US5838682A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for establishing communications with a remote node on a switched network based on hypertext dialing information received from a packet network
Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc
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Filing: 1995-11-28
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Granted: 1998-11-17
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Expires: 2015-11-28
Abstract
Abstract An Internet type access system includes an autodialer for automatically establishing communications with a merchant's facility over a switch network while maintaining Internet connectivity over a packet data network. The autodialer, in combination with the merchant's server, coordinates between the Internet session and the newly established switched connectivity, the session history from the prior Internet session being supplied to a sales representative receiving the autodialed call. The sales representative is provided with a terminal for controlling the merchant's server to push data to the client in response to the interactive session simultaneously conducted over the switched network.
Inventors
- 👤 George J. Dekelbaum
- 👤 Philip J. Fischer
- 👤 Charles N. Judice
- 👤 Richard G. Backus
- 👤 Stephen J. Flaherty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:05
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M7/00; H04M7/0024; H04M7/003; H04L; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/50; H04M3/51; H04M3/5183; H04M3/5191; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/0428; H04Q11/0435; H04Q11/0457; H04L67/00; H04L67/50; H04L67/53; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329; H04M3/42025; H04M3/42034; H04M3/42059
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A terminal device for retrieving information from a plurality of remote information sites on a first communications network and, in response to the retrieved information, establishing communications with a remote node on a second communications network distinct from the first communications network, the terminal device comprising: a first communications interface connected to the first communications network for receiving address data from a selected one of the remote information sites; an output device connected to said first communications interface for providing said address data; an input device for designating said address data; and a second communications interface connected to the second communications network and responsive to a designation of said address data by said input device for establishing communications with the remote node corresponding to said address data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A terminal device for retrieving information from a plurality of remote information sites on a first communications network and, in response to the retrieved information, establishing communications with a remote node on a second communications network distinct from the first communications network, the terminal device comprising: a first communications interface connected to the first communications network for receiving address data from a selected one of the remote information sites; an output device connected to said first communications interface for providing said address data; an input device for designating said address data; and a second communications interface connected to the second communications network and responsive to a designation of said address data by said input device for establishing communications with the remote node corresponding to said address data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The terminal device of claim 1, wherein said output device comprises a display providing a visually perceptible image representing said address data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The terminal device of claim 1, wherein said first communications network comprises a packet network and said second communications network comprises a switched network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The terminal device of claim 1, wherein said first communications network comprises an internetwork of data networks and said first communications interface comprises a Web Browser processing hypertext markup language (HTML) messages received from the internetwork.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The terminal device of claim 4 wherein said second communications network comprises a switched voice network and said second communications interface comprises voice transmission and reception apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The terminal device of claim 5 wherein said first and second communications interfaces operate substantially simultaneously to provide communications access to ones of said remote information sites while maintaining communications with said remote node.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The terminal device of claim 5 further comprising session identification means for supplying information to said remote node identifying one of the HTML messages received from the internetwork.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
101 words
The terminal device of claim 1, wherein said first communications interface comprises a first terminal application including: hypertext processing means for retrieving hypertext markup language (HTML) messages from the selected remote site, said HTML messages having embedded therein (a) said address data, and (b) type information corresponding to said address data; display processing means for displaying the HTML messages on said output device and for providing said address data in response to said input device designating said address data; and helper program launching means responsive to said type information for activating said second communications interface and supplying said address data thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The terminal device of claim 8 where in said type information is encoded as a Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension (MIME).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The terminal device of claim 1 wherein the first communications network is a packet network and said first communications interface includes a packet network interface for communicating with the remote sites using Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) network communications protocols.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The terminal device of claim 1 further comprising an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) interface connected to and supplying connectivity between said first communications interface and the first communications network.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The terminal device of claim 11 wherein said ISDN interface is further connected to and provides connectivity between said second communications interface and the second communications network.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The terminal device of claim 12 wherein said second communications network includes an ISDN circuit having at least one D and B channel, said ISDN interface responsive to said designation of said address data for supplying routing data to said second communications network on said ISDN D channel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
The terminal device of claim 1 wherein the second communications network includes a switched telephone network and said second communications interfaces further includes an autodialer comprising: a tone generator providing dual tone multi-frequency (dtmf) signals in response to said address data; and an analog telephone circuit interface applying said dtmf signals from said tone generator to the switched telephone network.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The terminal device of claim 14, said second communications interface further comprising a modulator/demodulator (modem) connected to the second communications network for transmitting and receiving data to and from said remote node.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The terminal device of claim 1 further comprising a telephone instrument for providing real time duplex voice communications with the remote node over the second communications network in response to said second communications interface establishing communications with said remote node.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The terminal device of claim 16 wherein said telephone instrument comprises an analog POTS telephone.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The terminal device of claim 16 wherein said telephone instrument comprises an ISDN telephone instrument.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The terminal device of claim 1 further comprising a video coder/decoder (codec) for providing real time video communications with the remote node over the second communications network in response to said second communications interface establishing communications with said remote node.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The terminal device of claim 19 further comprising a video camera supplying a video signal to said codec.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The terminal device of claim 1 further comprising means for identifying to said remote node address information of said selected one of the remote information sites.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
121 words
A terminal device for retrieving information from a plurality of remote information sites and, in response to the retrieved information, simultaneously establishing a private communications link with a remote communications node on a second communications network, the terminal device comprising: a first communications interface connected to a first communications network for receiving address data from a selected one of the remote information sites; an output device connected to said first communications interface for providing said address data; an input device for designating said address data; and a second communications interface connected to the second communications network and responsive to a designation of said address data by said input device for establishing communications with the remote node corresponding to said address data.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
121 words
A terminal device for retrieving information from a plurality of remote information sites and, in response to the retrieved information, simultaneously establishing a private communications link with a remote communications node on a second communications network, the terminal device comprising: a first communications interface connected to a first communications network for receiving address data from a selected one of the remote information sites; an output device connected to said first communications interface for providing said address data; an input device for designating said address data; and a second communications interface connected to the second communications network and responsive to a designation of said address data by said input device for establishing communications with the remote node corresponding to said address data.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The terminal device of claim 22, wherein said output device comprises a display providing a visually perceptible image representing said address data.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The terminal device of claim 22, wherein said first communications network comprises an internetwork of data networks and said first communications interface comprises a Web Browser processing hypertext markup language (HTML) messages received from the internetwork.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The terminal device of claim 24 wherein said second communications network comprises a switched voice network and said second communications interface comprises voice transmission and reception apparatus.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The terminal device of claim 25 further comprising session identification means for supplying information to said remote node identifying one of the HTML messages received from the internetwork.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
101 words
The terminal device of claim 22, wherein said first communications interface comprises a first terminal application including: hypertext processing means for retrieving hypertext markup language (HTML) messages from the selected remote site, said HTML messages having embedded therein (a) said address data, and (b) type information corresponding to said address data; display processing means for displaying the HTML messages on said output device and for providing said address data in response to said input device designating said address data; and helper program launching means responsive to said type information for activating said second communications interface and supplying said address data thereto.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The terminal device of claim 25 where in said type information is encoded as a Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension (MIME).
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
40 words
The terminal device of claim 22 wherein the first communications network is a packet network and said first communications interface includes a packet network interface for communicating with the remote sites using Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) network communications protocols.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
The terminal device of claim 22 further comprising an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) interface connected to and supplying connectivity between said first communications interface and the first communications network.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The terminal device of claim 30 wherein said ISDN interface is further connected to and provides connectivity between said second communications interface and the second communications network.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
60 words
The terminal device of claim 22 wherein the second communications network includes a switched telephone network and said second communications interfaces further includes an autodialer comprising: a tone generator supplying dual tone multi-frequency (dtmf) signals in response to said address data; and an analog telephone circuit interface applying said dtmf signals from said tone generator to the switched telephone network.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
40 words
The terminal device of claim 32 further comprising a telephone instrument for providing real time duplex voice communications with said remote node over the second communications network in response to said second communications interface establishing communications with said remote node.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
The terminal device of claim 33 wherein said telephone instrument comprises an analog POTS telephone.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The terminal device of claim 32 wherein said telephone instrument comprises an ISDN telephone instrument.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
The terminal device of claim 31, said second communications interface further comprising a modulator/demodulator (modem) connected to the second communications network for transmitting and receiving data to and from said remote node.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The terminal device of claim 22 further comprising means for identifying to said remote node address information of said selected one of the remote information sites.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
183 words
A data processing system for interactively providing information to a remote client on a first communications network in response to a client request and under supervisory control by a system operator in direct communications with the client on a second communications network, the data processing system comprising: a first communications interface connected to the first communications network for receiving address data from the client; a server storing a plurality of pages of information and, in response to said address data, transmitting on the first communications network a selected one of said pages of information to the client; an operator terminal connected to the second communications network and receiving incoming calls thereon, said operator terminal connected to said server and including (i) a display indicating the selected one of said pages of information transmitted to the client and (ii) server control means for supplying address data to said server to cause it to transmit another selected one of said pages of information to the client on the first communications network while said operator terminal remains connected to the client on the second communications network.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
183 words
A data processing system for interactively providing information to a remote client on a first communications network in response to a client request and under supervisory control by a system operator in direct communications with the client on a second communications network, the data processing system comprising: a first communications interface connected to the first communications network for receiving address data from the client; a server storing a plurality of pages of information and, in response to said address data, transmitting on the first communications network a selected one of said pages of information to the client; an operator terminal connected to the second communications network and receiving incoming calls thereon, said operator terminal connected to said server and including (i) a display indicating the selected one of said pages of information transmitted to the client and (ii) server control means for supplying address data to said server to cause it to transmit another selected one of said pages of information to the client on the first communications network while said operator terminal remains connected to the client on the second communications network.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
31 words
The data processing system of claim 38, wherein said first communications network comprises an internetwork of data networks and said pages of information comprise data formatted in hypertext markup language (HTML).
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
34 words
The data processing system of claim 38 wherein said second communications network comprises a switched voice network and said operator terminal further comprises voice transmission and reception apparatus connected to said switched voice network.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
30 words
The data processing system of claim 40 further comprising session identification means for receiving information the client identifying the selected one of said pages of information transmitted to the client.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
41 words
The data processing system of claim 38 wherein the first communications network is a packet network and said first communications interface includes a packet network interface for communicating with the remote sites using Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) network communications protocols.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
31 words
The data processing system of claim 38 further comprising an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) interface connected to and supplying connectivity between said first communications interface and the first communications network.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of automatically establishing communications with a remote node of a switched communications network using address data contained in hypertext data obtained from a packet data network distinct from the switched communications network, comprising the steps of: retrieving hypertext information from a remote information site on the packet data network; displaying said hypertext information; designating a portion of said displayed hypertext information; identifying address data corresponding to the designated portion of the displayed hypertext information; and establishing communications with the remote node on the switched communications network corresponding to said identified address data.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of automatically establishing communications with a remote node of a switched communications network using address data contained in hypertext data obtained from a packet data network distinct from the switched communications network, comprising the steps of: retrieving hypertext information from a remote information site on the packet data network; displaying said hypertext information; designating a portion of said displayed hypertext information; identifying address data corresponding to the designated portion of the displayed hypertext information; and establishing communications with the remote node on the switched communications network corresponding to said identified address data.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 44 further comprising the step of supplying information to said remote node identifying said hypertext information.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 44 wherein said establishing communications step further comprises the steps of providing dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals in response to said identified address data and applying said dtmf signals to said switched communications network.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5204894A
Cited
US5559862A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-11-16 | 2002-05-18 | 2002-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-16 | 2006-05-18 | 2006-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-16 | 2010-05-18 | 2010-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |