Methods, Systems, and Products for Caller Control of Internet Call Waiting

• US 20090016500A1
• Filed: 09/19/2008
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Hong Thi, Silver, Edward Michael, Roberts, Linda Ann
• Application Number:
  US12/233,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20090016500A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/93.20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/20 with means for interrupting existing connections; with means for breaking-in on conversations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4281 when the called subscriber is connected to a data network using his telephone line, e.g. dial-up connection, Internet browsing

Abstract

Caller Control of Internet Call Waiting (ICW) Services are provided to disconnect a data connection and to prevent establishment of a subsequent data connection. An incoming communication to a called number is received and includes an interrupt code to disconnect a data connection associated with the called number. If the interrupt code is valid, the data connection is disconnected, and a subsequent data connection is prevented until an authorization code is received that permits enablement of the subsequent data connection.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a communication associated with a called number and with an interrupt code to disconnect a data connection associated with the called number; and

disconnecting the data connection when the interrupt code is valid.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising sending a notification to an Internet Protocol address associated with the called number to alert of the disconnection.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a notification at an Internet Protocol address associated with the called number to alert of the disconnection.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising determining a level of authority associated with the interrupt code.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising prompting to disconnect the data connection.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising preventing a subsequent data connection associated with the called number until disposition of the communication.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising preventing a subsequent outgoing communication from the called number until disposition of the communication.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising preventing a subsequent data connection associated with the called number until an authorization code is received that permits enablement of the subsequent data connection.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein disconnecting the data connection comprises disconnecting an Internet Call Waiting Session associated with the called number.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising storing an Internet Protocol address associated with the data connection.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising storing an Internet Protocol address of a web page prior to disconnecting the data connection.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising querying a database for the called number.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising retrieving the interrupt code from the profile.

14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising sending an Internet Call Waiting message to a calling number.

15. The method according to claim 1, further comprising retrieving a call handling option associated with the called number.

16. The method according to claim 1, further comprising sending a signal to disconnect the data connection.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving the communication comprises receiving an incoming call.

18. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving authorization to disconnect the data connection.

19. A system, operative to:

receive a communication associated with a called number and with an interrupt code to disconnect a data connection associated with the called number; and

disconnect the data connection when the interrupt code is valid.

20. A computer program product comprising computer readable instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

receiving a communication associated with a called number and with an interrupt code to disconnect a data connection associated with the called number; and

disconnecting the data connection when the interrupt code is valid.