Method and system for selectively performing call information query

• US 6,249,577 B1
• Filed: 03/13/2000
• Issued: 06/19/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ameritech Corp. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Baldwin, Brian Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, CREIGHTON H
• Application Number:
  US09/524,498
• Time in Patent Office: 463 Days
• Field of Search: 379/207, 379/211, 379/220, 379/221, 379/201
• US Class Current: 379/221.09
• 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 system for processing a call from a calling telephone station to a called telephone number, the system comprising:

a database storing modified call information for the called telephone number;

a terminating service switching point in communication with the database, the terminating service switching point comprising;

means for receiving remote call information, corresponding to the called telephone number, from a remote central office;

means for analyzing the remote call information;

means for generating a query to the database to obtain the modified call information for the called telephone number; and

means for terminating the call to the called telephone number in response to the modified call information.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the modified call information comprises modified call routing information and modified call rating information.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the terminating service switching point further comprises means for determining whether the called telephone number is unallocated and means for determining whether the called telephone number is open to porting.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the terminating service switching point further comprises means for regulating the number of queries that can be generated.

5. A method for processing a call from a calling telephone station to a called telephone number, the method comprising:

(a) providing a database storing modified call information for the called telephone number;

(b) receiving remote call information corresponding to the called telephone number from a remote central office;

(c) analyzing the remote call information;

(d) performing a query to obtain the modified call information corresponding to the called telephone number from the database; and

(e) terminating the call to the called telephone number in response to the modified call information.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein (a) comprises:

(a1) creating modified call routing information; and

(a2) creating modified call rating information.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein (c) comprises:

(c1) determining whether the at least one telephone number is unallocated; and

(c2) determining whether the at least one telephone number open to porting.

8. A computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for processing a call from a calling telephone station to a called telephone number comprising:

computer readable program code for causing a computer to receive remote call information, corresponding to the called telephone number, from a remote central office;

computer readable program code for causing a computer to analyze the remote call information;

computer readable program code for causing a computer perform a query a database to modified call information for the called telephone number; and

computer readable program code for causing a computer to terminate the call to the called telephone number in response to the modified call information.

9. A system for providing local number portability comprising:

a database storing current call information for at least one ported telephone number; and

a prior switch in communication with the database, the prior switch comprising;

means for receiving prior call information, corresponding to the at least one ported telephone number;

means for analyzing the prior call information; and

means for generating a requery to the database to obtain the current call information corresponding to the at least one ported telephone number.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the prior call information comprises a query indicator.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the current call information comprises current call rating information.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the current call information comprises current call routing information and current call rating information.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the prior switch further comprises means for determining whether the at least one ported telephone number is unallocated and means for determining whether the at least one ported telephone number is open to porting.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the prior switch further comprises means for regulating the number of requeries that can be generated.

15. A method for providing local number portability comprising:

(a) providing a database storing current call information for a called telephone number;

(b) receiving prior call information corresponding to the called telephone number;

(c) analyzing the prior call information; and

(d) generating a requery to obtain current call information associated with the called telephone number.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein (a) comprises storing current call rating information in the database.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein (a) comprises storing current call routing information and current call rating information in the database.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein (c) comprises analyzing a query indicator.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein (c) comprises:

(c1) determining whether the called telephone number is unallocated; and

(c2) determining whether the called telephone number is open to porting.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein (a) comprises storing the current call information within the database via a regional service management system.

21. The method of claim 15, further comprising regulating the number of requeries that can be generated.

22. The method of claim 15, further comprising incrementing a counter circuit when the database does not contain current call information corresponding to the called telephone number.

23. The method of claim 15 further comprising generating an error message when current call information cannot be found.

24. The method of claim 15 further comprising routing a call from the prior switch to a current switch in accordance with the current call information received from the database.