At+t Corp.

Ram N Rathore

Roy Philip Weber

Ajay K Jain

Gregg Alan Toney

Algorithms for call set up and monitoring of calls intended for high end customers, who prefer to be reached any time, any where and very fast, allow for quick call set up by referring to a customer profile data base in real time during the call set up process. The customer profile database includes all network addresses (telephone numbers, e.g., day time number, evening number, wireless number, pager number, etc.) where the customer can be reached and will keep a record of the number where the customer was reached the last time. This service is implemented on a new NCP or as a new application on an existing NCP with sufficient capacity. The NCP data base includes several data elements for each customer: These include: the customer calling number indicating that a query to an NCP is needed before initiating the call set up; preferred call set up algorithm, e.g., call me where my last call completed; call according to day of the week and time of the day schedule, call all numbers simultaneously, connect directly to my mailbox or call my pager, etc.; preferred calling numbers for each day of the week and the time of day; and the calling number where the most recent call was completed. In an emergency contact all the emergency contacts in the conference mode.

Customer defined call setup

A method and apparatus determine a caller's eligibility to enter a lottery, determine whether the caller has won the lottery and advises the caller of the winning status while communication services are provided between the caller and a called party. Thus, the caller can enter, win and be advised of winning status while communication, e.g. telephone voice communication, takes place between the caller and a called party. The caller need not dial a specific telephone number to enter the lottery. Instead, communication with any desired called party can take place.

Method and apparatus for determining a caller's eligibility for a

A method and apparatus determine a caller's eligibility to enter a lottery, determine whether the caller has won the lottery and advise the caller of the winning status in response to a caller's request for communication services. The odds of winning a lottery for the caller can be adjusted based on the caller's participation history, such as a past number of calls made or total call time logged by the caller. Thus, frequent users of a communication service can be rewarded with increased odds of winning a lottery each time a request for communication services is made and communication services are provided.

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Randolph, NJ, United States of America

Ram N Rathore