Telecommunication user account management system and method

Claim 3

The apparatus in claim 1 where the types of data include at least one of: data for individual user accounts for telecommunication services, data for equipment for provision of telecommunication services, data for cable system converters, and data for the locations serviced by the telecommunication services.

Claim 4

The apparatus in claim 1 where the stored data is stored in compatible formats.

Claim 5

The apparatus in claim 1 where the telecommunication services include at least one of: cable television, direct-to-home satellite television including pay-per-view services, direct from satellite telephone, interactive telecommunications, non-interactive telecommunications, telephone, on-line databases, video conferencing, radio, pay-for-view television, pay-for-call telephone, interfacing to imaging systems, video, audio, television, music video, video juke box, video-on-demand, interactive television, home-shopping, telephone conferencing, and automatic charge-back telephone calls.

Claim 6

The apparatus in claim 1 where the types of reports include at least one of: reports run on a daily basis, reports run on a weekly basis, reports run on a monthly basis, transaction history reports, transaction processing system reports, plant inventory reports, and reports run on an as-needed basis.

Claim 7

The apparatus in claim 1 where the ancillary functions include at least one of: SAM reports, electronic mail, word processing, a phone utility, a personal computer function, office automation software packages, and spread sheets.

Claim 8

The apparatus in claim 1 where the programmed computer means for storing data comprises a network of computers installed in offices of cable television systems, with separate databases maintained for each office.

Claim 9

The apparatus in claim 1 where the types of reports include at least one of: reports for technical personnel, reports for warehouse personnel, reports for accounting/collection personnel, reports for work order control personnel, reports for dispatchers, and reports for pay-per-view activity.

Claim 10

The apparatus in claim 1 where the data functions include at least one of: display user functions, menu user functions, and supervisor functions.

Claim 11

The apparatus in claim 9 where the display user functions include at least one of: alternate address functions, collection activity, dwelling, drop burial, equipment functions, financial adjustment, inquiry logging, request-for-action job, letters, memos, order entry, printing, telephone interface, reminders, subscriber information, trouble orders, utilities, pay-per-view, transaction history view, transaction processing system view, plant inventory view, and work order.

Claim 12

The apparatus in claim 9 where the menu user functions include at least one of: SAM menu functions, customer service functions, miscellaneous job functions, drop burial inquiry, dispatch, converter tracking, dwelling management, billing and collection, payment processing, and work order calendar and points; and the billing and collection functions include generation of bills, generation of disconnect notices, payment processing, transaction history tracking, transaction processing system tracking, and plant inventory tracking.

Claim 13

The apparatus in claim 9 where the supervisor functions and reports include at least one of: accounting functions, functions to manage users, and reports.

Claim 16

The method in claim 13 where the types of data include at least one of: data for individual user accounts for telecommunication services, data for equipment for provision of telecommunication services, data for cable system converters, and data for the locations serviced by the telecommunication services.

Claim 17

The method in claim 13 where the stored data is stored in compatible formats.

Claim 18

The method in claim 13 where the telecommunication services include at least one of: cable television, direct-to-home satellite television including pay-per-view services, direct from satellite telephone, interactive telecommunications, non-interactive telecommunications, telephone, on-line databases, video conferencing, radio, pay-for-view television, pay-for-call telephone, interfacing to imaging systems, video, audio, television, music video, video juke box, video-on-demand, interactive television, home-shopping, telephone conferencing, and automatic charge-back telephone calls.

Claim 19

The method in claim 13 where the types of reports include at least one of: reports ran on a daily basis, reports ran on a weekly basis, reports run on a monthly basis, transaction history reports, transaction processing system reports, plant inventory reports, and reports run on an as-needed basis.

Claim 20

The method in claim 13 where the ancillary functions include at least one of: SAM reports, electronic mail, word processing, a phone utility, a personal computer function, office automation software packages, and spread sheets.

Claim 21

The method in claim 13 where the data is stored in a network of computers installed in offices of cable television systems, with separate databases maintained for each office.

Claim 22

The method in claim 13 where the types of reports include at least one of: reports for technical personnel, reports for warehouse personnel, reports for accounting/collection personnel, reports for work order control personnel, reports for dispatchers, and reports for pay-per-view activity.

Claim 23

The method in claim 13 where the data functions include at least one of: display user functions, menu user functions, and supervisor functions.

Claim 24

The method in claim 21 where the display user functions include at least one of: alternate address functions, collection activity, dwelling, drop burial, equipment functions, financial adjustment, inquiry logging, request-for-action job, letters, memos, order entry, printing, telephone interface, reminders, subscriber information, trouble orders, utilities, pay-per-view, transaction history view, transaction processing system view, plant inventory view, and work order.

Claim 25

The method in claim 21 where the menu user functions include at least one of: SAM menu functions, customer service functions, miscellaneous job functions, drop burial inquiry, dispatch, converter tracking, dwelling management, billing and collection, payment processing, and work order calendar and points; and the billing and collection functions include generation of bills, generation of disconnect notices, payment processing, transaction history tracking, transaction processing system tracking, and plant inventory tracking.

Claim 26

The method in claim 21 where the supervisor functions and reports include at least one of: accounting functions, functions to manage users, and reports.

Claim 27

An article of manufacture comprising: a computer readable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein, the computer readable program code means in said article of manufacture comprising: a. computer readable code means for causing a computer to effect storing types of user account management data for subscriber cable television service; the types of user account management data further comprising: data for individual subscriber accounts for cable television service, data for equipment for provision of subscriber cable television service, data for cable television system converters, and data for dwellings serviced by subscriber cable television service; the stored data being stored in compatible formats; and the means for storing types of data further comprise: a programmed computer network installed in offices of cable television systems, with separate databases maintained for each office, b. computer readable code means for causing a computer to effect executing user account management data functions on such user account management data to change such user account management data to reflect current activity, the user account management data functions further comprise display user functions, menu user functions, and supervisor functions, where: (i) the display user functions further comprise: alternate address functions, collection activity, dwelling, drop burial, equipment functions, financial adjustment, inquiry logging, request-for-action job, letters, memos, order entry, printing, telephone interface, reminders, subscriber information, trouble orders, utilities, pay-per-view, and work order, (ii) the menu user functions further comprise: SAM menu functions, customer service functions, miscellaneous job functions, drop burial inquiry, dispatch, converter tracking, dwelling management, billing and collection, payment processing, and work order calendar and points; and the billing and collection functions include generation of bills, generation of disconnect notices, payment processing, and related functions, and (iii) the supervisor functions and reports further comprise: accounting functions, functions to manage users, reports, and miscellaneous functions, c. computer readable code means for causing a computer to effect generating types of reports from such user account management data, the types of reports further comprising: reports for technical personnel, reports for warehouse personnel, reports for accounting/collection personnel, reports for work order control personnel, reports for dispatchers, and reports for pay-per-view activity, and d. computer readable code means for causing a computer to effect performing ancillary functions on the user account management data, the ancillary functions further comprising: SAM reports, electronic mail, word processing, a phone utility, a personal computer function, office automation software packages, and spread sheets.

Claim 28

An article of manufacture comprising: a computer readable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein, the computer readable program code means in said article of manufacture comprising: a. computer readable code means for causing a computer to effect storing types of user account management data for subscriber cable television service; the types of user account management data further comprising: data for individual subscriber accounts for cable television service, data for equipment for provision of subscriber cable television service, data for cable television system converters, and data for dwellings serviced by subscriber cable television service; the stored data being stored in compatible formats; and the means for storing types of data further comprise: a programmed computer network installed in offices of cable television systems, with separate databases maintained for each office, b. computer readable code means for causing a computer to effect executing user account management data functions on such user account management data to change such user account management data to reflect current activity, the user account management data functions further comprise display user functions, menu user functions, and supervisor functions, where: (i) the display user functions further comprise: alternate address functions, collection activity, dwelling, drop burial, equipment functions, financial adjustment, inquiry logging, request-for-action job, letters, memos, order entry, printing, telephone interface, reminders, subscriber information, trouble orders, utilities, pay-per-view, and work order, (ii) the menu user functions further comprise: SAM menu functions, customer service functions, miscellaneous job functions, drop burial inquiry, dispatch, converter tracking, dwelling management, billing and collection, payment processing, and work order calendar and points; and the billing and collection functions include generation of bills, generation of disconnect notices, payment processing, and related functions, and (iii) the supervisor functions and reports further comprise: accounting functions, functions to manage users, reports, and miscellaneous functions, c. computer readable code means for causing a computer to effect generating types of reports from such user account management data, the types of reports further comprising: reports for technical personnel, reports for warehouse personnel, reports for accounting/collection personnel, reports for work order control personnel, reports for dispatchers, and reports for pay-per-view activity, and d. computer readable code means for causing a computer to effect performing ancillary functions on the user account management data, the ancillary functions further comprising: SAM reports, electronic mail, word processing, a phone utility, a personal computer function, office automation software packages, and spread sheets.

Claim 29

An article of manufacture comprising: a computer readable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein, the computer readable program code means in said article of manufacture comprising: a. computer readable code means for causing a computer to effect storing with programmed computer means types of user account management data for telecommunication services; b. computer readable code means for causing a computer to effect executing with programmed computer means user account management data functions on such user account management data to change such user account management data to reflect current activity; c. computer readable code means for causing a computer to effect generating with programmed computer means types of reports from such user account management data; and d. computer readable code means for causing a computer to effect performing with programmed computer means ancillary functions on the user account management data; and e. computer readable code means for causing a computer to effect programming with programmed computer means addressable converter interaction functions to change remotely the list of services that an individual addressable converter will permit an individual subscriber to access.

Claim 30

An article of manufacture comprising: a computer readable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein, the computer readable program code means in said article of manufacture comprising: a. computer readable code means for causing a computer to effect storing with programmed computer means types of user account management data for telecommunication services; b. computer readable code means for causing a computer to effect executing with programmed computer means user account management data functions on such user account management data to change such user account management data to reflect current activity; c. computer readable code means for causing a computer to effect generating with programmed computer means types of reports from such user account management data; and d. computer readable code means for causing a computer to effect performing with programmed computer means ancillary functions on the user account management data; and e. computer readable code means for causing a computer to effect programming with programmed computer means addressable converter interaction functions to change remotely the list of services that an individual addressable converter will permit an individual subscriber to access.

Claim 31

An article of manufacture as in claim 26 where the types of user account management data include at least one of: data for individual user accounts for telecommunication services, data for equipment for provision of telecommunication services, data for cable system converters, and data for the locations serviced by the telecommunication services.

Claim 32

An article of manufacture as in claim 26 where the stored data is stored in compatible formats.

Claim 33

An article of manufacture as in claim 26 where the telecommunication services include at least one of: cable television, direct-to-home satellite television including pay-per-view services, direct from satellite telephone, interactive telecommunications, non-interactive telecommunications, telephone, on-line databases, video conferencing, radio, pay-for-view television, pay-for-call telephone, interfacing to imaging systems, video, audio, television, music video, video juke box, video-on-demand, interactive television, home-shopping, telephone conferencing, and automatic charge-back telephone calls.

Claim 34

An article of manufacture as in claim 26 where the types of reports include at least one of: reports run on a daily basis, reports run on a weekly basis, reports run on a monthly basis, transaction history reports, transaction processing system reports, plant inventory reports, and reports run on an as-needed basis.

Claim 35

An article of manufacture as in claim 26 where the ancillary functions include at least one of: SAM reports, electronic mail, word processing, a phone utility, a personal computer function, office automation software packages, and spread sheets.

Claim 36

An article of manufacture as in claim 26 where the user account management data is stored in a network of computers installed in offices of cable television systems, with separate databases maintained for each office.

Claim 37

An article of manufacture as in claim 26 where the types of reports include at least one of: reports for technical personnel, reports for warehouse personnel, reports for accounting/collection personnel, reports for work order control personnel, reports for dispatchers, and reports for pay-per-view activity.

Claim 38

An article of manufacture as in claim 26 where the user account management data functions include at least one of: display user functions, menu user functions, and supervisor functions.

Claim 39

An article of manufacture as in claim 34 where the display user functions include at least one of: alternate address functions, collection activity, dwelling, drop burial, equipment functions, financial adjustment, inquiry logging, request-for-action job, letters, memos, order entry, printing, telephone interface, reminders, subscriber information, trouble orders, utilities, pay-per-view, transaction history view, transaction processing system view, plant inventory view, and work order.

Claim 40

An article of manufacture as in claim 34 where the menu user functions include at least one of: SAM menu functions, customer service functions, miscellaneous job functions, drop burial inquiry, dispatch, converter tracking, dwelling management, billing and collection, payment processing, and work order calendar and points; and the billing and collection functions include generation of bills, generation of disconnect notices, payment processing, transaction history tracking, transaction processing system tracking, and plant inventory tracking.

Claim 41

An article of manufacture as in claim 34 where the supervisor functions and reports include at least one of: accounting functions, functions to manage users, and reports.

Claim 42

A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method comprising: a. storing types of user account management data for subscriber cable television service; the types of data further comprising: data for individual subscriber accounts for cable television service, data for equipment for provision of subscriber cable television service, data for cable television system converters, and data for dwellings serviced by subscriber cable television service; the stored data being stored in compatible formats; and the means for storing types of data further comprise: a programmed computer network installed in offices of cable television systems, with separate databases maintained for each office, b. executing user account management data functions on such user account management data to change such user account management data to reflect current activity, the user account management data functions further comprise display user functions, menu user functions, and supervisor functions, where: (i) the display user functions further comprise: alternate address functions, collection activity, dwelling, drop burial, equipment functions, financial adjustment, inquiry logging, request-for-action job, letters, memos, order entry, printing, telephone interface, reminders, subscriber information, trouble orders, utilities, pay-per-view, and work order, (ii) the menu user functions further comprise: SAM menu functions, customer service functions, miscellaneous job functions, drop burial inquiry, dispatch, converter tracking, dwelling management, billing and collection, payment processing, and work order calendar and points; and the billing and collection functions include generation of bills, generation of disconnect notices, payment processing, and related functions, and (iii) the supervisor functions and reports further comprise: accounting functions, functions to manage users, reports, and miscellaneous functions, c. generating types of reports from such user account management data, the types of reports further comprising: reports for technical personnel, reports for warehouse personnel, reports for accounting/collection personnel, reports for work order control personnel, reports for dispatchers, and reports for pay-per-view activity, and d. performing ancillary functions on the user account management data, the ancillary functions further comprising: SAM reports, electronic mail, word processing, a phone utility, a personal computer function, office automation software packages, and spread sheets.

Claim 43

A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method comprising: a. storing types of user account management data for subscriber cable television service; the types of data further comprising: data for individual subscriber accounts for cable television service, data for equipment for provision of subscriber cable television service, data for cable television system converters, and data for dwellings serviced by subscriber cable television service; the stored data being stored in compatible formats; and the means for storing types of data further comprise: a programmed computer network installed in offices of cable television systems, with separate databases maintained for each office, b. executing user account management data functions on such user account management data to change such user account management data to reflect current activity, the user account management data functions further comprise display user functions, menu user functions, and supervisor functions, where: (i) the display user functions further comprise: alternate address functions, collection activity, dwelling, drop burial, equipment functions, financial adjustment, inquiry logging, request-for-action job, letters, memos, order entry, printing, telephone interface, reminders, subscriber information, trouble orders, utilities, pay-per-view, and work order, (ii) the menu user functions further comprise: SAM menu functions, customer service functions, miscellaneous job functions, drop burial inquiry, dispatch, converter tracking, dwelling management, billing and collection, payment processing, and work order calendar and points; and the billing and collection functions include generation of bills, generation of disconnect notices, payment processing, and related functions, and (iii) the supervisor functions and reports further comprise: accounting functions, functions to manage users, reports, and miscellaneous functions, c. generating types of reports from such user account management data, the types of reports further comprising: reports for technical personnel, reports for warehouse personnel, reports for accounting/collection personnel, reports for work order control personnel, reports for dispatchers, and reports for pay-per-view activity, and d. performing ancillary functions on the user account management data, the ancillary functions further comprising: SAM reports, electronic mail, word processing, a phone utility, a personal computer function, office automation software packages, and spread sheets.

Claim 44

A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method comprising: e. storing with programmed computer means types of user account management data for telecommunication services; f. executing with programmed computer means user account management data functions on such user account management data to change such user account management data to reflect current activity; g. generating with programmed computer means types of reports from such user account management data; h. performing with programmed computer means ancillary functions on the user account management data; and i. performing with programmed computer means addressable converter interaction functions to change remotely the list of services that an individual addressable converter will permit an individual subscriber to access.

Claim 45

A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method comprising: e. storing with programmed computer means types of user account management data for telecommunication services; f. executing with programmed computer means user account management data functions on such user account management data to change such user account management data to reflect current activity; g. generating with programmed computer means types of reports from such user account management data; h. performing with programmed computer means ancillary functions on the user account management data; and i. performing with programmed computer means addressable converter interaction functions to change remotely the list of services that an individual addressable converter will permit an individual subscriber to access.

Claim 46

A program storage device as in claim 39 where the types of user account management data include at least one of: data for individual user accounts for telecommunication services, data for equipment for provision of telecommunication services, data for cable system converters, and data for the locations serviced by the telecommunication services.

Claim 47

A program storage device as in claim 39 where the stored user account management data is stored in compatible formats.

Claim 48

A program storage device as in claim 39 where the telecommunication services include at least one of: cable television, direct-to-home satellite television including pay-per-view services, direct from satellite telephone, interactive telecommunications, non-interactive telecommunications, telephone, on-line databases, video conferencing, radio, pay-for-view television, pay-for-call telephone, interfacing to imaging systems, video, audio, television, music video, video juke box, video-on-demand, interactive television, home-shopping, telephone conferencing, and automatic charge-back telephone calls.

Claim 49

A program storage device as in claim 39 where the types of reports include at least one of: reports run on a daily basis, reports run on a weekly basis, reports run on a monthly basis, transaction history reports, transaction processing system reports, plant inventory reports, and reports run on an as-needed basis.

Claim 50

A program storage device as in claim 39 where the ancillary functions include at least one of: SAM reports, electronic mail, word processing, a phone utility, a personal computer function, office automation software packages, and spread sheets.

Claim 51

A program storage device as in claim 39 where the user account management data is stored in a network of computers installed in offices of cable television systems, with separate databases maintained for each office.

Claim 52

A program storage device as in claim 39 where the types of reports include at least one of: reports for technical personnel, reports for warehouse personnel, reports for accounting/collection personnel, reports for work order control personnel, reports for dispatchers, and reports for pay-per-view activity.

Claim 53

A program storage device as in claim 39 where the user account management data functions include at least one of: display user functions, menu user functions, and supervisor functions.

Claim 54

A program storage device as in claim 47 where the display user functions include at least one of: alternate address functions, collection activity, dwelling, drop burial, equipment functions, financial adjustment, inquiry logging, request-for-action job, letters, memos, order entry, printing, telephone interface, reminders, subscriber information, trouble orders, utilities, pay-per-view, transaction history view, transaction processing system view, plant inventory view, and work order.

Claim 55

A program storage device as in claim 47 where the menu user functions include at least one of: SAM menu functions, customer service functions, miscellaneous job functions, drop burial inquiry, dispatch, converter tracking, dwelling management, billing and collection, payment processing, and work order calendar and points; and the billing and collection functions include generation of bills, generation of disconnect notices, payment processing, transaction history tracking, transaction processing system tracking, and plant inventory tracking.

Claim 56

A program storage device as in claim 47 where the supervisor functions and reports include at least one of: accounting functions, functions to manage users, and reports.