Importance

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Abstract

The present invention features an automatic telecommunications system which includes a method for selecting the most economical carrier for the placement of a dialed telephone call. The telecommunications system attaches to a telephone number input device, such as a telephone dialer, a fax or computer/modem keyboard, a cellular phone, etc. The system captures the number dialed, while inhibiting or disconnecting the telephone from receiving incoming calls, thus preventing interruption of the data capture process. The captured number is fed to the user computer that accesses a first memory that has a database containing the carriers that provide service between the user service area and the area of the dialed number. The user computer contains an internal clock that ascertains the day of the week and the time of day. The computer is programmed to select a carrier providing the best (lowest) rate for the particular time of placement for the dialed call. The processor then appends the access code of the selected carrier to the dialed telephone number, and the number is fed into the telephone communication line for placement with the selected carrier. The telecommunications system accommodates multiple users and can communicate with the selected carrier via in-band or out-of-band signalling methods.

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First Claim