Method and apparatus for automating the management of a database
First Claim
1. A computer-readable medium on which is stored a computer program for managing a caller-name announcement database, and a data file containing said caller-name announcement database, said caller-name announcement database comprising a plurality of entries indexed by a plurality of originating directory numbers, each of said entries including an announcement message, a use-by date and a keep-until date, said computer program having access to a timer and said computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, perform the steps of:
- a. detecting a first call for a party, the first call having an originating directory number and being detected on a first date;
b. receiving an announcement message during the first call, the announcement message being associated with the originating directory number;
c. equating a use-by date to said first date plus a first predetermined number of time units;
d. storing said announcement message and said use-by date in said database indexed by said originating directory number;
e. detecting a second call for said party, said second call having said originating directory number and being detected on a second date;
f. if said second date is not later than said use-by date, equating a keep-until date to said second date plus a second predetermined number of time units;
g. if said second date is later than said first use-by date, receiving a new announcement message and equating said use-by data to said second date;
h. detecting a next call for said party, the next call having said originating directory number and being detected on a next date;
i. if said next date is later than said keep-until date, receiving a new announcement message, equating said use-by date to said next date and disabling said keep-until date.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus to automate the process of updating and maintaining a dynamically changing database by assigning status states to each entry within the database and operating on those entries in accordance with the status states. More specifically, when a new entry for the database is received (13) it is classified as a short-term entry (11). If the new entry is accessed (14) prior to the expiration of the short-term status (15), then the classification of the entry is changed to long-term (12). Otherwise, if the short-term status expires (15), the entry is functionally removed from the database (10). Long term entries (12) are maintained within the database for an assigned period of time which attempts to emulate the useful life of the entry. Upon expiration of a long-term status (16), the entry is functionally removed from the database (10).
27 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A computer-readable medium on which is stored a computer program for managing a caller-name announcement database, and a data file containing said caller-name announcement database, said caller-name announcement database comprising a plurality of entries indexed by a plurality of originating directory numbers, each of said entries including an announcement message, a use-by date and a keep-until date, said computer program having access to a timer and said computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, perform the steps of:
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a. detecting a first call for a party, the first call having an originating directory number and being detected on a first date; b. receiving an announcement message during the first call, the announcement message being associated with the originating directory number; c. equating a use-by date to said first date plus a first predetermined number of time units; d. storing said announcement message and said use-by date in said database indexed by said originating directory number; e. detecting a second call for said party, said second call having said originating directory number and being detected on a second date; f. if said second date is not later than said use-by date, equating a keep-until date to said second date plus a second predetermined number of time units; g. if said second date is later than said first use-by date, receiving a new announcement message and equating said use-by data to said second date; h. detecting a next call for said party, the next call having said originating directory number and being detected on a next date; i. if said next date is later than said keep-until date, receiving a new announcement message, equating said use-by date to said next date and disabling said keep-until date. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. In an integrated computer telephony system providing a caller-name announcement system including a caller-name announcement database, said database comprising a plurality of entries, each said entry including a caller-name announcement paired with an update indicator, a method for automatically updating said entries in said database, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a call for a subscriber; obtaining an identification key associated with said call; determining an update in said database status pertaining to a database entry associated with said identification key; and updating said database entry in accordance with said update status. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. In a program module operating within a telecommunications system and having access to a database of entries, each said entry comprising a search key, an announcement message, a first reference date and a second reference date, and said program module having access to a timing device which provides a present date, a method for automatically updating said database, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a call; identifying a search key associated with said call; searching said database on said search key to obtain an entry; if said entry is not found in the database, performing an update process for said entry; if said second reference date of said entry is not initialized and said first reference date of said entry is later than said present date, initializing said second reference date for said entry; if said second reference date of said entry is not initialized and said first reference of said entry is earlier than said present date, performing an update process for said entry; and if said second reference date of said entry is initialized and is earlier than said present date, performing an update process for said entry. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A computer system for automatically updating a caller-name announcement database, comprising:
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a processing unit; a memory storage device operative to store said caller-name announcement database; an interface device coupled to said processing unit for receiving calls; and a timer being operative to provide a present date; said processing unit being operative to; detect a call from an originating directory number on said interface device; search said caller-name announcement database in said memory storage device to obtain an entry for said originating directory number; if said entry is a short-term entry, convert said entry to a long-term entry; update said caller-name announcement database if said caller-name announcement database does not contain said entry; and update said caller-name announcement database if said entry has expired. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification