System and method for providing customized voice connection services via gatekeeper
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented system for providing a customized voice connection service, the system comprising:
- (a) a network comprising the Internet and Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN);
(b) multiple client systems connected to the network, each client system comprising a display, an input device, and a settop box, and each client system being associated with at least one user;
(c) multiple service provider systems connected to the network, each service provider system being associated with a service provider having a predefined set of service parameters;
(d) a User Preference Server connected to the network, the User Preference Server including a User Preference Database containing data related to each user'"'"'s profile comprising history and preferences in his network access;
(e) a Gatekeeper Server connected to the network, the Gatekeeper Server being configured to perform the steps of;
(i) handling Voice over IP (VoIP) phone calls between the settop boxes;
(ii) connecting a user settop box directly to an appropriate service provider system when the user associated with the user settop box enters a request for service to the user settop box, comprising;
(1) receiving the settop box user'"'"'s profile;
(2) identifying one or more service providers whose service parameters match the settop box user'"'"'s profile and the request for service; and
(3) connecting the settop box to the identified one or more service providers via a VoIP connection or a PSTN connection.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer-implemented system is provided, including a network consisting of the Internet, PSTN, and CATV network. The network is connected to multiple users'"'"' client systems, and also to multiple service provider systems. Each user has a user profile stored in a User Preference Database, while each service provider has service parameters defining the type of its service stored in a Service Database, both of which are connected to the network. The system further includes a Gatekeeper Server, which establishes voice communication among the client systems and the service provider systems. In operation, upon receiving a user'"'"'s request for service, the Gatekeeper Server identifies one or more service providers whose service parameters match the user'"'"'s request for service and the user'"'"'s profile. Upon the user'"'"'s selection of one such service provider, the Gatekeeper server automatically selects and establishes a preferred mode of voice connection between the user and the selected service provider.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented system for providing a customized voice connection service, the system comprising:
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(a) a network comprising the Internet and Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN); (b) multiple client systems connected to the network, each client system comprising a display, an input device, and a settop box, and each client system being associated with at least one user; (c) multiple service provider systems connected to the network, each service provider system being associated with a service provider having a predefined set of service parameters; (d) a User Preference Server connected to the network, the User Preference Server including a User Preference Database containing data related to each user'"'"'s profile comprising history and preferences in his network access; (e) a Gatekeeper Server connected to the network, the Gatekeeper Server being configured to perform the steps of; (i) handling Voice over IP (VoIP) phone calls between the settop boxes; (ii) connecting a user settop box directly to an appropriate service provider system when the user associated with the user settop box enters a request for service to the user settop box, comprising; (1) receiving the settop box user'"'"'s profile; (2) identifying one or more service providers whose service parameters match the settop box user'"'"'s profile and the request for service; and (3) connecting the settop box to the identified one or more service providers via a VoIP connection or a PSTN connection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A client system connected to the Internet, PSTN, and cable TV network, the Internet and PSTN being further connected to one or more service providers, the client system comprising:
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(a) a monitor; (b) an input device; and (c) a settop box, being configured to perform the steps of; (i) receiving a user'"'"'s request for a particular service provider or a call-destination settop box; (ii) dialing a PSTN phone number associated with the particular service provider or the call-destination settop box; (iii) communicating with the particular service provider or the call-destination settop box via PSTN or VoIP; and (iv) selecting a product/service that the user wishes to order from the particular service provider. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A service provider system connected through a network to plural user settop boxes, the network comprising the Internet having the Gatekeeper Server and PSTN, the service provider system being configured to perform the steps of:
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(a) connecting to the network; (b) receiving direct voice communication from a user settop box; and (c) providing its services directly to the user settop box through the network. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification