Service provider identifier

• US 8,737,988 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2013
• Issued: 05/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2005
• 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: Petronelli, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Agosta, Steve D
• Application Number:
  US13/776,392
• Publication Number:
  US 20130163736A1
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.1, 455/418, 455/432.1, 455/433, 455/435.1, 455/566, 370/310.2, 370/328, 370/338, 370351-356, 379/220.01, 379/221.01, 379/221.14, 379/272, 379/273, 379/142.04
• US Class Current: 455/432.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/20 Manipulation of established connections

Abstract

The present invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for providing service provider information for a user communication device. A targeted communication link associated with a target service provider is determined using a user communication device associated with a user service provider. The determination of the indicator for the target service provider may be with a user service provider Central Office or server. An indicator of the target service provider is received and displayed on the user communication device. Communication services available to the communication device are determined and presented to the communication device by audible or visual signals. Representations of services available or restricted to the user communication device are provided to the user device. Restricted services may be enabled by override options.

Claims

1. A method of providing information to a user communication device, the method comprising:

determining, based on information associated with the user communication device, a telecommunications service provider corresponding to a called party telephone number;

determining an indicator of the telecommunications service provider;

providing the indicator to the user communication device;

determining services available to the user communication device using at least one device selected from the group consisting of;

i) a user service provider'"'"'s processor and ii) the user communication device; and

restricting information transfer unless the telecommunications service provider corresponding to a called party telephone number and a telecommunications service provider corresponding to a telephone number of the user communication device are the same.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the services available to the user communication device comprise restricted services.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the restricted services are enabled by a user override feature.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining of the indicator of the telecommunications service provider and the providing of the indicator to the communication device is performed by a user service provider central office.

5. A system for providing information to a user communication device, the system including a processor operable to:

determine, based on information associated with the user communication device, a telecommunications service provider corresponding to a called party telephone number;

determine an indicator of the telecommunications service provider;

present the indicator of the target service provider on the user communication device;

determine, according to the indicator of the telecommunications service provider, communication services available to the user communication device;

provide to the user communication device an indication of the communication services available; and

restrict information transfer unless the telecommunications service provider corresponding to a called party telephone number and a telecommunications service provider corresponding to a telephone number of the user communication device are the same.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein presenting the indicator of the telecommunications service provider comprises initiating an audible signal.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein presenting the indicator of the telecommunications service provider comprises initiating a visual signal.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein the services available to the user communication device comprise restricted services.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the restricted services are enabled by an override feature.

10. The system of claim 5 wherein the system comprises a portion of a central office associated with a telecommunications service provider corresponding to the user communication device.

11. A wireless communication device operable to:

initiate a call to a called party telephone number;

receive, based on information associated with the wireless communication device, an indication of a telecommunications service provider corresponding to the called party telephone number;

present the indication to a user of the wireless communication device;

perform an action based at least in part on whether the called party telecommunications service provider and a telecommunications service provider corresponding to the wireless communication device are the same;

determine, according to the indicator of the telecommunications service provider, communication services available to the user communication device;

provide to the user communication device an indication of the communication services available; and

restrict information transfer unless the telecommunications service provider corresponding to a called party telephone number and a telecommunications service provider corresponding to a telephone number of the user communication device are the same.

12. The wireless communication device of claim 11, wherein the action includes indicating available in network minutes when the telecommunications service providers are the same.

13. The wireless communication device of claim 11, wherein the action includes restricting communication to the called party when the telecommunications service providers differ.