PCT
`WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION
`International Bureau
`INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`WO 99/20059
`
`(11) International Publication Number:
`
`(51) International Patent Classification 6:
`H04Q 3/00
`
`Al
`
`(43) International Publication Date:
`
`22 April 1999 (22.04.99)
`
`(21) International Application Number:
`
`PCT/US98/21058
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`
`6 October 1998 (06.10.98)
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`08/948,161
`
`9 October 1997 (09.10.97)
`
`us
`
`(71) Applicant: ALCATEL USA SOURCING, L.P. [US/US]; 1000
`Coit Road, Plano, TX 75075 (US).
`
`(72) Inventors: SHAH, Tasvir; 9004 Silverdollar Trail, Irving, TX
`75063 (US). HARRISON, Mark, A.; Asian Info Computer
`Networks (Beijing) Co., Lt d., 14th floor, 5 Minuzuxueyuan
`South Road, P.O. Box 8116, Section 47, Haidan District,
`Beijing 10081 (CN). BILBO, Matthew, J.; 2524 Lakeview
`Drive, Bedford, TX 76021 (US).
`
`(74) Agent: FISH, Charles, S.; Baker & Botts, L.L.P., 2001 Ross
`Avenue, Dallas, TX 75201-2980 (US).
`
`(81) Designated States: AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR,
`BY, CA, CH, CN, CU, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD,
`GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR,
`KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MD, MG, MK, MN,
`MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK,
`SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, UA, UG, UZ, VN, YU, ZW, ARIPO
`patent (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, SD, SZ, 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).
`
`Published
`With international search report.
`Before the expiration of the time limit for amending the
`claims and to be republished in the event of the receipt of
`amendments.
`
`(54) Title: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ACCESS TO A TELEPHONY DATABASE
`
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`(57) Abstract
`
`A flexible service management system creates, provisions, customizes, and restricts service offerings available on an intelligent
`network. A service creation environment has a schema query, service screen builder, and logic analyzer that cooperate to create a service
`screen definition. The service screen definition supports graphical user interfaces that interface with a telephony database. The service
`screen definition is deployed to a service management system within a service definition package, the service management system interfacing
`with a telephony database storing telephony data for supporting a service. The service screen definition enables a screen interpreter that can
`reside on a service management access point to communicate and transact data with the telephony database. The screen interpreter interprets
`the service screen definition to allow and control access to telephony data and to direct provisioning of services to network elements, such
`as a service control point, that perform service functions according to customized subscription data in the telephony database. The graphical
`user interface can communicate through the world wide web to allow customer or other data entry operator access to data on a filtered or
`restricted basis.
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1010, Page 1354
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`

`
`Codes used to identify States party to the PCT on the front pages of pamphlets publishing international applications under the PCT.
`
`FOR THE PURPOSES OF INFORMATION ONLY
`
`AL
`AM
`AT
`AU
`AZ
`BA
`BB
`BE
`BF
`BG
`BJ
`BR
`BY
`CA
`CF
`CG
`CH
`CI
`CM
`CN
`cu
`cz
`DE
`DK
`EE
`
`Albania
`Armenia
`Austria
`Australia
`Azerbaijan
`Bosnia and Herzegovina
`Barbados
`Belgium
`Burkina Faso
`Bulgaria
`Benin
`Brazil
`Belarus
`Canada
`Central African Republic
`Congo
`Switzerland
`Cote d'Ivoire
`Cameroon
`China
`Cuba
`Czech Republic
`Germany
`Denmark
`Estonia
`
`ES
`FI
`FR
`GA
`GB
`GE
`GH
`GN
`GR
`HU
`IE
`IL
`IS
`IT
`JP
`KE
`KG
`KP
`
`KR
`KZ
`LC
`LI
`LK
`LR
`
`Spain
`Finland
`France
`Gabon
`United Kingdom
`Georgia
`Ghana
`Guinea
`Greece
`Hungary
`Ireland
`Israel
`Iceland
`Italy
`Japan
`Kenya
`Kyrgyzstan
`Democratic People's
`Republic of Korea
`Republic of Korea
`Kazakstan
`Saint Lucia
`Liechtenstein
`Sri Lanka
`Liberia
`
`LS
`LT
`LU
`LV
`MC
`MD
`MG
`MK
`
`ML
`MN
`MR
`MW
`MX
`NE
`NL
`NO
`NZ
`PL
`PT
`RO
`RU
`SD
`SE
`SG
`
`Lesotho
`Lithuania
`Luxembourg
`Latvia
`Monaco
`Republic of Moldova
`Madagascar
`The former Yugoslav
`Republic of Macedonia
`Mali
`Mongolia
`Mauritania
`Malawi
`Mexico
`Niger
`Netherlands
`Norway
`New Zealand
`Poland
`Portugal
`Romania
`Russian Federation
`Sudan
`Sweden
`Singapore
`
`SI
`SK
`SN
`sz
`TD
`TG
`TJ
`TM
`TR
`TT
`UA
`UG
`us
`uz
`VN
`YU
`zw
`
`Slovenia
`Slovakia
`Senegal
`Swaziland
`Chad
`Togo
`Tajikistan
`Turkmenistan
`Turkey
`Trinidad and Tobago
`Ukraine
`Uganda
`United States of America
`Uzbekistan
`VietNam
`Yugoslavia
`Zimbabwe
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1010, Page 1355
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`W099/20059
`
`PCT /US98/21 058
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ACCESS
`TO A TELEPHONY DATABASE
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`TECHNICAL FIELP OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates in general to the field of
`telephony communications, and more particularly to a system
`and method for flexibly managing telephony services on a
`telephony network.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Telecommunication companies frequently sell access to
`physical network telephony communication infrastructure and
`to telephony services related to the efficient use of such
`infrastructure.
`In
`offering
`services,
`the
`telecommunication
`companies have
`increasingly allowed
`individuals outside their corporate boundaries with options
`for
`customizing,
`restricting,
`and provisioning
`the
`services. An increasing number of companies are entering
`the telephony service bureau market to sell services by
`leasing 11 space 11 on network infrastructures from network
`operators. This service market treats physical telephony
`networks as a commodity which the service bureaus lease
`from network providers .
`Service bureaus acquire service
`technology to solve business
`telephony _ needs and
`then
`resell access
`to
`the
`technology solution
`to other
`telecommunication providers.
`One example of a service typically sold by a service
`bureau is a toll free "800 11 number such as, for instance,
`the
`toll free number
`frequently used by mail order
`businesses that sell consumer goods. A consumer can order
`goods from a mail order company by dialing one toll free
`number.
`The consumer's call is routed to a central
`
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`
`2
`
`processor, such as a service control point. The central
`processor associates the 800 number dialed by the consumer
`with the physical location of the mail order company on the
`network and provides a number for that location to a
`switch, which routes the consumer's call to that physical
`location.
`Presently, a service subscriber like the mail order
`company described above, must rely on a service operator to
`set up and provide the toll free service.
`The service
`operator must coordinate with the network operator to
`provision the service to the central processors on the
`network. However, creating and provisioning a service on
`a network can involve complicated software programming and
`development.
`Small changes to the service can require
`extensive programming to enable service logic features and
`rules on
`the central processor.
`This programming is
`generally accomplished in object oriented C++ software
`language, and can
`take six to nine months
`from
`the
`beginning of development until deployment is accomplished
`on a given network.
`the creation and
`to
`Another difficulty related
`provisioning of a service is the service's interaction with
`the telephony database of the network operator. A single
`service may have to extract and use data fields from as
`many as fifteen to twenty separate tables of the telephony
`database.
`Network operators have accumulated
`these
`databases over time without necessarily intending to make
`these databases available to third parties such as service
`operators and service subscribers. Accordingly,
`these
`databases may be arranged in non-user friendly formats
`which require extensive training to understand and use.
`For instance, in a
`typical database, one table can
`contain a customer's name,
`telephone number and billing
`information in separate entry fields in which each field is
`identified by a unique acronym label. A separate table can
`contain telephone numbers with each telephone number having
`associated data identifying particular options associated
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`3
`
`with the telephone number, such as call waiting or call
`forwarding, again with each field identified by a unique
`acronym label. A data entry operator would have to know
`how to access and understand each table and each acronym in
`a database to provide assistance to a service subscriber
`seekipg, for instance,
`to have a call waiting service
`enabled for his telephone number. Further, the data entry
`operator would have complete access
`to
`the database,
`including access
`to sensitive data,
`such as credit
`information, even though the data entry operator has no
`need for access to this sensitive information to enable the
`service.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Therefore, a need has arisen for a flexible service
`management
`system
`to create customize,
`restrict and
`provision telephony services onto a telephony network with
`minimal software programming and with maximized direct
`interaction by service operators, service providers, or
`service subscribers.
`A further need has arisen for a service management
`access point that can provide direct access to selected
`telephony database fields for service customization by a
`service operator, service provider, or service subscriber,
`without requiring alterations to the service by the network
`operator.
`A further need has arisen for a system and method to
`generate graphical user interfaces with logic to support
`interactions with a
`telephony database for supporting
`customization and provisioning of a telephony service on a
`telephony network.
`A further need has arisen for a system and method for
`controlling access to a telephony database to allow user(cid:173)
`friendly interaction to portions of the telephony database
`having sensitive data while restricting access to the
`sensitive data itself.
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`4
`
`In accordance with the present invention, a system and
`method for flexibly managing services on a
`telephony
`network
`is provided
`that substantially eliminates or
`reduces
`disadvantages
`and
`problems
`associated with
`previously developed means of providing services on a
`telephony network. A service management system interfaces
`with a
`telephony network to support a
`telephony service
`defined in an associated service definition package. The
`service management
`system accepts
`telephony data
`for
`supporting the telephony service. The service management
`system then validates the telephony data for consistency
`with the service and the telephony database,
`including
`validation of
`the data's
`consistency with
`service
`exclusions and interactions, and the data's consistency on
`a field level and a
`record level, such as the data's
`referential integrity. The service management system next
`stores the telephony data, thus acting as a master database
`for the telephony network. The telephony data can include
`different versions of services and the status of data for
`a service, such as active, sending/ pending or saved
`status. The service management system then downloads the
`telephony data to, for instance 1 provision the service or
`activate the service on network elements such as
`the
`service control point.
`a
`invention/
`Also
`in accordance with the present
`service management
`access point
`is provided
`that
`substantially eliminates or
`reduces disadvantages and
`problems associated with previously developed means of
`interacting with a
`telephony network
`to manipulate a
`telephony service.
`The service management access point
`allows a physical interface with a network by a service
`operator, service provider or service subscriber that
`permits customizing, restricting/ and provisioning services
`on a
`telephony network.
`A data entry device interfaces
`with a telephony database through graphical user interfaces
`generated with a screen interpreter located on the service
`management access point. The screen interpreter interacts
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`
`with a service screen definition located in the service
`definition package on the service management system to
`create service view screens that map telephony data from a
`table-based schema to a user-friendly service view. A data
`entry user can customize a service by building a service
`profile having predetermined service features, or by
`building a service script with service features from the
`service definition package or the service profile.
`The
`user can input service specific subscription data to enable
`service features. The service management access point can
`filter telephony data to restrict viewing, or to restrict
`changes
`to viewed data.
`The user can provision
`a
`customized service, including a new service or changes to
`an existing service, through the service management access
`point's interaction with the service management system.
`Also in accordance with the present invention, an
`interface is provided for controlling access to a telephony
`database
`that
`substantially
`eliminates
`or
`reduces
`disadvantages and problems associated with previously
`developed
`telephony database
`interfaces.
`A service
`creation environment allows engineering of graphical user
`interface through a service screen definition included in
`a
`service definition package
`that
`is deployed
`to
`a
`telephony network.
`A screen builder builds the service
`screen definition according to directions from a schema
`query, which identifies telephony data for supporting a
`telephony service according to a predefined
`telephony
`database schema. A logic analyzer creates executable code
`to support interaction between a screen interpreter and the
`telephony database according to the schema query and the
`predefined schema, and cooperates with the schema query and
`screen builder to insert the executable code into the
`service screen definition. The service screen definition
`can be deployed to a service management system to cooperate
`with a screen interpreter for supporting interaction with
`a service on a network.
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`
`invention allows
`the present
`specifically,
`More
`creation of a service in a service creation environment by
`a service designer.
`The service creation environment
`passes a service definition package to a service management
`system.
`The service definition package can include a
`service management program for administering the service,
`a
`service
`logic program for executing the service,
`a
`description of the GUI screens used to provision the
`service, a database schema to support the service,
`the
`service global rules, parameters, and variables, a profile
`containing the constraints for the service, and the service
`feature descriptions.
`The elements of
`the service
`arranged as system building
`definition package can be
`to customize, provision and
`blocks which can interact
`restrict service offerings.
`a master
`system acts as
`The service management
`database
`for
`intelligent network elements which can
`interact with network
`infrastructure.
`The
`service
`management system accepts the service definition package
`from
`the service creation environment and coordinates
`provisioning of the service to the network elements. The
`service management system provides access to telephony
`databases for service providers, service operators, and
`service subscribers.
`In one embodiment,
`the service
`management
`system
`allows
`service
`engineering after
`deployment of the service definition package to create a
`secondary service definition package comprised of elements
`of the deployed service definition package.
`The service
`management system accepts, validates and stores data input
`by the service operator, provider or subscriber and then
`provisions the data to network elements, such as a service
`control point, for implementation of the service by the
`network. The service management system can also track and
`log errors generated by data or otherwise.
`A service management access point can interface with
`the service management
`system and plural data
`input
`devices, thus acting as a server to enhance interaction of
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`service operators, providers and subscribers with the
`service management system. A display manager has a service
`profile manager
`for managing user access
`to service
`features with
`the service definition
`interface
`that
`coordinates with the service screen definition for building
`a service script, and a screen interpreter cooperating with
`service screen definitions to interpret service screen
`definitions
`for
`supporting graphical user
`interface
`displays for telephony data transactions.
`The service
`management access point can provide a world wide web or
`native screen interpreter to collect data from compatible
`data entry devices for creating, modifying and deleting
`service providers, provisioning services, mediating data
`access according to a user's service rule and generating
`and provisioning specific scripts for subscribers to detail
`service features that are commissioned by that subscriber.
`The service management system can support
`the screen
`interpreter's production of graphical user interfaces with
`a security subsystem for monitoring telephony data access
`according to a user's access level; a traffic metering and
`metrics subsystem and a statistics and reporting subsystem
`for monitoring and reporting access activity through the
`service management access point; a database subsystem for
`supporting telephony database transactions; and a system
`building block subsystem for contributing generic functions
`to service management access point subsystems.
`The service creation environment allows a service
`designer to input a schema query which identifies data from
`a predefined database schema,
`the data corresponding to
`data needed to create and execute a service. The schema
`query interacts with a screen builder to direct the screen
`builder to assemble a screen display having a desired
`arrangement of data for display on an interface. A logic
`analyzer generates and combines executable code with the
`output of the screen builder to create a service screen
`definition.
`The logic analyzer creates executable code
`based on the schema query so that the service screen
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`8
`
`definition supports a screen interpreter to interact with
`the service management system and the telephony database
`after the service screen definition is deployed with the
`service definition package.
`The present invention provides important technical
`advantages by allowing flexible service programming to take
`advantage of network element capabilities through efficient
`logic--driven provisioning of data to optimize telephony
`resources and speed.
`Another important technical advantage of the present
`invention is allowing customization of a service by a
`service operator, service provider, or service subscriber
`through a user-friendly interface. The customization can
`be accomplished without
`the generation of additional
`software code since the service operator, provider, or user
`can customize a service by enabling particular arrangements
`of system building blocks located on the service management
`system or associated with the service management access
`point.
`Another important technical advantage of the present
`invention
`relates
`to
`the
`speed
`and
`simplicity of
`provisioning a service on a network. A service operator
`can create service profiles with predetermined features
`selected from a service definition package, and can resell
`the features to a service provider. The service provider
`can assign profiles
`to
`subscribers.
`The
`service
`subscribers can develop a service script and provision
`subscription data without having to rely on technical
`assistance.
`In this way, a service subscriber can initiate
`and operate a service in a
`timely manner, and a service
`operator and provider can collect revenues on the service
`as soon as the subscriber initiates the service. Further,
`a subscriber can add, change or delete a service through a
`direct interface with the service management access point
`by, for instance, using a world wide web interface.
`Another important technical advantage of the present
`invention is that access to the telephony database can be
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`restricted based upon a user's predefined access level.
`For
`instance,
`the service management access point may
`accept user identity data indicating an access level to
`allow a service operator to change features associated with
`a service; allow a service provider to restrict available
`features for particular service subscribers only; or allow
`service subscribers to select particular features without
`allowing access to other services.
`A further technical advantage of the present invention
`is that it can present a service view, as opposed to the
`table view associated with the telephony databases.
`The
`service view can include data spanning more than one table
`of a telephony database. The service view can prevent data
`operators from accessing and viewing certain sensitive data
`such as credit data. Alternatively, the service view can
`allow viewing of telephony data but prevent changes to the
`data for predetermined access levels.
`A further technical advantage of the present invention
`is the creation of a user-friendly service view that
`reformats data and labels to allow easy access by data
`input operators without specific training in telephony.
`For instance, a
`telephony database can be presented in a
`service view with instructions to eliminate confusion and
`to present selected data from a variety of tables.
`Another advantage of the present invention is that a
`single program in the service creation environment can
`generate
`a
`large
`number of operator
`screens with
`independent service screen definitions. The inclusion of
`executable code in the service screen definition increases
`the flexibility of the service creation environment for
`creating graphical user interfaces for use by service
`providers, operators and subscribers interacting with the
`service management system.
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`10
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`A more complete understanding of the present invention
`and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the
`following description
`taken
`in conjunction with
`the
`accompanying drawings
`in which
`like reference numbers
`indicate like features and wherein:
`FIGURE 1 depicts a schematic diagram of the present
`invention incorporated in an intelligent network;
`FIGURE 2 depicts four primary roles related to the
`delivery of a service on a network according to the present
`invention;
`FIGURE 3 depicts a schematic block diagram of service
`creation environment components for defining a service;
`FIGURE 4 depicts screens that implement the creation
`of a service screen definition;
`FIGUREs 5, SA and SB depict the functional steps
`performed by the present invention to present a service
`view of filtered telephony data;
`FIGURE 6 depicts a schematic block diagram of one
`embodiment of a service management access point interfacing
`with
`a
`telephony database associated with a
`service
`management system;
`FIGURE 7 depicts a schematic block diagram of one
`embodiment of the service management access point;
`FIGUREs 8A and 8B depict Web browser screens for
`creating and provisioning a
`service script
`through a
`service management access point;
`FIGURE 8C depicts a Web browser screen for supplying
`subscription data
`through a
`service management access
`point;
`flow diagram for the service
`FIGURE 9 depicts a
`management system
`to communicate
`telephony data
`to a
`telephony network;
`flow diagram for the service
`FIGURE 10 depicts a
`management system for activating a service; and
`FIGURE 11 depicts a
`flow diagram for the service
`management system for processing a service.
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`11
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`Preferred embodiments of the present invention are
`illustrated in the figures, like numerals being used to
`refer to like and corresponding parts of
`the various
`drawings.
`
`Intelligent Network Services
`I.
`Advanced intelligent network telephony systems, such
`as the AINFusion system sold by DSC Communications, have
`enhanced and simplified the services available to telephony
`customers.
`Intelligent network systems use intelligent
`network elements distributed across the intelligent network
`to create, provision and operate services in an efficient
`and timely manner.
`A. Network Elements
`Referring now to FIGURE 1, a schematic diagram of an
`intelligent network 10 having network elements to perform
`flexible service management provides an overview of the
`operation of the present
`invention within a
`telephony
`network.
`A service management
`system 12 having an
`associated data storage device 14 acts as
`the master
`database for
`the network elements of
`the
`intelligent
`network 10 and coordinates provisioning of services to the
`network elements. Service management system 12 can be any
`processor with interfaces and associated peripherals to
`support communication along intelligent network 10.
`For
`instance, service management system 12 can be a SPARC
`workstation produced by Sun and adapted to operate with
`common object request broker architecture ( 11 CORBA").
`Service management
`system 12
`interfaces
`through
`intelligent network 10 with one or more service control
`points 16. Each service control point 16 has an associated
`data storage device 18 for storing intelligent network
`telephony data to operate predetermined services. Service
`control point 16 can also be a Sun SPARC workstation having
`interfaces and adequate processing capabilities to manage
`a predetermined level of network activity.
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`12
`
`through
`interfaces
`Each service control point 16
`intelligent network 10 with one or more signal transfer
`points 20. Each signal transfer point 20 interfaces with
`one or more switches 22, which in turn interface with one
`or more telephony devices such as telephones 24. When a
`telephone 24 directs a communication, such as a telephone
`call directed at a particular telephone number, switch 22
`can either direct the
`telephone call to an associated
`telephony device or can direct the telephone call to a
`signal transfer point 20 where the telephone call can in
`turn be directed to another signal transfer point,
`a
`switch, or a telephony device. Signal transfer point 20
`communicates with service control point 16 when necessary
`to obtain instructions for directing a call due to, for
`instance, the call's initiation of a service.
`B.
`Service Operations
`One example of the elements of intelligent network 10
`cooperating to provide a service to a customer can be
`illustrated by describing the steps involved in directing
`a toll free 800 telephone call. A consumer inputs the 800
`phone number into a
`telephone 24, which directs the 800
`number to switch 22. Switch 22 provides the 800 number to
`signal transfer point 20, which in turn passes the 800
`number to service control point 16. Service control point
`16 searches data storage device 18
`to determine
`the
`identity of the telephony device 24 to which the telephone
`call should be directed. The identity of the end point of
`the telephone call can vary dependent upon a number of
`predetermined conditions, including the time of day, the
`origin of the call, the quantity of calls directed to the
`end point of the telephone call, and any of a number of
`other factors. Once the actual end point of the 800 call
`has been determined, the service control point 16 provides
`the end point of the call to signal transfer point 20 which
`communicates through switch 22 to operationally direct the
`call to the end point.
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`system 12 generally does not
`Service management
`the operational aspects of a
`actively participate in
`service, but rather operates as a central source of the
`data needed by service control point 16 to perform the
`service. Data is downloaded to the service control point,
`which has an operational database
`to enable service
`features
`according
`to
`subscription data.
`Service
`management system 12 thus acts as a master database for
`providing data to service control point 16, and includes a
`service management program
`to manage provisioning of
`services, including management of telephony data to support
`the service, to service control point 16.
`II. Service Roles
`Referring to FIGURE 2, four primary roles associated
`with implementation of a service according to the present
`invention are depicted.
`A. Network Operator Role
`In the first role, the network operator of intelligent
`network 10 defines the service on the service creation
`environment in the form of a service definition package
`having service logic, service features and global service
`rules. The network operator can electronically deploy the
`service definition package to the service management system
`12 for use by any number of service operators.
`B. Service Operator Role
`In the next role, one or more service operators can
`create new service definition packages
`from
`the first
`service definition package defined by the network operator,
`or can create service profiles from the service features in
`the first or succeeding service definition packages. For
`instance, the service operator can enable features for an
`800 number such as origin dependent routing, time dependent
`routing, and call forwarding.
`The service operator can provide separate service
`profiles for a number of service providers, and can store
`and maintain the service profiles in a service provider
`database associated with the service management system.
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`For instance, if a service provider commissions only origin
`dependent routing and time dependent routing, the service
`operator would allow that service provider to access a
`predetermined service provider database, for instance by
`using the service management access point, with only those
`service
`features enabled.
`Advantageously,
`a
`service
`operator can update service provider databases as new
`technology is developed and sold, and parse out service
`features by creating and supplying service providers with
`access
`to plural service definition packages.
`Under
`present service architectures, network operators frequently
`perform functions described herein under the role of the
`service operator.
`C. Service Provider
`In the third role, a service provider can select
`service feature definitions fr