US6192045B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for minimizing connect-time charges associated with dial-up data networks
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1997-04-21
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Granted: 2001-02-20
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Expires: 2017-04-21
Abstract
Abstract A method to dynamically connect an originating computer to a receiving computer on a dial-up network, such as the Internet. The originating computer calls the receiving computer over the Public Service Telephone Network (PSTN); the receiving computer detects the call but does not answer it so that no PSTN charges are incurred; then both the receiving computer and originating computer call up the dial-up network and one of the computers obtains the network address of the other computer to establish a communication link between them.
Inventors
- 👤 C. Wyatt Williams
- 👤 Joel Libove
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:19
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/54; H04L12/56; H04L12/5691; H04L12/5692; H04L67/00; H04L67/14; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
The method for dynamic connection of an originating computer and a receiving computer to the same dial-up network, the steps to be performed automatically by the computers under program control, the steps being: (a) the originating computer places a telephone call to the receiving computer over the Public Service Telephone Network (PSTN); (b) having the receiving computer detect an incoming call being telephoned over PSTN and generating a control signal in response to said detection and not answering the incoming call; (c) the originating computer hangs up (hooks) the PSTN call prior to incurring PSTN-related charges; (d) automatically in response to the control signal, the receiving computer dials-up a dial-up network using a predetermined generally unchanging phone number; (e) the originating computer automatically dials-up or maintains communication with the same dial-up network; and (f) one of the computers uses the dial-up network to obtain the network address of the other computer and establishes a link over the dial-up network to said other computer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
The method for dynamic connection of an originating computer and a receiving computer to the same dial-up network, the steps to be performed automatically by the computers under program control, the steps being: (a) the originating computer places a telephone call to the receiving computer over the Public Service Telephone Network (PSTN); (b) having the receiving computer detect an incoming call being telephoned over PSTN and generating a control signal in response to said detection and not answering the incoming call; (c) the originating computer hangs up (hooks) the PSTN call prior to incurring PSTN-related charges; (d) automatically in response to the control signal, the receiving computer dials-up a dial-up network using a predetermined generally unchanging phone number; (e) the originating computer automatically dials-up or maintains communication with the same dial-up network; and (f) one of the computers uses the dial-up network to obtain the network address of the other computer and establishes a link over the dial-up network to said other computer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the computers are general purpose digital computers and the computers perform the steps (a)-(e) under software programming control.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the computers is a combination of a fax machine and a stand-alone call-back device connected to the fax machine, wherein the originating computer performs step (a) and (c) and (e) and the stand-alone device performs steps (b) and (d).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as in claim 1 wherein in step (d) the receiving computer and in step (e) the originating computer dials-up a predetermined network without the receiving computer determining an identification of the originating computer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 and detecting a signal from in-band signals of the originating computer while the receiving computer is on-hook.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 and including a plurality of receiving computers where at least one performs step (b) and at least a different one performs step (d).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein in steps (d) and (e) the computers dial-up the Internet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 and including a plurality of originating computers where at least one performs steps (a) and (c) and at least a different one performs steps (e) and (f).
Claim 10
Independent Claim
181 words
A method for the dynamic connection of an originating computer and a receiving computer to the same dial-up data network, the method including the steps of: (a) said originating computer requesting a connection, using a dial-up means, over Public Service Telephone Network (PSTN) to the receiving computer; (b) said receiving computer detecting a connection request from said PSTN using a detecting means and not answering the incoming call; (c) said originating computer using means to convey information to said receiving computer without incurring PSTN-related charges; (d) said receiving computer using a receiving means to receive the information from said originating computer; (e) said receiving computer using a processing means and a databank to determine that the received information associates the originating computer with a particular data network; (f) said receiving computer, automatically, after receiving said received information, using dial-up means for establishing a connection over the PSTN to the derived data network; (g) said originating computer, after conveying said information, automatically using said dial-up means for requesting a new connection over the PSTN or maintains communication to the same derived network.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
181 words
A method for the dynamic connection of an originating computer and a receiving computer to the same dial-up data network, the method including the steps of: (a) said originating computer requesting a connection, using a dial-up means, over Public Service Telephone Network (PSTN) to the receiving computer; (b) said receiving computer detecting a connection request from said PSTN using a detecting means and not answering the incoming call; (c) said originating computer using means to convey information to said receiving computer without incurring PSTN-related charges; (d) said receiving computer using a receiving means to receive the information from said originating computer; (e) said receiving computer using a processing means and a databank to determine that the received information associates the originating computer with a particular data network; (f) said receiving computer, automatically, after receiving said received information, using dial-up means for establishing a connection over the PSTN to the derived data network; (g) said originating computer, after conveying said information, automatically using said dial-up means for requesting a new connection over the PSTN or maintains communication to the same derived network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 9 and in (c) using in-band signaling that occurs while said receiving computer is on-hook to convey the information.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
163 words
A system for dynamic connection of an originating computer and a receiving computer to the Internet, to be performed automatically by the computers under program control, comprising: (a) PSTN call means at the originating computer to place a telephone call to the receiving computer over the Public Service Telephone Network (PSTN); (b) detection means at the receiving computer to detect it is being telephoned over PSTN, not answering the incoming call, and means therein for generating a control signal in response thereto; (c) termination means at the originating computer to hang up (hook) the PSTN caller prior to incurring PSTN-related charges; (d) controlled means at the receiving computer to automatically use a predetermined, generally unchanging phone number to dial-up the Internet in response to the signal generated in (b); (e) Internet dial-up means at the originating computer to dial-up the Internet; and (f) means at one of the computers to generate signals to establish a data link over the Internet between the computers.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
163 words
A system for dynamic connection of an originating computer and a receiving computer to the Internet, to be performed automatically by the computers under program control, comprising: (a) PSTN call means at the originating computer to place a telephone call to the receiving computer over the Public Service Telephone Network (PSTN); (b) detection means at the receiving computer to detect it is being telephoned over PSTN, not answering the incoming call, and means therein for generating a control signal in response thereto; (c) termination means at the originating computer to hang up (hook) the PSTN caller prior to incurring PSTN-related charges; (d) controlled means at the receiving computer to automatically use a predetermined, generally unchanging phone number to dial-up the Internet in response to the signal generated in (b); (e) Internet dial-up means at the originating computer to dial-up the Internet; and (f) means at one of the computers to generate signals to establish a data link over the Internet between the computers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the computers are general purpose digital computers and the means of (a)-(f) are incorporated in software programming.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 11 wherein both of the computers are combinations of a fax machine and a stand-alone fax callback device connected to the fax machine, wherein the originating fax call-back device includes means (a) and (c) and (e) and (f) and the receiving fax call-back device includes means (b) and (d) and (f).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 11 and including a plurality of receiving computers where at least one has the element (a) and at least a different one has the element (d).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 11 wherein in (d) and (e) the computers dial-up the Internet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
161 words
A fax call-back device, which is adapted to connect to a device capable of transmitting or receiving a fax for establishing a data communication link over a dial-up network, to be performed automatically by the fax call-back device under program control, comprising a casing and within the casing: (a) a port to receive a telephone line for connecting the fax call-back device to a fax machine; (b) a second port for connecting the call-back device to the Public Service Telephone Network (PSTN); (c) detection means to detect if the call-back device is being telephoned over PSTN and if the telephone call is hung up (hooked) prior to incurring PSTN-related charges, and means therein for generating a control signal in response thereto; (d) controlled means to automatically dial-up a dial-up network in response to the signal generated in (c) using a predetermined, generally unchanging phone number; and (e) means to generate signals to the dial-up network to establish a data link thereon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
161 words
A fax call-back device, which is adapted to connect to a device capable of transmitting or receiving a fax for establishing a data communication link over a dial-up network, to be performed automatically by the fax call-back device under program control, comprising a casing and within the casing: (a) a port to receive a telephone line for connecting the fax call-back device to a fax machine; (b) a second port for connecting the call-back device to the Public Service Telephone Network (PSTN); (c) detection means to detect if the call-back device is being telephoned over PSTN and if the telephone call is hung up (hooked) prior to incurring PSTN-related charges, and means therein for generating a control signal in response thereto; (d) controlled means to automatically dial-up a dial-up network in response to the signal generated in (c) using a predetermined, generally unchanging phone number; and (e) means to generate signals to the dial-up network to establish a data link thereon.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The call-back device of claim 16 and means to determine if an incoming call is from a normal fax machine or from a call-back device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-02-20 | 2004-08-21 | 2005-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-02-20 | 2008-08-21 | 2009-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-02-20 | 2012-08-21 | 2013-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |