US5136636A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telephone connection to a nearby dealer
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
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Filing: 1991-02-07
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Granted: 1992-08-04
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Expires: 2011-02-07
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to an arrangement for selecting a local dealer out of a large group of dealers for completion of an 800 number. The caller is first connected to a toll switching system. That system sends a query to a first database using the 800 number and the caller's Numbering Plan Area (NPA) code. The first database responds with a routing number which is used to route a second query to one of a plurality of second databases. The second query uses the routing number and the caller's NPA plus office code to access the second database and to obtain the telephone number of a local dealer. The telephone number is returned to the toll system for completing the call. Advantageously, a caller can use a number advertised on national television to access a local dealer.
Inventors
- 👤 Carol A. Wegrzynowicz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 06:14
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/0016; H04Q3/0029; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/4228; H04Q2213/00; H04Q2213/13072; H04Q2213/13512; H04Q2213/13541
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of routing a call from a caller to a selected destination, wherein said destination is one of a plurality of destinations of one customer identified by a common telephone number, comprising: responsive to receipt of said common telephone number from said caller accessing a first database using said common telephone number and area information for said caller to obtain a routing key; and accessing a second database, out of a plurality of second databases for serving said one customer, to select a number for directing said call to said selected destination, said accessing performed using said routing key and at least a portion of a telephone number of said caller, said second database selected using said routing key.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of routing a call from a caller to a selected destination, wherein said destination is one of a plurality of destinations of one customer identified by a common telephone number, comprising: responsive to receipt of said common telephone number from said caller accessing a first database using said common telephone number and area information for said caller to obtain a routing key; and accessing a second database, out of a plurality of second databases for serving said one customer, to select a number for directing said call to said selected destination, said accessing performed using said routing key and at least a portion of a telephone number of said caller, said second database selected using said routing key.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of second databases comprises an essentially disjunct set of translation data of said customer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said second database is populated to select a destination nearby to said caller.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said area information comprises a numbering plan area code of said caller.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said portion of a telephone number comprises a numbering plan area code and an office code of said caller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 5 wherein, for at least one instance of an area code plus an office code, said second database selects a number of one of at least two destinations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said second database selects among said at least two destinations by allocating a percentage of traffic to each of said at least two destinations.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said second database selects among said at least two destinations by selecting an alternate destination if a first choice destination is busy or unavailable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said at least a portion of a telephone number comprises a complete telephone number of said caller.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said second database is accessed via a data network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said data network comprises a signaling network comprising a signal transfer point.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said signal transfer point uses said routing key to route a query message toward said second database for accessing data therein.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: accessing one of said plurality of second databases from a terminal of said customer for reading or modifying data for said customer in said one database.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said accessing comprises: dialing an INWATS telephone number; specifying a numbering plan area for which said customer's data is to be accessed; and based on said INWATS number and said numbering plan area, routing said terminal to said one second database.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein ones of said plurality of second databases serve a plurality of customers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said common telephone number is an INWATS telephone number and said first database is an INWATS database.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: prior to accessing said first database, routing said call to a switching system for accessing said first and second databases.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising: further routing said call received in said switching system from said switching system toward said selected destination.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of routing a call from a caller to a selected destination, wherein said destination is one of a plurality of destinations of one customer identified by a common telephone number, comprising: responsive to receipt of said common telephone numbers from said caller accessing a first database using said common telephone number and a first portion of a telephone number for said caller to obtain a routine key; and accessing a second database, out of a plurality of second databases for serving said one customer, to select a number for directing said call to said selected destination, said accessing performed using said routing key and at least a second portion of said telephone number of said caller, said second database selected using said routing key.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of routing a call from a caller to a selected destination, wherein said destination is one of a plurality of destinations of one customer identified by a common telephone number, comprising: responsive to receipt of said common telephone numbers from said caller accessing a first database using said common telephone number and a first portion of a telephone number for said caller to obtain a routine key; and accessing a second database, out of a plurality of second databases for serving said one customer, to select a number for directing said call to said selected destination, said accessing performed using said routing key and at least a second portion of said telephone number of said caller, said second database selected using said routing key.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said customer has data in a group of first databases and a group of pluralities of second databases, each first database and each plurality of second databases for serving a different area or group of areas.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-08-04 | 1996-02-03 | 1996-08-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-04 | 2000-02-03 | 2000-08-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-04 | 2004-02-03 | 2004-08-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |