MULTI-RING TELEPHONE METHOD AND SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and
system for providing telephone service.
Telephones and telephone usage are
proliferating in today's society. People have more than
one telephone number in their home, a telephone number at
the office, in their boat, in their car, cellular phones
in their pocket, voice mail systems, answering systems
and beepers, all to ensure that they can be reached.
If a caller desires to find someone at any one
of a number of possible locations at which that person
might be found, this poses a problem. The current
telephone switch network does not provide any organized
way of carrying out this goal. While it is possible to
subscribe to a call forwarding service, it is a nuisance
to constantly call in to change the forwarding number if
one is moving from number to number. Moreover, if one
forgets to change the forwarding number or to enable the
call forwarding system, a call and perhaps an opportunity
will be lost.
It is, of course, possible to provide a caller
with all of the different telephone numbers at which the
called party might be located, however, the caller must
then serially call each of the numbers until reaching the
desired party. Aside from being tiresome to the caller, the average caller would probably try only a few of the places before giving up. Additionally, if the called
party has a telephone voice mail system or an answering
machine installed at one of the numbers, after a caller
leaves one message, it is unlikely that the caller will call the other numbers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to
eliminate the disadvantages of the present telephone
system.
Another object of the present invention is to
provide a method and system for providing telephone
service wherein a plurality of telephone numbers are
simultaneously signalled to allow a calling party to find a called party at one of a plurality of numbers in an
organized manner and in as short a time as possible.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a system and a method which automatically,
adaptively and dynamically seeks out a called party at a
plurality of different numbers.
Still another object of the present invention
is a method and system for providing a conference call
telephone service.
In accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention, a list of telephone numbers is
associated with a representative telephone number. A
call to the representative telephone number from a
calling telephone number is detected and a plurality of
telephone numbers on the list are simultaneously
signalled. Thereafter, the signalling at at least one of
the plurality of telephone numbers is terminated.
The representative telephone number can be
either a geographic or non-geographic number. Non-
geographic numbers include NOO-XXX-XXXX numbers (where N
is, for example, 5, 7, 8 or 9) and the like, whereas
geographic numbers would be those with conventional area codes such as 202-XXX-XXXX (which includes the
Washington, D.C. area) and the like.
The list associated with the representative
telephone number can be a list stored at the telephone
company switch office of a party to be called and
submitted by that party. Alternatively, a party to be a
caller can submit a list of numbers to a telephone
switching office for associating with a representative
number. This would be particularly useful in setting up
a conference call. Numbers can be added to the list at
any ti e.
In another embodiment of the present invention,
at least one of the numbers on the list can itself be a
representative number with its own list of associated
telephone numbers. In this way, a plurality of numbers
from a first list and a plurality of numbers from at
least one second list can be simultaneously signalled
upon the detection of a call to the first mentioned
representative telephone number. This would be
particularly useful in setting up periodic conference
calls where the called parties do not have fixed
locations. In this case, the caller sets up a main
representative number with its associated list of
intended called parties numbers, some of which may be
representative telephone numbers with their associated
lists. The caller simply calls the main representative
telephone number which signals at all of the telephone
numbers which at the time have been designated by each of
the called parties to be signalled.
The termination of the signalling at any of the
plurality of telephone numbers that are being signalled
can be effected by detecting an off-hook indication at a
number, or by the off-hook indication together with
verification that the party that is reached is the party
being called. For example, the called party could enter
a pin code on the telephone instrument to verify that the
right party has been called. Alternatively, voice
recognition could be used to verify that the person
answering the phone is the proper party.
Telephone numbers also can be deleted from the
list by a variety of means. For example, the person
submitting the list to the telephone company could delete
a number from the list at any time. Numbers could be
placed on the list and automatically be removed after a
period of time, for example, 24 hours, or 3 months.
Additionally, if a called party at a called number on the
list desires to have the number taken off, the called
party can remove the telephone number from the list by
entering a code. Telephone numbers also can be removed
as a result of non-use, e.g., after a period of a certain
number of months, or in response to a security failure,
e.g., the answering party fails to enter the proper pin
code after a number of tries, or if the number has been
disconnected or changed.
Numbers on the list also can be made ineligible for being called based upon transitory characteristics or parameters. For example, one number on the list may be
called only during daytime hours or during evening hours.
Another number on the list, for example, may be called only during certain days of the week, e.g., either Monday through Friday or Saturday and Sunday only. Certain
numbers could be called only during particular months out of the year, e.g., the summer months if the telephone number is for a vacation home.
The system also can be configured to terminate
signalling at all of the plurality of telephone numbers in response to a valid off-hook indication at any one of
the numbers. Alternatively, the termination could occur
after two or more or all of the numbers had valid off- hook indications. This would be particularly useful in setting up a conference call.
In accordance with another aspect of the
present invention, certain of the numbers on the list can be included or excluded from the numbers that are to be signalled depending upon characteristics of the calling
number. Since the telephone switching office can
identify the calling number with Automatic Number
Identification (AND circuitry, it is possible to
determine the identity of the calling number before the signalling is commenced. Thus, each telephone number on
the list may have associated with it data in the form of
a table which includes calling numbers for which the
number on the list should or should not be signalled.
Thus, if a party's list consists of five numbers, the party additionally may designate, for example, that his
home number is to be signalled only for calls from a table of specified calling numbers and that his in-town
apartment's number is not to be signalled for calls from
another table of specified calling numbers.
In accordance with the present invention, when a caller dials a specific representative telephone
number, the picking up of the telephone (with
verification if required) at any of the simultaneously signalled numbers from the list establishes a connection among the caller and the other parties who have answered, but have not disconnected.
The list maker can change the list of numbers via a remote operation at any time, including adding or
deleting permanent or temporary numbers to the list, and
can add or change the expiration parameters of numbers. Alternatively, expiration parameters including ring/no
answer or detect a never answered telephone number can be used to remove numbers from the list.
As can be seen from the above, an adaptive teleconferencing operation can be carried out by
simultaneously signalling all of the telephone numbers to
be teleconferenced and then establishing a conference call among all of those who answer.
The called party can establish a preference
table which prevents specific parties from reaching the called party at certain places by using the automatic number identification system to determine the number of
the calling party. The calling party's number is
compared against a table in storage which can include or exclude certain calling numbers from access to signalling
certain numbers on the list. This system also allows
selecting callers who get special treatment either by ANI
or by entry of a pin number or subscription number or the
like.
The present invention allows instant
subscription to a service of this type by calling a
geographic number or a non-geographic number, such as an
800 number, from a single line telephone, setting
configuration options and a list of telephone numbers.
Thereafter, the switching system is configured to
simultaneously signal all of the numbers on the list.
These and other objects and advantages of the
present invention will be described in more detail with
respect to the following description with reference to
the attached drawings, wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a telephone system
according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of each switching
office of Fig. 1;
Fig. 2A is a schematic diagram of an
alternative embodiment of Fig. 2;
Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the memory of
Fig. 2;
Figs. 4-5 are flow charts of method steps
according to the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a schematic of the relay net of Fig. 1; and
Fig. 7A-7D are schematic diagrams of
alternative embodiments of telephone systems according to
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to Fig. 1, a calling party places a
call with an instrument at a calling telephone number 11
to a representative telephone number, which, for the
purposes of this description, is received at an
originating switch office 12. The representative
telephone number can be a geographic or non-geographic
telephone number. The representative telephone number
can be an instrument specific telephone number, or a
virtual telephone number (i.e., one not associated with a
specific telephone instrument) . In the example, the
representative telephone number is identified at the
originating switch office 12 as one associated with
destination switch offices 14, 15. In the general case,
the representative telephone number can be identified as
associated with one or more destination offices, one of
which could be the originating office itself. In the
exemplary embodiment, the representative number is 800-
555-1111, and it contains two numbers on its list, 800-
555-1234 serviced by destination switch office 14, and
202-555-6789 serviced by destination switch office 15.
In the example, the calling party is trying to make a
conference call at 10 AM, Tuesday, September 19, 1995 to
two parties, one of whom is on his customary extended
summer/fall vacation. The call from calling telephone
number 11 is routed through a subscriber line interface
card in the originating switch office 12, which sends
information including the caller identification through
the relay net 13 to the destination switch offices 14 and
15. Thus, in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention, rather than signalling the
representative number itself, a call to the
representative number 800-555-1111 results in a plurality
of numbers being signalled simultaneously, namely
telephone number 26 (202-555-6789) and the representative
number for numbers 20-25 (800-555-1234) , both of which
are on the list associated with 800-555-1111, which, in the exemplary embodiment, is stored at a tandem switching
office within relay net 13.
