Inventors:
Frank J. Bogart - Boulder CO
Bruce D. Butterfield - Broomfield CO
David L. Chavez - Northglenn CO
Henry C. Dittmer - Westminster CO
Frederick R. Fix - Arvada CO
Larry J. Hardouin - Westminster CO
Nancy K. Schmidt - Broomfield CO
Linda L. Thomson - Westminster CO
Assignee:
AT&T Corp. - Murray Hill NJ
International Classification:
H04M 700, H04M 342, H04M 300
Abstract:
Symbol sequences of varying lengths and having logical meanings other than as network addresses (e. g. , subscriber names), are assigned and used as actual telecommunications network addresses, without imposition of predefined fixed lengths, formats, or orderings on their constituent segments (e. g. , given name, surname), in a call-processing arrangement (200) that uses stored definitions of syntax (320, 350) and grammar (400, 410) of the network numbering plan. The syntax definitions include definitions (312) of individual address segments, called symbol strings, which have logical meanings. Each string's definition includes a string length range (332), a string type (331), and an indicator (VNI 334) of the string's influence on call treatment (e. g. , route) selection. The grammar definitions include a matrix (400) that defines permissible sequences of string types, including string types (256) which cannot be dialed by users but only result from receipt of permissible sequences of strings of user-dialable types, and a matrix (410) that defines which string types' influences on call treatment selection may be combined to select a treatment for a call.