Method and apparatus for placing a long distance call based on a virtual phone number
US7680262B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 2008 |
| Grant date | Mar 16, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S379/901
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for reducing the cost of long distance phone calls is disclosed. Accordingly, an originating phone network is operatively connected to a first intermediate point, and a receiving phone network is operatively connected to a second intermediate point. Each intermediate point is operatively connected to communicate via a data network. Users on the originating and destination phone networks may communicate based on virtual numbers. The virtual number is preferably within the local calling area of the originating phone network. The first and second intermediate points route calls to any geographic location, regardless of distance, over the data network based on the virtual number. This provides the advantage of allowing a user on the originating phone network to access a user at a distant location for a price that is substantially similar to the price of a local call.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.