Normally, the destination switch offices 14 and
15 would route the incoming call directly to a
destination telephone number by physically connecting an
incoming line to an appropriate outgoing line. However,
according to the present invention, in the case of
destination switch office 14, the called number is itself
a representative number associated with a list of
telephone numbers including home telephone number 20,
vacation home telephone number 21, in-laws' home
telephone number 22, boat telephone number 23, cellular
telephone number 24, and voice mail telephone number 25.
This list could have been prepared by the party involved, for example, before leaving on extended vacation in July.
Thus, rather than signalling only one number
corresponding to the representative telephone number 800-
555-1234, a plurality of the numbers 20-25 are signalled
simultaneously in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 2 shows the circuitry for each switch
office in more detail. As shown therein, the incoming
call is received at input port M, which is the next
available input port at the switching office and is
applied to telephone switch 144. Telephone switch 144 is
also connected to a calling number identification circuit
140, which is able to determine the ANI of the incoming
call. A called number detection circuit 141 is also
available for determining the identity of the number
being called. In the case of switch office 12, the
number being called is the representative telephone
number 800-555-1111. In the case of switch office 14,
the number being called is the representative number 800-
555-1234. In the case of switch office 15, the number
being called is 202-555-6789.
Also receiving information from the telephone
switch 144 is the microprocessor 142 with its associated
memory 143. The microprocessor receives the called
telephone number from the called number detection circuit
141 and looks in memory 143 to see if there is a list of
numbers associated therewith. In the case of the
originating switch office 12, the list would include two
numbers which will connect via relay net 13 to
destination switch offices 14 and 15. In the case of
destination switch office 15, there is no list associated
with the number and only office telephone number 26 is
signalled. In the case of destination switch office 14,
as shown in Fig. 3, there are six telephone numbers on a
list associated with the representative telephone number.
The microprocessor then configures the telephone switch
to simultaneously signal at a plurality of the numbers on
the list via output ports Nl-Nn via subscriber line
interface cards Sl-Sn. All of the switch offices 12, 14
and 15, as well as those within relay net 13, could have
similar circuitry for signalling a plurality of telephone
numbers. In the case of originating switch office 12,
the output ports would be used for signalling the
telephone number 800-555-1111 at a tandem switching
office within relay net 13. In the case of that tandem
switching office, the output ports would be used for
signalling the telephone numbers 800-555-1234 and 202-
555-6789. In the case of destination switch office 14,
the output ports would be used for signalling the
telephone numbers 20-25. In the case of destination
switch office 15, the output ports would be used for
signalling the telephone number 202-555-6789.
Memory 143 also has other stored information
relating to the list of associated telephone numbers. In
the example, the information for the representative
telephone number 800-555-1234, which is stored at
destination switch office 14, is set forth in the first
column of Fig. 3, and includes the signalling termination
requirements and the signalling parameters for each
number on the list. For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the
home telephone number would only be signalled only from
6:00 p.m. through 12:00 a.m. seven days a week, the
vacation home number would be signalled only from 9:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, the in-laws'
home telephone number would be signalled only from 6:00
p.m. through 10:00 p.m. during the summer month of
August, the boat telephone number would be signalled only
on Saturday and Sunday, the cellular telephone would be
signalled at all times and the voice mail telephone
number would be signalled only during a particular
fourteen day period.
Thus, if 800-555-1234, the representative
telephone number on the list of 800-555-1111, is called
on Tuesday, September 19, 1995 at 10:00 AM, there will be
simultaneous ringing at the vacation home telephone
number 21 and the cellular telephone number 24. If, on
the other hand, the call is made Saturday, August 19,
1995 at 9:00 p.m., signalling will occur at the home
telephone number 20, the in-laws' home telephone number
22, the boat telephone number 23, and the cellular telephone number 24.
The microprocessor also makes use of the ANI
from the calling number identification circuit 140. The
memory 143 stores ANI signalling parameters associated
with each number in the list. Telephone number 22 has a
table B of telephone numbers which would be excluded from
signalling it. Thus, if the ANI identification of the
calling number matches a number on table B, the in-laws'
home telephone number would not be signalled, even if the
time parameters would allow it to be signalled.
Similarly, telephone number 23 has a table C of
permitted callers associated with it . The microprocessor
compares the ANI of the calling number with table C of
permitted callers, and, unless there is a match, the boat
telephone number would not be signalled, even if the time
parameters would allow it to be signalled.
The cellular telephone number 24 has no
exclusions and thus it can be reached by any calling
party.
It also should be noted that the in-laws' home
telephone number and the voice mail telephone number have
delay parameters associated with them. Thus, after a
predetermined time period of signalling, the
microprocessor will thereafter signal additionally the
in-laws' home telephone number 22 and the voice mail
telephone number 25, provided, of course, that the other
signalling parameters are satisfied.
The switching office circuitry also includes a
verification circuit 145. The verification circuit is
used in order to verify that the party that is reached is
the party being called. Memory 143 contains verification
parameters to verify that the person answering the
telephone is the proper party. Verification circuit 145
compares the code or data in memory 143 with the code or
data received from the answering party to perform
verification.
The verification code can be a PIN code which
the answering party must key in in order to obtain
verification, it can be voice data which would then be
compared to a pre-recorded sample of the voice of the
answering party for a match and thus verification, or it
could be the name of a person which the verification
circuit would compare to a name keyed-in or said by an
answering party.
The switching station further comprises an off-
hook detector 146 which detects an off-hook signalling
indication from one or more of the numbers being
signalled.
Although a plurality of telephone numbers are
signalled simultaneously, the manner in which the
signalling is terminated is dependent upon the type of
telephone service desired.
In the instance where the information set forth
in memory 143 is entered by a party to ensure that that
party be reached by a caller when the called party is at
one of various locations, memory 143 will preferably have
an instruction from the party making the list that the
signalling terminate at all of the plurality of telephone
numbers, upon the off-hook indication, with or without
verification, as determined by the verification
parameters, at any one of the plurality of telephone
numbers. This is indicated in the termination parameter
of the representative number, shown in Fig. 3 as "1 OFF-
HOOK" .
Alternatively, the called party may desire that
more than one person be involved in a telephone
conversation with a calling party, for example, for a
particular calling party such as a child away at school .
In this case, the called party may desire that the caller
talk to both the child's father and mother on the same
call. In that instance, the memory 143 would have
instructions to terminate signalling after an off-hook
indication at two of the plurality of telephone numbers,
again, with or without verification, as determined by the
verification parameters. This would appear as "2 OFF-
HOOK" .
In another embodiment of the present invention,
the list is supplied by a party desiring to set up a
conference call, for example, a conference call among
various business associates. In that instance, the
representative telephone number has a plurality of
different numbers on the list and, upon the calling of
the representative number, a plurality of the numbers on
the list are simultaneously signalled. Because the
caller desires to speak to all of the persons on the
list, signalling will not terminate until there is an
off-hook indication at all of the plurality of telephone
numbers. Because there is a possibility that one of the
persons will not be available, the signalling could
terminate after a suitable number of rings.
Alternatively, one or more of the called numbers on the list may itself be a representative
telephone number with an associated list of telephone
numbers which would be called simultaneously and for
which signalling among those numbers would terminate
after an off-hook indication at one of the plurality of
those telephone numbers. Signalling among the numbers on
the first list, however, would not terminate until the
requirements applicable to the first list are met.
Other alternative embodiments are possible in
accordance with the present invention. Thus, for
example, the signalling can be terminated when there is
an off-hook indication at a majority of the plurality of
telephone numbers, for example, three out of five. This
might be useful for a telephonic Board of Directors
meeting.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment of
the present invention, a number of default templates can be available to a party storing a list at a switch
office. For example, if a party anticipating being
called, or a party attempting to reach a single party,
provides the list, a "one-party default" template could
include 1 OFF-HOOK or 10 rings for terminating
signalling, no verification, all numbers signal
simultaneously with no delay, and all numbers are
permanent. Similarly, if a party planning a conference
call provides the list, a "multiple-party default"
template could include all OFF-HOOK or 15 rings, no
verification, all numbers signal simultaneously with no
delay, and all numbers are permanent. By the use of
default templates, the time for setting up a list is
greatly reduced.
An alternative embodiment of the present
invention is shown in Fig. 2A.
In this embodiment, fan out hardware in
accordance with the present invention can be an add-on 17
to an existing switch 16. After switch 16 receives an
incoming call at 161, add-on hardware 17 takes an
outgoing signal 162 from switch 16 and, if the signal is
to a representative number, breaks it into multiple
signals 171a-e and feeds those signals back into the
switch 16 as incoming signals which will be redirected as
outgoing signals 163a-e. Some of the outgoing signals
could be again multiplied and sent back to the switch 16.
The add-on hardware 17 includes those elements
140-146 which are not found in conventional switch
offices.
A more detailed description of the method of
using the apparatus shown in Figs. 1-3 is now described
in more detail with reference to the following flow
charts.
The method of the present invention is
described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5 which, for the
sake of clarity, illustrate the steps carried out in
switch office 14. However, the method steps are equally
applicable to all of the switching offices.
Referring now to Fig. 4, as applied to
destination office 14, in step 300, the calling number
identification circuit 140 and called number detection
circuit 141 determine from the information received over
the telephone network the identification of the telephone
number from which a call is being made and the number to
which a call is to be placed.
The identified numbers from circuits 140 and 141 are received by microprocessor 142 which accesses
memory 143 in step 301 to see if there is a list of
telephone numbers associated with the called number in
step 302. In the example, the called number, 800-555-
1234 is a representative number that has an associated
list including telephone numbers 20-25. If it were not a
representative number, then the number would be signalled
in step 312.
In step 303, microprocessor 142 applies the
parameters to update the list and to determine which
numbers from the updated list should be signalled. In
step 303, when the current time and date are compared to
the deletion parameters, microprocessor 142, upon finding
a number which has expired, can remove the number from
the list automatically during that step. In the example,
assuming the call were made prior to August 31, 1995, the
deletion parameters would not require any updating of the
list. The time parameters and the ANI parameters would
then be reviewed, and based upon the information in
memory 143, the microprocessor 142 would determine which
numbers on the updated list are to be simultaneously
signalled. Assuming for the purposes of this example
that numbers 20, 22 and 24 meet all of the signalling
criteria, and further assuming that the signalling is not
terminated because the signalling termination
requirements are met, in step 304 numbers 20 and 24 would
be simultaneously signalled for five rings, after which
20 would cease to be signalled but 24 would continue to
be signalled for one ring, after which 22 would commence,
and 24 would continue, to be signalled, all in accordance
with the signalling delay parameters shown in Fig. 3.
In step 305, off-hook detector 146 looks for an
off-hook indication at any one of the signalled numbers.
Upon receiving an off-hook indication from home telephone
number 20 for example, the microprocessor looks to the
verification parameters in memory 143 to see if
verification is required in step 306. If not, the call
is connected in step 308. If it is required,
verification circuit 145 then seeks verification in step
307 by means of, e.g., the input of a PIN number on the
key pad of the answering instrument. If the PIN number
is incorrect, the system will not make a connection, but
will continue to simultaneously signal the remaining
numbers of the plurality. If the verification is
correct, there will be a connection to the number in step
308.
If verification is not received, the system
determines in step 313, in accordance with the deletion
parameters, if the number should be deleted from the
list. If it should be deleted, it is deleted in step
314. Whether or not the number is deleted, signalling
continues in step 304.
Depending upon the signalling termination
requirements, i.e., the number of connections that must
be made before signalling termination (which can range
from 1 to all of the plurality of simultaneously
signalled numbers) , the number of signals (or rings) that
must be made before signalling termination, and the
amount of time that must elapse, the signalling may or
may not be terminated at this time in step 309. For
example, if only a single connection is required to
terminate, then the signalling will be terminated in step
310 and the method ends. If on the other hand, two or
more connections must be made before termination, the
method returns to step 304 with the remaining numbers
signalled until another off-hook indication is received,
or the system times out in step 309.
The system also has the capability for either
the calling party or a called party (who has answered) to
manually terminate signalling at all of the other numbers
being signalled by entering a predetermined tone code,
such as "***". This code is recognized by detection
circuit 141 which applies a control signal to
microprocessor 142 which terminates signalling at the
other numbers.
It is also contemplated that the representative
number can be one that is a particular end user telephone
with the result that that particular telephone number
will be signalled simultaneously as one of the plurality
of numbers. Alternatively, the number can be a virtual
telephone number, that is, one which is not associated
with any telephone instrument, as is the case in the
example.
The manner in which the information stored in
memory 143 is entered and later updated is disclosed with
regard to Fig. 5. The calling number identification
circuit 140 detects a call configuration telephone number in step 400 and the verification circuit 145 receives a password keyed in by the caller in step 401. The
microprocessor, upon receiving a favorable comparison
indication from the verification circuit 145, presents a verbal menu of various options which are available in step 402. For example, a configuration message would
play to the user a message such as press the pound key
"#" to add a new number to the list, press the star key "*" to remove a number from the list, press "S" to change
signalling parameters for a number on the list, press "V"
to change verification parameters for a number on the
list, press "X" to change signalling termination parameters for the list and press "E" to end. Depending
upon the tone received from the caller, the
microprocessor selects one of the six menus in steps 410, 420, 430, 440 450 and 460.
If a new number is to be added to the list, the
caller is prompted to enter the new number in step 411
and the list is updated in step 414. When the caller is
finished in step 415, the caller returns to the menu step
402. Deletion information can also be included so that a
number can appear on the list, but be valid only until a
particular time, for example, August 31, 1995. This is
entered in steps 412 and 413.
If the caller chooses to remove a number in
step 420, the microprocessor will read through every stored number on the list in step 421 and the caller will
be prompted to hit the pound key to keep the number or
the star key to delete the number in steps 422 and 423.
If the number is to be kept, then the next number is read
out in sequence. If that number is to be not kept, it is
deleted in step 423. When the caller is finished in step
424, the caller returns to the menu step 402.
If the caller selects the change signalling parameters menu in step 430, the user will be prompted in
step 431 to enter time and date information relating to a
number. ANI and delay parameters can also be changed.
After the user is finished, the user is returned to menu
step 402.
When the caller selects the change verification
parameters menu step 440, the user will be prompted in
step 441 to enter a code for each number on the list and
to indicate whether it is a PIN code, a name code or a
voice code. The menu returns the user to 402.
When the caller selects change signalling
termination requirements at step 450, the caller is
prompted to enter the signalling termination
requirements, i.e., the number of off-hooks, the amount
of time and the number of rings which will terminate
signalling. The user is then returned to the main menu
402.
The user can exit at any time by selecting the
end option in step 460.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the calling party enters a list of
numbers corresponding to persons with whom a conference
call will be set up. At this time, the caller will also
indicate as part of the stored information relating to
the representative telephone number, the number of off-
hook indications that will be required before the
signalling is terminated. In the case of a conference
call, it is desired that all of the plurality of numbers
have an off-hook indication if possible. Thus when the
caller dials the representative number, the
microprocessor 142 effects the simultaneous signalling of
each of the plurality of numbers on the list so that they
are signalled simultaneously and does not terminate
signalling until each has an off-hook indication (or a
security failure) or there is a time out termination. As
was noted previously, each of the numbers that the caller
is calling for the conference call also can be a
representative number itself which simultaneously signals
an associated list of numbers determined by the called
party.
Numbers can also be removed from the list by
other than the person initially setting up the list. For
example, as was described above, the microprocessor 142
can remove a number from the list if its termination
parameter indicates that the number has expired.
Alternatively, the microprocessor can keep a record
stored in memory for each number of how long a period has
elapsed since an off-hook indication was received at a
particular number. After a suitable waiting time, for
example, six months or a year, the number can be
automatically removed from the list by the
microprocessor.
In another situation, a person answering a call
can be prompted during the verification process to
request that the number be removed from the list. The
answering party can then enter the proper keying
information which will be understood by the
microprocessor to indicate that a number should be
removed from the list .
As used herein, the term "signalling" refers to
an indication of a call being sent, for example, ringing
a telephone. Between switching offices, signalling is
carried out without ringing.
Although various embodiments have been
described in detail above, those having ordinary skill in
the art will understand that modifications are possible
in the preferred embodiments without departing from the
teachings thereof.
While various configuration options have been
described herein, it should be understood that many other
configuration options can also be incorporated.
One option is what a calling party will hear
while the calls are being placed. At the option of the
provider, this may be a repeating message that the calls
are being placed, a synthetic ring tone or all of the
actual ring tones at the same time.
As people answer a call, a temporary conference
call is obtained among those answering parties who stay
on the line. Because there is a possibility that two or
more parties may want to speak during the time they are
waiting for others to answer, the volume of whatever is
heard (after the first party answers) will be
automatically lowered.
While the system described herein has a local
office simultaneously signalling to two destination
offices via the relay net, it should be understood that
this system is not limited to such an operation and that
the local office could also signal numbers that it
serviced directly.
With respect to the possible modifications, the
relay net 13 shown in Fig. 1 will now be discussed in
more detail .
In current telephone systems, there are two
classes of switches: tandems and end offices. Tandems
connect to other switches, i.e., other tandems and end
offices, and end offices connect to tandems and end users
(subscribers) . In a given call, there is an originating
end office and a terminating or destination end office,
although one physical end office may be both the
originating and terminating office for a particular call.
In the present configuration of the telephone system in
the United States, virtual telephone numbers are stored
at a tandem, while actual telephone numbers are stored at
an end office.
Referring to Fig. 6, the relay net 13 comprises
a plurality of tandems 130 connected to one another.
Each tandem is connected to one or more end offices 131,
which are connected to subscribers.
In Fig. 1, relay net 13 is shown connecting
switch offices 12, 14 and 15. In that embodiment, the
switch offices shown are all end offices, and fan outs
occur within relay net 13 and at end office 14. However,
other configurations are possible in accordance with the
present invention.
Figs. 7A-7D illustrate other configurations for
switches in accordance with the present invention. The
examples shown therein are not intended to be all
inclusive, rather they are shown by way of example.
Figs. 7A-7D show that the fanning out from a
single line to many lines can occur at any switch, i.e.,
at one or more tandems, at one or more end offices or at
one or more of both tandems and end offices.
Fig. 7A illustrates one configuration where the
fan out is at an originating end office. In that
configuration, the end office 131a is the originating end
office and it fans out to three tandems 130a-130c and
directly to a subscriber line 132a (so that in this case,
it is also a destination end office) . Tandems 130a and
130b use the remainder of the relay net 13' to reach
subscribers at destination end offices 131b and 131c.
Tandem 130c communicates directly with destination end
office 131d to reach a subscriber.
In the embodiment of Fig. 7B, all of the
fanning out is done at a tandem 13Od which is connected
to the calling party via originating end office 131e.
Tandem 13Od fans out two lines directly to destination
end office 131h to reach two subscribers and one line
directly to destination end office 131i to reach one
subscriber. Tandem 130d also fans out three lines to the
remainder of the relay net 13 ' which connects one line to
destination end office 131f and two lines to destination
end office 13lg to signal two subscribers.
In Fig. 7C, the fanning out occurs at the
destination end office 131k. In this embodiment, the
calling party is at an originating end office 13lj which
communicates via tandem 13Oe to the remainder of the
relay net 13 ' which then connects to destination end
office 131k, wherein the call is fanned out to four
lines, one of which is served by end office 1311.
Fig. 7D illustrates a combination of the
configurations of Figs. 7A-7C, wherein fanning out occurs
at the originating end office 131m, the tandem 130h and
destination end offices 131o and 131q. As shown, the end
office 131m fans out to three tandems 130f-h and directly
to a subscriber line 132b. Tandem 13Of connects to end
office 131n which also receives one connection from the
remainder of the relay net 13' . Tandem 130g connects to
the remainder of the relay net 13' and tandem 13Oh takes
in the single line and fans it out to eight numbers
including a direct connection to end office 13lo, four
connections to the remainder of the relay net 13 ' , two
lines to end office 131r and one line to end office 131s.
The remainder of the relay net 13 ' connects to end
offices 131n, 131o, 131p and 131q. End office 131o fans
out one incoming line to two lines, and end office 131q
fans out one incoming line to four lines.
It should be recognized that the fan outs can
cause routings at a switch office that start out for
different end offices to end up at the same end office,
and vice versa, as is shown in Fig. 7C.
It is understood that the embodiments described
hereinabove are merely illustrative and are not intended
to limit the scope of the invention. It is realized that
various changes, alterations, rearrangements and
modifications can be made by those skilled in the art
without substantially departing from the spirit and scope
of the present invention.