Broadband circuit identification method for controlling service access

• US 6,873,622 B1
• Filed: 05/12/2000
• Issued: 03/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Baker, Gerald, Dodson, Patricia A., Brodigan, Donald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hsu, Alpus H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAN, CLEMENCE S
• Application Number:
  US09/571,307
• Time in Patent Office: 1,782 Days
• Field of Search: 370/420, 370/463, 370/410, 370/522, 379/201.01, 379/201.02, 379/201.05, 709/201, 709/203, 709/217, 709/219, 725/86, 725/87, 725/90, 725/91, 725/114, 725/115, 725/118
• US Class Current: 370/420
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2393 involving handling client requests scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25808 Management of client data terminal profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/303
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42684 Client identification by a unique number or address, e.g. serial number, MAC address, socket ID network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 Handling of requests in head-ends
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17354 in an intermediate station common to a plurality of user terminals

Abstract

A method for controlling customers'"'"' access to services on a broadband network. The method uses a circuit identifier, unique to each customer, to compare service requests with service entitlements. The network provider flows the circuit identifiers to the service providers where relationship between the circuit identifiers and the service entitlements is established in service orders. Service providers flow the service orders back to the broadband network though a standard business system interface. The relationship between the circuit identifiers and the service requests is accomplished at the Broadband Digital Terminal that interface the customers to the broadband network. The circuit identifiers also permit sorting of data bases containing logs of service requests and logs of maintenance actions.

Claims

1. A method for controlling access to a plurality of services by a plurality of ports in a network, wherein the plurality of services are provided by at least one service provider, the method comprises:

establishing a plurality of circuit identifications, one circuit identification being established for each port of the plurality of ports;

providing the plurality of circuit identifications to the at least one service provider;

receiving a plurality of service orders from the at least one service provider, each service order having at least one service entitlement and a respective first circuit identification of the plurality of circuit identifications;

storing each service entitlement and the respective first circuit identifications in a central node;

receiving at least one service request at the central node, the at least one service request having a respective second circuit identification of the plurality of circuit identifications; and

verifying for each service request received at the central node that the respective first circuit identification of at least one service entitlement is the same as the respective second circuit identification of the service request.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the circuit identification includes a state code, a circuit type identifier, a central node code, a serving wire center code, and a company code.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

reading each respective first circuit identification stored in the central node, for supporting a plurality of maintenance actions on each port associated with each respective first circuit identification; and

logging each maintenance action and the respective first circuit identification associated with each port receiving each maintenance action in a maintenance history data base in response to completing each maintenance action.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising sorting the maintenance history data base by each respective first circuit identification.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the network interfaces to at least one video service provider, and the plurality of services includes at least one video service.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the network interfaces to at least one data service provider, and the plurality of services includes at least one data service.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the network interfaces to at least one telephone service provider, and the plurality of services includes at least one telephone service.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the network interfaces to at least one existing telephone system, and the plurality of services includes at least one telephone service.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprises logging each verified service request in a service request history data base.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising sorting the service request history data base by the respective second circuit identification in each service request.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising storing each service request received at the network in a management system.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein each circuit identification includes a port number and a node number.

13. An information recording medium for use in a computer for controlling access to a plurality of services by a plurality of ports in a network, wherein the plurality of services are provided by at least one service provider, the information recording medium recording a computer program that is readable and executable by the computer, the computer program comprising:

establishing a plurality of circuit identifications, one circuit identification being established for each port of the plurality of ports;

providing the plurality of circuit identifications to the at least one service provider;

receiving a plurality of service orders from the at least one service provider, each service order having at least one service entitlement and a respective first circuit identification of the plurality of circuit identifications;

storing each service entitlement and the respective first circuit identifications in a central node;

receiving at least one service request at the central node, the at least one service request having a respective second circuit identification of the plurality of circuit identifications; and

verifying for each service request received at the central node that the respective first circuit identification of at least one service entitlement is the same as the respective second circuit identification of the service request.

14. The information recording medium of claim 13 wherein the computer program further comprises storing each service request received at the network in a management system.

15. The information recording medium of claim 13 wherein each circuit identification includes a port number and a node number.

16. The information recording medium of claim 13 wherein the circuit identification includes a state code, a circuit type identifier, a central node code, a serving wire center code, and a company code.

17. The information recording medium of claim 13 wherein the computer program further comprises logging each verified service request in a service request history data base.

18. The information recording medium of claim 17 wherein the computer program further comprises sorting the service request history data base by the respective second circuit identification in each service request.

19. The information recording medium of claim 13 wherein the computer program further comprises:

reading each respective first circuit identification stored in the central node, for supporting a plurality of maintenance actions on each port associated with each respective first circuit identification; and

logging each maintenance action and the respective first circuit identification associated with each port receiving each maintenance action in a maintenance history data base in response to completing each maintenance action.

20. The information recording medium of claim 19 wherein the computer program further comprises sorting the maintenance history data base by each respective first circuit identification.