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`PATENT NUMBER
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`1629191
`~ll\\\11.
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`U.S. UTILITY Patent Application
`r_:;,1 O I PE
`-Z.,
`PATENT DATE~
`• • • • ~ l'\l>.R a .!, l\ll
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`SCANNED
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`09/565208
`
`.. ·.
`
`r'
`
`CLASS
`79
`
`SUBCLASS'
`
`.;J"- 4
`
`ART UNIT
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`EXAMINER
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`0 Continued on Issue Slip Inside File Jacket
`
`·
`
`.
`
`DI
`
`A WINGS
`
`I
`
`CLAIMS ALLOWED
`
`'TERMINAL
`
`D DISCLAIMER
`
`D The term of this patent
`subsequent to
`has been disclaimed.
`
`(date)
`
`not extend beynnd the expiration date
`of U.S Patent. -r~o.
`
`Sheets Drwg.
`
`Rigs. Drwg.
`
`Print Fig.
`
`Total Claims
`
`Print Claim for 0.G.
`
`----,.
`
`(A§1151s$.nt
`
`/·
`
`(Date)
`
`. \<6
`
`..::L
`
`NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE MAILED
`
`I IJ-a &-z»-
`
`ISSUE FEE
`
`Amount Due
`
`Date Paid
`
`5l'q· %/C j__
`~UA7 /IJ-ffl!Jd
`D The Lerm of this patent shall ~! \.#_;:-~ch-
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`SUPERVISOR PATENT EXAMINER
`TECHNOLI GY GENTER 21foo
`Lclil/cs , . g/~xo 11-13-0~
`r;f:j~
`
`(Primary E>caml~er)
`
`(Date) ..
`
`D The terminal __ months of
`this patent have been disclaimed.
`
`-l \()(~ L
`
`(legal Instruments xamln II)
`
`ISSUE BATCH NUMBER
`
`v
`
`I
`WARNlNG:
`The lnfonnation dlsclosed herein may be restricted. Unauthorized discl ·sure m.ay be prohibited ·by the United States Code Title 35, Sections 122, 181 and 368.
`Possession outside the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office is restricted to a~thoriz~d employees and contractors only.
`
`Form PT0-436A
`(Rev. 6/99)
`
`(FACE)
`
`'./ ··;'·
`
`Ex. 1006
`YMax Corporation
`Page 1 of 136
`
`

`
`Page 1of1
`
`COMMISSfbNER FOR PATENlS
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRAQEMARK OFFICE
`WASHINGlQN, D.C. 20231
`www.usp1o.gov
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND ThADEMARK OFFICE
`
`111111111111111111111 lllll llllll llll llllll IH 11111 ~11~111111 Im
`
`Bib Data Sheet
`
`SERIAL NUMBER/
`09/565,208 "'!
`
`FILING DATE
`0510412000
`RULE
`
`GROUP ART UNIT
`2742
`
`ATTORNEY
`DOCKET NO.
`M-8803-US
`
`CLASS
`I 379
`I
`I
`\
`
`II.PP LI CANTS
`Margaret Susan Asprey, Los Altos, CA ;
`Samuel F. Wood, Los Altos Hills, CA ;
`Jerry A. Klein, Los Altos, CA ;
`
`•• CONTINUING DATA************************* ~C)\J-~ A
`**FOREIGN APPLICATIONS•••••••••••••••••••• ~1-Q.... ~
`
`. b~Vl
`
`·\
`
`IF REQUIRED, FOREIGN FILING LICENSE
`GRANTED ** 07 /18/2000
`Cl yes ll:I j 0
`Foreign Priority claimed
`P5 USC 119 (a-d) conditions 0 yes ~no 0 Me•t:wr;after
`J I AllowM<:e /
`met
`Y//J 1.J..vf'~ · .. "A
`-
`rlferified and
`IAcknowledoed
`Exa iner~ Siona11vre /
`ADDRESS
`
`lnrtials
`
`STATE OR
`COUNTRY
`CA
`
`SHEETS
`DRAWING
`8
`
`TOTAL
`CLAIMS
`1
`
`INDEPENDEN1
`CLAIMS
`1
`
`- .
`
`- .,
`
`.
`
`"" ""'gOAQ'MSls:y
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`•
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`"
`
`.... • • , ..., _. ive sulte-766-
`,_ A ' ' • - -li>--,GA--954-1-9-4349.
`
`"ITLE
`
`Neb-based control of telephone
`
`FILING FEE
`RECEIVED
`820
`
`FEES: Authority has been given in Paper
`No.
`to charge/credit DEPOSIT ACCOUNT
`No.
`for following:
`
`lo All Fees
`lo 1.16 Fees (Filing)
`0 1:17 Fees (Processing Ext. of
`time)
`·
`
`J01.18Fees(lssue)
`
`lo Other
`lo credit
`
`J
`
`I
`I
`
`------------------------~--~-·-····-·-···-·-·---"~- ---------------
`
`10/3/00
`
`Ex. 1006
`YMax Corporation
`Page 2 of 136
`
`

`
`PATENT APPlJCATION
`\ \\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\I\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ 11\11 Ii\\\\\\
`09565208
`
`MAY
`
`l 6 0 O~-~(
`
`. '
`
`INITIALS __ _
`
`. Date Received
`(Incl. C. Of M.) -
`or
`Date Malled
`
`42. __ __ ____ - - - -
`
`43. ________ - - - -
`
`44·------~- - - - -
`45. ________ - - - -
`
`46. ________ - - - -
`
`47. ________ - - - -
`48. ________ ___ _
`
`49. ______ \ _ __ _
`
`~--c i
`1 /If e(D!
`r - 1h-o i---e 5o. _ __ _ ___ _
`t/J5if,1._
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`
`52.
`
`53.
`
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`
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`57. _ _ _ __ _ _____ _
`
`5-']-<>~
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`
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`
`21.
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`61. ________ - - - -
`
`62. _____ ___ - - - -
`
`6~------·--- - - - -
`. 22.
`--···~' 23. __ __ __ __ - - - - 64. _ ___ ___ __ - - - -
`24. __ __ __ __ - - - - 65. _____ ___ - - - -
`
`-
`
`25._~------ - - - - 66. _____ ___ - - - -
`26. __ __ __ __ - - - - 67. _______ ~ - - - -
`
`27. __ __ __ __ - - - - 68. _ ___ ___ __ - - - -
`
`28. __ __ __ __ - - - - 69. _____ ___ - - - -
`
`29. ___ ___ __ - - - - 70. _____ ___ - - - -
`•
`71. __ __ ____ - - - -
`
`30. __ __ ____ - - - -
`
`J
`f
`
`31. __ __ ____ - - - - 72. ________ - - - -
`
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`32·----~--- ~--- 73·---~---- - - - -
`33. ___ ___ __ - - - -
`74. _____ ___ - - - -
`
`' 34. - - - - - - - - - - 75. _____ ___ - - - -
`35.
`76. _____ ___ - - - -
`. 36. ___ ___ __ - - - - 77. _ __ ___ _ ____ ...,.,_
`
`37. ______ __ - - - - 78. ________ - - - -
`
`38._· - - - - - - - - - - 79. __ __ ____ - - - - ' - -
`39. _ __ ___ __ - - - - 80.~------- - - - -
`40. _ _ ____ __ - - - - 81. ________ - ' - - - - -
`41. _ _ ____ __ - - - - 82.~-~----- - - - (cid:173)
`(LEFT OUTSIDE)
`
`Ex. 1006
`YMax Corporation
`Page 3 of 136
`
`

`
`(12) United States Patent
`Asprey et al.
`
`I lllll llllllll Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111111111111111111
`
`US006529596Bl
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,529,596 Bl
`Mar.4,2003
`
`(54) WEB-BASED CONTROL OF TELEPHONE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Margaret Susan Asprey, Los Altos,
`CA (US); Samuel F. Wood, Los Altos
`Hills, CA (US); Jerry A. Klein, Los
`Altos, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Telemaze, Inc., Los Altos, CA (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/565,208
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`May 4, 2000
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.7 ......................... H04M 7/00; H04M 11/00;
`H04M 3/42; H04L 12/66
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............. 379/224; 379/100.01; 379/215.01;
`370/352
`(58) Field of Search ..................... 370/352; 379/100.01,
`379/215.01
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,953,392 A
`5,958,016 A
`5,974,449 A
`6,012,088 A
`
`9/1999 Rhie et al. ............... 379/88.13
`............... 709/229
`9/1999 Chang et al.
