Storage-enabled telecommunications network

• US 20040229638A1
• Filed: 06/24/2004
• Published: 11/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Olsson, Stefan, Slemmer, John Blake, Parsons, Chris, Aultman, Joseph L. Sr., Nichols, James A., Zimba, Stephen P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,657,008 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/514
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for enabling a telecommunications network with data storage capability. A data connection is established to a storage device. The storage device is associated with a telecommunications network facility. Customer-defined electronic data is communicated to the storage device via the data connection. At least some of the electronic data may be managed according to a service level agreement.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

providing telecommunications service; and

providing data storage service, the data storage service allowing a customer to manage electronic data on a remote storage device, the remote storage device communicating with a network of shared, interconnected storage devices, the network of storage devices provided by a telecommunications service provider.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing the data storage service further comprises accessing at least one storage device associated with a central office of a telecommunications network.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing the data storage service further comprises accessing at least one storage device associated with a mobile telephone switching office.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing the data storage service further comprises accessing at least one storage device associated with a telecommunications facility, the telecommunications facility comprising telephone switching equipment and mobile telephone switching equipment.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing the data storage service further comprises at least one of (i) storing electronic data, (ii) retrieving electronic data, (iii) deleting electronic data, (iv) sending electronic data, and (v) protecting electronic data.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing the data storage service further comprises at least one of (i) sending electronic data to a destination outside the network of storage devices, (ii) archiving electronic data, (iii) sending electronic data to an Internet Protocol address on a distributed computing network, (iv) encrypting electronic data, (v) copying electronic data, and (vi) associating electronic data.

7. A method, comprising:

communicating electronic data to a storage device, the storage device associated with a telecommunications network facility; and

allowing a customer to manage the electronic data on the storage device.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the step of communicating the electronic data comprises associating the storage device with a central office.

9. A method according to claim 7, wherein the step of communicating the electronic data comprises associating the storage device with a mobile telephone switching office.

10. A method according to claim 7, wherein the step of managing the electronic data on the storage device comprises archiving the electronic data.

11. A method according to claim 7, wherein the step of communicating the electronic data comprises communicating the electronic data via a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL).

12. A method according to claim 7, wherein the step of communicating the electronic data comprises communicating the electronic data via a local loop of a telecommunications network.

13. A method according to claim 7, wherein the step of communicating the electronic data comprises communicating the electronic data via means for optically transmitting data.

14. A method according to claim 7, further comprising communicating electronic data from the storage device.

15. A method according to claim 7, further comprising communicating electronic data from the storage device to a computer installed at a customer'"'"'s premises.

16. A method according to claim 7, further comprising communicating electronic data from the storage device to at least one of the following:

a wireless communications device,

a mobile phone,

a cellular phone,

a Wireless Applications Protocol (WAP) phone,

a satellite phone

a computer,

a modem,

a pager,

a digital music device,

a digital recording device,

a personal digital assistant,

an interactive television,

a digital signal processor, and

a Global Positioning System device.

17. A method according to claim 7, further comprising communicating electronic data from a network of storage devices to the storage device.

18. A method, comprising:

establishing a data connection to a storage device, the storage device located within a central office of a telecommunications network;

communicating customer-defined electronic data to the storage device via the data connection; and

allowing a customer to manage the electronic data.

19. A system, comprising:

a network of shared, interconnected storage devices, the network of storage devices provided by a telecommunications service provider;

a storage operating system for managing the network of storage devices; and

an application program allowing the customer to manage electronic data remotely residing in the network of storage devices.