Packet switched information network with universal access to enhanced network services
First Claim
1. An information network adapted to provide communication between a number of network hosts and a number of input communication devices, each input communication device utilizing one or more of a number of different access protocols including at least first and second access protocols, said first access protocol being an asynchronous access protocol and second access protocol being other than an asynchronous access protocol, the information network comprising:
- packet switch means for enabling and disabling, during a communication session, communication paths between said input devices and said network hosts;
enhanced network function means for providing enhanced network functions during operation of said packet switch means, said enhanced network functions being other than the basic transport and connectivity functions of said information network;
and enhanced network function access means for enabling said enhanced network function means to be accessed for input devices operating at least at said first and second different access protocols.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An information network for connecting input communication devices using a number of different access protocols to network hosts in which a packet switch is provided for enabling and disabling communication paths betweeen the input devices and hosts and in which an enhanced network function server is able to be used during operation of the packet switch by an enhanced network function access module which permits access to the enhanced function server for the different access protocols.
59 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An information network adapted to provide communication between a number of network hosts and a number of input communication devices, each input communication device utilizing one or more of a number of different access protocols including at least first and second access protocols, said first access protocol being an asynchronous access protocol and second access protocol being other than an asynchronous access protocol, the information network comprising:
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packet switch means for enabling and disabling, during a communication session, communication paths between said input devices and said network hosts; enhanced network function means for providing enhanced network functions during operation of said packet switch means, said enhanced network functions being other than the basic transport and connectivity functions of said information network; and enhanced network function access means for enabling said enhanced network function means to be accessed for input devices operating at least at said first and second different access protocols. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of providing communication between a number of hosts and a number of input communication devices, each input communication device utilizing one or more of a number of different access protocols including at least first and second access protocols, said first access protocol being an asynchronous access protocol and said second access protocol being other than an asynchronous access protocol, said method comprising:
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using a packet switch means, enabling and disabling during a communication session communication paths between said input devices and said network hosts; providing enhanced network functions during operation of said packet switch means, said enhanced network functions being other than the basic transport and connectivity functions of an information network; and enabling said enhanced network functions to be accessed for input devices operating at least at said first and second different access protocols. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification