Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC LEARNING OF DESTINATION TELEPHONE NUMBER
I. TECHNICAL FIELD
Generally, this invention applies to devices and methods to match destination
identification information to services offered by a plurality of transmission
Garners.
Specifically, 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.
II. BACKGROUND
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 (NPA-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.
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
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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 carrier
in
conventional communication devices) may be that the memory element has a
limited
capacity in order that the manufacturer can build and retail the communication
devices) 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 Garner. 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. When there is any change in tariff,
the tariff
or transmission carrier cost information in preferred routing function may
need to be
changed. Since conventional communication devices cannot know that tariff or
cost
information has changed, a server of the conventional preferred routing
service will call all
the communication device and download updated transmission Garner cost
information.
With conventional technology, there is no way of knowing if a call is from a
server for
downloading cost information or a regular phone call from somebody. Therefore,
there may
not be a way to answer the communication device automatically to download
updated
transmission Garner cost information. Somebody has to answer manually. This
may make
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it impractical to download updated transmission carrier cost information. This
approach
essentially obviates downloading of information during the night time.
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 Garners. 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. As such, a common carrier
that offers a
low cost rate for short calls (e.g. 1 minute), and another common Garner that
offers low cost
rate for long calls (e.g. 3 minutes) may not differentiated in the selection
process.
With respect to the problems of matching destination identification
information to
services offered by a plurality of transmission carriers and with computer
implemented
methods to capture and assign attributes to destination identifiers in a
computer memory of
limited capacity within a communication device above-described the present
invention
addresses these concerns in a practical fashion.
III. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, 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 Garner routing enterprise to coordinate destination
identification information
with a plurality of transmission Garners so that transmission of information
between
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communication devices may be routed automatically with a preferred
transmission Garner.
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 obj ect of a particular embodiment of the invention may be to provide
a low
cost Garner selection table.
Another broad goal of embodiments of the invention can be to provide a Garner
access prefix number 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).
Naturally further objects of the invention are disclosed throughout other
areas of the
specification and claims.
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IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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 figures are intended as exemplary guides to the invention. The kind and
number
of elements shown are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to a
particular
configuration or use.
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V. MODES) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
As can be easily understood from the foregoing, 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.
In this application, 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. In addition, while 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.
Referring now to Figure 1, which shows an embodiment of the information
transmission invention. 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. As such, 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.
Naturally,
other transmission media exists or may be developed that can be utilized to
transmit such
information.
As shown, a plurality of transmission Garners (2) can provide access to the
transmission medium. The transmission carriers can include private company
telecommunication networks or public telecommunication networks. The
transmission
Garner 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 & Telegraph,
MCI, and
America On Line among the numerous transmission carriers which provide
services world
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wide. Naturally, each country or jurisdiction may have numerous transmission
Garners 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. These 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. Naturally, 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.
As such, and
as described above, it can be difficult for a communication device user, or
group of
communication device users, to select a transmission Garner 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. Naturally, 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
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device built in such as GPS tracking devices, or household appliances, to
provide a range of
further examples.
To differentiate the first communication device (3) from other communication
devices
(4), which could conceivably number in the billions, trillions, or more, 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. Naturally, from jurisdiction to
jurisdiction, and in
coordination with the various transmission carriers or types of communication
devices being
used, 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.
Numerous types, brands, and models of communication devices are available, as
such
there can be considerable variation with respect to the type of first CPU (S)
or memory
elements) 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
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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. In any case,
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. Naturally, as more capacity can be
developed into CPUs
and CPUs have smaller physical dimensions 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. Presently, due to all of the factors mentioned above, a large number of
CPUs built into
communication devices have a limited capacity of between about 5 bytes to
about 1000
bytes. Due to this variation in the types, kinds, and capacities of the
various CPUs either
built into or responsive to communication devices it can be difficult to
provide a standard
program for the selection of transmission carriers with a communication device
(3) and
additionally difficult to use such a transmission Garner selection program
with a variety of
other communication device(s)(4), or to coordinate such a transmission carrier
selection
program between communication devices to facilitate the transmission of
information.
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 Garners (2) or can be more depending on the
embodiment of the
invention.
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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).
As described above, 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. In one
embodiment of the
invention the destination identifier attribution element (12), counts the
number of times a
particular destination identifier is captured by the destination identifier
capture element ( 11 ).
Thus, while repeated destination identifiers are not stored in the memory
element (8), the
stored destination identifier acquires a defining characteristic, in this case
the number of
times it is captured over a duration of time. In another embodiment of the
invention, 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. In yet another embodiment of the invention,
the
destination identifier attribution element ( 12) can distinguish between
destination identifiers
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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. For
example, the destination identifier attribution element ( 12) can
differentiate between national
and international transmission or local and long distance transmission.
Naturally, 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. For example, 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. Naturally, any attribute or
characteristic, such as,
frequency of use, duration of use, distance between communication devices, or
zones, as
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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). An example of this
arrangement is shown
by Figure 1 which shows communication devices) (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. Naturally, in
certain embodiments
of the invention 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 a memory element (19)
having a larger
memory storage. In some embodiments of the invention, for example, there may
be an
insufficient amount of capacity in the first CPU (5) to include the
destination identification
rank element (13) and the destination identification rank element may be
included in the
operations carried out by the second CPU(6).
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
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(21). The transmission Garner 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 Garner 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 devices) (3)(4), or from the second
CPU (6) or
even another CPU(23) device. In some embodiments of the invention the learn
module (7)
and the transmission Garner assignment module (21) can comprise a single
programmable
relational data base.
After 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
Garner
assigned to that destination identifier.
Now referring to Figures 1 and 2, 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.
Similarly, 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. 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
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matches holidays to the date on which the destination identifier is captured
or is entered into
the communication devices) (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 devices) (3)(4).
1 S 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.
Similarly, 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
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a Garner code appended. A Garner code from the table can then be used to
retrieve the
transmission Garner 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
s carrier match table.
Now refernng to Figures 1 and 2, 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 Garner, which may be based
on low
cost, in the following manner:
1. Capture the destination identifier, if the first digit is a 1 for domestic
transmission 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.
2. 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.
If, no, then abort transmission carrier selection and proceed to step 3
3. Update the learn table (43).
a. Does the destination identifier match an entry in the learn table (43)?
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i. if, yes, then increment the count (44)(12) by 1, update the learn table
(7), then dial the call without LCR function (31), and continue to 3b.
ii. if, no, add ( 10) destination identifier to the learn table (43) and set
counter (12) to 1, update the learn table (7), then dial call without
LCR function (31).
b. then check if learn table (43) has maximum entries:
i. if, yes, continue to 3d.
ii. if, no, then continue c.
c. then check if destination identifier attributes has reached a variably
selectable
count:
i. if no, stop processing
ii. if, yes, continue to 3d..
d. check if learn table (43) has been processed within a variable selectable
time
period, for example 30 days:
i. if, no, then 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 tables) (40)
and
(41) with attributes and upload to second CPU (6).
4. Perform transmission carrier selection.
a. check holiday table (45):
i. if, holiday, go to holiday time of day table (46), get transmission
carrier pointer associated with the time of day in 1 hour increments,
continue to 4c.
ii. if, not holiday, then continue to 4b.
b. check weekday, Saturday, Sunday time of day tables (47). Get transmission
carrier pointer associated with the time of day in 1 hour increments, continue
to 4c.
c. Refer back to destination identification tables) DII (40)(41) use pointer
to
select 1 of 12 columns within the destination information row (33), read
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earner index and cross reference earner index to transmission carrier index
or transmission earner index or carrier match table (30) to yield the carrier
identification code, continue to 4d.
d. Increment the destination identification information counter ( 26 ) by 1 in
the
destination identification table(s)(40) or (41) and continue to 4e.
e. Insert earner identification code before destination identifier to connect
with
the selected transmission carrier (for example, carrier identification
code+1+destination identifier).
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).
In order to accomplish the obj ectives described above, the preferred
transmission earner
routing equipment and methods which comprises the invention can be offered by
a preferred
transmission earner routing company or (the "company") independent of any
common
earner. The company collects the tariff information of all the common earners,
prepares the
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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. As described above this information may
be
downloaded to the transmission Garner assignment module (21 ) in a
communication device
(3)(4) as may be desired.
Now referring to Figure 3, to provide transmission carrier assignment
information from
the second CPU (6), the second CPU (6) or server provides the circuitry
necessary to
interpret and execute program instructions to select a transmission Garner
from a plurality of
transmission Garners (2) and to match the selected transmission Garner to a
destination
identifier. The second CPU (6) or transmission Garner 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 Garner that corresponds 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 Garner 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
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selection equipment (56), which is composed of line unit (57), central control
unit (58),
memory unit (59) and clock unit (60). When it is first installed to a
subscriber line after
purchase, 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). It
may search for routing information stored in memory unit (59) based upon the
destination
telephone number dialed by a user, and day of the week information, time
information and
holiday information read from clock unit (60). Central control unit (58)
determines which
common carrier to use. It sends out the prefix dial necessary to use the
determined common
earner 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.
The example shown by Figure 5 are tariff tables; a first table (61) uses 2
common
earners, a second table (62) uses 3 common earners and a third table (63) that
use N number
of common earners or transmission carriers. One of the 2-earner selection, 3-
earner
selection or N carrier selection is chosen according to a user choice and the
corresponding
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. When 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
earner (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 earner or a
default common
carrier may be chosen.
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Sometimes 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. If a
common Garner
introduces a new calling plan, the new calling plan is added and users can
always enj oy using
the lower cost calling plan. With this invention, 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. With this invention, 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
devices) will improve and also update can be done during nighttime.
A further example of particular embodiments of the decision tables) utilized
in the
invention as implemented in Japan (similarly the decision tables could be
established for
other countries or types of destinaton indentification information) they could
be are provided
in Figures 7-11 as a guide, however, the example is not meant to limit the
scope of the
invention to this embodiment, and specifically does not limit the use of the
invention to a
particular type of communication device. In this embodiment of the invention
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 amd 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.
CA 02391168 2002-05-10
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The time of day index of this invention is composed of 7 pointers. A pointer
corresponds
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 tables) 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 corresponding
message area identification information is found, the corresponding distance
block
information is read out. The corresponding distance is read out from distance
table using the
distance block information.
The current 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 corresponding to the current day of
the week. Using
a pointer corresponding to current time among 24-hour indices and the distance
read out from
distance table, corresponding 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.
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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 Garner.
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.
In the example shown in figure 7, 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.
In the example shown in figure 2, 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.
In an example shown in Figure 9 , 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 corresponds to Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or
Sunday.
The 24-hour index consists of 24 pointers and each pointer corresponds to each
hour from
0 to 24 hours. If the received current 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. Go to the
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24-hour index pointed by the pointer of the current day of the week among day
of the week
indices. Go to the column of rates table pointed by the pointer of the current
time in the
pointed 24-hour index. These operations are repeated in (70), (74) and (72),
and the same
operations in (71), (73) and (75).
In an example shown in Figure 10, 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. In this example we assume that there are 3 kinds of unit time
(78), (80) and
(82), and also 3 kinds of unit charge (79), (81) and (83). We also assume that
the rate table
(84) that corresponds to the second carrier is composed the same. The
corresponding 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
corresponding
unit charge and unit time are read out.
In the example shown in figure 11, a predicted call duration table (92) has
multiple
predicted call durations in seconds, and corresponds 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 Garner.
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. In particular 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.
To use a Low Cost Routing (LCR) feature on these phones or similar type
communication devices the customer is required to register and activate the
LCR service.
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To activate the LCR feature found on these phones the customer is required to
register
with a LCR service, such as openLCR.com. The activation process can be
accomplished by
one of four exemplary methods as set out below:
1. IVR (Interactive Voice Response)
2. by the openLCR.com Web Site,
3. by Fax, and
4. by US Mail.
This activation process sets up a customer's personal profile as well as a
customer's
selected long distance telephone Garner 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.
Activation b,~IV-R
To access the IVR system 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 Garner information. Then, when prompted,
the customer
record his name, address, and telephone number. At the next voice prompt, the
customer
places the handset in the charging cradle immediately to download new LCR
Information
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. 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
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CA 02391168 2002-05-10
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back at the predetermined callback date for an automatic update of LCR
information from
the computer server.
Activation by openLCR.com Web Site:
Access the openLCR web site (www.openlcr.com) and 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 Garner name and service plan. Next 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. When the personal account is created, the customer
will be asked
to initiate download to the telephone.
1 S 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
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. 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.
CA 02391168 2002-05-10
WO 01!35627 PCT/US00/31030
Registration by Fax and US mail.
These methods of registration rely on the user filling out a form that was
enclosed in
the box with phone purchase and than faxing or mailing the form to
openLCR.com. The
customer is advice to wait 3 business days and then to initiate the activation
process.
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 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. 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.
After activation, the customer's phone will route domestic and international
long
distance calls to a low cost Garner if the call charges of the low cost Garner
are less expensive
than the customer' selected primary Garner. 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 1006 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.
It is thought that the apparatuses and methods of the embodiments of the
present
invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the
foregoing
description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the
form,
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CA 02391168 2002-05-10
WO 01/35627 PCT/US00/31030
construction and arrangement of the parts thereof without departing from the
spirit and scope
of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form
hereinbefore described
being merely a preferred or exemplary embodiments thereof.
Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure relates to
elements of the
invention, the words for each element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus
terms or
method terms--even if only the function or result is the same. Such
equivalent, broader, or
even more generic terms should be considered to be encompassed in the
description of each
element or action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make
explicit the
implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one
example, it should
be understood that all action may be expressed as a means for taking that
action or as an
element which causes that action. Similarly, each physical element disclosed
should be
understood to encompass a disclosure of the action which that physical element
facilitates.
Regarding this last aspect, and as but one example the disclosure of "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.
Any acts of law, statutes, regulations, or rules mentioned in this application
for
patent; or patents, publications, or other references mentioned in this
application for patent
are hereby incorporated by reference. Specifically, United States Patent
Application Nos.
60/187,945; 60/188,903; and 09/631,332; and Japanese Patent Application No. 11-
357855
are each hereby incorporated by reference herein, including any figures or
attachments.
Moreover, each of the references in the following table of references are
hereby incorporated
by reference herein.
27
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U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
DOCUME DATE NAME CLASS SUBCLASS FILING
NT NO. DATE
4,104,48608/1/78 Martin et al. 179 2 AM 06/29/76
4,122,30808/24/78 Weinberger et 179 7.1 R 06/03/77
al.
4,136,26201/23/79 Clark, Jr. 179 6.3 R 09/15/77
4,198,54504/15/80 Haist et al. 179 6.31 03/08/78
4,209,66806/24/80 Wienberger et 179 90 B 09/20/78
al.
4,226,36008/07/80 Simjian 235 375 12/19/78
4,275,27306/23/81 02/08/79
4,410,76508/18/83 Hestad et al. 179 7.1 R 06/04/81
4,439,63603/27/84 Newkirk et al. 179 7.1 R 03/09/82
4,521,85706/04/85 Reynolds, III 364 439 05/17/83
4,585,90404/29/86 Mincone et al. 179 7.1 TP 01/06/84
1 4,656,65704/07/87 Hunsicker 379 140 08/15/85
S
4,751,72806/14/88 Treat 379 113 03/27/87
4,751,72906/14/88 Coleman 379 376 05/01/87
4,813,06503/14/89 Segala 379 112 08/13/87
4,888,82212/19/89 Weinberger et 379 130 01/05/89
al.
4,935,95606/19/90 Hellwarth et al. 379 112 04/20/89
5,003,58403/26/91 Benyacar et al. 379 119 04/16/90
5,163,04211 /10/92Ochiai 370 17 11 /22/89
5,187,71002/16/93 Chau et al. 370 110.1 12/19/90
5,251,25010/05/93 08/21
/91
5,267,30811/30/93 09/23/91
5,319,70106/07/94 Hird et al. 379 132 03/04/93
5,343,51808/30/94 01/14/93
5,425,08506/13/95 Weinberger et 379 112 03/18/94
al.
5,515,42505/07/96 01 /19/93
5,519,76905/21/96 Weinberger et 379 112 04/04/94
al.
5,799,07108/25/98 10/05/92
5,894,50704/13/99 05/31/96
5,903,63405/11/99 03/20/97
5,903,634
28
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FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENT DATE COUNTRY CLASS SUBCLASS TRANSLATION
NO
YES NO
3-78396 08/22/89 Japan
4-56007 02/07/92 Japan
S 2-309747 05/25/89 Japan
2-310492 05/25/89 Japan
3-143145 10/30/89 Japan
3-143146 10/30/89
5-003518 01-08-93 Japan
5-030334 02-05-93 Japan
5-114989 05-07-93 Japan
5-207541 08-13-93 Japan
5-236076 09-10-93 Japan
5-244239 09-21-93 Japan
5-327848 12-10-93 Japan
5-336338 12-17-93 Japan
5-344188 12-24-93 Japan
6-046090 02-18-94 Japan
6-078132 03-18-94 Japan
6-113007 04-22-94 Japan
6-133018 05-13-94 Japan
6-152712 05-31-94 Japan
6-164484 06-10-94 Japan
6-197169 07-15-94 Japan
6-205093 07-22-94 Japan
6-205118 07-22-94 Japan
6-209375 07-26-94 Japan
6-276252 09-30-94 Japan
63-98251 10/14/86 Japan
63-98252 10/14/86 Japan
63-99658 10/15/86 Japan
63-135050 11/26/86 Japan
63-135051 11/26/86 Japan
63-151146 12/15/86 Japan
63-151147 12/15/86 Japan
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63-151148 12/15/86 Japan
63-151149 12/15/86 Japan
63-169152 12/29/86 Japan
63-169153 12/29/86 Japan
64-7125 09/11/87 Japan
OTHER DOCUMENTS (Including Author, Title, Date, Pertinent Pages, Etc.)
US Application 60/187,945, entitled "LCR Equipment to
Choose the Lowest Cost Carrier Among
Many Common Carriers", filed on March 3, 2000
US Application 60/188,903, entitled "LCR Telephone Tariff
Table Structure", filed on March 13,
2000.
US Application 09/631,332, entitled "A System For Determining
A Low Cost Communication
Carrier", filed on August 2, 2000.
Additionally, as to each term used it should be understood that unless its
utilization
in this application is inconsistent with such interpretation, common
dictionary definitions
should be understood as incorporated for each term and all definitions,
alternative terms, and
synonyms such as contained in the Random House Webster's Unabridged
Dictionary, second
edition are hereby incorporated by reference herein. However, as to each of
the above, to the
extent that such information, statements, or definitions incorporated by
reference might be
considered inconsistent with the patenting of these inventions) such
information, statements,
or definitions are expressly not to be considered as made by the applicant(s).
Moreover, the various combinations and permutations of all elements or
applications
can be created and presented. All can be done to optimize the design or
performance in a
specific application.
In addition, unless the context requires otherwise, it should be understood
that the
term "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", are
intended to imply
the inclusion of a stated element or step or group of elements or steps but
not the exclusion
of any other element or step or group of elements or steps. Such terms should
be interpreted
CA 02391168 2002-05-10
WO 01/35627 PCT/US00/31030
in their most expansive form so as to afford the applicant the broadest
coverage legally
permissible in countries such as Australia and the like.
Thus, the applicants) should be understood to have support to claim at least:
i) 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) a
digitally
readable memory encoded with data to direct a processor comprising means or
elements
which function as described throughout the above discussion, xiv) a computer
configured as
herein disclosed and described, xv) individual or combined subroutines and
programs as
herein disclosed and described, xvi) the related methods disclosed and
described, xvii)
similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these systems and
methods, xviii)
those alternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as are
disclosed and
described, xix) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of
the functions
shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, xx)
each
programmable feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent
inventions,
and xxi) the various combinations and permutations of each of the above.
31
