US6031903A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for expediting access to services on a switched communications network
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1996-12-16
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Granted: 2000-02-29
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Expires: 2016-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A method for providing access to services during communication between subscribers over a communication path on a switched communication network is provided. In a first step, the injection of a DTMF service request signal by a first subscriber is detected. In a second step, a service is provided to a subscriber that corresponds to the DTMF service request signal from a set of services. The set of services includes a service that terminates the communication path to a second subscriber.
Inventors
- 👤 B. Waring Partridge, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:29
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/4228; H04Q; H04Q1/00; H04Q1/18; H04Q1/30; H04Q1/44; H04Q1/444; H04Q1/45; H04Q2213/00; H04Q2213/13204; H04Q2213/13298; H04Q2213/13383; H04Q2213/13405; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S379/00; Y10S379/917
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for providing access to network services during communication between a first subscriber and a second subscriber over a communication path on a switched communication network comprising the steps of: detecting (215) in said network an injection of a DTMF menu request signal by said first subscriber; sending (220) a menu of services to said first subscriber in response to said menu request signal, said menu comprising at least one service; detecting (225) in said network injection of a DTMF service request signal by said first subscriber; and providing (230) a service to said first subscriber corresponding to said DTMF service request signal from a set of services including a service for non-temporarily terminating said communication path to said second subscriber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for providing access to network services during communication between a first subscriber and a second subscriber over a communication path on a switched communication network comprising the steps of: detecting (215) in said network an injection of a DTMF menu request signal by said first subscriber; sending (220) a menu of services to said first subscriber in response to said menu request signal, said menu comprising at least one service; detecting (225) in said network injection of a DTMF service request signal by said first subscriber; and providing (230) a service to said first subscriber corresponding to said DTMF service request signal from a set of services including a service for non-temporarily terminating said communication path to said second subscriber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of repeating any of said steps of detecting a service request signal, providing a service, detecting a menu request signal, and providing a menu until said first subscriber provides a termination request signal requesting termination of said communication path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of providing a service is in response to a selection of one of said at least one service made by said first subscriber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of sending a menu comprises sending a customized menu in response to subscriber identification information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said at least one service further comprises a service that retrieves messages previously stored for said first subscriber by a third party.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising a step of customizing a menu for a subscriber in response to subscriber identification information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said communication path is established by the steps of: establishing a communication path between said first subscriber and an adjunct; offering a preliminary menu to said first subscriber that includes a service for connecting said first subscriber to said second subscriber; receiving a request for connecting said first subscriber to said second subscriber; and extending said communication path from said first subscriber and said adjunct to said second subscriber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said steps of detecting and providing a service are performed while said communication path between said first subscriber and said second subscriber is complete.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said steps of detecting and providing are performed after said second subscriber is on-hook.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 where some of the services offered by said menu is establishment of communication with specific called party destinations.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 10 where the menu provides a marker in association with one of said destinations, that identifies to said first subscriber communication capabilities of said one of said destinations.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 where the menu provides markers in association with said services that identify capabilities of said services.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 12 where said markers identify the services from a set of capabilities comprising real time or non-real time capabilities, voice or data capabilities, broadband or narrow band capabilities, or combinations of the above.
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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) | 2003-02-28 | 2003-08-30 | 2004-02-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-28 | 2007-08-30 | 2008-02-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-28 | 2011-08-30 | 2012-02-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |