US6167255A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System and method for providing menu data using a communication network
Assignee: IRON OAKS TECHNOLOGIES LLC
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Filing: 1998-07-29
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Granted: 2000-12-26
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Expires: 2018-07-29
Abstract
Abstract A communication system includes mobile units, a network switching center, and service centers to provide a variety of enhanced services to the mobile units. In one embodiment, a service center communicates menu data to a mobile unit using a voice network. The mobile unit displays at a user interface menu options generated in response to the menu data communicated by the service center. Selecting a menu option at the user interface enables a function associated with traditional or enhanced services.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Kennedy, III
- 👤 Dale E. Beasley
- 👤 Terry S. Parker
- 👤 Thomas D. Russell
- 👤 William C. Saunders
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 03:36
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W8/00; H04W8/18; H04W8/183; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/4228; H04M3/487; H04M3/493; H04M2207/00; H04M2207/18; H04M3/42136; H04M3/42178; H04W4/00; H04W76/00; H04W76/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A communication system, comprising: a mobile unit coupled to a communication network, the mobile unit comprising a user interface operable to display a plurality of menu options specified by menu data, wherein the mobile unit communicates a service message in response to a selection of a menu option at the user interface, the service message specifying a call type associated with a service enabled by the selected menu option; and a server coupled to the communication network and operable to: communicate the menu data to the mobile unit using the communication network; store a profile table that relates the mobile unit to a plurality of service centers; receive the service message communicated by the mobile unit; select one of the service centers using the profile table and the call type specified in the service message; and establish a communication session between the mobile unit and the selected service center using the communication network.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A communication system, comprising: a mobile unit coupled to a communication network, the mobile unit comprising a user interface operable to display a plurality of menu options specified by menu data, wherein the mobile unit communicates a service message in response to a selection of a menu option at the user interface, the service message specifying a call type associated with a service enabled by the selected menu option; and a server coupled to the communication network and operable to: communicate the menu data to the mobile unit using the communication network; store a profile table that relates the mobile unit to a plurality of service centers; receive the service message communicated by the mobile unit; select one of the service centers using the profile table and the call type specified in the service message; and establish a communication session between the mobile unit and the selected service center using the communication network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The communication system of claim 1, wherein the menu data comprises a menu structure specifying a hierarchical arrangement of menu options.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The communication system of claim 1, wherein at least one menu option displayed at the user interface enables a function associated with emergency services, roadside assistance, or information services.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The communication system of claim 1, wherein the selection of a menu option at the user interface initiates a communication session between the mobile unit and the server using the communication network.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The communication system of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of buttons, and wherein the activation of a button comprises a selection of a menu option.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The communication system of claim 1, wherein the mobile unit further comprises an interactive voice response unit operable to process verbal commands using voice recognition techniques, and wherein the issuance of a verbal command comprises a selection of a menu option.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The communication system of claim 1, wherein the mobile unit is associated with a vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The communication system of claim 1, wherein portions of the user interface are embodied in a rearview mirror of a vehicle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The communication system of claim 1, wherein the communication session comprises a voice session.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The communication system of claim 1, wherein the communication session comprises a data session.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The communication system of claim 1, wherein the server supports the provisioning of services by the selected service center to the mobile unit during the communication session.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The communication system of claim 1, wherein the server is further operable to receive updated menu data from one of the plurality of service centers, and to communicate the updated menu data to the mobile unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
116 words
A communication method, comprising: communicating menu data from a server to a mobile unit using a communication network such that a user interface of the mobile unit displays a plurality of menu options specified by the menu data; storing a profile table that relates the mobile unit to a plurality of service centers; receiving a service message communicated by the mobile unit, the service message specifying a call type associated with a service enabled by a selected menu option; selecting one of the service centers using the profile table and the call type specified in the service message; and establishing a communication session between the mobile unit and the selected service center using the communication network.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
116 words
A communication method, comprising: communicating menu data from a server to a mobile unit using a communication network such that a user interface of the mobile unit displays a plurality of menu options specified by the menu data; storing a profile table that relates the mobile unit to a plurality of service centers; receiving a service message communicated by the mobile unit, the service message specifying a call type associated with a service enabled by a selected menu option; selecting one of the service centers using the profile table and the call type specified in the service message; and establishing a communication session between the mobile unit and the selected service center using the communication network.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The communication method of claim 13, wherein the menu data comprises a menu structure specifying a hierarchical arrangement of menu options.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The communication method of claim 13, wherein at least one menu option displayed by the user interface enables a function associated with emergency services, roadside assistance, or information services.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The communication method of claim 13, further comprising selecting a menu option at the user interface to initiate the establishment of a communication session between the mobile unit and the server.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The communication method of claim 13, further comprising selecting a menu option by activating a button at the user interface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The communication method of claim 13, further comprising selecting a menu option by: issuing a verbal command; and processing the verbal command at an interactive voice response unit of the mobile unit using voice recognition techniques.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The communication method of claim 13, wherein the mobile unit is associated with a vehicle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The communication method of claim 13, wherein portions of the user interface are embodied in a rearview mirror of a vehicle.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The communication method of claim 13, wherein the communication session comprises a voice session.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The communication method of claim 13, wherein the communication session comprises a data session.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The communication method of claim 13, further comprising supporting the provisioning of services by the selected service center to the mobile unit during the communication session.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The communication method of claim 13, further comprising: receiving updated menu data from one of the plurality of service centers; and communicating the updated menu data to the mobile unit.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
151 words
A server coupled to a mobile unit using a communication network, the server comprising: a memory operable to store a profile table that relates the mobile unit to a plurality of service centers; and a processor coupled to the memory and operable to: communicate menu data to the mobile unit using the communication network such that a user interface of the mobile unit displays a plurality of menu options specified by the menu data; receive a service message communicated by the mobile unit in response to a selection of a menu option at the user interface, the service message specifying a call type associated with a service enabled by the selected menu option; select one of the service centers using the profile table and the call type specified in the service message; and initiate establishing a communication session between the mobile unit and the selected service center using the communication network.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
151 words
A server coupled to a mobile unit using a communication network, the server comprising: a memory operable to store a profile table that relates the mobile unit to a plurality of service centers; and a processor coupled to the memory and operable to: communicate menu data to the mobile unit using the communication network such that a user interface of the mobile unit displays a plurality of menu options specified by the menu data; receive a service message communicated by the mobile unit in response to a selection of a menu option at the user interface, the service message specifying a call type associated with a service enabled by the selected menu option; select one of the service centers using the profile table and the call type specified in the service message; and initiate establishing a communication session between the mobile unit and the selected service center using the communication network.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The server of claim 25, wherein the menu data comprises a menu structure specifying a hierarchical arrangement of menu options.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The server of claim 25, wherein at least one menu option displayed at the user interface enables a function associated with emergency services, roadside assistance, or information services.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The server of claim 25, wherein the communication session comprises a voice session.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The server of claim 25, wherein the communication session comprises a data session.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
The server of claim 25, wherein the processor is further operable to support the provisioning of services by the selected service center to the mobile unit during the communication session.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
The server of claim 25, wherein the processor is further operable to receive updated menu data from one of the plurality of service centers and to communicate the updated menu data to the mobile unit.
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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) | 2003-12-26 | 2004-06-26 | 2004-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-26 | 2008-06-26 | 2008-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-26 | 2012-06-26 | 2012-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |