United States Patent [19]
`Kugell et al.
`
`I IIIII
`
`111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 1111
`US005802160A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,802,160
`Sep. 1, 1998
`
`[54] MULTI-RING TELEPHONE METHOD AND
`SYSTEM
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Stanley Kugell, Newton Highlands;
`David SHver, Cambridge, both of Mass.
`
`[73] Assignee: Pilgrim Telephone, Inc., Cambridge,
`Mass.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 590,110
`Jan. 19, 1996
`[22] Filed:
`Int. CL 6
`.............................. H04M 3146; H04M 3/56
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl ........................... 379/211; 3791188; 379/205;
`370/261; 370/270
`[58] Field of Seardl ..................................... 379/201, 202,
`379/203, 204, 205, 206, 211, 212, 93, 95,
`188, 199, 37' 354, 355, 356; 370/259, 260,
`261, 262, 270, 280; 395/2.4; 3401825.44,
`825.45, 825.47
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENfS
`
`4,803,717 2/1989 Marui ........................................ 319161
`5,043,718
`811991 Shimura ............................. 3401825.44
`4/1992 Bames et al ............................ 3701280
`5,103,448
`5,t66,m 1111992 Smith ........................................ 379137
`5,206,901
`4/1993 Hadow et al ........................... 3791201
`5,259,(J26 1111993 Johnson .................................. 3791207
`5,329,578
`7/1994 Breanan et al ......................... 379f201
`5,430,791
`7/1995 Feit et al ................................. 379/211
`9/1995 Pinard et al ............................ 3791167
`5,454,032
`
`1/1996 Sussman ................................. 379f201
`5,483,586
`1/1996 Hogan et al. . .......................... 379/202
`5,483,587
`3/1996 Andrew et al .......................... 3791202
`5,502,762
`5/1996 ltoh ......................................... 358/402
`5,521,716
`8/1996 Hogan et al ............................ 3791202
`5,546,449
`9/1996 Alperovich .............................. 379f205
`5,559,876
`5,568,546 10/1996 Maruliak ................................. 3191355
`5,590,189 1211996 TUrnbull et al ......................... 3791356
`5,631,904
`5/1997 Fitser et al .............................. 3791205
`afHER PUBLICATIONS
`"Mechanism to Automate Updating Obsolete Telephone
`Numbers," pp. 115-116, vol. 37, No. 04A, mM Technical
`Disclosure Bulletin, Apr. 1994.
`Primary Examiner-Krista Zele
`Assistmlt Examiner-Scott Wolinsky
`Attomt'); Agent; or Firm-Strung Kramer Schaefer &
`Briscoe
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method and system of providing telephone service com(cid:173)
`prises associating a list of telephone numbers with a repre(cid:173)
`sentative telephone number. A call to the representative
`telephone number is detected and a plurality of telephone
`numbers on the list are simu1taneously signalled. Thereafter,
`signalling is terminated at at least one of the plurality of
`telephone numbers thereby allowing a connection to be
`established with one or more parties at telephone numbers
`among the plurality of telephone numbers. Each telephone
`number on the list may be a representative number which is
`associated with another list of telephone numbers.
`
`47 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`SWITCH
`OFFICE
`
`-
`
`1
`
`CALLING
`
`I
`' ORIGINATING I
`SWITCH
`
`SWITCH
`
`I
`
`I OFFICE --1
`I DESTINATION!
`J TELEPHONE
`I
`~ NUMBER
`15 J
`L_2e_
`I -~-··
`HOME I
`-
`.I TELEPHONE I
`r--- _ _j
`l i NUMBER
`I
`I L
`I
`20
`DESTINATION-~
`_L_l
`,----
`r-------1
`I VACATION!
`r---- N~ I l OFFICE F -- TELEPHONE
`I RELAY
`TELEPHONE r--
`I
`HOME
`'_N_u~-~-E_R_j L o_F1_F~-cE __ I L_1~ 14
`. _j_ll J
`I
`_ NU~~ER ~
`,----_]
`l
`I I I IN-LAWS'
`~- •--1
`
`I
`
`CELLULAR
`TELEPHONE ·
`NUMBER
`I
`24
`
`~-~-
`. VOICEMAIL
`TELEPHONE 1·1
`I
`. NUMBER
`25
`__ -~
`I
`-
`
`-
`
`I
`I
`HOME
`L~ TELEPHONE I
`I NUMBER
`22 ____ I
`
`~--
`I ~- BOAT
`TELEPHONE I
`-+: NUMBER
`L 2:__-
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1012, Page 1
`
`

`
`roEsTINATIONL
`SWITCH
`OFFICE
`1s
`
`I
`
`-
`
`1 oFFic-E --l
`
`-~ TELEPHONE .
`I
`NUMBER
`2s
`
`I TELEPHONE .
`
`~-CALLIN{3l
`[TELEPHONE
`I NUMBER
`L__ 11
`
`FIG. 1
`
`!ORIGINATING ~i y*_ -1
`
`SWITCH
`OFFICE
`12
`'-----
`
`ELAY
`NE~T 14
`13
`-
`
`"J
`
`I
`_ ______l___---r
`CELLULAR
`TELEPHONE I
`NUMBER
`,
`- - -~4
`
`1
`
`22
`
`~
`~ I
`. BO-AT-l
`I~ I TELEPHONE :
`1 NUMBER
`23
`- -
`
`!HoME l
`r-l NU~~E~
`I' SWITCH F HOME
`!DESTINATioN~___!
`j vACATION
`j
`OFFICE ~! TELEPHONE ·
`- -
`NUMBER
`14
`~ .
`21
`• ~
`l' I INH'tr:-E s-· !
`J
`J TELEPHONE
`rVOICE MAILl L NUMBER
`
`Y
`
`-
`
`TELEPHONE II
`NUMBER
`L ___ 25
`
`~ • 00. • ;p
`[
`
`00
`~
`,!-'
`
`~
`
`g:
`!
`""""' s,
`
`\e
`
`OJ
`....
`
`QIC s ....
`=" =
`
`~
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1012, Page 2
`
`

`
`CALLING
`NUMBER
`IDENTIFICATION
`140
`
`CALLED
`NUMBER
`DETECTION
`141
`i !
`
`lrv11c_ RoPRocEssoR I · MEMORY
`l __ 143
`142
`
`_
`
`1
`
`~ICATION
`! v '-c'iRCUIT
`145
`
`INPUT
`PORTM
`•
`
`! OFF-HOOK DETECTOR
`146
`
`- - - I TELEP,HONE
`---1 SWITCH
`L
`144
`FIG. 2
`
`OUTPUT PORT N1
`
`r1 sue S1 I
`-~ OUTPUT PORT N2
`•
`I ...----~
`OUTPUT PORT N3
`I sue 53 L
`•
`
`, sue sn f - - - - - - - - -
`
`OUTPUT PORT Nn
`•
`
`0 • 00 •
`~ ~
`("0 a
`
`~
`
`00
`~
`"'
`~
`00
`
`~
`
`ga a
`
`N
`g,
`
`\C
`
`Ol
`
`"' QC s "' 1-l-
`~ =
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1012, Page 3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 1, 1998
`
`Sheet 3 of9
`
`5,802,160
`
`161
`
`163a-e
`~· ··~·
`
`I SWITCH
`i OFFICE
`I
`16
`I
`~· ~· ""i
`
`MULTIPLE
`162. RING ADD-ON
`17
`
`- -
`
`I
`
`171a
`171b
`171c
`171d
`171e
`
`FIG. 2A
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1012, Page 4
`
`

`
`143
`"\ '
`REPRESENTATIVE NUMBER: 800-555-1234
`
`..
`
`SIGNALLING TERMINATION REQUIREMENTS: 1 OFF-HOOK; 25 RINGS
`
`LIST OF ASSOCIATED NUMBERS
`
`TIME PARAMETERS
`
`HOME TEL. NUMBER 20
`
`6PM-12AM ONLY
`
`ANI PARAMETERS
`
`I TABLE A (EXCLUDED NOS.)
`
`VACATION HOME TEL. NUMBER 21
`
`9AM-5PM, M-F ONLY
`
`j TABLE A (EXCLUDED NOS.)
`
`IN-LAWS' HOME TEL. NUMBER 22
`
`6 PM-10 PM, AUGUST ONLY
`
`TABLE B (EXCLUDED NOS.)
`
`BOAT TEL NUMBER 23
`
`SAT. & SUN. ONLY
`
`TABLE C (PERMITTED NOS.)
`
`CELLULAR TEL. NUMBER 24
`
`ALL TIMES
`
`VOICE MAIL TEL. NUMBER 25
`- - - · · -~ -·
`
`JULY 15- JULY 28 ONLY
`
`I
`
`I
`i
`-
`
`NO EXCLUSIONS
`
`NO EXCLUSIONS
`------·---'"·---·. ····--~---~
`
`SIGNALLING DELAY
`PARAMETERS
`
`5RINGSONLY
`
`~. -
`
`5 RINGS ONLY
`.
`START AFTER
`6RINGS
`
`NONE
`
`NONE
`
`START AFTER 20 RINGS
`
`VERIFICATION
`PARAMETERS
`PIN NO. A
`
`PIN NO. B
`
`VOICE CODE C
`-~~--- --__ ..
`PIN NO. D
`
`~-· -
`
`NONE
`
`NONE
`
`DELETION
`PARAMETERS
`
`NONE
`
`9130/95
`------
`8/31/95
`
`2 SECURITY
`FAILURES
`
`NONE
`
`i
`
`. I NONE
`
`-~~-
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Cj
`00 •
`~ =
`~
`
`00
`~
`"""" ~
`"""" ~
`
`QC
`
`g: a
`
`.l::o.
`~
`'>e
`
`...
`VI
`QC
`fJ
`...
`="' =
`
`~
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1012, Page 5
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 1, 1998
`
`Sheet 5 of 9
`
`5,802,160
`
`ACCESS MEMORY
`! FOR CALLED NUMBER
`.
`301
`
`FIG. 4
`
`A REPRESENTATIVE
`NUMBER?
`302
`-- - ~ y
`
`1 SIGNAL
`N
`t------_..~· NUMBER
`I
`312
`
`I
`
`~
`
`~
`
`'
`
`UPDATE LIST BASED UPON PARAMETERS !
`i
`AND SELECT NUMBERS FROM UPDATED
`I
`LIST TO BE SIGNALLED
`303
`~ ------
`SIMULTANEOUSLY SIGNAL
`PLURALITY OF NUMBERS
`FROM LIST
`304
`
`-·
`
`N
`
`TERMINATE
`SIGNALLING
`310
`
`DELETE DUE TO 1500K
`
`N
`
`y
`
`SECURITY
`FAILURE?
`313
`
`ATION?
`305
`
`N
`
`VERIFICATION:
`RECEIVED
`:
`307
`
`l_N SIGNALLING TERMINATION
`
`REQUIREMENTS MET?
`309
`y
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1012, Page 6
`
`

`
`r c_ CALL CONFIGURA TIC~
`I TELEPHONE NUMBER
`I
`400
`
`REMOVE NUMBER
`420
`
`CHANGE SIGNALLING
`PARAMETERS
`430
`
`ENTER NEW
`NUMBER
`411
`
`I N
`
`ISNUMBER
`TEMPORARY?
`412
`
`i
`
`y
`
`:
`
`I
`
`·--
`
`N
`
`·--
`
`I
`
`I
`
`' l
`
`c
`ANGE
`ICATION
`VER
`
`PARA METERS
`~40
`
`j
`ENTER NEW
`INFORMATION
`441
`
`~
`CHANGE
`SIGNALLING
`TERMINATION
`REQUIREMENTS
`
`450 r
`ENTER NEW l
`INFORMATION
`451
`
`~
`I~
`
`~ 2
`~ .
`
`N
`
`Q
`~~
`
`_IOOTol
`~
`
`FIG. 5
`
`~ • 00. •
`~ f"'f" a
`
`~
`
`,!""'
`
`"""'" ~
`
`~
`
`~
`
`~ -~
`
`0
`""t:t
`\C
`
`VI
`
`'-61
`
`QO = ~
`
`'-61
`~
`
`~
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1012, Page 7
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 1, 1998
`
`Sheet 7 of9
`
`5,802,160
`
`13
`r--------------------------------------------c=
`1TANDEM i
`!TANDEM~
`I ~ - 1------l
`130
`
`I
`
`'----~---~
`
`I END
`OFFICE
`131
`
`END
`OFFICE
`131
`-liT
`----
`END
`OFFICE
`131
`
`Ia
`
`END
`I
`OFFICE
`l 131
`-1 I I
`
`FIG. 6
`
`END
`OFFICE
`131
`l II l
`
`-
`
`~---
`I_~ND
`! OFFICE
`i 131
`II II I
`
`I
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1012, Page 8
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 1, 1998
`
`Sheet 8 of 9
`
`5,802,160
`
`TANDE;~}j,-
`
`130a
`_
`
`I
`i TANDEM I.
