US5974331A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for dynamically assigning features and users to wireline interfaces
Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc
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Filing: 1997-04-04
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Granted: 1999-10-26
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Expires: 2017-04-04
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for supporting wireless and/or wireline features of telecommunications subscribers utilizing existing wireline interfaces includes a processor for provisioning the wireline interfaces to support predetermined wireless and/or wireline features. A service logic, such as a Service Control Point (SCP), assigns the wireline interfaces to the telecommunications subscribers on a call-by-call basis based on the features subscribed to by the subscriber. The processor is further operative to reprovision the wireline interfaces based on the number of subscribers assigned to the wireline interfaces.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles I. Cook
- 👤 James R. Corliss
- 👤 Michael J. Fargano
- 👤 Angus O. Dougherty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:09
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/0016; H04Q3/0029; H04M; H04M9/00; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/4228; H04Q2213/00; H04Q2213/13097; H04Q2213/13098; H04Q2213/13103; H04Q2213/13141; H04Q2213/13204; H04Q2213/13345; H04Q2213/13353; H04Q2213/13533; H04Q2213/13541; H04Q2213/13546
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
For use in an integrated wireline/wireless network, a method for using a fixed number of existing wireline interfaces to support a plurality of predetermined wireless and/or wireline features subscribed to by telecommunications subscribers, the method comprising: provisioning each of the wireline interfaces to support one of the plurality of predetermined wireless and/or wireline features; assigning each of the wireline interfaces to the telecommunications subscribers on a call-by-call basis based on the features subscribed to by each of the subscribers; and dynamically reprovisioning any one of the wireline interfaces on a call-by-call basis to support a different one of the plurality of pre-determined features based on the number of subscribers currently assigned to each of the wireline interfaces and the corresponding features subscribed to by each of the subscribers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
For use in an integrated wireline/wireless network, a method for using a fixed number of existing wireline interfaces to support a plurality of predetermined wireless and/or wireline features subscribed to by telecommunications subscribers, the method comprising: provisioning each of the wireline interfaces to support one of the plurality of predetermined wireless and/or wireline features; assigning each of the wireline interfaces to the telecommunications subscribers on a call-by-call basis based on the features subscribed to by each of the subscribers; and dynamically reprovisioning any one of the wireline interfaces on a call-by-call basis to support a different one of the plurality of pre-determined features based on the number of subscribers currently assigned to each of the wireline interfaces and the corresponding features subscribed to by each of the subscribers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
100 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein each of the telecommunications subscribers has a directory number assigned thereto for identifying the telecommunications subscriber and for identifying the wireless and/or wireline features subscribed to by the telecommunications subscriber, and wherein provisioning the wireline interfaces further includes: pooling each of the directory numbers subscribing to the same features into a corresponding feature group to form a plurality of feature groups; and provisioning the wireline interfaces into a plurality of interface groups based on the plurality of feature groups so that each interface group supports one of the plurality of predetermined features.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as recited in claim 2 wherein assigning each of the wireline interfaces includes: determining the directory number of the subscriber; and determining an unassigned wireline interface from one of the plurality of groups supporting the features subscribed to by the telecommunications subscriber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as recited in claim 3 wherein each of the telecommunications subscribers further has a Mobile Identification Number (MIN) assigned thereto and wherein assigning the wireline interfaces includes determining the directory number based on the MIN.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as recited in claim 2 wherein dynamically reprovisioning includes comparing the number of telecommunications subscribers assigned to the wireline interfaces in each of the plurality of groups with a threshold.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as recited in claim 5 wherein comparing includes comparing the number of telecommunications subscribers assigned to each of the plurality of groups with a predetermined maximum threshold.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as recited in claim 5 wherein comparing includes comparing the number of telecommunications subscribers assigned to each of the plurality of groups with a predetermined minimum threshold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as recited in claim 5 wherein comparing includes comparing the number of telecommunications subscribers assigned to each of the plurality of groups with a varying threshold.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
140 words
For use in an integrated wireline/wireless network, a system for using a fixed number of existing wireline interfaces to support a plurality of predetermined wireless and/or wireline features subscribed to by telecommunications subscribers, the system comprising: a processor operative to provision each of the wireline interfaces to support one of the plurality of predetermined wireless and/or wireline features; service logic operative to assign each of the wireline interfaces to the telecommunications subscribers on a call-by-call basis based on the features subscribed to by each of the subscribers; and wherein the processor is further operative to dynamically reprovision the wireline interfaces on a call-by-call basis to support a different one of the plurality of predetermined features based on the number of subscribers currently assigned to each of the wireline interfaces and the corresponding features subscribed to by each of the subscribers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
140 words
For use in an integrated wireline/wireless network, a system for using a fixed number of existing wireline interfaces to support a plurality of predetermined wireless and/or wireline features subscribed to by telecommunications subscribers, the system comprising: a processor operative to provision each of the wireline interfaces to support one of the plurality of predetermined wireless and/or wireline features; service logic operative to assign each of the wireline interfaces to the telecommunications subscribers on a call-by-call basis based on the features subscribed to by each of the subscribers; and wherein the processor is further operative to dynamically reprovision the wireline interfaces on a call-by-call basis to support a different one of the plurality of predetermined features based on the number of subscribers currently assigned to each of the wireline interfaces and the corresponding features subscribed to by each of the subscribers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
105 words
The system as recited in claim 9 wherein each of the wireless subscribers has a directory number assigned thereto for identifying the subscriber and for identifying the wireless and/or wireline features subscribed to by the telecommunications subscriber, and wherein the processor, in provisioning the wireline interfaces, is further operative to pool each of the directory numbers subscribing to the same features into a corresponding feature group to form a plurality of feature groups and to provision the wireline interfaces into a plurality of interface groups based on the plurality of feature groups so that each interface group supports one of the plurality of predetermined features.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system as recited in claim 10 wherein the service logic, in assigning each of the wireline interfaces, is further operative to determine the directory number of the telecommunications subscriber and determine an unassigned wireline interface from one of the plurality of groups supporting the features subscribed to by the telecommunications subscriber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system as recited in claim 11 wherein each of the telecommunications subscribers further has a Mobile Identification Number (MIN) assigned thereto and wherein the service logic, in assigning the wireline interfaces, is further operative to determine the directory number based on the MIN.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system as recited in claim 10 wherein the control logic, in dynamically reprovisioning the wireline interfaces, is further operative to compare the number of telecommunications subscribers assigned to the wireline interfaces in each of the plurality of groups with a threshold.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system as recited in claim 13 wherein the control logic, in comparing the number, is further operative to compare the number of telecommunications subscribers assigned to each of the plurality of groups with a predetermined maximum threshold.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system as recited in claim 13 wherein the control logic, in comparing the number, is further operative to compare the number of telecommunications subscribers assigned to each of the plurality of groups with a predetermined minimum threshold.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system as recited in claim 13 wherein the control logic, in comparing the number, is further operative to compare the number of telecommunications subscribers assigned to each of the plurality of groups with a varying threshold.
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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) | 2002-10-25 | 2003-04-26 | 2003-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-25 | 2007-04-26 | 2007-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-25 | 2011-04-26 | 2011-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |