Abstract:
A communication system for providing caller identification services comprises a processing system configured to store a data structure having a plurality of codes associated with a plurality of caller numbers, and to translate one of the codes into one of the caller numbers using the data structure. The communication system further comprises a communication interface configured to receive a first call request for a call including the one code and transfer a second call request for the call including the one caller number.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not applicable 
   FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable 
   MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
   Not applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention is related to the field of telecommunications, and in particular to providing caller identification. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Telemarketing companies solicit business for their clients by placing large numbers of telephone calls to prospective customers. Generally, telemarketing firms are staffed with several telemarketing operators that have several telephone connections to a telephone network. These telephone connections are typically over Integrated Digital Services Network (ISDN) lines or Dedicated Access Lines (DALs). The telemarketing operators continually place telephone calls to prospective customers on behalf of their telemarketing clients. 
   Caller ID is a telephone service that provides a caller&#39;s telephone number to a called party during call set-up. The called party may view the caller&#39;s number when deciding whether to answer the call. The called party may also block calls from particular caller numbers. 
   Recently, government entities have required telemarketing firms to identify their clients when placing telemarketing calls. The telemarketing operators must now specify a caller number that is associated with the client who is responsible for the call. With multiple clients, there are now multiple caller numbers for the telemarketing operators to manage in order to specify the correct caller number on a per call basis. Although ISDN lines allow telemarketing operators to specify caller numbers on a per call basis, ISDN lines are also more expensive than DALs. Unfortunately, DALs do not currently allow the telemarketing operators to specify caller numbers on a per call basis. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention helps solve the above problems with caller identification in a communication system. Advantageously, the invention allows a caller to specify caller numbers on a per call basis. If desired, the invention may allow telemarketing firms to identify their clients when placing telemarketing calls over DALs. 
   Examples of the invention include methods of communication system operation, communication systems, and software products for communication systems. The software products include software that directs communication system operation and a storage system that stores the software. 
   Some examples of the invention include a communication system comprising a processing system configured to store a data structure having a plurality of codes associated with a plurality of caller numbers, and translate one of the codes into one of the caller numbers using the data structure. The communication system further comprises a communication interface configured to receive a first call request for a call including the one code and transfer a second call request for the call including the one caller number. 
   In some examples of the invention, the communication interface is configured to receive the first call request over a DAL. 
   In some examples of the invention, the first call request comprises the one code appended to a called number. 
   In some examples of the invention, the processing system comprises a service control point. 
   In some examples of the invention, the processing system comprises a call center remote processor. 
   In some examples of the invention, the first call request comprises a service control point query. 
   In some examples of the invention, the second call request comprises a service control point response. 
   In some examples of the invention, the first call request comprises a remote processor query. 
   In some examples of the invention, the second call request comprises a remote processor response. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The same reference number represents the same element on all drawings. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a communication system in an example of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates operation of the communication system in an example of the invention. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a telecommunication network in an example of the invention. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates operation of the telecommunication network in an example of the invention. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates operation of the telecommunication network in an example of the invention. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a computer system in an example of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIGS. 1–6  and the following description depict specific examples to teach those skilled in the art how to make and use the best mode of the invention. For the purpose of teaching inventive principles, some conventional aspects have been simplified or omitted. Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations from these examples that fall within the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the features described below can be combined in various ways to form multiple variations of the invention. As a result, the invention is not limited to the specific examples described below, but only by the claims and their equivalents. 
   Communication System Configuration and Operation— FIGS. 1–2   
     FIG. 1  illustrates communication system  110  in an example of the invention. Caller  100  is linked to communication system  110  by connection  101 . In turn, communication system  110  is linked to communication system  120  by connection  111 . Communication system  120  is linked to called party  130  by connection  121 . Connections  101 ,  111 ,  121  could be conventional. In some examples connection  101  is a Dedicated Access Line (DAL). Communication system  120  and called party  130  could be conventional. Called party  130  could also be a billing system. 
   Communication system  110  includes a data structure that associates codes with caller numbers. Communication system  110  could be the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and could include a switch, Service Control Point (SCP), and/or a Remote Processor (RP) that stores the data structure. Communication system  110  uses the data structure to translate individual codes into individual caller numbers. Caller  100  is capable of transferring call requests having these codes to communication system  110 . 
     FIG. 2  illustrates the operation of communication system  110  in an example of the invention. Caller  100  selects a code. Caller  100  sends a call request including the code to communication system  110 . Communication system  110  translates the code into a caller number. Communication system  110  then sends a call request including the caller number to communication system  120 . Communication system  120  sends the caller number to called party  130  during call setup. The call requests typically include a called number for called party  130 . 
   Telecommunication Network Configuration and Operation— FIGS. 3–5   
     FIG. 3  illustrates telecommunication network  310  in an example of the invention. Telecommunications network  310  comprises switch  314 , switch  316 , and SCP  312 . Telecommunications network  310  is connected to call center  300  and called party  320 . Call center  300  comprises caller system  302  and RP  303 . Caller system  302  is connected to switch  314  by connection  301  comprising a DAL. Switch  314  is connected to SCP  312  by connection  311 . SCP  312  is connected to RP  303  by connection  309 . Switch  314  is connected to switch  316  by connection  313  and connection  315 . Switch  316  is connected to called party  320  by connection  317 . In the following examples, a data structure is used to translate codes into caller numbers. The data structure associates codes with caller numbers. The data structure could be stored in SCP  312 , RP  303 , switch  314 , or in other telecommunication devices. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates operation of telecommunication network  310  in an example of the invention. In this example, the data structure is stored in SCP  312 . A caller selects a code in caller system  302 . Caller system  302  sends a call request for a call to switch  314 . The call request comprises a called number appended by the code. Switch  314  receives the call request. In response to the call request, switch  314  sends an SCP query to SCP  312  including the code and the called number. SCP  312  receives the SCP query. In response to the SCP query, SCP  312  uses the data structure to translate the code into caller number. SCP  312  sends an SCP response having the caller number and called number to switch  314 —and in some cases SCP  312  may also translate the called number. Switch  314  processes the SCP response to send a call request including the caller number and called number to switch  316 . Switch  316  processes the call request to extend the call to the called party  320 , including transferring the caller number to called party  320 . If the called party answers the phone, telecommunications network  310  provides call connections between caller system  302  and called party  320  through switches  314  and  316  over connections  301 ,  315 , and  317 . 
     FIG. 5  also illustrates operation of telecommunications network  310  in an example of the invention. In this example, RP  303  stores the data structure. A caller selects a code in caller system  302 . Caller system  302  sends a call request to switch  314 . The call request comprises a called number appended by the code. Switch  314  receives the call request. In response to the call request, switch  314  sends an SCP query to SCP  312  including the code and called number. In response to the SCP query, SCP  312  sends an RP query to RP  303  including the code and called number. RP  303  receives the RP query. In response to the RP query, RP  303  uses the data structure to translate the code into a caller number. RP  303  sends an RP response having the caller number to SCP  312 —and in some cases RP  303  may also translate the called number. SCP  312  sends an SCP response having the caller number and called number to switch  314 . Switch  314  processes the SCP response and sends a call request including the caller number and called number to switch  316 . Switch  316  receives the call request. Switch  316  then sends the caller number to the called party. 
   In another example of the invention, switch  214  stores the data structure. A caller selects a code in caller system  302 . Caller system  302  sends a call request to switch  314 . The call request comprises a called number appended by the code. Switch  314  receives the call request. In response to the call request, switch  314  uses the data structure to translate the code into a caller number. Switch  314  typically processes the called number to extend the call to switch  316 . Switch  314  sends a call request including the caller number and called number to switch  316 . Switch  316  receives the call request, and in response sends the caller number to called party  320 . 
   Computer System Configuration and Operation— FIG. 6   
     FIG. 6  illustrates computer system  600  that could be used to implement aspects of the invention. In particular, computer system  600  could be used in SCP  312 , RP  303 , switch  314 , or an in another communication device. Computer system  600  includes communication interface  630 , user interface  650 , processing system  610 , and storage system  620 . Storage system  620  stores software  640 . Processing system  610  is linked to communication interface  630 , and user interface  650 . Computer system  600  could be comprised of programmed general-purpose computers, although those skilled in the art will appreciate that programmable or special purpose circuitry and equipment may be used. Computer system  600  may use a client server architecture where operations are distributed among a server system and client devices that together comprise elements  610 – 650 . 
   Communication interface  630  could comprise a network interface card, modem, port, or some other communication device. Communication interface  630  may be distributed among multiple communication devices. Processing system  610  could comprise a computer microprocessor, logic circuit, or some other processing device. Processing system  610  may be distributed among multiple processing devices. User interface  650  could comprise a keyboard, mouse, voice recognition interface, microphone and speakers, graphical display, touch screen, or some other type of user device. Storage system  620  could comprise a disk, tape, integrated circuit, server, or some other memory device. Storage system  620  may be distributed among multiple memory devices. 
   Processing system  610  retrieves and executes software  640  from storage system  620 . Software  640  may comprise an operating system, utilities, drivers, networking software, and other software typically loaded onto a general-purpose computer. Software  640  could also comprise an application program, firmware, or some other form of machine-readable processing instructions. When executed by the processing system  610 , software  640  directs the processing system  610  to operate as described for communications system  110  or telecommunications network  210 . 
   Telemarketing Example of the Invention 
   In an example of the invention, a telemarketing operator places calls to called parties on behalf of multiple clients from a telemarketing call center. The operator selects a code that represents the client for that call. The operator places the call by transferring the code and called number over a DAL to a communication system. The code forms a 4 digit prefix to a 10 digit called number. The call is processed by a communication system that translates the 4 digit code into a 10 digit caller number for the client. The communication system sends the 10 digit caller number to the called party.