Telephonic communications – With usage measurement – Call traffic recording by computer or control processor
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-19
2001-12-11
Nguyen, Duc (Department: 2643)
Telephonic communications
With usage measurement
Call traffic recording by computer or control processor
C379S114020, C379S114100, C379S221010, C379S221020
Reexamination Certificate
active
06330311
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a programmable apparatus for routing telephone communications to low cost call telecommunications carriers or preferred telecommunications carriers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Telecommunications systems include a plurality of telecommunications or long distance carriers which provide telephone communications and telecommunications links to telephones, fax machines, computers containing modems and other telecommunications devices. The telecommunications carriers price and charge users based upon rates generally unique to specific destinations, territorial regions, states, cities, countries, day of the week, dates and the time of day the telecommunications call is initiated by the calling party. These telecommunications rates change quite often with little or no notice given specifically to the users. However, some companies monitor telecommunications rates and the specific rate parameters.
Several systems have been proposed to determine and utilize low cost call carriers for a particular telecommunications session. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,417 to Byers; U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,464 to Webb et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,124 to Brinskele; U.S. Pat. No. 5,473,630 to Penzias et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,668,955 to deCiutiis et al.; and, U.S. Pat. No. 4,88,822 to Weinberger et al.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a programmable apparatus connected to an initiating telecommunications device, via a local telephone telecommunications line, and connected to a second telephone telecommunications line and ultimately to a telecommunications device at a destination wherein the programmable apparatus selects one of a preferred low cost call carrier or a least expensive low cost call carrier from a database.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a programmable device which initiates, on a periodic basis, a telecommunications link with a remotely disposed computer such that the remotely disposed computer updates the database in the programmable apparatus and wherein the database includes, for a plurality of telecommunications carriers, access telephone numbers, clearance code data, cost of call rate data for specific destinations, day, date and time of day.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a programmable apparatus which, in one embodiment, utilizes power supplied by the telephone telecommunications line for its operation.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a programmable apparatus which stores the time duration of each call as well as the selected telecommunications carrier.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a programmable apparatus which determines when a time to connect to one of the preferred low cost call carrier or least expensive low cost call carrier exceeds a predetermined period and, in such event, selects the next available least expensive cost of call rate and telecommunications carrier for the current day, date, time of day and destination.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a programmable apparatus which includes a scroll display and user input device such that the user can (a) select a preferred telecommunications carrier for a certain time of day, day of the week and/or destination; (b) display the low cost call carrier database including preferred carrier or carriers; (c) display the stored cost of call data; (d) display low cost call carriers for immediate selection by the user for his or her next telecommunications session; and (e) reset the low cost call carrier database.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a programmable apparatus which utilizes, in an enhanced embodiment, a three way conference call feature to select one of the preferred low cost call carrier or least expensive low cost call carrier and link a first remote telecommunications device with the initiating telecommunications device and a destination telecommunications device via the selected telecommunications carrier, all upon commands initiated from the first remote telecommunications device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The programmable device connects an initiating telecommunications device with a destination telecommunications device through one of a plurality of telecommunications carriers based upon information stored in a database in the programmable apparatus. The programmable apparatus includes input and output devices, a processor, a memory and various databases. The system accesses and obtains information from the database and establishes a telecommunications link between the initiating telecommunications device and the destination telecommunications devices via one of a preferred low cost call carrier or a least expensive low cost call carrier. The database includes access telephone numbers, clearance code data (i.e., PIN numbers), cost of call rate data for specific destinations, specific days of the week, date and time of day for a plurality of telecommunications carriers. A program in the memory operated by the processor in conjunction with the input and output devices, converts the dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) signals from the initiating telecommunications device into digital signals and extracts from the database either the preference low cost call carrier or the least expensive low cost call carrier based upon the current day, date, time of day and destination. The destination is extracted from the input telephone signals based upon country code (if present) and/or area code. Periodically and preferably during extreme off peak hours, the processor, based upon the output of an update timer, establishes a telecommunications link with a remotely disposed computer. Upon establishment of this telecommunications link, the remotely disposed computer updates the database information in the programmable apparatus. This update is particularly critical if the telecommunications carriers change the rate data for a specific destination or geographic region, or terminate specific low cost rates for certain days, dates, or time of day. Preferably, this update session occurs at least once every two week period. In an enhanced system, a three-way conference call is established using one of the preferred carrier or the least expensive carrier. The conference call links the remotely disposed first telecommunications device with the initiating device and the destination device.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 4888822 (1989-12-01), Weinberger et al.
patent: 4972464 (1990-11-01), Webb et al.
patent: 5408526 (1995-04-01), McFarland et al.
patent: 5473630 (1995-12-01), Penzias et al.
patent: 5553124 (1996-09-01), Brinskele
patent: 5570417 (1996-10-01), Byers
patent: 5668955 (1997-09-01), deCliutiis et al.
patent: 5799072 (1998-08-01), Vulcan et al.
patent: 5991306 (1999-11-01), Burns et al.
patent: 0532231 (1992-09-01), None
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Ascom AG Bern Product Specification for Autorouting, Remote LCR and Service Platform Products, Internet Site “ascom.ch/index-js”, Dec. 16, 1997, 12 pgs.
Cardoso Silvio A.
Mijares, Jr. Anthony
Pino Juan Jose
Fleit Kain
Kain, Jr. Robert C.
L.C.R. Global Communications, Inc.
Nguyen Duc
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