(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`
`{19) World Intellectual Property Organization
`International Bureau
`
`llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
`
`(43) International Publi~ation Date
`18 January 2001 (18.01.2001)
`
`PCT
`
`(10) Internationai PubliCation Number
`WO 01/05078 A3
`
`(51) International Patent Classification7 :
`
`H04.J 3/16
`
`(21) International Application Number: PCT/US00/18831
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`
`10 July 2000 (10.07.2000)
`
`DE, DK, DM, DZ, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR,
`HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR,
`LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MZ,
`NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM,
`TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW.
`
`(25) Filing Language:
`
`(26) Publication Language:
`
`English
`
`English
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`09/351,251
`
`12 July 1999 (12.07.1999) us
`
`(84) Designated States (regional): ARIPO patent (GH, GM,
`KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZW), Eurasian
`patent (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), European
`patent (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE,
`IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), OAPI patent (BF, BJ, CF, CG,
`CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
`
`(71) Applicant and
`(72) Inventor: WEINGARTEN, Walter, Jay [US/US]; 2nd
`Floor, 2801-B Avenue P, Brooklyn, NY 11229 (US).
`
`Published:
`With international search report.
`
`(74) Agents: COCH, Nicholas, L. et al.; Kramer, Levin, Naf(cid:173)
`talis & Frankel LLP, 919 Third Avenue, New York, NY
`10022 (US).
`
`(88) Date of publication of the international search report:
`31 May 2001
`
`(81) Designated States (national): AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU,
`AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ,
`
`For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refor to the "Guid(cid:173)
`ance Notes on Codes and Abbreviations" appearing at the begin(cid:173)
`ning of each regular issue of the PCT Gazette.
`
`---
`
`(54) Title: TRANSPARENT SYSTEMS FOR COMMUNICATION OVER COMPUTER NETWORKS
`
`~ -(cid:173)
`
`QO
`t(cid:173)
`~
`tn
`,.......
`~
`0 (57) Abstract: Telephone (2), radio, and television systems for communication over computer networks conduct audio, video and
`:;;...... other forms of communication over computer networks upon entry of appropriate input on devices included within the telephonic
`~ (2), radio, and television systems.
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1008, Page 423
`
`

`
`INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
`
`International application No.
`PCT/US00/18831
`
`A. CLASSIFICATION OF SUBJECT MATrER:
`IPC (7):
`
`H04J3/16
`
`H0413/16
`
`Form PCT/ISA/210 (extra sheet) (July 1998)*
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1008, Page 424
`
`

`
`INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
`
`Intcma.tional application No.
`PCT/US00/18831
`
`A,
`CLASSIFICATION OF SUBJECT MATTER
`IPC(7)
`:Please See Extra Sheet.
`:370/465,466,351,352,389,552,490; 348/110,26,734; 358/142
`USCL
`According to International Patent Classi.fica.tion (IPC) or to both national classi.fica.tion and IPC
`
`B.
`FIELDS SEARCHED
`Minimum documentation searcltcd (classification system followed by classification symbols)
`u.s. : 370/465,466,351,352,389,552,490; 348/110,26,734; 358/142
`
`Documentation searched other than minimum documentation to the extent that such documents are included in the fields searched
`NONE
`
`Electronic data base consulted during the international acarch (name of data base and, where practicable, search terms used)
`
`NONE
`
`c. DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT
`
`Category*
`
`Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages
`
`Relevant to claim No.
`
`X
`
`US 5,774,357 A ( HOFFBERG ET AL.) 30 June 1998, see columns 1-18
`23-25.
`A,P US 6,081,750 A (HOFFBERG ET AL.) see abstract. ~7 Ju 11e .;J()(K) 1
`
`D Fu~.her documents arc listed in the continuation of Box C. D
`.
`
`Special categoriea of cited documents:
`
`"T"
`
`·x·
`
`•y•
`
`"A'
`
`"E"
`'L'
`
`•o•
`
`document d"illlina the general state of the -which is not considered
`to be of pouticular noioYUlCO
`
`earlier document published on or after the international iiling date
`
`document whieh may throw doubts on priority claim(a) or which is
`cited to establish the publicatinn date of another citation or other
`opecial reuon (a opeciiJed)
`
`document referring to an oral diacloaure, use, exhibition or other
`means
`
`'P'
`
`document publiahed prior to the international iiling date but later than
`the priority date elaimed
`Date of the actual completion of the international search
`
`16 DECEMBER 2000
`
`Name and mailin~ address of the ISA/US
`Commissioner of atents and Trademarita
`Box PCT
`Washington, D.C. 20231
`(703) 305-3230
`Facsimile No.
`
`Form PCTnSA/210 (second sheet) (July 1998)*
`
`Sec patent family annex.
`
`later document publisbad after the international tiling date or priority
`date mul not in conflict with the application but cited to understand
`the principle or theo.-y underlying the invention
`
`document of particular reloYance; the claimed invention c:annot be
`considered novel or cannot be considered to involve an inventive atop
`when the document ia taken alone
`
`document of particular reloYanee; the claimed invention c:annot be
`cooaidered to involve an inventive 1tep when the document ia
`combhed with one or more other 1uch documentl, 1uch combination
`being obvioul to a person akilled in the -
`
`·&·
`Date of mailing of the international search report
`
`document member of the same patent family
`
`1 j) 8 FE~ 2001
`A~' offi<k-~~
`~r... -o
`~GTON
`
`Telephone No.
`
`(703) 305-4739
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1008, Page 425
`
`

`
`(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`
`(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
`Intemational Bureau
`
`llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
`
`(43) International Publication Date
`s April2001 (05.04.2001)
`
`PCT
`
`(10) International Publication Number
`WO 01/24496 Al
`
`(51) International Patent Classification7 :
`H04Q 3/00, H04M 7/00
`
`H04M 3/42,
`
`Chicago, IL 60614 (US). BEZAITIS, Andrew; 2716 Troy
`Street, Chicago, IL 60647 (US).
`
`(21) International Application Number: PCT/US00/26094
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`22 September 2000 (22.09.2000)
`
`(25) Filing Language:
`
`(26) Publication Language:
`
`English
`
`English
`
`(74) Agent: PEREZ, Enrique; McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert
`& Berghoff, 300 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606
`(US).
`
`(81) Designated States (national): CA, GB.
`
`(84) Designated States (regional): European patent (AT, BE,
`CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC,
`NL, PT, SE).
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`09/405,283
`
`(71) Applicant: 3COM CORPORATION [US/US]; 3800
`Golf Road, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 (US).
`
`27 September 1999 (27.09.1999) US Published:
`With international search report.
`Before the expiration of the time limit for amending the
`claims and to be republished in the event of receipt of
`amendments.
`
`(72) Inventors: SIDHU, Ikhlaq, S.; 403 River Grove Lane,
`Vernon Hills, IL 60061 (US). SCHUSTER, Guido, M.;
`Apartment 408, 1433 Perry Street, Des Plaines, IL 60016
`(US). DEAN, Frederick, D.; 2311 N. Greenview Avenue,
`
`For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refor to the "Guid(cid:173)
`ance Notes on Codes and Abbreviations" appearing at the begin(cid:173)
`ning of each regular issue of the PCT Gazette.
`
`~ ---~
`
`(54) Title: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING USER-CONFIGURED TELEPHONE SERVICE IN A DATA NET(cid:173)
`WORK TELEPHONY SYSTEM
`~
`~
`~
`
`PID
`
`PID
`
`~ (57) Abstract: A system and method for providing user-configured telephone service to a user of a data network telephone. The
`user connects a data network telephone to the data network. The data network telephone registers with a telephone connection server
`0 to have basic calling service. The user accesses a service provider server to enter feature selections. The service provider server may
`> use a web page to query the user for feature selections. The service provider server uses the user's selections to update the user's
`~ account and to activate the selected features.
`
`\C
`0'\
`~
`~
`
`M --
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1008, Page 426
`
`

`
`wo 01/24496
`
`PCT/US00/26094
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING USER-CONFIGURED
`TELEPHONE SERVICE IN A DATA NETWORK TELEPHONY SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`A. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention is related to field of telecommunications, and more
`
`particularly to a system and method for providing communication services over a
`
`network.
`
`10
`
`B. Description of the Related Art and Advantages of the Present
`Invention
`
`For many years, telephone service providers on the Public Switched Telephone
`
`Network (PSTN) provided their customers nothing more than a telephone line to use
`
`to communicate with other subscribers. Over time, telephone service providers have
`
`enhanced their service by providing Custom Local Area Signaling Service (CLASS)
`
`15
`
`features to their customers. Similar communication services are provided by a Private
`
`Branch Exchange (PBX), which is typically implemented in a nonresidential setting.
`
`The CLASS features permit customer subscribers of the features to tailor their
`
`telephone service according to individual needs. Some of the well known CLASS
`
`features are:
`
`20
`
`• Call blocking: The customer may specify one or more numbers from which
`
`he or she does not want to receive calls. A blocked caller will hear a rejection
`
`message, while the callee will not receive any indication of the call.
`
`• Call return: Returns a call to the most recent caller. If the most recent
`
`caller is busy, the returned call may be queued until it can be completed.
`
`25
`
`• Call trace: Allows a customer to trigger a trace of the number of the most
`
`recent caller.
`
`• Caller ID: The caller's number is automatically displayed during the silence
`
`period after the first ring. This feature requires the customer's line to be equipped with
`
`a device to read and display the out-of-band signal containing the number.
`
`30
`
`• Caller ID blocking: Allows a caller to block the display of their number in
`
`a callee's caller ID device.
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1008, Page 427
`
`

`
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`
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`
`• Priority ringing: Allows a customer to specify a list of numbers for which,
`
`when the customer is called by one of the numbers, the customer will hear a
`
`distinctive ring.
`
`• Call forwarding: A customer may cause incoming calls to be automatically
`
`5
`
`forwarded to another number for a period of time.
`
`A customer subscriber to a CLASS feature may typically activate and/or de(cid:173)
`
`activate a CLASS feature using"*" directives (e.g., *69 to automatically return a call
`
`to the most recent caller). CLASS features may also be implemented with the use of
`
`out-of-band data. CLASS feature data is typically transmitted between local Class-5
`
`10
`
`switches using the Signaling System 7 (SS7).
`
`Local Exchange Carriers (LECs) and other similar organizations maintain
`
`CLASS offices that typically contain a database entry for each customer. The
`
`database allows specification of the CLASS features a customer has subscribed to, as
`
`well as information, such as lists of phone numbers, associated with those features. In
`
`15
`
`some cases, customers may edit these lists on-line via a touch-tone interface. A list of
`
`all phone numbers that have originated or terminated a call with each customer is
`
`often included in the CLASS office database. For each customer, usually only the
`
`most recent number on this list is stored by the local Class-5 switch.
`
`A Private Branch Exchange (PBX), is a stored program switch similar to a
`
`20
`
`Class-5 switch. It is usually used within a medium-to-large-sized business for
`
`employee telephony service. Since a PBX is typically operated by a single private
`
`organization, there exists a wide variety of PBX services and features. Custom
`
`configurations are common, such as integration with intercom and voice mail systems.
`
`PBX's typically support their own versions of the CLASS features, as well as other
`
`25
`
`features in addition to those of CLASS. Most PBX features are designed to facilitate
`
`business and group communications.
`
`A summary oftypical PBX features includes:
`
`• Call transfer: An established call may be transferred from one number to another
`
`number on the same PBX.
`
`30
`
`• Call forwarding: In addition to CLASS call forwarding, a PBX number can be
`
`programmed to automatically transfer a call to another number when the first number
`
`does not answer or is busy.
`
`2
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1008, Page 428
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`

`
`WOOl/24496
`
`PCT/US00/26094
`
`• Camp-on queuing: Similar to PSTN call return, a call to a busy number can be
`
`queued until the callee can accept it. The caller can hang up their phone and the PBX
`
`will ring them when the callee answers.
`
`• Conference calling: Two or more parties can be connected to one another by
`
`5
`
`dialing into a conference bridge number.
`
`• Call parking: An established call at one number can be put on hold and then
`
`reestablished from another number. This is useful when-call transfer is not warranted.
