Telephone number area code preprocessor

Abstract

This invention provides an apparatus and method for processing telephone numbers that assists telephone subscribers in reaching the desired destination when the area code is unknown or has changed. The invention can be integrated into a telephone unit, implemented as a stand-alone device connected to the subscriber's telephone line (including wireless, cable-TV lines, and other modes of telecommunication), implemented as a utility on a personal computer that may or may not be connected to the Internet or to a telephone line, or implemented as part of the telephone switching system. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus for processing telephone numbers includes an area code processor and a caller interface. The area code processor has means, which are responsive to information about the called party, for producing a list of telephone numbers. The caller interface communicates with the area code processor and a calling party; and has means for monitoring call initiation signals, means for receiving called party information such as a telephone number, and means for selecting a target telephone number from the list of telephone numbers produced by the area code processor.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for processing telephone numbers, comprising: 
 an area code processor having means, responsive to called party information, for producing a list of telephone numbers; and    a caller interface, in communication with a calling party and the area code processor, having means for monitoring call initiation signals,    means, responsive to the monitoring means, for receiving called party information, and    means, responsive to the producing means, for selecting a target telephone number from the list of telephone numbers.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of  claim 1 , wherein the call initiation signals contain an activation sequence.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of  claim 2 , wherein the activation sequence comprises a code character selected from the group consisting of # and *.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving means comprises means for associating identification information with the calling party.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of  claim 4 , wherein calling party identification information includes calling party location information.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of  claim 5 , wherein the list of telephone numbers comprises valid telephone numbers in area code service areas within a predetermined scope responsive to calling party location information.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of  claim 6 , wherein the list of telephone numbers comprises valid telephone numbers in area code service areas within a predetermined expanded-scope responsive to calling party location information.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of  claim 6 , wherein at least one pre-designated area code service area is considered to be within the predetermined scope.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of  claim 8 , wherein at least one pre-designated area code is a toll-free service access code.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of  claim 1 , wherein the producing means comprises a telephone number database.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of  claim 10 , wherein the telephone number database comprises information on valid area codes, information on the geographical areas associated with valid area codes, information on valid exchanges within valid area codes, and information on geographical areas associated with valid exchanges.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of  claim 11 , wherein the telephone number database further comprises information on valid telephone numbers within valid exchanges.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of  claim 11 , wherein the telephone number database further comprises information on the relationship of area code service areas.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of  claim 10  wherein the producing means further comprises means for updating the telephone number database.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus for processing telephone numbers of  claim 1 , further comprising a call generator, in communication with the caller interface and a telecommunications network, having means, responsive to the selecting means, for initiating a call to the target telephone number.  
     
     
         16 . A method for processing telephone numbers, comprising the steps of: 
 monitoring call initiation signals from a calling party;    receiving, responsive to the monitoring step, called party information;    producing, responsive to the called party information, a list of telephone numbers; and    selecting, responsive to the producing step, a target telephone number from the list of telephone numbers.    
     
     
         17 . The method for processing telephone numbers of  claim 16 , wherein the call initiation signals contain an activation sequence.  
     
     
         18 . The method for processing telephone numbers of  claim 17 , wherein the activation sequence comprises a code character selected from the group consisting of # and *.  
     
     
         19 . The method for processing telephone numbers of  claim 16 , wherein the receiving step comprises the step of associating identification information with the calling party.  
     
     
         20 . The method for processing telephone numbers of  claim 19 , wherein identification information includes calling party location information.  
     
     
         21 . The method for processing telephone numbers of  claim 20 , wherein list of telephone numbers comprises valid telephone numbers in area code service areas within a predetermined scope responsive to calling party location information.  
     
     
         22 . The method for processing telephone numbers of  claim 21 , wherein the list of telephone numbers comprises valid telephone numbers in area code service areas within a predetermined expanded-scope responsive to the calling party location information.  
     
     
         23 . The method for processing telephone numbers of  claim 21 , wherein at least one pre-designated area code service area is considered to be within the predetermined scope.  
     
     
         24 . The method for processing telephone numbers of  claim 23 , wherein at least one pre-designated area code is a toll-free service access code.  
     
     
         25 . The method for processing telephone numbers of  claim 16 , wherein the producing step comprises the use of a telephone number database.  
     
     
         26 . The method for processing telephone numbers of  claim 25 , wherein the telephone number database comprises information on valid area codes, information on the geographical areas associated with valid area codes, information on valid exchanges within valid area codes, and information on geographical areas associated with valid exchanges.  
     
     
         27 . The method for processing telephone numbers of  claim 26 , wherein the telephone number database further comprises information on valid telephone numbers within valid exchanges.  
     
     
         28 . The method for processing telephone numbers of  claim 26 , wherein the telephone number database further comprises information on the relationship of area code services areas.  
     
     
         29 . The method for processing telephone numbers of  claim 25 , wherein the producing step further comprises the step of updating the telephone number database.  
     
     
         30 . The method for processing telephone numbers of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of initiating, responsive to the selecting step, a call to the target telephone number through a telecommunications network.