Automatic subscriber callback system

• US 6,442,255 B1
• Filed: 06/16/1998
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Leley, Suresh Vishwanath, Pitsch, Robert Alan, Kelly, Michael Gene
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsang, Fan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Foster, Roland G.
• Application Number:
  US09/091,335
• Time in Patent Office: 1,533 Days
• Field of Search: 379/37, 379/39, 379/40, 379/42-44, 379/46, 379/47, 379/92.01, 379/92.04, 379/93.01, 379/93.05, 379/93.08, 379/93.12, 379/102-1-1, 379/106-1-1, 379/201, 379/355, 379/377, 379/394, 379/201.01, 379/355-1-3, 725/109-111
• US Class Current: 379/106.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0701 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising an arrangement for power management
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/073 Special arrangements for circuits, e.g. for protecting identification code in memory protection against unauthorised use of computer memory G06F12/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0013 by galvanic contacts, e.g. card connectors for ISO-7816 compliant smart cards or memory cards, e.g. SD card readers connectors in general H01R13/00; connectors for SIM cards used in mobile phones or the like H04B1/3816
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0021 for reading/sensing record carriers having surface contacts
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0086 the connector comprising a circuit for steering the operations of the card connector
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 9/06 using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. light
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/22 Modifications for ensuring a predetermined initial state when the supply voltage has been applied bi-stable generators H03K3/12
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/7955 using phototransistors
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/738 Interface circuits for coupling substations to external telephone lines H04M1/78 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7385 Programmable or microprocessor-controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/745 Protection devices or circuits for voltages surges on the line
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/82 Line monitoring circuits for call progress or status discrimination for detecting caller identity H04M1/573

Abstract

A subscriber callback modem, includes a source of callback data. A modem is coupled to a subscriber telephone line, and a control circuit is coupled between the data source and the modem, for conditioning the modem to automatically call a central computer and transfer the callback data from the data source to the central computer.

Claims

1. A subscriber callback system comprising:

a source of callback data;

a modem coupled to a first communications link comprising a subscriber telephone line; and

a control circuit, coupled between the data source and the modem, for automatically placing a call by conditioning the modem to connect to the subscriber telephone line, to call a central computer, to transfer the callback data from the data source to the central computer, and to disconnect from the subscriber telephone line; and

the control circuit automatically places the call in response to a predetermined calling parameter;

the callback modem further comprises a receiver, coupled to the control circuit and coupled to a second communications link for receiving a new calling parameter via the second communications link;

the control circuit replaces the predetermined calling parameter with the new calling parameter for controlling the modem during subsequent calls to the central computer;

said new calling parameter is received from the central computer via the second communications link and replaces the predetermined calling parameter in response to the subscriber callback system failing to communicate with the central computer via the first communications link in accordance with a predetermined condition.

2. The subscriber callback system of claim 1 wherein the predetermined condition comprises a predetermined time period.

3. The subscriber callback system of claim 2 wherein the second communications link comprises a television signal distribution system.

4. The subscriber callback system of claim 3 wherein the television signal distribution system comprises a satellite distribution system.

5. The subscriber callback system of claim 4 further comprising a phone-in-use detector for detecting whether the subscriber telephone line is in use at the time the control circuit attempts to automatically call the central computer;

and wherein the predetermined calling parameter and the new calling parameter control enabling of the phone-in-use detector.

6. A method of providing a subscriber callback system comprising the steps of:

a) connecting a modem to a first communications link comprising a subscriber telephone line for automatically placing a first call to a central computer in accordance with a predetermined calling parameter for transferring subscriber callback data to the central computer;

b) receiving a new calling parameter via a second communications link;

c) replacing the predetermined calling parameter with the new calling parameter; and

d) using the new calling parameter for controlling the modem during a second call to the central computer;

said new calling parameter is received via the second communications link and replaces the predetermined calling parameter in response to the subscriber callback system failing to communicate with the central computer via the first communications link in accordance with a predetermined condition and said new parameters are transmitted from the central computer via the second communication link.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein steps (b) through (d) occur in response to failing to successfully establish communication between the modem and the central computer via the first communications link in accordance with a predetermined condition during step (a).

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the predetermined condition comprises a predetermined time period and step (a) fails to communicate with the central computer via the first communications link during the predetermined time period.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the second communications link comprises a television signal distribution system.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the television signal distribution system comprises a satellite distribution system.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the step (a) of connecting the modem to the central computer via the first communications link comprises a step of detecting whether the subscriber telephone line is in use before calling the central computer, and wherein the predetermined calling parameter and the new calling parameter control enabling the detecting step.

12. A subscriber callback system comprising:

a source of callback data;

a modem coupled to a first communications link comprising a subscriber telephone line; and

a control circuit, coupled between the data source and the modem, for automatically placing a call by conditioning the modem to connect to the subscriber telephone line, to call a central computer, to transfer the callback data from the data source to the central computer, and to disconnect from the subscriber telephone line; and

the control circuit automatically places the call in response to a predetermined calling parameter;

the callback modem further comprises a receiver, coupled to the control circuit and coupled to a second communications link for receiving a new modem parameter via the second communications link;

the control circuit replaces the predetermined calling parameter with the new modem parameter for controlling the modem during subsequent calls to the central computer;

said new modem parameter is received via the second communications link and replaces the predetermined calling parameter in response to the subscriber callback system failing to communicate with the central computer via the first communications link in accordance with a predetermined condition and said new modem parameters are transmitted from the central computer via the second communication link.

13. The system according to claim 12 wherein a destination address specifying a specific receiver is received.

14. The system according to claim 13 wherein the receiver repeats automatically placing a call upon receipt of the new parameters.