PROFILE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM INCLUDING USER INTERFACE FOR ACCESSING AND MAINTAINING PROFILE DATA OF USER SUBSCRIBED TELEPHONY SERVICES

• US 20110142213A1
• Filed: 01/06/2011
• Published: 06/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Labs Incorporated (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Labs Incorporated (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: ROLWES, Christopher H., BROKAW, Tracy L., CLARK, Mary B., BANIAK, Paul G., CHAMBERS, Kristin, VIETH, Terry L., KREIN, Katherine L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,494,138 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/93.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/12 intelligent networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42068 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42153 by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42161 via computer interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0033 customer-controlled

Abstract

Subscriber profile data is managed. The subscriber profile data is associated with a communications service subscribed to by a subscriber. A request to retrieve the subscriber profile data is received based upon a client sending a request for the subscriber profile data. The client hosts a user interface configured to allow the subscriber to obtain and update the subscriber profile data. The subscriber profile data is retrieved from the communications network in response to the request to retrieve the subscriber profile data. A request to update the subscriber profile data is received based upon the client sending a request to update the subscriber profile data. An update for the subscriber profile data is forwarded to the communications network based upon receiving the request to update the subscriber profile data.

Claims

1. A method for managing subscriber profile data associated with a communications service subscribed to by a subscriber, the method comprising:

receiving a request to retrieve the subscriber profile data based upon a client sending a request for the subscriber profile data, wherein the client hosts a user interface configured to allow the subscriber to obtain and update the subscriber profile data;

retrieving the subscriber profile data from the communications network in response to the request to retrieve the subscriber profile data;

receiving a request to update the subscriber profile data based upon the client sending a request to update the subscriber profile data, and

forwarding an update for the subscriber profile data to the communications network based upon receiving the request to update the subscriber profile data.

2. The method for managing subscriber profile data of claim 1,

wherein the subscriber profile data is retrieved from the communications network via at least one intermediate system.

3. The method for managing subscriber profile data of claim 1,

wherein the update for the subscriber profile data is forwarded to the communications network via at least one intermediate system.

4. The method for managing subscriber profile data of claim 1,

wherein the subscriber profile data is retrieved by a server.

5. The method for managing subscriber profile data of claim 1,

wherein the update for the subscriber profile data is forwarded by a server.

6. The method for managing subscriber profile data of claim 5,

wherein the communications network comprises a telecommunications network.

7. The method for managing subscriber profile data of claim 1,

wherein the subscriber profile data comprises authorized communications addresses.

8. The method for managing subscriber profile data of claim 7,

wherein a communication attempt from a requesting party is only forwarded to the subscriber when the communication is from an authorized communications address.

9. The method for managing subscriber profile data of claim 8,

wherein a reporting system generates reports comprising attempts to communicate with the subscriber, indicating each communications attempt not successfully communicated to the subscriber.

10. The method for managing subscriber profile data of claim 1, further comprising:

controlling access to the subscriber profile data to only allow authorized subscribers to access and request updates to the subscriber profile data.

11. The method for managing subscriber profile data of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, from the client, a time specified by the subscriber as to when the requested update for the subscriber profile data should be forwarded to the communications network.

12. At least one tangible non-transitory computer readable medium that stores a set of instructions for managing subscriber profile data associated with a communications service subscribed to by a subscriber, the instructions when executed causing a computer to perform acts of:

receiving a request to retrieve the subscriber profile data based upon a client sending a request for the subscriber profile data, wherein the client hosts a user interface configured to allow the subscriber to obtain and update the subscriber profile data;

retrieving the subscriber profile data from the communications network in response to the request to retrieve the subscriber profile data;

receiving a request to update the subscriber profile data based upon the client sending a request to update the subscriber profile data, and

forwarding an update for the subscriber profile data to the communications network based upon receiving the request to update the subscriber profile data.

13. The at least one tangible non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 12,

wherein the subscriber profile data is retrieved from the communications network via at least one intermediate system.

14. The method for managing subscriber profile data of claim 12,

wherein the update for the subscriber profile data is forwarded to the communications network via at least one intermediate system.

15. The method for managing subscriber profile data of claim 12,

wherein the communications service comprises positive identification.

16. The method for managing subscriber profile data of claim 15,

wherein the communications network comprises a telecommunications network.

17. The method for managing subscriber profile data of claim 16,

wherein the subscriber profile data comprises authorized communications addresses.

18. The method for managing subscriber profile data of claim 17,

wherein a communication from a requesting party is only forwarded to the subscriber when the communication is from an authorized communications address.

19. An apparatus for managing subscriber profile data associated with a communications service subscribed to by a subscriber, the apparatus including:

a memory that stores and instructions, and

a processor that executes the instructions,

wherein, when executed, the instructions cause the apparatus to perform acts of;

receiving a request to retrieve the subscriber profile data based upon a client sending a request for the subscriber profile data, wherein the client hosts a user interface configured to allow the subscriber to obtain and update the subscriber profile data;

retrieving the subscriber profile data from the communications network in response to the request to retrieve the subscriber profile data;

receiving a request to update the subscriber profile data based upon the client sending a request to update the subscriber profile data, and

forwarding an update for the subscriber profile data to the communications network based upon receiving the request to update the subscriber profile data.

20. The apparatus for managing subscriber profile data of claim 19,

wherein the subscriber profile data is retrieved from the communications network via at least one intermediate system, and

wherein the update for the subscriber profile data is forwarded to the communications network via the at least one intermediate system.