US6016343A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Call-processing system and method
Assignee: Link USA Corp
•
Filing: 1996-08-20
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Granted: 2000-01-18
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Expires: 2016-08-20
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for processing telephone calls and providing enhanced services is presented. The call processing system includes a network control processor for controlling the processing and routing of the calls and for providing enhanced features, and a matrix switch for routing calls from an originating location to a terminating location. Operator consoles can be included to provide operator assistance to the caller. The network control processor comprises a central message processor that receives call data, determines the type of call, determines the processing required, and determines whether operator assistance is required. A call route distributor allocates an operator console to the call if required. A billing server is used to track billing information for the call while it is in progress. A database server is provided for database look-ups and storage. The call processing system also includes a validation system, a billing system, a distribution system, and a fraud detection and prevention system. The validation system is used to validate call information to determine whether the call can be placed. The billing system determines rates for calls and calculates the cost of completed calls. The distribution system distributes changes that are made to a master database to the appropriate slave database. The fraud detection and prevention system monitors originating and in-process calls to detect and possibly prevent possible fraudulent uses of phone services and systems. A client interface is provided to facilitate communications among applications and DEF records are used to define specific call processing actions.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven J. Hogan
- 👤 Kristi T. Feltz
- 👤 Douglas R. Murdock
- 👤 Todd A. Goodman
- 👤 David J. Vercande
- 👤 Michael R. Tangeman
- 👤 Eric M. Busch
- 👤 Raghavan Kripakaran
- 👤 Madhigubba G. Jayasimha
- 👤 Keith E. Smith
- 👤 Mark A. Austin
- 👤 Dana Bruce Berry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:52
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M15/00; H04M15/44; H04M15/47; H04M15/68; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/0016; H04Q3/0062; H04M2215/00; H04M2215/01; H04M2215/0104; H04M2215/0148; H04M2215/0196; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99951; Y10S707/99952; Y10S707/99953; Y10S707/99955
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
In an environment that includes a matrix switch having a matrix switch processor, a system for providing enhanced call processing features for telephone calls that are routed to a destination by the matrix switch, wherein each of the telephone calls comprise a call audio portion and a call data portion, the call-processing system comprising: a network control processor coupled to a matrix switch, said matrix switch receiving a call audio portion of a telephone call, said network control processor providing an interface between said matrix switch and a common channel signaling network such that said network control processor receives a call data portion corresponding to said call audio portion from said common channel signaling network, said network control processor determining a routing for said call audio portion of said telephone call, and sending switch control data to a matrix switch processor associated with said matrix switch to effect said routing of said call audio portion of said telephone call.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
In an environment that includes a matrix switch having a matrix switch processor, a system for providing enhanced call processing features for telephone calls that are routed to a destination by the matrix switch, wherein each of the telephone calls comprise a call audio portion and a call data portion, the call-processing system comprising: a network control processor coupled to a matrix switch, said matrix switch receiving a call audio portion of a telephone call, said network control processor providing an interface between said matrix switch and a common channel signaling network such that said network control processor receives a call data portion corresponding to said call audio portion from said common channel signaling network, said network control processor determining a routing for said call audio portion of said telephone call, and sending switch control data to a matrix switch processor associated with said matrix switch to effect said routing of said call audio portion of said telephone call.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said network control processor sends switch control data to said matrix switch processor instructing said matrix switch to route said call audio portion to an operator console.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 2, wherein said network control processor sends to said operator console, via a connection between said network control processor and said operator console, operator control data to support a telephone call that requires operator assistance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
The system of claim 3, wherein said operator console comprises: means for receiving said call audio portion of a telephone call from said matrix switch; and means for receiving operator control data from said network control processor, said operator control data identifying operator services for said telephone call, wherein said operator console is connected to a standard port on said matrix switch thereby allowing said matrix switch to treat said operator console as a generic termination point.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 2, wherein said operator console is a manual operator console.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 2, wherein said operator console is a voice response unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 2, wherein said operator console is a customer service console.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said network control processor comprises means for retrieving call parameters for a telephone call from a call ID database, wherein a look-up into said call ID database is based on the information in said call data portion of said telephone call, wherein said call parameters identify a customized call handling procedure that indicates at least one of the type of telephone call being placed, the type of operator assistance required, and processing required for said telephone call.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 5, wherein said call parameters include a device array list, said device array list indicating a priority of operator consoles that can be assigned to receive a call audio portion of a telephone call.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
168 words
In an environment that includes a matrix switch having a matrix switch processor, a method for providing enhanced call processing features for telephone calls that are routed to a destination by the matrix switch, wherein each of the telephone calls comprise a call audio portion and a call data portion, the method comprising the steps of: (1) receiving, in a matrix switch, a call audio portion of a telephone call; (2) receiving, in a network control processor from a common channel signaling network, a call data portion corresponding to said call audio portion, coupled to said matrix switch, wherein said network control processor provides an interface between said matrix switch and said common channel signaling network; (3) determining, by said network control processor, a routing for said call audio portion of said telephone call; and (4) sending, by said network control processor, switch control data to a matrix switch processor associated with said matrix switch to effect said routing of said call audio portion of said telephone call.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
168 words
In an environment that includes a matrix switch having a matrix switch processor, a method for providing enhanced call processing features for telephone calls that are routed to a destination by the matrix switch, wherein each of the telephone calls comprise a call audio portion and a call data portion, the method comprising the steps of: (1) receiving, in a matrix switch, a call audio portion of a telephone call; (2) receiving, in a network control processor from a common channel signaling network, a call data portion corresponding to said call audio portion, coupled to said matrix switch, wherein said network control processor provides an interface between said matrix switch and said common channel signaling network; (3) determining, by said network control processor, a routing for said call audio portion of said telephone call; and (4) sending, by said network control processor, switch control data to a matrix switch processor associated with said matrix switch to effect said routing of said call audio portion of said telephone call.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of: (5) sending, by said network control processor, switch control data to said matrix switch processor instructing said matrix switch to route said call audio portion to an operator console.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of: (6) sending, by said network control processor to said operator console, via a connection between said network control processor and said operator console, operator control data to support a telephone call that requires operator assistance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 12, wherein said step (6) comprises the step of sending, by said network control processor to said operator console, via a connection between said network control processor and said operator console, operator control data to support a telephone call that requires operator assistance, wherein said operator console is connected to a standard port on said matrix switch thereby allowing said matrix switch to treat said operator console as a generic termination point.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said step (5) comprises the step of sending switch control data to said matrix switch processor instructing said matrix switch to route said call audio portion to a manual operator console.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said step (5) comprises the step of sending switch control data to said matrix switch processor instructing said matrix switch to route said call audio portion to a voice response unit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said step (5) comprises the step of sending switch control data to said matrix switch processor instructing said matrix switch to route said call audio portion to a customer service console.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of: (5) retrieving, by said network control processor, call parameters for a telephone call from a call ID database, wherein a look-up into said call ID database is based on the information in said call data portion of said telephone call, wherein said call parameters identify a customized call handling procedure that indicates at least one of the type of telephone call being placed, the type of operator assistance required, and processing required for said telephone call.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 17, wherein said step (5) comprises the step of retrieving a device array list, said device array list indicating a priority of operator consoles that can be assigned to receive a call audio portion of a telephone call.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
79 words
An operator console, comprising: means for receiving a call audio portion of a telephone call from a matrix switch having a matrix switch processor; and means for receiving control information from a network control processor coupled to said matrix switch, said control information identifying operator services for said telephone call, wherein said operator console is connected to a standard port on said matrix switch thereby allowing said matrix switch to treat said operator console as a generic termination point.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
79 words
An operator console, comprising: means for receiving a call audio portion of a telephone call from a matrix switch having a matrix switch processor; and means for receiving control information from a network control processor coupled to said matrix switch, said control information identifying operator services for said telephone call, wherein said operator console is connected to a standard port on said matrix switch thereby allowing said matrix switch to treat said operator console as a generic termination point.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
98 words
The operator console of claim 19, wherein said control information is provided by a network control processor that provides an interface between said matrix switch and a common channel signaling network such that said network control processor receives a call data portion corresponding to said call audio portion from said common channel signaling network, said network control processor determining a routing for said call audio portion of said telephone call, and sending switch control data to a matrix switch processor associated with said matrix switch to effect said routing of said call audio portion of said telephone call.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for providing operator service through a generic termination point in a matrix switch, comprising the steps of: (1) receiving a call audio portion of a telephone call from a matrix switch having a matrix switch processor; and (2) receiving control information from a network control processor coupled to said matrix switch, said control information identifying operator services for said telephone call, wherein said operator console is connected to a standard port on said matrix switch thereby allowing said matrix switch to treat said operator console as a generic termination point.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for providing operator service through a generic termination point in a matrix switch, comprising the steps of: (1) receiving a call audio portion of a telephone call from a matrix switch having a matrix switch processor; and (2) receiving control information from a network control processor coupled to said matrix switch, said control information identifying operator services for said telephone call, wherein said operator console is connected to a standard port on said matrix switch thereby allowing said matrix switch to treat said operator console as a generic termination point.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
102 words
The method of claim 21, wherein said step (2) comprises the step of receiving control information from a network control processor that provides an interface between said matrix switch and a common channel signaling network such that said network control processor receives a call data portion corresponding to said call audio portion from said common channel signaling network, said network control processor determining a routing for said call audio portion of said telephone call, and sending switch control data to a matrix switch processor associated with said matrix switch to effect said routing of said call audio portion of said telephone 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) | 2003-01-17 | 2003-07-19 | 2004-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-17 | 2007-07-19 | 2008-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-17 | 2011-07-19 | 2012-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |