Telephone call routing and switching techniques for data communications
First Claim
1. In a communication processing system having a network access server and a memory storing a communication protocol parameter associated with control signals identified with incoming communications generated by remotely located call originators, said network access server comprising a communications access device interfacing between a computer network and an incoming line from a telephone network, a method for processing an incoming communication between a call originator and said computer network comprising the steps of:
- (a) initiating a connection between said call originator and said network access server;
(b) extracting in said network access server one or more control signals from said incoming communication;
(c) correlating said control signals to said protocol parameter assigned to said control signals; and
(d) configuring said network access server according to said protocol parameter;
whereby said incoming communication is routed through said network access server to said network according to said protocol parameter, reducing the overall communication connection and processing time.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of processing incoming digital telephone calls from remotely located call originators which are destined for receipt by a host computer system. The host computer system is linked to the telephone network by a network access server. The call originators may be any type of data terminal, such as a personal computer or a credit card swipe, which is connected to a modem. The network access server extracts control signals imparted onto the telephone line and correlates the control signals with particular communications, routing or applications protocols identified with the call originators. The modem in the network access server which answers the call is configured during the call connect process and placed in a compatible format for the communications protocol of the incoming call. This dynamic custom configuration of the modem reduces the overall telephone call connection and processing time. The control signals may also be used by network access server for customized call routing or by the network access server or host computer system to run specialized application programs. The method is particularly suitable for use by large enterprises handling a high volume of incoming calls in which data is transmitted to the host computer system according to a variety of different communications protocols, or where the implementation of different routing paths or applications programs is desirable according to the identity or classification of the call originator.
143 Citations
45 Claims
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1. In a communication processing system having a network access server and a memory storing a communication protocol parameter associated with control signals identified with incoming communications generated by remotely located call originators, said network access server comprising a communications access device interfacing between a computer network and an incoming line from a telephone network, a method for processing an incoming communication between a call originator and said computer network comprising the steps of:
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(a) initiating a connection between said call originator and said network access server; (b) extracting in said network access server one or more control signals from said incoming communication; (c) correlating said control signals to said protocol parameter assigned to said control signals; and (d) configuring said network access server according to said protocol parameter; whereby said incoming communication is routed through said network access server to said network according to said protocol parameter, reducing the overall communication connection and processing time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24)
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23. In a communication processing system having a network access server and a memory storing a communication protocol parameter associated with incoming digital communications generated by remotely located call originators, said network access server comprising a communications access device interfacing between a computer network and an incoming line from a telephone network a method for processing an incoming communication between a call originators and said computer network linked to a host computer system comprising the steps of:
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(a) initiating a connection between s aid call originator and said network access server; (b) extracting in said network access server one or more control signals from said incoming communication; (c) correlating said control signals to digital data assigned to said control signals; (d) retrieving from said memory said protocol parameter assigned to said digital data; (e) passing said digital data to said network for processing in parallel by said host computer system; and (f) configuring said network access server according to said protocol parameters; whereby said incoming communication is routed through said network access server to said host computer system according to said protocol parameter, reducing the overall communication connection and processing time. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. A network access server for processing incoming communications between remotely located call originators and a computer network connected to a host computer system, said network access server interfacing between said computer network and an incoming line from a telephone network comprising:
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a memory storing a communication protocol parameter associated with incoming digital communications generated by said remotely located call originators; means for initiating a connection between said call originator and said network access server; modem means for extracting one or more control signals from said incoming digital communications; means for retrieving from said memory said protocol parameter for said control signals and for passing said protocol parameter to said modem means, said modem means configuring itself in response to said protocol parameter; a network application module containing software capable of modifying said memory, said network application module being accessible by said host computer system through said network, permitting said host computer system to change said protocol parameter in said memory that is assignable to said control signals. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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28. In a system comprising a credit card swipe connected to a modem, said modem linked to a network access server over a telephone line, said network access server comprising a communications access device interfacing between a credit card authorization system and said telephone line a method for processing a credit card transaction, comprising the steps of:
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transmitting credit card transaction information to said modem; said modem inputting said credit card transaction information into a telephone line destined for a predetermined telephone number, thereby initiating a call, said predetermined telephone number being previously selected depending upon the transmission protocol of said modem; inputting predetermined control signals onto said telephone line carrying said credit card transaction information, said control signals corresponding to said telephone number; receiving said call at said network access server, said network access server; (i) extracting said control signals from said call; (ii) correlating said control signals to predetermined protocol parameters assigned to said control signals; (iii) configuring said network access server according to said predetermined protocol parameters; and processing said credit card transaction; whereby said modem and said network access server are placed in mutually compatible transmission and receiving modes, reducing the overall connection and processing time of said call. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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29. In a system comprising a credit card swipe connected to a modem, said modem linked to a network access server over a telephone line, said network access server comprising a communications access device interfacing between a credit card authorization system and said telephone line, a method for processing a credit card transaction, comprising the steps of:
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transmitting credit card transaction information to said modem, said modem having a predetermined call origination telephone number; said modem inputting said credit card transaction information into a telephone line, thereby initiating a call; inputting predetermined control signals onto said telephone line carrying said credit card transaction information, said control signals corresponding to said predetermined telephone number and being previously selected depending upon the transmission protocol of said modem; receiving said call at said network access server, said network access server; (i) extracting said control signals from said call; (ii) correlating said control signals to predetermined protocol parameters assigned to said control signals; (iii) configuring said network access server according to said predetermined protocol parameters; and processing said credit card transaction; whereby said modem and said network access server are placed in mutually compatible transmission and receiving modes, reducing the overall connection and processing time of said call.
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31. In a system comprising a lottery ticket dispensing device connected to a modem, said modem linked to a network access server over a telephone line;
- said network access server comprising a communications access device interfacing between a lottery ticket authorization system and said telephone line, a method for processing a lottery transaction, comprising the steps of;
transmitting lottery transaction information to said modem; said modem inputting said lottery transaction information into a telephone line destined for a predetermined telephone number, thereby initiating a call, said predetermined telephone number being previously selected depending upon the transmission protocol of said modem; inputting predetermined control signals onto said telephone line carrying said lottery transaction information, said control signals corresponding to said telephone number; receiving said call at said network access server, said network access server; (i) extracting said control signals from said call; (ii) correlating said control signals to predetermined protocol parameters assigned to said control signals; (iii) configuring said network access server according to said predetermined protocol parameters; and processing said lottery transaction; whereby said modem and said network access server are placed in mutually compatible transmission and receiving modes, reducing the overall connection and processing time of said call.
- said network access server comprising a communications access device interfacing between a lottery ticket authorization system and said telephone line, a method for processing a lottery transaction, comprising the steps of;
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32. In a system comprising a lottery ticket dispensing device connected to a modem, said modem linked to a network access server over a telephone line;
- said network access server comprising a communications access device interfacing between a lottery ticket authorization system and said telephone line, a method for processing a lottery transaction, comprising the steps of;
transmitting lottery transaction information to said modem, said modem having a predetermined call origination telephone number; said modem inputting said lottery transaction information into a telephone line, thereby initiating a call; inputting predetermined control signals onto said telephone line carrying said lottery transaction information, said control signals corresponding to the said predetermined telephone information, said control signals corresponding to the said predetermined telephone number and being previously selected depending upon a transmission protocol of said modem; receiving said call at a network access server, said network access server; extracting said control signals form said call; correlating said control signals to predetermined protocol parameters assigned to said control signals; configuring said network access server according to said predetermined protocol parameters; and processing said lottery transaction; whereby said modem and said network access server are placed in mutually compatible transmission and receiving modes, reducing the overall connection and processing time of said call.
- said network access server comprising a communications access device interfacing between a lottery ticket authorization system and said telephone line, a method for processing a lottery transaction, comprising the steps of;
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33. In a communication system processing incoming communications generated by remotely located call originators and having a network access server, said network access server having a modem capable of being paired to said call originator to enable high speed asymmetrical data communication therebetween, said network access server connected to an incoming line from a telephone network and having an interface to a computer network, said network access server further having a memory storing a communication protocol parameter associated with said high speed asymmetrical data communication,
a method performed in said network access server for processing said incoming communications between said call originators and said network access server comprising the steps of: -
(a) initiating a connection between said call originator and said network access server; (b) extracting a control signal from said incoming communication; (c) converting said control signal to said protocol parameter assigned to said control signal; (d) configuring said network access server according to said protocol parameter; and (e) initiating said high speed asymmetrical data communication; whereby the overall communication connection and processing time of said incoming communication is reduced.
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34. In a system comprising a remotely located modem and a network access server, said network access server interfacing between an incoming line from a telephone network and a host computer system, a method for processing a transaction, comprising the steps of:
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transmitting transaction information to said modem; configuring said network access server in response to control signals received from said remote modem; sending an inquire signal from said modem to said network access server; passing said inquire signal from said network access server to said host computer system and simultaneously sending a first acknowledgment signal from said network access server to said modem as a result of said configuration; said host computer sending a second acknowledgment signal to said network access server upon receipt of said inquire signal; said network access server intercepting said second acknowledgment signal and discarding said second acknowledgment signal; transmitting said transaction information from said modem to said network access server upon receipt of said first acknowledgment signal; and transmitting said transaction information to said host computer system; whereby the communication processing time of said transaction is reduced.
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35. In a system comprising a remotely located modem and a network access sever, said network access server interfacing between an incoming line from a telephone network and a host computer system, a method for processing a communication comprising the steps of:
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initiating a call from said modem to said network access server; inputting predetermined control signals onto said incoming line carrying said communication; extracting at said network access server said control signals from said call; correlating said control signals to predetermined protocol parameters assigned to said control signals, and spoofing said modem by sending a signal from said network access server to said modem causing said modem to initiate early transmission of said communication to said host computer system.
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36. In a system comprising a remotely located modem and a network access server, said network access server interfacing between an incoming line from a telephone network and a host computer system, a method for processing a communication comprising the steps of:
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initiating a call from said modem to said network access server; inputting predetermined control signals onto said incoming line carrying said communication; extracting at said network access server said control signals from said call; correlating said control signals to predetermined protocol parameters assigned to said control signals, and spoofing said modem, said step of spoofing comprising the steps of (i) receiving a first signal from said modem at said network access server and passing said first signal to said host computer system; (ii) responsively sending a second signal from said network access server to said modem, causing said modem to initiate transmission of said communication; (iii) said host computer sending a third signal to said network access server in response to said first signal; (iv) intercepting said third signal from said host computer system; whereby the communication processing time of said communication is reduced. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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37. In a system comprising a remotely located modem and a network access server, said network access server interfacing between an incoming line from a telephone network and a host computer system, a method for processing a communication comprising the steps of:
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initiating a call from said modem to said network access server; spoofing said modem, said step of spoofing comprising the steps of (i) receiving a first signal from said modem at said network access server and passing said first signal to said host computer system; (ii) responsively sending a second signal from said network access server to said modem, causing said modem to initiate transmission of said communication; (iii) said host computer sending a third signal to said network access server in response to said first signal; (iv) intercepting said third signal from said host computer system; whereby the communication processing time of said communication is reduced.
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40. In a communication processing system having a network access server receiving incoming communications generated by remotely located call originators, said network access server comprising a communications access device interfacing between said computer network and an incoming line from a telephone network, a method for processing said incoming communications between said call originators and a computer network comprising the steps of:
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(a) initiating a connection between said call originator and said network access server; (b) extracting at said network access server one or more control signals from said incoming communication; (c) correlating said control signals to digital data assigned to said control signals; and (d) responsively initiating an application program for said incoming communication based on said digital data; whereby said network access server dynamically initiates said application program based on said control signals associated with said remotely located call originator. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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Specification