Outward calling method for public telephone networks
First Claim
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1. A method for placing a telephone call, comprising:
- compiling and storing a plurality of contact information files and a set of one or more dialing rules in a non-volatile memory associated with a communication device operative to place the telephone call on a public telephone network, each one of the plurality of the contact information files comprising name information and at least one phone number;
receiving a dialing string comprised of a plurality of dialed keys entered into the communication device until the dialing string forms a complete phone number or includes a delimiter without receiving any information prior to entry of the dialing string indicating that the dialing string corresponds to a dial-by-name process;
if the dialing string contains a number of digits corresponding to a complete phone number without a delimiter, processing the dialing string as a dial-by-number entry by placing the telephone call on the public telephone network using the dialing string; and
if the dialing string includes a delimiter prior to receipt of the number of digits corresponding to a complete phone number, processing the dialing string as a dial-by-name entry by identifying a corresponding contact information file having name information corresponding to the dialing string up to the delimiter, andplacing the telephone call on the public telephone network using the phone number stored as part of the corresponding contact information file.
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Abstract
A call management device is connected between a standard push button telephone, rotary dial telephone, or other communication device and a public telephone network, and it operates to place (dial) calls on the public telephone network. The call management device maintains a telephone book that can be used to look up a phone number by name. A caller, using their telephone'"'"'s keypad or rotary dial, can either dial a phone number in the normal fashion or they can dial-by-name from the telephone book.
14 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for placing a telephone call, comprising:
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compiling and storing a plurality of contact information files and a set of one or more dialing rules in a non-volatile memory associated with a communication device operative to place the telephone call on a public telephone network, each one of the plurality of the contact information files comprising name information and at least one phone number; receiving a dialing string comprised of a plurality of dialed keys entered into the communication device until the dialing string forms a complete phone number or includes a delimiter without receiving any information prior to entry of the dialing string indicating that the dialing string corresponds to a dial-by-name process; if the dialing string contains a number of digits corresponding to a complete phone number without a delimiter, processing the dialing string as a dial-by-number entry by placing the telephone call on the public telephone network using the dialing string; and if the dialing string includes a delimiter prior to receipt of the number of digits corresponding to a complete phone number, processing the dialing string as a dial-by-name entry by identifying a corresponding contact information file having name information corresponding to the dialing string up to the delimiter, and placing the telephone call on the public telephone network using the phone number stored as part of the corresponding contact information file. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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4. A method for placing a telephone call, comprising:
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compiling and storing a plurality of contact information files and a set of one or more dialing rules in a non-volatile memory associated with a communication device operative to place the telephone call on a public telephone network, each one of the plurality of the contact information files comprising name information and at least one phone number; receiving a dialing string comprised of a plurality of dialed keys entered into the communication device until the dialing string forms a complete phone number or includes a delimiter without receiving any information prior to entry of the dialing string indicating that the dialing string corresponds to a dial-by-name process; if the dialing string contains a number of digits corresponding to a complete phone number without a delimiter, processing the dialing string as a dial-by-number entry by placing the telephone call on the public telephone network using the dialing string; if the dialing string includes a delimiter prior to receipt of the number of digits corresponding to a complete phone number, processing the dialing string as a dial-by-name entry by; identifying a plurality of contact information files having name information corresponding to the dialing string up to the delimiter, announcing one or more names stored as parts of the identified contact information files along with one or more selection prompts; receiving an indication of a selected contact information file, and placing the telephone call on the public telephone network using the phone number stored as part of the selected contact information file. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for placing a telephone call, comprising:
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compiling and storing a plurality of contact information files and a set of one or more dialing rules in a non-volatile memory associated with a communication device operative to place the telephone call on a public telephone network, each one of the plurality of the contact information files comprising name information and at least one phone number; receiving a dialing string comprised of a plurality of dialed keys entered into the communication device until the dialing string forms a complete phone number or includes a delimiter; if the dialing string contains a number of digits corresponding to a complete phone number without a delimiter, processing the dialing string as a dial-by-number entry by placing the telephone call on the public telephone network using the dialing string; if the dialing string includes an initial delimiter prior to receipt of the number of digits corresponding to a complete phone number without receiving any information prior to entry of the dialing string indicating that the dialing string corresponds to a dial-by-name process, processing the dialing string up to the initial delimiter as a dial-by-name entry by identifying a corresponding contact information file having name information corresponding to the dialing string up to the delimiter, and placing the telephone call on the public telephone network using the phone number stored as part of the corresponding contact information file. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification