Method and apparatus for selecting and managing wireless network services using a directory
First Claim
1. A method of modifying a subscription of a subscriber to one or more telecommunications services based on subscriber information and service information that are stored in a directory repository, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
- determining whether the subscriber is currently logged in, and if the subscriber is not currently logged in, directing the subscriber to log in through an authentication server and generating, by an authorization service, a privilege token associated with the authenticated subscriber that includes subscriber privilege information, wherein said authorization service is separate from said authentication server;
receiving a modification request to modify the subscription of the subscriber to the one or more telecommunication services;
determining, based on subscriber privilege information in the privilege token associated with the subscriber generated by the authorization service, whether the subscriber has privileges sufficient to carry out the requested modification;
if the subscriber is determined to have sufficient privileges, then performing the steps of;
receiving, from the directory repository, first subscriber information and first service information representing only such services for which the subscriber is then currently subscribed;
modifying the first subscriber information and first service information to reflect the modification;
sending the modified information to the directory repository, resulting in creating and storing, in the directory repository, second service information that reflects the modification;
generating an engagement request to engage the telecommunications service for the subscriber in order to fulfill the modification request.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for modifying a subscription of a subscriber to a telecommunications service based on subscriber information and service information that are stored in a directory repository. A directory-enabled service selection framework is coupled to the directory repository for receiving stored information therefrom. The directory-enabled service selection framework receives a request to identify one or more services to which a subscriber is subscribed, based on a prior request to modify the subscription of the subscriber to the telecommunications service. A list is generated of the one or more services to which the subscriber is currently subscribed, based on group membership of the subscriber, one or more roles occupied by the subscriber, and authorization information associated with the subscriber that is stored in the directory repository. Individual service information is generated for each of the one or more services in the list, based on subscriber information and service information that is stored in the directory repository, for use in automatically subscribing the subscriber to a service that is represented by the individual service information. Accordingly, using user information and service information in a directory, a user is automatically subscribed to network services and logged into services.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. A method of modifying a subscription of a subscriber to one or more telecommunications services based on subscriber information and service information that are stored in a directory repository, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
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determining whether the subscriber is currently logged in, and if the subscriber is not currently logged in, directing the subscriber to log in through an authentication server and generating, by an authorization service, a privilege token associated with the authenticated subscriber that includes subscriber privilege information, wherein said authorization service is separate from said authentication server; receiving a modification request to modify the subscription of the subscriber to the one or more telecommunication services; determining, based on subscriber privilege information in the privilege token associated with the subscriber generated by the authorization service, whether the subscriber has privileges sufficient to carry out the requested modification; if the subscriber is determined to have sufficient privileges, then performing the steps of; receiving, from the directory repository, first subscriber information and first service information representing only such services for which the subscriber is then currently subscribed; modifying the first subscriber information and first service information to reflect the modification; sending the modified information to the directory repository, resulting in creating and storing, in the directory repository, second service information that reflects the modification; generating an engagement request to engage the telecommunications service for the subscriber in order to fulfill the modification request. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of modifying subscriptions of a group of subscribers to one or more telecommunications services based on information stored in a directory repository, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
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receiving from an administrator of the group, a request to modify the subscriptions of the group of subscribers to the one or more telecommunications services; determining, based on subscriber privilege information in a privilege token that is associated with the administrator and is generated by an authorization service, whether the administrator has privileges sufficient to carry out the requested modification; if the administrator is determined to have sufficient privileges, then performing the steps of; receiving, from the directory repository, current subscriber information and current service information representing then-current services to which the group of subscribers are subscribed; modifying the subscriber information and the service information to reflect the modifications, resulting in creating and storing, in the directory repository, updated service information that reflects the modifications; generating one or more requests to subscribe a telecommunications service to the group of subscribers to fulfill the request of the administrator. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of automatically logging in a subscriber to all telecommunications services subscribed to by the subscriber based on subscriber information and service information that are stored in a directory repository, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
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receiving a request from the subscriber to log in to the telecommunications services; authenticating the subscriber by an authentication server; generating a privilege token associated with the subscriber by an authorization service, said privilege token including subscriber privilege information, wherein said authorization service is separate from said authentication server; determining whether the subscriber is allowed to automatically log into the telecommunication services, said determination based on subscriber privilege information in the privilege token associated with the subscriber; if the subscriber is allowed to automatically log into the telecommunications services, receiving, from the directory repository, a list of all services for which the subscriber is then currently subscribed, and automatically logging the subscriber into all services identified in the list. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A method of automatically subscribing a subscriber to a telecommunications service based on information stored in a directory repository, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
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receiving a request from the subscriber to obtain a list of available telecommunications services; generating a list of only those telecommunications services for which the subscriber has privileges to subscribe to, based on privilege information and service information that is stored in the directory repository and associated with the subscriber, said privilege information associated with the subscriber specifying what telecommunications services the subscriber has privileges to subscribe to; receiving a subscriber selection of one of the telecommunications services from the generated list of telecommunications services; verifying that the subscriber has privileges that permit the subscriber to subscribe to the selected telecommunications service; creating and storing updated subscription information in the directory repository; generating a request to subscribe the subscriber to the selected telecommunications service based on the updated subscription information. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for modifying a subscription of a subscriber to one or more telecommunications services based on subscriber information and service information that are stored in a directory repository, which instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to carry out the steps of:
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determining whether the subscriber is currently logged in, and if the subscriber is not currently logged in, directing the subscriber to log in through an authentication server and generating, by an authorization service, a privilege token associated with the authenticated subscriber that includes subscriber privilege information, wherein said authorization service is separate from said authentication server; receiving a modification request to modify the subscription of the subscriber to the one or more telecommunications services; determining, based on subscriber privilege information in the privilege token associated with the subscriber generated by the authorization service, whether the subscriber has privileges sufficient to carry out the requested modification; if the subscriber is determined to have sufficient privileges, the one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed, further cause the one or more processors to carry out the steps of; receiving, from the directory repository, first subscriber information and first service information representing only such services for which the subscriber is then currently subscribed; modifying the first subscriber information and first service information to reflect the modification; sending the modified information to the directory repository, resulting in creating and storing, in the directory repository, second service information that reflects the modification; generating an engagement request to engage the telecommunications service for the subscriber in order to fulfill the modification request.
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16. An apparatus for modifying a subscription of a subscriber to one or more telecommunications services based on subscriber information and service information that are stored in a directory repository, comprising:
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means for determining whether the subscriber is currently logged in, and if the subscriber is not currently logged in, means for directing the subscriber to log in through an authentication server and means for generating a privilege token associated with the authenticated subscriber by an authorization service, said privilege token including subscriber privilege information, wherein said authorization service is separate from said authentication server; means for receiving a modification request to modify the subscription of the subscriber to the one or more telecommunications services; means for determining, based on subscriber privilege information in the privilege token associated with the subscriber generated by the authorization service, whether the subscriber has privileges sufficient to carry out the requested modification; means for receiving, from the directory repository, first subscriber information and first service information representing only such services for which the subscriber is then currently subscribed; means for modifying the first subscriber information and first service information to reflect the modification; means for sending the modified information to the directory repository, resulting in creating and storing, in the directory repository, second service information that reflects the modification; means for generating an engagement request to engage the telecommunications service for the subscriber in order to fulfill the modification request. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44)
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17. An apparatus for modifying a subscription of a subscriber to one or more telecommunications services based on subscriber information and service information that are stored in a directory repository, comprising:
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a network interface that is coupled to a data network that includes the directory repository for receiving information therefrom; a processor; one or more stored sequences of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to carry out the steps of; determining whether the subscriber is currently logged in, and if the subscriber is not currently logged in, directing the subscriber to log in through an authentication server and generating, by an authorization service, a privilege token associated with the authenticated subscriber that includes subscriber privilege information, wherein said authorization service is separate from said authentication server; receiving a modification request to modify the subscription of the subscriber to the one or more telecommunications services; determining, based on subscriber privilege information in the privilege token associated with the subscriber that is generated by the authorization service, whether the subscriber has privileges sufficient to carry out the requested modification; if the subscriber is determined to have sufficient privileges, the one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed, further cause the processor to; receiving, from the directory repository, first subscriber information and first service information representing only such services for which the subscriber is then currently subscribed; modifying the first subscriber information and first service information to reflect the modification; sending the modified information to the directory repository, resulting in creating and storing, in the directory repository, second service information that reflects the modification; generating an engagement request to engage the telecommunications service for the subscriber in order to fulfill the modification request. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47)
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18. A method of modifying a subscription of a subscriber to a telecommunications service based on information stored in a directory repository, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
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receiving a request to identify one or more services to which the subscriber is subscribed, based on a prior request to modify the subscription of the subscriber to the telecommunications service; generating a list of the one or more services to which the subscriber is currently subscribed, based on group membership of the subscriber, one or more roles occupied by the subscriber, and authorization information associated with the subscriber that is stored in the directory repository, wherein said one or more roles are mapped to one or more privileges that specify which telecommunications services a subscriber having that role can subscribe to; generating individual service information for each of the one or more services in the list, based on subscriber information and service information that is stored in the directory repository, for use in automatically subscribing the subscriber to a service that is represented by the individual service information.
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19. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for modifying a subscription of a subscriber to a telecommunications service based on information stored in a directory repository, which instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to carry out the steps of:
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receiving a request to identify one or more services to which the subscriber is subscribed, based on a prior request to modify the subscription of the subscriber to the telecommunications service; generating a list of the one or more services to which the subscriber is currently subscribed, based on group membership of the subscriber, one or more roles occupied by the subscriber, and authorization information associated with the subscriber that is stored in the directory repository, wherein said one or more roles are mapped to one or more privileges that specify which telecommunications services a subscriber having that role can subscribe to; generating individual service information for each of the one or more services in the list, based on subscriber information and service information that is stored in the directory repository, for use in automatically subscribing the subscriber to a service that is represented by the individual service information.
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20. An apparatus for modifying a subscription of a subscriber to a telecommunications service based on information stored in a directory repository, comprising:
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means for receiving a request to identify one or more services to which the subscriber is subscribed, based on a prior request to modify the subscription of the subscriber to the telecommunications service; means for generating a list of the one or more services to which the subscriber is currently subscribed, based on group membership of the subscriber, one or more roles occupied by the subscriber, and authorization information associated with the subscriber that is stored in the directory repository, wherein said one or more roles are mapped to one or more privileges that specify which telecommunications services a subscriber having that role can subscribe to; means for generating individual service information for each of the one or more services in the list, based on subscriber information and service information that is stored in the directory repository, for use in automatically subscribing the subscriber to a service that is represented by the individual service information.
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21. An apparatus for modifying a subscription of a subscriber to a telecommunications service based on information stored in a directory repository, comprising:
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a directory-enabled service selection framework that is coupled to the directory repository for receiving stored information therefrom; a processor; one or more stored sequences of instructions in the framework which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to carry out the steps of; receiving a request to identify one or more services to which the subscriber is subscribed, based on a prior request to modify the subscription of the subscriber to the telecommunications service; generating a list of the one or more services to which the subscriber is currently subscribed, based on group membership of the subscriber, one or more roles occupied by the subscriber, and authorization information associated with the subscriber that is stored in the directory repository, wherein said one or more roles are mapped to one or more privileges that specify which telecommunications services a subscriber having that role can subscribe to; generating individual service information for each of the one or more services in the list, based on subscriber information and service information that is stored in the directory repository, for use in automatically subscribing the subscriber to a service that is represented by the individual service information.
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22. An apparatus for modifying subscriptions of a group of subscribers to one or more telecommunications services based on information stored in a directory repository, comprising:
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a network interface that is coupled to a data network that includes the directory repository for receiving information therefrom; a processor; and one or more stored sequences of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause; receiving from an administrator of the group, a request to modify the subscriptions of the group of subscribers to the one or more telecommunications services; determining, based on subscriber privilege information in a privilege token that is associated with the administrator and is generated by an authorization service, whether the administrator has privileges sufficient to carry out the requested modifications; and if the administrator is determined to have sufficient privileges, then performing the steps of; receiving, from the directory repository, current subscriber information and current service information representing then-current services to which the group of subscribers are subscribed; modifying the subscriber information and the service information to reflect the modifications, resulting in creating and storing, in the directory repository, updated service information that reflects the modifications; and generating one or more requests to subscribe a telecommunications service to the group of subscribers to fulfill the request of the administrator. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. An apparatus for modifying subscriptions of a group of subscribers to one or more telecommunications services based on information stored in a directory repository, comprising:
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means for receiving from an administrator of the group, a request to modify the subscriptions of the group of subscribers to the one or more telecommunications services; means for determining, based on subscriber privilege information in a privilege token that is associated with the administrator and is generated by an authorization service, whether the administrator has privileges sufficient to carry out the requested modification; means for receiving, from the directory repository, current subscriber information and current service information representing then-current services to which the group of subscribers are subscribed; means for modifying the subscriber information and the service information to reflect the modifications, resulting in creating and storing, in the directory repository, updated service information that reflects the modifications; and means for generating one or more requests to subscribe a telecommunications service to the group of subscribers to fulfill the request of the administrator. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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30. An apparatus for automatically logging in a subscriber to all telecommunications services subscribed to by the subscriber based on subscriber information and service information that are stored in a directory repository, comprising:
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a network interface that is coupled to a data network that includes the directory repository for receiving information therefrom; a processor; and one or more stored sequences of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause; receiving a request from the subscriber to log in to the telecommunications services; authenticating the subscriber by an authentication server; generating a privilege token associated with the subscriber by an authorization service, said privilege token including subscriber privilege information, wherein said authorization service is separate from said authentication server; determining whether the subscriber is allowed to automatically log into the telecommunication services, said determination based on subscriber privilege information in the privilege token associated with the subscriber; and if the subscriber is allowed to automatically log into the telecommunications services, receiving, from the directory repository, a list of all services for which the subscriber is then currently subscribed, and automatically logging the subscriber into all services identified in the list. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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33. An apparatus for automatically logging in a subscriber to all telecommunications services subscribed to by the subscriber based on subscriber information and service information that are stored in a directory repository, comprising:
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means for receiving a request from the subscriber to log in to the telecommunications services; means for authenticating the subscriber by an authentication server; means for generating a privilege token associated with the subscriber by an authorization service, said privilege token including subscriber privilege information, wherein said authorization service is separate from said authentication server; means for determining whether the subscriber is allowed to automatically log into the telecommunication services, said determination based on subscriber privilege information in the privilege token associated with the subscriber; and means for receiving, from the directory repository, a list of all services for which the subscriber is then currently subscribed when the subscriber is allowed to automatically log into the telecommunications services, and means for automatically logging the subscriber into all services identified in the list. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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36. An apparatus for automatically subscribing a subscriber to a telecommunications service based on information stored in a directory repository, comprising:
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a network interface that is coupled to a data network that includes the directory repository for receiving information therefrom; a processor; and one or more stored sequences of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause; receiving a request from the subscriber to obtain a list of available telecommunications services; generating a list of only those telecommunications services for which the subscriber has privileges to subscribe to, based on privilege information and service information that is stored in the directory repository and is associated with the subscriber, said privilege information associated with the subscriber specifying what telecommunications services the subscriber has privileges to subscribe to; receiving a subscriber selection of one of the telecommunications services from the generated list of telecommunications services; verifying that the subscriber has privileges that permit the subscriber to subscribe to the selected telecommunications service; creating and storing updated subscription information in the directory repository; and generating a request to subscribe the subscriber to the selected telecommunications service based on the updated subscription information. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38)
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39. An apparatus for automatically subscribing a subscriber to a telecommunications service based on information stored in a directory repository comprising:
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means for receiving a request from the subscriber to obtain a list of available telecommunications services; means for generating a list of only those telecommunications services for which the subscriber has privileges to subscribe to, based on privilege information and service information that is stored in the directory repository and is associated with the subscriber, said privilege information associated with the subscriber specifying what telecommunications services the subscriber has privileges to subscribe to; means for receiving a subscriber selection of one of the telecommunications services from the generated list of telecommunications services; means for verifying that the subscriber has privileges that permit the subscriber to subscribe to the selected telecommunications service; means for creating and storing updated subscription information in the directory repository; and means for generating a request to subscribe the subscriber to the selected telecommunications service based on the updated subscription information. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41)
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Specification