US6246758B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of providing telecommunication services
Assignee: Comcast IP Holdings I LLC
•
Filing: 1996-12-11
•
Granted: 2001-06-12
•
Expires: 2016-12-11
Abstract
Abstract Traditional Intelligent network services in a PSTN use service logic and data that is accessible for use only by the PSTN, though provision may be made for users to change certain controlled parameters of the services. The present system has the service logic and data placed on a server accessible over the Internet. This permits anyone to access useful telephone data such as time-of-day routing or diversion number information of a user. Thus a calling party can determine before placing a call over the PSTN the best number to call by accessing the phone page of the intended called party. This phone page would remain accessible to the PSTN for service provision. In a preferred embodiment, the service logic and data is maintained by the user independently of the PSTN on a server of the user's choice; in this case, the PSTN would also access the user's server logic and data over the Internet.
Inventors
- 👤 Colin Low
- 👤 David Penkler
- 👤 Nicolas Bouthors
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:56
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L61/00; H04L61/09; H04L61/10; H04L61/30; H04L61/45; H04L61/4505; H04L61/4511; H04L61/4541; H04L61/4557; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/4228; H04M7/00; H04M7/0024; H04M7/003; H04M7/12; H04M7/1205; H04M7/121; H04M7/122; H04M7/126; H04M7/128; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/0016; H04Q3/0029; H04L2101/00; H04L2101/30; H04L2101/33; H04L2101/60; H04L2101/618; H04L2101/65; H04L69/00; H04L69/16; H04M2201/00; H04M2201/60; H04M2203/00; H04M2203/10; H04M2203/1041; H04M3/42136; H04M3/42153; H04M3/42161; H04M3/42229; H04M3/428; H04M3/48; H04M3/50; H04M3/51; H04M3/5183; H04M3/5191; H04M3/523; H04M3/53; H04M3/533; H04M3/54; H04M7/006; H04Q2213/00; H04Q2213/13106; H04Q2213/13109; H04Q2213/13141; H04Q2213/13175; H04Q2213/13204; H04Q2213/13282; H04Q2213/13332; H04Q2213/13345; H04Q2213/13349; H04Q2213/13389; H04Q2213/13405; H04Q2213/13504; H04Q2213/13526; H04Q2213/13527; H04Q2213/13528; H04Q2213/13534
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
313 words
A method of providing services to users of a public switched telecommunications system that includes a service control subsystem ( 42 ) communicating through a signalling system with bearer-channel switches ( 41 ), said service control subsystem providing a service logic execution environment ( 20 ) in which service logic programs ( 21 ) for controlling setup of bearer channels through the telecommunications system are run in response to the receipt by the service control subsystem ( 42 ) of corresponding service requests, said method including the steps of: (a) provisioning at least one server ( 51 ) connected to a computer network ( 50 ) with a plurality of service resource items ( 49 ) that are each associated with a respective predetermined code, said computer network ( 50 ) being accessible to a substantial proportion of the users of the telecommunications system but logically distinct from that system, and said service resource items ( 49 ) relating to setup control for bearer channels ( 60 ) through said telecommunications system; (b) upon the service control subsystem receiving a said service request including a said predetermined code, running the corresponding service logic program ( 21 ), and accessing the appropriate said at least one server ( 51 ) to utilise the service resource item ( 49 ) corresponding to the predetermined code included in the request, in the course of service provision by said service logic program concerning bearer channel set up ( 60 ) through said telecommunications system;and (c) enabling read access from user terminals ( 53 ) over said computer network ( 50 ) to said at least one server ( 51 ) whereby to enable said service resource items ( 49 ) held thereon to be accessed from said user terminals and thereupon used in respect of setting up a bearer channel ( 60 ) through said telecommunications system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
313 words
A method of providing services to users of a public switched telecommunications system that includes a service control subsystem ( 42 ) communicating through a signalling system with bearer-channel switches ( 41 ), said service control subsystem providing a service logic execution environment ( 20 ) in which service logic programs ( 21 ) for controlling setup of bearer channels through the telecommunications system are run in response to the receipt by the service control subsystem ( 42 ) of corresponding service requests, said method including the steps of: (a) provisioning at least one server ( 51 ) connected to a computer network ( 50 ) with a plurality of service resource items ( 49 ) that are each associated with a respective predetermined code, said computer network ( 50 ) being accessible to a substantial proportion of the users of the telecommunications system but logically distinct from that system, and said service resource items ( 49 ) relating to setup control for bearer channels ( 60 ) through said telecommunications system; (b) upon the service control subsystem receiving a said service request including a said predetermined code, running the corresponding service logic program ( 21 ), and accessing the appropriate said at least one server ( 51 ) to utilise the service resource item ( 49 ) corresponding to the predetermined code included in the request, in the course of service provision by said service logic program concerning bearer channel set up ( 60 ) through said telecommunications system;and (c) enabling read access from user terminals ( 53 ) over said computer network ( 50 ) to said at least one server ( 51 ) whereby to enable said service resource items ( 49 ) held thereon to be accessed from said user terminals and thereupon used in respect of setting up a bearer channel ( 60 ) through said telecommunications system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said service resource items ( 49 ) are accessed by the service control subsystem ( 42 ) over a path independent of said signalling system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 , wherein said computer network ( 50 ) is a publically-accessible computer network, said at least one server ( 51 ) being accessed from said user terminals ( 53 ) and service control subsystem ( 42 ) across the computer network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said computer network ( 50 ) is a publically-accessible network, said at least one server ( 51 ) forming part of the service control subsystem ( 42 ) of the telecommunications system (PSTN) and being accessible to said user terminals ( 53 ) across said publically-accessible network.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said method includes the further step of: (d) accessing from a said user terminal ( 53 ), over said computer network ( 50 ), a said service resource item ( 49 ) associated with an intended called party or service with which it is wished to communicate over said telecommunications system, and utilising said resource item ( 49 ) for controlling setup of a communication through said telecommunications system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 5 , wherein said service resource item ( 49 ) is accessed from said user terminal in step (d) prior to initiation of communication through the telecommunication system, the result of using said service resource item being used to automatically initiate a communication through the telecommunication system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 5 , wherein following initiation of a communication through the telecommunication system, the return of a busy indication is operative to cause said service resource item ( 49 ) accessed from said user terminal in step (d) to be used in determining further call setup processing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 5 , wherein said service resource items ( 49 ) are locatable over the computer network ( 50 ) using corresponding URIs, said service resource item ( 49 ) being accessed from said user terminal ( 53 ) in step (d) using the said corresponding URI.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method according to claim 8 , wherein said service control subsystem ( 42 ) also accesses said service resource items ( 49 ) over the computer network ( 50 ) using the corresponding said URIs, step (b) including the substep of translating a said predetermined code included in a service request into the URI of the required service resource item ( 49 ).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
79 words
A method according to claim 8 , wherein access to said service resource item ( 49 ) from said user terminal ( 53 ) in step (d) is effected by the substeps of accessing said predetermined code at said user terminal ( 53 ), translating this code into the URI of the associated service resource item ( 49 ), and then accessing that service resource item ( 49 ) over the computer network ( 50 ) using said URI.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
99 words
A method according to claim 9 , wherein the substep of translating said predetermined code into the URI of the associated service resource item ( 49 ) is effected by one of the following methods: a direct mapping where said predetermined code corresponding substantially to said URI; manipulation of said predetermined code according to a predetermined function; look up in a locally held association table associating said predetermined codes and URIs; look up in an association table associating said predetermined codes and URIs, said association table being held on at least one database server connected to said computer network.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
110 words
A method according to claim 9 , wherein the substep of translating said predetermined code into the URI of the associated service resource item ( 49 ) is effected by look up in a DNS-type distributed database system in which said URIs are held in records associated with respective names, herein referred to as domain names, by which the records can be retrieved, at least a substantial portion of said predetermined code being parsed into at least a part of a corresponding said domain name and this domain name when complete being used to retrieve the URI of the required service resource item ( 49 ) from said database system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method according to claim 8 , wherein at least two said service resource items ( 49 ) are located at the same URI, the said predetermined codes of these service resource item including respective relative-resource-identifier (RRI) values that are used at the server ( 51 ) holding the service resource items ( 49 ) to identify the required resource item amongst the service resource items at the same URI.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
72 words
A method according to claim 5 , wherein said at least one server ( 51 ) forms part of a DNS-type distributed database system and said service resource items ( 49 ) are held in records associated with respective names, herein referred to as domain names, by which the records can be retrieved, said service resource item being accessed from said user terminal in step (d) using the corresponding said domain name.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
74 words
A method according to claim 14 , wherein said service control subsystem ( 42 ) also accesses said service resource items ( 42 ) over the computer network using the corresponding said domain name, step (b) including the substep of parsing at least a substantial portion of a said predetermined code included in a service request into at least a part of the domain name of the required service resource item ( 49 ).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
91 words
A method according to claim 14 , wherein access to said service resource item ( 49 ) from said user terminal ( 53 ) in step (d) is effected by accessing a said predetermined code at a said user terminal ( 53 ), parsing at least a substantial portion of this code into at least a part of the domain name of the associated service resource item ( 49 ) and then accessing that service resource item ( 49 ) over the computer network ( 50 ) using said domain name.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said telecommunication system is a public telephone system, each said predetermined code being one of the following: the telephone number of the calling party; the telephone number of the called party; a number input by the calling party.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one said service resource item is service logic which is executed by the corresponding server upon being accessed with the result of this execution being returned to the accessing entity for use in call setup control.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one said service resource item is downloadable service data which upon being accessed is downloaded to the accessing entity for use thereby in call setup control.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one said service resource item is downloadable service logic which upon being accessed is downloaded to the accessing entity for execution in call setup control.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said computer network is the Internet.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 12 , wherein said computer network is the Internet and said DNS-type distributed database system is provided by the DNS of the Internet.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said telecommunication network is a PSTN.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said URIs are URLs and/or URNs, and said at least one server is an HTTP server.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
226 words
A method of providing services to users of a public switched telecommunications system that includes a service control subsystem ( 42 ), said service control subsystem providing a service logic execution environment ( 20 ) in which service logic programs ( 21 ) are run in response to the receipt by the service control subsystem ( 42 ) of corresponding service requests, said method including the steps of: (a) provisioning a server ( 51 ) with a plurality of service resource items ( 49 ) that are each associated with a respective predetermined code, said server ( 51 ) being located remotely from said service logic execution environment but accessible therefrom; and (b) upon the service control subsystem receiving a said service request including a said predetermined code, running the corresponding service logic program ( 21 ), and accessing said server ( 51 ) to utilise, in the course of service control by said service logic program, the service resource item ( 49 ) corresponding to the predetermined code included in the request; said service resource items being locatable from the service control subsystem using URIs, and step (b) including the substeps of translating a said predetermined code included in a service request into the URI associated with the required service resource item ( 49 ) and using that URI to access the service resource item.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
226 words
A method of providing services to users of a public switched telecommunications system that includes a service control subsystem ( 42 ), said service control subsystem providing a service logic execution environment ( 20 ) in which service logic programs ( 21 ) are run in response to the receipt by the service control subsystem ( 42 ) of corresponding service requests, said method including the steps of: (a) provisioning a server ( 51 ) with a plurality of service resource items ( 49 ) that are each associated with a respective predetermined code, said server ( 51 ) being located remotely from said service logic execution environment but accessible therefrom; and (b) upon the service control subsystem receiving a said service request including a said predetermined code, running the corresponding service logic program ( 21 ), and accessing said server ( 51 ) to utilise, in the course of service control by said service logic program, the service resource item ( 49 ) corresponding to the predetermined code included in the request; said service resource items being locatable from the service control subsystem using URIs, and step (b) including the substeps of translating a said predetermined code included in a service request into the URI associated with the required service resource item ( 49 ) and using that URI to access the service resource item.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
92 words
A method according to claim 25 , wherein said server ( 51 ) is connected to a computer network ( 50 ) accessible to a substantial proportion of the users of the telecommunications system but logically distinct from that system, the method including the further step of accessing from a user terminal ( 53 ), over said computer network ( 50 ), a said service resource item ( 49 ) using its associated URI, and utilising said resource item ( 49 ) in setting up a bearer channel in said telecommunications system.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
77 words
A method according to claim 25 , wherein said server ( 51 ) is connected to a computer network ( 50 ) accessible to a substantial proportion of the users of the telecommunications system but logically distinct from that system, the method including the further step of using a user terminal ( 53 ) to provision the server ( 51 ), over the computer network ( 50 ), with a service resource item at a corresponding URI.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 25 , wherein said server ( 51 ) is an HTTP server.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 25 , wherein said computer network ( 50 ) is the Internet.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
263 words
A method of providing services to users of a public telephone system that includes a service control subsystem communicating through a signalling system with bearer-channel switches, said service control subsystem providing a service logic execution environment in which service logic programs for controlling setup of bearer channels through the telephone system are run in response to the receipt by the service control subsystem of corresponding service requests, said method including the steps of: (a) provisioning at least one server connected to a computer network with a plurality of service resource items that are each associated with a respective predetermined code, said computer network being accessible to at least a significant group of the users of the telephone system but logically distinct from that system, and said service resource items relating to setup control for bearer channels through said telephone system; (b) upon the service control subsystem receiving a said service request including a said predetermined code, running the corresponding service logic program and accessing the appropriate said at least one server over a path independent of said signalling system to utilize the service resource item corresponding to the predetermined code included in the request, in the course of service provision by said service logic program concerning bearer channel set up through said telephone system; and (c) enabling read access from user terminals over said computer network to said at least one server whereby to enable said service resource items held thereon to be accessed from said user terminals and thereupon used in respect of setting up a bearer channel through said telephone system.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
