The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 13, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 16, 1999
Todd W. Antrim, Newnan, GA (US);
Curtis M. Abrue, Cumming, GA (US);
BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation, Wilmington, DE (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for routing calls that receives a call, identifies the subscriber, determines the preferred call carrier, and routes the call to a line connected to the preferred call carrier, all before the call enters the region between local access transport areas. The invention comprises a digital cross-connect system, a computer with a database connected to the digital cross-connect system, and a service management system connected to the computer. The service management system programs the computer with routing information that corresponds to the subscriber's calling plan. The digital cross-connect system receives calls and sends them to the computer. The computer identifies the call information and uses a routing table to determine the correct call carrier for the call. The computer sends the call with routing information back to the digital cross-connect system where the call is routed to the appropriate local or interexchange carrier, e.g., a local network or long distance carrier.