System and method for selecting a destination number upon receiving a dialed number from a calling party

• US 7,957,516 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2008
• Issued: 06/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/1998
• 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: Bloom, Ronald Michael, Buell, Donald W., Brand, Rodney T., Michalski, Robert Anthony, Gruchala, Carol Shifrin
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong; Harry S
• Application Number:
  US12/104,067
• Publication Number:
  US 20080215740A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,147 Days
• Field of Search: 379/45, 379/201.01, 379/207.12, 379/211.01, 379/211.02, 379/220.01, 379/221.08, 379/221.14
• US Class Current: 379/211.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/12 intelligent networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/14 with services dependent on location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42229 Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location diverting calls from one subscriber to another subscriber, i.e. two different subscriptions H04M3/54; selecting arrangements in intelligent networks H04Q3/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0025 Provisions for signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking

Abstract

A method, system and computer program for utilizing destination information stored in a database are disclosed. The database is queried for information about a service located at a destination, and location information of a requesting party is determined. Routing information is determined based upon the location information of the requesting party and the destination information of the service. The routing information is utilized to establish a route between the requesting party and the destination of the service.

Claims

1. A method for utilizing destination information stored in a plurality of databases, comprising:

selecting one of the plurality of databases using a zip code of a requesting party when identifying information for an end office corresponding to the requesting party exists;

querying the one of the plurality of databases for a destination number of a service located at a destination, independently of a dialed number dialed by the requesting party and a telephone number for the requesting party;

determining, by at least one processor, routing information based upon the zip code of the requesting party; and

utilizing the routing information to establish a route, by the at least one processor, between the requesting party and the destination number of the service.

2. The method according to claim 1,

wherein the querying of the database occurs in response to the requesting party inputting information into a device having a plurality of keys.

3. The method according to claim 1,

wherein the database is queried as a result of information which is input by the requesting party and which is transmitted over a network.

4. The method according to claim 3,

wherein the requesting party communicates with the network via a cellular telephone.

5. The method according to claim 1,

wherein the requesting party is provided with audible announcements.

6. A system for utilizing destination information stored in a plurality of databases, comprising:

a selector that selects one of the plurality of databases using a zip code of a requesting party when identifying information for an end office corresponding to the requesting party exists;

the one of the plurality of databases being queried for a destination number of a service located at a destination, independently of a dialed number dialed by the requesting party and a telephone number for the requesting party;

a device manually operated by the requesting party; and

a processor for determining routing information based upon the zip code of the requesting party, and for establishing a route between the requesting party and the destination number of the service.

7. The system according to claim 6,

wherein the device manually operated by the requesting party includes a plurality of keys for inputting data.

8. The system according to claim 6, which further includes a network for connecting the database and the device manually operated by the requesting party.

9. The system according to claim 6,

wherein the device manually operated by the requesting party includes a cellular telephone.

10. The system according to claim 6,

wherein the requesting party is provided with audible announcements.

11. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a set of instructions for utilizing destination information stored in a plurality of databases, the set of instructions directing at least one processor to perform the acts of:

selecting one of the plurality of databases using a zip code of a requesting party when identifying information for an end office corresponding to the requesting party exists;

querying the one of the plurality of databases for destination number of a service located at a destination, independently of a dialed number dialed by the requesting party and a telephone number for the requesting party;

determining routing information based upon the zip code of the requesting party; and

utilizing the routing information to establish a route between the requesting party and the destination number of the service.

12. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 11,

wherein the querying is responsive to the requesting party inputting information into a device having a plurality of keys.

13. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 11,

wherein the querying is responsive to information which is input by the requesting party and which is transmitted over a network.

14. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 13,

wherein the requesting party communicates with the network via a cellular telephone.

15. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 11,

wherein the requesting party is provided with audible announcements.