Patent ID: 6160880
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
In a public switched telephone network (PSTN) including a plurality of switching facilities, each switching facility respectively associated with one of a plurality of local providers serving telephone stations connected to respective subscriber lines, said telephone stations having local telephone numbers assigned thereto, said switching facilities having associated therewith respective routing identification information stored in said PSTN, an apparatus for providing local telephone number portability to one of said remote telephone stations upon change of service thereto from a first one of said switching facilities to a second one of said switching facilities, said apparatus located in proximity to said one remote telephone station and comprising:a first communication line pair coupled to said first switching facility;a second communication line pair coupled to said second switching facility;a relay controller having a first switch connection to said first communication line pair, a second switch connection to said second communication line pair, and a third communication line pair coupled to the subscriber line of said one remote telephone station, a communication path in said relay controller existing between said third communication line pair and said first communication line pair via said first switch connection prior to said change of service and a communication path in said relay controller permanently established between said third communication line pair and said second communication line pair via said second switch connection in response to an incoming call to said subscriber line received from said second switching facility upon said change of service.