US 6,148,071 A · Method and apparatus for providing calling features independent of the numbering plan

Abstract

A telecommunications network (41) for providing telecommunication subscribers (12, 14, 16, 18, and 20) with special features independent of the subscriber's number plan includes a first switch (40.sub.1) that receives an incoming call for a dialed number subscriber. For each received call, the switch launches a first query to a first data base (Segmentation Directory 54) that identifies a particular one of a plurality of special features data bases (56.sub.1 -56.sub.x) containing call processing information for the special feature subscribed to by the subscriber. In response to the identity of the particular special features data base returned to the switch via the first query, the switch launches a second query to the identified special features data base to obtain the call processing information needed to process the call to provide the special feature. In this way, a POTS subscriber can obtain a special feature, such as time-of-day or geographic routing, for example.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A method for enabling each Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) telecommunications subscriber served by a telecommunications network to enjoy at least one special feature offered by said telecommunication network for a call dialed to said each subscriber without the need for said each subscriber to possess, or require callers to dial, a special access code, comprising the steps of:

receiving at a telecommunications switch in said telecommunication network a non-special access code call dialed to said each POTS telecommunications subscriber;
for each and every non-special access call received at said switch, launching a first query to a first data base containing a record for said each POTS subscriber, and if said subscriber has subscribed to said one special feature, said record including an identity of a second database containing call processing information advising the switch how to process the call to provide said one special feature subscribed to by said each POTS subscriber;
and in the event said subscriber has subscribed to said one special feature, then;
launching a second query to said one second data base to receive said call processing information to process said call and provide said one special feature;
and
returning to said switch from said second data base said call processing information so said switch may process said call and provide said feature.

3 more elements

Apparatus for enabling each Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) telecommunications subscriber served by a telecommunications network to enjoy at least one special feature offered by said telecommunication network for each incoming call dialed to said each subscriber without the need for said each subscriber to possess a special access code, comprising:

a telecommunications switch in said telecommunication network for receiving calls dialed to non-special access code numbers of POTS telecommunications subscribers;
a first data base that is queried by the switch for each incoming call received at the switch dialed to a non-special access code number, the first data base containing a record for each POTS subscriber, and if said each subscriber has subscribed to said one special feature, said record including an identity of a second database containing call processing information instructing the switch how to process the call to provide said one special feature subscribed to by said each POTS subscriber;
and
at least one second data base queried by the switch in response to the first query to the first data base in the event said subscriber has subscribed to said one special feature, said one second data base providing said call processing information related to said dialed number to instruct said switch to process said call and provide said one special feature.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for providing calling features independent of the numbering plan

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for providing calling features independent of the numbering plan

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15