`TELEPHONE FEATURES
`
`PATENT
`TLM-103C1CON4
`
`5
`
`[0001]
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
`This application is a continuation of U.S.
`
`application Ser. No. 11/948,965, filed Nov. 30, 2007,
`entitled "Branch Calling and Caller ID Based Call Routing
`Telephone Features," which is a divisional of U.S.
`application Ser. No. 10/426,279, filed Apr. 30, 2003,
`entitled "Branch Calling and Caller ID Based Call Routing
`Telephone Features," now U.S. Patent No. 7,324,635, which is
`a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.
`09/565,565, filed May 4, 2000, entitled "Telephone Call
`Control System for the Public Switched Telephone Network,"
`now U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,328, The subject matter in the
`above-identified co-pending and commonly owned applications
`is incorporated herein by reference.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`[0002]
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates to telephone services and,
`
`in particular, to a system for allowing a subscriber to
`
`select features of the subscriber's telephone service and
`
`to various novel features that can be selected.
`
`25
`
`[0003]
`
`BACKGROUND
`People have used various means for limiting
`
`interruptions due to the telephone. In the past, people
`
`used switchboards and secretaries to screen incoming, or
`
`inbound, calls. Voice mail systems took over some of this
`
`30
`
`role both in the home and in the central office. Today,
`
`there are web-based companies managing 3rd-party call
`
`control, via the toll-switch network, which allow users to
`
`enter call control information through a web portal. There
`
`are also edge devices in each of the public telephone
`
`l
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2066 - 1
`Application No. 12/821,119
`IPR2016-01262
`
`
`
`PATENT
`TLM-103C1CON4
`
`company's central offices which provide local control, but
`
`offer an extremely limited number of features and do not
`
`provide true 3rd-party call control.
`
`[0004]
`
`The web-based toll systems provide good user
`
`5
`
`interaction but they are not economical and cannot take
`
`advantage of local number portability because they do not
`
`provide local control and connectivity.
`
`[0005]
`
`The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)
`
`consists of a plurality of edge switches connected to
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`10
`
`telephones on one side and to a network of tandem switches
`
`on the other. The tandem switch network allows connectivity
`
`between all of the edge switches, and a signaling system is
`
`used by the PSTN to allow calling and to transmit both
`
`calling and called party identity.
`[0006]
`
`Until now, optional features were provided by the
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`15
`
`local service telephone company (telco) through the edge
`
`switch at the central office (CO). It was not possible to
`
`provide optional features through any other means. Control
`
`of these features was done through the first party (calling
`
`20
`
`party) or the second party (called party), or worse yet,
`
`manually by calling the business office.
`
`[0007]
`
`In the past, numerous devices have been built
`
`that allow the connection of two lines together at an edge
`
`switch. These devices can be used to add features to a
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`25
`
`telephone network by receiving a call on one line and then
`
`dialing out on another line. The problem with these devices
`
`is that, because they are connected through an edge switch,
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`transmission losses and impairments occur, degrading the
`
`overall connection. In addition, signaling limitations
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`30
`
`prevent full control, by the subscriber or the system, over
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`the call.
`
`2
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2066 - 2
`Application No. 12/821,119
`IPR2016-01262
`
`
`
`PATENT
`TLM-103C1CON4
`
`[0008]
`
`A preferred embodiment of the inventive system
`
`described herein connects at the tandem, thereby
`
`eliminating these problems.
`
`[0009]
`
`In the edge devices residing in the PSTN central
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`5
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`offices, the 1st party (the calling party) has numerous
`
`features available (dialing options). The 2nd party (called
`
`party) also has options available such as call forwarding,
`
`but these features typically require access from the first
`
`or second party's device and are extremely awkward to
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`10
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`program. The user interaction is not only awkward, it is
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`limited and requires interaction with the telephone company
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`to provision them. In other words, past systems for
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`provisioning, meaning addition, modification, or control of
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`telephone features, required a subscriber to make the
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`15
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`feature selection through the telephone business office.
`
`Central office workers would then implement the
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`provisioning under request of the business office.
`
`[0010]
`
`Call Forwarding is one popular provision. There
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`is signification transmission degradation for Call
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`20
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`Forwarding to take place. The calling party pays for a call
`
`to the edge device, and the edge subscriber, the called
`
`party, pays for the call to the forwarding number. For
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`enhanced inbound call control to occur, a direct 3rd-party
`
`call control means is needed.
`
`25
`
`[0011]
`
`A variety of services have arisen to address the
`
`problems mentioned above. Many of these systems allow the
`
`called party to make changes to his/her call forwarding
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`attributes which do not allow direct 3rd-party call
`
`control. These services provide good user interaction, some
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`30
`
`via the internet, but they rely upon the toll network
`
`through the use of "800" numbers.
`
`3
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2066 - 3
`Application No. 12/821,119
`IPR2016-01262
`
`
`
`PATENT
`TLM-103C1CON4
`
`[0012]
`
`This requires the subscriber to pay by the minute
`
`and does not allow the subscriber to take advantage of
`
`number portability in order to obtain 3rd-party call
`
`control. There are other toll network mechanisms for remote
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`5
`
`call forwarding. For example, MCI offers a service where
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`the customer can remotely change the forwarding target
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`number for "800" numbers. Contacting the ultimate end-user
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`before terminating the first incoming call is similar to
`
`the manner in which "800" credit calls and collect calls
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`10
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`are processed, but these are not done at the local
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`subscriber level.
`
`[0013]
`
`In addition to these toll services, there are
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`edge devices that perform some of the same services. Edge
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`devices such as phones and PBXs that include voice mail,
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`15
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`inter-active voice response, call forwarding, speed
`
`calling, etc., have been used to provide additional call
`
`control. These devices allow the phone user direct control
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`over incoming and outgoing calls. The disadvantage of edge
`
`devices is that they add cost, degrade voice and
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`20
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`transmission quality, can be difficult to program, are not
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`easily programmed remotely, can require the user to pay for
`
`two lines, provide lower quality of service, and cannot
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`provide the same level of functionality as a system that
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`controls the PSTN directly. There are Voice Over Internet
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`25 Protocol (VoiP) products emerging that provide better user
`
`interfaces and control but they do not take advantage and
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`voice quality of the PSTN.
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`30
`
`[0014]
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`A system for allowing a subscriber to remotely
`
`control features is described herein along with various
`telephone features that may be programmed into the system. A
`
`4
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2066 - 4
`Application No. 12/821,119
`IPR2016-01262
`
`
`
`PATENT
`TLM-103C1CON4
`
`5
`
`subscriber may be any customer using the telephone service,
`in contrast to employees of the PSTN who may use special
`communication networks within the PSTN. Two such features
`are caller ID
`(CID) based call routing and branch calling.
`The system allows the subscriber to set up a feature where
`the CID signal is detected within the PSTN and automatically
`associated with stored information relating to the caller.
`The stored information may have been previously entered into
`a memory within the PSTN by the subscriber via the world
`10 wide web. The CID signal may be also used to route the call
`to one of more forwarding numbers or to take any other
`action, such as blocking the call. This feature also allows
`the subscriber to use the CID signal to display certain
`information even though the caller may have her CID blocked.
`[0015]
`Another feature described herein is referred to as
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`15
`
`20
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`25
`
`30
`
`branch calling, which allows a call to be forwarded to
`multiple telephones simultaneously, where the first
`telephone answered terminates the calling of the other
`telephones (or any other end units).
`[0016]
`The preferred system described herein adds direct
`
`control of third party call control features, but does not
`suffer from any of the disadvantages listed above, and
`allows the subscriber to manage his/her telephone system in
`a dynamic and exceptionally useful manner that is not
`currently available through the existing PSTN. The system
`allows enhanced direct third-party call control features,
`such as selective call routing and remote dialing, to be
`added to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) using
`local call control and providing dynamic provisioning of the
`system by the subscriber. Direct 3rd-party control means
`that the ability to provision the 3rd-party features is
`directly available to a subscriber, eliminating the need to
`go through the telephone company (telco) business office.
`[0017]
`In one embodiment, the system includes a processor
`
`35
`
`(referred to herein as a tandem access controller) connected
`
`5
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2066 - 5
`Application No. 12/821,119
`IPR2016-01262
`
`
`
`PATENT
`TLM-103C1CON4
`
`to the PSTN which would allow anyone to directly provision,
`that is to say set-up and make immediate changes to, the
`configuration of his or her phone line. In another
`embodiment, a tandem access controller (TAC) subsystem is
`connected internally to the PSTN in a local service area.
`The TAC provides features, selected by the subscriber, to
`all edge switches connected to the PSTN tandem switch.
`Connecting directly to the PSTN tandem switch (or embedding
`the system into the tandem switch) eliminates the signal
`degradation problems previously described.
`[0018]
`In one embodiment, the system allows provisioning
`
`of features via the internet under direct control of the
`subscriber. Recently, several products have been introduced
`that provide a means of controlling features via the public
`internet. However, all these devices fall short in that they
`require the subscriber to obtain an "800" number or some
`other number that requires the subscriber to pay a toll
`charge each time a call is made. The system connects
`locally, so no toll charges are incurred.
`[0019]
`The offered features are implemented by software
`
`programs run by the processing system.
`[0020]
`The web-enhanced services in one embodiment of the
`
`invention coexist with and overlay the local phone service
`at the local level, thereby providing good economics and
`user interaction, single number access to multiple
`subscriber devices, connectivity without transmission
`impairments and true, direct 3rd-party call control.
`[0021]
`The present system relies upon use of local
`
`telephone facilities thereby eliminating all the extra
`charges associated with making toll calls. It also allows
`the user to take advantage of number portability and keep
`his/her existing public phone number.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`[0022]
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG.
`l illustrates the tandem access controller
`
`6
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2066 - 6
`Application No. 12/821,119
`IPR2016-01262
`
`
`
`PATENT
`TLM-103C1CON4
`
`(TAC)
`
`in one embodiment of the present invention connected
`
`to the existing PSTN tandem switch, the TAC providing
`
`features for the subscriber's telephone as requested by the
`
`subscriber via the web.
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`5
`
`[0023]
`
`FIG. 2 illustrates a system similar to FIG.
`
`l but
`
`showing multiple tandem switches and TACs and also showing
`
`how the subscriber may, in additional to using the standard
`
`telephone, make phone calls using Voice Over IP via a
`
`conventional digital telephone.
`
`10
`
`[0024]
`
`FIG. 3 is a flowchart of one method that a person
`
`may use to set up a subscriber account and to designate
`
`features the subscriber would like for his/her telephone.
`
`[0025]
`
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method that can be
`
`performed by the TAC in response to the subscriber (or
`
`15
`
`other service) controlling the TAC, using the web (or other
`
`packet-based system), to change the subscriber's telephone
`
`provisioning or perform another function, such as make a
`
`VoIP call.
`
`[0026]
`
`FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method that can be
`
`20
`
`performed by the TAC in response to an inbound call to the
`
`subscriber.
`
`[0027]
`
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method performed by
`
`the subscriber and the TAC when the subscriber desires to
`
`make an outbound call via the web or using a conventional
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`25
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`telephone.
`
`[0028]
`
`FIG. 7 illustrates a system, using the TAC, that
`
`allows wireless cell phones to obtain the same provisioning
`
`options as the conventional telephones.
`
`[0029]
`
`FIG. 8 illustrates a system, using the TAC, that
`
`30
`
`allows fax and modem calls to benefit from the provisioning
`
`offered by the TAC.
`
`7
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2066 - 7
`Application No. 12/821,119
`IPR2016-01262
`
`
`
`PATENT
`TLM-103C1CON4
`
`[0030]
`
`FIG. 9 is a flowchart of possible scenarios using
`
`the caller ID based feature.
`
`[0031]
`
`FIG. 10 is a flowchart of possible scenarios
`
`using the branch calling feature.
`
`5
`
`[0032]
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`FIG.
`l shows a tandem access controller (TAC) 10
`
`that allows an authorized subscriber 12 to establish 3rd-
`
`party control criteria for calls to the subscriber's
`
`10
`
`telephone 14 (having a "public" phone number that callers
`
`dial). In one embodiment, the TAC 10 is a programmed
`
`processor. The TAC 10 may use any combination of hardware,
`
`firmware, or software and, in one embodiment, is a
`
`conventional computer programmed to carry out the functions
`
`15
`
`described herein.
`[0033]
`
`The TAC 10 is connected to or inside the
`
`conventional PSTN tandem switch 16 such that calls may flow
`
`through the TAC 10 in the same manner as the existing PSTN
`
`tandem switch, except that additional 3rd-party features are
`
`20
`
`applied to the call. As is well known, PSTN tandem switches
`
`are exchanges that direct telephone calls (or other traffic)
`
`to central offices 17,18 or to other tandem switches. Details
`
`of the operation of the existing phone network may be found
`
`in the publication entitled "New Net SS7 Tutorial," by ADC
`
`25 Telecommunications, copyright 1999, incorporated herein by
`
`reference. Additional details may be found in the numerous
`
`books describing the PSTN.
`
`[0034]
`
`The PSTN tandem switch 16 directs a first call
`
`(from the calling party 20 to the subscriber's phone 14 using
`
`30
`
`the subscriber's public phone number) to the TAC 10, which in
`
`turn places a second call, subject to 3rd-party control
`
`8
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2066 - 8
`Application No. 12/821,119
`IPR2016-01262
`
`
`
`PATENT
`TLM-103C1CON4
`
`information, to the subscriber's "private" phone number
`
`without yet terminating the first call. The TAC 10 is
`
`connected within the subscriber's local service area so calls
`
`from TAC 10 to the subscriber do not incur a toll. When the
`
`5
`
`subscriber 12 terminates (or answers) the second call, the
`
`TAC 10 terminates the first call and connects it to the
`
`second call, thereby connecting the calling party 20 to the
`
`subscriber 12. Hence, the calling party essentially calls the
`
`TAC 10, using the subscriber's public phone number, and the
`
`10
`
`TAC 10, after processing the call using the selected
`
`features, calls the subscriber, as appropriate, using the
`
`subscriber's private phone number and connects the two calls.
`
`The process is transparent to the parties.
`
`[0035]
`
`The TAC 10 is connected inside the PSTN in the
`
`15
`
`sense that it is not an edge device such as a PBX or central
`
`office (CO) switch because it does not connect directly to
`
`subscribers. Rather, it redirects calls to subscribers. The
`
`TAC 10 provides intelligent interconnection between a calling
`
`party and a subscriber.
`[0036]
`
`The reader should keep in mind that although only
`
`20
`
`one tandem switch 16 is shown in FIG. 1, the invention will
`
`apply equally well to a network of tandem switches, as shown
`
`in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 also illustrates how the subscriber can
`
`make calls using voice over IP via a conventional digital
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`25
`
`telephone 21.
`
`[0037]
`
`FIG.
`
`l illustrates the preferred method for an
`
`authorized subscriber to modify the 3rd-party control
`
`criteria by means of the world wide web 22 (and web server
`
`23) using an internet browser. By "authorized" we mean a
`
`30
`
`subscriber who is registered and has logged-in with
`
`appropriate security and password controls. The subscriber 12
`
`9
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2066 - 9
`Application No. 12/821,119
`IPR2016-01262
`
`
`
`PATENT
`TLM-103C1CON4
`
`interacts with the web 22 via the Internet to quickly and
`
`easily specify the enhanced 3rd-party call control features.
`
`Web 22 then relays this information, in appropriate form, to
`
`the TAC 10. Preferably, the link to the TAC 10 uses a secure
`
`5
`
`protocol. Examples of features that can be selected by the
`
`subscriber include: conditional call blocking, call
`
`forwarding, call altering, time of day conditions, day of
`
`week conditions, follow-me, caller recognition/password,
`
`caller ID, call screening/retrieval from voice mail, speed
`
`10 dialing, interactive voice response, and speech recognition.
`
`Any other feature could be added. These features can be
`
`implemented in the TAC 10 using known software techniques
`
`since such features are known. Message outgoing call control
`
`includes: click-to-dial calling and group calling/messaging.
`[0038]
`
`The invention may also include ivr/vm/voverip.
`
`15
`
`[0039]
`
`FIG.
`
`l uses a public internet portal connected via
`
`a data link to the TAC 10 or other interface system. As a
`
`registered subscriber, a user logs onto the portal (FIG. 3)
`
`and is granted access, allowing the user to make additions or
`
`20
`
`changes to features such as speed calling, call forwarding,
`
`selection of such descriptors as time of day, busy status,
`
`caller ID status, etc. A user-friendly web page leads the
`
`subscriber through the various procedures and available
`
`features. The selections made by the subscriber are
`
`25
`
`translated into provisioning data and transmitted to the TAC
`
`10. The TAC 10 in turn keeps track of incoming and outgoing
`
`calls based on this information.
`
`[0040]
`
`The subscriber can also program a set of the call
`
`control features via a telephone link in the event a data
`
`30
`
`link connection is unavailable.
`
`[0041]
`
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart of actions that may be taken
`
`10
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2066 - 10
`Application No. 12/821,119
`IPR2016-01262
`
`
`
`PATENT
`TLM-103C1CON4
`
`by the TAC 10 in response to the subscriber (or other
`
`service) controlling the TAC, using the web or other packet(cid:173)
`
`based system, to change the subscriber's telephone
`
`provisioning or perform another function, such as make a VoIP
`
`5
`
`call.
`
`[0042]
`
`FIG. 5 is a flowchart of actions taken by the TAC
`
`10 in response to an inbound call (using the subscriber's
`
`public phone number) to the subscriber. Examples of some of
`
`the actions taken by the TAC 10 are:
`
`Receives SS7 data indicating an incoming call
`
`Stores phone numbers downloaded from
`
`provisioning system
`
`Charts identity of calling party
`
`Checks time of day
`
`Stores lists of numbers in groups used for
`
`processing incoming calls
`
`Places outgoing calls in response to incoming
`
`calls according to information downloaded on
`
`the data link.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`[0043]
`
`Incoming call data is received by the TAC 10 from
`
`the tandem switch 16. The TAC 10 processor checks calling and
`
`called numbers, class of service, time of day, number lists,
`
`etc. In some cases additional data is gathered from the
`
`25
`
`calling party via a DSP (Digital Signal Processing) system
`
`and stored in the system memory. The DSP system is used to
`
`play call progress tones and voice announcements as required.
`
`Voice announcements can be played through the DSP system. In
`
`response to the call data, an outgoing call to the subscriber
`
`30
`
`12 may be placed back through the tandem switch 16 by TAC 10.
`
`The TAC 10 links the two calls and monitors the connection.
`
`11
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2066 - 11
`Application No. 12/821,119
`IPR2016-01262
`
`
`
`PATENT
`TLM-103C1CON4
`
`[0044]
`
`Information about the call may be collected by the
`
`TAC 10 and sent to the subscriber or a 3rd party for display.
`
`Such information may be the length of the call or information
`
`used to bill the subscriber for the use of the system. The
`
`5
`
`provisioning system can also collect control information from
`
`a 3rd party and relay it back to the TAC 10, which will then
`
`affect the call accordingly.
