Enhanced-software defined data network

• US 7,697,671 B1
• Filed: 10/28/2005
• Issued: 04/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Duffy, John
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, QUOC DUC
• Application Number:
  US11/260,984
• Time in Patent Office: 1,628 Days
• Field of Search: 379/114.03, 379/114.04, 379/114.06, 379/121.01, 379/121.02, 379/235, 379/240, 370/352, 370/386
• US Class Current: 379/114.03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8005 Flat-fee
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2006 Fixed telephone network, e.g. POTS, ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0435 Details

Abstract

A method and system of providing data calls to a subscriber having a data network, such as an integrated services digital network (ISDN), connected to a network switch to enable communication with another party at a fixed rate are disclosed. The methodology discovers a data calls system that enables data calls to be placed over trunk lines for communication with a subscriber having an ISDN with a dedicated ISDN line connected to a network edge switch forming a trunk line of the ISDN in communication with a central office. A plurality of base stations are adapted to make and receive data calls using the ISDN over the trunk line. A billing apparatus charges each subscriber a fixed or flat rate per service period for data calls using the trunk line, for the plurality of stations, regardless of the number of calls using the base stations during the service period.

Claims

1. A method of providing data calls for a subscriber having an integrated services digital network for communicating with at least one party, comprising:

a. forming a trunk line within the integrated services digital network for data calls, wherein the trunk line comprises a dedicated line connected to a network edge switch;

b. placing data calls made by a subscriber on the trunk line using data packets;

c. billing a fixed rate per service period for use of the trunk line by the subscriber regardless of a number of data calls placed from the integrated services digital network or duration of the data calls placed during a service period, wherein the service period is a calendar-based time period;

d. monitoring the integrated services digital network during a data call; and

e. permitting the data call to continue without additional charge when additional data calls are connected to the first data call.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

a. monitoring the integrated services digital network during the data calls to form usage information on a number of data calls placed, times of day data calls were placed and duration of data calls placed; and

b. creating different fixed rate plans to the subscriber at termination of the service period.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein different fixed rate plans are based on a type of end-to-end connection with the trunk line.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the end-to-end connection is a Data Enabling Device (DED) to DED connection or a DED to Switched Network connection.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the service period is a member selected from the group consisting of:

a week, a month, a calendar quarter, and a calendar year.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the dedicated line is a dedicated ISDN T1.5 line.

7. A system for placing calls over an integrated services digital network at a fixed rate comprising:

a. a trunk line comprising a dedicated line connected to a network edge switch for communication within an integrated services digital network with a central office;

b. at least one base station associated with at least one subscriber for placing data calls over the trunk line from the base station; and

c. billing apparatus adapted for billing the at least one subscriber at a flat rate per service period for data calls using said trunk line from a base station regardless of a number of calls placed or received during a service period, the service period being a calendar-based time period, said billing apparatus is to monitor the integrated services digital network during the data calls to form usage information on a number of data calls placed, time of day data calls were placed and duration of data calls placed; and

to create different fixed rate plans for the subscriber at termination of the service period.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a network server for storing a subscriber profile for the at least one subscriber, wherein the subscriber profile includes billing data and subscriber service data.

9. The system of claim 7, further comprising an additional trunk line in communication with the network edge switch at the central office of the ISDN network.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the trunk line further comprises an end to end connection, wherein the end to end connection is a Data Enabling Device (DED) to DED connection or a DED to Switched connection.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the service period is a member of the group:

a month, a week, a calendar quarter or a calendar year.

12. A tangible computer readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform:

a. forming a trunk line within the integrated services digital network for data calls, wherein the trunk line comprises a dedicated line connected to a network edge switch;

b. placing data calls by a subscriber on the trunk line using data packets; and

c. billing a fixed rate per service period for use of the trunk line by the subscriber regardless of a number of data calls placed from the integrated services digital network or duration of the data calls placed during a service period, the service period being a calendar-based time period;

d. monitoring the integrated services digital network during a data call; and

e. permitting the data call to continue without additional charge when additional data calls are connected to the first data call.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 12, further comprising:

a. monitoring the integrated services digital network during the data calls to form usage information on a number of data calls placed, time of day data calls were placed and duration of data calls placed; and

b. creating different fixed rate plans to the subscriber at termination of the service period.