. A system for processing a call, the system comprising:

at least one data storage device operative to store modified call information;

a network element operative to store modified call information for a called telephone number in the at least one data storage device, to receive call information for the called telephone number from a remote location;

to analyze the call information to determine if the called telephone number from the at least one data storage device in response to a determination that the call information is not current;

to route the call using the modified call information; and

to regulate the number of attempts to obtain modified call information that can be made.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the at least one data storage device is a database.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein the network element is a service switching point.