WO2003036933A1

WO2003036933A1 - A method and system for routing an electronic communication from one party to another party via a desired communication service provider

Info

Publication number: WO2003036933A1
Application number: PCT/IB2002/004344
Authority: WO
Inventors: V. Ramasubramanian
Original assignee: Ramasubramanian V
Priority date: 2001-10-22
Filing date: 2002-10-22
Publication date: 2003-05-01
Also published as: SG111921A1

Abstract

A method and a system for routing an electronic communication such as a telephone call from one party to another party using a desired communication service provider, such as a telephone company, is provided. This system utilises a dialler device 5 and a computer device Software is resident in the computer device 9 and in the dialler device 5 so that when a user makes a telephone call using a telephone, the dialler device 5 extracts an address code in the signal to identify the location or area in which the recipient of the call is located. The system then processes the code and locates all possible communication service providers to that area that are able to be accessed by the user. The user system is then able to select a particular communication service provider as a desired communication service provider, and the system makes the necessary connection between the parties through that desired communication service provider. Typically, the 'cheapest cost of call communication service provider is selected as the desired communication service provider.

Description

A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ROUTING AN ELECTRONIC

COMMUNICATION FROM ONE PARTY TO ANOTHER

PARTY VIA A DESIRED COMMUNICATION

SERVICE PROVIDER

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method and system for routing an electronic communication from one party to another party via a desired communication service provider. The invention relates particularly, but not exclusively, to routing a telephone call between one party and another party via a cheapest telephone service provider.

Description of Prior Art

Hitherto many systems have been known for processing signals to interconnect parties. Some of these systems are computer based. One example is shown in US patent specification 6,185,194 which uses a combination of Internet, and telephone service provider to make a connection. The system requires accessing a website, clicking a dialling icon to view businesses, and then selecting a business to dial by further clicking. The system then dials both the business and the user and permits a communication between the two parties.

A further example of a known system is disclosed in US patent specification 6,243,376. This system uses the Internet itself for making the telephone call. The system requires the use of a conventional telephone system to announce a call to an intending recipient, so the recipient can then access his computer and the Internet and the two parties can then have a telephone conversation using the Internet as a communication medium. The process minimises call costs.

Object and Statements of the Invention

Accordingly, there is a need to provide the possibility when making an electronic communication such as a telephone call, to use a particular service provider, such as one that offers a desired parameter, such as the cheapest rate for the call. This, in turn, permits an electronic communication to occur between the parties using a selected service provider.

According to the present invention there is provided a method for routing an electronic communication from one party to another party via a desired communication service provider, said method involving:

i) obtaining address information from an electrical signal initiated by the one party that identifies the address particulars of said another party; ii) electrically processing that address information to determine communication service providers that will permit a communication interconnection of the parties; electrically selecting one of the determined service providers as the desired communication service providers; and,

making a connection between the parties through the selected service provider thereby permitting the electronic communication to be routed via the desired communication service provider..

Preferably the selection is based on a comparison of a known parameter associated with the determined service providers.

Most preferably the known parameter is "cost of call" related. 5

According to a further broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for routing an electronic communication from one party to another party via a desired communication service provider, said 0 system including: it address information obtaining means for obtaining address particulars from an electrical signal initiated by the one party that identifies the address particulars of said another party,

processing means for processing that obtained address information to determine 0 communication service providers that will permit a communication connection of the parties,

selecting means for permitting the selecting of one of the determined communication service providers as the desired service provider,

communication connection means for connecting the parties via the selected desired service provider.

Most preferably the processing means provides access to a known parameter associated with the determined service providers, whereby a selection of one of the determined communication services can be made on the basis of comparing the known parameters of the determined service providers. Most preferably the system is a telephone dialling system permitting the selection of one of the determined communication service providers in the making of a telephone call between the parties, and wherein the known parameter is "cost of call" related.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In order that the invention can be more clearly ascertained an example of a preferred embodiment for using the cheapest telephone service provider for making a telephone call between one party and another party will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a block schematic diagram of the example of the preferred embodiment .

Figure 2 is a block schematic diagram of the components forming part of a dialler device used in the example .

Figure 3 is a system functional flow diagram showing the general working of the system.

Figure 4a and Figure 4b are functional flow diagrams showing how a dialled number is analysed, and how a selected desired communication service provider will be used for the electronic communication and,

Figure 5 is a functional flow diagram showing how there is loading of data representing communication service providers and known parameters into the system. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiment

Referring now in detail to the figures, there is shown a method and a system for routing an electronic communication from one party to another party via a desired communication service provider. In the example, the electronic communication is voice communication, and the communication service provider provides a telephone connection between the parties. The system has application for electronic communication generally and is not limited to voice communication solely. The system is intended to operate on conventional telephone communication mediums but that does not exclude the system operating on other communication mediums. In the example, the known parameter is "cost of call" related and particularly the cheapest call for a possible connection and electronic communication between the parties.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is shown a system which routes a telephone call from one party to another party via a desired communication service provider. In such system, there is provided a telephone 1 for one party in the communication. The telephone 1 may be a single telephone 1 or may be multiple telephones 1 which are interconnected through a PABX system 3. The telephones 1 are therefore associated with one party. The PABX 3 and the individual telephone 1 are shown connected with a dialler device 5. Whilst an individual telephone 1, and multiple telephones 1 that connect through a PABX 3 have been shown, it is possible to utilise just the single telephone 1, or just the multiple telephones 1 connected through the PABX 3. Whilst telephones 1 have been shown, other communication means such as facsimile machines may be provided, as may be other communication means.

The dialler device is connected with PSTN (Public Switch Telephone Network) lines 7. The dialler device 5 also interconnects with a computer device 9 such as a personal computer PC . The computer device 9 has an interconnection with the worldwide web or Internet 11 so the system can access a remote website 13 to enable uploading of communication service providers, and the known parameters, such as "cost of call", for each of the respective communication service providers. Access to the worldwide web or Internet 11 from the computer device 9 may be through the dialler device 5 using a suitable modem so that the connection is made on the PSTN lines 7.

Alternatively, connection may be made in other ways such as via cable systems and the like. Whilst connection has been shown to the Internet, connection may be provided for receiving merely e-mail messages containing the data relating to the communication service providers (phone companies) and the "cost of call" information. Other forms of communication to provide data representative of the communication service providers is also possible. This may include the normal mail postage of floppy disks or CDs to the one party's premises so that the data can be uploaded directly to the computer device 9.

The another party is then contacted directly by the dialler device 5 with an electrical signal initiated by dialling the another party and using the desired communication service provider ( in this case the one with the cheapest call rates) .

Processing of information to make a call is performed partly by the dialler device 5 and partly by the computer device 9. Appropriate software is resident in the data device 5 and in the computer device 9 for this purpose.

Assuming that the computer device 9 has data representative of possible communication service providers and their known parameters, which are obtained once the party applies for access and subscription to those communication service providers, then when the one party requires to make an electronic communication (a normal voice telephone call), the one party dials the number of another party including an area code of that party. The area code may be resident as an IDD code and then a country code or it may be merely a code determined by the first few digits of the telephone number. It may also be the code number of one communication service provider. In all cases this is referred to as an address particular of the another party. The dialler device 5 then intervenes in the dialling process so there can be appropriate selection of the desired communication service provider. The necessary prefix codes to dial that desired communication service provider are then introduced to the dialled telephone number, and the dialler device 5 then dials the number and makes the necessary telephone call through the desired communication service provider.

Preferably, the system is totally automatic and the system checks for the lowest cost of call communication service provider to the destination of the another party. A variation is possible where a list of determined service providers in a given area is displayed on a screen of the computer device 9 so a user can view the cost options and make a choice such as by tagging or highlighting a particular communication service provider. The system will then take over and route the telephone call to another party via the desired communication service provider.

The system is designed with a fail-safe mechanism to avoid failure of connection of a telephone call. If there is failure of the dialler device 9 which could also include interruption of power to the electronic components within the dialler device 5, the system will revert to a by-pass mode so that the telephone number dialled by the one person is passed directly through the dialler device 5 to make the call with the another party directly through the local communication service provider.

Further, in the event that the desired communication service provider is busy, then the system has a mode which allows the next best "cost of call" communication service provider to then be selected. Thus, after a predetermined number of rings, the system can elect to terminate the call and then introduce the code numbers of the next best "cost of call" service provider and then dial that particular service provider for making the telephone connection.

If there is failure of the computer device 9 then the system also has a further mode where the number dialled directly by the one person is dialled so that there can be connection of another party using the local communication service provider.

The system also contains a routine that hand shakes with the dialler device 5 periodically. If there is no response then an alarm can be raised. The system typically can make a call to a pager and relay information as to the location ID and dialler device 5 serial number.

The system is transparent to the user, and does not affect the PSTN line 7 as the software utilised has a multi-threaded design.

Referring now to Figure 2, it can be seen that the dialler device 5 is composed of a number of discreet components. Typically, the dialler device 5 is supplied with an external voltage such as a 27v DC supply 15. The components within the dialler device 5 comprises a line detector 17 which is utilised to protect the dialler device 5 from lightening strikes, spikes and short circuits in the PSTN line 7. It also includes two switches being switch A 19 and switch B 21. Interconnection with the telephone unit 1 or the PABX 3 is via switch B 21 and makes connection through the line protector 17 to the PSTN line 7. Switch B 21 activates ON/OFF Hook and on programming of the dialler device 5. Switch A 19 is activated when dialling the telephone numbers using the dialler device 5. An isolator 23 is provided in the form of a transformer to isolate the PSTN line 7 so that current is not drawn from a telephone exchange during operation of the dialler device 5. A dial tone amplifier 25 is provided to boost the signal levels for functioning of the dialler device 5. A pulse/tone transmitter and receiver 27 is used for detecting the telephone number digits initiated from a telephone 1 and is used to convert DTMF digits into digital signals and vice versa during transmission. It then provides signals to a micro controller 29.

In use, the micro controller 29 handles the processing of information and the switching of switch A 19 and switch B 21. The micro controller 29 also is connected with a local memory 31 for storing data representative of particular address information access codes of the subscribed service providers servicing the one party's telephone 1. The micro controller 29 is able to detect the initial dialling digits in the telephone number dialled by the one person, to extract this address access data so that it can compare the data with the stored access codes in the memory 31 and make an initial assessment if there are particular service providers available. If there is no match, then the micro controller 29 permits the dialled telephone number to be dialled directly on the PSTN line 7 without further processing. If there is a match, then the whole dialled number is then forwarded by the micro controller 29 to the computer device 9 through its serial port . Software in the computer device 9 then processes the dialled number information. It first stores the number in memory and then strips the address access code therefrom. It identifies the country code or other code and then produces a table incorporating all the possible service providers to the country or area in ascending order, i.e. the lowest cost operator is positioned at the top and the highest cost operator at the bottom. Information concerning the communication service provider address codes and parameters, such as "cost of call" information are stored in the computer device 9 in suitable memory. These possible communication service providers are the "determined communication service providers". The system software in the computer device 9 then selects the first of the determined communication service providers in the list to be applicable for the given country or area as a "desired communication service provider" . A new telephone dialling number is then generated by the system software which includes the original number minus its address access code, but with a new address access code of the desired communication service provider. This number is then forwarded back through the micro controller 29 in the dialler device 5, and the dialler device 5, then dials the telephone number of the another party using the access code for the desired communication service provider.

If the access code originally included in the dialling from a telephone 1 is the least cost operator, then there will be no change in the telephone number.

It should be noted that if there is no match of the data held in memory 31 identifying the fact that there are service providers to the destination of the intended telephone call, then the number actually dialled from the telephone 1 will be utilised without any substantial delay. If there is a match there will be a small delay but that delay will be undetectable by a user during the processing of the information by the software within the data device 5 and in the computer device 9.

It should be appreciated that a by-pass address code may be included which is held within the memory 31 so that if this by-pass code is detected in the number dialled by telephone, then the dialler device 5 will automatically switch to allow that telephone number to be dialled directly without being processed by the micro controller 29 and the software in the computer device 9.

It should also be appreciated that if there is a problem during the dialling of a desired communication service provider, then the software can automatically detect after a certain number of rings (say, 2) that there is a problem, and then select the next best "cost of call" operator.

Typically, the dialler device 5 contains appropriate RJll jacks for connection with PABX 3 or the telephones 1, and the PSTN line 7. The connection to the computer 9 can be via a suitable RS232 serial port cable.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a functional flow diagram of the general working of the system. A detailed description is not considered necessary in view of the fact that the flow diagram clearly explains the steps involved.

Referring now to Figures 4a and 4b, there is shown analysis of a dialled number. Here, a similar detailed description is not considered necessary in view of the detail of explanation provided in the functional flow diagram. The following, however, is an explanation which further clarifies over and above what has previously been described. At the decision point 2, there is reference to a first operator. This is the first service provider in the list that is produced by the software and computer device 9 as to the possible determined service providers to enable a particular connection to be made. In process step two there is reference to checking if any promotional offer is valid for the country. If so get the promotional rate. Promotional rates can be related to use of a particular service provider during a given period or at a particular time during the day. The system enables promotional rates of this type to be utilised in the processing of the known parameters. Thus, whilst the particular communication service provider may provide the cheapest rate, another service provider may have a promotional rate which for the desired communication, will result in a cheaper telephone call. In that case, the promotional communication service provider will be the desired communication service provider.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown a functional flow diagram of the uploading process steps in the software to provide for loading of communication service providers and their parameters such as cost of call rates. The whole of the process steps are self explanatory and a detailed description is considered unnecessary.

It should be appreciated that the choice of a particular communication service provider as the preferred communication service provider is programmable into the system. For example, if one communication service provider is not preferred by a client, it can be rendered inactive - and not used in the system. In this case, whenever the software makes a comparison of the determined service providers for the purposes of selecting a desired communication service provider, then that particular service provider will be excluded in the comparison process. Further, a client may be able to elect preferred service provider for a particular country or area. Thus, in this case, all calls will be routed through that communication service provider regardless of cost .

The software may include a module that monitors the numbers dialled and the service providers used and the cost savings . Reports may be generated for customers '/clients' use in analysing the effectiveness of the system.

The uploading of data concerning the communication service providers and the parameters therefor may be programmed to occur through a scheduler. Routines will be present in the software in the computer 9 and in micro controller 27 of the dialler device 5, to take that data and store it in appropriate memories .

Claims

THE CLAIMS :

1. A method for routing an electronic communication from one party to another party via a desired communication service provider, said method involving:

iii) obtaining address information from an electrical signal initiated by the one party that identifies the address particulars of said another party; iv) electrically processing that address information to determine communication service providers that will permit a communication interconnection of the parties; electrically selecting one of the determined service providers as the desired communication service providers; and,

v) making a connection between the parties through the selected service provider thereby permitting the electronic communication to be routed via the desired communication service provider.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the selection is based on a comparison of a known parameter associated with the determined service providers.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said known parameter is best "cost of call" related.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the address particulars contained in the electrical signal initiated by the one party, is contained in a dialling sequence of signals in a telephone number of the other party, and wherein when that telephone number is dialled by said one party, intercepting that telephone number before there is connection to the telephone network and obtaining the address particulars therefrom so that following selection, there will be addition of dialling signals to the telephone number so said communication connection will then be made with those added dialling signals and be routed for connection to the another person via the desired communication service provider.

5. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein if the desired communication service provider is unable to make the call between the parties after an initial attempt to do so, selecting a desired communication service provider from the determined communication service providers that has the next best cost of call parameter.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 including storing all service providers and parameters therefor in a memory for access by the system.

