Telephone network with telecommuting features

• US 5,729,598 A
• Filed: 03/11/1996
• Issued: 03/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Kay, William A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Barnie, Rexford N.
• Application Number:
  US08/613,560
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 379/112, 379/114, 379/115, 379/121, 379/127, 379/207, 379/229, 379/230
• US Class Current: 379/114.29
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/08 Metering calls to called party , i.e. B-party charged for the communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/12 intelligent networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/62 Called party billing, e.g. reverse billing, freephone, collect call, 0800 or 0900
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4234 Remote access to features of PBX or home telephone systems-teleworking in a PBX

Abstract

A public switched telephone network having an advanced intelligent network and intelligent peripheral is utilized to provide a work-at-home office for one or more employees of one or more companies wherein those work-at-home employees are enabled to place business calls from their residence telephones with automatic billing of such calls to the employer. One residence directory number may be utilized by multiple work-at-home employees who may be employed by multiple employers. The work-at-home employees utilize personal identification numbers in conjunction with residence directory number identification in such a manner that the placement of the call and entry of the PIN identify the employer billing directory number to be charged. System administration is arranged so that the service may be activated or deactivated by a system administrator connecting with the intelligent peripheral from an authorized directory number and providing an activating-deactivating signal.

Claims

1. In a communications network comprising:

local communication lines, a first plurality of said lines being connected to residences and having residence directory numbers and a second plurality of said lines being connected to businesses and having business directory numbers including business billing numbers and system administrator directory numbers for system administrators associated with said businesses;

a plurality of interconnected central office switching systems connected to said local communication lines;

a central control separate from the central offices, said central control comprising a database storage storing call processing data associated with said communication lines for control of call processing through one or more of said central office switching systems; and

a peripheral platform connected to at least one of the central office switching systems and providing at least one auxiliary-call processing capability for said central office switching system, said peripheral platform including a database storage;

a call processing method comprising the steps of;

storing in database storage in said communications network for each of a plurality of said residence directory numbers at least one first identification parameter;

storing in database storage in said communications network for each of said first identification parameters a business billing directory number;

storing in database storage in said communications network for each of said business billing directory numbers at least one of said system administrator directory numbers for a system administrator associated with said business billing directory number; and

activating a billing service for a business associated with one of said business billing directory numbers by (a) connecting to said peripheral platform via one of said local communication lines associated with a system administrator directory number identified with said business billing directory number in said storage of business billing directory numbers and system administrator directory numbers in said communications network, and (b) identifying via said one of said local communication lines associated with a system administrator directory number a residence directory number and a first identifying parameter which are identified with said business billing directory numbers in said storage of billing business directory numbers and first identifying parameters in said communications network.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said first identifying parameter is a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for a resident of the residence employed by a business associated with the business billing directory number.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein a resident of said residence also has a PIN different than said first named PIN, said different PIN being associated with a different business billing directory number than the business associated with said first named PIN.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein a call is implemented via said activated billing service by the steps of:

dialing from a stored residence directory number a predetermined access code followed by the directory number of a called party;

comparing the residence directory number from which said dialing originated with residence directory numbers stored in database storage in said communications network;

on a match being established in said residence directory numbers identifying a business billing directory number corresponding to the matching residence directory numbers;

entering from said residence directory number from which said dialing originated a first identification parameter;

comparing said entered first identification parameter with first identification parameters stored in database storage in said communications network;

on a match being established in said first identification parameters, processing the call initiated by said dialing and billing said call to the business billing directory number corresponding to said matching first identification parameters.

5. In a communications network comprising:

local communication lines, a first plurality of said lines being connected to residences and having residence directory numbers and a second plurality of said lines being connected to businesses and having business directory numbers including business billing numbers and system administrator directory numbers for system administrators associated with said businesses;

a plurality of interconnected central office switching systems connected to said local communication lines;

a central control separate from the central offices, said central control comprising a database storage storing call processing data associated with said communication lines for control of call processing through one or more of said central office switching systems; and

a peripheral platform connected to at least one of the central office switching systems and providing at least one auxiliary call processing capability for said central office switching system, said peripheral platform including a database storage;

a call processing method comprising the steps of;

storing in database storage in said communications network for each of a plurality of said residence directory numbers one or more first identification parameters;

storing in database storage in said communications network for each of said first identification parameters a billing business directory number;

storing in database storage in said communications network for each of said business billing directory numbers at least one of said system administrator directory numbers for a system administrator associated with said business billing directory number;

dialing from a stored residence directory number a predetermined access code followed by the directory number of a called party;

comparing the residence directory number from which said dialing originated with residence directory numbers stored in database storage in said communications network;

on a match being established in said residence directory numbers identifying a business billing directory number corresponding to the matching residence directory numbers;

entering from said residence directory number from which said dialing originated a first identification parameter;

comparing said entered first identification parameter with first identification parameters stored in database storage in said communications network;

on a match being established in said first identification parameters processing the call initiated by said dialing and billing said call to the business billing directory number corresponding to said matching first identification parameters.

6. In a communications network comprising:

local communication lines, a first plurality of said lines being connected to residences and having residence directory numbers and a second plurality of said lines being connected to businesses and having business directory numbers including business billing numbers and system administrator directory numbers for system administrators associated with said businesses;

a plurality of interconnected central office switching systems connected to said local communication lines;

a central control separate from the central office switching systems, said central control comprising a database storage storing call processing data associated with said communication lines for control of call processing through one or more of said central office switching systems; and

a peripheral platform connected to at least one of the central office switching systems and providing at least one auxiliary call processing capability for said central office switching system, said peripheral platform including a database storage;

a call processing method comprising the steps of;

storing in database storage in said communications network for at least one of said residence directory numbers a pair of different first identification parameters;

storing in database storage in said communications network for each of said first identification parameters a billing business directory number;

storing in database storage in said communications network for each of said business billing directory numbers at least one of said system administrator directory numbers for a system administrator associated with said business billing directory number;

dialing from a stored residence directory number a predetermined access code followed by the directory number of a called party;

comparing the residence directory number from which said dialing originated with residence directory numbers stored in database storage in said communications network;

on a match being established in said residence directory numbers identifying a business billing directory number corresponding to the matching residence directory numbers;

entering from said residence directory number from which said dialing originated a first identification parameter;

comparing said entered first identification parameter with first identification parameters stored in database storage in said communications network;

on a match being established in said first identification parameters processing the call initiated by said dialing and billing said call to the business billing directory number corresponding to said matching first identification parameters.

7. In a communications network comprising:

local communication lines, a first plurality of said lines being connected to residences and having residence directory numbers and a second plurality of said lines being connected to businesses and having business directory numbers including business billing numbers and system administrator directory numbers for system administrators associated with said businesses;

a plurality of interconnected central office switching systems connected to said local communication lines, said central offices including program controlled switches having database storage; and

a central control separate from the central office switching systems, said central control comprising a database storage storing call processing data associated with said communication lines for control of call processing through one or more of said central office switching systems and additional data;

a call processing method comprising the steps of;

storing in database storage in said communications network for each of a plurality of said residence directory numbers at least one first identification parameter;

storing in database storage in said communications network for each of said first identification parameters a billing business directory number;

storing in database storage in said communications network for each of said business billing directory numbers at least one of said system administrator directory numbers for a system administrator associated with said business billing directory number;

dialing from a stored residence directory number a predetermined access code followed by the directory number of a called party;

comparing the residence directory number from which said dialing originated with residence directory numbers stored in database storage in said communications network;

on a match being established in said residence directory numbers identifying a business billing directory number corresponding to the matching residence directory numbers;

entering from said residence directory number from which said dialing originated a first identification parameter;

comparing said entered first identification parameter with first identification parameters stored in database storage in said communications network;

on a match being established in said first identification parameters processing the call initiated by said dialing and billing said call to the business billing directory number corresponding to said matching first identification parameters.