`END
`I
`---; OFFICE 1------
`'
`I 131a
`L_ 130b
`
`I
`
`I
`I
`'
`
`•
`
`-·
`REMAINDER
`OF
`RELAY
`NET
`13'
`
`I
`
`r l -END
`OFFICE
`131b
`-
`I - - ·1
`I END
`. OFFICE ·
`• 131c ~
`
`!
`'
`J
`
`T.ANDEMlr--------------------~~~~~Ej
`131 d ~
`- · - J
`
`130c _ _I
`
`132a
`
`FIG. 7A
`
`I END I
`OEM
`-1 OFFICE "-----1 TAN
`Od
`13
`131e
`
`! END~
`
`OFFICE
`131f
`
`L___
`
`-
`
`ENH=
`0 FFICE
`31g
`1
`
`I
`c._ __
`
`END - (cid:173)
`FFI~E I
`0
`31~
`1
`
`,
`END
`OFFICE~
`131i
`
`1
`
`REMAINDER v
`
`OF
`RELAY
`NET
`13'
`
`L
`
`I
`
`FIG. 78
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1012, Page 9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 1, 1998
`
`Sheet 9 of9
`
`5,802,160
`
`I RE~~DER
`~---END '
`END
`[...../'
`1--~ OFFICE I
`-i OFFICE t------': TANDEM r----------1
`RELAY
`130e
`[ __ 131k ~
`NET
`L_231j
`. " '
`END
`!
`.___ ___ _, OFFICE I
`1311
`
`13'
`
`FIG. 7C
`
`. - - - - - - - - -1 o~~~~tf==·
`
`131n
`··--·--
`
`END
`OFFICE 1 - - (cid:173)
`: 1310
`
`,-END I
`OFFICE . ' - - -
`131p
`i
`__ __ j
`
`TANDEM
`130f
`
`1-------1
`
`REMAINDER 1------1 E~N
`OF
`OFF~E
`RELAY
`r-----1 131 q
`NET
`13'
`
`END
`OFFICE
`131r
`
`END
`' - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -1 OFFICE 1 - - -
`131s
`
`132b
`
`FIG. 70
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1012, Page 10
`
`

`
`5,802,160
`
`1
`MULTI-RING TELEPHONE METHOD AND
`SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a method and system for
`providing telephone service.
`
`2
`office of a party to be called and submitted by that party.
`Alternatively, a party to be a caller can submit a list of
`numbers to a telephone switching office for associating with
`a representative number. This would be particularly useful in
`5 setting up a conference call. Numbers can be added to the list
`at any time.
`In another embodiment of the present invention, at least
`one of the numbers on the list can itself be a representative
`number with its own list of associated telephone numbers. In
`
`;:;::.~~~~;:e:J!:~;n l~:t~:J:o:: a li::U C: ~
`
`Telephones and telephone usage are proliferating in
`today's society. People have more than one telephone num-
`ber in their home, a telephone number at the office, in their
`boat, in their car, cellular phones in their pocket, voice mail 10 this way, a plurality of numbers from a first list and a
`systems, answering systems and beepers, all to ensure that
`first mentioned representative telephone number. This would
`they can be reru:hed.
`If a ~er de~es to find ~omeone at any o~e of a number
`be particularly useful in setting up periodic conference calls
`of. posstble locations at which that person ~t be found, 15 where the called parties do not have fixed locations. In this
`this poses a Pf?blem. The cw_rent telephone s~ch netwm:k
`case, the caller sets up a main representative number with its
`does not .pr~Vl.de any. orgamzed w_ay of carrymg out ~ associated list of intended called parties numbers, some of
`goal: ~~ 1t lS ~sstble to subscribe to a_ call forwarding
`which may be representative telephone numbers with their
`servtce, .tt lS a nws~ce to. cons~tly callm to change the
`associated lists. The caller simply calls the main represen-
`forwarding n~ if one ts movmg from number to n~- 20 tative telephone number which signals at all of the telephone
`ber. Moreover, if one forgets to change the forwarding
`numbers which at the time have been designated by each of
`number or to enable the call forwarding system, a call and
`the called parties to be signalled.
`perh~ps an opportuni~ will be lo~t.
`.
`The termination of the signalling at any of the plurality of
`It IS, of course, posstble to proVIde a caller With all of the
`telephone numbers that are being signalled can be effected
`different telephone numbers at which the call~d party might 25 by detecting an off-hook indication at a number, or by the
`be located, however, the caller must then senally call each
`off-hook indication together with verification that the party
`of _the ~umbers until reaching the desired party. Aside from
`that is reached is the party being called. For example, the
`being tiresome to the caller, the average caller w~~d prob-
`called party could enter a pin code on the telephone instru-
`ably. !I'Y onl~ a few of the places before gt~g up.
`ment to verify that the right party has been called.
`Additionally, if the ~ party. has. a telephone votce mail 30 Alternatively, voice recognition could be used to verify that
`the person answering lhe phone is the proper party.
`system or an answenng machine mstalled at one of lhe
`numbers, aft_er a caller leaves one message, it is unlikely lhat
`Telephone numbers also can be deleted from the list by a
`the caller will call the other numbers.
`variety of means. For example, the person submitting the list
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`to the telephone company could delete a number from the
`35 list at any time. Numbers could be placed on the list and
`automatically be removed after a period of time, for
`The main object of the present invention is to eHminate
`the disadvan~s of the present ~eph~ne s.ystem.
`example, 24 hours, or 3 months. Additionally, if a called
`.
`party at a called number on the list desires to have the
`Another obJect of the present mvention lS to proVIde a
`number taken off, the called party can remove the telephone
`method and system for providing telephone service wherein
`a plurality of telephone numbers are simultaneously sig- 40 number from the list by entering a code. Telephone numbers
`nailed to allow a calling party to find a called party at one
`also can be removed as a result of non-use, e.g., after a
`period of a certain number of months, or in response to a
`of a plurality of numbers in an organized manner and in as
`seauity failure, e.g., lhe answering party fails to enter the
`short a time as possible.
`proper pin code after a number of tries, or if the number has
`A further object of the present invention is to provide a
`system and a method which automatically, adaptively and 45 been disconnected or changed.
`Numbers on the list also can be made ineligible for being
`dynamically seeks out a called party at a plurality of
`called based upon transitory characteristics or paramettts.
`different numbers.
`For example, one number on the list may be called only
`Still another object of the present invention is a method
`and system for providing a conference call telephone ser- 50 during daytime hours or during evening hours. Another
`vice.
`number on the list, for example, may be called only during
`certain days of the week, e.g., either Monday through Friday
`In accordance wilh one embodiment of the present
`invention, a list of telephone numbers is associated wi1h a
`or Saturday and Sunday only. Certain numbers could be
`representative telephone number. A call to the representati~e
`called only ~particular months out of ~e year, e.g., ~e
`telephone number from a calling telephone number ts 55 summer months if the telephone number 1s for a vacation
`home.
`detected and a plurality of telephone numbers on the list are
`The system also can be configured to terminate signalling
`simultaneously signalled. Thereafter, the signalling at at
`at all of the plurality of telephone numbers in response to a
`least one of the plurality of telephone numbers is terminated.
`valid off-hook indication at any one of the numbers.
`The representative telephone number can be either a
`geographic or non-geographic number. Non-geographic 60 Alternatively, the termination ';Ould occur~ rn:o or roo':
`or all of the numbers bad valid off-hook mdications. This
`numbers include NOO-:XXX-XXXX numbers (where N is,
`for example, 5, 7, 8 or 9) and the like, whereas geographic
`would be particularly useful in setting up a conference call.
`In accordance with another aspect of the present
`numbers would be those with conventional area codes such
`as 202-:XXX:-XXXX (which includes the Washington, D.C.
`invention, certain of the numbers on the list can be included
`area) and the like.
`65 or excluded from the numbers that are to be signalled
`The list associated with the representative telephone num-
`depending upon characteristics of the calling number. Since
`the telephone switching office can identify the calling num-
`ber can be a list stored at the telephone company switch
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1012, Page 11
`
`

`
`5,802,160
`
`5
`
`3
`4
`ber with Automatic Number Identification (ANI) circuitry, it
`DEfAll.ED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`is possible to determine the identity of the calling number
`INVENTION
`before the signalling is commenced Thus, each telephone
`Referring to FIG. 1, a calling party places a call with an
`number on the list may have associated with it data in the
`instrument at a calling telephone number 11 to a represen-
`form of a table which includes calling numbers for which the
`tative telephone number, which, for the purposes of this
`number on the list should or should not be signalled Thus,
`description, is received at an originating switch office 12.
`if a party's list consists of five numbers, the party addition(cid:173)
`The representative telephone number can be a geographic or
`non-geographic telephone number. The representative tele(cid:173)
`ally may designate, for example, that his home number is to
`phone number can be an instrument specific telephone
`be signalled only for calls from a table of specified calling
`10 number, or a virtual telephone number (i.e., one not asso(cid:173)
`numbers and that his in-town apartment's number is not to
`ciated with a specific telephone instrument). In the example,
`be signalled for calls from another table of specified calling
`the representative telephone number is identified at the
`numbers.
`originating switch office 12 as one associated with destina-
`tion switch offices 14, 15. In the general case, the represen-
`In accordance with the present invention, when a caller
`dials a specific representative telephone number, the picking 15 tative telephone number can be identified as associated with
`up of the telephone (with verification if required) at any of
`one or more destination offices, one of which could be the
`originating office itself. In the exemplary embodiment, the
`the simultaneously signalled numbers from the list estab-
`lishes a connection among the caller and the other parties
`representative number is 800-555-1111, and it contains two
`numbers on its list, 800-555-1234 serviced by destination
`who have answered, but have not disconnected.
`The list maker can change the list of numbers via a remote
`switch office 14, and 202-555-6789 serviced by destination
`operation at any time, including adding or deleting perma- 20 switch office 15. In the example, the calling party is trying
`nent or temporary numbers to the list, and can add or change
`to llUike a conference call at 10 AM, Tuesday, Sep. 19, 1995
`the expiration parameters of numbers. Alternatively, expi-
`to two parties, one of whom is on his customary extended
`ration parameters including ring/no answer or detect a never
`summer/fall vacation. The call from calling telephone num-
`ber 11 is routed through a subscriber line interface card in
`answered telephone number can be used to remove numbers
`from the list.
`25 the originating switch office 12, which sends infmnation
`As can be seen from the above, an adaptive teleconfer-
`including the caller identification through the relay net 13 to
`the destination switch offices 14 and 15. Thus, in accordance
`encing operation can be carried out by sUnultaneously
`with one embodiment of the present invention, rather than
`signalling all of the telephone numbers to be teleconferenced
`signalling the representative number itself, a call to the
`and then establishing a conference call among all of those 30 representative number 800-555-1111 results in a plurality of
`who answer.
`numbers being signalled sinwltaneously, namely telephone
`The called party can establish a preference table which
`number 26 (202-555-6789) and the representative number
`prevents specific parties from reaching the called party at
`for numbers 2&-25 (800-555-1234 ), both of which are on the
`certain places by using the automatic number identification
`list associated with 800-555-1111, which, in the exemplary
`system to determine the number of the calling party. The 35 embodiment, is stoced at a tandem switching office within
`relay net 13.
`calling party's number is compared against a table in stocage
`which can _inclu~ a: ex~ude certain ~ ~s from
`Normally, the destination switch offices 14 and 15 would
`access to Sl~g certain numbers on ~e list This sy~tem
`route the incoming call directly to a destination telephone
`also allows selecting callc:s who get specialtr~nt either
`number by physically connecting an incoming line to an
`by ANI or by entry of a pm number or subsmpti.on number 40 appropriate outgoing line. However, according to the tresent
`invention, in the case of destination switch office 14, the
`a: the like.
`The present invention allows instant subscription to a
`called number is itself a representative number associated
`service of this type by calling a geographic number or a
`with a list of telephone numbers including home telephone
`non-geographic number, such as an 800 number, from a
`number 20, vacation home telephone number 21, in-laws'
`single line telephone, setting configuration options and a list 45 home telephone number 22, boat telephone number 23,
`cellular telephone nmnber 24, and voice mail telephone
`of telephone numbers. Thereafter, the switching system is
`configured to simultaneously signal all of the numbers on
`number 25. This list could have been prepared by the party
`the list
`involved, fa: example, befoce leaving on extended vacation
`These and other objects and advantages of the tresent
`in July.
`invention will be described in more detail with respect to the so
`Thus, rather than signalling only one number correspond-
`ing to the representative telephone number 800-555-1234, a
`following description with reference to the attached
`drawings, wherein:
`plurality of the numbers 20-25 are signalled simultaneously
`BRJEF DESCRIPTION OF TilE DRAWINGS
`in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 2 shows the circuitry foc each switch office in more
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a telephone system according 55 detail. As shown therein, the incoming call is received at
`to the present invention;
`input port M, which is the next available input poct at the
`FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of each switching office of
`switching office and is applied to telephone switch 144.
`FIG. 1;
`Telephone switch 144 is also connected to a calling number
`FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodi-
`identification circuit 140, which is able to determine the ANI
`ment of FIG. 2;
`60 of the incoming calL A called number detection circuit 141
`FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the memory of FIG. 2;
`is also available for determining the identity of the number
`FIGS. 4-5 are flow charts of method steps accocding to
`being called In the case of switch office 12, the number
`the tresent invention;
`being called is the representative telephone number 800-
`FIG. 6 is a schematic of the relay net of FIG. 1; and
`555-1111. In the case of switch office 14, the number being
`FIG. 7A-7D are schematic diagrams of alternative 65 called is the representative number 800-555-1234. In the
`case of switch office 15, the number being called is 202-
`embodiments of telephone systems accocding to the tresent
`invention.
`555-6789.
`
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`5,802,160
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`6
`5
`ANI of the calling number with table C of permitted callers,
`Also receiving information from the telephone switch 144
`is the microprocessor 142 with its associated memory 143.
`and, unless there is a match, the boat telephone number
`The microprocessor receives the called telephone number
`would not be signalled, even if the time parameters would
`from the called number detection circuit 141 and looks in
`allow it to be signalled.
`memory 143 to see if there is a list of numbers associated 5
`The cellular telephone number 24 has no exclusions and
`therewith. In the case of the originating switch office 12, the
`thus it can be reached by any calling party.
`list would include two numbers which will connect via relay
`It also should be noted that the in-laws' home telephone
`net 13 to destination switch offices 14 and 15. In the case of
`number and the voice mail telephone number have delay
`destination switch office 15, there is no list associated with
`parameters associated with them. Thus, after a predeter-
`the number and only office telephone number 26 is signalled.
`10 mined time period of signalling, the microprocessor will
`In the case of destination switch office 14, as shown in FlG.
`thereafter signal additionally the in-laws' home telephone
`3, there are six telephone numbers on a list associated with
`number 22 and the voice mail telephone number 25,
`the representative telephone number. The microprocessor
`provided, of course, that the other signalling parameters are
`then configures the telephone switch to simultaneously
`satisfied.
`signal at a plurality of the numbers on the list via output 15
`ports N1-N1, N2, N3, ... No via subsaiber line interface
`The switching office circuitry also includes a verification
`circuit 145. The verification circuit is used in order to verify
`cards S1, S2, S3, ... So. All of the switch offices 12, 14 and
`that the party that is reached is the party being called.
`15, as well as those within relay net 13, could have similar
`circuitry for signalling a plurality of telephone numbers. In Memory 143 contains verification parameters to verify that
`the case of originating switch office 12, the output ports
`the person answering the telephone is the proper party.
`would be used for signalling the telephone number 800-555- 20 Verification circuit 145 compares the code or data in
`1111 at a tandem switching office within relay net 13. In the
`memory 143 with the code or data received from the
`answering party to perform verification.
`case of that tandem switching office, the output ports would
`be used for signalling the telephone numbers 800-555-1234
`The verification code can be a Personal Identification
`and 202-555-6789. In the case of destination switch office 25 Number (PIN) code which the answering party must key in
`14, the output ports would be used for signalling the
`in order to obtain verification, it can be voice data which
`telephone numbers 20-25. In the case of destination switch
`would then be compared to a pre-recorded sample of the
`office 15, the output ports would be used for signalling the
`voice of the answering party for a match and thus
`telephone number 202-555-6789.
`verification, or it could be the name of a person which the
`Memory 143 also has other stored information relating to 30 v~cation circuit. would compare to a name keyed-in or
`smd by an answcnng party.
`the list of associated telephone numbers. In the example, the
`information for the representative telephone number 800-
`The switching station further comprises an off-hook
`555-1234, which is stored at destination switch office 14, is
`detector 146 which detects an off-hook signalling indication
`set forth in the first column of FlG. 3, and includes the
`from one or more of the numbers being signalled.
`signalling termination requirements and the signalling 35 Although a plurality of telephone numbers are signalled
`simultaneously, the manner in which the signalling is ter-
`parameters for each nwnber on the list. For example, as
`shown in FIG. 3, the home telephone number would only be
`minated is dependent upon the type of telephone service
`signalled only from 6:00p.m. through 12:00 a.m. seven days
`desired.
`In the instance where the information set forth in memory
`a week, the vacation home number would be signalled only
`from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, the 40 143 is entered by a party to ensure that that party be reached
`by a caller when the called party is at one of various
`in-laws' home telephone number would be signalled only
`locations, memory 143 will preferably have an instruction
`from 6:00 p.m. through 10:00 p.m. dining the summer
`from the party making the list that the signalling terminate
`month of August, the boat telephone number would be
`at all of the plurality of telephone numbers, upon the
`signalled only on Saturday and Sunday, the cellular tele-
`phone would be signalled at all times and the voice mail 45 off-hook indication, with or without verification, as deter-
`mined by the verification parameters, at any one of the
`telephone number would be signalled only dining a particu-
`1ar fourteen day period.
`plurality of telephone numbers. This is indicated in the
`Thus, if 800-555-1234, the representative telephone num-
`termination parameter of the representative number, shown
`in FIG. 3 as "1 OFF-HOOK".
`ber on the list of 800-555-1111, is called on Tuesday, Sep.
`19, 1995 at 10:00 AM, there will be simultaneous ringing at so
`Alternatively, the called party may desire that more than
`one person be involved in a telephone conversation with a
`the vacation home telephone number 21 and the cellular
`telephone number 24. If, on the other hand, the call is made
`calling party, for example, for a particular calling party such
`Saturday, Aug. 19, 1995 at 9:00 p.m., signalling will occur
`as a child away at sdlool. In this case, the called party may
`desire that the caller talk to both the child's father and
`at the home telephone nwnber 20, the in-laws' home tele-
`phone number 22, the boat telephone number 23, and the 55 mother on the same call. In that instance, the memory 143
`would have instructions to terminate signalling after an
`cellular telephone number 24.
`The microprocessor also makes use of the ANI from the
`off-hook indication at two of the plurality of telephone
`numbers, again, with or without verification, as determined
`calling number identification circuit 140. The memory 143
`stores ANI signalling parameters associated with each num-
`by the verification parameters. This would appear as "2
`ber in the list. Telephone number 22 has a table B of 60 OFF-HOOK".
`In another embodiment of the present invention, the list is
`telephone numbers which would be excluded from signal-
`supplied by a party desiring to set up a conference call, for
`ling it. Thus, if the ANI identification of the calling number
`matches a number on table B, the in-laws' home telephone
`example, a conference call among various business associ-
`number would not be signalled, even if the time parameters
`ates. In that instance, the representative telephone nwnber
`65 has a plurality of different numbers on the list and, upon the
`would allow it to be signalled.
`Similarly, telephone nwnber 23 has a table C of permitted
`calling of the representative number, a plurality of the
`callers associated with it. The microprocessor compares the
`numbers on the list are simultaneously signalled. Because
`
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`5,802,160
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`10
`
`20
`
`15
`
`8
`7
`associated with the called number in step 302. In the
`the caller desires to speak to all of the persons on the list,
`signalling will not terminate until there is an off-hook
`example, the called number, 800-555-1234 is a representa-
`tive number that has an associated list including telephone
`indication at all of the plurality of telephone numbers.
`Because there is a possibility that one of the persons will not
`numbers 20-25. If it were not a representative number, then
`be available, the signalling could terminate after a suitable 5
`the number would be signalled in step 312.
`In step 303, microprocessor 142 applies the parameters to
`number of rings.
`Alternatively, one or more of the called numbers on the
`update the list and to determine which numbers from the
`updated list should be signalled. In step 303, when the
`current time and date are compared to the deletion
`list may itself be a representative telephone number with an
`associated list of telephone numbers which would be called
`parameters, microprocessor 142, upon finding a number
`which has expired, can remove the number from the list
`simultaneously and for which signalling among those num-
`automatically during that step. In the example, assuming the
`bers would terminate after an off-hook indication at one of
`the plurality of those telephone numbers. Signalling among
`call were made prior to Aug. 31, 1995, the deletion param-
`th