US6088435A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interactive telephone networking service
Assignee: AT&T Inc
•
Filing: 1997-11-10
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Granted: 2000-07-11
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Expires: 2017-11-10
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus are disclosed for enabling parties with similar interests to speak with one another through connections automatically established by equipment within the telephone network. A party seeking to join a conversation or obtain information (referred to as a "requesting subscriber") is connected automatically with an appropriate individual, conference call, or voice messages on the basis of information provided by the requesting subscriber and information about other prospective parties to the call (other "subscribers" to the interactive telephone network service). The requesting subscriber need not know the identities or telephone numbers of the other subscribers. The identities and telephone numbers of the other subscribers are maintained in a database and may be held in secrecy. Similarly, a requesting subscriber may create or retrieve telephone messages stored in a database according to the subject matter of the message.
Inventors
- 👤 James Stewart Barber
- 👤 Chih Chiang Kung
- 👤 Kalpesh P. Parekh
- 👤 Mona A. Yousry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 05:19
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/42008; H04M3/50; H04M3/53; H04M3/533; H04M3/56; H04M2201/00; H04M2201/18; H04M2203/00; H04M2203/45; H04M2203/4536; H04M3/38; H04M3/382; H04M3/42025; H04M3/42034; H04M3/42059; H04M3/42068; H04M3/42085; H04M3/42102; H04M3/4211; H04W; H04W8/00; H04W8/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for processing a call in a network comprising the steps of: receiving from a subscriber a request to establish a telephone connection with another party on a topic specified by the subscriber; comparing the subscriber-specified topic with information stored in a database for other subscribers to identify a prospective party to the telephone connection; determining whether the prospective party is actively connected to the network; and based on the determination, automatically initiating the telephone connection between at least the subscriber and the prospective party.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for processing a call in a network comprising the steps of: receiving from a subscriber a request to establish a telephone connection with another party on a topic specified by the subscriber; comparing the subscriber-specified topic with information stored in a database for other subscribers to identify a prospective party to the telephone connection; determining whether the prospective party is actively connected to the network; and based on the determination, automatically initiating the telephone connection between at least the subscriber and the prospective party.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the information stored in the database comprises a subscriber profile for each of a plurality of subscribers, each subscriber profile comprising: information about a selected subscriber's identity; the selected subscriber's telephone number; and at least one subject matter identifier, the subject matter identifier being indicative of subject matter topics of interest to the selected subscriber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the subscriber profile further comprises an indication of whether the selected subscriber will accept in-bound telephone calls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the subscriber profile further comprises an indication of whether the selected subscriber has video telephone capability.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of automatically initiating the telephone connection comprises bridging the subscriber onto an existing telephone call if it is determined that the prospective party is active.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of automatically initiating the telephone connection comprises initiating the telephone connection to a second subscriber using a telephone number obtained from the database if it is determined that the prospective party is inactive.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the request further specifies at least one personal characteristic of the prospective party to the telephone connection.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for processing a call in a network comprising the steps of: receiving from a subscriber a request to establish a telephone connection with another party, the request including profile information specifying at least one personal characteristic of the other party; comparing the profile information provided in the request with information stored in a database for other subscribers to identify a prospective party to the telephone connection; determining whether the prospective party is actively connected to the network; and based on the determination, automatically initiating the telephone connection between at least the subscriber and the prospective party.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for processing a call in a network comprising the steps of: receiving from a subscriber a request to establish a telephone connection with another party, the request including profile information specifying at least one personal characteristic of the other party; comparing the profile information provided in the request with information stored in a database for other subscribers to identify a prospective party to the telephone connection; determining whether the prospective party is actively connected to the network; and based on the determination, automatically initiating the telephone connection between at least the subscriber and the prospective party.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the personal characteristic comprises an indication of the subscriber's preference for the age of the other party.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the personal characteristic comprises an indication of the subscriber's preference for the gender of the other party.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the step of automatically initiating the telephone connection comprises bridging the subscriber onto an existing telephone call if it is determined that the prospective party is active.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the step of automatically initiating the telephone connection comprises initiating the telephone connection to a second subscriber using a telephone number obtained from the database if it is determined that the prospective party is inactive.
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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) | 2003-07-11 | 2004-01-10 | 2004-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-11 | 2008-01-10 | 2008-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-11 | 2012-01-10 | 2012-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |