Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7450706?dq=6,064,942
Timestamp: 2017-12-17 02:52:48
Document Index: 103328431

Matched Legal Cases: ['arty 32', 'arty 32', 'arty 52', 'arty 32', 'arty 52', 'arty 32', 'arty 52', 'arty 32', 'arty 52', 'arty 52', 'arty 32', 'arty 32', 'arty 32', 'arty 32', 'arty 52', 'arty 52', 'arty 52', 'arty 32', 'arty 52', 'arty 32', 'arty 52', 'arty 32', 'arty 52', 'arty 32', 'arty 32', 'arty 52', 'arty 52']

Patent US7450706 - Method and system for providing location information associated with a ... - Google Patents
Systems and methods for providing location information associated with a calling party are disclosed. Generally, a query is received from a network element. A location associated with a calling party is identified in response to receipt of the query, and an indication of the location is transmitted for...http://www.google.com/patents/US7450706?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7450706 - Method and system for providing location information associated with a calling party
Publication number US7450706 B2
Application number US 11/803,194
Also published as US5982867, US6233329, US6480592, US6671362, US7006615, US7233654, US8045690, US20010017916, US20030072427, US20040146151, US20060171522, US20070217587, US20090110166
Publication number 11803194, 803194, US 7450706 B2, US 7450706B2, US-B2-7450706, US7450706 B2, US7450706B2
Inventors Ron Urban, Jim Kovarik, Nancy Book
Original Assignee At&T Knowledge Ventures L.P
Patent Citations (25), Referenced by (6), Classifications (33), Legal Events (6)
Method and system for providing location information associated with a calling party
US 7450706 B2
Systems and methods for providing location information associated with a calling party are disclosed. Generally, a query is received from a network element. A location associated with a calling party is identified in response to receipt of the query, and an indication of the location is transmitted for delivery to a called party.
a processor operable to identify a location associated with a calling party in response to a received query from a network element and further operable to transmit an indication of the location for delivery to a called party;
wherein the processor is operable to identify the location associated with the calling party when the calling party's name is not contained in the database.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the network element is disposed in a public switched telephone network.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the location comprises a city.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the location comprises a state.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the location comprises a city and a state.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the network element is a service switching point.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the network element is a service control point.
receiving a query from a network element;
identifying a location associated with a calling party in response to receipt of the query;
determined a name of the calling party is unavailable; and
transmitting an indication of the location for delivery to a called party.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the network element is disposed in a public switched telephone network.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the location comprises a city.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the location comprises a state.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein the location associated with the calling party is identified in response to determining the name of the calling party is unavailable.
transmitting the indication of the location to the network element.
14. A computer-readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions, the set of instructions to direct a processor to perform acts of:
determining a name of the calling party is unavailable; and
15. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the network element is disposed in a public switched telephone network.
16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the location associated with the calling party is identified in response to determining the name of the calling party is unavailable.
17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, further comprising a set of instructions to direct a processor to perform acts of:
determining a name of a calling party is unavailable;
identifying a location associated with the calling party in response to determining the name of the calling party is unavailable; and
19. A computer-readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions, the set of instructions to direct a processor to perform acts of:
The present patent document is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/303,438, filed Dec. 16, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,233,654, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/702,061 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,006,615), filed Nov. 5, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/246,783 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,671,362), filed Sep. 18, 2002, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/777,147 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,480,592), filed Feb. 5, 2001, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/394,553 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,233,329), filed Sep. 10, 1999, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/756,598 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,982,867), filed Nov. 27, 1996, the entirety of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
One example of a terminating service is “caller identification.” Caller identification provides the called party with the name and telephone number of the calling party Caller identification is typically provided to a subscriber by its local central office. In particular, each central office ordinarily has access to a local database containing telephone numbers and the corresponding names of people within its local area. Prior to terminating a call to the called party, the central office searches its database for the telephone number of the calling party. If the telephone number is found within the database, the name corresponding to that number will be accessed and delivered to the called party by the central office.
The present embodiment of the invention address the problem of providing no information about the calling party when the called party's local database does not contain information about the calling party. When the called party's local database does not contain the calling party information alternative information regarding the calling party may be provided. In one embodiment, for example, the name of the state of the calling party is provided when the name of the calling party is unavailable. In another embodiment, the names of both the city and state of the calling party is provided when the name of the calling party is unavailable
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an advanced intelligent network telephone system.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a telephone network system.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the method of the present invention utilized in the telephone network of FIG. 3.
For example, SSPs 28, 30, 48, 50 and tandem switches 26, 46 typically transfer voice and data traffic 70. SSPs 28, 30, 48, 50 also communicate with STPs 24, 44 to transfer network signaling protocols 60, such as those defined by Signaling System 7, which is well known in the art, to control the network switching of voice and data traffic.
Preferably, subscribers 34, 54 gain access to the network through the SSPs 28, 30, 48, 50. A SSP is similar to a local telephone central office equipped with a voice switch such as an AT&T #5 ESS or a Nortel DMS-100, well known to those skilled in the art. Central offices equipped with software implementing advanced intelligent network (AIN) features are designated as SSPs. AIN software enables a SSP to trigger a general query to be sent to an SCP. In response to a general query, the SCP determines what type of response is required.
Referring again to FIG. 1, the process of identifying the name of a calling party 32 in the preferred embodiment begins when the calling party 32 lifts the telephone receiver and sends the number of the called party 52 to the SSP 28. The SSP 28 of calling party 32 sends a network signaling protocol 60 to STP 24 which routes the network signaling protocol signal 60 to the SSP 50 of the called party 52. The network signaling protocol 60 alerts the called party's SSP 50 that calling party 32 is attempting to terminate a call to the called party 52.
In the AIN of the present embodiment, central databases 23, 43 at SCPs 22, 42 store information identifying the types of terminating services available to each subscriber 34, 54. This information determines how SCPs 23, 43 will handle queries sent from the called party's SSP 50.
When the called party's SSP 50 attempts to terminate the call, SSP 50 triggers a query to its SCP 42 via STP 44. In particular, SSP 50 sends the triggered query over the signaling network via STP 44 to SCP 42 as it would send a network signaling protocol 60. The triggered query preferably contains the 10 digit telephone number of calling party 32. Preferably, SSP 50 has software with an associated computer processor and memory which recognizes the network signaling protocol identifying an incoming call attempt. In response, SSP 50 software formulates the trigger query and transmits it to STP 44 as it would a network signal protocol message.
The triggered query requests SCP database 43 to identify the terminating services available to the called party 52. For example, SCP database 43 may contain information identifying the terminating services available for each telephone number in the form of a database or lookup table in a memory storage device such as random access memory, or a magnetic or optical disk drive, known to those skilled in the art. Of course, a combination of different memory storage devices or other types of devices may be used. The memory storage device preferably stores the service information in a data record such as an array, lookup or pointer table or other data structure known to those skilled in the art. Upon receiving the triggered query, SCP 42 preferably indexes the called party's number into SCP database 43 to obtain the information regarding the services available to the called party 52. If caller identification is available in the SCP database 43, SCP 42 will attempt to determine the name of the calling party 32. In the preferred embodiment, the trigger query contains the calling party's 10 digit telephone number.
Referring now to FIG. 2, SCP 42 (FIG. 1) determines 72 whether the calling party's telephone number has been received. If the telephone number has been received, SCP 42 determines 74 whether the calling party 32 has placed any restrictions on the disclosure of his name by requesting that it not be disclosed. If there are no restrictions, SCP 42 performs 76 an initial analysis of the calling party's ten digit telephone number. Preferably, SCP 42 analyzes the first six digits of the telephone number to determine whether the calling party name is within SCP database 43. The first six digits of a ten digit telephone number are typically referred to as a NPANXX combination. For example, a NPANXX contains an area code and prefix such as 312-321. Alternatively, SCP 42 may analyze the first three digits of the calling party telephone to determine whether a calling party 32 is within database 43.
Preferably, SCP 42 analyzes the NPANXX by searching database 43 containing all of the combinations of the NPANXX of all the phone numbers available within the database. If the NPANXX of the calling party's telephone number is found within the database, then the calling party name is available and can be determined by matching the last 4 digits of the calling party number.
However, if the combination of the first six digits of the calling party's telephone number is identified 78 as not being listed within the database, then the name of the calling party is not available. For example, if the name of the calling party cannot be determined, the calling party 32 and called party 52 are typically from different calling regions serviced by different SCPs which do not share name and telephone number information. Rather than providing no information regarding the calling party, the present invention attempts to provide alternate types of information about the calling party.
One alternate type of calling party information which may be provided in lieu of the calling party name is the name of geographical area from which the calling party originated the call. For example, the name of the state (e.g., Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, etc.) or the city (e.g, Chicago, Atlanta, New York, etc.) in which the calling party originated the call may be provided in place of the caller name.
To identify the names of the city and state, the called party's SCP 42 sends a query to database 43 requesting the names of the city and state that is associated with the NPANXX of the calling party's telephone number. SCP 42 searches 80 database 43 to find the combination of the first six digits of the calling party's telephone number and the city and state names associated with the combination. If the combination of the first six digits is found, then the corresponding city and state names are retrieved 82 by SCP 42. SCP 42 checks 84 to ensure that both the city and state names were returned by analyzing the returned names to see if they are blank. If city and state names are not blank they are delivered 86 to the called party 52.
However, if the combination of the first six digits of the calling party's telephone number is not found within the database, SCP 42 searches 88 for the first three digits of the number. These digits are commonly referred to as the area code and are designated by NPA. If the combination of three digits is found then the corresponding state name is retrieved 90 by SCP 42. SCP 42 checks 92 to ensure that a state name was returned by determining whether the returned state name is blank. If the returned state name is not blank then it is delivered 94 to the called party 52.
Referring to FIG. 3, in an alternate embodiment, end offices 29, 31, 49, 51 equipped with standard switching equipment provide subscribers with access to the telephone network 10. End offices 29, 31, 49, 51 provide for the transmission and receipt of voice and data communication 70 between tandem switches 26, 46 and other end offices. End offices 29, 31, 49, 51 also provide for network signaling communication 60 with STPs 24, 44.
In this embodiment, the process of identifying the name of a calling party in the alternate preferred embodiment begins when the calling party 32 lifts a receiver and sends the number of the called party 52 to the end office 29, 31, 49, 51. The calling party's end office 31 sends a network signaling protocol 60 to the STP 24 which routes the network signaling protocol signal 60 to the called party's end office 51. The network signaling protocol 60 alerts the called party's end office 51 that calling party 32 is attempting to terminate a call to called party 52 of end office 51.
When the called party's end office 51 attempts to terminate the call, end office 51 sends a specific query to its SCP 42 via STP 44. In comparison to an AIN triggered query, the specific query request instructs the SCP 42 to perform specific tasks. The specific query request preferably contains the 10 digit telephone number of calling party 32. End office 51 sends the specific query over the signaling network via STP 44 to SCP 42 as it would send a network signaling protocol 60. Preferably, end offices 29, 31, 49, 51 have software with an associated computer processor and memory which recognizes the network signaling protocol identifying an incoming call attempt.
The specific query requests a SCP database 43 to respond with the calling party's name. For example, SCP database 43 may contain information identifying the names available for each telephone number in the form of a database or lookup table in a memory storage device such as random access memory, or a magnetic or optical disk drive, known to those skilled in the art. Of course, a combination of different memory storage devices or other types of devices may be used. The memory storage device preferably stores the service information in a data record such as an array, lookup or pointer table or other data structure known to those skilled in the art.
Upon receiving the query, SCP 42 preferably indexes the calling party's telephone number into SCP database 43 to obtain the information regarding the names available to the called party 52. If caller identification is assigned to the customer as translated in end office 51, SCP 42 will attempt to determine the name of the calling party 32. In the preferred embodiment, the query contains the calling party's 10 digit telephone number.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, end office 51 determines 73 whether the calling party's telephone number has been received. If the number has been received, end office 51 determines 75 whether the calling party 32 has placed restrictions on the disclosure of his name by requesting that it not be disclosed. If there are no restrictions STP 44 may perform 77 an initial analysis of the calling party's ten digit telephone number. The first six digits of a ten digit telephone number are typically referred to as a NPANXX combination For example, a NPANXX contains an area code and prefix such as 312-321. Alternatively, SCP 42 may analyze the first three digits of the calling party number to determine whether a calling party is within the database 43.
Preferably, SCP 42 analyzes the NPANXX by indexing the database 43 containing all of the combinations of the NPANXX of all the telephone numbers available within the database. If NPANXX of the calling party's telephone number is found within the database, then the calling party name is available.
However, if the combination of the first six digits of the calling party's telephone number is identified 79 as not being listed within database 43 the calling party name is not available. For example, if the name of the calling party cannot be determined, the calling and called party are typically from different calling regions serviced by different SCPs which do not share name and number information. Rather than providing no information regarding the calling party, the present invention attempts to provide alternate types of information about the calling party.
One alternate type of calling party information which may be provided in lieu of the calling party name is the name of geographical areas from which the calling party originated the call. For example, the name of the state (e.g., Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, etc.) or the city in which the calling party originated the call may be provided in place of the caller name.
To identify the names of the city and state, the called party STP 44 sends a query to database 43 requesting the names of the city and state that are associated with the NPANXX of the calling party's telephone number. SCP 42 performs 81 a database index to find the combination of the first six digits of the calling party's telephone number and the city and state names associated with such combination. If the combination of the first six digits is found, then corresponding city and state names are retrieved 83 by SCP 42. SCP 42 checks to ensure that both the city and state names were returned by analyzing 85 the returned names to see if they are blank. If city and state names are not blank, they are delivered 87 to the called party 52.
However, if the combination of the first six digits of the calling party's telephone number is not found within database 43, SCP 42 indexes 89 for the first three digits of the number. These digits are commonly referred to as the area code and are designated by NPA. If the combination of three digits is found, then the corresponding state name is retrieved 91 by SCP 42. SCP 42 checks 93 to ensure that a state name was returned by determining whether the returned state name is blank. If the returned state name is not blank, then it is delivered 95 to the called party 52.
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US7233654 * Dec 16, 2005 Jun 19, 2007 Sbc Properties, L.P. Method and system for providing the name of the state of a calling party
US8045690 * Oct 14, 2008 Oct 25, 2011 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Method and system for providing location information associated with a calling party
US9111271 * Sep 4, 2014 Aug 18, 2015 Unwired Planet, Llc System and method for controlling financial transactions over a wireless network
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U.S. Classification 379/207.12, 379/142.1, 379/221.08, 379/142.06
International Classification H04Q3/72, H04Q3/00, H04M3/42, H04M7/00, H04M15/06, H04M1/57
Cooperative Classification H04M2242/22, H04Q2213/13103, H04M3/42042, H04M3/42, H04Q2213/13097, H04Q2213/13091, H04M3/42348, H04M3/42059, H04Q2213/13141, H04Q2213/13345, H04Q2213/13204, H04Q3/72, H04M2207/12, H04Q3/0029, H04M1/575, H04M2242/30, H04M3/02
European Classification H04Q3/00D3, H04M3/42, H04Q3/72, H04M1/57P, H04M3/02, H04M3/42C1N
Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:SBC PROPERTIES, L.P.;REEL/FRAME:020139/0164