(12) United States Patent
`Wood et al.
`
`US006574328B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,574,328 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*Jun. 3, 2003
`
`(54) TELEPHONE CALL CONTROL SYSTEM
`FOR THE PUBLIC SWITCHED TELEPHONE
`NETWORK
`
`6,078,581. A 6/2000 Shtivelman et al. ........ 370/352
`6,104,800 A 8/2000 Benson ....................... 379/215
`6,259,692 B1
`7/2001 Shtivelman et al. ........ 370/355
`
`-
`(75) Inventors: Samuel F. Wood, Los Altos Hills, CA
`(US); Margaret Susan Asprey, Los
`Altos, 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
`J
`y
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`EP
`
`............ H04Q/3/00
`10/1996
`() 738 093
`............ H04Q/3/00
`2/1999
`() 898 431
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`ADC Telecommunications; SS7 NewNet SS7 Tutorial; ©
`Copyright 1999.
`-
`-
`* cited b
`cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner—Ahmad F. Matar
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Patent Law Group LLP,
`Brian D. Ogonowsky
`
`Assistant Examiner—Rasha AL-Aubaidi
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/565,565
`-
`22) Filed:
`May 4, 2000
`(22) File
`ay 4,
`(51) Int. Cl." ................................................. H04M 7/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............. 379/224; 379/221.08; 379/221.11
`(58) Field of Search ............................ 379,224, 221,08,
`379/221.11
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,566,236 A * 10/1996 Melampy et al. ..... 379/210.01
`6,028,917. A
`2/2000 Creamer et al. ....... 379/100.01
`6,031,836 A * 2/2000 Haserodt .................... 370/389
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`In one embodiment, the swstem includes a processor
`y
`2
`p
`(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.
`
`8 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PSTN
`TANDEM SWITCH
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`17
`
`10
`
`ACCESS
`CONTROLLER
`
`Z_Z
`
`18
`
`CO
`
`Secure
`Protocol
`
`23
`
`\
`
`Ceº ?o
`O
`
`CO
`
`|
`
`
`
`26
`
`14-º () El
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2010 - 1
`U.S. Patent No. 6,574,328
`IPR2016-01261
`
`

`

`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2010 - 2
`U.S. Patent No. 6,574,328
`IPR2016-01261
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 3, 2003
`
`Sheet 2 of 9
`
`US 6,574,328 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`HO LIMAS WECINWL
`
`N] Sc}
`
`
`
`HO_LINAS WEICINWL N | Sc}
`
`9 |
`
`
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2010 - 3
`U.S. Patent No. 6,574,328
`IPR2016-01261
`
`

`

`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2010 - 4
`U.S. Patent No. 6,574,328
`IPR2016-01261
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 3, 2003
`
`Sheet 4 of 9
`
`US 6,574,328 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SuuÁuOJOW
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2010 - 5
`U.S. Patent No. 6,574,328
`IPR2016-01261
`
`

`

`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2010 - 6
`U.S. Patent No. 6,574,328
`IPR2016-01261
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 3, 2003
`
`Sheet 6 of 9
`
`US 6,574,328 B1
`
`Inbound Call (to Subscriber)
`
`Receive Incoming Call
`Request (SS7) from
`PSTN Tandem Office.
`Format Message: Incoming Call
`Request (including called PPN,
`caller ID, channel #, etc.)
`Look up Calling and Called
`Parties in Database.
`
`Valid
`Number?
`
`NO
`
`Refuse Call.
`
`Yes
`Look up Subscriber specified parameters
`in database. Determine if additional
`information is required from caller.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Information
`Required?
`
`
`
`Yes
`
`IVR Subsystem
`obtains information
`(
`e.g. collect password
`from caller, etc.).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Determine outbound calling number: Look
`up Subscriber Conditional Call Forward
`information (e.g. time-of-day, day-of-week,
`caller ID, caller password, etc.).
`Send Call Request (SS7)
`to PSTN Tandem.
`
`No
`Connect this outbound call
`to original inbound call.
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2010 - 7
`U.S. Patent No. 6,574,328
`IPR2016-01261
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 3, 2003
`
`Sheet 7 of 9
`
`US 6,574,328 B1
`
`Outbound Call (from Subscriber)
`
`
`
`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)
`
`
`
`
`
`US Formats and Sends a
`Call/AndConnect Message to TAC.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Send messages to
`UIS- Subscriber
`PhOne Not
`Answering
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TAC places call to
`Outbound number and
`Connects the two.
`
`via phone
`User goes
`Off "hook"
`on phone
`
`
`
`CO processes
`dialing and
`look up
`
`PSTN places call
`in conventional
`manner
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2010 - 8
`U.S. Patent No. 6,574,328
`IPR2016-01261
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 3, 2003
`
`Sheet 8 of 9
`
`US 6,574,328 B1
`
`
`
`/ I
`
`O
`E
`>
`C/D
`>
`LL]
`O
`
`: H
`
`
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2010 - 9
`U.S. Patent No. 6,574,328
`IPR2016-01261
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 3, 2003
`
`Sheet 9 of 9
`
`US 6,574,328 B1
`
`OO
`
`8 |
`
`OWL
`
`0 ||
`
`dn
`
`S>|unu L OO ’.
`
`
`
`
`
`HO LIWAS WECINWL
`
`N_1_SoH
`
`9 |
`
`(E?TÖNo. : +1
`
`OO~ / |
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2010 - 10
`U.S. Patent No. 6,574,328
`IPR2016-01261
`
`

`

`US 6,574,328 B1
`
`1
`TELEPHONE CALL CONTROL SYSTEM
`FOR THE PUBLIC SWITCHED TELEPHONE
`NETWORK
`
`2
`Call Forwarding is one popular provision. There is sig
`nification transmission degradation for Call Forwarding to
`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 3rd-party call control means is
`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
`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.
`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
`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
`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
`emerging that provide better user interfaces and control but
`they do not take advantage and voice quality of the PSTN.
`
`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.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`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
`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
`vide local control, but offer an extremely limited number of
`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
`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,
`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
`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
`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
`ness office.
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`SUMMARY
`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
`tionally useful manner that is not currently available through
`the existing PSTN. The invention allows enhanced direct
`third-party call control features, such as selective call rout
`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
`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
`radation problems previously described.
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2010 - 11
`U.S. Patent No. 6,574,328
`IPR2016-01261
`
`

`

`US 6,574,328 B1
`
`3
`In one embodiment, the system allows provisioning of
`features via the internet under direct control of the sub
`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
`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
`FIG. 1 illustrates the tandem access controller (TAC) of
`the present invention connected to the existing PSTN tan
`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
`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.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`4
`TAC 10 in the same manner as the existing PSTN tandem
`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
`without yet terminating the first call. When the subscriber 12
`terminates (or answers) the second call, the TAC 10 termi
`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
`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
`scribers. Rather, it redirects calls to subscribers. The TAC 10
`provides intelligent interconnection between a calling party
`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
`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
`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
`tive voice response, and speech recognition. Any other
`feature could be added. These features can be implemented
`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, caller?) status,
`etc. A user-friendly web page leads the subscriber through
`the various procedures and available features. The selections
`
`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
`TAC 10 may use any combination of hardware, firmware, or
`software and, in one embodiment, is a conventional com
`puter programmed to carry out the functions described
`herein.
`The TAC 10 is connected to or inside the conventional
`PSTN tandem switch 16 such that calls may flow through the
`
`60
`
`65
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2010 - 12
`U.S. Patent No. 6,574,328
`IPR2016-01261
`
`

`

`US 6,574,328 B1
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`30
`
`35
`
`25
`
`5
`made by the subscriber are translated into provisioning data
`and transmitted to the TAC 10. The TAC 10 in turn keeps
`track of incoming and outgoing calls based on this infor
`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
`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
`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
`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
`40
`information may be the length of the call or information used
`to bill the subscriber for the use of the system. The provi
`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 accordingly.
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart of actions taken by the subscriber 12
`and the TAC 10 when the subscriber desires to make an
`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
`IITOUISè.
`FIG. 7 illustrates a system, using the TAC 10, that allows
`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
`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 interconnec
`tion 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 intro
`duced that provide a means of examining the voice message
`boxes.
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6
`An internet portal is connected via a data link to the TAC
`10. When a user logs onto the internet portal and is granted
`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
`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 TAC 10
`receives an incoming call from a caller and processes the
`call. Devising the software/firmware use to control the TAC
`10 is well within the capability of those skilled in the art
`since the various control features that can be made available
`are generally already known.
`Certain advantages that can be obtained using the inven
`tion include the following:
`Web-Based Telecom Navigator
`Manage Incoming Call Control
`Conditional Call Blocking/Forwarding/Alerting
`Time-of-Day, Day-of-Week, Follow-Me, Caller
`Recognition/Password, Caller ID, etc.
`Call Screening/Retrieval from Voice Mail
`Interactive Voice Response and Speech Recognition
`Manage Outgoing Call Control
`Click-to-Dial Calling
`Group Calling and Messaging
`Web-Based Billing
`Web-Driven Personal Communications Management
`Cost-Effective Single Phone Number Access
`On-Line “Personal Digital Assistant”
`On-Line “Telcom Navigator”
`Inspired User Interaction
`Secure and Reliable Technology
`Cost-Effective Single Phone Number Access
`CLEC Status
`Free Local Calls, Incoming Calls (not 800 Toll Service)
`Retain Current Number (Local Number Portability)
`Low-Cost Calling Throughout LATA
`Flat-Rate Foreign Exchange
`Single Installation Covers Entire LATA
`VoIP Toll-Bypass
`Compatible With Existing Devices, Standards
`Standard DTMF and VoIP Phones
`Wireless Phones
`Standard Wired/Wireless and PIM Browsers
`Web-Based Personal Digital Assistant
`Centralized and Consistent Personal Data
`Build Once, Use Anywhere
`Private/Public Phone Directories and Calendars
`“Post-It” Style Annotation of Numbers
`Web Dialing
`Click-to-Dial from Web Pages, Directories, Calendars
`Multiple Phone List Management
`Unified Messaging
`Voice Mail Access, Prompts, Alert Via Web
`User Interaction
`Expected Behavior
`Compatible with Familiar Products (e.g. Palm Pilot)
`Commonality Between All Wired and Wireless
`Mode-Based Definition and Selection
`Vacation, Dinner Time, Go Away, Family Call Waiting
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2010 - 13
`U.S. Patent No. 6,574,328
`IPR2016-01261
`
`

`

`US 6,574,328 B1
`
`Templates
`Learning Modes
`Persona-Based User Interaction Design
`Speech recognition
`Windows drag and drop
`Automatic Data Capture
`Build Phone List Based on Collected Usage Information
`Drag and Drop Into Lists
`Secure and Reliable Technology
`Separate Web-Site and Link Gateway
`No Direct External Access to Gateway
`Additional Security Layer
`No Denial-of-Service to Voice Links
`VoIP Link Degradation Detection
`Automatic Cutover to PSTN
`E-Commerce Security
`Billing Encryption
`While particular embodiments of the present invention
`have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those
`skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be
`made without departing from this invention in its broader
`aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encom
`pass within the true spirit and spirit and scope of this
`invention.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A telephone system comprising:
`a public switched telephone network (PSTN) having a
`tandem switch; and
`a tandem access controller (TAC), within the PSTN,
`connected to said tandem switch, said TAC being
`accessible via the Internet by at least one subscriber for
`selecting features to be applied to telephone calls
`intended for said subscriber routed through said PSTN,
`said TAC being in a local service area with respect to said
`subscriber,
`said TAC for receiving a first call by a calling party,
`entering a first telephone number, intended for said
`subscriber,
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`8
`said TAC for applying said features to said first call,
`placing a second call to said subscriber using a second
`telephone number different from said first telephone
`number, and completing a communications path
`between said calling party and said subscriber after said
`subscriber has answered said second call.
`2. The system of claim 1 wherein answering said second
`call causes said TAC to connect a calling party’s commu
`nication device to other than said subscriber’s telephone, as
`designated by said subscriber pursuant to said features
`selected by said subscriber.
`3. The system of claim 1 wherein said first call is placed
`by said calling party through a PSTN central office to said
`TAC, and said second call is placed by said TAC through a
`central office.
`4. The system of claim 1 wherein said features are
`selected from the group consisting of conditional call block
`ing and call forwarding.
`5. The system of claim 1 wherein said features include
`selective call forwarding.
`6. The system of claim 1 wherein said features include
`selective call forwarding, wherein said TAC makes said
`second call to a particular communications device based on
`a time of said first call.
`7. The system of claim 1 wherein said features include
`selective call forwarding, wherein said TAC makes said
`second call to a particular communications device based on
`the particular calling party making said first call.
`8. The system of claim 1 wherein:
`said TAC also receives a local third call, via said tandem
`switch, placed by said subscriber for a third party, said
`TAC placing a fourth call to said third party, via said
`tandem switch; and
`said TAC connects said subscriber to said third party after
`said third party receives said fourth call.
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2010 - 14
`U.S. Patent No. 6,574,328
`IPR2016-01261
`
`