`
`• Executive override: A privileged individual can break into an established call.
`
`After a warning tone to the two participants, the call becomes a three-way call.
`
`10
`
`While the CLASS and PBX features have enhanced the offerings of service
`
`providers that use the PSTN, the features are nevertheless limited in their flexibility
`
`and scope. The effect to the user is that the features become clumsy and difficult to
`
`use. For example, in order to use the Call Forwarding function, the user must
`
`perform the steps at the user's own phone prior to moving to the location of the
`
`15
`
`telephone to which calls will be forwarded. A more desirable approach, from the
`
`standpoint of usefulness to the user, would be to perform the steps at the telephone to
`
`which calls will be forwarded.
`
`Much ofthe lack of flexibility ofthe PSTN features is due to the lack of
`
`flexibility in the PSTN system itself. One problem with the PSTN is that the terminal
`
`20
`
`devices (e.g. telephones) lack intelligence and operate as "dumb" terminals on a
`
`network having the intelligence in central offices. Most PSTN telephones are limited
`
`in functional capability to converting the analog signals they receive to sound and
`
`converting the sound from the handset to analog signals.
`
`Some PSTN telephones have a display device and a display function to display
`
`25
`
`specific information communicated from intelligent agents in the PSTN network using
`
`the PSTN signaling architecture. For example, some PSTN telephones have a display
`
`function to enable the Caller ID feature. Even such PSTN telephones are limited
`
`however by the closed PSTN signaling architecture, which prohibits access by the
`
`PSTN telephones to the network signaling protocols. The display functions are
`
`30
`
`effectively limited to displaying text, again, as a "dumb" terminal.
`
`The Internet presents a possible solution for distributing intelligence to
`
`telephony terminal devices. In Internet telephony, digitized voice is treated as data
`
`3
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1008, Page 429
`
`

`
`wo 01124496
`
`PCT/US00/26094
`
`and transmitted across a digital data network between a telephone calls' participants.
`
`One form ofinternet telephony uses a telephony gateway/terminal where IP telephony
`
`calls are terminated on the network. PSTN telephones are connected by a subscriber
`
`line to the gateway/terminal at the local exchange, or at the nearest central office.
`
`5
`
`This form of Internet telephony provides substantial cost savings for users. Because
`
`the PSTN portion used in Internet telephony calls is limited to the local lines on each
`
`end of the call, long distance calls may be made for essentially the cost of a local call.
`
`Notwithstanding the costs savings provided by this form of Internet telephony, it is no
`
`more flexible than the PSTN with respect to providing enhancements and features to
`
`10
`
`the basic telephone service.
`
`In another form ofinternet telephony, telephones are connected to access
`
`networks that access the Internet using a router. The telephones in this form of
`
`Internet telephony may be substantially more intelligent than typical PSTN
`
`telephones. For example, such a telephone may include substantially the computer
`
`15
`
`resources of a typical personal computer.
`
`It would be desirable to incorporate CLASS and PBX features into a data
`
`network telephony system that uses a data network such as the Internet.
`
`It would be desirable to provide new features and enhancements to telephony
`
`service that accommodates and conforms to users' needs.
`
`20
`
`It would also be desirable to provide features and capabilities to telephone
`
`service that create new opportunities for users and for service providers.
`
`The present invention addresses the above needs by providing a system in a
`
`data network telephony system, such as for example, the Internet, that provides a way
`
`for users to make brand new telephones usable without having to wait while the
`
`25
`
`telephone company programs an account. The embodiments of the present invention
`
`may also be used to modify existing telephone accounts to incorporate new features,
`
`or features that may be desired for a limited amount of time.
`
`One advantage of the present invention is that telephone features become user(cid:173)
`
`configurable.
`
`30
`
`Another advantage is that the extent to which features are user-configurable
`
`may be determined by the service provider. The service provider may wish to make a
`
`4
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1008, Page 430
`
`

`
`WOOl/24496
`
`PCT/US00/26094
`
`few basic features standard and impose their use in a registration function. Other
`
`features may then be made selectable by the user.
`
`5
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1008, Page 431
`
`

`
`WOOl/24496
`
`PCT/US00/26094
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Presently preferred embodiments of the invention are described below in
`
`conjunction with the appended drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals refer
`
`to like elements in the various figures, and wherein:
`
`5
`
`FIG. 1 is block diagram of a data network telephony system for providing
`
`telephony and enhanced telephony services in accordance with embodiments ofthe
`
`present invention;
`
`FIG. 2A shows one embodiment ofthe system ofFIG. 1 showing examples of
`
`access to data network telephony service providers;
`
`10
`
`FIG. 2B shows one example of one of the data network telephones in FIG. 2A;
`
`FIG. 3A is a block diagram showing the interaction between components in
`
`accordance with one example of a system and method for configuring a data network
`
`telephone for service in the data network telephony system in FIG. 2A;
`
`FIG. 3B is a block diagram showing one example ofthe interaction between
`
`15
`
`components in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A to update the data network
`
`telephone version;
`
`FIG. 3C is a block diagram showing one example of the interaction between
`
`components in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A when registration is complete;
`
`FIG. 4A is a block diagram showing one example of the interaction between
`
`20
`
`components in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A to provision the data network
`
`telephone version with a voice account;
`
`FIG. 4B is a depiction of a sample screen for ordering telephone service for the
`
`data network telephone of FIG. SA;
`
`FIG. 4C is a block diagram showing the interaction between components in the
`
`25
`
`embodiment shown in FIG. 4A to confirm service;
`
`FIG. 4D is a depiction of a sample screen for confirming telephone service for
`
`the data network telephone of FIG. SA;
`
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the interaction between components in
`
`accordance with an example of a system and method for communicating by data
`
`30
`
`network telephone in the data network telephony system in FIG. 2A;
`
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for registering a data
`
`network telephone using the data network telephony system of FIG. 1;
`
`6
`
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`FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for provisioning a data
`
`network telephone in the data network telephony system ofFIG. 1; and
`
`FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of confirming the telephony service
`
`ordered using the method described in FIG. 7.
`
`7
`
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`

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`
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`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`The following references to patent applications filed concurrently herewith are
`
`incorporated be reference:
`*
`
`"System and Method for Controlling Telephone Service Using a Wireless
`
`5
`
`Personal Information Device" to Schuster, et al.
`
`*
`
`*
`
`"System and Method for Advertising Using Data Network Telephone
`
`Connections" to Schuster, et al.
`
`"System and Method for Accessing a Network Server Using a Portable
`
`Information Device Through a Network Based Telecommunication System" to
`
`10
`
`Schuster, et al.
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`*
`
`*
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`"System and Method for Interconnecting Portable Information Devices
`
`Through a Network Based Telecommunication System" to Schuster, et al.
`
`"System and Method for Enabling Encryption on a Telephony Network" to
`
`Schuster, et al.
`
`"System and Method for Using a Portable Information Device to Establish a
`
`Conference Call on a Telephony Network" to Schuster, et al.
`
`"System and Method for Associating Notes with a Portable Information
`
`Device on a Network Telephony Call" to Schuster, et al.
`
`"System and Method for Providing Shared Workspace Services Over a
`
`Telephony Network" to Schuster, et al.
`
`"System and Method for Providing Service Provider Configurations for
`
`Telephones in a Data Network Telephony System" to Schuster, et al.
`
`The following additional references are also incorporated by reference herein:
`
`"Multiple ISP Support for Data Over Cable Networks" to Ali Akgun, et al.
`
`"Method and System for Provisioning Network Addresses in a Data-Over(cid:173)
`
`Cable System" to Ali Akgun, et al., Serial No. 09/218,793.
`
`"Network Access Methods, Including Direct Wireless to Internet Access" to
`
`Yingchun Xu, et al., Serial No. 08/887,313
`
`30
`
`A. Data Network Telephony System
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a system 100 for providing
`
`telephony services according to preferred embodiments of the present invention. The
`
`8
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1008, Page 434
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`

`
`WOOl/24496
`
`PCT/US00/26094
`
`system includes a data network 106. A first voice communication device 1 08a
`
`communicates by a voice connection over the data network 1 06 by establishing the
`
`connection via first access network 112. The voice connection may be linked to a
`
`second voice communication device 1 08b which is accessed via a second access
`
`5
`
`network 114.
`
`The data network 106 in the system 1 00 typically includes one or more Local
`
`Area Networks (LANs) connected to one another or to a Wide-Area Network (WAN),
`
`such as an Internet Protocol (IP) network, to provide wide-scale data connectivity.
`
`The data network 106 may use Voice Over Packet (VOP) schemes in which voice
`
`10
`
`signals are carried in data packets. The network 106 may also include a connection to
`
`the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to allow for voice connections using
`
`traditional circuit switching techniques. In one embodiment, the data network 106
`
`may include one or more LANs such as Ethernet LANs and support data transport
`
`protocols for performing Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoiP) techniques on the
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`15
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`Internet. For further details regarding VoiP, see the information available through the
`
`Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) at www.ietf.org. In addition, an Internet
`
`Telephony gateway may be included within the system 100 to allow for voice
`
`connections to users connected by subscriber lines at a PSTN Central Office.
`
`The first and second voice communication devices 1 08a and 1 08b typically
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`20
`
`include a voice input, a voice output and a voice processing system (described further
`
`below with reference to Figures 2B). The voice processing system converts voice
`
`sound from the voice input to digital data signals that are communicated on a voice
`
`connection over the data network. The voice processing system also converts digital
`
`data signals received from the voice connection to voice sound at the voice output.
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`25
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`The voice communication devices 1 08a and 1 08b typically include a central
`
`processing unit and memory to store and process computer programs. Each voice
`
`communication device 1 08a and 1 08b typically includes a unique network address,
`
`such as an IP address, in memory to uniquely identify it to data network 106 and
`
`permit data packets to be routed to the device.
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`30
`
`A first personal information device (PID) 11 Oa may be connected to the first
`
`voice communication device 1 08a and may communicate over the data network 106
`
`by connecting via the access network 112. The PID 110a may communicate with a
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`second PID 110b connected to the second voice communications device 108b.
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`Connections by the PIDs 11 Oa,b may be made using the IrDA protocol or the
`
`Bluetooth system. Point to point links may include an RS232 port.
`
`The PIDs 11 Oa,b each contain user attributes stored in a user information
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`5
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`database. The user attributes may contain such information as a user identifier,
`
`schedule information, and other information that is associated with a user of the PIDs
`
`11 Oa,b. The PIDs 11 Oa,b each include a user interface allowing a user to easily enter
`
`and retrieve data. In a preferred embodiment, the user interface inclues a pressure(cid:173)
`
`sensitive display that allows a user to enter input with a sylus or other device. An
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`10
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`example of a PID with such an interface is a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), such as
`
`one ofthe Palm™ series ofPDAs offered by 3Com Corporation. The PIDs 110a,b
`
`may include other functionality, such as wireless phone or two way radio
`
`functionality.
`
`In one embodiment, the voice communication device 1 08a includes a handset
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`15
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`with a receiver and transmitter similar or identical to handsets of traditional circuit(cid:173)
`
`switched telephones. A console on which the handset sits may include the voice
`
`processing system, a display 116 and a keypad 118. The voice communication device
`
`108a may also include a speed dial key set 128 programmed, or assigned to initiate
`
`connections to other voice communication devices that may be connected to the data
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`20
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`network 106. In a preferred embodiment, the keys on the speed dial key set 128 may
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`be programmed remotely by a message carried on a voice connection using a selected
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`data transport protocol.
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`One example of the voice communication device 1 08a in a preferred
`
`embodiment is the NBX 1 OOTM communication system phones offered by 3Com®
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`25
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`Corporation, that has been modified, as described herein, to perform speed dial
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`programming. In alternative embodiments, the voice communication device 1 08a
`
`may include any device having voice communications capabilities. For example, a
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`personal computer having a microphone input and speaker output may also be used as
`
`the voice communication device 1 08a. Other configurations for the user interface are
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`30
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`also intended to be within the scope of the present invention.
