US6018575A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Direct distance dialing (DDD) access to a communications services platform
Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLC
•
Filing: 1997-09-08
•
Granted: 2000-01-25
•
Expires: 2017-09-08
Abstract
Abstract Direct Distance Dialing (DDD) access is provided for a communications services platform. A caller may dial a local DDD number or a long distance DDD number to access the communications services platform. A platform may provide a plurality of different communications services, including voicemail services, paging services, automatic routing services, and facsimile messaging services. Expenses associated with servicing the call are partitioned between a caller and a subscriber of the communications services platform in an intuitive and reasonable fashion.
Inventors
- 👤 Karen A. Gross
- 👤 Eddie L. Pickeral
- 👤 Thomas W. Lear
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 06:24
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/4228; H04M15/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
In a telecommunications network for routing calls to a platforn that provides multiple communications services on behalf of a subscriber, a method comprising the steps of: receiving it a local exchange carrier (LEC) switch, a call flow a caller that was initiated as a direct distance dialing (DDD) call by dialing a first DDD number; translating, at the LEC switch, the first DDD number to a second DDD number; routing the call from the LEC switch to an inter-exchange carrier(IEC) switch using the second DDD number and a special carrier identification code (CIC) generated by the LEC switch, the special CIC designating the call as one destined to a communications services platform; sending a query message from the IEC switch to a data access point (DAP) based on the special CIC and the second DDD number; receiving from the DAP at the IEC switch a translation of the second DDD number to a physical network address for the communications services platform; and using said physical network address to redirect the call from the IEC switch to the communication services platform via an IEC network and an IEC bridging switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
In a telecommunications network for routing calls to a platforn that provides multiple communications services on behalf of a subscriber, a method comprising the steps of: receiving it a local exchange carrier (LEC) switch, a call flow a caller that was initiated as a direct distance dialing (DDD) call by dialing a first DDD number; translating, at the LEC switch, the first DDD number to a second DDD number; routing the call from the LEC switch to an inter-exchange carrier(IEC) switch using the second DDD number and a special carrier identification code (CIC) generated by the LEC switch, the special CIC designating the call as one destined to a communications services platform; sending a query message from the IEC switch to a data access point (DAP) based on the special CIC and the second DDD number; receiving from the DAP at the IEC switch a translation of the second DDD number to a physical network address for the communications services platform; and using said physical network address to redirect the call from the IEC switch to the communication services platform via an IEC network and an IEC bridging switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the network includes a server holding a database of routing information, the IEC switch through which the call is routed accessing the database to obtain a network address for the platform for use in routing the call to the platform.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said initiated call has a value unique to the subscriber.
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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) | 2003-01-24 | 2003-07-26 | 2004-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-24 | 2007-07-26 | 2008-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-24 | 2011-07-26 | 2012-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |