US6516203B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for providing additional information to a subscriber based on a universal resource locator
Assignee: AT&T Delaware Intellectual Property Inc
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Filing: 1999-12-22
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Granted: 2003-02-04
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Expires: 2019-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A system whereby subscribers are provided with a universal resource locator (URL), that uniquely identifies, e.g., a web site maintained by the calling party. In a preferred embodiment, when the telephone call reaches the subscriber's handset, a special character, e.g., an “*” is added to the display, e.g., at the end of the calling party's telephone number to let the subscriber know that additional information is available. The subscriber can then obtain detailed information about the calling party by, e.g., pressing a special “send” button on the handset, using a softkey or entering a special code. This establishes a link from the subscriber's telephone to a website on the internet maintained by the calling party. The subscriber's handset then downloads the information stored on the calling party's website for display on the subscriber's handset.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark J. Enzmann
- 👤 Robert T. Moton, Jr.
- 👤 Samuel N. Zellner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:18
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/57; H04M1/575; H04M1/247; H04M1/2478; H04M1/72; H04M1/724; H04M1/72403; H04M1/72445
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for providing additional information from a calling party having a telephone number to a subscriber comprising: (a) providing a control signal to the subscriber during routing of a telephone call from the calling party to the subscriber, wherein the control signal includes the calling party's telephone number and an indicator for indicating that additional information associated with the calling party is available; (b) at the subscriber's request, requesting information from a website having the calling party's telephone number as its universal resource locator; (c) linking the subscriber to the website; and (d) downloading the information from the website to the subscriber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for providing additional information from a calling party having a telephone number to a subscriber comprising: (a) providing a control signal to the subscriber during routing of a telephone call from the calling party to the subscriber, wherein the control signal includes the calling party's telephone number and an indicator for indicating that additional information associated with the calling party is available; (b) at the subscriber's request, requesting information from a website having the calling party's telephone number as its universal resource locator; (c) linking the subscriber to the website; and (d) downloading the information from the website to the subscriber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the subscriber receives the additional information on a handset.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the handset comprises a send button, and wherein the subscriber requests the additional information by activating the send button.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the subscriber requests the additional information by using a softkey.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the handset is a handset that complies with the Wireless Application Protocol.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the handset is a computer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the subscriber requests the additional information by entering a special code on the handset.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
117 words
A communications device for providing information associated with a calling party to a subscriber comprising: (a) a handset adapted to display a telephone number of a calling party on a display; (b) an indication on the display indicating that additional information associated with the calling party is available to the subscriber, wherein a control signal to provide the indication is received at the handset during routing of a telephone call from the calling party; and (c) a communications link from the handset to a website having the calling party's telephone number as its universal resource locator, said website containing additional information, wherein the additional information is downloaded from the website to the handset over the communications link.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
117 words
A communications device for providing information associated with a calling party to a subscriber comprising: (a) a handset adapted to display a telephone number of a calling party on a display; (b) an indication on the display indicating that additional information associated with the calling party is available to the subscriber, wherein a control signal to provide the indication is received at the handset during routing of a telephone call from the calling party; and (c) a communications link from the handset to a website having the calling party's telephone number as its universal resource locator, said website containing additional information, wherein the additional information is downloaded from the website to the handset over the communications link.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 8 , wherein the handset is a handset that complies with the Wireless Application Protocol.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 8 , wherein the handset is one of a wireless cellular telephone, a personal data assistant, and a pager.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 8 , wherein the website requires entry of a personal identification number or a password before the additional information is downloaded from the website to the handset.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 8 , wherein the handset comprises a send button that the subscriber can press to activate the communications link from the handset to the website.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 8 , wherein the communications link from the handset to the website is activated by entry of a string of characters.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for receiving Internet-based information associated with a calling party in response to a request from a party called by the calling party, comprising the steps of: receiving a control signal at a called party's communications device during routing of a telephone call from the calling party to the called party, wherein the control signal includes a telephone number of the calling party and an indicator for prompting the called party to receive Internet-based information associated with the calling party; transmitting a request to receive the calling party's associated Internet-based information in response to a prompt received on the called party's communications device, wherein the request is a URL comprising the telephone number of the calling party; and accessing information from a website corresponding to the URL.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for receiving Internet-based information associated with a calling party in response to a request from a party called by the calling party, comprising the steps of: receiving a control signal at a called party's communications device during routing of a telephone call from the calling party to the called party, wherein the control signal includes a telephone number of the calling party and an indicator for prompting the called party to receive Internet-based information associated with the calling party; transmitting a request to receive the calling party's associated Internet-based information in response to a prompt received on the called party's communications device, wherein the request is a URL comprising the telephone number of the calling party; and accessing information from a website corresponding to the URL.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein the called party accesses the website from a handset on the calling party's communications device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein the called party's communications device is a computer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein a telephone number for the called party is included in the URL request, and wherein different information is selected to be provided according to both telephone numbers included in the URL.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein a record of each attempted call from a calling party is stored in a log, and wherein the log additionally stores an indication that Internet-based information associated with the calling party is available, such that the subscriber is enabled to access information from a website associated with the calling party after a call to the called party has been made.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for receiving Internet-based information associated with a calling party in response to a request from a subscriber called by the calling party, comprising the steps of: receiving a control signal at a subscriber's communications device during routing of a telephone call from the calling party to the subscriber, wherein the control signal includes a telephone number of the calling party and an indicator for prompting the subscriber to receive Internet-based information associated with the calling party; transmitting a request to receive the calling party's associated Internet-based information in response to a prompt received on the subscriber's communications device, wherein the request is a URL comprising telephone numbers for both the calling party and the subscriber; and accessing information from a website corresponding to the URL, wherein different information is selected to be provided depending upon the telephone number of the subscriber.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for receiving Internet-based information associated with a calling party in response to a request from a subscriber called by the calling party, comprising the steps of: receiving a control signal at a subscriber's communications device during routing of a telephone call from the calling party to the subscriber, wherein the control signal includes a telephone number of the calling party and an indicator for prompting the subscriber to receive Internet-based information associated with the calling party; transmitting a request to receive the calling party's associated Internet-based information in response to a prompt received on the subscriber's communications device, wherein the request is a URL comprising telephone numbers for both the calling party and the subscriber; and accessing information from a website corresponding to the URL, wherein different information is selected to be provided depending upon the telephone number of the subscriber.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
157 words
A system for providing Internet-based information associated with a calling party in response to a request from a subscriber called by the calling party, comprising: a subscriber's communications device for voice communications and for accessing information over an Internet connection, the communications device including a prompt for indicating when Internet-based information associated with a calling party can be received; and a telecommunications network for (i) transmitting a control signal to the subscriber's communications device during routing of a telephone call from the calling party to the subscriber, wherein the control signal includes a telephone number of the calling party and an indicator for prompting the subscriber to receive Internet-based information associated with the calling party, and for (ii) transmitting a request from the subscriber to receive the calling party's associated Internet-based information in response to a prompt received on the subscriber's communications device, wherein the request is a URL comprising the telephone number of the calling party.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
157 words
A system for providing Internet-based information associated with a calling party in response to a request from a subscriber called by the calling party, comprising: a subscriber's communications device for voice communications and for accessing information over an Internet connection, the communications device including a prompt for indicating when Internet-based information associated with a calling party can be received; and a telecommunications network for (i) transmitting a control signal to the subscriber's communications device during routing of a telephone call from the calling party to the subscriber, wherein the control signal includes a telephone number of the calling party and an indicator for prompting the subscriber to receive Internet-based information associated with the calling party, and for (ii) transmitting a request from the subscriber to receive the calling party's associated Internet-based information in response to a prompt received on the subscriber's communications device, wherein the request is a URL comprising the telephone number of the calling party.
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) | 2006-02-03 | 2006-08-05 | 2007-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-02-03 | 2010-08-05 | 2011-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-02-03 | 2014-08-05 | 2015-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |