Telephonic communications – Supervisory or control line signaling – Substation originated
Utility Patent
1998-02-02
2001-01-02
Chan, Wing F. (Department: 2743)
Telephonic communications
Supervisory or control line signaling
Substation originated
C379S354000
Utility Patent
active
06169799
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for automatically dialing a telephone area code and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for storing the area codes for frequently-dialed seven-digit telephone numbers.
2. Background
Within recent years, the number of telephone area codes within the U.S. has increased dramatically. The recent increase in facsimile machines, computers with modems, second and third phone lines, cellular phones and pagers has resulted in an explosion in demand for new telephone numbers, and exhausted the existing area code resources. In the ten-year period between 1984 and 1994, twenty five new area codes were assigned in the United States. In the 24-month period between January, 1995, and December, 1996, twenty three new area codes were introduced in the United States. In 1996, the number of available 800 numbers (toll-free numbers) was exhausted, resulting in the introduction of a new toll-free area code. The demand on telecommunications services is being felt globally, as well. Great Britain and France are two of the countries that have announced a restructuring of their numbering systems.
As a result of the increase in the number of area codes, individuals are required to memorize more numbers. In Los Angeles, for instance, the use of five area codes compels the memorization of ten-digit telephone numbers. Studies have shown, however, that the memorization of numerous ten-digit numbers is very difficult. Indeed, seven digits were originally chosen for telephone numbers because of an article by George A. Miller, entitled “The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two: Some Limits on Our Capacity for Processing Information,” originally published in The Psychological Review, 1956, vol 63, pp. 81-97. In that article, Mr. Miller states that the number of sequential digits that may be comfortably memorized by any person is between five and nine (seven, plus or minus two). Beyond nine, individuals begin to truncate digits, resulting in a loss of information. Thus, ten digits may be beyond the memorization skills of many telephone users. The memorization problem will become even more prevalent when one includes international area codes and country codes.
In the workplace, the use of ten-digit telephone numbers decreases efficiency. The inability to memorize an entire ten-digit telephone number may lead to an increase in the number of mis-dials. In addition, dialing time is increased for those individuals who must look up telephone numbers in address books and databases. As a result of the increased dialing time, less time is spent performing more valuable and productive tasks.
Speed dialing, the most popular method for handling multiple-area code telephone numbers, is not adequate. Speed dialing allows a single keypad button to replace an entire dialing sequence. Unfortunately, speed dialing is usually limited to the storage of only nine sequences (“O” is reserved for telephone company use). Speed dialing cannot accommodate the dozens of ten-digit telephone numbers that an individual may need to store. Even where two-digit speed dialing is allowed, it would require the memorization of ninety-nine numbers for each telephone number-speed dialing number correspondence. Thus, the memorization problem would not be overcome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a telephone user dials a ten-digit telephone number, which may be stored as a frequently-dialed number. Thereafter, when the caller re-dials the seven-digit number, the correct area code is automatically dialed also. Thus, the caller need not remember numerous ten-digit telephone numbers.
More particularly, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a telephone set includes a handset, a base unit, a processor, software, and memory. In accordance with instructions from the software, the processor provides a synthetic dial tone to the caller. When the caller enters a ten-digit number, the processor sends a double-burst tone to the caller requesting that the area code be automatically dialed for all further calls to the seven-digit portion of this number. If this is a frequently-dialed number, the caller confirms the area code dial request by pressing, for instance, the pound key. The processor then stores the area code and seven-digit number in memory. When the caller re-dials the seven-digit portion of the number, the processor compares the seven-digits to a list of stored numbers. If a match is found, the processor attaches the proper area code and transmits the entire number to the network.
In another embodiment of the invention, the processor can store the ten digit number in the course of dialing, coupled with the processor receiving a command from the use to store the ten digit number
In a third embodiment of the present invention, an end office includes software, a processor and memory for storing frequently-dialed seven-digit telephone numbers and their corresponding area codes. When a caller dials a ten-digit number, the end office transmits an area code dial request to the caller, such as a double-burst dial tone. The caller confirms the area code request by pressing the pound key, for instance. The end office then stores the area code and seven-digit telephone number in a local memory. Thereafter, when the caller dials only the seven-digit number, the end office compares the number to a group of stored numbers. If a match is found, the call is automatically switched to the caller using the corresponding area code information.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to allow callers to accommodate the ten digit telephone number paradigm simply by dialing seven digits.
It is an additional object of the present invention to allow callers to be burdened only with knowing telephone numbers to the extent they are psychologically able while accommodating the telecommunications infrastructure need for additional digits in the area code to accommodate more addresses.
Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
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International Search Report in corresponding International Application No. PCT/US99/01742 mailed Jun. 1, 1999.
Miller, George A., “The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two: Some Limits on Our Capacity for Processing Information,”The Psychological Review, 63:81-97 (1956).
Chan Wing F.
Ewing, IV James L.
Home Wireless Networks, Inc.
Kilpatrick & Stockton LLP
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