`10/1999 Chang et al.
`............... 709/206
`..................... 709/219
`1/2000 Li et al.
`
`6,014,437 A
`6,028,917 A *
`6,078,581 A *
`6,104,800 A *
`6,259,692 Bl *
`
`1/2000 Acker et al. ................ 379/219
`2/2000 Creamer et al.
`6/2000 Shtivelman et al.
`8/2000 Benson
`7/2001 Shtivelman et al.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`ADC Telecommunications; SS7 NewNet SS7 Tutorial; ©
`Copyright 1999.
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner-Ahmad F. Matar
`Assistant Examiner-Thjuan P Knowlin
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Patent Law Group, LLP;
`Brian D. Ogonowsky
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`In one embodiment, the system includes a processor
`(referred to herein as a tandem access controller) connected
`to the PSTN which would allow anyone to directly
`provision, that is to say set-up and make immediate changes
`to, the configuration of his or her phone line. In another
`embodiment, a tandem access controller (TAC) subsystem is
`connected internally to the PSTN in a local service area. The
`TAC provides features, selected by the subscriber, to all edge
`switches connected to the PSTN tandem switch. In one
`embodiment, the TAC is controlled by the subscriber using
`the web.
`
`18 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`16
`
`PSTN
`TANDEM SWITCH
`
`/
`
`co
`
`18
`
`/
`
`23
`\
`
`JCl
`
`User
`Interface I/
`
`\
`
`1§f
`0
`~20
`
`Ex. 1006
`YMax Corporation
`Page 4 of 136
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.4,2003
`
`Sheet 1 of 9
`
`US 6,529,596 Bl
`
`Cl)
`
`C\J ----- roru ~~
`
`Q.)
`
`:::> Q.)
`........ c
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`co
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`
`8 ---~t
`
`'tj-
`T'""
`
`Ex. 1006
`YMax Corporation
`Page 5 of 136
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.4,2003
`
`Sheet 2 of 9
`
`US 6,529,596 Bl
`
`0
`(.)
`
`ex:>
`
`T"""
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`
`Ex. 1006
`YMax Corporation
`Page 6 of 136
`
`

`
`Subscriber Registration and Login
`
`(START
`
`User accesses web
`site UIS (User
`Interaction System)
`
`FIG. 3A
`
`User logs in (apply
`Yes I standard forgotten
`password procedures).
`
`User views
`information on
`becoming a
`ubscriber includin
`features and
`charges.
`
`No
`
`I Sample
`Simple
`experimentation
`with features
`such as web
`dialing
`
`Done
`
`User provides personal
`data including login name
`and password and credit
`card information.
`
`System displays
`Subscriber's private
`information page.
`
`User views messages,
`changes configuration,
`modifies mail lists, etc.
`
`User enters a tentative
`PPN, system checks local
`database for availability
`
`> - - - -1 Try again.
`
`User selects "Vanity"
`PPN (Extra Cost Option).
`
`No
`
`Yes
`
`d •
`\JJ.
`•
`~
`~ ......
`~ = ......
`
`~
`~ :;
`
`~,J;;..
`
`N c
`8
`
`'Jl =(cid:173)~
`~ .....
`
`~
`
`0 .....,
`\C
`
`e
`
`rJ"J.
`O'I
`'&.
`N
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`\0
`O'I
`~
`lo-"
`
`Ex. 1006
`YMax Corporation
`Page 7 of 136
`
`

`
`System selects
`PPN.
`
`System selects PPN
`from local database.
`
`Acronyms
`PPN - Public Phone Number allocated by oneCloud (known to public,
`on business cards, etc., rings oneCloud).
`LPN - Local Phone Number from local telco (rings user's phone but
`is only known to oneCloud and local telco).
`UIS - User Interaction System - web site user interfaces with in
`order to control phone features.
`TAC - Tandem Acces Controller - System that directly accesses
`the PSTN.
`
`FIG. 38
`
`FIG. 3A
`
`FIG. 38
`
`FIG. 3
`
`System sends provisioning
`packet to PSTN Controller.
`
`Controller acknowledges
`provisioning packet.
`
`User's new PPN and login name
`are acknowledged and User is
`welcomed as a new Subscriber
`
`Done
`
`d •
`\JJ.
`•
`~
`~ ......
`~ = ......
`
`~
`~ :;
`
`~,J;;..
`
`N c
`8
`
`'Jl =(cid:173)~
`~ .....
`,J;;..
`0 .....,
`\C
`
`e
`
`rJ'J.
`O'I
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`N
`\0
`'&.
`\0
`O'I
`~
`lo-"
`
`Ex. 1006
`YMax Corporation
`Page 8 of 136
`
`

`
`Incoming Message Processing for
`PSTN Tandem Access Controller
`
`START
`
`TAC receives packets.
`VoIP Voice Packet, FAX~---...-----~
`Packet, PPP Packets
`(from dial-up modems)
`
`Send to
`appropriate
`Protocol
`Conversion
`subsystems.
`
`Acronyms
`PPN - Public Phone Number allocated by oneCloud
`(known to public, on business cards, etc., rings oneCloud).
`LPN - Local Phone Number from local telco (rings user's
`phone but is only known to oneCloud and local telco).
`UIS - User Interaction System - web site user interfaces
`with in order to control phone features.
`TAC - Tandem Access Controller - System that directly
`accesses the PSTN.
`
`Assemble Signaling and Control
`Message (from Packets)
`
`Process VoIP
`control messages.
`
`VoIP H.323
`Control Message
`
`Call Control
`Messages
`
`Invalid call
`Control
`Request
`
`Perform function
`(e.g. dial a call)
`
`UIS Provisioning Message
`
`Invalid
`Database
`Request
`
`Database
`Updated
`
`Send acknowledgement
`message to UIS
`
`Perform invalid
`message analysis
`and security check
`
`FIG. 4
`
`d •
`\JJ.
`•
`~
`~ ......
`~ = ......
`
`~
`~ :;
`
`~,J;;..
`
`N c
`8
`
`'Jl =(cid:173)~
`~ .....
`Ul
`0 .....,
`\C
`
`e
`
`rJ"J.
`O'I
`'&.
`N
`\0
`'&.
`\0
`O'I
`~
`lo-"
`
`Ex. 1006
`YMax Corporation
`Page 9 of 136
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.4,2003
`
`Sheet 6 of 9
`
`US 6,529,596 Bl
`
`Inbound Call (to Subscriber)
`
`Start.
`
`Receive Incoming Call
`Request (887) from
`PSTN Tandem Office.
`
`Format Message: Incoming Call
`Request (including called PPN,
`caller ID, channel #, etc.)
`
`Look up Calling and Called
`Parties in Database.
`
`No~
`>-----~
`
`Yes
`Look up Subscriber specified parameters I
`in database. Determine if additional
`information is required from caller.
`
`IVR Subsystem
`obtains information
`">-_Y_e_s ___ ---1(e.g. collect password
`from caller, etc.) .
`
`..-----------~No
`
`Determine outbound calling number: Look I
`up Subscriber Conditional Call Forward
`information (e.g. time-of-day, day-of-week,
`caller ID, caller password, etc.).
`
`Send Call Request (887)
`to P8TN Tandem.
`
`Yes
`
`Yes
`
`Connect this outbound call
`to original inbound call.
`
`Done.
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Ex. 1006
`YMax Corporation
`Page 10 of 136
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.4,2003
`
`Sheet 7 of 9
`
`US 6,529,596 Bl
`
`Outbound Call (from Subscriber)
`
`Start.
`
`via web
`Subscriber enters or clicks on
`Outbound Called Number at UIS
`and indicates which Subscriber
`number call is to be placed from
`(e.g. cell or home number)
`
`UIS Formats and Sends a
`CallAndConnect Message to TAC.
`
`Send messages to
`UIS- Subscriber
`Phone Not
`Answering
`
`TAC places call
`to Subscriber.
`
`Store
`#
`
`No
`
`Yes
`TAC places call to
`outbound number and
`connects the two.
`
`Done.
`
`FIG. 6
`
`via phone
`User goes
`off "hook"
`on phone
`
`CO processes
`dialing and
`look up
`
`PSTN places call
`in conventional
`manner
`
`Ex. 1006
`YMax Corporation
`Page 11 of 136
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.4,2003
`
`Sheet 8 of 9
`
`US 6,529,596 Bl
`
`"
`
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`
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`
`Ex. 1006
`YMax Corporation
`Page 12 of 136
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.4,2003
`
`Sheet 9 of 9
`
`US 6,529,596 Bl
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`Ex. 1006
`YMax Corporation
`Page 13 of 136
`
`

`
`US 6,529,596 Bl
`
`1
`WEB-BASED CONTROL OF TELEPHONE
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to telephone services and, in
`particular, to a system for allowing a subscriber to select
`features of the subscriber's telephone service.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`People have used various means for limiting interruptions
`due to the telephone. In the past, people used switchboards
`and secretaries to screen incoming, or inbound, calls. Voice
`mail systems took over some of this role both in the home
`and in the central office. Today, there are web-based com(cid:173)
`panies managing 3rd-party call control, via the toll-switch
`network, which allow users to enter call control information
`through a web portal. There are also edge devices in each of
`the public telephone company's central offices which pro(cid:173)
`vide local control, but offer an extremely limited number of 20
`features and do not provide true 3rd-party call control.
`The web-based toll systems provide good user interaction
`but they are not economical and cannot take advantage of
`local number portability because they do not provide local
`control and connectivity.
`The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) consists
`of a plurality of edge switches connected to telephones on
`one side and to a network of tandem switches on the other.
`The tandem switch network allows connectivity between all
`of the edge switches, and a signalling system is used by the
`PSTN to allow calling and to transmit both calling and called
`party identity.
`Until now, optional features were provided by the local
`service telephone company (telco) through the edge switch
`at the central office (CO). It was not possible to provide
`optional features through any other means. Control of these
`features was done through the first party (calling party) or
`the second party (called party), or worse yet, manually by
`calling the business office.
`In the past, numerous devices have been built that allow
`the connection of two lines together at an edge switch. These
`devices can be used to add features to a telephone network
`by receiving a call on one line and then dialing out on
`another line. The problem with these devices is that, because
`they are connected through an edge switch, transmission
`losses and impairments occur, degrading the overall con(cid:173)
`nection. In addition, signalling limitations prevent full
`control, by the subscriber or the system, over the call.
`The invention described herein connects at the tandem, 50
`thereby eliminating these problems.
`In the edge devices residing in the PSTN central offices,
`the 1st party (the calling party) has numerous features
`available (dialing options). The 2nd party (called party) also
`has options available such as call forwarding, but these 55
`features typically require access from the first or second
`party's device and are extremely awkward to program. The
`user interaction is not only awkward, it is limited and
`requires interaction with the telephone company to provision
`them. In other words, past systems for provisioning, mean- 60
`ing addition, modification, or control of telephone features,
`required a subscriber to make the feature selection through
`the telephone business office. Central office workers would
`then implement the provisioning under request of the busi(cid:173)
`ness office.
`Call Forwarding is one popular provision. There is sig(cid:173)
`nificant transmission degradation for Call Forwarding to
`
`2
`take place. The calling party pays for a call to the edge
`device, and the edge subscriber, the called party, pays for the
`call to the forwarding number. For enhanced inbound call
`control to occur, a direct 3-party call control means is
`5 needed.
`A variety of services have arisen to address the problems
`mentioned above. Many of these systems allow the called
`party to make changes to his/her call forwarding attributes
`which do not allow direct 3rd-party call control. These
`10 services provide good user interaction, some via the internet,
`but they rely upon the toll network through the use of "800"
`numbers. This requires the subscriber to pay by the minute
`and does not allow the subscriber to take advantage of
`number portability in order to obtain 3rd-party call control.
`15 There are other toll network mechanisms for remote call
`forwarding. For example, MCI offers a service where the
`customer can remotely change the forwarding target number
`for "800" numbers. Contacting the ultimate end-user before
`terminating the first incoming call is similar to the manner
`in which "800" credit calls and collect calls are processed,
`but these are not done at the local subscriber level.
`In addition to these toll services, there are edge devices
`that perform some of the same services. Edge devices such
`as phones and PBXs that include voice mail, inter-active
`25 voice response, call forwarding, speed calling, etc., have
`been used to provide additional call control. These devices
`allow the phone user direct control over incoming and
`outgoing calls. The disadvantage of edge devices is that they
`add cost, degrade voice and transmission quality, can be
`30 difficult to program, are not easily programmed remotely,
`can require the user to pay for two lines, provide lower
`quality of service, and cannot provide the same level of
`functionality as a system that controls the PSTN directly.
`There are Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoiP) products
`35 emerging that provide better user interfaces and control but
`they do not take advantage of the voice quality of the PSTN.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`40
`
`The present invention adds direct control of third party
`call control features, but does not suffer from any of the
`disadvantages listed above, and allows the subscriber to
`manage his/her telephone system in a dynamic and excep(cid:173)
`tionally useful manner that is not currently available through
`45 the existing PSTN. The invention allows enhanced direct
`third-party call control features, such as selective call rout(cid:173)
`ing and remote dialing, to be added to the PSTN (Public
`Switched Telephone Network) using local call control and
`providing dynamic provisioning of the system by the sub(cid:173)
`scriber. Direct 3rd-party control means that the ability to
`provision the 3rd-party features is directly available to a
`subscriber, eliminating the need to go through the telephone
`company (telco) business office.
`In one embodiment, the system includes a processor
`(referred to herein as a tandem access controller) connected
`to the PSTN which would allow anyone to directly
`provision, that is to say set-up and make immediate changes
`to, the configuration of his or her phone line. In another
`embodiment, a tandem access controller (TAC) subsystem is
`connected internally to the PSTN in a local service area. The
`TAC provides features, selected by the subscriber, to all edge
`switches connected to the PSTN tandem switch. Connecting
`directly to the PSTN tandem switch (or embedding the
`system into the tandem switch) eliminates the signal deg-
`65 radation problems previously described.
`In one embodiment, the system allows provisioning of
`features via the internet under direct control of the sub-
`
`Ex. 1006
`YMax Corporation
`Page 14 of 136
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`US 6,529,596 Bl
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`5
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`3
`scriber. Recently, several products have been introduced that
`provide a means of controlling features via the public
`internet. However, all these devices fall short in that they
`require the subscriber to obtain an "800" number or some
`other number that requires the subscriber to pay a toll charge
`each time a call is made. The present invention connects
`locally, so no toll charges are incurred.
`The web-enhanced services in one embodiment of the
`invention coexist with and overlay the local phone service at
`the local level, thereby providing good economics and user 10
`interaction, single number access to multiple subscriber
`devices, connectivity without transmission impairments and
`true, direct 3rd-party call control.
`The present invention relies upon use of local telephone
`facilities thereby eliminating all the extra charges associated
`with making toll calls. It also allows the user to take
`advantage of number portability and keep his/her existing
`public phone number.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`4
`switch, except that additional 3rd-party features are applied
`to the call. As is well known, PSTN tandem switches are
`exchanges that direct telephone calls (or other traffic) to
`central offices 17, 18 or to other tandem switches. Details of
`the operation of the existing phone network may be found in
`the publication entitled "New Net SS7 Tutorial," by ADC
`Telecommunications, copyright 1999, incorporated herein
`by reference. Additional details may be found in the numer-
`ous books describing the PSTN.
`The PSTN tandem switch 16 directs a first call (from the
`calling party 20 to the subscriber's phone 14 using the
`subscriber's public phone number) to the TAC 10, which in
`turn places a second call, subject to 3rd-party control
`information, to the subscriber's "private" phone number
`15 without yet terminating the first call. When the subscriber 12
`terminates (or answers) the second call, the TAC 10 termi(cid:173)
`nates the first call and connects it to the second call, thereby
`connecting the calling party 20 to the subscriber 12. Hence,
`the calling party essentially calls the TAC 10, using the
`20 subscriber's public phone number, and the TAC 10, after
`processing the call using the selected features, calls the
`subscriber, as appropriate, using the subscriber's private
`phone number and connects the two calls. The process is
`transparent to the parties.
`The TAC 10 is connected inside the PSTN in the sense
`that it is not an edge device such as a PBX or central office
`(CO) switch because it does not connect directly to sub(cid:173)
`scribers. Rather, it redirects calls to subscribers. The TAC 10
`provides intelligent interconnection between a calling party
`30 and a subscriber.
`The reader should keep in mind that although only one
`tandem switch 16 is shown in FIG. 1, the invention will
`apply equally well to a network of tandem switches, as
`shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 also illustrates how the subscriber
`can make calls using voice over IP via a conventional digital
`telephone 21.
`FIG. 1 illustrates the preferred method for an authorized
`subscriber to modify the 3rd-party control criteria by means
`of the world wide web 22 (and web server 23) using an
`internet browser. By "authorized" we mean a subscriber who
`is registered and has "logged-in" with appropriate security
`and password controls. The subscriber 12 interacts with the
`web 22 via the Internet to quickly and easily specify the
`45 enhanced 3rd-party call control features. Web 22 then relays
`this information, in appropriate form, to the TAC 10.
`Preferably, the link to the TAC 10 uses a secure protocol.
`Examples of features that can be selected by the subscriber
`include: conditional call blocking, call forwarding, call
`50 altering, time of day conditions, day of week conditions,
`follow-me, caller recognition/password, caller ID, call
`screening/retrieval from voice mail, speed dialing, interac(cid:173)
`tive voice response, and speech recognition. Any other
`feature could be added. These features can be implemented
`55 in the TAC 10 using known software techniques since such
`features are known. Message outgoing call control includes:
`click-to-dial calling and group calling/messaging.
`The invention may also include ivr/vm/voverip.
`FIG. 1 uses a public internet portal connected via a data
`link to the TAC 10 or other interface system. As a registered
`subscriber, a user logs onto the portal (FIG. 3) and is granted
`access, allowing the user to make additions or changes to
`features such as speed calling, call forwarding, selection of
`such descriptors as time of day, busy status, callerID status,
`etc. A user-friendly web page leads the subscriber through
`the various procedures and available features. The selections
`made by the subscriber are translated into provisioning data
`
`35
`
`25
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates the tandem access controller (TAC) of
`the present invention connected to the existing PSTN tan(cid:173)
`dem switch, the TAC providing features for the subscriber's
`telephone as requested by the subscriber via the web.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a system similar to FIG. 1 but showing
`multiple tandem switches and TAC's and also showing how
`the subscriber may, in additional to using the standard
`telephone, make phone calls using Voice Over IP via a
`conventional digital telephone.
`FIG. 3 is a flowchart of one method that a person may use
`to set up a subscriber account and to designate features the
`subscriber would like for his/her telephone.
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method that can be performed
`by the TAC in response to the subscriber (or other service)
`controlling the TAC, using the web (or other packet-based
`system), to change the subscriber's telephone provisioning
`or perform another function, such as make a VoIP call.
`FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method that can be performed 40
`by the TAC in response to an inbound call to the subscriber.
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method performed by the
`subscriber and the TAC when the subscriber desires to make
`an outbound call via the web or using a conventional
`telephone.
`FIG. 7 illustrates a system, using the TAC, that allows
`wireless cell phones to obtain the same provisioning options
`as the conventional telephones.
