Telephonic communications – Internet
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-30
2001-09-18
Smith, Creighton (Department: 2642)
Telephonic communications
Internet
C370S352000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06292566
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to customer premise equipment, such as telephones, and to associated methods for routing calls from an inbound central office.
BACKGROUND ART
The primary elements of an existing intelligent network are a switching system, a signaling network, a centralized database, and an operations support system which supports the database. In general, the switching system intercepts a call from a call source, and suspends call processing while launching a query through the signaling network to the centralized database. The database, in turn, retrieves the necessary information to handle the call, and returns that information through the signaling network to the network switch, which may be part of an inbound central office, so that the call can be completed. The operation support system administers the appropriate network and custom information that resides in the database.
Existing calls are either plan old telephone service (POTS) based calls that are routed through the public switched telephone network (PSTN), or are Internet protocol (IP) calls that are routed through an IP network. Currently, making an Internet phone call from a conventional phone can require a user to dial a number, and then enter an account number and password. The entering by a user of an account number and a password may, at times, becomes a hassle.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a simplified method for making an Internet call from an analog telephone.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a customer premise equipment device such as a telephone and an associated method for routing a call from an inbound central office that simplifies the process of making a packet switched call such as an Internet call from an analog telephone.
In carrying out the above object, a telephone and associated method for routing a call are provided. The telephone comprises an audible input mechanism, an audible output mechanism, a keypad, and control logic. The keypad is for use by a user to press a sequence of keys to initiate a call. The control logic responds to the pressed sequence of keys by transmitting a signal indicative of call information to an inbound central office.
The keypad includes a standard telephone keypad, which commonly consists of numbers 0 through 9, an asterisk (*), and a pound sign (#). The keypad on a telephone of the present invention further includes at least one additional key for use by the user to designate a routing method for the call.
Preferably, the at least one additional key comprises a single key for designating the routing method as packet switched routing such as Internet protocol routing. A suitable label for the at least one additional key is an @ symbol. Still further, the at least one additional key may comprise a plurality of different keys corresponding to a plurality of different routing methods.
In a preferred implementation, pressing the at least one additional key designates the call routing method as a non-default method, such as packet switched routing. In such an application, not pressing the at least one additional key designates the call routing method as a default method, such as a circuit switched or PSTN call. Preferably, the at least one additional key is pressed prior to dialing in the “ordinary” manner.
Further, in carrying out the present invention, a method for routing a call from an inbound central office is provided. The method comprises listening to a call source for a first signal indicative of a call routing method designation. The first signal is generated from pressing a non-standard key at the call source. Upon receiving the first signal, the designated call routing method for the call is selected. Of course, the absence of the first signal may designate a standard or default call routing technique. The method further comprises listening for a second signal indicative of a call destination. Upon receiving the second signal, the call is routed to the destination using the designated call routing method. Preferably, pressing the non-standard key at the call source designates the call routing method as packet switched routing such as, for example, Internet protocol.
Still further, in carrying out the present invention, a customer premise equipment device is provided. The device comprises a keypad including a key for designating a call routing method, and control logic responsive to pressing of the key. The control logic transmits a signal indicative of call information including the designated routing method to the inbound central office.
The advantages associated with embodiments of the present invention are numerous. For example, the present invention simplifies the process of making an Internet call from an analog telephone. Further, the telephone could be equipped with a set of keys that would enable the user to select from a range of call routing methods.
The above object and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5550915 (1996-08-01), Partridge, III
patent: 5838682 (1998-11-01), Dekelbaum et al.
patent: 6028923 (2000-02-01), Kolb et al.
patent: 6128372 (2000-10-01), Tsai et al.
patent: 6157620 (2000-12-01), Danne et al.
patent: 6169734 (2001-01-01), Wilson
patent: 6169799 (2001-01-01), McIntosh
Quintanar Lee
Reeves Bradley S.
Weich Craig I.
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
Qwest Communications International Inc.
Smith Creighton
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