Method and system for selectively performing call information query

• US 7,545,924 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2007
• Issued: 06/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Baldwin, Brian Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, CREIGHTON H
• Application Number:
  US11/900,920
• Publication Number:
  US 20080063175A1
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 379/201.1
• 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:

analyzing call information for a called telephone number to determine if the call information is current;

obtaining modified call information for the called telephone number in response to determining that the call information is not current;

routing a call using the modified call information; and

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

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving call information for a called telephone number.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the call information is received from a remote location.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

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

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

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

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

8. The method of claim 4, wherein storing the modified call information for the 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.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing call information to determine if the call information is current comprises:

determining whether the called telephone number is unallocated.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing call information to determine if the call information is current comprises:

determining whether the called telephone number is open to porting.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining modified call information for the called telephone number in response to a determination that the call information is not current comprises:

performing a search to obtain modified call routing information.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining modified call information for the called telephone number 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.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein routing a call using the modified call information comprises:

routing the call to a new location using the modified call information.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein routing a call using the modified call information comprises:

routing the call to a switch using the modified call information.

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

routing a call to a service switching point using the modified call information.

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

routing a call to a service node using the modified call information.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein routing a call using the modified call information comprises:

routing a call to an intelligent peripheral using the modified call information.

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

routing a call to a voicemail system using the modified call information.

19. 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:

analyzing call information for a called telephone number to determine if the call information is current;

obtaining modified call information for the called telephone number in response to determining that the call information is not current;

routing a call using the modified call information; and

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

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

a network element operative to analyze call information for a called telephone number to determine if the call information is current, to obtain modified call information for the called telephone number in response to determining that the call information is not current, to route a call using the modified call information, and to regulate a number of attempts to obtain modified call information that can be made.