`FIG. 8 illustrates a system, using the TAC, that allows fax
`and modem calls to benefit from the provisioning offered by
`the TAC.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`FIG. 1 shows a tandem access controller (TAC) 10 that
`allows an authorized subscriber 12 to establish 3rd-party
`control criteria for calls to the subscriber's telephone 14
`(having a "public" phone number that callers dial). In one
`embodiment, the TAC 10 is a programmed processor. The 60
`TAC 10 may use any combination of hardware, firmware, or
`software and, in one embodiment, is a conventional com(cid:173)
`puter programmed to carry out the functions described
`herein.
`The TAC 10 is connected to or inside the conventional 65
`PSTN tandem switch 16 such that calls may flow through the
`TAC 10 in the same manner as the existing PSTN tandem
`
`Ex. 1006
`YMax Corporation
`Page 15 of 136
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`

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`US 6,529,596 Bl
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`20
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`Caller
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`5
`and transmitted to the TAC 10. The TAC 10 in turn keeps
`track of incoming and outgoing calls based on this infor(cid:173)
`mation.
`The subscriber can also program a set of the call control
`features via a telephone link in the event a data link
`connection is unavailable.
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart of actions that may be taken by the
`TAC 10 in response to the subscriber (or other service)
`controlling the TAC, using the web or other packet-based
`system, to change the subscriber's telephone provisioning or
`perform another function, such as make a VoIP call.
`FIG. 5 is a flowchart of actions taken by the TAC 10 in
`response to an inbound call (using the subscriber's public
`phone number) to the subscriber. Examples of some of the
`actions taken by the TAC 10 are:
`Receives SS7 data indicating an incoming call
`Stores phone numbers downloaded from provisioning
`system
`Charts identity of calling party
`Checks time of day
`Stores lists of numbers in groups used for processing
`incoming calls
`Places outgoing calls in response to incoming calls
`according to information downloaded on the data link.
`Incoming call data is received by the TAC 10 from the 25
`tandem switch 16. The TAC 10 processor checks calling and
`called numbers, class of service, time of day, number lists,
`etc. In some cases additional data is gathered from the
`calling party via a DSP (Digital Signal Processing) system
`and stored in the system memory. The DSP system is used 30
`to play call progress tones and voice announcements as
`required. Voice announcements can be played through the
`DSP system. In response to the call data, an outgoing call to
`the subscriber 12 may be placed back through the tandem
`switch 16 by TAC 10. The TAC 10 links the two calls and 35
`monitors the connection.
`Information about the call may be collected by the TAC
`10 and sent to the subscriber or a 3rd party for display. Such
`information may be the length of the call or information used
`to bill the subscriber for the use of the system. The provi- 40
`sioning system can also collect control information from a
`3rd party and relay it back to the TAC 10, which will then
`affect the call according! y.
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart of actions taken by the subscriber 12
`and the TAC 10 when the subscriber desires to make an 45
`outbound call via the web or using a conventional telephone.
`When using the web to place a call, the subscriber may
`simply click a name on the computer screen 26 using a
`mouse.
`FIG. 7 illustrates a system, using the TAC 10, that allows so
`wireless cell phones 28 to obtain the same provisioning
`options as the conventional telephones 14. A local cell 30
`and a cell switch 32 are also shown in FIG. 7.
`FIG. 8 illustrates a system, using the TAC 10, that allows
`fax and modem calls to benefit from the provisioning offered ss
`by the TAC 10. The TAC 10 may interface the ISP 36
`through the web 22.
`One embodiment of the invention allows a subscriber to
`view the current state of his/her telephone via the Internet.
`Internet is a term of art by which we mean an za z 60
`interconnection of packet switched networks. Prior to this
`invention there was no way for a user to examine the status
`of a telephone line. Recently, several products have been
`introduced that provide a means of examining the voice
`message boxes.
`An internet portal is connected via a data link to the TAC
`10. When a user logs onto the internet portal and is granted
`
`6
`access to an individual subscription, the user can examine
`the status of calls/features. This information is transmitted
`from the TAC 10 to the web portal and translated into user
`viewables. The TAC 10 keeps track of incoming and out-
`s going calls based on this information.
`The TAC 10 may be implemented using conventional
`processor hardware. The connection to the tandem switch 16
`may be as simple as a telephone circuit, since the TA