WO2001035627A1 - Systeme d'apprentissage-machine d'un numero de telephone recepteur - Google Patents

Systeme d'apprentissage-machine d'un numero de telephone recepteur Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001035627A1
WO2001035627A1 PCT/US2000/031030 US0031030W WO0135627A1 WO 2001035627 A1 WO2001035627 A1 WO 2001035627A1 US 0031030 W US0031030 W US 0031030W WO 0135627 A1 WO0135627 A1 WO 0135627A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bytes
destination
transmission
carrier
destination identifier
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/031030
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Sanshiro Fukada
Thiam C. Gan
Original Assignee
Open Lcr Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP35785599A external-priority patent/JP2001144846A/ja
Application filed by Open Lcr Corporation filed Critical Open Lcr Corporation
Priority to AU14850/01A priority Critical patent/AU1485001A/en
Priority to CA002391168A priority patent/CA2391168A1/fr
Publication of WO2001035627A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001035627A1/fr

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Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/80Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
    • H04M15/8044Least cost routing
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/80Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/01Details of billing arrangements
    • H04M2215/0152General billing plans, rate plans, e.g. charge rates, numbering plans, rate centers, customer accounts
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/42Least cost routing, i.e. provision for selecting the lowest cost tariff
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/74Rating aspects, e.g. rating parameters or tariff determination apects
    • H04M2215/745Least cost routing, e.g. Automatic or manual, call by call or by preselection

Definitions

  • this invention applies to devices and methods to match destination identification information to services offered by a plurality of transmission carriers.
  • computer implemented methods to capture, and assign attributes to destination identifiers in a computer memory of limited capacity within a communication device, such communication device being programmable with updated destination identifier-transmission carrier match information.
  • the size of a table to store all the destination identification information that may be used to connect two communication devices over a transmission medium can become very large. For example, in Japan, there are more than 1,000 kinds of destination identification information and that number cannot be reduced to less than 100 kinds even after categorization by distance. In the United States, there are more than 100,000 kinds of area code-exchange code destination identification information (NP A-NXX) and that cannot be reduced to less than a few thousand even after categorization by distance. In order to store all of this destination identification information, the size of a table can readily become a few thousand bytes or tens of thousands of bytes when the number of entries in a table reaches a few tens to a few hundreds in number. Naturally, each jurisdiction may similarly have numerous types of destination identification information.
  • NP A-NXX area code-exchange code destination identification information
  • a significant problem in building a preferred routing function into communication device based on conventional technology may be that of building a table for determining the preferred carrier into a communication device which has a memory element of sufficient size to store the few thousand bytes, or tens of thousand of bytes, or more required.
  • the cost of providing a memory element of sufficient size to store this amount of information in a table within a communication device can be large compared to the total cost of the communication equipment. The result may be that manufacturers may increase the selling price of the communication device if the cost of the memory is high. However, as the cost of communication device goes up it may be predicted that the sales volume will go down.
  • a related problem in providing a table for determining the preferred earner in conventional communication device(s) may be that the memory element has a limited capacity in order that the manufacturer can build and retail the communication device(s) at a competitive price.
  • Another significant problem with conventional preferred routing functions may be that there no way to identify a subset of destination identifiers commonly input to particular communication device(s). Since there may be no way to learn which destination identifiers are used by a pool of communication devices the conventional preferred routing function may have to provide an unnecessarily large memory space for tables in which destination information that may be input is stored.
  • Another significant problem with conventional preferred routing functions may be that it isn't possible to assign further attributes to the destination identifier after it is captured by the communication device. As such, these additional attributes may not be available for consideration in the selection of a preferred transmission carrier. This may be especially true if the memory element has limited capacity as above-described.
  • Another problem with convention preferred routing functions may be that they cannot be updated transmission carrier cost information or the manner of updating the communication device may be inconvenient.
  • the tariff or transmission carrier cost information in preferred routing function may need to be changed.
  • a server of the conventional preferred routing service will call all the communication device and download updated transmission carrier cost information.
  • Still another problem with conventional preferred routing functions that are built into communication devices or are responsive to communication devices may be that they are not compatible with all transmission carriers. As such, the choice of transmission carriers can be limited. For example, a customer who buys a telephone that has a Japan Telecom preferred routing function may have to use Japan Telecom. If the customer does not like Japan Telecom and wants to use Teleway Japan, for example, the customer may have to purchase another phone.
  • Yet another problem with convention preferred routing functions may be that there is no way to predict the duration of transmission.
  • a common carrier that offers a low cost rate for short calls e.g. 1 minute
  • another common carrier that offers low cost rate for long calls e.g. 3 minutes
  • the present invention includes a variety of aspects which may be selected in different combinations based upon the particular application or needs to be addressed. Naturally, as a result of these several different and potentially independent aspects of the invention, the objects of the invention are quite varied.
  • a broad object of an embodiment of the invention can be to provide a preferred transmission carrier routing enterprise to coordinate destination identification information with a plurality of transmission carriers so that transmission of information between communication devices may be routed automatically with a preferred transmission carrier.
  • An aspect of this embodiment of the invention may be provide a low cost transmission routing services by selection of a lower cost transmission carrier from a plurality of carriers.
  • Another object of a particular embodiment of the invention is to offer preferred transmission routing devices and a method to select a lower cost transmission carrier fairly from the viewpoint of users with less bias toward any particular transmission carrier.
  • Another broad goal of embodiments of the invention can be to provide a method of storing destination identification information into less memory storage space.
  • Another object of a particular object of the invention may be to provide destination identifier learn technology.
  • An aspect of this object of the invention may be to provide a computer implemented method for the capture, comparison, addition, and attribution of characteristics to destination identification information.
  • Another broad goal of embodiments of the invention can be to provide a computer implemented method of storing destination identification information which is compatible for use with relatively inexpensive telecommunication devices.
  • Another object of a particular embodiment of the invention may be to provide a low cost carrier selection table.
  • Another object of an embodiment of the invention may be to provide devices and methods to download tables in short time by providing simplified tariff decision table(s).
  • Figure 1 shows a particular embodiment of a transmission routing selection system.
  • Figure 2 shows a particular embodiment of a computer implemented method for transmission routing selection.
  • Figure 3 shows a particular embodiment of a second central processing unit or second memory device.
  • Figure 4 shows a particular embodiment of a communication device having a built in transmission carrier selection equipment.
  • Figure 5 shows a particular embodiment of tariff tables.
  • Figure 6 shows a particular embodiment of a destination identifier table.
  • Figure 7 shows a particular embodiment of a distance block table.
  • Figure 8 shows a particular embodiment of a distance table having a division number.
  • Figure 9 shows a particular embodiment of a time of day table, holiday index, day of week index, and a 24-hour index.
  • Figure 10 shows particular embodiments of a rate table having distance steps.
  • Figure 11 shows a particular embodiment of a predicted transmission or call duration table.
  • the basic concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. It involves information transmission techniques, information transmission routing techniques, destination identification information management techniques, and computer implemented methods for the organization, analysis, and utilization of destination identification information, among others.
  • these techniques and computer implemented methods are disclosed as part of the results shown to be achieved by the various devices described and as steps which are inherent to their utilization. They are simply the natural result of utilizing the devices as intended and described.
  • some devices are disclosed, it should be understood that these not only accomplish certain methods but also can be varied in a number of ways. Importantly, as to all of the foregoing, all of these facets should be understood to be encompassed by this disclosure.
  • a transmission medium ( 1 ) can be provided over which information, such as analog information, digital information, or the like, can be transmitted from one location to another.
  • the transmission medium can be a wired or wireless transmission medium.
  • the transmission medium can be selected from group including laser, microwaves, radio waves, coaxial cable, twisted pair, fiber optic, telephone networks, Internet networks, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) networks, as examples.
  • VoIP voice over Internet protocol
  • other transmission media exists or may be developed that can be utilized to transmit such information.
  • a plurality of transmission carriers (2) can provide access to the transmission medium.
  • the transmission carriers can include private company telecommunication networks or public telecommunication networks.
  • the transmission carrier may be federally licensed telecommunication service providers, state licensed telecommunication service providers, Internet service providers, or the like. Specific examples of such transmission carriers may be American Telephone & Motorola, MCI, and America On Line among the numerous transmission carriers which provide services world wide. Naturally, each country or jurisdiction may have numerous transmission carriers to chose from and each individual transmission carrier may offer their services based upon different tariff or charge structures or may be differentiated by the types or quality of services provided, as described above.
  • tariff structures are based upon various information transmission attributes or characteristics, such as the distance between the first communication device (3) and the other communication device(s)(4), including differentiating distance based upon international or national transmission of information, the duration of information transmission, holiday or non-holiday information transmission, the day of week on which information is transmitted, the time of day at which information is transmitted, or the like.
  • carriers may also combine such attributes or characteristics into communication plans which provide modified charge structures or flexible charge structures based upon the aggregated attributes of transmitted information over a duration of time by a single or by multiple communication device users.
  • a communication device user or group of communication device users, to select a transmission carrier for the transmission of information, whether it may be for a specific transmission of information, or for numerous transmissions of information having attributes or characteristics in aggregate.
  • a first communication device (3) can be connectable to the transmission medium (1 ) through the plurality of communication transmission carriers (2) to transmit information to at least one other communication device (3).
  • the first communication device (3) or at least one other communication device (4) can be a wireless or a wired communication device(s), for example, wireless residential telephones, wireless commercial telephones, cellular telephones, caller identification telephones, answering machine telephones, wireless facsimile devices, wired residential telephones, wired commercial telephones, wired facsimile devices, or wireless computers, wireless computer modems, wireless modem cards, palm pilots, wired computers, wired modems, wired modem cards, cabled modems, telephone modems, digital subscriber line modems, or the like.
  • the first communication device (3) or at least one other communication device(s)(4) can be any device which sends or receives information transmitted through the transmission medium (1) accessible by a transmission carrier (2), including devices which have the communication device built in such as GPS tracking devices, or household appliances, to provide a range of further examples.
  • each communication device can be assigned a destination identifier comprised of a sufficient amount of destination identification information to distinguish the first communication device (3) from the numerous other communication devices (4).
  • the destination identifiers may comprise numeric code, alphabet code, analog code, digital code, frequency modulated code or combinations and permutations of each.
  • the kind and amount of destination identification information making up the destination identifier for each communication device may vary.
  • Particular embodiments of the invention may also comprise a first central processing unit (CPU) (5) providing the circuitry necessary to interpret and execute program instructions.
  • the first CPU (5) can be located within the first communication device (3) or other communication device(s)(4), such as cordless telephone(s), caller identification telephone(s), an answering machine telephone(s), or similar devices.
  • the first CPU (5) can further comprise a variety of memory elements, individually or in combination, including for example, random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), read only memory (ROM), programmable read only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), bubble memory, flash memory, or the like.
  • first CPU (5) or memory element(s) which are built into, or can be made responsive to, a communication device.
  • the first CPU(5) or memory element may have a limited capacity to store and manipulate information due to the limited build in space available in a particular communication device, or due to a desire to provide a CPU with limited capacity to save costs in manufacturing of the communication device, or it may be desirable to use a limited portion of the total capacity of the CPU reserving the remaining capacity to other functions.
  • this limited CPU or memory element capacity may comprise as little as about 5 bytes of capacity, or have a range depending on the set of communication devices in the pool used to transmit information which may be between about 5 bytes to about 100 bytes or could be between about 50 bytes to about 1000 bytes.
  • the CPU capacity that can be built into a communication device may increase the range to between about 5 bytes to 10,000 bytes, or more.
  • a large number of CPUs built into communication devices have a limited capacity of between about 5 bytes to about 1000 bytes.
  • Some embodiments of the invention further include a learn module (7) that manages destination identifier information within the CPU (5) built into communication device(s)(3)(4). This management of destination identifier information can be accomplished even in the context of limited CPU(5) capacity, such as the limited capacity described above.
  • the learn module (7) can execute programmed elements which can include a destination identifier capture element (9).
  • the destination identifier capture element captures destination identification information input to the first communication device (3) and places the destination identification information into a memory element (8) which can comprise a destination identifier table.
  • the amount of destination identification information captured may be a minimal amount sufficient to differentiate the first communication device (3) from other communication devices (4) connectable to the transmission medium (1) through the plurality of transmission carriers (2) or can be more depending on the embodiment of the invention.
  • the learn module can further include a destination identifier add element (10) which operates to store destination identifiers into the memory element (8), including , but not limited to, those described above.
  • the amount of destination identification information placed into the memory element (8) or into the learn table comprises the destination identifier can be a minimal amount or an amount sufficient to differentiate communication devices, but does not necessarily have to be the entire destination identifier.
  • An initial destination identifier input can be stored into the a memory element by the operation of these two elements (8)(9).
  • the learn module can also include a destination identifier comparison element (11).
  • the destination identifier comparison element (11) compares subsequently input destination identifiers to those already stored in the memory element (8). Destination identifiers that are dissimilar to those already stored in the memory element (8) can be added into storage or into a learn table by the destination identification add element (10). Thus, the pool of stored destination identifiers can encompass only differentiated or dissimilar destination identifiers without taking up additional CPU or memory capacity to store repeated destination identifiers.
  • the learn module can further include a destination identifier attribution element (12).
  • destination identification identifiers can have attributes or characteristics.
  • the destination identifier attribution element (12) operates to further define destination identifiers by these attributes or characteristics.
  • the destination identifier attribution element (12) counts the number of times a particular destination identifier is captured by the destination identifier capture element (11).
  • the stored destination identifier acquires a defining characteristic, in this case the number of times it is captured over a duration of time.
  • the destination identifier attribution element (12) can calculate the total amount of transmission time to another communication device defined each destination identifier stored in the memory element (8) or learn table.
  • the destination identifier attribution element (12) can distinguish between destination identifiers having a zone in common with the communication device owned by a user and destination identifiers having a different zone than the communication device owned by the user.
  • the destination identifier attribution element (12) can differentiate between national and international transmission or local and long distance transmission.
  • other types of zones may be attributed to destination identifiers based on selected thresholds other than the borders of nation states or distance which can include cost per unit time, transmission carrier, or type of device as but a few examples.
  • the learn module (7) may further comprise a destination identifier rank element (13).
  • the destination identifier rank element (13) ranks destination identifiers in the memory element (8) or learn table by the attributions or characteristics associated with each destination identifier by using the destination identifier attribution element (12).
  • the destination identifier rank element (13) can rank the destination identifiers stored in the memory element (8) or learn table by the number of instances a particular destination identifier is captured during a duration of time, the total duration of transmission time associated with the destination identifier, or by any routing characteristic attributable to the destination identifier as discussed above.
  • the learn module (7) may further comprise a destination identifier edit element (14).
  • the destination identifier edit element may provide an automatic destination identifier delete feature (15) that can operate based upon the number of destination identifiers within the memory element (8) or the learn table. For example, destination identifiers stored in the memory element (8) or in the learn table can be automatically held to a certain total number by deletion of any further destination identifiers captured.
  • the destination identifier edit element (14) may further include a destination identifier attribution limit element (16) that automatically stops the accrual of attributions to a particular destination identifier.
  • the destination identifier attribution limit element may allow uses of a particular destination identifier to be counted up to a certain number and then held at that number.
  • any attribute or characteristic, such as, frequency of use, duration of use, distance between communication devices, or zones, as discussed above, that can be attributed by the destination identifier attribution element (12) could be limited in a similar manner.
  • the destination identifier edit element (14) may further comprise a destination identifier transfer element (17).
  • the destination identifier transfer element (17) can operate to transfer destination identifiers along with destination identifier attributions to a second CPU (6) providing the circuitry necessary to interpret and execute program instructions to match a single carrier from among the plurality of transmission carriers (2) having access to the transmission medium (1) to each transferred destination identifier from the memory element (8) or the learn table in the first CPU(5).
  • Figure 1 shows communication device(s) (3) (4) that have a built in first CPU (5) as shown by Figure 1 but the first CPU (5) does not have sufficient capacity to interpret or execute all the programs necessary to match a transmission carrier with the destination identifiers in the memory element (8) or in the learn table.
  • the first CPU (5) and the second CPU (6) can be combined into a single CPU providing the circuitry necessary to interpret and execute the programs of both the first CPU (5) and the second CPU (6).
  • These embodiments of the invention balance the capacity of the first CPU (5) with a memory element (8) having as little as 5 bytes of available memory storage with the capacity of the second CPU (6) with amemory element (19) having a larger memory storage.
  • the destination identifier transfer element (17) can be triggered automatically by a variety of events including, for example, the elapse of a set amount of time, the memory element (8) or the learn table contains the maximum number of allowed destination identifiers, the maximum number of allowed attributions to a destination identifier is reached, or the like.
  • the first CPU (5) may further comprise a transmission carrier assignment module (21).
  • the transmission carrier assignment module (21) can provide a transmission carrier identifier-destination identifier match table (22) in which selected transmission carriers can be assigned to each of the destination identifiers stored in memory element (8) or in the learn table.
  • the transmission carrier identifiers can be entered into the transmission carrier assignment module manually, for example through a keypad or other destination identifier input element (37), on the communication device(s) (3)(4), or from the second CPU (6) or even another CPU(23) device.
  • the learn module (7) and the transmission carrier assignment module (21) can comprise a single programmable relational data base.
  • transmission carrier assignment information is input manually, or transferred from the second CPU (6), to the transmission carrier assignment module (21 ) in the first CPU (5), destination identifiers subsequently captured by the destination identifier capture element (9) automatically connect the communication device (3)(4) to the transmission carrier assigned to that destination identifier.
  • an example of an embodiment of a transmission carrier assignment module (21) can comprise a distance assessment element (26) that in some embodiments of the invention can comprise a separate domestic destination identifier table and a separate international destination identifier table (OXX identifier for international destination identifiers, 1 for domestic destination identifiers, as used in the United States, or OOXX for international destination identifiers, 0 for domestic destination identifiers, as used in Japan, as but two examples) to which captured destination identifiers are compared.
  • OXX identifier for international destination identifiers, 1 for domestic destination identifiers, as used in the United States
  • OOXX for international destination identifiers
  • the distance assessment element (26) can be structured to differentiate destination identifiers based on area code information, such as international country codes or the three digit area codes in the United States or the equivalent types of codes in the various jurisdictions in which the invention may be used.
  • area code information such as international country codes or the three digit area codes in the United States or the equivalent types of codes in the various jurisdictions in which the invention may be used.
  • a pointer is provided to the next hierarchical step which can be a holiday assessment step.
  • the transmission carrier assignment module (21) can further comprise a holiday assessment element (27) that in some embodiments of the invention can comprise tables that matches holidays to the date on which the destination identifier is captured or is entered into the communication device(s) (3)(4) for example.
  • a first holiday match table may be used for domestic destination identifiers and a second used for international destination identifiers, as but one example.
  • the holiday assessment element (27) based on the decision provides a pointer to the next step in the hierarchy.
  • the transmission carrier assignment module (21) can further comprise holiday time of day assessment element (28) that in some embodiments of the invention can comprise a domestic destination holiday time of day table and an international destination identifier holiday time of day table.
  • the time of day table can be incremented in desired intervals, such as one hour intervals, providing 24 columns in the time of day table. Naturally, other increments could be used.
  • the transmission carrier assignment module (21) can further comprise a day of week assessment element (28) that can determine what day of the week is associated with the date the destination identifier is entered into the communication device(s) (3)(4).
  • the transmission carrier assignment module (21 ) can further comprise a time of day assessment element (29).
  • the time of day assessment element (29) can comprise several tables including a domestic destination identifier weekday time of day table and an international destination identifier weekday time of day table.
  • the time of day assessment element (29) can further comprise a domestic destination identifier Saturday time of day table and an international destination identifier Saturday time of day table.
  • the time of day assessment element (29) can further comprise a domestic destination identifier Sunday time of day table and an international destination identifier Sunday time of day table.
  • the tables can be incremented in desired intervals such as one hour intervals or otherwise responsive to an interanal clock element (35).
  • Each of the above-described tables functions to define the location within the transmission carrier index or destination identifier-carrier match table (30) or which of multiple destination identifier-carrier match tables to search for the destination identifier with a carrier code appended.
  • a carrier code from the table can then be used to retrieve the transmission carrier identifier.
  • the transmission carrier identifier is responsive to a transmission carrier connect element (31) that connects the communication device to transmission media (1) through the selected transmission carrier (2) destination identifier- carrier match table.
  • Figure 2 shows a flow diagram of a particular embodiment of the invention and which also provides a specific example of the functional hierarchical organization of that particular computer implemented method as a guide to the invention. While this example of an embodiment of the invention utilizes telephone devices having at least one memory element along with destination identification information that may be typical of telephone destination identifiers used in the United States, this example is not intended to limit the scope of the technology and specifically is not meant to limit the scope of the types of communication devices, or destination identifiers, or memory elements that may be used in various other embodiments of the invention.
  • the invention can select a preferred transmission carrier, which may be based on low cost, in the following manner:
  • the domestic destination identification table (40) is searched for the destination identifier. If the first digits are 011 , then the international destination identification table (41) is searched for the destination identifier.
  • step 4 If the destination identifier is in either the domestic destination identification table (40) or the international destination identification table (41), then transmission carrier selection is performed as set out in step 4.
  • learn table (43) up load (48) learn table (43) to second CPU(6) per 3e. ii. if, yes, stop processing. e. combine destination identifiers information from learn table (43) with attributes and destination identification information from DII table(s) (40) and (41) with attributes and upload to second CPU (6).
  • the invention can also perform automatic upload in the following manner: a. Everyday or at a pre-determine date, the communication device check against internal clock to see if the predetermine automatic call-back date is reached. This predetermine call back date is set at second CPU (6) and downloaded from second CPU (6). b. If the date is reached, the device will initiate call back process by generating a random time in the next 24 hours for call back. c. At the randomly generated time, the communication device can automatically call the second CPU (6) via a telephone number (Server Telephone Number) that has been pre-programmed into the communication device's ROM memory or memory element. This Server Telephone Number can also be changed by downloading new numbers from second CPU (6) into the device memory. d. When connected to the CPU (6), the device will combine destination identifier information from learn table (7) with attributes and destination identifier information from table (26) with attributes, and upload the combine information to second CPU (6).
  • a telephone number Server Telephone Number
  • the preferred transmission carrier routing equipment and methods which comprises the invention can be offered by a prefened transmission carrier routing company or (the "company") independent of any common carrier.
  • the company collects the tariff information of all the common carriers, prepares the information necessary for selecting the least expensive carrier based upon parameters such as distance, when to call, call duration, call frequency per month, and concentration to particular destinations, for example.
  • this information may be downloaded to the transmission carrier assignment module (21) in a communication device (3)(4) as may be desired.
  • the second CPU (6) or server provides the circuitry necessary to interpret and execute program instructions to select a transmission carrier from a plurality of transmission carriers (2) and to match the selected transmission carrier to a destination identifier.
  • the second CPU (6) or transmission carrier selection system can comprise server equipment (50) is composed of line unit (51), Central control unit (52), memory unit (53), output unit (54) and input unit (55).
  • the line unit (51) responds to an incoming call from the communication device (3) or (4) with built-in transmission carrier assignment module (21), and can receive a caller ID number which comes from the subscriber line, manufacturer code and model type of communication device or equipment.
  • This information is passed to a central control unit (52), and can be stored in memory unit (53).
  • Memory unit (53) may already store tariff information of each common carrier that conesponds to the caller ID number. Using the caller ID number that may be received as a key, the corresponding tariff information of each common carrier is searched. The information necessary for preferred transmission carrier routing decision is extracted from memory unit (53), and the information is transmitted from line unit (51) to the transmission carrier assignment module of the communication device (3) or (4) or telephone equipment. Caller ID number, manufacturer code and model type which are stored in memory unit (53) are transmitted from output unit (54) periodically and are used for telemarketing or customer management by manufacturers. When it may be necessary transfer or transfer a change in tariff information, the new tariff information is input through input unit (55) and is stored in memory unit (53).
  • Figure 4 shows a basic example of a specific embodiment of the invention utilizing telephone equipment (3) (but could work with any similar type of communication device even if built into non-telephone devices or appliances) with built-in transmission carrier selection equipment (56), which is composed of line unit (57), central control unit (58), memory unit (59) and clock unit (60).
  • the central control unit (58) of the telephone equipment or other communication device (3) dials the preprogrammed telephone number through the line unit (57), and connects with the server equipment (50). If server equipment (50) responds, line unit (57) transmits the manufacturer code and model type that are stored. It receives the routing information transmitted from server equipment (50), and stores it to memory unit (59).
  • Central control unit (58) determines which common carrier to use. It sends out the prefix dial necessary to use the determined common carrier and the destination telephone number from line unit (57). If power supply to the telephone equipment (3) stops temporarily, the routing information in memory unit (23) can remain stored. If the power supply and the connection to a subscriber line stop for more than predetermined length in time, then it is regarded as a user that has moved to another location and the same procedure takes place as a new installation, as above described, when the power supply and the connection to a subscriber line recover.
  • a first table (61) uses 2 common carriers
  • a second table (62) uses 3 common carriers
  • a third table (63) that use N number of common carriers or transmission carriers.
  • One of the 2-carrier selection, 3-carrier selection or N carrier selection is chosen according to a user choice and the conesponding table is used.
  • the example shown by Figure 6 is a table or destination identifier table (64) to use the first several digits of telephone number or destination identifier.
  • the destination telephone number dialed by a user matches the telephone number or destination identifier in this table (64), then one of the common carriers or plurality transmission carrier (2) may be chosen. If the destination telephone number or destination identifier does not match any of the telephone numbers in this table (64), then the other common carrier or a default common carrier may be chosen.
  • special dialing is necessary for using a special calling plan. This can be done automatically. If the tariff changes and the lower cost calling plan is changed, the tariff table is automatically updated and then has the most up-to-date information.
  • a common carrier introduces a new calling plan
  • the new calling plan is added and users can always enjoy using the lower cost calling plan.
  • a company that offers a transmission carrier routing service can effect widespread distribution of the transmission carrier routing service in large quantity without a large investment.
  • the telephone equipment can automatically answer the incoming call from the server equipment (50) of the company, and therefore the efficiency of updating the data in telephone equipment or communication device(s) will improve and also update can be done during nighttime.
  • the transmission carrier assignment module (21), or its equivalent can utilize a distance block table, a distance table, a time of day table, and a rates table.
  • the distance block table has distance block information corresponding to message identification information.
  • the content of distance block information is a pointer to corresponding distance in distance table.
  • the distance table of this invention has the maximum distance of the concerned distance block corresponding to actual distances, and is used along with rates table to search for unit charge and unit time.
  • the time of day table of this invention is composed of day of the week index, holiday index and 24 hours index, and is used to search for the corresponding unit charge and unit time in rates table based upon time of day, time and date.
  • the time of day index of this invention is composed of 7 pointers. A pointer conesponds to each of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Each pointer shows which 24-hour index to use among multiple 24-hour indices.
  • the holiday index of this invention has year-month-day information and pointer. Each pointer shows which 24-hour index to use among multiple 24-hour indices.
  • the 24-hour index of this invention is composed of 24 pointers. Each pointer corresponds to midnight to each one hour thereafter 1 am, 1 am to 2 am, ... or 11 pm to midnight and so forth, and points to corresponding unit charge and unit time in rates table.
  • the rates table of this invention has unit charge and unit time for each distance block. If rate is different for different day of the week, dates, or time of day, then rates table has multiple unit charges and unit times.
  • the decision table(s) of this example of a particular embodiment of the invention operate as follows. It receives the telephone number of the called party dialed by a user, and the current date, day of the week, and time. It decides that the call is a local call if the first digit is other than 0. If the first digit of the dialed digits is 0, a distance block table is looked up with the second and following digits as key. As a result of the table look up if conesponding message area identification information is found, the conesponding distance block information is read out. The conesponding distance is read out from distance table using the distance block information.
  • the cunent date is checked against the holiday index. If included, go to 24-hour index pointed by the pointer in the holiday index. If not included, go to 24-hour index pointed by the pointer of the day of the week index conesponding to the current day of the week. Using a pointer conesponding to current time among 24-hour indices and the distance read out from distance table, conesponding unit charge and unit time are read out from rates table. This operation is repeated for each carrier and the unit charge and unit time of each carrier is read out. Charges for a call are calculated using unit charge and unit time of each carrier, and predicted call duration. The least expensive carrier is determined by comparing charges of each carrier.
  • Figures 7-11 An example of implementation is shown in Figures 7-11. Now referring to Figure 7, it shows an example of distance block table of the invention.
  • Figure 8 shows an example of distance table of this invention.
  • Figure 9 shows an example of time of day table of this invention.
  • Figure 10 shows an example of rates table. If N carriers are compared, N time of day tables and N rates tables are required. This example assumes that 2 carriers are compared.
  • Figure 11 shows an example of a predicted call duration table.
  • a distance block table (65) consists of message area identification information list (66) and distance block pointer (67).
  • the received telephone number of the called party (excluding the first 0 for certain embodiments) is compared with message area identification information digit by digit. If the first digit matches a message area identification information list, then the next digit of the message area identification information list is read. If the next digit is the termination code, then the search is completed and the distance block pointer of the row is read out. If the next digit is not the termination code, then the search is continued.
  • a distance table (68 ) has division number (69) which divides the actual distance into steps. A division number pointed by the distance block pointer is read out.
  • a time of day table (74) consists of holiday index (70) and (71), day of the week index (72) and (73), 24-hour index (74) and (75).
  • Holiday index consists of year-month-day and pointer.
  • Day of the week index consists of 7 pointers and they conesponds to Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
  • the 24-hour index consists of 24 pointers and each pointer conesponds to each hour from 0 to 24 hours. If the received cunent date is included in the holiday index, go to the column of rates table pointed by the pointer. If not, then go to the day of the week index.
  • rates table (76) consists of distance steps (77) in vertical axis, and unit time (78) and unit charge (79) associated to each time of day on horizontal axis.
  • unit time (78), (80) and (82) there are 3 kinds of unit time (78), (80) and (82), and also 3 kinds of unit charge (79), (81) and (83).
  • rate table (84) that conesponds to the second carrier is composed the same.
  • the conesponding unit charge and unit time in rates table (76) is read out using block number (69) read from distance table (68), and pointer read from holiday index (70) or pointer read from 24-hour index (74). The same operation is performed to rates table (84), and then the conesponding unit charge and unit time are read out.
  • a predicted call duration table (92) has multiple predicted call durations in seconds, and conesponds to the extension phone equipment used.
  • a call charge is calculated for each carrier using predicted call duration, unit charge and unit time.
  • the least expensive carrier is determined and the prefix dial or carrier identification code can be dialed to choose the said carrier.
  • the following example can be representative of the use as implemented into practice with four different Casio ⁇ cordless phone Models: CP-2575, CP-1275, TC-2775, TC 1425.
  • the example is not intended to limit the scope of the invention but is merely illustrative of some embodiments of the invention.
  • the invention should not be understood to be limited to the use of Casio ® cordless phone Models: CP-2575, CP-1275, TC-2775, TC 1425.
  • LCR Low Cost Routing
  • IVR Interactive Voice Response
  • This activation process sets up a customer's personal profile as well as a customer's selected long distance telephone carrier profile. These profiles are entered into a customer database, using the customers telephone number and telephone model number as the key index for customer identification.
  • the customer pick up the handset and presses talk and listen for a dial tone, then press the autodial key and then press the # (pound) key.
  • the phone will automatically dial a pre-stored telephone number (from factory) and connect to openLCR's inter-active voice response (IVR) system and the computer Server. The phone will then upload the manufacturer and model number of the phone to the computer server.
  • Voice prompts from the IVR system will guide the customer through the registration process. The customer must identify the name of his selected out-of-state long distance telephone service and the calling plan. The customer presses the telephone keys in response to the questions that are ask for selected telephone carrier information. Then, when prompted, the customer record his name, address, and telephone number.
  • the customer places the handset in the charging cradle immediately to download new LCR Information including the cunent time and date.
  • a predetermined automatic callback date is also downloaded and will be programmed into the phone's memory.
  • the Base unit of the telephone's "LCR" indicator will blink.
  • the Base LCR indicator will turn on, a single long beep will be heard, and the LCR feature is activated. From this point the phone will automatically call back at the predetermined callback date for an automatic update of LCR information from the computer server.
  • openLCR web site www.openlcr.com
  • select the option for activation The customer is then prompted to create an account with openLCR.
  • the customer enters their telephone number, choose the phone manufacturer and choose the model number of the telephone.
  • the customer is prompted to enter their selected long distance telephone carrier profile consisting of carrier name and service plan.
  • the customer is also prompted to enter their personal profile consisting of their name, address, password and the like.
  • the customer has the additional option, of entering "locked" frequently called numbers on the openLCR web site to further customize the LCR Information that is downloaded to the phone.
  • the customer will be asked to initiate download to the telephone.
  • the customer To download LCR data into the phone, the customer connect the phone to a telephone line, and presses the autodial key, then press the # (pound) key.
  • the phone will automatic dial a pre- stored telephone number (programmed from factory) and connect to openLCR' s inter-active voice response (IVR) system and the computer server.
  • IVR inter-active voice response
  • the phone will then upload the manufacturer and model number of the phone to the IVR system.
  • Voice prompts will guide the customer to download the LCR information into the telephone, including the current time and date.
  • a predetermined automatic callback date is also downloaded and will be programmed into the phone's memory. During the download (about two minutes) process, the Base unit of the telephone's "LCR" indicator will blink.
  • the Base LCR indicator When downloading is completed, the Base LCR indicator will turn on, a single long beep will be heard, and the LCR feature is activated. From this point the phone will automatically call back at the predetermined callback date for an automatic update of LCR information from the computer server. Registration by Fax and US mail.
  • the customer For activation process and to download LCR data into the phone, the customer connect the phone to a telephone line, and presses the autodial key, then press the # (pound) key.
  • the phone will automatic dial a pre-stored telephone number (programmed from factory) and connect to openLCR' s inter- active voice response (IVR) system and the computer server.
  • the phone will then upload the manufacturer and model number of the phone to the IVR system.
  • Voice prompts will guide the customer to download the LCR information into the telephone, including the cunent time and date.
  • a predetermined automatic callback date is also downloaded and will be programmed into the phone's memory.
