Client-server architecture using internet and public switched networks
First Claim
1. A method of communicating information to a client in a client-server network in response to a received client-service request, the method comprising the steps ofreceiving, at a server, client information by way of a connection over the client-server network to enable the server to respond to the client service request,establishing a connection over a switched network to the client using a client'"'"'s communication number determined from the client information, andautomatically sending information to the client by way of the switched network connection, wherein said automatically sent information at least partially fulfills the service request.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A client-server network enables interconnection to both the Internet and switched network. In response to a received client service request, a connection is established over the Internet between a client and a server. Client information transmitted from the client to the server over the Internet connection is used to enable the server to provide the requested service by establishing a switched network connection to the client using a client'"'"'s communication number determined from the client information.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method of communicating information to a client in a client-server network in response to a received client-service request, the method comprising the steps of
receiving, at a server, client information by way of a connection over the client-server network to enable the server to respond to the client service request, establishing a connection over a switched network to the client using a client'"'"'s communication number determined from the client information, and automatically sending information to the client by way of the switched network connection, wherein said automatically sent information at least partially fulfills the service request.
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9. A client apparatus for connecting to any of a plurality of server apparatuses over the Internet and a switched network, comprising
first interface means for interfacing said client apparatus to said Internet, second interface means for interfacing said client apparatus to said switched network and for receiving information automatically sent to the client apparatus in accordance with a service request for information, the received information received by way of a connection over a switched network and at least partially fulfilling the service request, and controller means including means for establishing, in response to a client request, a first connection via the first interface and Internet to a client-selected first server apparatus, means for communicating information identifying a specific communication service identified by a request to establish a second connection to said client apparatus over said switched network, and means, responsive to a connection request received from the first server apparatus via said second interface and the switched network, for initiating the establishment of a second connection between the first server apparatus and the client apparatus, said second connection being used to enable the first server apparatus to provide the specific communication service requested by the client apparatus.
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17. A server apparatus for connecting to any of a plurality of client apparatuses over the Internet and a switched network, comprising
first interface means for interfacing said server apparatus to said Internet, second interface means for interfacing said server apparatus to said switched network, and controller means including means, responsive to information identifying a specific communication service identified by a client service request and client information, for enabling the server apparatus to establish a new connection to the first client apparatus over said switched network and for automatically sending information to the first client apparatus by way of the switched network connection, wherein said automatically sent information at least partially fulfills the service request.
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24. A method of operating a client apparatus for connecting to any of a plurality of server apparatuses over the Internet and a switched network, comprising the steps of
initiating, in response to a user request for information, a first connection via a first interface and the Internet to a selected first server apparatus, communicating information identifying a specific communication service identified by the request, including user information for enabling the first server apparatus to participate in the establishment of a second connection with said client apparatus over said switched network, receiving a connection request from the first server apparatus via said second interface and the switched network, responding to the received connection request to complete the second connection between the first server apparatus and the client apparatus to provide the specific communication service requested by the client apparatus, and receiving information automatically sent to the client apparatus in accordance with the user request, wherein said automatically sent information is received by way of the second connection and at least partially fulfills the request.
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29. A method of operating a server apparatus for connecting to any of a plurality of client apparatuses over the Internet and a switched network, comprising the steps of
receiving at a first client apparatus information by way of a connection over the Internet identifying a specific communication service identified in a client service request, the server apparatus establishing a new connection to the first client apparatus over said switched network using information received with the client service request, and automatically sending information to the first client apparatus by way of the new switched network connection, wherein said automatically sent information at least partially fulfills the service request.
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30. A method of sending information to a client apparatus pursuant to a request by the client apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:
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in response to the request by the client apparatus communicated over a packet network, establishing a connection over a switched network to facilitate communication of the information to the client apparatus; and automatically sending the information to the client apparatus over the established switched network connection, wherein said automatically sent information at least partially fulfills the request for information. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification