Telephonic communications – Special services – Abbreviated dialing or direct call
Patent
1998-01-08
2000-02-22
Zele, Krista
Telephonic communications
Special services
Abbreviated dialing or direct call
379354, 379355, 379356, 379142, 379 9317, H04M 342, H04M 100
Patent
active
060289236
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to telecommunications, and more particularly, to a telephone enhancement user interface operatively connected to a telephone station or facsimile machine that allows a user to selectively place a long distance call using one of a plurality of long distance service providers, and to easily dial frequently used long distance prefixes and "800" or "888" toll free numbers.
Dialing a long distance call often requires dialing a myriad of numbers for prefixes and codes before actually dialing a telephone number to connect the call to a target destination. Telephone companies have indicated that with the proliferation of cellular telephones, facsimile machines and computer modem usage, the problem is only going to get worse. Additional area codes recently have been assigned by many regional telecommunications companies, and "888" toll free services are being introduced since the supply of available "800" toll free numbers is nearly exhausted.
Furthermore, the Telecommunications Act that was recently enacted in the United States has opened the floodgates for competition among long distance service providers. The Act also permits long distance service providers to enter the local service market. Various long distance providers offer attractive packages to attract subscribers, such as reduced peak and off-peak rates, lower weekend rates, fixed rates at all times for international calls, etc. While a customer must "sign up" with one long distance carrier to be able to make all types of long distance calls, it is not necessary to use the long distance services provided by that carrier for all long distance calls. As a customer, it is often more economically advantageous to use one long distance provider for certain calls (e.g., national calls during peak hours), and one or more additional providers for other types of calls (e.g., international calls and national calls during off-peak hours). However, because of the confusion associated with remembering various access codes to place calls with different long distance telecommunications companies, many individuals subscribe to and use only one long distance service to place all long distance calls, thus failing to take advantage of more reasonable rates that may be offered by other providers. Furthermore, often subscribers to reduced-price telecommunications services do not utilize the service because of the many numbers that must be dialed to access the service.
BACKGROUND ART
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved telecommunications enhancement user interface system and method that is operatively connected to customer premises termination equipment such as a conventional telephone set or facsimile machine to control certain dialing functions otherwise performed by the termination equipment.
Another object of this invention is to provide a telecommunications enhancement user interface system and method that allows for transmission of a dial signal indicating area code information (e.g., 1314) used to place a long distance call by simply pressing one push-button switch.
Another object of this invention is to provide a telecommunications enhancement user interface system and method that allows a user to modify or create area code information.
Another object of this invention is to provide a telecommunications enhancement user interface system and method that allows for quick and easy dialing of toll-free prefix codes (e.g., 1800 or 1888) by simply pressing a push-button.
Another object of this invention is to provide a telecommunications enhancement user interface system and method that allows a user to select a long distance telecommunications provider from a preprogrammed group of available providers, and then place a long distance call using the selected provider's service.
Another object of this invention is to provide a telecommunications enhancement user interface system and method that allows a user to update or modify information relating to long distance telecommunications provi
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Ciardullo Daniel
Davis Irvin
Kolb Charles A.
Call Director, Inc.
Tieu Benny Q.
Zele Krista
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