Patent ID: 6330311
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
A programmable apparatus for routing telephone communications through a preferred low cost call carrier to a telecommunications device at a destination, said programmable apparatus connected, via a local telephone telecommunications line, to an initiating telecommunications device, which initiates the telephone communications session by generating a dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) signal representative of a destination telephone number, said programmable apparatus connected to a second telephone telecommunications line which is coupled to a plurality of telecommunications carriers, said programmable apparatus periodically coupled via a telecommunications link to a remotely disposed computer, said programmable apparatus comprising:input and output devices coupled to said local telecommunications line and said second telecommunications line, said input and output devices having means to convert said DTMF signals into digital signals and digital signals into DTMF signals, said input and output devices respectively configured as a first and a second port, said first port handling signal communications between said initiating telecommunications device and processor and second port handling signal communications on said second telephone telecommunications line;said processer coupled to a memory and also coupled to said input and output devices via said first and second ports;a bus coupling said processor, said memory and said first and second ports together;a database stored in said memory and containing information, including access telephone numbers, clearance code data, cost of call rate data for specific destinations, day, date and time of day, all for said plurality of telecommunications carriers;said processor having means, linked to said memory, for decoding said destination telephone number and obtaining a respective access number and clearance code data for one of a preference low cost call carrier and a least expensive low cost call carrier from said database based upon a one of corresponding pre-selected user preference and a least expensive cost of call rate data for a current day, date, time of day and destination;said processor having means, linked to said memory, for compiling said respective access number, clearance code data and destination telephone number into a signal packet and sending said signal packet to said second telecommunications line via said input and output devices and said second port thereby establishing a telecommunications link between said initiating telecommunications device and said destination telecommunications device over one of said preference low cost call carrier and said least expensive low cost call carrier;said processor having an update timer and means, linked to said memory, for opening said telecommunications link with said remotely disposed computer based upon said update timer; and,said processor having means, linked to said memory, for revising said database information based upon update information downloaded from said remotely disposed computer regarding said plurality of telecommunications carriers; andwherein said input and output devices, said processor and said memory draw power from said telephone telecommunications line and said first and second ports each have a register memory which holds said converted DTMF signals in said register memory prior to said processor drawing power from said telephone telecommunications line.