US5930344A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for tracing a specific communication
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1997-10-14
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Granted: 1999-07-27
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Expires: 2017-10-14
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus using information stored in a communications switch to trace a specific communication in a network, including an in-progress communication. A search request with a set of search criteria is sent to a communications switch that routes communications in the network. Information stored in the communications switch, such as a communications switch call record, is searched to locate information matching the set of search criteria in the search request. The results of the search are reported out of the communications switch allowing the specific communication to be traced.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne E. Relyea
- 👤 Edward Nicholas Shipley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:42
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/22; H04M3/2281; H04M3/2254
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of tracing the route of an in-progress call in a public switched telephone network having a communications switch with buffers storing information about calls in the network, comprising the steps of: sending a set of search criteria related to the in-progress call to the communications switch; searching information in the communications switch buffers to locate information related to the in-progress call; and reporting the results of the search, including results that allow the route of the in-progress call to be traced, out of the communications switch while the call is still in-progress.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of tracing the route of an in-progress call in a public switched telephone network having a communications switch with buffers storing information about calls in the network, comprising the steps of: sending a set of search criteria related to the in-progress call to the communications switch; searching information in the communications switch buffers to locate information related to the in-progress call; and reporting the results of the search, including results that allow the route of the in-progress call to be traced, out of the communications switch while the call is still in-progress.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the information stored in the communications switch buffers would not otherwise be output from the communications switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said step of reporting is performed by the communications switch reporting call record data related to the in-progress call.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the in-progress call is traced to an originating communications switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the in-progress call is traced to a terminating communications switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the search request is sent to a plurality of communications switches in the network.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of: correlating the results of the searches reported from the plurality of switches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: sending a second set of search criteria related to the in-progress call based on the results reported from the search, to a second communications switch; performing a second search for information in the second communications switch buffers to locate information matching the second set of search criteria; and reporting the results of the second search from the second communications switch to allow the in-progress call to be traced.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the set of search criteria contains an identifier number associated with an information buffer used to store events related to the in-progress call.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-07-26 | 2003-01-25 | 2003-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-07-26 | 2007-01-25 | 2007-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-07-26 | 2011-01-25 | 2011-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |