(12) United States Patent
`Burger et al.
`
`I IIIII IIIIIIII Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111
`US006353660Bl
`US 6,353,660 Bl
`Mar.5,2002
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) VOICE CALL PROCESSING METHODS
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Eric William Burger, McLean, VA
`(US); John Kimball, Gaithersburg, MD
`(US)
`
`8x8, Inc. (Feb. 15, 2000), "IP Telephony: Audacity-T2 IP
`Phone Processor," 1-3. Available Web Site: www/8x8.com/
`iptelephony /audacityT2.html.
`
`(73) Assignee: SS8 Networks, Inc., San Jose, CA (US)
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/517,304
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 2, 2000
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.7 ............................................... H04M 3/436
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................ 379/88.17; 379/90.01;
`379/201.11; 370/352
`
`(58) Field of Search ............................. 379/67.1, 88.17,
`379/88.22, 88.25, 90.01, 93.01, 93.24, 201.01,
`201.11, 210.03, 211.01, 211.02, 212.01,
`214.01; 370/912, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356;
`709/227
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
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`
`............... 370/352
`
`Primary Examiner-Scott L. Weaver
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Pennie & Edmonds LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A call screening method allows a subscriber to screen calls
`made to the subscriber from callers using the PSTN while
`the subscriber uses another communications medium. An
`enhanced services platform (ESP) receives a first call from
`a caller using a particular public telephone number for the
`particular subscriber. The ESP identifies the particular public
`telephone number for the particular subscriber. The ESP
`accesses a database storing a public telephone number and
`a private packet-based address for subscribers to retrieve a
`private packet-based address of the particular subscriber on
`the basis of the particular public telephone number. An
`introductory message is provided to the caller and prompts
`the caller to leave a message. The ESP accesses the particu(cid:173)
`lar subscriber based on the particular subscriber private
`packet-based address to establish an audio connection via
`the communication medium. The subscriber is notified of the
`first call. If the subscriber answers the call, a communication
`path is provided between the caller and the subscriber via the
`communication medium so that the subscriber may hear the
`caller leave the message but the caller does not hear or know
`that the particular subscriber is listening. The ESP connects
`the caller and the subscriber for two-way communication
`upon the authorization of the subscriber. In another
`embodiment, both the caller and the subscriber use a packet(cid:173)
`based network. In another aspect of the invention, the ESP
`records the caller's voice in response to the prompt, and
`plays the recording to the subscriber if the subscriber
`answers the call. In yet another aspect of the invention, the
`ESP provides a method for anonymously connecting an
`accesser to a subscriber using a packet-based network.
`
`64 Claims, 16 Drawing Sheets
`
`RetneveaprivateURLoithepart,cularsubscnberon\hebas,softhepartlcular
`publ1ctelephonenumber
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2050 - 1
`U.S. Patent No. 6,353,660
`IPR2016-01262
`
`

`

`US 6,353,660 Bl
`Page 2
`
`OIBER PUBLICATIONS
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`1-2. Available Web Site: www/siemens.de/ic/db4web_c/
`productdb/user/list/.d4w?Nr=375.
`Siemens AG (1999), "IP Communication HiNet: HiNet LP
`5100 IP Telephone," 4 pgs.
`AT&T Chat 'N Talk: Home Page, "AT&T Inter@ctive
`Communications Trial, " l page, Last modified on Dec. 1,
`1998.
`AT&T Chat 'N Talk: What Is It?, "AT&T Inter@ctive
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`on Dec. 1, 1998.
`AT&T Chat 'N Talk: Pricing, "AT&T Inter@ctive Commu(cid:173)
`nictions Trial: What Does It Cost?," 1 page, Last modified
`on Oct. 29, 1998.
`AT&T Chat 'N Talk: What Do I Need?, "AT&T Inter@ctive
`Communictions Trial: What Do! Need?," 1-2, Last modi(cid:173)
`fied on Dec. 1, 1998.
`AT&T Chat 'N Talk: How Do I Use It?, "AT&T Inter@ctive
`Communictions Trial: How Do I Use It?, " 1-2, Last
`modified on Dec. 1, 1998.
`AT&T Chat 'Talk: Help Overview?, "AT&T Inter@ctive
`Communictions Trial: Help, " l page, Last modified on Jul.
`7, 1998.
`AT&T Chat 'N Talk: FAQs?, "AT&T Inter@ctive Commu(cid:173)
`nictions Trial: Frequently Asked Questions?," 1-3, Last
`modified on Dec. 1, 1998.
`AT&T Chat 'N Talk: Cool Sites, "AT&T Inter@ctive Com(cid:173)
`munictions Trial: Cool Sites," 1-3, Last modified on Jun. 5,
`1998.
`Vocal Telephony Gateway-Intro, "The VocalTec Telephony
`Gateway." 1-1, Accessed on Dec. 17, 1998.
`Vocal Telephony Gateway-What Is The Vaca ... , "What
`is it?" 1-2, Accessed on Dec. 17, 1998.
`Vocal Telephony Gateway-Series, "30/120/480 Series."
`1-2, Accessed on Dec. 17, 1998.
`Vocal Telephony Gateway-Applications, "Solutions and
`Applications." 1-2, Accessed on Dec. 17, 1998.
`Vocal Telephony Gateway-Requirements, "Hardware
`Requirements," Accessed on Dec. 17, 1998.
`The Electric Magic Company: Home Page, Accessed on
`Dec. 17, 1998, 1-2.
`Cisco Systems, Inc., "Cisco AS5300 Voice Gateway," 1-7,
`Posted Jul. 1, 1998.
`Cisco Systems, Inc., "The VolP Multiservice ATM Architec(cid:173)
`ture," 1-6, Posted Apr. 27, 1998.
`Cisco Systems, Inc., "AS5300 Series Access Servers," 1-2,
`Accessed on Oct. 25, 1998.
`Dialogic-Standards, "IP Standards," 1-4, Accessed on
`Oct. 25, 1998.
`
`Wincroft Inc. (1998), "Internet Telephony Software Product
`Range fro ... : Products," l page, Accessed on Dec. 17,
`1998.
`Advanstar Communications (Jun. 15, 1998), "America's
`Network: Real-world VOIP," 1-5, Accessed on Oct. 25,
`1998.
`Advanstar Communications (Jun. 15, 1998), "America's
`Network: Real-world VOIP; Figure I-Deep Fiber Solu(cid:173)
`tions," 1 page, Accessed on Oct. 25, 1998.
`Advanstar Communications (Jun. 15, 1998), "America's
`Network: Real-world VOIP; Figure 2--Deep Fiber Solu(cid:173)
`tions," 1 page, Accessed on Oct. 25, 1998.
`Cisco Systems, Inc. (1992), "CiscoAS5200/AS5300 Family
`Universal Access S ... : Cisco AS5200/AS5300 Family
`Universal Access Servers," 1-10, Accessed on Oct. 25,
`1998.
`Cisco Systems, Inc. (1998), "Voice/Fax Feature Card for the
`Cisco AS5300," 1-10, Accessed on Oct. 25, 1998.
`Mecklermedia Corporation (1998), "H.323---PC Webopae(cid:173)
`dia Definition and Links: Still looking for a new job?," 1-2,
`Accessed on Nov. 2, 1998.
`pulver.com, Inc. (1998), "The Pulver Points: Pulver
`Points(™) on the Internet Telephony Industry," (Sep. 1,
`1998-Version 1.21), 1-2, Accessed on Nov. 2, 1998.
`DataBeam Corporation, "A Primer on the H.323 Series
`Standard: A Primer on the H.323 Series Standard," Version
`2.0, 1-20, Accessed on Nov. 2, 1998.
`DataBeam Corporation, Available Web Site:http://gw.
`databeam.com/h323/images/figl_large ... 1-1, Accessed
`on Nov. 2, 1998.
`DataBeam Corporation, Available Web Site: http://gw.
`databeam.com/h323/images/fig2_large ... 1-1, Accessed
`on Nov. 2, 1998.
`DataBeam Corporation, Available Web Site: http://gw.
`databeam.com/h323/images/fig3_large ... 1-1, Accessed
`on Nov. 2, 1998.
`DataBeam Corporation, Available Web Site: http://gw.
`databeam.com/h323/images/fig4_large ... 1-1, Accessed
`on Nov. 2, 1998.
`DataBeam Corporation, Available Web Site: http://gw.
`databeam.com/h323/images/fig5_large ... 1-1, Accessed
`on Nov. 2, 1998.
`DataBeam Corporation, Available Web Site: http://gw.
`databeam.com/h323/images/fig6_large ... 1-1, Accessed
`on Nov. 2, 1998.
`DataBeam Corporation, H.323 Product Information, "H.323
`Version 2---0verview," 1-6, Accessed on Nov. 2, 1998.
`Inside IMTC, "H.323 ITU Standards," 1-3, Accessed on
`Nov. 2, 1998.
`* cited by examiner
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2050 - 2
`U.S. Patent No. 6,353,660
`IPR2016-01262
`
`

`

`20
`~
`
`60
`I
`
`64
`
`TOMA/
`Circuit
`Switched
`Interface
`66
`
`62
`
`Enhanced
`Services
`Platform
`Processing
`Unit
`70
`
`Packet r I
`
`Interface
`
`26
`
`~28
`
`~30
`
`y---.t
`
`,..22 32
`'
`\L
`
`72
`
`Circuit Switched
`Network
`
`34
`
`48
`
`no
`
`,44
`
`[_ 74
`
`(
`
`Packet Switched
`Network
`
`)
`
`I
`
`42
`
`46
`
`I
`
`I
`
`FIG. 1
`
`d •
`r:JJ.
`•
`~
`~ .....
`= .....
`
`~
`
`~
`~
`:;
`~Ul
`N
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`C
`N
`
`~
`
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`~ ....
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`O'I
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`e
`rJ'J.
`O'I
`~
`(It
`~
`O'I
`O'I
`Q
`~
`i,-
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2050 - 3
`U.S. Patent No. 6,353,660
`IPR2016-01262
`
`

`

`142
`
`.144
`
`148
`
`24
`
`Packet-based
`Network
`
`r-----------
`
`1
`
`104
`
`-,
`
`I
`
`80~
`
`.154
`
`I !Web Browser
`
`'Packet
`Phone
`
`11
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`11 114130
`
`ICPU
`
`II
`II
`11
`II
`II
`, ,,----------~
`11
`1 ' - - - - - -
`
`1
`L..
`
`Subscriber
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`11
`11
`11
`11
`11
`11
`11
`11 86
`I~
`11
`11
`11
`-• 1
`I
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`I
`I
`82\:
`
`r=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-----
`1,80 - 186
`184 I
`I
`
`Web Browser
`
`162
`-=. -=. -=. -=. -=. -=. -=. ..j-=. -=. ,- I
`192
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`190
`
`~-178
`,.
`
`Caller
`
`170
`
`FIG. 2
`
`I
`1
`
`I
`1
`
`PC based Caller
`
`tJI/L
`I
`-------------=========================-'
`
`d •
`r:JJ.
`•
`~
`~ .....
`~ = .....
`
`~
`~ :;
`Ul
`N
`C
`C
`N
`
`~
`
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`
`~
`N
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`"'"" O'I
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`e
`
`rJ'J.
`O'I
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`
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`
`Q
`~
`""'"
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2050 - 4
`U.S. Patent No. 6,353,660
`IPR2016-01262
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.5,2002
`
`Sheet 3 of 16
`
`US 6,353,660 Bl
`
`URL
`~
`
`protocol://hostname:port/path _ to _resource
`
`FIG. 3A
`
`protocol://username:password@hostname:port/path_to_resource
`
`FIG. 3B
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2050 - 5
`U.S. Patent No. 6,353,660
`IPR2016-01262
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.5,2002
`
`Sheet 4 of 16
`
`US 6,353,660 Bl
`
`Receive a voice call, from a PSTN caller to a particular subscriber, at a
`public telephone number.
`
`202
`
`Identify the particular public telephone number.
`~~~~~~~~~~~...L-.~~~~~~~~~~~ 206
`ccess a database storing a table associating public telephone
`number to private packet-network address.
`
`04
`
`Retrieve a private URL of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular
`public telephone number.
`
`Provide an introductory message to prompt the caller to leave a message.
`
`210
`
`ccess, by the ESP, the particular subscriber based on the particular subscriber
`private URL to establish an audio connection via the communication medium.
`
`Notify the particular subscriber of the call. 214
`
`216
`
`Provide a one-way audio path between the caller and the particular subscriber so
`hat the subscriber may hear the caller leave the message but the caller does not
`hear or know the subscriber is listening.
`
`Connect the caller and subscriber for two way
`communication upon subscriber authorization.
`
`218
`
`220
`
`If the subscriber cannot be accessed via the packet network, the ESP
`retrieves the subscriber's private telephone number from the database, and
`calls the subscriber at the private telephone number,
`
`If the subscriber answers the call, the ESP provides a one-way voice path so the
`subscriber can hear the caller.
`
`Upon subscriber authorization, the ESP connects the caller and subscriber for 2-
`ay communication.
`
`If the subscriber cannot be reached,
`record the message from the caller.
`
`222
`
`FIG. 4
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2050 - 6
`U.S. Patent No. 6,353,660
`IPR2016-01262
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.5,2002
`
`Sheet 5 of 16
`
`US 6,353,660 Bl
`
`Enhanced Services Platform
`60~
`
`62 '\
`
`Processor
`
`T1
`\
`
`ITDMA 1/F
`
`-64
`I MVIP or SC-bus
`or HMVIP bus -
`~272
`!Packet 1/F I
`I
`\68
`
`J
`et
`hernet
`
`256'\/
`"---
`
`_,./
`
`System bus
`252
`{
`
`Memory
`r270
`
`27 4 Operating System
`276 Web Server Procedure
`278 IP Address
`280 ESP Procedures
`284 Place call over packet network
`procedure
`286 Place call over PSTN procedure
`288 Receive call from packet network
`procedure
`290 Receive call from PSTN procedure
`292 Call Screening procedure
`294 Call Management procedure
`296 Connect calls 1-way procedure
`298 Connect calls 2-way procedure
`300 Record call procedure
`302 Forward call procedure
`304 Send call to voice mail procedure
`306 Voice Call Screening procedure
`308 Anonymous calling procedure
`282 ESP database
`
`FIG. 5
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2050 - 7
`U.S. Patent No. 6,353,660
`IPR2016-01262
`
`

`

`320
`~
`
`322
`
`330
`326
`328
`324
`Subscriber's public Subscriber's public Subscriber's private Subscriber's private Privacy Hours
`telephone number packet address
`packet address
`elephone #
`Call Forwarding
`Packet Addresses N Telephone
`Call Forwarding
`IP Address
`Telephone#
`to block
`numbers to block
`
`332
`Voice Mail Address
`
`N
`
`Business Hours
`
`334
`
`336
`
`342
`
`344
`
`346
`
`340
`338
`ESP Database
`
`FIG. 6
`
`d •
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`~ = .....
`
`~
`~ :;
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`N
`C
`C
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`
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`~ ....
`0 ....,
`"'"" O'I
`
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`O'I
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`~
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`i,-
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2050 - 8
`U.S. Patent No. 6,353,660
`IPR2016-01262
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.5,2002
`
`Sheet 7 of 16
`
`US 6,353,660 Bl
`
`360
`
`362
`
`364
`
`400
`
`402
`
`404
`406
`
`410
`
`414
`
`416
`418
`419
`
`PACKET PHONE
`
`You have a call from CALLER NAME at CALLER TELEPHONE#
`
`You have a call from CALLER NAME at PACKET PHONE ADDRESS#
`
`366
`r
`~ake Call I
`
`368
`r
`!send to Voice Mail I
`
`370
`r
`!Reject Call I
`
`r72
`!Screen Call
`
`374
`
`Forward
`Call
`
`376
`~1u-s-ER_D_E_s1_G_N_A-TE-D-PH_O_N_E_#~r
`
`.-------------;378
`!set Call Management Features V
`
`FIG. 7
`
`SUBSCRIBER CALL MANAGEMENT SCREEN
`
`Set Privacy Hours: - - - ·
`
`to
`
`- - - - -
`
`Set private telephone #: __ _
`
`Set packet address to block: __ _
`
`Set telephone # to block:
`
`. - - - - - - - - -~ 408
`!Block with Notification I'
`.-----------,y412
`jBlock with Notification
`
`Set default call forwarding telephone #: ____ _
`
`Set default call forwarding packet address: ____ _
`
`Set voice mail address address: - - - - -
`Set Business Hours:
`to
`- - - - -
`420
`Cancel V422
`~A~p--,-ply___,V
`
`FIG. 8
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2050 - 9
`U.S. Patent No. 6,353,660
`IPR2016-01262
`
`

`

`404
`406
`lset Telephone# to block I lset packet address to block I
`
`408,412
`!Block with Notification I
`
`419
`1Set business hours I
`
`4(14
`1Set Call Forwarding # I
`
`402
`lset Privacy Hours I
`
`(
`
`(404
`lset private telephone # I
`
`(418
`1Set Voice Mail Address I
`
`(430
`
`UPDATE DATABASE
`
`FIG. 9
`
`d •
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`~ = .....
`
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`
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`
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`00
`0 ....,
`"'"" O'I
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`
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`
`Q
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`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2050 - 10
`U.S. Patent No. 6,353,660
`IPR2016-01262
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.5,2002
`
`Sheet 9 of 16
`
`US 6,353,660 Bl
`
`450
`r
`
`Retrieve call management information from the database based on the public
`telephone number.
`
`!
`
`.,..452
`If the subscriber has designated privacy hours and the call is within the privacy
`hours, the ESP records the call from the caller.
`
`l
`
`.,..454
`
`.,..456
`
`If the subscriber has designated business hours and the call is outside the
`business hours, the ESP records the call from the caller.
`
`l
`
`If the incoming call is from a telephone number or portion thereof, which is
`blocked,
`determine if the subscriber is notified based on the blocking notification field,
`if the blocking notification field is set, the ESP
`sends a message to the subscriber, and
`informs the caller that the call cannot be accepted.
`
`FIG. 10
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2050 - 11
`U.S. Patent No. 6,353,660
`IPR2016-01262
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.5,2002
`
`Sheet 10 of 16
`
`US 6,353,660 Bl
`
`502
`Receive a voice call, from a packet phone caller to a particular subscriber, at a
`public packet network address over the packet network interface.
`
`Identify the particular public packet network address.
`
`504
`
`ccess a database storing a table associating public packet
`network addresses to private packet-network address.
`
`508
`Retrieve a private packet network address of the particular subscriber
`on the basis of the particular public packet network address.
`
`Provide an introductory message to prompt the caller to leave a message.
`
`ccess the particular subscriber via the packet network, based on the
`particular subscriber private packet address to establish an audio
`connection via the packet network.
`
`Notify the particular subscriber of the call.
`
`514
`
`10
`
`12
`
`516
`
`Provide a one-way audio path between the caller and the particular subscriber so that
`he subscriber may hear the caller leave the message but the caller does not hear or
`know the subscriber is listening, if the particular subscriber accepts the call.
`
`Connect the caller and subscriber for two way
`communication upon subscriber authorization.
`
`520
`
`If the subscriber cannot be accessed via the packet network, the ESP
`retrieves the subscriber's private telephone number from the database, and
`calls the subscriber at the private telephone number.
`
`If the subscriber answers the call, the ESP provides a one-way voice path so the
`subscriber can hear the caller.
`
`Upon subscriber authorization, the ESP connects the caller and subscriber for 2-
`ay communication.
`
`the subscriber cannot be reached, record the message ram t e ca er.
`
`522
`
`FIG. 11
`
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.5,2002
`
`Sheet 11 of 16
`
`US 6,353,660 Bl
`
`Retrieve call management information from the database based on the public
`packet network address.
`
`,552
`If the subscriber has designated privacy hours and the call is within the privacy
`I
`hours, the ESP records the call from the caller.
`
`550
`
`(
`
`If the subscriber has designated business hours and the call is outside the
`business hours, the ESP records the call from the caller.
`
`,556
`If the incoming call is from a packet network address or portion thereof, which is
`blocked,
`determine if the subscriber is notified based on the blocking notification field,
`if the blocking notification field is set, the ESP
`sends a message to the subscriber, and
`informs the caller that the call cannot be accepted.
`
`i
`
`FIG. 12
`
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`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2050 - 13
`U.S. Patent No. 6,353,660
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.5,2002
`
`Sheet 12 of 16
`
`US 6,353,660 Bl
`
`Receive a voice call, from a PSTN caller to a particular subscriber, at a
`public telephone number.
`
`202
`
`Identify the particular public telephone number.
`.--~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~--, 206
`ccess a database storing a table associating public telephone
`number to private packet-network address.
`
`04
`
`Retrieve a private URL of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular
`public telephone number.
`
`Provide an introductory message to prompt the caller to leave a message.
`
`Record the caller's message.
`
`560
`
`210
`
`212
`
`Access, by the ESP, the particular subscriber based on the particular subscriber
`private URL to establish an audio connection via the communication medium .
`
`.---~~~~~~~~~~~~~--, 214
`Notify the particular subscriber of the call.
`
`Provide a one-way audio path between the caller and the particular subscriber via
`he communication medium.
`
`564
`
`Play the caller's recorded message so that the particular subscriber may hear the
`caller's recorded message but the caller does not hear or know that the particular
`subscriber is listening to the recorded message.
`
`Connect the caller and subscriber for two way
`communication upon subscriber authorization.
`
`218
`
`220
`
`If the subscriber cannot be accessed via the packet network, the ESP
`retrieves the subscriber's private telephone number from the database, and
`calls the subscriber at the private telephone number,
`
`If the subscriber answers the call, the ESP provides a one-way voice path so the
`subscriber can hear the caller.
`
`Upon subscriber authorization, the ESP connects the caller and subscriber for 2-
`ay communication.
`
`t e subscriber cannot be reac e ,
`record the message from the caller.
`FIG. 13
`
`222
`
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.5,2002
`
`Sheet 13 of 16
`
`US 6,353,660 Bl
`
`Receive a voice call, from a packet phone caller to a particular subscriber, at a
`public packet network address over the packet network interface.
`
`Identify the particular public packet network address.
`
`504
`
`502
`
`ccess a database storing a table associating public packet
`network addresses to private packet-network address.
`
`508
`Retrieve a private packet network address of the particular subscriber
`on the basis of the particular public packet network address.
`
`Provide an introductory message to prompt the caller to leave a message.
`
`Record the caller's message.
`
`70
`
`510
`
`512
`
`ccess the particular subscriber via the packet network, based on the
`particular subscriber private packet address to establish an audio
`connection via the packet network.
`
`Notify the particular subscriber of the call.
`
`514
`
`572
`Provide a one-way audio path between the caller and the particular subscriber via
`he packet-based network.
`
`574
`Play the caller's recorded message so that the particular subscriber may hear the
`caller's recorded message but the caller does not hear or know that the particular
`subscriber is listening to the recorded message.
`
`Connect the caller and subscriber for two way
`communication upon subscriber authorization.
`
`520
`
`If the subscriber cannot be accessed via the packet network, the ESP
`retrieves the subscriber's private telephone number from the database, and
`calls the subscriber at the private telephone number.
`
`If the subscriber answers the call, the ESP provides a one-way voice path so the
`subscriber can hear the caller.
`
`Upon subscriber authorization, the ESP connects the caller and subscriber for 2-
`ay communication.
`
`I the subscriber cannot
`
`rom t e ca ler.
`
`522
`
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.5,2002
`
`Sheet 14 of 16
`
`US 6,353,660 Bl
`
`Publish a public URL for subscribers.
`
`584
`Receive a published public URL from an accesser having an accesser IP address.
`586
`ccess a database storing the public URLs and corresponding private subscriber
`IP addresses for a plurality of subscribers.
`
`588
`Match the received published URL with the private subscriber IP address of the
`particular subscriber.
`
`590
`
`Connect the accesser to the particular subscriber using the particular private
`subscriber IP address without informing the accesser of the private subscriber IP
`address of the particular subscriber, and without informing the particular
`subscriber of the accesser's IP address.
`
`592
`hen the particular subscriber cannot be accessed via the subscriber IP address,
`retrieve a private telephone number for the particular subscriber using the
`particular subscriber's public URL,
`place a call to the particular subscriber using the private telephone number;
`if the particular subscriber picks up the call, connect the accesser and the
`particular subscriber without informing the accesser of the private subscriber IP
`address and the private telephone number, and without informing the particular
`subscriber of the accesser's IP address.
`
`Store the accesser IP address in the database to log calls.
`
`Determine if call transferring instructions were programmed by the particular
`subscriber, and if so transfer the call.
`
`Record a message from the accesser when the particular subscriber is
`unavailable to receive a call.
`
`Prompt the accesser with instructions to enable the accesser to become a
`ubscriber.
`
`Enable the particular subscriber to review recorded messages.
`
`96
`
`98
`
`00
`
`02
`
`FIG. 15
`
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`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2050 - 16
`U.S. Patent No. 6,353,660
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.5,2002
`
`Sheet 15 of 16
`
`US 6,353,660 Bl
`
`r-606
`Receive a published public URL from an accesser having an accesser IP address.
`
`I
`
`r-608
`
`I Publish a public URL for subscribers. r 604
`i
`l
`
`Access a database storing the public URLs and private subscriber telephone
`numbers for a plurality of subscribers.
`
`,610
`I
`Match the received published URL with the private subscriber telephone number.
`
`l
`l
`l
`
`612
`I
`
`614
`r
`
`!Prompt the accesser to provide a telephone number.
`
`Connect the accesser to the particular subscriber using the particular private
`subscriber telephone number and the accesser telephone number without
`informing the accesser of the private telephone number of the particular
`subscriber, and without informing the particular subscriber of the accesser IP
`address and telephone number.
`
`FIG. 16
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2050 - 17
`U.S. Patent No. 6,353,660
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.5,2002
`
`Sheet 16 of 16
`
`US 6,353,660 Bl
`
`Subscriber PC or Caller PC
`94 or 162
`~
`
`122
`
`Memory
`114
`
`620 Operating System
`622 Web Browser
`624 Packet phone Procedures
`§2§ Receive packet call procedure
`628 ace packet call proce ure
`630 Subscriber Management
`procedure
`
`0
`
`112
`
`Processor
`
`108 M d o em
`
`152
`~Packet 1/F
`
`.....__ ____ ,
`
`116
`
`110
`
`118
`
`\
`
`FIG. 17
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2050 - 18
`U.S. Patent No. 6,353,660
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`
`

`

`US 6,353,660 Bl
`
`1
`VOICE CALL PROCESSING METHODS
`
`The present invention relates generally to voice call
`processing methods, and particularly to a method and appa(cid:173)
`ratus for voice call screening and anonymous calling using
`packet-based transport.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`15
`
`2
`nication medium so that the subscriber may hear the caller
`leave the message but the caller does not hear or know that
`the subscriber is listening. The ESP connects the caller and
`the subscriber for two-way communication upon the autho-
`rization of the subscriber.
`In one aspect of the invention the communication medium
`is a packet network. In a aspect of the invention, the packet
`network is an internet.
`In another aspect of the invention, if the subscriber does
`10 not answer the first call, the message is recorded for later
`playback to the subscriber.
`In yet another aspect of the invention, the database stores
`the public telephone number, the private packet-based
`address and a private telephone number for each subscriber.
`If the subscriber cannot be accessed via the communication
`medium, the private telephone number is retrieved on the
`basis of the public telephone number. A second call is placed
`to the particular subscriber using the particular private
`telephone number via the PSTN. If the particular subscriber
`picks up the second call, a communication path is provided
`20 between the caller and the subscriber so that the subscriber
`may hear the caller leave the message but the caller does not
`hear or know that the subscriber is listening.
`In another aspect of the invention, a call screening method
`allows a subscriber to screen calls, when both the subscriber
`25 and the caller use packet-based media to communicate.
`In an alternate embodiment, a call screening method
`records the caller's voice which is subsequently played to
`the subscriber so that the subscriber may authorize the call.
`Yet another aspect of the invention provides anonymous
`calling using a packet-based network. The ESP establishes a
`call connection between an accesser and a subscriber using
`the packet based network. The method allows the accesser to
`communicate with the subscriber without the accesser
`knowing the identity of the subscriber prior to establishing
`communication with the subscriber. In an alternate
`embodiment, the call connection between the accesser and
`the subscriber is made using the PSTN.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network including an
`enhanced services platform that embodies the call screening
`method of the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating communication paths
`between a particular caller to a particular subscriber in the
`network using the enhanced services platform of FIG. 1 in
`the following contexts: PSTN-to-internet, internet-to-PSTN
`and internet-to-internet.
`FIG. 3A illustrates a general format for a universal
`resource locator (URL).
`FIG. 3B illustrates another format for a universal resource
`locator that is used to specify a username, password and
`port.
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a mixed media call screening
`method from a caller to a subscriber, in which the caller calls
`the enhanced services platform using a public telephone
`number over the public switched telephone network, and the
`enhanced services platform connects the caller to the sub(cid:173)
`scriber using the subscriber's packet network address.
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the enhanced services
`platform showing the memory which stores procedures
`implementing the method of call screening of FIG. 4.
`FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary format for a record for the
`database of the enhanced services platform.
`FIG. 7 is a diagram of an exemplary graphical user
`interface for screening a call received from the internet via
`the enhanced services platform.
`
`The Internet is a wide area network that connects thou(cid:173)
`sands of disparate networks in industry, education,
`government, and research. In the internet, a collection of
`packet-switching networks are physically interconnected by
`gateways that use internet protocol (IP). The internet pro(cid:173)
`tocol is used to route data from its source to its destination.
`In particular, the Internet uses transport control protocol/
`internet protocol (TCP /IP) as the standard for transmitting
`information. In the TCP/IP protocol, a numbering system of
`internet addresses, called IP addresses, is used to specify a
`particular network or a particular host on that network with
`which to communicate.
`Traditionally, the Public Switched Telephone network
`(PSTN) provides voice communications services using cir(cid:173)
`cuit switching. Recently, the Internet and other packet-based
`networks have been used to provide voice services using
`packet switching and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
`Packet-based interfaces use network bandwidth more
`efficiently than circuit switched interfaces. Some long dis(cid:173)
`tance carriers already have an infrastructure that uses
`packet-based transport to provide voice services. However,
`even when a caller places a call to a packet-based long
`distance carrier, the call is switched through a circuit switch
`via the local exchange carrier to interface with the long
`distance carrier. The long distance carrier converts the
`circuit switched voice signals to packets for transport over
`the packet-based network and converts the packets back to
`analog voice signals for delivery to the called party's local
`exchange carrier.
`Call screening has long been provided in circuit switched
`networks such as the Public switched telephone network. 40
`However, because of the trend to packet-based systems that
`use VoIP protocol, there is a need for efficient call screening
`using packet-based systems.
`Anonymous calling has also been provided in circuit
`switched networks. Because of the trend to packet-based 45
`systems that use VoIP protocol, there is also a need for
`efficient anonymous calling using packet-based systems.
`
`30
`
`35
`
`50
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`A call screening method allows a subscriber to screen
`calls made to the subscriber from callers using the PSTN
`while the subscriber uses another communications medium.
`An enhanced services platform (ESP) receives a first call
`from a caller using a particular public telephone number for
`the particular subscriber. The ESP identifies the particular 55
`public telephone number for the parti