Patent US5113433A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5113433A
Expired / Lapsed
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Method and apparatus for altering the access format of telephone calls
Assignee: T-NETIX Inc
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Filing: 1990-08-29
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Granted: 1992-05-12
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Expires: 2010-08-29
Abstract
Abstract A telephone system and method of operation are disclosed which use a microprocessor control system (10), a speech generator (34) and speech memory (46) to automatically place calls without the need of a live operator. The telephone receives a destination telephone number and billing format information from a user. The microprocessor control system (10) alters the access format of the destination number and places the call as a direct dial telephone call. The billing format information is stored in a call record memory (11). The billing format information may later be retrieved to facilitate the billing of charges for the call to an appropriate party.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Hird
- 👤 Lindsey D. Owen
- 👤 Michael R. Rice
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:17
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M17/00; H04M17/20; H04M15/00; H04M15/28; H04M15/30; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/487; H04M3/50; H04M3/53; H04M3/533
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A localized telecommunications device used by a patron placing a telephone call through a telecommunications network, the device comprising: a single input means at the device accessible to the patron and operable to receive an initial access format, a destination telephone number and a billing account number from the patron, the initial access format indicating a call which is to be billed to an account not associated with the localized telecommunications device; conversion circuitry at the device for changing the access format received from the patron to an altered access format indicating a call to be billed to an account associated with the localized telecommunications device; and call completion circuitry at the device for placing the call through the telecommunications network using the destination telephone number received from the patron and the altered access format such that the call will be billed to an account associated with the localized telecommunications device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A localized telecommunications device used by a patron placing a telephone call through a telecommunications network, the device comprising: a single input means at the device accessible to the patron and operable to receive an initial access format, a destination telephone number and a billing account number from the patron, the initial access format indicating a call which is to be billed to an account not associated with the localized telecommunications device; conversion circuitry at the device for changing the access format received from the patron to an altered access format indicating a call to be billed to an account associated with the localized telecommunications device; and call completion circuitry at the device for placing the call through the telecommunications network using the destination telephone number received from the patron and the altered access format such that the call will be billed to an account associated with the localized telecommunications device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said input single means comprises a numeric keypad.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said conversion circuitry is operable to convert an initial access format indicating an 0+ call to an altered access format indicating a 1+ direct dial call.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The device of claim 1, and further comprising: processing circuitry for generating a billing record associated with the call, said billing record comprising said billing account number and said destination telephone number; and storage circuitry for storing said billing record such that charges associated with the call may be billed to the patron.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said input circuitry and said processing circuitry are operable to receive and process billing account numbers having a plurality of formats.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for processing a telephone call placed at a localized telecommunications device by a patron through a telecommunications network, the method comprising the steps of receiving through a single input means an initial access format, a destination telephone number and a billing account number from the patron, the initial access format indicating a call which is to be billed to an account not associated with the localized telecommunications device; changing the access format received from the patron to an altered access format indicating a call to be billed to an account associated with the localized telecommunications device; and placing the call through the telecommunications network using the destination telephone number received from the patron and the altered access format such that the call will be billed to an account associated with the localized telecommunications device.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for processing a telephone call placed at a localized telecommunications device by a patron through a telecommunications network, the method comprising the steps of receiving through a single input means an initial access format, a destination telephone number and a billing account number from the patron, the initial access format indicating a call which is to be billed to an account not associated with the localized telecommunications device; changing the access format received from the patron to an altered access format indicating a call to be billed to an account associated with the localized telecommunications device; and placing the call through the telecommunications network using the destination telephone number received from the patron and the altered access format such that the call will be billed to an account associated with the localized telecommunications device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4122308A
Cited
US4908852A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-05-12 | 1995-11-11 | 1996-05-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-05-12 | 1999-11-11 | 2000-05-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-05-12 | 2003-11-11 | 2004-05-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |