Method and system for switching short-code accesses based on origination time and service area

• US 6,728,361 B1
• Filed: 11/02/2000
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Ouyang, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Matar, Ahmad F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ADDY, THJUAN KNOWLIN
• Application Number:
  US09/705,018
• Time in Patent Office: 1,272 Days
• Field of Search: 379/221.08, 379/220.01, 379/88.01, 455/406, 455/414, 358/84, 235/383
• US Class Current: 379/221.08
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/14 Delay circuits; Timers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0054 where the data service is an electronic mail service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1235 where one of the core networks is a wireless network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/126 Interworking of session control protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13213 Counting, timing circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13345 Intelligent networks, SCP
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13376 Information service, downloading of information, 0800/0900 services
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking

Abstract

A method and system for switching short code telephone calls based on origination time and service area provides a reusable set of short codes for call switching in conjunction with radio promotions and other short-term uses. A database-managed switching system manages the use of the short-code identifier so that the identifier is switched to a particular exchange in conformity with a time period for which the switching is established. In addition, the service area of the originating station can determine the switching path, so that the same identifier can be used simultaneously in multiple geographical regions.

Claims

1. A method for switching a short-code access number, said method comprising the steps of:

initializing a service control point database with switching information for the short-code access number including a time period and a first destination, said time period being a predetermined length of time that is independent of a time of day;

transmitting said short-code access number to a user device while concurrently starting a timer to measure said time period;

receiving at a switching network said short-code access number from said user device;

in response to receiving said short-code access number at said switching network, determining whether or not said time period has expired according to said timer;

in response to determining that said time period has not expired, switching said short-code access number to said first destination in conformity with said switching information; and

in response to determining that said time period has expired, making said short-code access number available for switching a call to a second destination.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said short-code access number originates within a geographic region having an associated local exchange, said switch database is associated with said local exchange, and wherein said step of switching is limited to switching through said local exchange so that said short-code access number can be simultaneously used by another local exchange without interfering with said switching.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said switching information fiber comprises a locale identifier, and wherein said method further comprises determining whether or not said short-code access number originated within a locale identified by said local identifier, and said step of switching is further performed in conformity with a determination that said short-code access number originated within said locale.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said locale identifier is an identifier of a cell within a cellular telephone network, and wherein said step of switching is performed in conformity with a determination that said short-code access number originated within said cell.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a broadcast message containing a representation of said short-code access number; and

prompting a user to dial said short-code access number in response to receiving said broadcast message.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said broadcast message contains an audio representation of said short-code access number, and wherein said step of prompting prompts said user to dial said short-code access number by hearing said audio representation.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein said broadcast message contains a coded representation of said short-code access number on a visual display and further comprising displaying said short-code access number.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a network transmission containing a representation of said short-code access number; and

prompting a user to dial said short-code access number in response to receiving said network transmission.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said network transmission comprises an INTERNET web page transmission, and wherein said step of prompting is performed by displaying a web page.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said network transmission comprises an e-mail transmission, and wherein said step of prompting is performed by displaying contents of said e-mail transmission.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether or not said time period has expired; and

freeing said shot-code access number for use with other switching information.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said step of freeing is performed by removing said switching information from said service control point database.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said step of determining whether or not said time period is expired is performed by determining whether or not said switching information is present within said service control point database.

14. A system for switching short-code telephone calls, wherein said system comprises:

means for transmitting a short-code access number for a first destination to a user device while concurrently starting a timer to measure a time period, said time period being independent of a time of day;

a service control point for receiving said short-code access, number from said user device;

a database coupled to said service control point for controlling switching behavior, wherein said database contains switching information for said short-code access number including a time period and a destination; and

a timer coupled to said database for determining whether or not said time period has expired when said short-code access number is received, wherein said timer indicates to said switch to switch said short-code access number to said first destination if said time period has not expired, and wherein said short-code access number is available for switching a call to a second destination if said time period has expired.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein said short-code access number originates within a geographic region having an associated local exchange, said database is associated with said local exchange, and wherein said switch limits switching through said local exchange so that said short-code access number can be simultaneously used by another local exchange without interfering with said switching.

16. The system according to claim 14, wherein said switching information further comprises a locale identifier, and wherein'"'"'said switch further determines whether or not said short-code access number originated within a locale identified by said local identifier, and said switch switches said access in conformity with a determination that said short-code access number originated within said locale.

17. The system according to claim 14, further comprising:

a receiver for receiving a broadcast message containing a representation of said short-code access number; and

means for prompting a user to dial said short-code access number in response to receiving said broadcast message.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein said broadcast message contains an audio representation of said short-code access number, and wherein said means for prompting comprises an audio transducer for reproducing said audio representation.

19. The system according to claim 17, wherein said broadcast message contains a coded representation of said short-code access number and wherein said means for prompting comprises a visual display for displaying said short code access number.

20. The system according to claim 14, further comprising:

means for receiving a network transmission containing a representation of said short-code access number, and

means for prompting a user to dial said short-code access number in response to receiving said network transmission.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein said network transmission comprises an INTERNET web page transmission, and wherein said means for prompting is a visual display that can display a web page.

22. The system according to claim 20, wherein said network transmission comprises an e-mail transmission, and wherein said means for prompting is a visual display that can display said e-mail transmission.

23. The system according to claim 14, wherein said switch determines whether or not said time period has expired, and frees said short-code access number for use with other switching information.

24. The system according to claim 23, wherein said switch frees said short-code access number by removing said switching information from said database.

25. The system according to claim 24, wherein said timer determines whether or not said time period has expired by determining whether or not said switching information is present within said database.