Patent US5633922A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5633922A
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Process and apparatus for restarting call routing in a telephone network
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1995-12-29
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Granted: 1997-05-27
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Expires: 2015-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A telecommunications system is configured for restarting a telephone call within a telephone network as the call is processed from an originating station progressively through the telephone network. The system determines that the originally dialed number is not associated with optimum processing of the call to a desired final destination. A determination based on call identifier information stored at a telephone network switch or database involves analyzing the call identifier information for caller input or indications of equipment type. A determination can also be made based on messages or data received relating to operational conditions of the switching network; or, data relating to and describing a destination, such as equipment type or services and features available.
Inventors
- 👤 Katherine G. August
- 👤 Albert Friedes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:32
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/64; H04Q3/66
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A call routing process for routing a telephone call initiated by a caller through a switching network to a telephone number, comprising the steps of: (A) storing call identifier information at a network switch; (B) using at least the telephone number to query a database for call routing information; (C) determining in the database whether the telephone call will be routed to a destination actually desired by the caller; (D) obtaining new call destination information in response to a determination that the telephone call will not be routed to the destination actually desired by the caller; and (E) before the call is completed, restarting the call routing process at the network switch using the new call destination information, wherein said restarting includes the steps of (i) routing the telephone call along a route toward a new destination which corresponds to the new call destination information, (ii) forwarding the call identifier information with the telephone call along the route to the new destination, and (iii) storing the call identifier information at the new destination.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A call routing process for routing a telephone call initiated by a caller through a switching network to a telephone number, comprising the steps of: (A) storing call identifier information at a network switch; (B) using at least the telephone number to query a database for call routing information; (C) determining in the database whether the telephone call will be routed to a destination actually desired by the caller; (D) obtaining new call destination information in response to a determination that the telephone call will not be routed to the destination actually desired by the caller; and (E) before the call is completed, restarting the call routing process at the network switch using the new call destination information, wherein said restarting includes the steps of (i) routing the telephone call along a route toward a new destination which corresponds to the new call destination information, (ii) forwarding the call identifier information with the telephone call along the route to the new destination, and (iii) storing the call identifier information at the new destination.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein step (C) includes steps selected from the group consisting of: receiving a signal generated in response to caller action; and receiving a message from a switching network element that the call cannot be completed as routed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein: said determining of step (C) is based on a received signal generated to change a call routing logic tree.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein step (D) comprises the step of: determining an alternate translatable telephone number that corresponds to a destination actually desired by the caller; and wherein the process includes subsequent to step (E) routing the telephone call based on the alternate translatable telephone number.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention as defined in claim 4, wherein the call identifier information is utilized in the step of routing the telephone call based on the alternate translatable telephone number.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein: at least a portion of the call identifier information is captured as part of the call routing process.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein the call identifier information is selected from the group consisting of: an indication of the calling telephone number; the called telephone number; an equipment type for the telephone call; caller input; and data returned in response to a query to a database.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as defined in claim 7, wherein: said caller input is selected from the group consisting of voice response information and caller entered character information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein step (C) comprises the steps of: passing the call identifier information to one or more other databases; and retrieving the new call destination information from the one or more other databases.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
191 words
An apparatus for restarting a telephone call within a switching network and routing the telephone call to a destination, comprising: a network switch for processing the telephone call that is operative to (i) query a database for call routing information and to store and transmit call identifier information, wherein at least a portion of the call identifier information is captured as part of the process of routing the telephone call, and (ii) restart the telephone call and access one or more other databases for new call destination information responsive to a command to restart the telephone call; means for determining before the call is completed whether or not the telephone call will be routed to the destination actually desired by a caller; means for generating call routing information to the destination actually desired in response to a determination that the telephone call will be routed to the destination actually desired by the caller; and means for initiating a restarting of the telephone call without requiring any action by the caller in response to a determination that the telephone call will not be routed to the destination actually desired by the caller.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
191 words
An apparatus for restarting a telephone call within a switching network and routing the telephone call to a destination, comprising: a network switch for processing the telephone call that is operative to (i) query a database for call routing information and to store and transmit call identifier information, wherein at least a portion of the call identifier information is captured as part of the process of routing the telephone call, and (ii) restart the telephone call and access one or more other databases for new call destination information responsive to a command to restart the telephone call; means for determining before the call is completed whether or not the telephone call will be routed to the destination actually desired by a caller; means for generating call routing information to the destination actually desired in response to a determination that the telephone call will be routed to the destination actually desired by the caller; and means for initiating a restarting of the telephone call without requiring any action by the caller in response to a determination that the telephone call will not be routed to the destination actually desired by the caller.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as defined in claim 10, wherein: the means for initiating generates the new call destination information and the command to restart the telephone call.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as defined in claim 10, wherein: the new call destination information includes a telephone number indicating a new destination for the telephone call.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as defined in claim 10, wherein: the means for determining includes a logic tree for routing the telephone call.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention as defined in claim 10, wherein the new call destination information is selected from the group consisting of: a network routing number; a dialable telephone number; and combinations thereof.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
214 words
An apparatus for restarting a telephone call within a switching network and routing the telephone call to a destination, comprising: a first network switch for processing the telephone call that is operative to (i) query a database for call routing information and to store and transmit call identifier information, and (ii) restart the telephone call and access one or more other databases for new call destination information responsive to a command to restart the telephone call; a first database that is operative to (i) generate call routing information in response to a query from the first network switch, (ii) determine before the call is completed whether or not the telephone call will be routed to the destination actually desired by a caller, and (iii) develop a command instructing the first network switch to restart the telephone call within the switching network; a second database that is operative to (i) generate the new call destination information, and (ii) return the new call destination information to the first network switch; and a second network switch corresponding to the new call destination information that is operative to (i) receive the call identifier information accompanying the restarted telephone call through a route in the switching network from the first network switch, and (ii) store the call identifier information.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
214 words
An apparatus for restarting a telephone call within a switching network and routing the telephone call to a destination, comprising: a first network switch for processing the telephone call that is operative to (i) query a database for call routing information and to store and transmit call identifier information, and (ii) restart the telephone call and access one or more other databases for new call destination information responsive to a command to restart the telephone call; a first database that is operative to (i) generate call routing information in response to a query from the first network switch, (ii) determine before the call is completed whether or not the telephone call will be routed to the destination actually desired by a caller, and (iii) develop a command instructing the first network switch to restart the telephone call within the switching network; a second database that is operative to (i) generate the new call destination information, and (ii) return the new call destination information to the first network switch; and a second network switch corresponding to the new call destination information that is operative to (i) receive the call identifier information accompanying the restarted telephone call through a route in the switching network from the first network switch, and (ii) store the call identifier information.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 15, wherein: the first database and the second database are geographically diverse.
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) | 2000-05-26 | 2000-11-25 | 2001-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-05-26 | 2004-11-25 | 2005-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-05-26 | 2008-11-25 | 2009-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |