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EP0451693A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for providing integrated access to telecommunication based services

Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1991-04-04
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-04-04
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Abstract

Abstract A method for authorizing access to a plurality of telecommunications services in a network comprises acknowledging a caller's attempt to contact the network, identifying the caller contacting the network as either a subscriber to at least one service offered in the network or not such a subscriber, allowing further access to the network if the caller is identified as a subscriber to the network, and allowing identified subscribers to select which of the plurality of services is desired. After the caller has completed usage of the accessed services, the caller is asked whether or not the caller desires to utilize another of the plurality of services and is allowed to select another of the plurality of services if the caller so desires. Other systems and methods are also disclosed. <IMAGE>

Inventors

  • 👤 Jeffrey L. Scruggs

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 16:02
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/487; H04M3/493; H04M3/4936; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/70; H04M2201/00; H04M2201/40; H04M3/38; H04M3/382

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim 81 words
A method for authorizing access to a plurality of telecommunications services in a network, comprising the steps of: acknowledging a caller's attempt to contact the network; identifying the caller contacting the network as either a subscriber to at least one service offered in the network or not such a subscriber; allowing further access to the network if the caller is identified as a subscriber to the network; and allowing identified subscribers to select which of said plurality of services is desired.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 37 words
The method for authorizing access to a plurality of telecommunications services in a network as defined in Claim 1, wherein said identifying step comprises the steps of verifying the caller's identity based upon the caller's voice sample.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 45 words
The method for authorizing access to a plurality of telecommunications services in a network as defined in Claim 2, wherein said identifying step comprises: requiring the caller to provide a voice sample; and comparing said voice sample with a stored sample of the subscriber's voice.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 38 words
The method for authorizing access to a plurality of telecommunications services in a network as defined in Claim 1, wherein said identified subscribers are allowed to select which of said plurality of services is desired by voice command.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method as defined in Claim 4, wherein said identified subscribers are allowed to alternatively select which of said plurality of services is desired by DTMF command.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 66 words
The method for authorizing access to a plurality of telecommunications services in a network as defined in Claim 1, further comprising the steps of after the caller has completed usage of the accessed service, requesting whether or not the caller desires to utilize another of said plurality of services; and allowing the caller to select another of said plurality of services if the caller so desires.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 52 words
The method for authorizing access to a plurality of telecommunications services in a network as defined in Claim 6, wherein said caller is allowed to select another of said plurality of services by entering a code indicative of the service desired via the telephone keypad without requiring additional identification of the caller.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 49 words
The method for authorizing access to a plurality of telecommunications services in a network as defined in Claim 6, wherein said caller is allowed to select another of said plurality of services by entering a voice command indicative of the service desired without requiring additional identification of the caller.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 46 words
The method for authorizing access to a plurality of telecommunications services in a network as defined in Claim 1, wherein said identifying step comprises verifying the caller's identity based alternatively upon either the caller's voice, or other personal identification data entered via a telephone instrument keypad.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 76 words
A method of providing access to a plurality of telecommunications services comprising the steps of: answering a dialed telephone number directed to the services; requesting the caller to provide an authorization code; requesting a voice sample from the caller; comparing the voice sample with a stored template of the caller's voice; and allowing access to the plurality of services if the result of said comparing step identifies the caller as a valid subscriber to the services.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 50 words
The method of providing access to a plurality of telecommunications services as defined in Claim 10, wherein said steps of requesting the caller to provide an authorization code and requesting a voice sample from the caller comprise the single step of requesting the caller to verbally provide his authorization code.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method of providing access to a plurality of telecommunications services as defined in Claim 11, wherein said authorization code comprises a number otherwise familiar to said user.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 31 words
The method of providing access to a plurality of telecommunications services as defined in Claim 12, wherein said authorization code comprises either the caller's home telephone number or social security number.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 32 words
The method of providing access to a plurality of telecommunications services as defined in Claim 10, wherein said voice sample comprises a statement of a predetermined phrase indicative of the caller's identity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 31 words
The method of providing access to a plurality of telecommunications services as defined in Claim 14, wherein said phrase comprises a series of digits indicative of the identity of the caller.

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