US5745553A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
On-demand communications services
Assignee: AT&T Inc
•
Filing: 1996-04-16
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Granted: 1998-04-28
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Expires: 2016-04-16
Abstract
Abstract A communications system is designed to transmit to end-user devices involved in a call information related to communications services that are invokable in real time from the end-user devices. The transmitted information includes activation codes for invoking for a usage fee, features that may or may not be subscribed to by a caller.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Robert Mirville
- 👤 David Phillip Silverman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:24
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/4228
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A method carried out by a provider for delivering communications services feature information comprising the steps of: recognizing that a call is being established between a party and a subscriber; retrieving database information related to a communications services feature that is invokable during said call from a database based on the identity of said subscriber or said party; transmitting communications services feature information to said party based on said database information and the current state of said call.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A method carried out by a provider for delivering communications services feature information comprising the steps of: recognizing that a call is being established between a party and a subscriber; retrieving database information related to a communications services feature that is invokable during said call from a database based on the identity of said subscriber or said party; transmitting communications services feature information to said party based on said database information and the current state of said call.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said communications services feature information is transmitted after the call is established.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said communications services feature information includes instructions on how to invoke said communications services feature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of: receiving from said party a request for a communications service and delivering said service.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of: receiving from said party a request to effectuate said communications service and delivering said service feature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said communications services feature information includes a usage fee associated with invocation of said communications services feature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said database information includes the language in which said communications services feature information should be transmitted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said communications services feature information includes data represented in a format selected from a group which includes text and pictures.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said communications services feature information includes data represented as animated pictures.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: transmitting to said subscriber a message related to one or more communications services features that are invokable during said call.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said communications services feature information includes data related to features pre-subscribed by the party or the subscriber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said communications services feature information is related to more than one communications services feature and wherein said features are selected from a group of features which include call waiting, call forwarding, three-way calling, voice messaging and speed dialing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said communications services feature information is related to more than one communications services feature grouped into one or more records, with each record including an activation code for invoking a feature for a fee and wherein a different record is transmitted to said party at different stages of the call.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 13 wherein a record comprising activation codes for services which include voice mail, automatic callback and leave word calling is transmitted to said party during call setup time.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 13 wherein a record comprising activation codes for services which include three-way calling and call forwarding is transmitted to said party when said call is answered.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of: receiving another call that is destined for said party; and transmitting to said party a record comprising activation codes for services which include call waiting and three-way calling and call forwarding.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said call is a multimedia call and wherein the communications service feature belongs to a set comprising picture substitution and picture muting.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
98 words
A method carried out by a provider for delivering communications services information comprising the steps of: establishing a call between a subscriber and a party; retrieving database information related to a communications service that is non-subscribed by said subscriber and that is invokable during said call from a database based on the identity of said subscriber; transmitting communications service information to said subscriber based on said database information and the current state of said call; and in response to receiving a signal from said subscriber invoking said communications service during said call, delivering said service to said subscriber.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
98 words
A method carried out by a provider for delivering communications services information comprising the steps of: establishing a call between a subscriber and a party; retrieving database information related to a communications service that is non-subscribed by said subscriber and that is invokable during said call from a database based on the identity of said subscriber; transmitting communications service information to said subscriber based on said database information and the current state of said call; and in response to receiving a signal from said subscriber invoking said communications service during said call, delivering said service to said subscriber.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said communications service is selected from a group which includes call waiting, call forwarding, three-way calling, voice messaging, leave word calling and automatic callback.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 18 wherein communications service information associated with more than one communications service is transmitted to said subscriber and wherein said communications services are grouped into one or more records, with each record including an activation code for invoking a particular communications service for a fee and wherein a different record is transmitted to said subscriber at different stages of the call.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 18 wherein information associated with more than one communications service is transmitted to said subscriber and wherein said information associated with more than one communications service is transmitted in decreasing order of commercial acceptance.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-04-27 | 2001-10-27 | 2002-04-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-27 | 2005-10-27 | 2006-04-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-27 | 2009-10-27 | 2010-04-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |