US5751798A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Passive information access system
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1995-09-12
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Granted: 1998-05-12
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Expires: 2015-09-12
Abstract
Abstract The apparatus and method of the present invention provide passive information access for use in a service subscription system having a service provider and at least one subscriber unit. The passive information access system includes a database, a receiver for detecting initialization signals from a subscriber unit, a host computer for identifying the subscriber unit based on the detected initialization signals, accessing from the database subscriber information specific to the identified subscriber unit, and presenting at least a portion of the accessed subscriber information to the identified subscriber unit. Thus, when the subscriber turns on the subscriber unit, a portion of the relevant subscriber information is passively displayed on a display or announced by a voice activator. Additionally, the host computer detects termination signals from the subscriber unit and updates the subscriber information following the termination. Furthermore, the subscriber can specify in advance the portion of the subscriber information to be presented.
Inventors
- 👤 Inderpal Singh Mumick
- 👤 Abraham Silberschatz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:34
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W4/00; H04W4/24; H04L; H04L63/00; H04L63/10; H04L63/102; H04M; H04M15/00; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/487; H04M3/493; H04W12/00; H04W12/06; H04W12/08; H04L63/14; H04L63/1408; H04L63/1425; H04M2215/00; H04M2215/20; H04M2215/2026; H04M2215/32; H04W12/60; H04W12/69; H04W12/72; H04W8/00; H04W8/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A passive information access system for use in a service subscription system having a service provider and at least one subscriber unit, said passive information system comprising: a database for storing subscriber information specific to said at least one subscriber unit; detecting means for detecting at least one initialization signal from said at least one subscriber unit when said at least one subscriber unit is activated; identifying means for identifying said at least one activated subscriber unit from said at least one detected initialization signal; accessing means for accessing from said database subscriber information specific to said at least one identified activated subscriber unit; and presenting means for presenting at least a portion of said accessed subscriber information to said at least one identified activated subscriber unit substantially upon activation of said at least one identified subscriber unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A passive information access system for use in a service subscription system having a service provider and at least one subscriber unit, said passive information system comprising: a database for storing subscriber information specific to said at least one subscriber unit; detecting means for detecting at least one initialization signal from said at least one subscriber unit when said at least one subscriber unit is activated; identifying means for identifying said at least one activated subscriber unit from said at least one detected initialization signal; accessing means for accessing from said database subscriber information specific to said at least one identified activated subscriber unit; and presenting means for presenting at least a portion of said accessed subscriber information to said at least one identified activated subscriber unit substantially upon activation of said at least one identified subscriber unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system in claim 1, wherein said presenting means includes a display for displaying said at least a portion of said accessed subscriber information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system in claim 1, wherein said presenting means includes a voice converter for converting digital signals of said at least a portion of said accessed subscriber information into voice signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system in claim 1, further comprising: means for storing records of unauthorized usage in said database when said at least one subscriber unit notifies said subscriber provider of said unauthorized usage; and means for denying initialization of said at least one subscriber unit when said accessed subscriber information specific to said at least one identified subscriber unit includes said records of said unauthorized usage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
98 words
A system in claim 1, further comprising: connecting means for making service connections upon requests from said at least one subscriber unit; said detecting means for further detecting at least one termination signal from said at least one subscriber unit when said at least one respective subscriber unit is deactivated; and processing means for processing usage data related to said service connections for said at least one respective subscriber unit upon said detection of said at least one termination signal and for updating said accessed subscriber information based on said processed usage data related to said service connections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system in claim 1, further comprising means for predetermining said portion of said accessed subscriber information to be presented for said at least one subscriber unit in accordance with a selection by said at least one respective subscriber unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system in claim 1, wherein said service provider provides telephone services and said subscriber information specific to said at least one subscriber unit includes subscriber unit identification and usage information including calls accumulated during a billing period and usage amount outstanding in said billing period.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system in claim 1, wherein said service provider provides credit card services and said subscriber information specific to said at least one subscriber unit includes subscriber unit identification and usage information including transactions accumulated during a billing period and total usage amount outstanding in said billing period.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system in claim 1, wherein said service provider provides television services and said subscriber information specific to said at least one subscriber unit includes subscriber unit identification and usage information including ordered services accumulated during a billing period and usage amount outstanding in said billing period.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
136 words
A passive information access system for use in a service subscription system having a service provider and at least one subscriber unit, said passive information system comprising: a database for storing subscriber information specific to said at least one subscriber unit; a receiver for detecting at least one initialization signal from said at least one subscriber unit when said at least one subscriber unit is activated; and a host computer for identifying said at least one activated subscriber unit from said at least one detected initialization signal, for accessing from said database subscriber information specific to said at least one identified activated subscriber unit and for presenting at least a portion of said accessed subscriber information to said at least one identified activated subscriber unit substantially upon activation of said at least one identified subscriber unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
136 words
A passive information access system for use in a service subscription system having a service provider and at least one subscriber unit, said passive information system comprising: a database for storing subscriber information specific to said at least one subscriber unit; a receiver for detecting at least one initialization signal from said at least one subscriber unit when said at least one subscriber unit is activated; and a host computer for identifying said at least one activated subscriber unit from said at least one detected initialization signal, for accessing from said database subscriber information specific to said at least one identified activated subscriber unit and for presenting at least a portion of said accessed subscriber information to said at least one identified activated subscriber unit substantially upon activation of said at least one identified subscriber unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
A system in claim 10, further comprising said host computer for storing records of unauthorized usage in said database when said at least one subscriber unit notifies said subscriber provider of said unauthorized usage and for denying initialization of said at least one subscriber unit when said accessed subscriber information specific to said at least one identified subscriber unit includes said records of said unauthorized usage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
109 words
A system in claim 10, further comprising: a switching system having said database and said host computer and configured for making service connections upon requests from said at least one subscriber unit; said receiver for further detecting at least one termination signal from said at least one subscriber unit when said at least one respective subscriber unit is deactivated; and said host computer for further processing usage data related to said service connections for said at least one respective subscriber unit upon said detection of said at least one termination signal and for updating said accessed subscriber information based on said processed usage data related to said service connections.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system in claim 10, wherein said host computer predetermines said portion of said accessed subscriber information to be presented for said at least one subscriber unit in accordance with a selection by said at least one respective subscriber unit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system in claim 10, wherein said service provider provides telephone services and said subscriber information specific to said at least one subscriber unit includes subscriber unit identification and usage information including calls accumulated during a billing period and usage amount outstanding in said billing period.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system in claim 10, wherein said service provider provides credit card services and said subscriber information specific to said at least one subscriber unit includes subscriber unit identification and usage information including transactions accumulated during a billing period and usage amount outstanding in said billing period.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system in claim 10, wherein said service provider provides television services and said subscriber information specific to said at least one subscriber unit includes subscriber unit identification and usage information including ordered services accumulated during a billing period and usage amount outstanding in said billing period.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for providing passive information access in a service subscription system having a service provider and at least one subscriber unit comprising the steps of: storing subscriber information specific to said at least one subscriber unit in a database; detecting at least one initialization signal from said at least one subscriber unit when said at least one subscriber unit is activated; identifying said at least one activated subscriber unit from said at least one detected initialization signal; accessing from said database subscriber information specific to said at least one identified activated subscriber unit; and presenting at least a portion of said accessed subscriber information to said at least one identified activated subscriber unit substantially upon activation of said at least one identified subscriber unit.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for providing passive information access in a service subscription system having a service provider and at least one subscriber unit comprising the steps of: storing subscriber information specific to said at least one subscriber unit in a database; detecting at least one initialization signal from said at least one subscriber unit when said at least one subscriber unit is activated; identifying said at least one activated subscriber unit from said at least one detected initialization signal; accessing from said database subscriber information specific to said at least one identified activated subscriber unit; and presenting at least a portion of said accessed subscriber information to said at least one identified activated subscriber unit substantially upon activation of said at least one identified subscriber unit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method in claim 17, further comprising the steps of storing records of unauthorized usage in said database when said at least one subscriber unit notifies said subscriber provider of said unauthorized usage and denying initialization of said at least one subscriber unit when said accessed subscriber information specific to said at least one identified subscriber unit includes said records of said unauthorized usage.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
88 words
A method in claim 17, further comprising the steps of: making service connections upon requests from said at least one subscriber unit; detecting at least one termination signal from said at least one subscriber unit when said at least one respective subscriber unit is deactivated; processing usage data related to said service connections for said at least one respective subscriber unit upon said detection of said at least one termination signal; and updating said accessed subscriber information based on said processed usage data related to said service connections.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method in claim 17, further comprising the step of predetermining said portion of said accessed subscriber information to be presented for said at least one subscriber unit in accordance with a selection by said at least one respective subscriber unit.
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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) | 2001-05-11 | 2001-11-10 | 2002-05-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-11 | 2005-11-10 | 2006-05-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-11 | 2009-11-10 | 2010-05-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |