Patent US5109408A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5109408A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Arrangement for intentionally blocking telephone calls to predefined destination numbers but allowing such blocking to be selectively overridden
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
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Filing: 1989-11-30
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Granted: 1992-04-28
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Expires: 2009-11-30
Abstract
Abstract A call processing embodiment where customers are offered, in addition to the conventional office dialing plan, a special dialing plan where received numbers are processed such that a query of a database is defined when a prespecified access code, e.g., *66, is received, for example followed by a destination number, but where call blocking is defined for a predefined plurality of destination numbers, e.g., all destination numbers beginning with 976 or 1-900 or all destination numbers beginning with 1, when such numbers are received without the prespecified access code. Illustratively, the database query may result in the customer being prompted for a personal identification number (PIN) and accordingly 976 or 1-900 access is thereby limited to those knowing the PIN. The database may perform other call screening and call management operations such as time of day or day of week screening or limiting the number or cost of 976 calls in a given time period.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven L. Greenspan
- 👤 Joel M. Marks
- 👤 Timothy J. Scale
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:40
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/42; H04Q3/54; H04Q3/545; H04Q3/54508; H04Q3/54533; H04M; H04M15/00; H04M3/00; H04M3/38; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S379/00; Y10S379/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
285 words
A call processing method for use in an arrangement comprising database means and switching means, said switching means connectable to a plurality of customer stations, said switching means including memory means, said method comprising storing data in said memory means defining a plurality of dialing plans and defining for each of said customer stations the one of said plans to be used for calls from that customer station, said plans including a first plan defining processing of received numbers such that a query of said database means is defined when a prespecified access code is received and such that call blocking is defined when one of a predefined plurality of destination numbers is received without said prespecified access code, said plurality of plans further including a second plan defining processing received numbers such that continued call processing is defined when one of said predefined destination numbers is received, receiving information for an outgoing call from one of said customer stations, reading said stored data in said memory means to determine the one of said plans to be used for calls from said one station, and processing said received information in accordance with the determined dialing plan, wherein when said determined dialing plan is said first dialing plan, transmitting a query to said database means to determine further processing of said call when said received information does include said prespecified access code and one of said predefined destination numbers, and blocking said call when said received information does not include said prespecified access code but does include one of said predefined destination numbers, and after transmitting said query, receiving a query response from said database means, and processing said call in accordance with said query response.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
285 words
A call processing method for use in an arrangement comprising database means and switching means, said switching means connectable to a plurality of customer stations, said switching means including memory means, said method comprising storing data in said memory means defining a plurality of dialing plans and defining for each of said customer stations the one of said plans to be used for calls from that customer station, said plans including a first plan defining processing of received numbers such that a query of said database means is defined when a prespecified access code is received and such that call blocking is defined when one of a predefined plurality of destination numbers is received without said prespecified access code, said plurality of plans further including a second plan defining processing received numbers such that continued call processing is defined when one of said predefined destination numbers is received, receiving information for an outgoing call from one of said customer stations, reading said stored data in said memory means to determine the one of said plans to be used for calls from said one station, and processing said received information in accordance with the determined dialing plan, wherein when said determined dialing plan is said first dialing plan, transmitting a query to said database means to determine further processing of said call when said received information does include said prespecified access code and one of said predefined destination numbers, and blocking said call when said received information does not include said prespecified access code but does include one of said predefined destination numbers, and after transmitting said query, receiving a query response from said database means, and processing said call in accordance with said query response.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said query response defines call completion, and said processing said call in accordance with said query response comprises completing said call to said further included destination number.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said completing comprises processing said further included destination number in accordance with said second dialing plan.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said query response defines call termination, and said processing said call in accordance with said query response comprises providing terminating treatment for said call.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
307 words
A call processing method for use in an arrangement comprising database means and switching means connectable to a plurality of customer stations, said switching means including memory means, said method comprising storing data in said memory means defining a plurality of dialing plans and defining for each of said customer stations the one of said plans to be used for calls from that customer station, said plans including a first plan defining processing of received numbers such that a query of said means is defined when a prespecified access code is received and such that call blocking is defined when one of a predefined plurality of destination numbers is received without said prespecified access code, said plurality of plans further including a second plan defining processing of received numbers such that continued call processing is defined when one of said predefined destination numbers is received, receiving information for an outgoing call from one of said customer stations, reading said stored data in said memory means to determine the one of said plans to be used for calls from said one station, and processing said received information in accordance with the determined dialing plan, wherein when said determined dialing plan is said first dialing plan, transmitting a query to said database means to determine further processing of said call when said received information includes said prespecified access code, receiving a query response from said database means, said query response defines caller verification, processing said call in accordance with said query response, said processing comprising transmitting further information received from said one station to said database means, receiving a further response from said database means, and processing said call in accordance with said further response; and blocking said call when said received information does not include said prespecified access code but does include one of said predefined destination numbers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
307 words
A call processing method for use in an arrangement comprising database means and switching means connectable to a plurality of customer stations, said switching means including memory means, said method comprising storing data in said memory means defining a plurality of dialing plans and defining for each of said customer stations the one of said plans to be used for calls from that customer station, said plans including a first plan defining processing of received numbers such that a query of said means is defined when a prespecified access code is received and such that call blocking is defined when one of a predefined plurality of destination numbers is received without said prespecified access code, said plurality of plans further including a second plan defining processing of received numbers such that continued call processing is defined when one of said predefined destination numbers is received, receiving information for an outgoing call from one of said customer stations, reading said stored data in said memory means to determine the one of said plans to be used for calls from said one station, and processing said received information in accordance with the determined dialing plan, wherein when said determined dialing plan is said first dialing plan, transmitting a query to said database means to determine further processing of said call when said received information includes said prespecified access code, receiving a query response from said database means, said query response defines caller verification, processing said call in accordance with said query response, said processing comprising transmitting further information received from said one station to said database means, receiving a further response from said database means, and processing said call in accordance with said further response; and blocking said call when said received information does not include said prespecified access code but does include one of said predefined destination numbers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein said received further information comprises a personal identification number.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein said processing said call in accordance with said query response further comprises prompting said one station for said further information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said query includes an identification of said one station.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method in accordance with claim 8 further comprising said database means determining an authorized personal identification number for said identified one station, wherein said query response includes said authorized personal identification number, and said method further comprising upon receiving further information from said one station including said authorized personal identification number, completing said call to said further included predefined destination number.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising said database means performing a call screening operation in response to receipt of said query, and said database means transmitting said query response based on a result of said call screening operation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
220 words
A call processing method for use in an arrangement comprising database means, a switching system connectable to a plurality of customer stations and a feature node for processing calls to and from said customer stations in cooperation with said switching system, said feature node including memory means, said method comprising storing data in said memory means defining a plurality of dialing plans and defining for each of said customer stations the one of said plans to be used for calls from that customer station, said plans including a first plan defining processing of received numbers such that a query of said database means is defined when a prespecified access code is received and such that call blocking is defined when one of a predefined plurality of destination numbers is received without said prespecified access code, said plurality of plans further including a second plan defining processing of received numbers such that continued call processing is defined when one of said predefined destination numbers is received, receiving information for an outgoing call from one of said customer stations, reading said stored data in said memory means to determine the one of said plans to be used for calls from said one station, processing said received information in accordance with the determined dialing plan, and switching said call to said feature node.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
220 words
A call processing method for use in an arrangement comprising database means, a switching system connectable to a plurality of customer stations and a feature node for processing calls to and from said customer stations in cooperation with said switching system, said feature node including memory means, said method comprising storing data in said memory means defining a plurality of dialing plans and defining for each of said customer stations the one of said plans to be used for calls from that customer station, said plans including a first plan defining processing of received numbers such that a query of said database means is defined when a prespecified access code is received and such that call blocking is defined when one of a predefined plurality of destination numbers is received without said prespecified access code, said plurality of plans further including a second plan defining processing of received numbers such that continued call processing is defined when one of said predefined destination numbers is received, receiving information for an outgoing call from one of said customer stations, reading said stored data in said memory means to determine the one of said plans to be used for calls from said one station, processing said received information in accordance with the determined dialing plan, and switching said call to said feature node.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
244 words
A call processing method for use in an arrangement comprising database means, a switching system connectable to a plurality of customer stations and a feature node for processing calls to and from said customer stations in cooperation with said switching system, said feature node including memory means, said method comprising storing data in said memory means defining a plurality of dialing plans and defining for each of said customer stations the one of said plans to be used for calls from that customer station, said plans including a first plan defining processing of received numbers such that a query of said database means is defined when a prespecified access code is received and such that call blocking is defined when one of a predefined plurality of destination numbers is received without said prespecified access code, said plurality of plans further including a second plan defining processing of received numbers such that continued call processing is defined when one of said predefined destination numbers is received, receiving information for an outgoing call from one of said customer stations, reading said stored data in said memory means to determine the one of said plans to be used for calls from said one station, processing said received information in accordance with the determined dialing plan, determining whether said received information includes said prespecified access code, and in response to determining that said received information does include said prespecified access code, switching said call to said feature node.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
244 words
A call processing method for use in an arrangement comprising database means, a switching system connectable to a plurality of customer stations and a feature node for processing calls to and from said customer stations in cooperation with said switching system, said feature node including memory means, said method comprising storing data in said memory means defining a plurality of dialing plans and defining for each of said customer stations the one of said plans to be used for calls from that customer station, said plans including a first plan defining processing of received numbers such that a query of said database means is defined when a prespecified access code is received and such that call blocking is defined when one of a predefined plurality of destination numbers is received without said prespecified access code, said plurality of plans further including a second plan defining processing of received numbers such that continued call processing is defined when one of said predefined destination numbers is received, receiving information for an outgoing call from one of said customer stations, reading said stored data in said memory means to determine the one of said plans to be used for calls from said one station, processing said received information in accordance with the determined dialing plan, determining whether said received information includes said prespecified access code, and in response to determining that said received information does include said prespecified access code, switching said call to said feature node.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
292 words
A method for use in an arrangement comprising database means and switching means, said switching means connectable to a plurality of customer stations, said switching means including memory means, said method comprising storing data in said memory means defining a plurality of dialing plans and defining for each of said customer stations the one of said plans to be used for calls from that customer station, said plans including a first plan defining processing of received numbers such that a query of said database means is defined when a prespecified access code is received and such that call blocking is defined when one of a predefined plurality of destination numbers is received without said prespecified access code, said plurality of plans further including a second plan defining precessing of received numbers such that continued call processing is defined when one of said predefined destination numbers is received, one of said customer stations transmitting to said switching means information for an outgoing call, in response to receipt of said information from said one customer station, said switching means reading said stored data in said memory means to determine the one of said plans to be used for calls from said one station, when the determined dialing plan is said first dialing plan, said switching means querying said database means to determine further processing of said call when said information from said one customer station does include said prespecified access code, and blocking said call when said information from said one customer station includes one of said predefined destination numbers without said prespecified access code, in response to said query, said database means providing a query response to said switching means, and said switching means processing said call in accordance with said query response.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
292 words
A method for use in an arrangement comprising database means and switching means, said switching means connectable to a plurality of customer stations, said switching means including memory means, said method comprising storing data in said memory means defining a plurality of dialing plans and defining for each of said customer stations the one of said plans to be used for calls from that customer station, said plans including a first plan defining processing of received numbers such that a query of said database means is defined when a prespecified access code is received and such that call blocking is defined when one of a predefined plurality of destination numbers is received without said prespecified access code, said plurality of plans further including a second plan defining precessing of received numbers such that continued call processing is defined when one of said predefined destination numbers is received, one of said customer stations transmitting to said switching means information for an outgoing call, in response to receipt of said information from said one customer station, said switching means reading said stored data in said memory means to determine the one of said plans to be used for calls from said one station, when the determined dialing plan is said first dialing plan, said switching means querying said database means to determine further processing of said call when said information from said one customer station does include said prespecified access code, and blocking said call when said information from said one customer station includes one of said predefined destination numbers without said prespecified access code, in response to said query, said database means providing a query response to said switching means, and said switching means processing said call in accordance with said query response.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
405 words
A method for use in an arrangement comprising database means and switching means, said switching means connectable to a plurality of customer stations, said switching means including memory means, said method comprising storing data in said memory means defining a plurality of dialing plans and defining for each of said customer stations the one of said plans to be used for calls from that customer station, said plans including a first plan defining processing of received numbers such that a query of said database means is defined when a prespecified access code is received and such that call blocking is defined when one of a predefined plurality of destination numbers is received without said prespecified access code, said plurality of plans further including a second plan defining processing of received numbers such that continued call processing is defined when one of said predefined destination numbers is received, one of said customer stations transmitting to said switching means information for an outgoing call in response to receipt of said information from said one customer station, said switching means reading said stored data in said memory means to determine the one of said plans to be used for calls from said one station, when the determined dialing plan is said first dialing plan, said switching means querying said database means to determine further processing of said call when said information from said one customer station includes said prespecified access code, and one of said predefined destination numbers, in response to said query, said database means providing a query response to said switching means, wherein said query response defines caller verification, said switching means prompting said one station for a personal identification number, in response to said prompting, said one station transmitting a personal identification number to said switching means, said switching means communicating to said database means the personal identification number received from said one station, said database means determining entitlement to call completion based on the personal identification number received from said switching means, based on said determined entitlement, said database means transmitting a further response to said switching means, said further response defining call completion, and in response to said further response defining call completion, said switching means processing said further included destination number in accordance with said second dialing plan, and blocking said call when said information from said one customer station includes one of said predefined destination numbers without said prespecified access code.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
405 words
A method for use in an arrangement comprising database means and switching means, said switching means connectable to a plurality of customer stations, said switching means including memory means, said method comprising storing data in said memory means defining a plurality of dialing plans and defining for each of said customer stations the one of said plans to be used for calls from that customer station, said plans including a first plan defining processing of received numbers such that a query of said database means is defined when a prespecified access code is received and such that call blocking is defined when one of a predefined plurality of destination numbers is received without said prespecified access code, said plurality of plans further including a second plan defining processing of received numbers such that continued call processing is defined when one of said predefined destination numbers is received, one of said customer stations transmitting to said switching means information for an outgoing call in response to receipt of said information from said one customer station, said switching means reading said stored data in said memory means to determine the one of said plans to be used for calls from said one station, when the determined dialing plan is said first dialing plan, said switching means querying said database means to determine further processing of said call when said information from said one customer station includes said prespecified access code, and one of said predefined destination numbers, in response to said query, said database means providing a query response to said switching means, wherein said query response defines caller verification, said switching means prompting said one station for a personal identification number, in response to said prompting, said one station transmitting a personal identification number to said switching means, said switching means communicating to said database means the personal identification number received from said one station, said database means determining entitlement to call completion based on the personal identification number received from said switching means, based on said determined entitlement, said database means transmitting a further response to said switching means, said further response defining call completion, and in response to said further response defining call completion, said switching means processing said further included destination number in accordance with said second dialing plan, and blocking said call when said information from said one customer station includes one of said predefined destination numbers without said prespecified access code.
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