Network service provider gateway that provides value added services

• US 20020052915A1
• Filed: 03/22/2001
• Published: 05/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bahman Amin-Salehi
• Original Assignee: Bahman Amin-Salehi
• Inventors: Amin-Salehi, Bahman
• Application Number:
  US09/814,036
• Publication Number:
  US 20020052915A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0407 using a stored programme control
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13039 Asymmetrical two-way transmission, e.g. ADSL, HDSL
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13109 Initializing, personal profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13196 Connection circuit/link/trunk/junction, bridge, router, gateway
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1329 Asynchronous transfer mode, ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13298 Local loop systems, access network
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13336 Store & forward, messaging systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13348 Channel/line reservation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13376 Information service, downloading of information, 0800/0900 services
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 LAN, internet

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, a NSP, such as Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC) or a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) can own and operate a Value-Added Service (VAS) Gateway. By means of this gateway, the NSP provides its subscribers and customers a unified access interface mechanism for them to access many NSP (or third-party provider) services. According to the invention, the VAS Gateway provides the first-stage of the subscriber'"'"'s interaction capability with the NSP'"'"'s domain via a unified user interface for all of the subscriber'"'"'s on-line information access, data communications, service management, and vertical (value-added) services. For example, the VAS Gateway presents the subscriber with an interactive menu helping the subscriber to select an ISP, transport service or access to his/her corporate network server.

Claims

1. A method for accessing services and applications offered by a network service provider (NSP), comprising:

communicating IP packets between a service subscriber device and a server over a public physical access transmission medium that is operated by the NSP;

providing a unified interface to the service subscriber device for selecting one or more NSP services or applications;

manipulating service variables associated with the selected NSP services or applications; and

accessing the selected NSP services or applications, using the manipulated service variables.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the public physical access transmission medium comprises at least one of a twisted pair wire, coaxial cable, optical fiber, and radio frequency spectrum.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of services or applications comprises at least one of data communications, information access, voice over IP, service management, unified communications, billing, VPN, 800-Data, on-line subscription, conferencing, calling card, unified messaging, transit carrier selection;

and transport service selection.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein manipulating service variables is associated with selecting, changing, combining the NSP services or applications.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the variables associated with the plurality of services or applications are interdependent.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the IP packets between the service subscriber device and the server are communicated via a NSP router.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the service subscriber device runs a browser interface.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the service variables are manipulated for the selected NSP service or application per session.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the unified user interface provides a single password for authenticating access to the plurality of NSP services or applications.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the servers is a third-party service provider server.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein an IP session is realized by means of a private IP address assigned to the user device by the NSP.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the IP is assigned by the NSP dynamically using at least one of an IP Configuration Protocol (IPCP) in PPP and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.