US6546095B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated provisioning of telephone services
Assignee: Meta Platforms Inc
•
Filing: 2001-01-05
•
Granted: 2003-04-08
•
Expires: 2021-01-05
Abstract
Abstract A system and method are provided for automatically provisioning a user's telephone service (e.g., a complementary network service). A request to add, change or disconnect a service element or feature is received at a web server, telephone server or other entry point (e.g., resubmit server). A generic order object is created to identify the service feature(s) to be affected, how it is to be provisioned, the user's service provider (e.g., LEC (Local Exchange Carrier), wireless carrier) and may provide additional information needed to complete the provisioning. The generic order object is automatically converted into a form specific to the provider. When a response is received from the service provider, the system may update the status of the order to indicate success, notify the user of the order status, re-submit an order that was unsuccessful, notify an operator if intervention is required, initiate resubmission of the order, etc.
Inventors
- 👤 Tamara Iverson
- 👤 Srinath Nayak Udupi
- 👤 Jennifer Alicastro
- 👤 Mark David Klein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 06:31
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M15/00; H04M15/51; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/42136; H04M3/42153; H04M2215/00; H04M2215/01; H04M2215/0168; H04M2215/54; H04M3/42161
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 58
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of automatically provisioning a telephone subscriber's telephone service, comprising: receiving a request at a first entity to configure a subscriber's telephone service; identifying a telephone service provider responsible for said telephone service, wherein said telephone service provider is distinct from said first entity; automatically generating an electronic order for said configuration; transmitting said electronic order to the telephone service provider; and optionally, testing said configuration to determine if said provisioning was successful.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of automatically provisioning a telephone subscriber's telephone service, comprising: receiving a request at a first entity to configure a subscriber's telephone service; identifying a telephone service provider responsible for said telephone service, wherein said telephone service provider is distinct from said first entity; automatically generating an electronic order for said configuration; transmitting said electronic order to the telephone service provider; and optionally, testing said configuration to determine if said provisioning was successful.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving a status of said order from the telephone service provider; and electronically communicating said status to the subscriber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising, if said status indicates that said telephone service configuration was unsuccessful: generating a resubmit order; and transmitting said resubmit order to the telephone service provider.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein said resubmit order comprises information identified in said status.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: creating an object in a database to record said order; updating said database object to indicate that said order was submitted to the telephone service provider; and updating said database object to reflect an order status received from the telephone service provider.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving a status of said order from the telephone service provider; and automatically generating a billing record for the telephone subscriber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said receiving a request comprises: receiving a connection from a subscriber at one of a telephone server, a network server and a resubmit server; and receiving from the telephone subscriber a request to configure a desired feature on the subscriber's telephone service.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein said feature is one of the set of: call forwarding, call waiting, message waiting indication, and ring cycle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said identifying comprises determining the LEC (Local Exchange Carrier) or wireless carrier providing telephone service to the subscriber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said automatically generating comprises: creating a generic order object identifying said telephone service configuration requested by the subscriber; and converting said generic order object into a specific order object having a format accepted by the telephone service subscriber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein said transmitting comprises: accumulating multiple specific order objects, including said specific order object; and submitting said multiple specific order objects to the telephone service provider.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
89 words
A computer-implemented method of automatically provisioning a telephone subscriber's telephone service, comprising: receiving a request to provision a subscriber's telephone service; identifying the subscriber's telephone service provider; generating a generic order object to order said provisioning from said service provider; recording said order in a database object; converting said generic order object to a specific order object having a predetermined form; exporting said specific order object to said service provider; receiving a status of said order from said service provider; and updating said database object to reflect said status.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
89 words
A computer-implemented method of automatically provisioning a telephone subscriber's telephone service, comprising: receiving a request to provision a subscriber's telephone service; identifying the subscriber's telephone service provider; generating a generic order object to order said provisioning from said service provider; recording said order in a database object; converting said generic order object to a specific order object having a predetermined form; exporting said specific order object to said service provider; receiving a status of said order from said service provider; and updating said database object to reflect said status.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising placing said generic order object in an export queue associated with said service provider.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising informing the subscriber of said status.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising testing said subscriber's telephone service to determine if said provisioning is complete.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein said request comprises a request for voice mail service, further comprising: retrieving a voice mailbox telephone number from a database of telephone numbers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein said receiving comprises: receiving a connection from the subscriber at one of a telephone server, a network server and a resubmit server; and receiving a telephone service provisioning request from the subscriber, wherein said request comprises one of a request to add a telephone service feature, a request to change a telephone service feature and a request to remove a telephone service feature.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein said telephone server is an interactive voice response device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein said receiving comprises: receiving a connection from a customer service operator at one of a telephone server, a network server and a resubmit server; and receiving a telephone service provisioning request from the customer service operator, wherein said request comprises one of a request to add a telephone service feature, a request to change a telephone service feature and a request to remove a telephone service feature.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein said request to provision the subscriber's telephone service is received from an authorized representative of the subscriber.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein said identifying comprises searching a database of subscriber telephone numbers and associated telephone service providers.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein said generating a generic order object comprises: specifying a telephone service feature to be provisioned; and specifying a telephone number for which said feature is to be provisioned.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein said specific order object is one of the set of: a text file, a spreadsheet, a message and a flexible computer interface format file.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of provisioning telephone service for a user, comprising: receiving a generic order object representing an order to provision telephone service for a user; identifying a telephone service provider responsible for telephone service for the user; converting said generic order object into a specific order object tailored for said telephone service provider; connecting to said telephone service provider; transmitting said specific order object to said telephone service provider; and receiving a status of said order from said telephone service provider.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of provisioning telephone service for a user, comprising: receiving a generic order object representing an order to provision telephone service for a user; identifying a telephone service provider responsible for telephone service for the user; converting said generic order object into a specific order object tailored for said telephone service provider; connecting to said telephone service provider; transmitting said specific order object to said telephone service provider; and receiving a status of said order from said telephone service provider.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
94 words
A computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method of automatically provisioning a telephone subscriber's telephone service, the method comprising: receiving a request at a first entity to configure a subscriber's telephone service; identifying a telephone service provider responsible for said telephone service, wherein said telephone service provider is distinct from said first entity; automatically generating an electronic order for said configuration; transmitting said electronic order to the telephone service provider; and optionally, testing said configuration to determine if said provisioning was successful.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
94 words
A computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method of automatically provisioning a telephone subscriber's telephone service, the method comprising: receiving a request at a first entity to configure a subscriber's telephone service; identifying a telephone service provider responsible for said telephone service, wherein said telephone service provider is distinct from said first entity; automatically generating an electronic order for said configuration; transmitting said electronic order to the telephone service provider; and optionally, testing said configuration to determine if said provisioning was successful.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
108 words
A computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method of automatically provisioning a telephone subscriber's telephone service, the method comprising: receiving a request to provision a subscriber's telephone service; identifying the subscriber's telephone service provider; generating a generic order object to order said provisioning from said service provider; recording said order in a database object; converting said generic order object to a specific order object having a predetermined configuration; exporting said specific order object to said service provider; receiving a status of said order from said service provider; and updating said database object to reflect said status.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
108 words
A computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method of automatically provisioning a telephone subscriber's telephone service, the method comprising: receiving a request to provision a subscriber's telephone service; identifying the subscriber's telephone service provider; generating a generic order object to order said provisioning from said service provider; recording said order in a database object; converting said generic order object to a specific order object having a predetermined configuration; exporting said specific order object to said service provider; receiving a status of said order from said service provider; and updating said database object to reflect said status.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
87 words
A computer readable storage medium containing a data structure configured to facilitate the automatic provisioning of a subscriber's telephone service, the data structure comprising: a subscriber telephone number to be provisioned; a feature identifier configured to identify a service feature to be provisioned; and an action identifier configured to indicate how said service feature is to be provisioned; wherein the data structure is automatically transmitted to a telephone service provider responsible for servicing telephone number, by an entity other than said telephone service provider and the subscriber.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
87 words
A computer readable storage medium containing a data structure configured to facilitate the automatic provisioning of a subscriber's telephone service, the data structure comprising: a subscriber telephone number to be provisioned; a feature identifier configured to identify a service feature to be provisioned; and an action identifier configured to indicate how said service feature is to be provisioned; wherein the data structure is automatically transmitted to a telephone service provider responsible for servicing telephone number, by an entity other than said telephone service provider and the subscriber.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 27 , wherein said feature identifier is configured to identify either a complementary network service feature or a basic service element.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 27 , wherein said feature identifier is configured to identify one of the following service features: call forwarding, message waiting indicator and ring cycle.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 27 , wherein said action identifier indicates said service feature is to be provisioned in one of the following ways: added, changed or disconnected.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
104 words
A system for automatically provisioning a subscriber's telephone service, comprising: a server configured to receive a provisioning order for a subscriber's telephone service; an order generator configured to generate a generic order object from said provisioning order; a first export queue configured to temporarily store said generic order object; a transport module configured to: convert said generic order object into a specific order object having a form desired by a telephone service provider responsible for said telephone service; and transmit said specific order object to said service provider; and an import module configured to receive a status of said order from said service provider.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
104 words
A system for automatically provisioning a subscriber's telephone service, comprising: a server configured to receive a provisioning order for a subscriber's telephone service; an order generator configured to generate a generic order object from said provisioning order; a first export queue configured to temporarily store said generic order object; a transport module configured to: convert said generic order object into a specific order object having a form desired by a telephone service provider responsible for said telephone service; and transmit said specific order object to said service provider; and an import module configured to receive a status of said order from said service provider.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 31 , further comprising a database configured to track the status of said order, wherein said database is updated by said order generator and said import module.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 32 , wherein said database is updated transactionally, and wherein each said update transaction either completely fails or completely succeeds.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 31 , further comprising a test module configured to test said telephone service for completion of said order.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 31 , wherein said order generator is further configured to determine which telephone service provider, of multiple telephone service providers, is responsible for the subscriber's telephone service.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 35 , further comprising a queue server comprising multiple export queues, including said first export queue, wherein each of said multiple export queues is configured to store generic order objects for a different telephone service provider.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 36 , wherein said queue server further comprises an import queue configured to temporarily store said status.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 31 , wherein said server is one of a network server and a telephone server.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 31 , wherein said server is a resubmit server configured to resubmit a previous provisioning order to the system when a status of said previous provisioning order is unsuccessful.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 31 , wherein said order generator comprises a set of computer readable instructions executed on said server.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 31 , wherein said import module and said transport module are co-located.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
148 words
An enhanced telephone service provider for automatically provisioning a subscriber's telephone service with a complementary telephone network service, comprising: a plurality of servers configured to provide one or more enhanced telephone network services to subscribers within a publicly switched telephone network, wherein one or more of said plurality of servers are coupled to a basic telephone service provider responsible for providing basic telephone service elements to said subscribers; a first server configured to receive a request to provision a first subscriber within the telephone network with a complementary telephone network service; an order generator configured to generate an order for said provisioning; a transport module configured to format said order into a form acceptable to said basic telephone service provider; and a communication module configured to: transmit said order to said basic telephone service provider; and receive from said basic telephone service provider a status of said order.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
148 words
An enhanced telephone service provider for automatically provisioning a subscriber's telephone service with a complementary telephone network service, comprising: a plurality of servers configured to provide one or more enhanced telephone network services to subscribers within a publicly switched telephone network, wherein one or more of said plurality of servers are coupled to a basic telephone service provider responsible for providing basic telephone service elements to said subscribers; a first server configured to receive a request to provision a first subscriber within the telephone network with a complementary telephone network service; an order generator configured to generate an order for said provisioning; a transport module configured to format said order into a form acceptable to said basic telephone service provider; and a communication module configured to: transmit said order to said basic telephone service provider; and receive from said basic telephone service provider a status of said order.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
18 words
The enhanced telephone service provider of claim 42 , wherein said complementary telephone network service comprises call forwarding.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
48 words
The enhanced telephone service provider of claim 42 , wherein a first server in said plurality of servers is configured to receive a call directed to the first subscriber, further comprising: a first memory configured to store a voicemail message directed to the first subscriber from another subscriber.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
102 words
A telecommunication system, comprising: a telephone service provider comprising switching equipment for switching telephone calls, wherein said telephone service provider is coupled to a public switched telephone network; a first server configured to receive from a subscriber a request to provision the subscriber's service within said telephone network; an order generator configured to generate an order for said provisioning; a transport module configured to format said order into a form acceptable to said telephone service provider; and a communication module configured to: transmit said order to said telephone service provider; and receive from said telephone service provider a status of said order.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
102 words
A telecommunication system, comprising: a telephone service provider comprising switching equipment for switching telephone calls, wherein said telephone service provider is coupled to a public switched telephone network; a first server configured to receive from a subscriber a request to provision the subscriber's service within said telephone network; an order generator configured to generate an order for said provisioning; a transport module configured to format said order into a form acceptable to said telephone service provider; and a communication module configured to: transmit said order to said telephone service provider; and receive from said telephone service provider a status of said order.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
67 words
A system for automatically provisioning a subscriber's telephone service, comprising: means for receiving a request to configure a subscriber's telephone service; means for identifying a telephone service provider responsible for providing said telephone service; means for generating an electronic order for said configuration; means for transmitting said order to the telephone service provider; and optionally, means for testing said configuration to determine if said provisioning was successful.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
67 words
A system for automatically provisioning a subscriber's telephone service, comprising: means for receiving a request to configure a subscriber's telephone service; means for identifying a telephone service provider responsible for providing said telephone service; means for generating an electronic order for said configuration; means for transmitting said order to the telephone service provider; and optionally, means for testing said configuration to determine if said provisioning was successful.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 46 , further comprising means for converting said order into a format acceptable to the telephone service provider.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 46 , further comprising means for receiving a status of said order from the telephone service provider.
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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) | 2006-04-07 | 2006-10-07 | 2007-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-04-07 | 2010-10-07 | 2011-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-04-07 | 2014-10-07 | 2015-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |