IP Library Granted Patent US 7,139,376
Granted Patent B2
US 7,139,376 · App. 09/785,863 · Granted Nov 21, 2006

Method and system for providing preselected information services upon detection of an off-hook condition

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,139,376
App. No.
09/785,863
Granted
Nov 21, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method and system for providing preselected information services to a subscriber includes detection of an off-hook condition at a subscriber telephone line and determining the preselected information services for the subscriber. A message is generated corresponding to the determined information services by correlating the subscriber's directory number to the selected information services in the subscriber's profile.

Claims (26)

1. A method of providing information services to a subscriber, comprising:

at a network component of a communications network, receiving a selection of information services from a subscriber, wherein the selection includes a Directory Number (DN) associated with the subscriber and a number of calls selected by the subscriber and indicating a frequency with which the subscriber selects to receive the information services and wherein the communication network includes a plurality of subscriber lines, each having a DN associated therewith;

storing the selection of information services, the DN, and the frequency as a subscriber profile relating to the subscriber;

detecting, via the communications network, an off-hook condition at one of the plurality of subscriber lines, wherein the subscriber line relates to the subscriber;

in response to detecting the off-hook condition, determining the DN relating to the subscriber line;

correlating the DN to a plurality of stored subscriber profiles to determine the subscriber profile relating to the DN;

consulting the subscriber profile relating to the subscriber to determine the information services selected by the subscriber;

based on the frequency and the selection of information services in the subscriber profile, determining information services to provide to the subscriber; and

providing the information services to the subscriber via the communications network in place of a dial tone.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

via the same subscriber line, receiving a pass code relating to a different subscriber;

using the pass code to locate a different stored subscriber profile relating to the different subscriber;

using the different subscriber profile to determine information services to provide to the different subscriber; and

providing the information services to the different subscriber via the communications network.

3. A method of providing information services to a subscriber, comprising:

at a network component of a communications network, receiving a selection of information services from a subscriber, wherein the selection includes a Directory Number (DN) associated with the subscriber and a number of calls selected by the subscriber and indicating a frequency with which the subscriber selects to receive the information services and wherein the communication network includes a plurality of subscriber lines, each having a DN associated therewith;

storing the selection of information services, the DN, and the frequency as a subscriber profile relating to the subscriber;

detecting, via the communications network, an off-hook condition at one of the plurality of subscriber lines, wherein the subscriber line relates to the subscriber;

in response to detecting the off-hook condition, determining the DN relating to the subscriber line;

correlating the DN to a plurality of stored subscriber profiles to determine the subscriber profile relating to the DN;

consulting the subscriber profile relating to the subscriber to determine the information services selected by the subscriber;

based on the frequency and the selection of information services in the subscriber profile, determining information services to provide to the subscriber;

providing the information services to the subscriber via the communications network in place of a dial tone;

detecting at the network component of the communications network a signal from the subscriber;

ending the information services to the subscriber; and

providing the dial tone to the subscriber via the communications network in place of the information services.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 25, 2024
From: COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A, AS SUCCESSOR TO WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.
Reel/Frame 066885/0917 →
NOTES SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 24, 2020
From: QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 051692/0646 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 1, 2017
From: QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044652/0829 →