263 words
A method of providing services to users of a public telephone system that includes a service control subsystem communicating through a signalling system with bearer-channel switches, said service control subsystem providing a service logic execution environment in which service logic programs for controlling setup of bearer channels through the telephone system are run in response to the receipt by the service control subsystem of corresponding service requests, said method including the steps of: (a) provisioning at least one server connected to a computer network with a plurality of service resource items that are each associated with a respective predetermined code, said computer network being accessible to at least a significant group of the users of the telephone system but logically distinct from that system, and said service resource items relating to setup control for bearer channels through said telephone system; (b) upon the service control subsystem receiving a said service request including a said predetermined code, running the corresponding service logic program and accessing the appropriate said at least one server over a path independent of said signalling system to utilize the service resource item corresponding to the predetermined code included in the request, in the course of service provision by said service logic program concerning bearer channel set up through said telephone system; and (c) enabling read access from user terminals over said computer network to said at least one server whereby to enable said service resource items held thereon to be accessed from said user terminals and thereupon used in respect of setting up a bearer channel through said telephone system.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 30 , wherein said computer network is the Internet, said at least one server being accessed from said user terminals and service control subsystem across the Internet.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 30 , wherein said computer network is the Internet, said at least one server forming part of the service control subsystem of the telephone system and being accessible to said user terminals across the Internet.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method according to claim 30 , wherein said method includes the further step of: (d) accessing from a said user terminal over said computer network a said service resource item associated with an intended called party or service with which it is wished to communicate over said telephone system, and utilizing said resource item for controlling setup of a communication through said telephone system.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 33 , wherein said service resource items are locatable over the computer network using corresponding URIs, said service resource item being accessed from said user terminal in step (d) using the said corresponding URI.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 34 , wherein said service control subsystem also accesses said service resource items over the computer network using the corresponding said URIs, step (b) including the substep of translating a said predetermined code included in a service request into the URI of the required service resource item.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method according to claim 33 , wherein access to said service resource item from said user terminal in step (d) is effected by the substeps of accessing said predetermined code at said user terminal translating this code into the URI of the associated service resource item and then accessing that service resource item over the computer network using said URI.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method according to claim 33 , wherein at least two said service resource items are located at the same URI, the said predetermined codes of these service resource item including respective relative-resource-identifier values that are used at the server holding the service resource items to identify the required resource item amongst the service resource items at the same URI.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 30 , wherein said predetermined code is one of the following: the telephone number of the calling party; the telephone number of the called party; a number input by the calling party.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 30 , wherein at least one said service resource item is service logic which is executed by the corresponding server upon being accessed with the result of this execution being returned to the accessing entity for use in call setup control.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 30 , wherein at least one said service resource item is downloadable service data which upon being accessed is downloaded to the accessing entity for use thereby in call setup control.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 30 , wherein at least one said service resource item is downloadable service logic which upon being accessed is downloaded to the accessing entity for execution in call setup control.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 30 , wherein said at least one server is an HTTP server.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 26 , wherein said server is an HTTP server.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 27 , wherein said server is an HTTP server.
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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) | 2004-06-11 | 2004-12-11 | 2005-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-06-11 | 2008-12-11 | 2009-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-06-11 | 2012-12-11 | 2013-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |