System and method for providing interoperable and on-demand telecommunications service

• US 20050084081A1
• Filed: 09/03/2004
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Freetech, LLC
• Original Assignee: Freetech, LLC
• Inventors: Manto, Charles L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,406,307 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/114.50
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/08 Metering calls to called party , i.e. B-party charged for the communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/09 Third party charged communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/57 for integrated multimedia messaging subsystem [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/83 Notification aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/854 Available credit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/00 Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems using a coded card to authorise calls from a telephone set H04M1/675
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/201 automatic recharging with predetermined amount at threshold
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/22 with automatic recharging of account/card, e.g. if limit is reached during connection the account is recharged automatically
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/26 with real-time recharging of account/card, e.g. if limit is reached during connection user is asked if he wants to recharge or not
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0192 Sponsored, subsidised calls via advertising, e.g. calling cards with ads or connecting to special ads, free calling time by purchasing goods
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/208 IMS, i.e. Integrated Multimedia messaging Subsystem
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/62 Called party billing, e.g. reverse billing, freephone, collect call, 0800 or 0900
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/66 Third party billing, i.e. third party can also be the predetermined telephone line of the caller if he is calling from another telephone set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/8166 Available credit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/82 Advice-of-Charge [AOC], i.e. notify subscriber of charges/cumulative charge; meter at the substation

Abstract

The present invention relates in general to the field of voice and data communications, and in particular, to a novel system for providing interoperable on-demand communications and services across otherwise incompatible narrowband voice and broadband systems. The system is also based on sponsored or universal communications services supported by interactive communications between sponsors and service providers and their respective databases of business rules.

Claims

1. A method of operating a telecommunications system, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting an incoming call or data message from a calling party to a called party; and

using a called number or identifier to determine whether the called party is a user for whom service is provided at no charge or substantially no charge.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing remotely controlled interactive voice, data, and video services at no charge or substantially no charge.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing web portals providing interactive and automated means of sharing data at no charge or substantially no charge.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of using business rules to determine whether a sponsor will pay for a communication, service, or product.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of evaluating whether a behavior or choice of the calling party meets a business rule.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of adding the calling party on-demand to a new network path or infrastructure.

7. A method of operating a telecommunications device or network, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying a prospective user of communications devices, networks, or services; and

adding the prospective user to a database of users for whom service is provided at no charge or substantially no charge.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of detecting a change of personal medical status or environmental status of the user and providing service or connectivity at no charge or substantially no charge to the user.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the service or connectivity is pre-authorized and triggered by the change.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

aggregating a plurality of telecommunications output signals from disparate communications networks into a common audio or video mixer; and

converting the signals to digital signals so that the signals can be shared with others communicating over a digital network.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of sending voice, data, or video signals from the digital network to other communications networks not on the digital network.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of using a data center within a network to offer managed services, wherein network users do not need to provide specialty software or hardware at the user'"'"'s location.

13. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of using speech activated commands to link the user from one radio frequency to a user of a different radio frequency.

14. A method for operating a telecommunications device, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting an outgoing call or data message from a calling party to a called party; and

using a called number or identifier to determine whether the called party is a user for whom service is provided at no charge or substantially no charge to the calling party.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of providing remotely controlled interactive voice, data, and video services at no charge or substantially no charge to the calling party.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of providing web portals providing interactive and automated means of sharing data at no charge or substantially no charge to the calling party.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of using at least one business rule to determine whether a sponsor will pay for a communication, service, or product based on circumstances which trigger an agreement for the sponsor to pay.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of evaluating whether a behavior or choice of the user meets a business rule which determines whether a communication, service or product will be paid by a sponsor.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of providing a communications user as a virtual base station of communications to other communications users.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of using codes for allowing the calling party access only to those called parties specified by a sponsor and use of only those services provided by the sponsor.

21. A method of operating a telecommunications device comprising the steps of:

detecting an incoming call or data message from a calling party to a called party;

using a called number or identifier to determine whether said called party is a universal service user for whom service is provided at no charge or substantially no charge;

generating and sending a message to said calling party offering participation as a sponsor for the current and subsequent calls of this type for the sponsored party; and

using the calling number or identifier to determine the quality level of sponsored service approved for that sponsored user.

22. A method of operating a telecommunications device comprising the steps of:

detecting an incoming call or data message from a calling party to a called party;

using a called number or identifier to determine whether said called party is a universal service user for whom service is provided at no charge or substantially no charge;

generating and sending a message to said calling party offering participation as a sponsor for the current and subsequent calls of this type for the sponsored party; and

using codes and speed dial numbers for allowing calling parties access only to those called parties allowed by sponsors to be contacted and only using those services provided to users by the sponsor or sponsors.

23. A method of generating an additional interactive request for additional funding of communications services and/or applications supported by a communications routine, comprising the steps of:

monitoring a plurality communication parties for a signal indicating that an additional service and/or application is requested,

checking a database to see if the service and/or application is provided by the sponsor; and

determining if the service and/or application is funded and if the services and/or applications are not funded connecting to the sponsor to request additional funds and/or services.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the communications service and/or application may be provided from either a public or private network.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the step of determining if the service and/or application is funded, further comprises the step of determining whether sufficient funds exist in a pre-paid account of the calling party, the called party or a third party to cover charges associated with the call and its applications.

26. A method for provisioning data services to customers comprising the steps of:

receiving a request from an initiating party to conduct telecommunications with a receiving party at a specified time; and

determining whether said receiving party is a universal or sponsored service user for whom service is provided at no charge or substantially no charge.

27. A method in accordance with claim 26, further comprising the step of calculating a cost for provisioning a quality of service necessary to support said requested data communications.

28. A method in accordance with claim 26, further comprising the step of determining the cost of accompanying applications at said specified time.

29. A method in accordance with claim 26, further comprising the steps of:

generating and sending a message to said initiating party requesting authorization to charge a fee for connecting said calling party to said called party;

receiving user input from said initiating party indicating said initiating party'"'"'s authorization to charge said fee; and

,

provisioning data services to support said requested data communications at said specified time.

30. The method in accordance with claim 26, of calculating a cost for provisioning a quality of service supporting the accompanying applications further comprising the step of assessing the network elements and quality of service necessary to support said requested data communications.

31. The method in accordance with claim 26, wherein said step of calculating a cost for provisioning a quality of service further comprises a step of assessing a market demand on said network elements at said specified time.

32. The method in accordance with claim 26, wherein said secure identifier comprises a PIN code, digital signature, pseudo-random number generator, biometric or video transmission.

33. The method in accordance with claim 29, wherein said secure identifier comprises a PIN code, digital signature, pseudo-random number generator, biometric or video transmission.

34. In an information network, a method for patient or environmental monitoring comprising:

distributing secured communications agents throughout the network;

enabling the secured communications agents to monitor the network for signals indicating a triggering event;

enabling the secured communications agents to communicate with one another; and

collecting information gathered from the secured communications agents.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of enabling the secured communications agents to communicate with one another.

36. The method in accordance with claim 34 wherein the secured communication agents and associated applications are approved and/or paid for by sponsors.

37. The method in accordance with claim 36, further comprising the steps of:

connecting to a called party'"'"'s number;

providing options of services that can be chosen at a fee;

receiving input indicating selection of one or a plurality of the options;

checking the input against a sponsored user'"'"'s database to determine if the service is approved; and

delivering or denying each of the secured communications agents and associated applications depending on approval.

38. The method of claim 34, further comprising the steps of monitoring an environment or behavior and comparing a monitored change to a database of business rules that trigger the authorization of an additional service, product, telecommunications service, or infrastructure.