7. A system as claimed in claim 6 including storing the determined service providers for a particular communication in another memory.

8. A method as claimed in claim 6 determining if there is no stored communication service provider in said memory, and then permitting the number dialled by said one party to be directly routed to said another party.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1 including loading or updating data of all possible service providers and parameters into a memory.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9 and making an initial enquiry from a dialled telephone number in the electrical signal to ascertain if an area access code is included in a dialled telephone number and if it coincides with data of an area access code stored in said memory, and in the event of detecting a coincidence forwarding at least the area access code then determining all communication service providers for that area access code and selecting the lowest cost communication service provider from the determined communication service providers, and then forwarding an access code of the lowest cost communication service provider so the lowest cost service provider will be said desired service provider and will be dialled from and dialler device to the telephone network together with the phone number of the another party.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein if there is no coincidence, directly passing the dialled telephone number through the dialler device to the telephone network.

12. A system for routing an electronic communication from one party to another party via a desired communication service provider, said system including:

address information obtaining means for obtaining address particulars from an electrical signal initiated by the one party that identifies the address particulars of said another party,

processing means for processing that obtained address information to determine communication service providers that will permit a communication connection of the parties,

13. A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the processing means provides access to a known parameter associated with the determined service providers, whereby a selection of one of the determined communication service providers can be made on the basis of comparing the known parameters of the determined service providers .

14. A system as claimed in claim 12 being a telephone dialling system permitting the selection of one of the determined communication service providers in the making of a telephone call between the parties, and wherein said known parameter is "cost of call" related.

15. A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the address particulars contained in the electrical signal initiated by the one party, is contained in a dialling sequence of signals in a telephone number of the other party, and wherein when that telephone number is dialled by said one party, said system will intercept that telephone number before there is connection to the telephone network and obtain the address particulars therefrom so that following selection, the telephone call can be directed to another person by adding dialling signals to the telephone number so said communication connection means will then cause the call to be routed for connection to the another person via the desired communication service provider.

16. A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the desired communication service provider has the best cost of call provider for the communication between the parties .

17. A system as claimed in claim 16 wherein if the desired communication service provider is unable to make the call between the parties after an initial attempt to do so, the selecting means will then select a desired communication service provider from the determined communication service providers that has the next best cost of call parameter.

18. A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein all service providers and parameters therefor are stored in a memory for access by the system.

19. A system as claimed in claim 18 wherein the determined service providers for a particular communication are stored in another memory.

20. A system as claimed in claim 18 wherein if said processing means determines that there is no stored communication service provider in said memory, it will then permit the number dialled by said one party to be directly routed to said another party without the addition of dialling signals that would otherwise route the call through a determined service provider.

21. A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein software is provided to load or update all possible service providers and parameters to be held in said memory.

22. A system as claimed in claim 21 wherein said software interfaces with the worldwide web or Internet or e-mail to obtain said loading or an update from a remote site.

23. A system as claimed in claim 15 wherein a dialler device is provided between a telephone of said one party and a telephone network that permits access to all possible communication service providers and to said another person, and wherein an external computer device is interconnected with said dialler device, said dialler device including a local processor, and a local memory, said local memory storing data of area access codes serviced by the communication service providers, said local processor being configured to make an initial enquiry from a dialled telephone number to ascertain if an area access code is included in a dialled telephone number and if it coincides with an area access code stored in said local memory, and in the event of detecting a coincidence forwarding at least the area access code to the external computer device, so the external computer device will determine all communication service providers for that area access code and select the lowest cost communication service provider from the determined communication service providers, and then forward an access code of the lowest cost communication service provider to said local processor so the lowest cost service provider will be said desired service provider and be dialled from and dialler device to the telephone network together with the phone number of the another party.

24. A system as claimed in claim 23 wherein if there is no coincidence, there will be direct passing of the dialled telephone number through the dialler device to the telephone network.