Importance

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Abstract

A method is disclosed of using the public switched telephone network, including the CCIS (Common Channel Interoffice Signaling) system, to provide nationwide personal locator telephone service for called subscribers. In accordance with the service, a calling party may reach a called subscriber wherever the subscriber may be located by merely keying from a standard push-button telephone set a personal number unique to the subscriber. A telephone office having access to CCIS sends the number to a centralized data base. A telephone number at which the subscriber is located is returned to the access office, and the call is automatically completed to the telephone number. Other information may be returned to the access office to provide enhanced features. Such features include called subscriber unavailability announcements to the calling party, storage of a caller's telephone number, automatic call-back by the subscriber, and paging of the subscriber. A subscriber may update the information stored at the centralized data base from any telephone.

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First Claim