`
`[0045]
`
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart of actions taken by the
`
`subscriber 12 and the TAC 10 when the subscriber desires to
`
`10 make an outbound call via the web or using a conventional
`
`telephone. When using the web to place a call, the subscriber
`
`may simply click a name on the computer screen 26 using a
`
`mouse.
`
`[0046]
`
`FIG. 7 illustrates a system, using the TAC 10, that
`
`15
`
`allows wireless cell phones 28 to obtain the same
`
`provisioning options as the conventional telephones 14. A
`
`local cell 30 and a cell switch 32 are also shown in FIG. 7.
`
`[0047]
`
`FIG. 8 illustrates a system, using the TAC 10, that
`
`allows fax and modem calls to benefit from the provisioning
`
`20
`
`offered by the TAC 10. The TAC 10 may interface the ISP 36
`
`through the web 22.
`
`[0048]
`
`One embodiment of the invention allows a subscriber
`
`to view the current state of his/her telephone via the
`
`Internet. Internet is a term of art by which we mean an
`
`25
`
`interconnection of packet switched networks. Prior to this
`
`system there was no way for a user to examine the status of a
`
`telephone line. Recently, several products have been
`
`introduced that provide a means of examining the voice
`
`message boxes.
`
`30
`
`[0049]
`
`An internet portal is connected via a data link to
`
`the TAC 10. When a user logs onto the internet portal and is
`
`12
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2066 - 12
`Application No. 12/821,119
`IPR2016-01262
`
`
`
`PATENT
`TLM-103C1CON4
`
`granted access to an individual subscription, the user can
`
`examine the status of calls/features. This information is
`
`transmitted from the TAC 10 to the web portal and translated
`
`into user viewables. The TAC 10 keeps track of incoming and
`
`5
`
`outgoing calls based on this information.
`
`[0050]
`
`The TAC 10 may be implemented using conventional
`
`processor hardware. The connection to the tandem switch 16
`
`may be as simple as a telephone circuit, since the TAC 10
`
`receives an incoming call from a caller and processes the
`
`10
`
`call. Devising the software/firmware use to control the TAC
`
`10 is well within the capability of those skilled in the art
`
`since the various control features that can be made available
`
`are generally already known.
`
`[0051]
`
`Certain advantages that can be obtained using the
`
`15
`
`invention include the following:
`
`Web-Based Telecom Navigator
`
`Manage Incoming Call Control
`
`• Conditional Call Blocking/Forwarding/Alerting
`
`20
`
`• Time-of-Day, Day-of-Week, Follow-Me, Caller
`
`Recognition/Password
`
`• Caller ID, etc.
`
`• Call Screening/Retrieval from Voice Mail
`
`•
`
`Interactive Voice Response and Speech
`
`25
`
`30
`
`Recognition
`
`Manage Outgoing Call Control
`
`• Click-to-Dial Calling
`
`• Group Calling and Messaging
`
`Web-Based Billing
`
`Web-Driven Personal Communications Management
`
`13
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2066 - 13
`Application No. 12/821,119
`IPR2016-01262
`
`
`
`PATENT
`TLM-103C1CON4
`
`• Cost-Effective Single Phone Number Access
`
`• On-Line "Personal Digital Assistant"
`
`• On-Line "Telcom Navigator"
`
`•
`
`Inspired User Interaction
`
`5
`
`• Secure and Reliable Technology
`
`Cost-Effective Single Phone Number Access
`
`CLEC Status
`
`• Free Local Calls, Incoming Calls (not 800 Toll
`
`10
`
`Service)
`
`• Retain Current Number (Local Number
`
`Portability)
`
`• Low-Cost Calling Throughout LATA
`
`• Flat-Rate Foreign Exchange
`
`15
`
`• Single Installation Covers Entire LATA
`
`• VoIP Toll-Bypass
`
`Compatible With Existing Devices, Standards
`
`• Standard DTMF and VoIP Phones
`
`20
`
`• Wireless Phones
`
`• Standard Wired/Wireless and PIM Browsers
`
`Web-Based Personal Digital Assistant
`
`Centralized and Consistent Personal Data
`
`25
`
`• Build Once, Use Anywhere
`
`• Private/Public Phone Directories and Calendars
`
`• "Post-It" Style Annotation of Numbers
`
`Web Dialing
`
`30
`
`• Click-to-Dial from Web Pages, Directories,
`
`Calendars
`
`14
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2066 - 14
`Application No. 12/821,119
`IPR2016-01262
`
`
`
`PATENT
`TLM-103C1CON4
`
`• Multiple Phone List Management
`
`Unified Messaging
`
`• Voice Mail Access, Prompts, Alert Via Web
`
`5
`
`User Interaction
`
`Expected Behavior
`
`• Compatible with Familiar Products (e.g. Palm
`
`Pilot)
`
`10
`
`• Commonality Between All Wired and Wireless
`
`Mode-Based Definition and Selection
`
`• Vacation, Dinner Time, Go Away, Family Call
`
`15
`
`Waiting
`
`• Templates
`
`Learning Modes
`
`• Persona-Based User Interaction Design
`
`20
`
`• Speech recognition
`
`• Windows drag and drop
`
`Automatic Data Capture
`
`• Build Phone List Based on Collected Usage
`
`25
`
`Information
`
`• Drag and Drop Into Lists
`
`Secure and Reliable Technology
`
`Separate Web-Site and Link Gateway
`
`30
`
`• No Direct External Access to Gateway
`
`• Additional Security Layer
`
`15
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2066 - 15
`Application No. 12/821,119
`IPR2016-01262
`
`
`
`• No Denial-of-Service to Voice Links
`
`PATENT
`TLM-103C1CON4
`
`5
`
`VoIP Link Degradation Detection
`
`• Automatic Cutover to PSTN
`
`E-commerce Security
`
`• Billing Encryption Caller
`
`10
`
`[0052]
`
`ID Based Call Routing
`
`[0053]
`
`One advantage of using TAC 10 is its ability to
`
`enhance caller ID information. Caller ID is a common feature
`
`where a calling party's telephone number is transmitted to
`
`the called party's telephone so it can be displayed on a
`
`15
`
`small display screen in the telephone. This caller ID
`
`information is provided by the calling party's central office
`
`switch. Signaling System No. 7 (SS7) is a global standard for
`
`telecommunications and defines the procedures and protocol by
`
`which network elements in the PSTN exchange information
`
`20
`
`(including the caller ID) over the telephone network for call
`
`set up, routing, and control. In some telephone sets,
`
`including wireless telephones, the name of the caller
`
`associated with the telephone number is also displayed on the
`
`called party's display screen.
`
`25
`
`[0054]
`
`TAC 10 can use this automatically generated caller
`
`ID signal to provide an enhanced set of caller ID related
`
`features. One such feature is the association of the standard
`
`caller ID information with additional information about the
`
`caller stored in a memory addressed by TAC 10. The enhanced
`
`30
`
`caller ID information provided through TAC 10 provides a
`
`valuable tool to the subscriber in handling incoming calls.
`
`16
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2066 - 16
`Application No. 12/821,119
`IPR2016-01262
`
`
`
`PATENT
`TLM-103C1CON4
`
`The basic caller ID information, such as the caller's
`
`telephone number and name, can still be sent to the
`
`subscriber's phone and displayed in a conventional manner
`
`while the enhanced caller ID information may be displayed on
`
`5
`
`the phone display or on the subscriber's computer monitor via
`
`the web.
`
`[0055]
`
`The caller ID signals, pursuant to the SS7
`
`protocol, are detected by TAC 10 when a calling party calls
`
`the subscriber using the subscriber's public telephone
`
`10
`
`number, as previously described. TAC 10 then uses the basic
`
`caller ID data to address a look-up table (LUI) containing
`
`any additional information that the subscriber has entered
`
`into the LUT's memory locations for association with that
`
`caller ID data. FIG. 8 shows such a LUI 40 within or
`
`15
`
`connected to TAC 10.
`
`[0056]
`
`In one example, the subscriber may identify a
`
`prospective calling party's telephone number to TAC 10 via
`
`the Internet and then associate the number with any other
`
`information for storing in LUI 40. Such other information may
`
`20
`
`be all the possible callers using the calling telephone,
`
`personal information regarding the calling party, billing
`
`information, business information, account numbers, past
`
`discussions with the caller, or any other information. When
`
`TAC 10 detects the caller ID signals, TAC 10 addresses LUI 40
`
`25
`
`and downloads the retrieved information to the subscriber's
`
`telephone display or to the subscriber's computer via the
`
`web. Since TAC 10 (including LUI 40) stores this additional
`
`information, the subscriber is not required to personally
`
`provide processing or memory devices for this feature.
`
`30
`
`[0057]
`
`Multiple subscribers use the same TAC 10 and LUI 40
`
`but only the memory locations in LUI 40 authorized for access
`
`17
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2066 - 17
`Application No. 12/821,119
`IPR2016-01262
`
`
`
`PATENT
`TLM-103C1CON4
`
`by a particular subscriber are available to that subscriber.
`
`[0058]
`
`A subscriber may program TAC 10 using the various
`
`means described previously to perform any number of features
`
`on an incoming telephone call based upon the caller ID data.
`
`5
`
`Such features include forwarding a call associated with that
`
`particular caller ID data to one or more other telephones, or
`
`blocking calls associated with that particular caller ID
`
`data. Such calls may be forwarded or blocked only at certain
`
`times or on certain days as requested by the subscriber. All
`
`10
`
`of the other features previously described may also be
`
`applied based upon the caller ID.
`
`[0059]
`
`When the calling party elects to block her caller
`
`ID information, displaying the caller's number and name on
`
`the subscriber's telephone may violate the privacy act, so
`
`15
`
`such a restriction should be programmed into the system.
`
`However, TAC 10 may still use the caller ID information for
`
`various legal purposes. For example, the subscriber may not
`
`wish to receive phone calls from a particular phone number or
`
`calling party. The subscriber may transmit to TAC 10 the
`
`20
`
`caller ID information (e.g., the telephone number and/or the
`
`name) and instruct TAC 10 to either forward the call, block
`
`the call, or transmit any additional information from LUI 40
`
`to the subscriber's phone display or computer monitor for
`
`screening the caller.
`
`25
`
`[0060]
`
`If caller ID information does not exist, such as
`
`where the local telephone company does not offer caller ID,
`
`TAC 10, when receiving the incoming call, can transmit an
`
`automatic message to the caller to enter identification
`
`information. TAC 10 then uses that information to address LUI
`
`30
`
`40 to identify any associated information in LUI 40 for
`
`transmission to the subscriber. TAC 10, in a recorded or
`
`18
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2066 - 18
`Application No. 12/821,119
`IPR2016-01262
`
`
`
`PATENT
`TLM-103C1CON4
`
`simulated voice, can request the caller to enter her phone
`
`number via the telephone keypad. Alternatively, TAC can
`
`request that the caller speak her name or number, which would
`
`then be played to the subscriber or converted to text or a
`
`5
`
`code by TAC 10 to address LUI 40. Alternatively, the caller
`
`can enter a personal identification number or any other type
`
`of code (e.g., the caller's name) via the keypad, which would
`
`identify the caller to TAC 10. Once obtained, the caller ID
`
`information entered can be used to route the incoming call
`
`10
`
`via TAC 10 in any way programmed by the subscriber. Call
`
`routing can be based on time of day, the caller ID, any web
`
`input instructions, a direction by the calling party itself,
`
`or any other variable.
`
`[0061]
`
`This technique is contrasted with 800-type
`
`15
`
`services, which are reverse long distance services requiring
`
`the owner of the 800 number to pay for the incoming call.
`
`With 800 numbers, the caller ID must be unblocked to identify
`
`the amount of the