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:
Jun. 15, 2004
Filed:
Oct. 04, 2002
Scott L. McCulley, Moneta, VA (US);
Marcus P. Wright, Lynchburg, VA (US);
Steven J. Cuppy, Lynchburg, VA (US);
David A. Simon, Lynchburg, VA (US);
Criterion Wireless Corp., Lynchburg, VA (US);
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for determining market statistics for communication service providers. Determinations of whether or not a sampling of telephone numbers are assigned by a particular service provider are employed to determine market statistics. A message which is used to obtain a response. The response is interpreted to determine whether or not the telephone number associated with the wireless device is assigned. Alternatively, a sampling of telephone numbers are dialed over a digital line. Based upon the result of the dialing, it is determined whether or not the telephone numbers are assigned by the service provider. Telephone numbers which have been ported between service providers in networks which employ local number portability can be accounted for in the determination of market statistics. A telephone number portability database can also be employed for determining whether or not a telephone number is assigned by a service provider.