Network access with delayed delivery

• US 8,165,275 B1
• Filed: 04/24/2007
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Begeja, Lee, Rotondo, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US11/789,289
• Time in Patent Office: 1,827 Days
• Field of Search: 379/90.01, 379/93.01, 379/93.05, 379/100.11, 379/88.17, 379/88.18, 379/88.01, 379/88.04, 379/88.13, 379/88.12, 379/88.15, 379/93.26, 379/93.15, 370/352, 370/353, 370/354, 370/356, 704/270, 709/200, 709/217, 709/218, 709/219, 707/10
• US Class Current: 379/93.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2856 Access arrangements, e.g. Internet access asynchronous transfer mode networks H04L12/5601; broadband local area networks H04L12/2801; optical access or distribution networks H04Q11/0067; access to open networks H04L12/5691; digital subscriber line end-user equipment and bit-level processing of data on a PSTN-based network H04M11/00; home network gateways H04L12/2834; wireless access networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2876 Handling of subscriber policies group policies management H04L41/0893

Abstract

This invention provides a network access system that permits communication device users to access a network such as the Internet, a cable network, a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) network or a broadband network (which may include cable and DSL networks). A network access device receives commands from users and executes the commands such as send e-mail, search the network, log on to pages supported by other parties on the network, download information from the network, request information such as movies from the network, bidding in an auction, etc. A user profile saves preferences of a user for interacting with the network. The network access device may supply primitive commands for the user to use individually or to construct complex command macros so that by a single command, more complex functions may be performed using the network. By the above described techniques, users who do not have access to devices such as a personal computer may access the network and take advantage of the rich resources available through the network.

Claims

1. A method for accessing a network with a communication device, comprising:

receiving a contact from the communication device, the communication device having an associated user profile;

accessing the network based on the contact;

determining whether to deliver results of the accessing immediately or at a later time based on information in the user profile;

collecting the results in a memory if results are to be delivered at a later time; and

delivering the results.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein delivering the results comprises delivering the results to the communication device.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein delivering the results comprises delivering the results to another communication device.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the contact from the communication device further comprises:

receiving commands from the communication device;

translating the commands into a function that is to be performed; and

performing the function.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the commands include at least one of a voice command, a keypad command or an icon selection.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the function comprises one of:

setting up a log-on ID on the network;

logging on to the network;

accessing pages reachable through the network;

sending e-mail through the network;

retrieving e-mail received through the network;

searching the network;

chatting on the network;

sending messages to a forum on the network;

downloading from the network;

streaming information to a designated device;

sending information related to an item displayed by the communication device;

bidding in an auction;

or

retrieving information based on a shopping input.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating an alert when the results are collected in the memory, the alert being one of initiating a telephone call, sending a message to a pager, sending a facsimile to a designated facsimile number, leaving a voicemail in a voicemail box and displaying a display of the communication device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivering comprises one of:

sending a facsimile containing the results to a designated facsimile number;

mailing a copy of the results;

streaming the results to a designated device; and

downloading the results to a database and outputting the results to a designated device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication device includes one of:

a wireless phone;

a wireless internet protocol device;

an I-mode device;

a personal digital assistant;

an iTV;

a wireless radio;

a land line phone;

a set-top box;

a home gateway; and

a wireless interne device.

10. A network access device, comprising:

a user interface configured to receive a contact from a communication device;

a network interface configured to access a network based on the contact;

a controller coupled to the network interface, the controller configured to access a user profile associated with the communication device, determine whether to deliver results of network access immediately or at a later time based on information in the user profile, and deliver the results; and

a memory coupled to the controller and configured to collect the results if the results are to be delivered at a later time.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the controller is further configured to receive commands from the communication device, translate the commands into a function that is to be performed, and perform the function.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the commands include one of a voice command, a keypad command, or an icon selection.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the function comprises one of:

setting up a log-on ID on the network;

logging onto the network;

accessing pages reachable through the network;

sending e-mail through the network;

retrieving e-mail received through the network;

searching the network;

chatting on the network;

sending messages to a forum on the network;

downloading information from the network;

sending information related to an item displayed by the communication device;

streaming information to a designated device;

bidding in an auction;

or

retrieving information based on a shopping input.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein the controller is further configured to generate an alert when the results are collected in the memory, the alert being one of initiating a telephone call, sending a message to a pager, sending a facsimile to a designated facsimile number, leaving a voicemail in a voicemail box, and displaying a display of a communication device.

15. The device of claim 10, wherein the controller is further configured to:

output the results to the communication device;

output the results to a communication device other than the communicating device;

send a facsimile containing the results to a designated facsimile number;

stream the results to a designated device;

or

download the results to a database and output the results to a designated device.

16. The device of claim 10, wherein the communication device includes one or more of:

a wireless phone;

a personal digital assistant;

an iTV;

a wireless radio;

a landline phone;

a set-top box;

a home gateway; and

a wireless interne device.

17. The device of claim 10, wherein the network access device is a head-end of a cable system.

18. The device of claim 10, wherein the network access device is a controller for a Digital Subscriber Line network.

19. The device of claim 10, wherein the network access device is a controller for a broadband network.