System, method and article of manufacture for communications utilizing calling, plans in a hybrid network

• US 5,867,495 A
• Filed: 11/18/1996
• Issued: 02/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Krishnaswamy, Sridhar, Elliott, Isaac K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Wellington
• Assistant Examiner(s): Carman, Melissa Kay
• Application Number:
  US08/758,734
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 370/352, 370/383, 370/389, 370/390, 370/392, 370/401, 370/410, 370/408, 379/89, 379/90.01, 379/100.11, 379/114, 379/100.13, 379/93.08, 379/93.07, 379/93.14, 379/93.29, 379/144
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1403 Architecture for metering, charging or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1428 Invoice generation, e.g. customization, lay-out, database processing, algorithms for calculating the bill or formatting invoices as WWW pages invoicing in general G06Q30/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1439 time-based
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1446 inter-operator billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1453 Methods or systems for payment or settlement of the charges for data transmission involving significant interaction with the data transmission network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1482 involving use of telephony infrastructure for billing for the transport of data, e.g. call detail record [CDR] or intelligent network infrastructure
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1485 Tariff-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1492 negotiation of tariff
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/18 for broadcast or conference , e.g. multicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/10 of different types
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4557 Directories for hybrid networks, e.g. including telephone numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/103 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/104 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1043 Gateway controllers, e.g. media gateway control protocol [MGCP] controllers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1108 Web based protocols, e.g. webRTC
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/401 wherein the services involve a main real-time session and one or more additional parallel real-time or time sensitive sessions, e.g. white board sharing or spawning of a subconference
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 : Responding to QoS
• 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 15/08 : Metering calls to called party , i.e. B-party charged for the communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/55 : for hybrid networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/56 : for VoIP communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/57 : for integrated multimedia messaging subsystem [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 : Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/202 : VoIP; Packet switched telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/208 : IMS, i.e. Integrated Multimedia messaging Subsystem
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/44 : Charging/billing arrangements for connection made over different networks, e.g. wireless and PSTN, ISDN, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/62 : Called party billing, e.g. reverse billing, freephone, collect call, 0800 or 0900
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 : Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 : Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42068 : where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 : in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42323 : PBX's with CTI arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 : Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 : for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 : Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/003 : Click to dial services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/128 : Details of addressing, directories or routing tables
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13109 : Initializing, personal profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1313 : Metering, billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 : Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13174 : Data transmission, file transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13248 : Multimedia
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13349 : Network management
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 : Provisions for intelligent networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 : Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber

Abstract

Telephone calls, data and other multimedia information is routed through a hybrid network which includes transfer of information across the internet utilizing telephony routing information and internet protocol address information. A media order entry captures complete user profile information for a user. This profile information is utilized by the system throughout the media experience for routing, billing, monitoring, reporting and other media control functions. Users can manage more aspects of a network than previously possible, and control network activities from a central site. Calling card access is provided for users and supports typical calls as well as media transfers over the hybrid network including over the internet.

Claims

1. A method for connecting a first telephony capable device with a second telephony capable device for media transmissions on a hybrid network which includes a switched network, packet switched network, a directory of internet protocol addresses for the packet switched network and an authenticating mechanism, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) sending an access number of a calling plan from the first telephony capable device;

(b) sending an authorization number associated with the calling plan from the first telephony capable device;

(c) receiving the authorization number from the first telephony device;

(d) determining if the authorization number is authorized to complete the media transmission by engaging the authenticating mechanism;

(e) sending an identification number of the second telephony capable device;

(f) receiving the identification number from the first telephony device;

(g) identifying a route for the media transmission by accessing the directory and translating the identification number into an internet protocol address associated with the second telephony capable device; and

(h) completing the media transmission to the second telephony capable device through the hybrid network.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the authorization number is unique.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the calling plan includes a debit card.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the calling plan includes access to operator information.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the calling plan includes speed-dial features.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the calling plan provides access to conference call support.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the calling plan provides access to voicemail.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the calling plan provides access to electronic mail.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the calling plan provides access to a news service.

10. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium for routing media transmissions from a first telephony capable device to a second telephony capable device on a hybrid network which includes a switched network, packet switched network, a directory of internet protocol addresses for the packet switched network and an authenticating mechanism, the computer program comprising:

(a) first software that sends an access number of a calling plan from the first telephony capable device;

(b) second software that sends an authorization number associated with the calling plan from the first telephony capable device;

(c) third software that receives the authorization number from the first telephony device;

(d) fourth software that determines if the authorization number is authorized to complete the media transmission by engaging the authenticating mechanism;

(e) fifth software that sends an identification number of the second telephony capable device;

(f) sixth software that receives the identification number from the first telephony device;

(g) seventh software that identifies a route for the media transmission by accessing the directory and translating the identification number into an internet protocol address associated with the second telephony capable device; and

(h) eighth software that completes the media transmission to the second telephony capable device through the hybrid network.

11. The computer program as recited in claim 10, wherein the authorization number is unique.

12. The computer program as recited in claim 10, wherein the calling plan includes a debit card.

13. The computer program as recited in claim 10, wherein the calling plan includes access to operator information.

14. The computer program as recited in claim 10, wherein the calling plan includes speed-dial features.

15. The computer program as recited in claim 10, wherein the calling plan provides access to conference call support.

16. The computer program as recited in claim 10, wherein the calling plan provides access to voicemail.

17. The computer program as recited in claim 10, wherein the calling plan provides access to electronic mail.

18. The computer program as recited in claim 10, wherein the calling plan provides access to a news service.

19. An apparatus for routing media transmissions from a first telephony capable device to a second telephony capable device on a hybrid network which includes a switched network, a packet switched network, a directory of internet protocol addresses for the packet switched network and an authenticating mechanism, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a processor with control software sends an access number of a calling plan from the first telephony capable device;

(b) a processor with control software that sends an authorization number associated with the calling plan from the first telephony capable device;

(c) a processor with control software that receives the authorization number from the first telephony device;

(d) a processor with control software that determines if the authorization number is authorized to complete the media transmission by engaging the authenticating mechanism;

(e) a processor with control software that sends an identification number of the second telephony capable device;

(f) a processor with control software that receives the identification number from the first telephony device;

(g) a processor with control software that identifies a route for the media transmission by accessing the directory and translating the identification number into an internet protocol address associated with the second telephony capable device; and

(h) a processor with control software that completes the media transmission to the second telephony capable device through the hybrid network.

20. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein the authorization number is unique.

21. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein the calling plan includes a debit card.

22. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein the calling plan includes access to operator information.

23. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein the calling plan includes speed-dial features.

24. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein the calling plan provides access to conference call support.

25. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein the calling plan provides access to voicemail.

26. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein the calling plan provides access to electronic mail.

27. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein the calling plan provides access to a news service.