User programmable communication services
It is desirable to a user who subscribes to one or more communication services (e.g., telephone, Internet and TV services, etc.) provided by a telecommunication service provider (telecom) can personalize his/her communication service. To that end, the telecom is receptive to programming code from a user subscribing to one or more communication services. The programming code is processed on the telecom side to realize a service application particular to the user which affects at least one communication service subscribed by the user.
1 . A server for use by a communication service provider to provide communication services, comprising:
an interface for receiving programming code from a user subscribing to one or more communication services provided by the communication service provider; and
a processor configured to process the programming code to realize a service application particular to the user which affects at least one communication service subscribed by the user.
2 . The server of claim 1 wherein the one or more communication services include a telephone service.
3 . The server of claim 1 wherein the one or more communication services include an Internet service.
4 . The server of claim 1 wherein the one or more communication services include a television (TV) service.
5 . The server of claim 1 wherein the programming code includes Java bytecode.
6 . The server of claim 1 wherein the programming code includes a plugin.
7 . The server of claim 1 wherein the one or more communication services include a plurality of communication services, and the at least one communication service includes two or more of the plurality of communication services.
8 . A communication system, comprising:
an interface for receiving, from a user, programming code for realizing a service application which affects one or more communication services subscribed by the user, the received programming code including a particular programming function; and
a processor configured to modify a portion of the received programming code corresponding to the particular programming function, resulting in a modified version of the received programming code, which is executed to realize the service application.
9 . The system of claim 8 wherein the received programming code is modified to incorporate an additional programming function into the received programming code.
10 . The system of claim 9 wherein the additional programming function incorporates a security measure.
11 . The system of claim 8 wherein the selected programming function is represented by Java bytecode.
12 . The system of claim 11 wherein the received programming code is modified by instrumentation of the Java bytecode.
13 . The system of claim 8 wherein the one or more communication services include a plurality of communication services.
14 . A method for use in a communication system employed by a communication service provider to provide communication services, comprising:
receiving, through a communication link initiated by a customer of the communication service provider, programming code for realizing a service application which involves providing selected information to the customer through at least one of the communication services which is subscribed by the customer; and
processing the programming code to realize the service application.
15 . The method of claim 14 wherein the selected information includes a notification of an occurrence of a certain event.
16 . The method of claim 14 further comprising monitoring a second communication service subscribed by the customer for the certain event.
17 . The method of claim 16 wherein the second communication service includes a telephone service, and the certain event includes a certain telephone call event.
18 . The method of claim 14 wherein the selected information is provided in video form.
19 . The method of claim 16 wherein the at least one communication service includes a TV service.
20 . The method of claim 14 wherein the communication link is established through an Internet.