US5835580A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for automated provisioning and billing of communication services
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1996-04-04
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Granted: 1998-11-10
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Expires: 2016-04-04
Abstract
Abstract A method for operating a communication network where the tie between the provisioning of and billing for service and the terminating point of the telecommunication network to which service is provided is severed. Instead, an association is maintained between the provisioning and billing for service and a piece of telecommunication equipment, regardless of the point of that equipment's connection to the network. This enables a customer to appear at any point of the telecommunication network and still obtain service, and it allows the telecommunication carrier to streamline the processes of provisioning, billing and collecting of moneys. An account is maintained by the telecommunication carrier for a specific piece of telecommunication equipment. The account is established by forwarding to the telecommunication carrier a service request including information that uniquely identifies the telecommunication equipment and information that enables the carrier to bill the customer. The carrier optionally establishes a relationship with a credit card enterprise to pay for services rendered to the registered equipment.
Inventors
- 👤 Alexander Gibson Fraser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 01:05
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/02; H04L12/14; H04L12/1453; H04L12/1464; H04L12/1428; H04L12/1482; H04M; H04M15/00; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/0016; H04Q3/0029; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/42229; H04Q2213/00; H04Q2213/1313
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for operating a communication system to enable a customer to receive service from said communication system, comprising the steps of; forwarding to the communication system a request to initially register a communication apparatus connected to a terminating point of the communication system, which request includes in formation that uniquely identifies the communication apparatus through a network identification unit ID, and information to allow billing for services rendered to the apparatus (billing information); authenticating the request to initially register, establishing a database record to associate the NIU ID, the billing information, a customer identifier, and the terminating point of said communication system to which the apparatus is connected; and polling the terminating point of said communication system to determine whether an apparatus connected to said terminating point possesses said NIU ID and modifying said database when the polled terminating point does not have the apparatus that possesses said NIU ID.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for operating a communication system to enable a customer to receive service from said communication system, comprising the steps of; forwarding to the communication system a request to initially register a communication apparatus connected to a terminating point of the communication system, which request includes in formation that uniquely identifies the communication apparatus through a network identification unit ID, and information to allow billing for services rendered to the apparatus (billing information); authenticating the request to initially register, establishing a database record to associate the NIU ID, the billing information, a customer identifier, and the terminating point of said communication system to which the apparatus is connected; and polling the terminating point of said communication system to determine whether an apparatus connected to said terminating point possesses said NIU ID and modifying said database when the polled terminating point does not have the apparatus that possesses said NIU ID.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: providing communication service to said apparatus via said terminating point; recording in billing records charges information pertaining to said provision of service, and forming a request for payment, said request including said NIU ID and said charges information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said billing information includes credit card information and validation information, and said step of authenticating includes a step of arranging with a credit card billing enterprise for said enterprise to make payments pursuant to said request for payment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the detecting step involves the periodic polling of terminating points of the communication system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said request includes information identifying one or more service features desired by the customer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the NIU ID is a manufacturer-installed apparatus serial number.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 where in the course of establishing a database record the communication system assigns a customer identifier to the customer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 where the customer identifier is a telephone number.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 where the step of polling is carried out repetitively.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 where the step of polling is initiated by the communication apparatus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 where the communication apparatus is customer owned.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 where the communication apparatus is attached to the terminating point by the customer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 12 where the step of polling is carried out repetitively to capture occurrences where the customer connects the communication apparatus to a different terminating point of the communication system.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
190 words
A method for operating a communication system to enable a customer to receive service front said communication system via terminating points of said communication system, comprising the steps of: initially registering a communication apparatus for service by a) forwarding to the communication system a request to register a communication apparatus connected to one of said terminating points of the communication system, which request includes information that uniquely identifies the communication apparatus through a network identification unit ID, and information to allow billing for services rendered to the apparatus, b) authenticating the request to initially register, and c) establishing a database record to associate the NIU ID, the billing information, a customer identifier, and the terminating point in said communication system to which the apparatus is connected; repetitively determining the terminating point to which said communication apparatus is connected and modifying said database record when the determined terminating point to which said communication is connected is different from the terminating point contained in said record; and providing service to said communication apparatus at the terminating point to which said communication apparatus is connected based on current information found in said record.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
190 words
A method for operating a communication system to enable a customer to receive service front said communication system via terminating points of said communication system, comprising the steps of: initially registering a communication apparatus for service by a) forwarding to the communication system a request to register a communication apparatus connected to one of said terminating points of the communication system, which request includes information that uniquely identifies the communication apparatus through a network identification unit ID, and information to allow billing for services rendered to the apparatus, b) authenticating the request to initially register, and c) establishing a database record to associate the NIU ID, the billing information, a customer identifier, and the terminating point in said communication system to which the apparatus is connected; repetitively determining the terminating point to which said communication apparatus is connected and modifying said database record when the determined terminating point to which said communication is connected is different from the terminating point contained in said record; and providing service to said communication apparatus at the terminating point to which said communication apparatus is connected based on current information found in said record.
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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) | 2001-11-09 | 2002-05-11 | 2002-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-09 | 2006-05-11 | 2006-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-09 | 2010-05-11 | 2010-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |