Method and network for providing access to an information network

• US 6,947,540 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2003
• Issued: 09/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sbc Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
• Original Assignee: Sbc Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
• Inventors: Laitman, Robert John, Ericson, Richard Peter, Madoch, Pitsa
• Primary Examiner(s): TIEU, BENNY QUOC
• Application Number:
  US10/376,472
• Publication Number:
  US 20030133559A1
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: 379/221.15, 379/207.02, 379/229, 379/230, 379/219, 379/220.01, 379/221.01, 370/352, 370/538, 370/540, 709/203
• US Class Current: 379/220.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13222 PBX circuits in public exchange, centrex
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking

Abstract

An intelligent network for providing access to an information network (80) has a number of central office switches (64, 82). Each central office switch (64, 82) is capable of receiving a call to a centrex telephone number and transmitting a query. A service control point (70) is coupled to the central office switches (64, 82) by a SS7 signal link (66). The service control point receives the query and transmits a response to the central office switch (64, 82). A hub switch (75) is coupled to the central office switches (64, 82) and receives the call. The hub switch (75) contains a digital trunk service (76) that combines the call with a number of other calls to form a data stream. The data stream is then transmitted to an information network node (80).

Claims

1. A method of providing access to an information network, comprising the steps of:

a) receiving a plurality of calls initiated by a plurality of computers at a plurality of central offices;

b) triggering on the plurality of calls; and

c) forwarding the plurality of calls to a hub switch.

2. The method of claim 1, further including the steps of:

d) combining the plurality of calls to form a data stream.

3. The method of claim 2, further including the steps of:

e) transmitting the data stream to an information network access node.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) further includes the step of:

a1) coupling the plurality of computers to a plurality of modems.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) further includes the step of:

b1) transmitting a query to a service control point;

b2) receiving a response from the service control point;

b) routing one of the plurality of calls based on the response.

6. A method of providing access to an information network, comprising the steps of:

a) receiving a call from one of a plurality of centrex telephone numbers at a central office;

b) transmitting an information analyzed message to a service control point;

c) determining a trigger type at the service control point;

d) when the trigger type is a custom dialing plan access code, determining a destination number at the service control point;

e) routing the call to a hub switch; and

f) aggregating the call with a plurality of calls to form a data stream.

7. The method of claim 6, further including the steps of:

g) transmitting the data stream to an information network access node.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein step (d) further includes the step of:

d1) transmitting the destination number to the central office.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein step (d) further includes the steps of:

d1) performing a look-up in a translation table;

d2) when a record cannot be found, determining an error has occurred.