`
`The details relating to operation of the voice communication devices 1 08a and
`
`1 08b depend on the nature of the data network 106 and the nature of the access
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`networks 112, 114 connecting the voice communication devices 1 08a and 1 08b to
`
`each other and/or to other network entities. The access networks 112, 114 typically
`
`include any high bandwidth network adapted for data communications, i.e. a network
`
`having greater than 64,000 bits-per-second (bps) bandwidth. The access networks
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`5
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`112, 114 may link to the voice communication device 108a using an Ethernet LAN, a
`
`token ring LAN, a coaxial cable links (e.g. CATV adapted for digital communication),
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`a digital subscriber line (DSL), twisted pair cable, fiberoptic cable, an integrated
`
`services digital network (ISDN) link, and wireless links. In embodiments that may
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`not require a bandwidth greater than 64,000 bps, the access networks 112, 114 may
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`10
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`also include the PSTN and link the voice communications device 108a by an analog
`
`modem. Further details regarding specific implementations are described below, with
`
`reference to FIGs. 2A and 2B.
`
`B. System For Providing Provisioning and Configuration Services for a
`Telephone Using A Data Network Telephony System
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`15
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`One advantage of the data network telephony system 100 in FIG. 1 is that a
`
`user may begin making telephone calls by connecting the data network telephone to
`
`the access network. Alternatively, another advantage ofthe system 100 is that the
`
`user may plug the data network telephone to the access network to receive rudimental
`
`service, but obtain access to fully personalized, user-configured service account as
`
`20 well as to user-selected telephony enhancements and features.
`
`A service provider server 120, connected to the data network 106, maintains
`
`user service accounts and manages the transport of data communications channels
`
`between voice communications devices 1 08a, 1 08b. A service provider database 122
`
`stores the user accounts and other subscription information. In accordance with
`
`25
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`preferred embodiments, the service provider server 120 provides voice
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`communications devices 1 08a, 1 08b with rudimentary service sufficient to connect to
`
`a service provider. The service provider server 120 then sets up user interactive
`
`connections to allow a user to configure a telephony user account. The user account is
`
`then activated substantially contemporaneously with the user interactive connection
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`30
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`once the user submits the information. By substantially contemporaneously, it is
`
`meant that no substantial waiting period is needed before the user account may be
`
`used. In alternative embodiments, the service provider server 120 configures voice
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`communications devices 1 08a, 1 08b with a full, ready-to-use configuration. The
`
`service provider host 120 also makes modifications to the user accounts easy and
`
`immediate in effect. A user may select features for temporary use. For example, a
`
`user may set up call forwarding to use while at a meeting for a week, and then disable
`
`5
`
`it for other times.
`
`1.
`
`Local Area Network As
`An Exemplary Access
`Network
`
`FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing one example of the system 100 ofFIG. 1
`
`1 o
`
`for providing customized communication services according to the present invention.
`
`The system 200 in FIG. 2A includes a local area network 212, connected to a data
`
`network 206 by a first router 228 and a cable network 214 connected to the data
`
`network 206 by a second router 238. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
`
`that, while the local area network 212 and the cable network 214 are shown in FIG.
`
`15
`
`2A as access networks, any other type of network may be used. For example, the
`
`local area network 212 and/or the cable network 214 may be replaced by ISDN, DSL,
`
`or any other high-speed data link.
`
`The local area network 212 provides data connectivity to its members, such as
`
`a first data network telephone 208a, a second data network telephone 208b, a gateway
`
`20
`
`222 and a network telephony connection server 150a. The local area network 212 in
`
`FIG. 2A is an Ethernet LAN operating according to the IEEE 802.3 specification,
`
`which is incorporated by reference herein, however, any other type oflocal area
`
`network may be used. The local area network 212 uses the router 228 to provide the
`
`data network telephone 208a,b, the gateway 222 and the network telephony
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`25
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`connection server 150a with access to the data network 206. For example, the router
`
`228 may perform routing functions using protocol stacks that include the Internet
`
`Protocol and other protocols for communicating on the Internet.
`
`The network telephony connection server 150a (hereinafter "telephony
`
`connection server") provides telephony registration, location and call initiation
`
`30
`
`services for voice connections in which its members are a party. A user may register
`
`for t