Telephone number area code preprocessor
View Patent ↗This invention provides an apparatus and method for processing telephone numbers that assists telephone subscribers in reaching the desired destination when the area code is unknown or has changed. The invention can be integrated into a telephone unit, implemented as a stand-alone device connected to the subscriber's telephone line (including wireless, cable-TV lines, and other modes of telecommunication), implemented as a utility on a personal computer that may or may not be connected to the Internet or to a telephone line, or implemented as part of the telephone switching system. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus for processing telephone numbers includes an area code processor and a caller interface. The area code processor has means, which are responsive to information about the called party, for producing a list of telephone numbers. The caller interface communicates with the area code processor and a calling party; and has means for monitoring call initiation signals, means for receiving called party information such as a telephone number, and means for selecting a target telephone number from the list of telephone numbers produced by the area code processor.
1. An apparatus for processing telephone numbers, comprising:
an area code processor having
means, responsive to called party information, for producing a list of telephone numbers, the list-producing means comprising:
a telephone number database comprising
dialing rules for formulating telephone numbers for use in making calls from one of a multiplicity of geographic locations to another of the multiplicity of geographic locations; and
a caller interface, in communication with a calling party and the area code processor, having
means for monitoring call initiation signals,
means, responsive to the monitoring means, for receiving called party information, and
means, responsive to the producing means, for selecting a target telephone number from the list of telephone numbers.
2. The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of claim 1 , wherein
the telephone number database further comprises
a calling party dialing list.
3. The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of claim 1 , further comprising:
means for associating identification information with the calling party.
4. The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of claim 3 , wherein the identification information associated with the calling party comprises calling party location information.
5. The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of claim 4 , wherein the producing means is further responsive to the dialing rules, the calling party dialing list, and the identification information associated with the calling party.
6. An apparatus for processing telephone numbers, comprising:
an area code processor having
means, responsive to called party information, for producing a list of telephone numbers, the list-producing means comprising:
a telephone number database comprising
any of information on valid area codes, information on the geographical areas associated with valid area codes, information on valid exchanges within valid area codes, and information on geographical areas associated with valid exchanges; and
dialing rules for formulating telephone number for use in making calls from one of a multiplicity of geographic locations to another of the multiplicity of geographic locations; and
a caller interface, in communication with a calling party and the area code processor, having
means for monitoring call initiation signals,
means, responsive to the monitoring means, for receiving called party information, and
means, responsive to the producing means, for selecting a target telephone number from the list of telephone numbers.
7. The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of claim 6 , wherein the telephone number database further comprises a calling party dialing list.
8. The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of claim 6 , wherein the telephone number database further comprises information on valid telephone numbers within valid exchanges.
9. The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of claim 6 , wherein the telephone number database further comprises information on the relationship of each of a plurality of area code service areas.
10. An apparatus for processing telephone numbers, comprising:
an area code processor, and
a caller interface, in communication with a calling party and the area code processor, having
means for monitoring call initiation signals, and
means, responsive to the monitoring means, for receiving called party information and calling party identification information,
wherein the area code processor comprises means, responsive to the called party identification information and dialing rules for formulating telephone numbers for use in making calls from one of a multiplicity of geographic locations to another of the multiplicity of geographic locations, for producing a target telephone number.
11. The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of claim 10 , wherein the calling party identification information includes calling party location information.
12. The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of claim 10 , wherein the producing means comprises a telephone number database.
13. The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of claim 12 , wherein the telephone number database comprises the dialing rules.
14. The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of claim 13 , wherein the telephone number database further comprises a calling party dialing list.
15. The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of claim 14 , wherein the producing means is further responsive to the calling party dialing list.
16. The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of claim 10 , further comprising a call generator, in communication with the caller interface and a telecommunications network, having means for initiating a call to the target telephone number.
17. An apparatus for processing telephone numbers, comprising:
an area code processor having means, responsive to called party information, calling party identification and dialing rules of formulating telephone numbers for use in making calls from one of a multiplicity of geographic locations to another of the multiplicity of geographic locations, for producing a list of telephone numbers; and
a caller interface, in communication with a calling party and the area code processor, having
means for monitoring call initiation signals,
means, responsive to the monitoring means, for receiving the called party information and the calling party identification information, and
means, responsive to the producing means, for selecting a target telephone number from the list of telephone numbers.
18. The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of claim 17 , wherein the calling party identification information includes calling party location information.
19. The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of claim 17 , wherein the producing means comprises a telephone number database.
20. The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of claim 19 , wherein the telephone number database comprises the dialing rules.
21. The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of claim 20 , wherein the telephone number database further comprises a calling party dialing list.
22. The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of claim 21 , wherein the producing means is further responsive to the calling party dialing list.
23. The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of claim 17 , further comprising a call generator, in communication with the caller interface and a telecommunications network, having means for initiating a call to the target telephone number.
24. A method for processing telephone numbers, comprising the steps of:
monitoring call initiation signals from a calling party;
receiving, responsive to the monitoring step, called party information;
producing, responsive to the called party information, a list of telephone numbers, comprising the use of a telephone number database,
wherein the telephone number database comprises dialing rules for formulating telephone numbers for use in making calls from one of a multiplicity of geographic locations to another of the multiplicity of geographic locations; and
selecting, responsive to the producing step, a target telephone number from the list of telephone numbers.
25. A method for processing telephone numbers, comprising the steps of:
monitoring call initiation signals from a calling party;
receiving, responsive to the monitoring step, called party information;
producing, responsive to the called party information and dialing rules for formulating telephone numbers for use in making calls from one of a multiplicity of geographic locations to another of the multiplicity of geographic locations, a list of telephone numbers, comprising the use of a telephone number database, wherein the telephone number database comprises a calling party dialing list; and
selecting, responsive to the producing step, a target telephone number from the list of telephone numbers.
26. A method for processing telephone numbers, comprising the steps of:
monitoring call initiation signals from a calling party;
receiving, responsive to the monitoring step, called party information;
producing, responsive to the called party information and dialing rule for formulating telephone numbers for use in making calls from one of a multiplicity of geographic locations to another of the multiplicity of geographic locations, a list of telephone numbers;
selecting, responsive to the producing step, a target telephone number from the list of telephone numbers; and
associating identification information with the calling party.
27. The method for processing telephone numbers of claim 26 , wherein the identification information associated with the calling party comprises calling party location information.
28. The method for processing telephone numbers of claim 27 , wherein the producing step is further responsive to a calling party dialing list, and the identification information associated with the calling party.
29. A method for processing telephone numbers, comprising the steps of:
monitoring call initiation signals from a calling party;
receiving, responsive to the monitoring step, called party information;
producing, responsive to the called party information, a list of telephone numbers, comprising the use of a telephone number database,
wherein the telephone number database comprises any of information on valid area codes, information on the geographical areas associated with valid area codes, information on valid exchanges within valid area codes, information on geographical areas associated with valid exchanges, and dialing rules for formulating telephone numbers for use in making calls from one of a multiplicity of geographic locations to another of the multiplicity of geographic locations; and
selecting, responsive to the producing step, a target telephone number from the list of telephone numbers.
30. The method for processing telephone numbers of claim 29 , wherein the telephone number database further comprises a calling party dialing list.
31. The method for processing telephone numbers of claim 29 , wherein the telephone number database further comprises information on valid telephone numbers within valid exchanges.
32. The method for processing telephone numbers of claim 29 , wherein the telephone number database further comprises information on the relationship of each of a plurality of area code services areas.
33. A method for processing telephone numbers, comprising the steps of:
monitoring call initiation signals from a calling party;
receiving, responsive to the monitoring step, called party information and calling party identification information; and
producing, responsive to the called party information, the calling party identification information, and dialing rules for formulating telephone numbers for use in making calls from one of a multiplicity of geographic locations to another of the multiplicity of geographic locations, a target telephone number.
34. The method for processing telephone numbers of claim 33 , wherein the calling party identification information includes calling party location information.
35. The method for processing telephone numbers of claim 33 , wherein the producing step comprises the use of a telephone number database.
36. The method for processing telephone numbers of claim 35 , wherein the telephone number database comprises the dialing rules.
37. The method for processing telephone numbers of claim 36 , wherein the telephone number database further comprises a calling party dialing list.
38. The method for processing telephone numbers of claim 37 , wherein the producing step is responsive to the dialing rules and the calling party dialing list.
39. The method for processing telephone numbers of claim 33 , further comprising the step of initiating a call to the target telephone number.
40. A method for processing telephone numbers, comprising the steps of:
monitoring call initiation signals from a calling party;
receiving, responsive to the monitoring step, called party information and calling party identification information;
producing, responsive to the called party information, the calling party identification information, and dialing rules for formulating telephone numbers for use in making calls from one of a multiplicity of geographic locations to another of the multiplicity of geographic locations, a list of telephone numbers; and
selecting, responsive to the producing step, a target telephone number from the list of telephone numbers.
41. The method for processing telephone numbers of claim 40 , wherein the calling party identification information includes calling party location information.
42. The method for processing telephone numbers of claim 40 , wherein the producing step comprises the use of a telephone number database.
43. The method for processing telephone numbers of claim 42 , wherein the telephone number database comprises the dialing rules.
44. The method for processing telephone numbers of claim 43 , wherein the telephone number database further comprises a calling party dialing list.
45. The method for processing telephone numbers of claim 44 , wherein the producing step is responsive to the dialing rules and the calling party dialing list.
46. The method for processing telephone numbers of claim 40 , further comprising the step of initiating a call to the target telephone number.