System and method for processing telephone numbers
US5475743A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 5, 1993 |
| Grant date | Dec 12, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 5, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S379/912
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method using canonical telephone numbers which allows automatic calling with any location in the world independent of the caller's location. The caller canonical telephone number and a plurality of caller prefixes are stored within the system. A telephone directory stores a plurality of callee canonical telephone numbers for locations throughout the world. The caller manually enters a callee telephone number or selects a callee telephone number from the telephone directory. The system determines if the callee telephone number is a canonical telephone number. The system expands non-canonical telephone numbers to canonical form using known telephone numbering rules for various countries. The system uses the callee canonical telephone number and the caller canonical telephone number to determine which digits of the callee canonical telephone number must be placed on the telephone line to complete the call. The system then adds the appropriate prefix for international, long distance, or local telephone calls to generate a final callee telephone number.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.