  • the Base unit of the telephone' s "LCR" indicator will blink. When downloading is completed, the Base LCR indicator will turn on, a single long beep will be heard, and the LCR feature is activated. From this point the phone will automatically call back at the predetermined callback date for an automatic update of LCR information from the computer server.
  • the customer's phone After activation, the customer's phone will route domestic and international long distance calls to a low cost carrier if the call charges of the low cost carrier are less expensive than the customer' selected primary carrier.
  • the Base unit's LCR indicator will light during telephone call to indicate that low cost routing is working.
  • the computer server (6) can comprise a Compaq Computers with four 800MHz processors 2G byte of RAM, and 100G Byte of hard disk storage, for example.
  • the computer can run on a Window NT ® operating system and the customer database can be applications running under Oracle relational database, or similar programs.
  • a destination identifier comparison element or "a means for comparing destination identifiers” should be understood to encompass disclosure of the act of "comparing destination identifiers”— whether explicitly discussed or not— and, conversely, were there only disclosure of the act of "comparing destination identifiers", such a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of "a means for comparing destination identifiers" or "a destination identifier comparison element”. Such changes and alternative terms are to be understood to be explicitly included in the description.
  • each of the transmission systems, transmission routing devices, or communication devices as herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as are disclosed and described, v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such systems or components, ix) methods and apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples, x) the various combinations and permutations of each of the elements disclosed, xi) processes performed with the aid of or on a computer as described throughout the above discussion, xii) a programmable apparatus as described throughout the above discussion, xiii)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de communication pourvu d'un élément mémoire (8), comprenant un module d'attribution (21) de support de transmission et pouvant également comprendre un module d'apprentissage (7). Le module d'apprentissage peut exécuter des éléments programmés, tels qu'un élément de saisie (9) d'identificateur de destination; un élément d'ajout (10) d'identificateur de destination; un élément (11) de comparaison d'identificateur de destination; et un élément d'attribution (12) d'identificateur de destination. Les identificateurs de destination saisis, accompagnés des attributs qui leur sont associés, peuvent être transférés vers une seconde unité centrale (6) à des fins de traitement ultérieur. Le module d'attribution de support de transmission peut exécuter des éléments programmés tels qu'un élément d'évaluation (26) de la distance ou un tableau d'appariement d'identificateurs de destination; un élément d'évaluation (27) des vacances; un élément d'évaluation (28) des jours de la semaine; des éléments d'évaluation (29) de l'heure, qui mettent en oeuvre une logique d'arbre de décision de manière à positionner un pointeur dans un tableau d'appariement (30) support-identificateur de destination afin de sélectionner un code d'indice de support pour trouver un support de transmission optimal. Des tableaux d'appariement support-identificateur de destination mis à jour peuvent être transférés à partir de la seconde unité centrale (6) en fonction des informations relatives à l'identificateur de destination traitées qui sont transmises par le module d'apprentissage (7).
PCT/US2000/031030 1999-11-11 2000-11-10 Systeme d'apprentissage-machine d'un numero de telephone recepteur WO2001035627A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU14850/01A AU1485001A (en) 1999-11-12 2000-11-10 System for automatic learning of destination telephone number
CA002391168A CA2391168A1 (fr) 1999-11-11 2000-11-10 Systeme d'apprentissage-machine d'un numero de telephone recepteur

Applications Claiming Priority (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP35785599A JP2001144846A (ja) 1999-11-12 1999-11-11 電話をかける対地の自動学習方式
JP11-357855 1999-11-11
US18794500P 2000-03-03 2000-03-03
US60/187,945 2000-03-03
US18890300P 2000-03-13 2000-03-13
US60/188,903 2000-03-13
US63133200A 2000-08-02 2000-08-02
US09/631,332 2000-08-02

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001035627A1 true WO2001035627A1 (fr) 2001-05-17

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ID=27480771

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2000/031030 WO2001035627A1 (fr) 1999-11-11 2000-11-10 Systeme d'apprentissage-machine d'un numero de telephone recepteur

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU1485001A (fr)
CA (1) CA2391168A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2001035627A1 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4924496A (en) * 1988-05-12 1990-05-08 Romek Figa D/B/A Abraham & Sons Automatic incoming telephone call originating number and party display system
US5519769A (en) * 1994-04-04 1996-05-21 Rates Technology Inc. Method and system for updating a call rating database
US5862203A (en) * 1995-07-21 1999-01-19 Call Manage Telecommunications call management system

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4924496A (en) * 1988-05-12 1990-05-08 Romek Figa D/B/A Abraham & Sons Automatic incoming telephone call originating number and party display system
US5519769A (en) * 1994-04-04 1996-05-21 Rates Technology Inc. Method and system for updating a call rating database
US5519769C1 (en) * 1994-04-04 2002-05-28 Rates Technology Inc Method and system for updating a call rating database
US5862203A (en) * 1995-07-21 1999-01-19 Call Manage Telecommunications call management system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU1485001A (en) 2001-06-06
CA2391168A1 (fr) 2001-05-17

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