US6301480B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for communicating using a voice network and a data network
Assignee: Vehicle IP LLC
•
Filing: 1997-09-05
•
Granted: 2001-10-09
•
Expires: 2017-09-05
Abstract
Abstract A communication system includes mobile units, a network switching center, and service centers to provide a variety of services to mobile units. Using a voice network and a data network, the network switching center establishes a voice/data session between a mobile unit and an appropriate service center. The network switching center maintains a profile table that designates the service center and provides access parameters to establish the voice/data session.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Kennedy, III
- 👤 Kenneth R. Westerlage
- 👤 Dale E. Beasley
- 👤 Carl W. Drueckhammer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 02:45
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W76/00; H04W76/10; H04W76/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 61
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
A system for communicating using a voice network and a data network, the system comprising: a mobile unit coupled to the voice network and operable to communicate a service message in a first call using the voice network; a network switching center coupled to the voice network and the data network, the network switching center comprising a switch operable to receive the first call and to initiate a second in response to the content of the service message using the voice network, the network switching center further comprising a router operable to communicate a data message in response to the content of the service message using the data network, wherein the second call and the data message specify an identifier of the mobile unit, the network switching center being further operable to: access a profile table in a database to determine a service center that can satisfy the service request; access a service table in the database to determine a voice access parameter and a data access parameter for the determined service center; use the voice access parameter to initiate the second call; and use the data access parameter to initiate the communication of the data message; and a service center coupled to the voice network and the data network, the service center operable to receive the second call and the data message, the service center further operable to associate the second call and the data message using the identifier of the mobile unit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
244 words
A system for communicating using a voice network and a data network, the system comprising: a mobile unit coupled to the voice network and operable to communicate a service message in a first call using the voice network; a network switching center coupled to the voice network and the data network, the network switching center comprising a switch operable to receive the first call and to initiate a second in response to the content of the service message using the voice network, the network switching center further comprising a router operable to communicate a data message in response to the content of the service message using the data network, wherein the second call and the data message specify an identifier of the mobile unit, the network switching center being further operable to: access a profile table in a database to determine a service center that can satisfy the service request; access a service table in the database to determine a voice access parameter and a data access parameter for the determined service center; use the voice access parameter to initiate the second call; and use the data access parameter to initiate the communication of the data message; and a service center coupled to the voice network and the data network, the service center operable to receive the second call and the data message, the service center further operable to associate the second call and the data message using the identifier of the mobile unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the mobile unit is associated with a vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the service message comprises a priority service message received during preexisting communication between the mobile unit and the network switching center.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the service message specifies a data mode in which the mobile unit and the network switching center exchange information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the profile table stores information relating the mobile unit to the service center.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the profile table stores information relating the mobile unit to the service center based on a call type specified in the service message.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 6 , wherein the call type indicates a request for emergency services, roadside assistance, or information services.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the profile table stores information relating the mobile unit to the service center and the service table stores the voice access parameter and the data access parameter associated with the service center.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the switch specifies the identifier of the mobile unit in an automatic number identification field of the second call.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the service message and the data message specify the location of the mobile unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the service message and the data message specify the status of the mobile unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the service message indicates that a user of the mobile unit desires a service provided by a service center.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the service center further comprises a plurality of agent stations.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the service center is further operable to establish a voice/data session between an operator of the mobile unit and an agent at the service center.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the network switching center is further operable to generate the data message in response to the content of the service message.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the network switching center is further operable to generate the data message in response to the content of the service message, the data message including data from the service message.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the network switching center is further operable to initiate the second call and to communicate the data message while maintaining the first call.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the network switching center is further operable to bridge the first call and the second call to establish a voice path between the mobile unit and the service center.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 18 , wherein an agent at the service center and the user of the mobile unit can exchange voice communications using the voice path.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the voice network and the data network are separate networks.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
242 words
An apparatus for communicating using a voice network and a data network, the apparatus comprising: a switch coupled to the voice network and operable to receive a service message from a mobile unit in a first call, the switch further operable to initiate a second call to a service center using the voice network; a router coupled to the switch and the data network and operable to communicating a data message to the service center using the data network; and a processor coupled to the switch and the router, the processor operable to receive the service message from the switch and to determine a service center in response to the content of the service message, the processor further operable to instruct the switch to initiate the second call to the service center using the voice network and to instruct the router to initiate the communication of the data message to the service center using the data network, the processor being further operable to: access a profile table in a database to determine a service center to satisfy the service request; access a service table in the database to determine a voice access parameter and a data access parameter for the determined service center; use the voice access parameter to initiate the second call; and use the data access parameter to initiate the communication of the data message; wherein the second call and the data message specify an identifier of the mobile unit.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
242 words
An apparatus for communicating using a voice network and a data network, the apparatus comprising: a switch coupled to the voice network and operable to receive a service message from a mobile unit in a first call, the switch further operable to initiate a second call to a service center using the voice network; a router coupled to the switch and the data network and operable to communicating a data message to the service center using the data network; and a processor coupled to the switch and the router, the processor operable to receive the service message from the switch and to determine a service center in response to the content of the service message, the processor further operable to instruct the switch to initiate the second call to the service center using the voice network and to instruct the router to initiate the communication of the data message to the service center using the data network, the processor being further operable to: access a profile table in a database to determine a service center to satisfy the service request; access a service table in the database to determine a voice access parameter and a data access parameter for the determined service center; use the voice access parameter to initiate the second call; and use the data access parameter to initiate the communication of the data message; wherein the second call and the data message specify an identifier of the mobile unit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the service message comprises a priority service message received during preexisting communication between the apparatus and the mobile unit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the profile table is operable to store information relating the mobile unit to the service center based on a call type specified in the service message.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein the call type indicates a request for emergency services, roadside assistance, or information services.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the service table stores the voice access parameter and the data access parameter associated with the service center.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the switch specifies the identifier of the mobile unit in an automatic number identification field of the second call.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the service message and the data message specify the location of the mobile unit.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the service message and the data message specify the status of the mobile unit.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 21 , further comprising a modem coupled to the switch and operable to exchange information between the mobile unit and the apparatus during a data mode.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 21 , further comprising an interactive voice response unit coupled to the switch and operable to provide an interactive voice response session between the mobile unit and the apparatus.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the service message indicates that a user of the mobile unit desires a service provided by a service center.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the apparatus is further operable to establish a voice/data session between a user of the mobile unit and an agent at the service center.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the processor is further operable to generate the data message in response to the content of the service message.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the processor is further operable to generate the data message in response to the content of the service message, the data message including data from the service message.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the processor is further operable to initiate the second call and the communication of the data message while the switch maintains the first call.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the switch is further operable to bridge the first call and the second call to establish a voice path between the mobile unit and the service center.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 36 , wherein an agent at the service center and the user of the mobile unit can exchange voice communications using the voice path.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the voice network and the data network are separate networks.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for communicating using a voice network and a data network, the method comprising: receiving a service center from a mobile unit in a first call; determining a service center in response to the content of the server message, comprising: accessing a profile table in a database to determine a service center to satisfy the service request; accessing a service table in the database to determine a voice access parameter and a data access parameter for the service center; initiating a second call to the service center using the voice access parameter in response to the content of the service message, the second call specifying an identifier of the mobile unit; and communicating a data message to the service center using the data access parameter in response to the content of the service message, the data message comprising the identifier of the mobile unit and data associated with the mobile unit.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for communicating using a voice network and a data network, the method comprising: receiving a service center from a mobile unit in a first call; determining a service center in response to the content of the server message, comprising: accessing a profile table in a database to determine a service center to satisfy the service request; accessing a service table in the database to determine a voice access parameter and a data access parameter for the service center; initiating a second call to the service center using the voice access parameter in response to the content of the service message, the second call specifying an identifier of the mobile unit; and communicating a data message to the service center using the data access parameter in response to the content of the service message, the data message comprising the identifier of the mobile unit and data associated with the mobile unit.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 39 , wherein the mobile unit is associated with a vehicle.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 39 , wherein the step of receiving a service message comprises receiving a service message using DTMF techniques.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 39 , further comprising the steps of: performing a security handshake with the mobile unit; and communicating data in a data mode of the first call using modem techniques upon successful completion of the security handshake.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 39 , wherein the service message comprises a priority service message received during preexisting communication with the mobile unit.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 39 , wherein the step of determining a service center comprises determining a service center in response to a call type specified in the service message.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 44 , wherein the call type indicates a request for emergency services, roadside assistance, or information services.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 39 , further comprising the step of accessing the service table before performing the steps of initiating and communicating.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 39 , further comprising the step of specifying the identifier of the mobile unit in an automatic number identification field of the second call.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 39 , wherein the data associated with the mobile unit comprises the location of the mobile unit.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 39 , wherein the data associated with the mobile unit comprises the status of the mobile unit.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 39 , wherein the service message indicates that a user of the mobile unit desires a service provided by a service center.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 39 , wherein the service center comprises a plurality of agent stations.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 39 , further comprising establishing a voice/data session between a user of the mobile unit and an agent at the service center.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 39 , further comprising generating the data message in response to the content of the service message.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 53 , wherein the data message includes data from the service message.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 39 , further comprising maintaining the first call while initiating the second call and communicating data message.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 39 , further comprising bridging the first call and the second call to establish a voice path between the mobile unit and the service center.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 56 , wherein an agent at the service center and the user of the mobile unit can exchange voice communications using the voice path.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 39 , wherein the voice network and the data network are separate networks.
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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) | 2004-10-08 | 2005-04-09 | 2005-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-10-08 | 2009-04-09 | 2009-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-10-08 | 2013-04-09 | 2013-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |