Patent ID: 6061443
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: H04M,H04Q

Abstract:
A method for signalling telephone numbers within, into, and out of an overlay area of a switched telephone network, from a calling telephone device to a receiving telephone device, said overlay area comprising a parent area code and at least one child area code, using a computerized device, comprising the steps of:associating a single-digit parent overlay selector code with said parent area code of said overlay area;associating a different single-digit child overlay selector code different from said parent overlay selector code, with each of said at least one child area codes;signalling a call from said calling telephone device located within said overlay area, using a 7-digit telephone number and an area code associated with an overlay selector code, to said receiving telephone device located within said overlay area and within said parent area code, by detecting the dialing of a 7-digit telephone number of said receiving telephone device, detecting the dialing of said parent overlay selector code, and setting said overlay selector code to be said parent overlay selector code, andsignalling a call from said calling telephone device located within said overlay area, using said 7-digit telephone number and said area code associated with said overlay selector code, to said receiving telephone device located within said overlay area and within one of said at least one child area codes, by detecting the dialing of said 7-digit telephone number of said receiving telephone device, detecting the dialing of said child overlay selector code, and setting said overlay selector code to be said child overlay selector code.