8. In a communications network comprising:

local communication lines, a first plurality of said lines being connected to residences and having residence directory numbers and a second plurality of said lines being connected to businesses and having business directory numbers including business billing numbers and system administrator directory numbers for system administrators associated with said businesses;

a plurality of interconnected central office switching systems connected to said local communication lines, said central offices including program control switches having database storage; and

a central control separate from the central office switching systems, said central control comprising a database storage storing call processing data associated with said communication lines for control of call processing through one or more of said central office switching systems;

a call processing method comprising the steps of;

storing in database storage in said communications network for each of a plurality of said residence directory numbers one or more first identification parameters;

storing in database storage in said communications network for each of said first identification parameters a billing business directory number;

storing in database storage in said communications network for each of said business billing directory numbers at least one of said system administrator directory numbers for a system administrator associated with said business billing directory number; and

activating a billing service for a business associated with one of said business billing directory numbers by (a) connecting to one of said database storages via one of said local communication lines associated with a system administrator directory number identified with said business billing directory number in said storage of business billing directory numbers and system administrator directory numbers in said communications network, and (b) identifying via said one of said local communication lines associated with a system administrator directory number a residence directory number and a first identifying parameter which are identified with said business billing directory numbers in said storage of billing business directory numbers and first identifying parameters in said communications network.

9. A communication network comprising:

local communication lines, a first plurality of said lines being connected to residences and having residence directory numbers and a second plurality of said lines being connected to businesses and having business directory numbers including business billing numbers and system administrator directory numbers for system administrators associated with said businesses;

a plurality of interconnected central office switching systems connected to said local communication lines, central offices in said switching systems having program controlled switches and database storage;

a central control separate from the central office switching systems, said central control comprising a database storage storing call processing data associated with said communication lines for control of call processing through one or more of said central office switching systems;

a peripheral platform connected to at least one of the central office switching systems and providing at least one auxiliary call processing capability for said central office switching system, said peripheral platform including a database storage;

one or more of said database storages having stored therein;

(i) one or more first identification parameters for each of a plurality of said residence directory numbers;

(ii) a business billing directory number for each of said first identification parameters for each of said residence directory numbers; and

(iii) a system administrator directory number for a system administrator associated with said business billing directory number for each of said business billing directory numbers identified in (ii);

wherein in response to;

(a) connecting to said peripheral platform via one of said local communication lines associated with a system administrator directory number identified with a business billing directory number in said storage of business billing directory numbers and system administrator directory numbers in said database storage,

(b) identifying via said one of said local communication lines associated with said system administrator directory number a residence directory number and a first identifying parameter which are identified with said business billing directory number in said storage of business billing directory numbers and first identifying parameters in said database storage, and

(c) transmitting a signal over said one of said local communication lines;

the activated-deactivated status of a billing service to the business billing directory number associated with said system administrator directory number identified in (a) is changed.

10. A communication network according to claim 9 wherein said first identifying parameter is a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for a resident of the residence employed by a business associated with the business billing directory number.

11. A communication network according to claim 10 wherein a resident of said residence also has a PIN different than said first named PIN, said different PIN being associated with a different business billing directory number than the business associated with said first named PIN.

12. A communication network according to claim 9 wherein said change in status of said billing service places said service in an actuated status whereby in response to:

dialing from a stored residence directory number a predetermined access code followed by the directory number of a called party;

comparing the residence directory number from which said dialing originated with residence directory numbers stored in database storage in said communications network;

on a match being established in said residence directory numbers, entering from said residence directory number from which said dialing originated a first identification parameter;

comparing said entered first identification parameter with first identification parameters stored in database storage in said communications network;

on a match being established in said first identification parameters identifying a business billing directory number corresponding to the matching first identification numbers and matching residence directory numbers;

the call initiated by said dialing is processed and said call is billed to the business billing directory number corresponding to said matching first identification parameters and matching residence directory numbers.

13. A communication network comprising:

local communication lines, a first plurality of said lines being connected to residences and having residence directory numbers and a second plurality of said lines being connected to businesses and having business directory numbers including business billing numbers and system administrator directory numbers for system administrators associated with said businesses;

a plurality of interconnected central office switching systems connected to said local communication lines, central offices in said switching systems having program controlled switches and database storage;

a central control separate from the central office switching systems, said central control comprising a database storage storing call processing data associated with said communication lines for control of call processing through one or more of said central office switching systems;

one or more of said database storages having stored therein;

(i) one or more first identification parameters for each of a plurality of said residence directory numbers;

(ii) a business billing directory number for each of said first identification parameters for each of said residence directory numbers; and

(iii) a system administrator directory number for a system administrator associated with said business billing directory number for each of said business billing directory numbers identified in (ii);

wherein in response to;

dialing from a stored residence directory number a predetermined access code followed by the directory number of a called party;

comparing the residence directory number from which said dialing originated with residence directory numbers stored in database storage in said communications network;

on a match being established in said residence directory numbers identifying a business billing directory number corresponding to the matching residence directory numbers;

entering from said residence directory number from which said dialing originated a first identification parameter;

comparing said entered first identification parameter with first identification parameters stored in database storage in said communications network;

on a match being established in said first identification parameters;

the call initiated by said dialing is processed and said call is billed to the business billing directory number corresponding to said matching first identification parameters and matching residence directory numbers.

14. A communication network comprising:

local communication lines, a first plurality of said lines being connected to residences and having residence directory numbers and a second plurality of said lines being connected to businesses and having business directory numbers including business billing numbers and system administrator directory numbers for system administrators associated with said businesses;

a plurality of interconnected central office switching systems connected to said local communication lines, central offices in said switching systems having program controlled switches and database storage;

a central control separate from the central office switching systems, said central control comprising a database storage storing call processing data associated with said communication lines for control of call processing through one or more of said central office switching systems;

one or more of said database storages having stored therein;

(i) a pair of first identification parameters for at least one residence directory number;

(ii) a business billing directory number for each of said first identification parameters for said at least one residence directory number; and

(iii) a system administrator directory number for a system administrator associated with said business billing directory billing dr each of said business billing directory numbers identified in (ii);

wherein in response to;

dialing from a stored residence directory number a predetermined access code followed by the directory number of a called party;

comparing the residence directory number from which said dialing originated with residence directory numbers stored in database storage in said communications network;

on a match being established in said residence directory numbers entering from said residence directory number from which said dialing originated a first identification parameter;

comparing said entered first identification parameter with first identification parameters stored in database storage in said communications network;

on a match being established in said first identification parameters identifying at least one business billing directory number corresponding to the matching first identification parameters and matching residence directory numbers;

the call initiated by said dialing is processed and said call is billed to the business billing directory number corresponding to said matching first identification parameters.

15. A communication network comprising:

local communication lines, a first plurality of said lines being connected to residences and having residence directory numbers and a second plurality of said lines being connected to businesses and having business directory numbers including business billing numbers and system administrator directory numbers for system administrators associated with said businesses;

a plurality of interconnected central office switching systems connected to said local communication lines, central offices in said switching systems having program controlled switches and database storage;

a central control separate from the central office switching systems, said central control comprising a database storage storing call processing data associated with said communication lines for control of call processing through one or more of said central office switching systems;

a peripheral platform connected to at least one of the central office switching systems and providing at least one auxiliary call processing capability for said central office switching system, said peripheral platform including a database storage;

one or more of said database storages having stored therein;

(i) one or more first identification parameters for each of a plurality of said residence directory numbers;

(ii) a business billing directory number for each of said first identification parameters for each of said residence directory numbers; and

(iii) a system administrator directory number for a system administrator associated with said business billing directory number for each of said business billing directory numbers identified in (ii);

wherein in response to;

dialing from a stored residence directory number a predetermined access code followed by the directory number of a called party;

comparing the residence directory number from which said dialing originated with residence directory numbers stored in database storage in said communications network;

on a match being established in said residence directory numbers identifying a business billing directory number corresponding to the matching residence directory numbers;

entering from said residence directory number from which said dialing originated a first identification parameter;

comparing said entered first identification parameter with first identification parameters stored in database storage in said communications network;

on a match being established in said first identification parameters;

the call initiated by said dialing is processed and said call is billed to the business billing directory number corresponding to said matching first identification parameters.

16. A communication network comprising:

local communication lines, a first plurality of said lines being connected to residences and having residence directory numbers and a second plurality of said lines being connected to businesses and having business directory numbers including business billing numbers and system administrator directory numbers for system administrators associated with said businesses;

a plurality of interconnected central office switching systems connected to said local communication lines, central offices in said switching systems having program controlled switches and database storage;

a central control separate from the central office switching systems, said central control comprising a database storage storing call processing data associated with said communication lines for control of call processing through one or more of said central office switching systems;

one or more of said database storages having stored therein;

(i) one or more first identification parameters for each of a plurality of said residence directory numbers;

(ii) a business billing directory number for each of said first identification parameters for each of said residence directory numbers; and

(iii) a system administrator directory number for a system administrator associated with said business billing directory number for each of said business billing directory numbers identified in (ii);

wherein in response to;

(a) connecting to said peripheral platform via one of said local communication lines associated with a system administrator directory number identified with a business billing directory number in said storage of business billing directory numbers and system administrator directory numbers in said database storage,

(b) identifying via said one of said local communication lines associated with said system administrator directory number a residence directory number and a first identifying parameter which are identified with said business billing directory number in said storage of business billing directory numbers and first identifying parameters in said database storage, and

(c) transmitting a signal over said one of said local communication lines;

the activated-deactivated status of a billing service to the business billing directory number associated with said system administrator directory number identified in (a) is changed.

17. A communication network comprising:

local communication lines, a first plurality of said lines being connected to residences and having residence directory numbers and a second plurality of said lines being connected to businesses and having business directory numbers including business billing numbers;

a plurality of interconnected central office switching systems connected to said local communication lines, central offices in said switching systems having program controlled switches and database storage;

a central control separate from the central office switching systems, said central control comprising a database storage storing call processing data associated with said communication lines for control of call processing through one or more of said central office switching systems;

one or more of said database storages having stored therein (i) one or more first identification parameters for each of a plurality of said residence directory numbers; and

(ii) a business billing directory number for each of said first identification parameters for each of said residence directory numbers;

wherein in response to;

dialing from a stored residence directory number a predetermined access code followed by the directory number of a called party;

comparing the residence directory number from which said dialing originated with residence directory numbers stored in database storage in said communications network;

on a match being established in said residence directory numbers identifying a business billing directory number corresponding to the matching residence directory numbers;

entering from said residence directory number from which said dialing originated a first identification parameter;

comparing said entered first identification parameter with first identification parameters stored in database storage in said communications network;

on a match being established in said first identification parameters;

the call initiated by said dialing is processed and said call is billed to the business billing directory number corresponding to said matching first identification parameters.

18. A communication network comprising:

local communication lines, a first plurality of said lines being connected to residences and having residence directory numbers and a second plurality of said lines being connected to businesses and having business directory numbers including business billing numbers;

a plurality of interconnected central office switching systems connected to said local communication lines, central offices in said switching systems having program controlled switches and database storage;

a central control separate from the central office switching systems, said central control comprising a database storage storing call processing data associated with said communication lines for control of call processing through one or more of said central office switching systems;

one or more of said database storages having stored therein (i) a pair of first identification parameters for at least one of said residence directory numbers; and

(ii) a business billing directory number for each of said first identification parameters for each of said residence directory numbers;

wherein in response to;

dialing from a stored residence directory number a predetermined access code followed by the directory number of a called party;

comparing the residence directory number from which said dialing originated with residence directory numbers stored in database storage in said communications network;

on a match being established in said residence directory numbers entering from said residence directory number from which said dialing originated a first identification parameter;

comparing said entered first identification parameter with first identification parameters stored in database storage in said communications network;

on a match being established in said first identification parameters identifying a business billing directory number corresponding to the matching first identification parameters and matching residence directory numbers;

the call initiated by said dialing is processed and said call is billed to the business billing directory number corresponding to said matching first identification parameters and matching residence directory numbers.

19. A communication network comprising:

local communication lines, a first plurality of said lines being connected to residences and having residence directory numbers and a second plurality of said lines being connected to businesses and having business directory numbers including business billing numbers;

a plurality of interconnected central office switching systems connected to said local communication lines, central offices in said switching systems having program controlled switches and database storage;

a central control separate from the central office switching systems, said central control comprising a database storage storing call processing data associated with said communication lines for control of call processing through one or more of said central office switching systems;

one or more of said database storages having stored therein (i) a plurality of first identification parameters for each of a plurality of said residence directory numbers; and

(ii) a business billing directory number for each of said first identification parameters for each of said residence directory numbers;

wherein in response to;

dialing from a stored residence directory number a predetermined access code followed by the directory number of a called party;

comparing the residence directory number from which said dialing originated with residence directory numbers stored in database storage in said communications network;

on a match being established in said residence directory numbers identifying entering from said residence directory number from which said dialing originated a first identification parameter;

comparing said entered first identification parameter with first identification parameters stored in database storage in said communications network;

on a match being established in said first identification parameters identifying a business billing directory number corresponding to the matching first identification parameters;

the call initiated by said dialing is processed and said call is billed to the business billing directory number corresponding to said matching first identification parameters.