Methods and Systems for Provisioning Network Services

• US 20100067407A1
• Filed: 11/24/2009
• Published: 03/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rice, Christopher W., Murray, John F., Miller, Robert R., Erving, Richard H., Bowen, Donald J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,970,914 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/271
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5054 Automatic deployment of services triggered by the service manager, e.g. service implementation by automatic configuration of network components

Abstract

Certain exemplary embodiments provide a method, comprising: automatically detecting at an agent an installation of a communications device to a local network coupled to the agent; automatically offering via the communications device a plurality of user-selectable service options relating to a service provider'"'"'s network and relating to at least one capability of the communications device, the at least one capability detected by the agent; in response to a selection of at least one service option from the plurality of service options, providing via the agent a user connection address.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

via a network interface device associated with a user, responsive to a request by the user for at least one service relating to a service provider'"'"'s network, receiving an agent adapted to install said at least one service on a premises of said user, said agent adapted to automatically detect an installation of a communications device to a local network coupled to said agent, said local network coupled to said service provider'"'"'s network via a physical connection, said communications device a telephone lacking a display, said communications device adapted to offer a plurality of user-selectable service options relating to said service provider'"'"'s network and relating to at least one capability of the communications device, said plurality of user-selectable options related to non-visual user interface service.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request from the user for said at least one service relating to the service provider'"'"'s network.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

coupling said agent to said service provider'"'"'s network.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting said at least one capability of said communications device, said plurality of user-selectable service options comprising downloading an updated user manual.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

registering said communications device with said service provider'"'"'s network, said communications device being a telephone coupled to the service provider'"'"'s network via a cable modem, said plurality of user-selectable service options comprising a competitive local exchange carrier telephone service.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

accounting for service provided to said communications device via said service provider'"'"'s network.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said physical connection comprises a cable modem.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said physical connection comprises a DSL modem.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said physical connection comprises a telephone modem.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said physical connection comprises a wireless modem.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said physical connection comprises an optical fiber connection.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said physical connection comprises a free-space optics connection.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said communications device is a computer.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said non-visual user interface services comprise push button services for caller ID.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said communications device is a multimedia device.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a user connection address, wherein said user connection address is a telephone number.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a user connection address, wherein said user connection address is an e-mail address.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a user connection address, wherein said user connection address is an IP address.

19. A computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions for activities comprising:

via a network interface device associated with a user, responsive to a request by the user for at least one service relating to a service provider'"'"'s network, receiving an agent adapted to install said at least one service on a premises of said user, said agent adapted to automatically detect an installation of a communications device to a local network coupled to said agent, said local network coupled to said service provider'"'"'s network via a physical connection, said communications device a telephone lacking a display, said communications device adapted to offer a plurality of user-selectable service options relating to said service provider'"'"'s network and relating to at least one capability of the communications device, said plurality of user-selectable options related to non-visual user interface service.

20. A network interface device comprising:

an agent adapted to install a service relating to a service provider'"'"'s network on a premises of a user, said agent further adapted to automatically detect an installation of a communications device to a local network coupled to said agent, said local network coupled to said provider'"'"'s network via a physical connection, said communications device a telephone lacking a display, said communications device adapted to offer a plurality of user-selectable service options relating to said service provider'"'"'s network and relating to at least one capability of said communications device, said plurality of user-selectable options related to non-visual user interface service.