AU2015202696A1 - Communication services - Google Patents

Abstract

An advanced intelligent communication system that provides subscriber-requested, advanced communication services through existing communication switches even in those circumstances in which the hardware communication switch is not configured to provide such communication services. The system supports the use of personal identification number access cards for use in fixed and mobile markets from any communication device located anywhere in the world and provides flexible call processing and switching services that deliver enhanced computer telephony capabilities utilizing standard communication equipment and operating systems.

Description

COMMUNICATION SERVICES CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is based upon and claims priority of United States provisional application Nos. 60/100,440 and 60/100,470, both filed September 15, 1998, the contents 5 of each being incorporated herein by reference. Also incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety, is PCT/US1999/020910 (published as W02000/016568), filed on 14 September 1999. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention 10 The present invention relates to communication systems for providing services to individual and corporate subscribers worldwide. More specifically, the invention relates to an advanced intelligent communication system that provides subscriber-requested services through existing communication switches even in those circumstances in which the hardware communication switch is not configured to provide such services. The 15 system supports the use of personal identification number (PIN) access cards for use in fixed and mobile markets from any communication device located anywhere in the world and provides flexible call processing and switching services that deliver enhanced computer telephony capabilities, utilizing standard communication equipment and operating systems. 20 Description of the Related Art Advanced communication services, such as call forwarding, call conferencing, and voice mail have long been available to individual and corporate subscribers of telephone services. However, because such services are dependent on telephone carrier equipment, and because not all telephone switches can presently support all available 25 advanced communication services, many subscribers are still unable to take advantage of these services at their home or at their place of business. Furthermore, even though a subscriber may 1 004A003 have such services available at his or her normal place for communication, the services may be unavailable should the user attempt access through another person's communication device, a personal computer, a portable telephone, or a Public phone. In other words, access to such services is extremely limited 5 restricted by the equipment in use, the equipment offered by the telephone carrier, and the prior signirup by the particular subscriber. Specialized equipment and proprietary software are conventionally used to provide varioUs advanced services on a telephone system, such as abbreviated dialing, password service, automatic alarm, nuhiline hunting, call 10 forwarding (busy, no reply, unconditional, and selective) call accept (selective), call back distinctive ringing, network voice mal and interception service. When an analog telephone switch is used in the communication network, as is the case in many remote areas, few of these advanced services are ilableto the customer Similarlyif a basic digital switch is used, some 15 of the advanced services described above may not be available depending on the software of the digital switch. Presently, when advanced telephony services are desired to be made available to network customers within an analog-switched network, a proprietary digital switch must he purchased along with a proprietary 20 computer operating system and proprietary software. If the network uses a digital switch and advanced services are desired to be added to the network, a replacement digital switch and supporting software might have to be acquired. In either situation an outdated, legacy" switch is replaced with a "new generation" switch. In the alternative, some features can be added to an 25 existing digital switch by upgrading the switch and its proprietary software. Whichever upgrade measure is taken, the process is expensive and time ig to acquire, install, test, and maintain the requisite hardware and software. Therefore, whether an analog switch is upgraded to a proprietary digital switching platform, such as those availablefom LucenTechnoogies 2 k Vt. UUIf or Nortelor an existing digital switch is upgraded to-provide additional services signifiant cost and effort arc involved. Therefoe time, effort, and expenses would be saved if there were a way to provide enhanced communication services to customers without replacing or upgrading existinglgacy switches and supporting software The platfom and method (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "system>) of the presentinventioi meet such a need by inerfacing with older "legacy switches, whether analog or digitaland by operating on industry-standard computer platforms that satisfy telephone companies' functional and technical 0 requirements. In addition to hardware and software limitations, access to advanced commuication services is further limited by the payment platform utilized by the customer. Access to and payment for communication services through the use of prepaid cards, such as telephone caring cards, is well kciown in the field .)5 of electronic communication. Such prepaid calling cards are sold at department stores, grocery stores, cnvenience stores, and other places of business The prepaid calling cards can be produced in any specific amount or denomination, such as $10.00, $25 00, or $10000 printed on the card. Also sprinted on the card are an access tecphomn number and addi'tional instruction 20 or promotional information In addition, although typically not printed on the card, is a personal identification number (PIN) for authenticating the user. The access telephone number is the number to be initially dialed to interface with a host computer to access the desired communication service. To finitiate a connection, the card holder first dials the access number, often a toll-ree 25 number; second, the Card holderT mnally centers the. assoc'iated PI[N; an-d third, the card holder dials the telephone number of the location to balled Upon verifiation and authorization of the entered infornaton and the prepaid card balance, the user is connected to the network- The access number links the cardholder to the computer host, Magnetic strip or bar code readers 3 004-0005 may also be used to decode information stored on the card, including an account code, but the additional step of manually entering a PIN is required by the user to complete a telephone call or another transaction. The PIN is intended to provide secured access to various services and features by limiting 5 those services and features to users presumably authorized by virtue of their knowledge of the correct PIN; the PIN being verified to authenticate that the cardholder is a valid user. Once a call is placed using the telephone calling card, the charges for the call are billed to the card holder's account or decremiented from the card. However, while prepaid calling cards have become a convenient method by which telephone calling services may be made available to customers worldwide, regardless of the telephone being used, such calling cards do not permit access to more advanced communication servicessuch as voicemail, call forwarding, or call conferencing. The reason for this 15 limitation is that present networks limit calling card access to simple calls for which the account represented by the card may be either debited or charged. No integrated system exists that links calling card accounts with a database for offering more advanced services, such as a mailbox tbr voice mail messages or a pathway for eonferehce calling or linking telephone numbers for call 20 forwarding. In other words, card holders are presently constrained from using he calingcard to access contracted, advanced communication services ftom any communication device worldwide for receiving desired, advanced corinunicatiol services. Another problem associated with the use of telephone calling cards 25 through which advanced communication services may be purchased is the management, tracking, and accounting of such transactions This problem arises because most communication systems pennitting use of idephone calling cards are conceded primarily with the authorized payment of delivering such services and because prepaid telephone cards often are 4 purchased as a commodity and no linking between card usage and an identifiable account, person, or corporation can be maintained. In short, the user does not have access to a comprehensive customer care system, which incorporates the administrate, card management, account management, 5 security, customer care, and distribution management of a PIN access card system into a single software package on a public switched telephone network (PSTN) or any other commmication network, without a need to purchase proprietary application software of the leading communication giants, such as Lucent, Nortel, etc, 10 The preferred embodiments of the present invention overcome the problems associated with existing mechanims for delivering advanced communication services to customers, with or without use of PIN access cards by providing an easily implemented, cost-effective, "open standards" telephony solution that provides value-added services, such as voice mail, to 15 people and businesses regardless ofthe sophistication lf the switch to which they are connected, at a minimal cost to a local telephone company, service provider, or the subscribing consumer SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 20 An object of the present invention is to provide enhanced communication services to users, regardless of where the users may be located in the world and regardless ofithe equipment through which the comnunication services are directed Another object of the present invention is to provide enhanced 25 communication services teosersthrough a PIN access card. A further object of he present invention is Lo pro idde enhanced commnication services to users through an interactive voice response systernl 5 Objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, such as a method of providing enhanced communication services to users, the method including receiving from a user a personal identification number; authenticating the 5 personal identification number; accepting a request from the user for an enhanced commuinicatiOn service after authentication of the personal identification number; verifying that the user is authorized to receive the requested service and that an account linked to the personal idemification number has sufficient value to pay for the service; providing, by an enhanced 10 services platform, the enhanced communication service to the user; and charging the account for providing the enhanced conunicationl service. The enhanced communication service preferably is provided through a network, incuding one or more ofa landline communication network, a wireless communication network, a wide area network, a global computer 15 network, a cable network, and a satellite network. Also, a high level application programming interface executing on the enhanced services platform independent of any hardware connecting the platform to the network is preferably used in providing the enhanced communication sevc. Charging for providing the enhanced communication service includes 20 decrementing a charge from a pre-paid user account or adding a charge to a credit account The enhanced communication services provided by the enhanced services platform include outcaiiing, voice mail functions, and call conferencing functions Additionally, administration functions, card management functions, accnt t management functions, extemal carrier and 25 rate plan fumtions, sales administration functions, and system security functions are provided, with all such enhanced communications services being accessed with a personal identification number access card. The enhanced services platform includes an interactive voice response system, and the enhanced communication services are accessed by a user through either an 6 analog switch or a digital switch, without upgrading the switch. Objects and advantages of te present invention are achieved in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, such as a method of providing enhanced communication services to users, the method including 5 receiving from a user a request for an enhanced communication service; verifying, byv an enhanced services plaftinr, that the user is authorized to receive the enhanced communication service; and providing, by the enhanced services platform, the enhanced cormumic'ation service to the user through a switch which is not configured to provide the enhanced communication 10 service without tic enhanced services platform. The enhanced communication services provided by the enhanced services platform include call forwarding fnctions, call waiting functions, automatic aianm functions, abbreviated dialing functions, voice mail functions, call conferencing functions, call acceptance/rejection functions, call back 15 functions, password functions, and interception functions, Objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, such as a telephony platform providing enhanced comnnmnication services to sers, the telephony platform including an input device to receive a personal identification number 201 and an enhanced communication service selection from a user; a storage device storing account data related to the user; a verification module authuticating the personal identification number, verifying that the user is authorized to receive the selected communication servce, and veriiying that the stored account data has a balance sufficient to pay for the selected 25 enhanced communication service; and a processor programmed to provide the selected enhanced communication service after the verification module has successfully completed its processing, The processor is programmed to inchide the cost of providing the user selected enhanced communication service in the user's account data, 7 004,00 10 Objects and advantages of the prsn ineto rcivd in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, such as a telephony platform providing enhanced conmatieation services to users, the telephony platform including an input device to receive an enhanced communication 5 service selection from a user; a storage device storing account data related to the user; a verification module verifying that the user is authorized to receive the selected communication service and that the stored account data has an account balance sufficienTt to pay for the selected enhanced commniicatlin service; and a processor programmed to provide the selected enhanced 10 communication service after the verification module has successfully completed its processing. Objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in accordance with embodinents of the present invention, such as a method of providing enhanced communication services to users, the method including 15 receiving from a user a personal identification number; authenticating the personal identification number; accepting a request from the user for an enhanced communication service; verifying that an account linked to the personal identification number has sufficient value to pay for the enhanced communication service; and providing, by an enhanced services platformthe 20 enhanced communications service to the user, Objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, such as a teephony platform providing enhanced corrnunication services to users, the telephony platform including an input device to receive a personal identification number 25 and an enhanced communicationservice selection from a user; a storage device storing an account value linked to the personal identification number; a yefincation module authenticating the personal identification number and veifying that the stored account value has suficient value to pay for the enhanced communication service; and a processor pro granted to provide the a 04 0011 enhanced comrinucation service, Objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, such as a telephony platform providing enhanced communication services to users, the telephony 5 platform including an input device to receive an enhanced communication service selection from a user; a storage device storing account data related to the user; a verification module verifying that the stored account data has an account balance sufficient to pay for the selected enhanced communication service; and a processor programmed to provide the selected enhanced 10 communication service. In a preferred environment, embodiments of the invention alow an access card system to be installed in any telephone network in the world, particularly in remote areas of the world where telephones and advanced network equipment are not easily accessible. The system provides advanced 15 telephony services, such as outdialing, voice mail, and call conferencing services to customers, with a built-in rating engine for calculating usage charges, in any available public switched telephone network or any mobile telephone network, Charges for use of the system are preferably handled by an access card system, which includes call center services in a comprehensive 20 operations support system that supports all critical business functions from creation to printing, distribution, sales, activation, and use of the access card products, and a comprehensive customer care system with access to customer care functions via a computer network implementing an easy to use interface such as the world wide web. The system is available for individual (home) or 25 corporate use The system preferably has an architecture supporting both prepaid and postpaid functionality in the same platform, regardless of technological level of the switch utilized in the communication network. Because of this payment versatility, the system allows extensive account management 9 004100A 1 functions, where management and administrative services provided business cusomrs andiffer from those, offered homne users. In one embodiment the system connects to an existing public switched telephone network (PSTN) switch and offers advanced communication 5 services such as voice mail, call conferencing(eall forwarding, call waiting, call accept, call reject, call hold, call park, and auto0atic alarm transpaxrttly to subsCrbers connected to the PSTN switch, without any upgrade in the PSTN switch. The system also provides subscribers with complete control over administrative series through an integrated interactivevoice response 10 system and password facility, This allows the PSTN provider to offer advanced communication services without upgrading the switches in the network and thus minimizing investment, These sameadvanced communcatien serves can be made available bythis system totelephony users over the Interet network or any online network, without the need of 15 incrporating a traditional PSTN switch in the online network, Preferred embodiments of the present invention also preferably support Multiple vendor computer telephony integration (CTI) boards. This is achieved through design of a high level application programming interface (HAP that isolates the application software from the board-specific application 20 programming interface, Thus the application software runs on most of the Inajor CTI board vendors' hardware, Any new CTI board vendor can be supported very quickly due to the design of the HAP!. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 25 These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments) taken in conjuTnction ith the accompanying drawings, of which: 10 QQ4,0013 FIG I is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention inludng an advanced intelligent network AIN) platform executing software hereinafter referred to as CallManagera and NetManage FIG 2 is a block diagram of a central operations office server that S incorporates the computer telephony capabilities, switch functions, network connecons~ and customer connections of CalManager T and NetManage M FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the primary subsystems contained within the CaRlManager t r subsystem FIG, 4 Is a flow chart of the system of generating PINs that are 10 assigned to cards used Within the CallManager TM subsystem. FIG 5 is a block diagram of the data structures for card type definition. FIGs 6A and 6 B are flow charts of the creation of access card reports. FIGs7A and 7B are flow charts of the creation of top-up card report. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the operation of the corporate 5s management subsystem that manages card account information and transaction& FIG 9 is a block diagram of the creation and maintenance of home accounts and home cards. FIGA0 is a data structure diagram of the virtual telephony system. 20 FfG.11 is a flow chart of registration of an abbreviated dialing service. FIG. 12 is a flow chart of operation of the abbreviated dialing service. FIGs 13 - 15 are flow charts of operation of the voice Inail system. PiGs 16 - 17 are flow charts-of the payment maintenance for receivables, account balance and credits 25 FIG. IS is a data stmeture diagram for the dealer management subsystem. FImGe 19 is a flow chart of sscheck-in to th daler mantagement subsystem., FIG. 20 is a flow chart of adding a new dealer to the dealer management subsystem FIG. 21 is a flow chart of adding a new sales agent to the dealer management subsystem. 5 FIG. 22 is a flow chart of the creation and mapping of user roles within the security management subsystem. FIG. 23 is a flow chart ofauthentication of mobile cards FIG. 24 is a fow chart of generation of a print order status report FiGs. 25A and 25B are flow charts of generation of PI information 10 reports and voice mail system profile reports FIGs. 26A and 2613 are flow charts of generation of a print vendor report and a moved cards report FIG. 27 is a flow chart of operation of the CalIManager m for accessing Intemet applications 15 FIG 28 is a flow chart of operation of the Netlanager m ' for accessing Internet application DESCRiPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS While a'pepaid telephone calling card is typically a plastic card 20 embossed with an account code and imprinted with an access code, many possible techniques exist for utiliing such a concept to purchase communication services. The card may be plastic, metal, paper, or a memory chip with or without a processor In addition to prepaid cards purchased prior to initiating a request for communication services,, credit and debit cards are 25 also wellknown to be utiized as telephone calling cards. For purposes of the preferred embodiments of this invention, all types of calling cards will be referred to with the term "access card" to indicate a device containing an access code ard a link to a customers account for authorized access to and payment for communication services. Such a card encompasss any 12 004-00 1S combination of the features of the previously discussed cards Aprefed embodiment of the invention is readily implemented on a network by presently available communication apparatuses and electronic components. The preferred embodiments of the invention find ready 5 application virtually all communication systems including but not limited to private and public telecommunication networks, cable networks, satellite networks, the Intemetnd other broadcast networks. Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a block diagram of a telephony platform 100 of a preferred embodiment of the invention; which 0 inorpoates CallManagerTM 102 and NetManagerT, 104 sub systems for access by any public system telephone network I. Within the CallManager m subsystem 102, a customer 1 uses a PIN access card 3 to access the computer telephony network It through a network of wireline telphones 7 or wireless telephones 9 by fist dialing an access number 15 provided to the customer 1 upon purchasing or signing up for the access card 3. The access card 3 may be a debit card, credit card, prepaid calling cardar limit card which permit expenditures up to a predetermined limit. The card itself may be a plastic or paper card with printed and/or encoded information on a magnetic strip, or a microchip, etc, The access number could be read by 20 the telephone device 7 or 9 with a magnetic or bar code reader, or the user can visually mad and subsequently dial the access number front information printed on the card Furthermore, access could be directed through a personal computer; with the computer automatically dialing the access number upon user command. 25 The PSTN 11 of the local, regional, or national telephone company 13 receives the dialed telephone transmission through the local network of wireline telephones 7, through a wireless telephone 9, or through a personal computer (not shown) coupled to the PSTN via a computer network or a modem. From the PSTN 11, the call is routed by the network to a switch 15, where the switch 15 analyzesthe access number anddirects the call to a telephone cal receiving device outside the telephony platform 100; or to a computer network, such as InternetTCP/P network 217 or to the computer telephony interface cards (CII) 25 of the telephony platform 100. For those c calls directed to the CTI cards 25, the calls are directed either to the CailManagerTM subsystem 102 of the telephony platform 100 through server 23 or to the NetalanagerTm subsystem 104 of the telephony platform 00 through server 17, as determined by the access number utilized, In summary and as will be discussed more thoroughly below, the subsystems of the 10 CallManagerM 102 and the NetManager"" 104 take control of the call and deliver the desired advanced communication service to the customer 1 through the switch 15 across the PSTN network 1 even when the hardware of the switch IS is not configured to deliver such serviOces. The CallManagertM subsystem102 on the server 23 includes client 15 application services 29 and Switch Manage services 27 Both sets of services have the ability to store informationin the databases 33 of the server 23, The Switch Manager M services 27 are telephony services directly available to a customer 1, through a PIN access Card 3, thatinclude voice mail services, call conferencing, and outdialing provided by software executing on 20 the telephony platform 100 The software providing the Switch ManagerM services 27 includes an interactive voice response system to guide the customer through available options The client application services 29 are also provided by software executing on the platform 100 and constitute a complete operation support system for use by the customers 1, the sales agents 37, the 25 distributorships 35, and the call center agents 70 (see FIG. 2), The client application services 29 include, without limnitation, administration and system configuration, call center functionality, a card management subsystem (including CardManageLr

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, an account management subsystem, an external carrier and rate plan subsystema sales administration subsystem, and a 14 004.0017 security subsystem. The client application services 29 also id graphical user interface (not shown) and output device (not shown) for access to customer accounts and to usage information. The CalManagerTM subsystem 102 manages distribution of the PIN 5 access cards 3 through distributorships 35, although the tephone companies 13 also have the option to distribute PTN access cards 3 to the customers I The distributorships 35 have sales agents 37 that disseminate the PIN access cards 3 to the customers L The sales agents 37 can be persons, convenience stores, or kiosks located in public areas, If the access cards 3 are prepaid 10 calling cards, the customer I has the option of buying the cards through the sales agents 37f the distributorships 3$ or directly purchasing the cards from the local, regional and centl telephone companies 13 The printing and creation of cards and billing information are all perfrmed through the operation support subsystems referred to as the Card ManagerTM component of 5 the CallManagrTM 102. FGi. I also shows the advanced intelligent network (AN) p platform known as the NetManagerTM subsystem 104. Within the NetManagerTM subsystem 104, the server 17 can also preferably be a central office service enhancer that not only provides computer telephony service similar to that 20 provided by the witch ManagerT 27 included in the PIN server 23 of the CailManager T M subsystem, but also can provide additional telephony services 28 through existing "legacy" switch 15 without the need for a public telephone company 13, internet provider 21, or wireless network to upgrade to a digital switch function. In other words, NetManagerM 104 has the 25 capability of providing a complete set of AN switching services through its software modules and database accesses, independent of the technological level of the legacy switch 152 Furthermore, customer I access to the NetMainager

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N services 28 is not lumited to a PIN access card. 15 VU4. 001.s The additional telephony services 2S may be divided into access code-based services, terminating services, PlNbased services administrative services, and intellgent network (INI services. The server 17, due to its open architecture design, can also upgrade the switching capacity of the regional 5 telephone company 13 by scaling the deployment of the additional telephony and administrative services at the open-system, client-server level rather tan at the switch 15 level Analogousto the databases 33 of PIN based server 23, server 17 has a phrality of databases 31to store any of the information being fed through the server 17 to the computer telephony services 28. The clients 10 of the server 17, in addition to the customer I, include management, accounting, sales, and MIN Furthermore, the NetManagerTM 104 provides administrative and operational client application services 30 similar to some of the services provided under the client application services 29 of CauIManagerm 102 15 The access code-based services of the computer telephony services 23 of NetManagerM 104 utilize calling line identification to activate the desired functionality when a predetermined code is died. These services include equal access, abbreviated dialing, automatic wake up service call conference facility, billing inquiry, long distance/TSD with password automated directory 20 inquiry, on line help, information on demand and Intemet telephony. A pime service of NetManager" 104 is equal access, whereby any subscriber in any local exchange may select and have access to various long distance carriers available through that exchange, The equal access service enables pointing a subscriber to a long distancecarrier, effecting a call over 25 the lines of that carrier, and billing the call with the long distance carried Abbreviated dialing allows the subscriber to dial frequenly accessed telephone numbers by dialing only short codes instead of the flI telephone number. The subscriber can set or change these codes through the interactive voice response system. As to the automatic wake up service, the subscriber 16 17 can program any time at which he/she wants to be awoken or reminded. The subscriber w il be rung at the programmed timewhether a regular daily time or a single instance The a conference facihty permits the subscriber to initiate conference calls and bring two or more parties into a conference The subscriber may drop any of the paries from the S conference call at any time. Bill inquiry permits ubscriber onhne orvoice actuated access to the subscribers billing information including any balance remaining on account F-urthermore, bill inqukirY allows a s, ubscriber to) make real -time! billing inquiries, such as a balance inquiry if the user has a pre-paid associated account, or a cumulative amount inquiry if the user's associated account is post paid. The subscriber also can secure access 0 to long distance calling by programming a security code/password as a prerequisite for completing a long distance call. Call reach is an integral part ofthis service in which the subscriber establishes lmited call ranges by use of preprogrammed phone numbers to access specified areas and countries, he subscriber can utilize the automated directory inquiry service to obtain directory assistance. The found number may be auto dialled from 15 this service. An extensive on-line help facility is available to the user through database 3 1. This facility includes instructionsfor various servicesand exemplary parameter configurations. Information on demand provides the subscriber with a single point source of information for subscriber information, services information, and marketing information. This information is available to the subscriber through facsimile and/or data 20 transmissions. The Inteet telephony serice allows both mobile and PSTN calls to be routed onto an Internet -etwork at low cost and high quality of service. The terminating services are initiated when a call terminates at a subscriber, invoking the pre-programmed services of that particular subscriber These features of the computer telephony services 28 of the NetManagerTM 104 include call forwarding 25 unconditional busy, no reply, and selective), call park, call hold, call waiting, important call waiting, call screening (call reject and call accept), and nulti-ine hunting faciity.

The call forwarding service has four conditional options. Unconditional forwarding allows a subscriber to forward all calls to another number. Call forwarding - busy allows the subscriber to designate another telephone number to receive calls should the primary number be busy. The no 5 reply forwarding reroutes the call to a secondary number should the first number dialed fail to respond after a predetermined number of rings. Selective forwarding will forward calls in the above three scenarios only for calls originating from specific telephone numbers. The subscriber can alter any of the forwarding options from any phone. Call park allows a customer to set 10 aside, or park, a call by dialing a parking code. While parked, a call is both placed on hold and disassociated from the line, so that the customer is free to place and receive calls, even on a single line. Any line in the business group may dial a retrieval code to be connected to the parked call. An optional timed recall service guards against calls being permanently ignored or forgotten after 15 being parked. Call hold allows a customer to place any call on hold by flashing the switch hook and dialing a hold code. This service frees the line to originate another call. Only one call per station line can be held at a time. The original connection can be retrieved by flashing and dialing the call hold access code. If the customer hangs up with a party on hold, the customer is 20 automatically rung back and connected to the held party, The call waiting service triggers a tone to a user engaged in a telephone call, notifying the user that another call is attempting connection. By flashing the switch hook, the called subscriber can talk to the third party while keeping the original party on hold. By flashing the hook switch again, the subscriber can talk to the original 25 party who has been on hold. Important call waiting is similar to call waiting, except the subscriber is notified only if the incoming call is fronm a particular telephone number(s) that the subscriber has preprogrammed into the system. The call reject option of the call screening service allows a subscriber to filter out all incoming calls from specinfied numbers. The call accept service allows 18 Q134:0021 only specified numbers to ring through to the subscriber, Multi-line hunting allows subscribers generally businesses, to request that multiple, non contiguous telephone numbers be grouped. When one number is busy, an incoming call is automatically rolled to the next available number in the group; The PIN-based services are keyed to the personal identfication number assigned to the customer and are limited to the specific authority of each customer. These services include authentication, voice mail, system watch, and prepaid billing Authentication provides for the validation of the personal identification number entered by a subscriber. This service also allows the activanon and deactivation of the PIN TO numbers. As part of activation, the facility will retry activation following entry of an invalid PIN number. The number of retries is a configurable parameterThe system provides full feature voice mail for storage of messages The subscriber can access his/her voice mail box with a preprogramed PIN number and can selectively search for and review messages delete messages and permanently save messages. System watch permits 15 online display of the status and occupancy of the lines and channels on an administrator's or operator's console. Prepaid billing allows the subscriber to pay in advance for a fixed dollar amount of services, Each time the subscriber makesa call or invokes a rviethe system validates the requested call or service for balance amount and so advised the subscriber, including just prior to the balance being exhausted. 20 The administrative services include all parameter-driven services and activation or deactivation services. These services include easy feature configuration, system and traffic monitoring, subscriber information access, subscriber management, packaging of services, variable rate plans for different subscriber groups, MINIS reports, security management, and open billing. Open billing provides an open interface for real-time billing, settlement, 25 and reconciliation with third-party external-carrier or Customer Care and Billing systems. For example, the system has the ability to record account receivables: such as the folk wing payments fron corporate accounts, payments from home accounts, payments from voice mail accounts, and payments from dealers. In addition, the system has the ability to periodically bill subscribers for services offered by NetManager, and also for 30 services offered by third party provides.

Feature configuration permits the subscriber to preprogram and reprogram on demand the various configurable options, based on each subscriber's preferences and requirements. The monitoring services permit the subscriber visual access to the activity level on the system, including alarm 5 notification, idle status, busy status, and system statistics. The system maintains two levels of security, with each subscriber having secured access to subscriber services and parameters and with system supervisors having access to a second layer of options and controls. The IN services are the intelligent network functions and include 10 advanced services such as toil free service, premium rate caning (such as I 900), emergency service (911) distinctive ringing, caller ID display, CENTREX services, fUil SS- functionality, universal personal number service, do not disturb automatic cal back, and opinion poiling/Teleoting. Toll free calling provides for calls to be made to an "800" number toll 15 free to the caller and chargable to the telephone muber "owner. Premium rate caring applies an additional rate or charge to cals made to "900" numbers, with theadditional charge being passed on to the number "*owner" Emergency service allows caller abbreviated access to emergency services, When a call is made to an emergency number, such as 911. operators staffing 20 the emergency center can view critical data associated with the call, such as name, address telephone number, and geographical location of the call. Distinctive ringing provides for a different ring pattern or tone when the call onginates froman specific telephone numbers) Caer ID displays the telephone number and associated subscriber name for incoming calls- Central 25 exchange services are availab e to both calling and called customers. The universal personal number service allows a subscriber to have a specific, personal telephone number other than an ordinary directory number. The subscriber can designate any proximate telephone In the network as hisiher "own". A call to the subscriberuniversal personanumber will ring through 20 004023 21 to the designated telephone. Similarly, any outgoing calls made on the designated telephone will be reflected on the subscrber's bill, In this instance the charging will be done to the universal personal number and not the number of the telephone utilized, The do not disturb service temporarily prohibits any call from ringing through to the 5 subscriber's telephone. instead, the call is handled through the call forwarding or the voice mail facilty, depending on the options the subscriber has set up. Automatic call hack is activated by the subscriber upon encountering a busy signal when the subscriber flashes the hook switch and enters a special code into the telephone, The busy number will be periodically polled by the system; and when the number is available, the subscriber's 10 telephone will be rung and the connection completed when the subscriber lifts the handset Opinion polling is activated by a subscriber establishing a designated telephone number, reCording an instructional message, and coding various keyed caller entries to represent specific answers, NetManager" 104 includes an interactive voice response system which lets a 15 subscriber use all of the services 28.of the system without using a touch tone telephone. NetManagerv" 104 additionally provides at least the following functions: cost routing/intercarrier transactions, subscriber administration, advanced service provisioning real time call rating/cutofT caller authentication, call progress analysis, and AfN/CTI (advanced intelligent network/computer telephony interface) signalling netw~ork. The real 20 time rating/cutoff function supports real-time monitoring and rating of calls against a credit amount outstanding against a pre-paid account idemified by, for example, a caller ID or a distinct account ID. Calls made by a pre-paid customer or received by a pre-paid customer can be debited from a customer's associated account in real-time, The rating/cutoff function is also capable of capturing the originating phone ID on a real time basis and 25 rating the calls at the appropriate rates depending upon the called location. If a call is attempted by a customer who is not a pre-paid customer and/or is not active on the system, then the call will not be completed by the system, The system also has the ability to inform the customer of his/her maximum allowable calling time, connect the call, and to inform a customer when a minimum-value threshold approaches. Warnings and account 30 balance announcements may optionally be heard by the customer 004,ON4 The terminating series are initiated when a call terminates at a subscriber, invoking the pre-programmed services of that particular subscriber 'These features of the Computer telephony services 28 of the NetManager' 104 include call forwarding (unconditional, busy, no reply; and selective), call park call hold, call waiting, important 5 call wailing, call screening (call reject and call accept), and multi-line hunting facility.

004:0025 Referring nowto FIG 2, the hack end of servers Y7 and 23 of the NetManager TM 104 and CallManagerM 102 respecey areflustrated, Each server 17, 23 has at least three features categories hardware components including related S/W drivers and databases 31 and 33(seeFG. I; an 5 operating system 47, preferably Unix or Window NT; and software applications 46, preferably a PIN calling application having an operation support system collectively referred to as CallManagerT 102, or an enhanced computer telephony application operable on any switch system known as NetManager m 104. As in FiG, 1, the CTJ cards 25 interfaceeween the 10 switch 15 and either software subsystem, CallManageo'M 102 or NetManager 104, as a conduit connected to the public communication network 1 for the transmission and reception of information to aid from the telephone device 7 or 9. Primary hardware components of the servers 17 and3 preferably 15 include ROM/Bios 5 1, RAM 53, drivers 41, processor 49, and bard disk or other storage media,55, which are all located at the central operations office 71 The central operations office 71 containservers for the card management subsystem, a MIS system, and a plurality of databases 31 and 33, including a central operations database and a central authentication database. The center 20 71 connects to a regional office 59 that includes a corresponding server(s) 17a, 23a that house databases 68 for supporting cliem applications 61 for regional operations, local authentication, sales administration, account management, external carrier and rate plan maintenance, and MIS. Additionally, regional databases 68 accepts voice mail data. 25 The central operations Affice 71 and databasesl and 33 operate in connection with the CaulManagerm 102 server 23and the NetManagerTM104 server 17, which connect to the telephone company, LanWan 57via a network jrnterface card (NIC) 67 andn tur, interact with one or a plurality of Client appICations 61 and regional offices 59 The regional offices 59 include 22 000026 a pluraItAy of datalses 6S for S to rinzg and etiein information or for redirecting caller information. Each of these regional offices 59 have a number of application and administrative functions to effectively ruthe PIN telphony computer system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the 5 invention. CaI1 CeTnter Agents70 have access to the regional databases 6g and can retrieve customer counting and usage informaion to track acoount and service usage, generate invoicesand identify customer candidates for promotions and upgrades. The block diagram shown in FIG 3 reflts the interactive services of 0 the CalManageM subsysteml 02, which has links connecting the subsystem to the various users of the system, including users 5, dealers 35, external carriers 12, voice mail subscribers (VMS) 2, sales agents 37, print vendors 19, and corporate and home accounts 6: The users 5 include authorized customers 1-and call center agents 70. The prmary fnction of CaUManagerTO 102 is to 15 receive electronic transmissions from any and all of the various users of the system and respond to each user in kind, utilizing the data stored in the server 23 databases 33 of the system Transmissions received by the CallManager include an activation code to activate a PIN access card, a pin number for authentication, an out-dial number, a call continuation request voice mail 2 box numbr a voice mailbox password navigation reqest, a voice mail message to poll, a request forconnection to the call center, and any queries by the subscriber, After receiving such informationthe Switch ManagefrM 27, which is a subsystenof the CallManagerTM subsystem 102, transmits the following exemplary information back to the callers/subscribers or performs 25 the following functions: authemtication of a PIN number followed by a greeting and a menu of options, money balance left In a customer's account, talk time left based on a customer's account balance, a call icu-off warning when a customer's account balance is approaching zero or its limit, help informaionprompts, call connection to out-dialed numbers or mail boxes, 23 recorded voice mail messagesor connection to call centers. FIG. 4 sets forth the process used to create a PIN access card by utilizing the Card Manager m subsystem in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The process begins when an authorized 5 user requests a specinc number of one or more of the three types of PIN access cards supported by the system: top-up cards, calling cards, and voice mail cards. The actual card type and detail definition is shown in FIG. 5. Any number of lots of cardls may be created. The type denomination, cadlf, and quarantine period for each card is entered or selected from a given list by an 10 authorized user. The desired number, type, and denomination of PIN access cards are createdwith appropriate instrutions and access numbers printed on the cards. An extemal reference number i ay also be printed on the card for use by a system provider should the customer I forget or lose the associated PIN number. In addition to the above information, each voice mai. card has a 15 profile.ID. Corresponding unique PIN numbers are assigned to each card, based on issued PIN numbers previously stored in databases 33 Nith the new PIN numbers being added to those already in the database 33. A report matching eaeb PIN to an access card is generated, since thePIN numbers are not printed on the access cards for security purposes, FIGs, 6A, 6B, 7A, and 20 7B detail the information and functionality of reports that can be generated correspondingto each type of PIN access card produced by the system. Additionally, the card production reports may list the number of lots in a particular batch, the number of cards in a particular lot, the total number of cards printed, and the value of each lot and batch printed, 25 The Card Maager m ' subs-ystem controls thle distribution and usage of the PIN access cards 3 and includes the following subsystems: card management, account management, extemal career and rate plan, sales administration, management information system administraton, and batch processes for volume data transfers. The card management subsystem (CMS) 24 is locatedat the central onerations office 71 for cenmtralize~d control over the distribution and usage of the cads 3 The central operaIons office 71 provides total control of the card configuration with services such as configurable PIN length, user-definable card type configuration, and voice 5 mail profiles. The CMS assists in achieving a centralized control and distribution mechanism for th definition, printing, physicalnventory and financial value of the PIN access cards 3. The CMS also provides a centralized MI4S for monitoring sales performance and inventory control regarding the cards 3 within a single computerized software application. 10 In addinan, the CMS has the following particular services card types definitions, PIN generation, card print vendor maintenance, card printing ordersmanagement accounts payable for card generationand thecreation and maintenance of home and corporate voice mail accounts under the cards. The account management and aidministration subsystems, integrate work flow into 15 the system of a preferred embodiment of the invention with approvals introducedfor a1 sensitive card, distribttion, and account management functions, Including inventory control, ost card deactivation, anid financial accounting, The account management subsystem contains modules that provide central 71 and regional 59 office users with database control 20 manipulation and decision-making support an interactive work flow for home and corporate account creation, activation and maintenance; itemized statement creation tracing and reporting; user definition; voice mail accounts and ntenance;accounts receivable and payments history; and providing information held in system databases such as itemized statements to 25 customers on demand for customer service or other inquiries. Under controlled cirumstances, corporate and home customers may submit detailed orders for PINacces cards, as shown in FIGs. 8 0. The account management subsystem is comprised of a corporte account management subsystem as shown in FIG, 8, a home account management 25 subsystem as shown in FIG 9, and a managementsubsystem for virtual telephony (voice mail) for corporate and home account users as shown in FIG. 10 The corporate management subsystem provides internal users the ability to create corporate accounts, change card statusrequest PIN> and issue cards 5 3, as well as data entry and storage, as shown in FIG.8 Referrng now to FIG. 9, functionality provided by the home management subsystem includes the ability to create home accounts, change card statusequest PIN's and issue cards 3. Finally, the functionality provided by virtual telephony as shown in FIG. 10 is to define area information, to import voice mail and voice 10 mail profile box numbers, and to create new customer accounts with customer specific manipulated settings. A calling card can be owned by an individual a home sector, or a corporate sector. The voice mail services of the present system in accordance with the preferred embodiments are particularly helpful in places where telephones are not easily available. In such situations, a phone 15 number is allocated to a user but no physical connection is made to a telephone device when a call is received by the phone number, Instead, all calls to the number are routed to a mail box in the user's name. Hence, the term, "virtual telephony". The user can call the mail box at any time from any phone and retrieve any messages. Altenatively, the user can notify the system 20 to make a physical connection to a telephone device available to lhe user for the routing of all telephone calls. The Switch Manager T M subsystem, Which again is the telephony system for providing the out-dialing, call conferencing, and voice mail services of the CatlManagerOT operates on a Windows NT platform or a Unix 25 platform, and non-proprietary hardware (such as IntI microprocessor based servers) with any number of common CTI cards 25 (for example, offered by Dialogic Corporation). 26 004.0030 The ot-dialing module provides the cornplete ouldiaing functionality of the Switc Manager m in conj unction wIth teIated functions of Card Manager m in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention Upon receiving a pin-based telephone call initiated bya subscriber, the Switch 5 Managerm responds by transmitting a greeting to the customer 1, requesting entry of a PIN number, and uponreceipt of the PIN number, transmits data to the Card Manager T M for requesting the authentication of card 3. The Card Manager subsystem verifies from the account manager database information from database 33 that the account is active. The Card Manager T advises the 10 Switch Manager"' whether the account is valid. If the verification fails, the Card Manager T m so communicates to the Switch Manager t ., which transmits a corresponding message to the customer I advising of the verification failure and requesting the customer I to retransmit the PIMand/or account number, After several, such as three, failures, the Switch Manager m wi terminate the 15 call vith an appropriate message transmitted to the Customer I, If the PIN verification is successful, the Card Manager retrieves the remaining account balance from the account manager database and transmits the balance information to the Switch Manager'". The Switch Manager'N transmits the balance information to the customer and requests and accepts the out-dialed 20 number for completion of coninunication links over the PSTN 11; validates the outdialed number for allowed call type on the card 3 by comparing the number to the allowed numbers list in the Card Managert" subsystem; and performs the outdialing and call progress analysis. The Switch ManagerwJ includes a facility for making multiple calls after account and PIN 25 authentication, At the end of a call, the Switch Manager TM reestablishes connection with the customer , advises the customer the balance remaining in the account, and presents to the customer I the option of making another call, hanging up, or initiating another Switch ManagertM service 27, The customer I may initiate additional out-calls as long as sufficient balance remains in the 27 0O4.0O 0 account, Similarly, the customer I may initiate call conferencing or voice mail functions as discussedbelow Should the customer hang up or terminate he call through the menu options presented by the Switch Manager the Switch ManagerlM will communicate the remaining balance to the Card 5 Manager" t , whose account management subsystem updates the customer's account information in the database 33, The Switch Manager also monitors PIN usage and will terminate simultaneous acount/PIN use to reduce and prevent fraud. The Switch Manager"" provides support for multiple languages to facilitate operation of 10 advanced telephone services over analog connections; transmits a warning beep that notifies users prior to call cut-off, for example due to an exhausted account balance. It also provides automatic call routing to call centers upon pre-determined events as defined in the card and user administration settings stored in the central and/or regional database 33/62 As detailed in FIGs II 15 and 12, thecalling subscnber for dialing out can use abbreviated numbers based on information previously loaded by the customer 1 in database 33. The call conferencing subsystem of the Switch Manage

M

I provides multi-party cal conferencing functionality to the PEN card subscriber 1, The subsystem provides users with an interactive voice response or operator 20 assisted method of joining multiple connected calls into the conversation and to debit the customer's PIN access card's corresponding account balance for the charge of initiating a conference call and :or the charges accruing during the call. The caller-initiated conference is supported by the system by holding calls open and active as the parties to the conference call are contacted by the 25 system and brought into the call, As with outdialing, the call conferencing subsystem requires prior authentication of account and PIN number before establishing the conference call. 28 The voice mail subsyster of the Switch Manager 7M , as detaied in FIGs. 13 - 15, provides voice wail functionaitv to PIN based customers Refering now to FIG. 13, a user ofthe system sets p and accesses a voice mail box with the interactive voice response subsystem of the Switch 5 Mnag M er 7 4.. The user has the option of setting p nuthiple mail boxes within a Primary account and may provide various greetings/messages within the various mail boxes and under various in-call ccmstances, such as no answer or line busy These mail boxes and messages are stored in the database 33 of server 23Referring now to FIG. 14, when a call uted through system 10 encounters a voice mail subsystem condition (such as no answer or line busy) and thenumber called has a voice mail box set up on the system, the Switch ManagerN directs the appropriate greeting to the caller ard stores any response for later retrieval by the mail box owner (seeRGI 15) The system provides password-access administration ofthe voice mal boxes. Stored 15 messages may be navigated and retrieved by the storage date. The customer's account/card is charged or decremented for the voice mail box setup and usage. If the PIN access card being utilized to initiate and pay for the above Switch.ManageM services is a top-ap card, then the communications to the 20 user regarding account balance, insufficient balance, or exhausted balance include an option for the user to add a value to, or 'top-up", the card, Under such circumstances, the user provides a bank account or credit card account number from which the system will,in real time, transfer funds into the user's telephony account. 25 'fThe customer management subsystem of the account management subsystem accepts customer information from the user for opening a voice il box account and establishing a mail box profile, The user enters the name, address infomationand voice mail box profiles into the system, which. define the deposit amount maximum voice message length, maximum number 29 of messages, maximum age of retained messages, and voice mai box life. The system also assigns the area code and voice mail box number to the account. This account status can be changed to ati suspended, or deactivated By clicking the "quehy- button, the user can search the profiles 5 which exist in the system. The ability to assign cards 3 to other customers is a service of the account management subsystem of the Card Manager tm Upon the request of a customer I to assign cards 3, the total cTredit amount and remaining credit amount for each card 3 and account assigned to that customer Is displayed to 10 the user, Depending on the customer's request, specific cards 3 may be assigned to a designated corporate or home account. In the alternative, the user may enter a dollar amount of cards to be assigned, and the system will determine which cards 3 should be assigned to meet the requested credit value. Authorized corporate and home customers may effect this assignment directly, 15 without submitting request to a central 71 or regional 59 office. Referring now to FIGs. 16 and 17, the payments option ofthe account management subsystem allows the user to accept payments for a selected account. At the offset, the user selets the transaction to be processed, whether receiving a payment from a cor por-ate or home account or receivinlIg a 20 salesreceipt from a dealer 35 or sales agent 37. The user then enters the details of the current transaction, such as payment method (credit card, bak instrument, cash, etc )payment amount, payment date, etc. After entering the details of the payment; the user has the option of accepting the transaction details or canceling them and starting with another transaction; If accepted, 25 the payment is booked or the receipt is logged, and the results are stored inthe database3 Call center agents 70 have the ability through remote terminals to search the databases 31, 33, and 68 for customers by account, account type name servicesaddress, voice mail box number, etc. For example,a ca 30 Center aget 70 may select -anl account type fro a- drop down mnur, i'st and view Calling history, profiles, payments, and other details for allqualfying accounts By selecting the account type, detais ofthe account such as name, address, deposit, credit lmit, and call history etc. are displayed to the user 5 The user can also select by corporate division or home name to display all accounts and cards assigned to the division or home. The payment details are displayed, rid te payment histOry of the cuocnt acCount can also be viewed Details of the payment mode can be viewed by selecting the column "Payment Method", On selecting the "Accept Payment" button, a screen is displayed 10 through which thepayment details are accepted and posted to the database 33. The home search facility displays all home account numbers and home names according to a selected search criteria, which is yet another provision of the account management subsystem of the Card Managerrm. Sorting can be done by clicking the column headings of the home list. Once a home account is 15 selected, it can be viewed or manipulated by authorized users of the system The ability to maintain corporate and home accounts is another service of the account management subsystem of the Card Manager T M . Through either a corporate or hone maintenance subsystem, users can view, add, and modify the details of any level of a corporate or home hierarchical structure 20 and contact persons as stored in the database 33 Some of the detais of the corporate account are business type, bill cycle, multiple addresses (present address, previous address, billing address, etc), customer ID, financial soundness, discounts, contact persons, contracts and contract terms, and responsibility for payment, The home customer details displayed include 25 default address, billing address, account ID, status of account billing cycle, discounts, customer identity, financial soundness, payment in-formation, detail of card types and denotaation, and contracts, 31 Eaeh corporate customer has a stored hierarchical structure reflecting the multlevl structure of the corporation. All details of the corporate customer can be displayed, including address information, payment information card details and summary A level can be added to the hierarchy 5 by clicking on the "add level- button, and placing the cursor on the tree displayed. The status of the corporate customer of any level can be changed by clicking on the "change status" button. A request for cards can be placed by depressing the "request cards" button. The details of the cards assigned to the corporate level can be viewed by clicking on the tab named "card details." 10 The details of the current level (level on which the cursor is placed) are also displayed in the grid. The name of the main corporate and themain account number allocated to that corporate custonerare also displayed to the user. On the corporate status screen, any level of a corporate hierarchy's status can be changed. The different status applicable for corporate customers 15 are prospective, active, suspended, and deactivated. If a level in the corporate hierarchy is being deactivated or suspended, the underlying levels of that corporate parent will have the same status as its related parent, provided that level is not responsible for payment When a level in the corporate hierarchy is being activated front a deactivated or suspended state the status of the 20 underlying levels of that parent wil be restored to previous (original) status. Ifthe main corporate account is activated for the first time, a request will be placed for generating a main account minber, Detailed, multilevel corporation hierarchies are used by the system and its users to determine corporate divisional accounts. 25 The sales administration subsystem (SAS) subsystem of the Card ManagefT subsystem manages al functions associated with the sale and distribution of the PIN access cards through dealers in distributorships 35 and sales agents 37. This subsystem includes the dealer management subsystem, and elements of this subsystem include dealers maintenance; sales agents 32 maintenance; sales ierItoes maintenance; commission models maintenance; incentive models maintenance; PIN access card 3 issuance to sae agents 37; registration of soldketuredost cards 3; commissions calculation; incentives calculation; and accounts receivable management. Through this subsystem, 5 new dealers and sales agents 3 are enrolled into the system, as are new commission models, new incentive models, and updated dealer teitordes, Referring now to FIG. 18 each dealer's name and fl address are mandatory, and dealer telephone number facsimile number. e-nail address> and contact person may also be entered Information to be entered for each new sales 10 agent 37 includes name> address> telephone number, and title. The commission models are used by the system in determining payment and account balances during sales account reconciliation. Incentive model information may be entered for particular sales agents 37 and will normally include start and end dates of the incentive program, elgiblepersons for 15 claiming benefits under the incentive program, and the requirements of the program. The incentive models are used to compute checkin/checkaout account balances and dealer/sales agent compensation By registrationof sold cards 3, the SAS subsystem, in conjunction with the card management subsystem, loads customerlaccount infomation into the database 33. Referringnow to FIG. 19> the data flow associated with the sales agent 37 check-in is detailed. The process shown in FIG. 19 occurs with the return of the sales agent 37 from a sales call or sales trip, The sales agent 37 must account for all cards registered to him/her and mustreport the cards as having been sold, as being returned, or as having been damaged or destroyed A card 25 inventory is correspondingly updated, with the retuned cards being made available for subsequent sale, The sales agent's appropriate commission model is seected, the nuTmber of sold lots is input and the sales agent 37 is compensated in the form of cash or credit. Al data associatedwth the sales agent's transactions is stored in the server 23 database 33. FIGs. 20 and 21 33 detail the data flow associated with adding a new dealer and a new sales agent 37, respectively, to the system, The security subsystem of the Card ManagertM provides the ability to assign users to organizational roles, to configure security privileges for 5 different rolesand to regulate work flow through designated,approved roles by utilizing user and operations administrations. The detail of this subsystem is shown in FIG. The user can create and modify users, create and modify roles to access particular subsystems of the system map operations to roles, map roles to users -and assign the rights allowed on each subsystem to the 10 various roles. Some of the functions of the Card Managerm subsystem are provided by batch processes instead of online services. Most notable among these are the steps associated wihb issuing and managing the access cards 3 and their corresponding PIN number& An example of such processing is shown in FIG. 15 23 for the authentication of mobile cards 3. As a method to avoid fraudulent usage of access cards 3, rinted access cards 3 must first be authenticated or registered before the system will accept the usage of the card 3 Such a process is initiated at the central office 71 with a request for additional mobile, ort"automobile" cards 3. Once all necessary information associated with the 20 cards 3 is extracted rom the system database 33. the card is authenticated by updating its status in the database 33. At this point, the card 3 is available for use by a customer to access the services provided through the inventive system. FIGs 24 26B detail the data flow associated with generating various 25 reports. The system provides for generating a plurality of parametertdriVe reports, with the parameters being provided by users, provided by the system data stored in the various databases 31, 33, 68, or provided by both, The reports can be generated at the central office 71 the region office 59, at the distributorships 35, at the sales agents' 37 offices, or remotely through online 34 004 }0i~ terminals The external carrier and rate plan subsystendECRS)subsystem of the Card Manager T M is responsible for maintaining the various network and carrier rate plans available under which customers may be accessing the resources $ and services available through the system. System users utilize the ECRS subsystem to enter information for maintaining carrier- and ratw-related information within the system, including information identifying and detailing exteral carriers rate plansnetworks nodes, zones, time packages tariff times, holidays, contact persons, and service maintenance definitions. 10 Through the use of various well known input and query devices, including graphical user interfaces and remote terminal, the users can view, input, modify, and delete any and all information related to the extemal carriers and various rate plans, with appropriate clearance authority as provided through the system's security subsystem. Each rate plan may be limited by zone, time, 15 date, and user. Additionally, the ECRS provides the resources through which additional surcharges maY be added to rate structure for particular services utilized by customers, such as call conferencing, voice mail, facsimile, etc. The ECRS subsystem provides a built-in rating engine for dynamically calculating various usage charges during the delivery of communication 20 services for ensraing that the customer has sufficient balance or limit remaining to purchase the requested servces. A high level application programming interface (TAP) is a term of art describing the application programming interface that interfaces between the system in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention and the 25 CTI cards, regardless of the type or manufacturer of CTI card(s) provided. Therefore, by simply updating the RAPI modules to accommodate a new CTI card, the system becomes independent of whatever CTI cards are elected to be used. In other words, RAP provides a way to keep the applcaion unchanged over mutiple vendor CTI cards. 35 004.0039 The framework of HAPI provides a set of function callsI structures, events, errors, and constants which are common across al cards supported by HAPt The application can use these values irrespective of the card used; Thus the application developer need not worry about the target card type on which 5 the application is going to be executed. The programmer need not know the function calls or the programming intricacies of all the type of cards on which the program is going to be runm HAPI shields these frm the application and provides a common framework for the application develop. HAPI can be used with analog lines as well as digital (E/T l[ISDN)lines While the above discussion has been directed toward providing telephony communication services to the user and subscriber in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention, the CaIlManagerT 4 102 and NetManager TM subsystems can also be utilized to provide Internet or other online services to the user, Specificaly the services of CalIManager"1 102 15 and/or NetManager9'104 can be used to access any online service currently available through the use of computers and modemsas illustrated by FIGs27 28. in such an embodiment of the present invention, the user inquiries would be routed through a remote access server 202 instead of the CallManagerM 102 server 23 or the NetManagerM 1,04 server 1.7 The remote access server 20 202 would then direct the inquiry through a router 204 to connect with the Internet network 200 or any online access service. Once connected, the user would be allowed to conduct any pre-authorized online transaction, such ase commerce, information inquiry, financial, communicationor entertainment, for example. The rating engine for calculating user charges for receiving 25 services selected wuld be modified to reflect the cost of accessing the various Internet or online services and features. The rating engine would accommodate charging plans based on service) time, duration, and volume, By way of example and not limitation, a subscriber could sign up for a PIN access card 3 that permits access to e-commerce transactions on the Iniernet, 36 o4Q4 0o40 wit schtrasattns imtewt investment trading, auction bidnad travel purchases, with a specific transaction imit for each such category The user dials the remote access server 202, which routes the call the radius authentication server 206:for authentication The radius authentication server 5 266 sends information to the CallMaiager T m 102 upon authentication, The CallManager m 102 accesses the user's account and responds to the radius authentication server 206 whether there is sufficient balance in the account and whether the requested service is valid for this user's account. The user is connected to the Interet or online service, and the CaIManagerM 102 keeps 10 track of the elapsed time. Charges, such as online purchases, accrued by the user during connection are lev ed against the users account balance. If the customer I disconnects before exhaustion of the account balance, the radius authentication. server 206 notifies the CaiManaeftD l 102 of the call temination, and the CallManagertM 102 then updates the user's account 15 balance, If the balance is exhausted during the cal, the CallManagerTmI 102 sends a termination message to the remote access server 202, which so notifies the user and tenninates the connection. Providers are presently implementing Internet 200 and other online networks to carry voice anid multimedia traffic, in addition to utlRizig . 20 traditional switched telephony networks. NetManager M 104, as a call processing engine for a PSTN user, can also be used as a gateway for providing enhance voice, and multimedia servics on the Internet 200 or other online networks, as illustrated in FIG 2 8 In this ernbodinnete NetManagefrT 104 accepts al telephony calls for digit analysis If NetManager'" 104 25 determines that the call is within the Inmeet 200 or other online network, NetManager'" 104 translates the destination digits to he corresponding Intemet address and sends the call back to the Internet 200 or other online etwork;If te call is for the PSTN, NetlanagerTM 104 performs a gateway function and routes the call to the PSTN over sign ling nks, as MFC 37 0040041 R2, ISDN-PRI, or SS7 The Netflanager T M 1 04 then provides all requested and authorised telephony services to both the Internet and the PSTN customers. Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the at that changes may be made in 5 these embodiments without departing from the principle and spirit of the invention, the scope of whIch is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents. The reference to any pnior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms pat of the common general knowledge in Australia. 10 Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises'" and cpisigwl be understood to im ply the inclusion ofa stated itgro tpo ru of rs or teps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. 15

Claims (10)

1. 2., The method of providing enhanced communication services 2 according to claim 1, wherein said step of providing the enhanced 3, coniniication service .s accomplished through a ietwork, comprising: 4 adandline communication network; 5 a winless communicaton network 6 a wide area network; 7 a global computer network; s a le network; or 9 a satellnetwok 39
2. 3. The method of providing enhanced comnmlication services 2 according to claim 2, wherein said providing step uses a high level application 3 programming interface executing on the enhanced services platform 4 independent of any hardware connecting the platform to the network. 1 4, The Method of proving enhanced communication services 2 according to claim 1, wherein said step of charging comprises derementing a 3 charge frm an online pr aid user account or adding a charge to an online 4 credit account 5, The method of providing enhanced communication services 2 according to claim I. wherein the enhanced communication services comipnse: 3 outealling functions; 4 voice mail fictiois; and 5 call conferencing funeions. 6 The method of providing enhanced communication services 2 according to Claim h5, werein the enhanced communication services further 3comfprise 4 administration function; 5 card managementfunctions; 6 account management functions; / external carrier and rate plan functions; 8 sales administration functions; and 9 system semcuity functions. 7, The method of providing enainced communication services 2 accordin to claimn 5, wherein the enhanced comniain evce r 3 accessed witi personal identification number access card. 40 S. The method of providing enhanced communication services 2 according claim 6, wherein the enhanced services platfom is an interactive 3 voice responsessystem 1 T9. The method of providing enhanced communication services 2 according to claim 7; wheeinithe enhanced communication services are 3 accessed by a user through either an analog switch or a digital switch, whout 4 upgrading the switch. 110 A method of providing enhanced communication services b0 2 users, the method coiis: 3 receiving from a useraequest for an enhanced communication 4 service; 5 verifying, by an enhanced services platform, that the user i 6 uthorized to receive the eniaed gonmnication service; and '7 providing, by the enhanced services platform, the enhranced communication service to the user through a switch which is not configured to 9 provide the enhanced communication service without the cenanced services p latform. 1 11, The method of providing enhanced communcation services 2 according to clni 0 whereinsaid step of providing the enhanced 3 cmuiainservice is ac0complished through a net york,, comprisinlg: 4 a landline communication network 5 a wireless communication network; 6 a wide area network; a globaI computer network; 8 a cable net ork 9 a satele network 41 12, The method of providing enhanced communication services 2 according to clain 10, where said providing step uses a high level 3 application programming interface executing on the enhanced services 4 platform independent of any hardware connecting the platform to the switch. 1 13, The method of providing enhanced communication services 2 according to claim 10; whereir the enhanced communication services 3 compnse; 4 caP forwarding functions R call waiting functions; 6 automatic alarm functions; 7 abbreviated dialing functions; 8 voice mail functions; 9 call conferencing functions; 10 call acceptance/rejection functions; 11 call back funcons 12 password functions; and 13 interception functions, 1 14, The method of providing enhanced communication Servies according to claim 1w3,wherein the enhanced comunication serves are accessed by a user with a personal identification number access card, 15, The method of providing enhanced communication services 2 according to claim 13, wherein the enhanced series platform is an 3 ineractive voce response system, 42 I The method of providing enhanced communication series 2 according to claim 13, wherein the enhanced communication services are 3 accessed by a user through either an analog switch or a digi with withou 4 upgrading the siteh I 17, A telephony platfoma providing enhanced comnnication 2 services to users, the telephony platform comprising: 3 an input device to receive a personal identification number 4 from a user and to receive an enhanced communication service selection from 5 a user; a storage device storing account data related to the user; 7 a veication module authenticating he persona identification S number iipty the input deviceverifying that the user is authorized to 9 receive a userselented communication serviceard verifying, that the stored 10 account data comprises an account balance suffcient to pay fir the user it selected enhaiced communication service; and 12 a processor progrnwned to providethe userselected enhanced 13 communication service afmt the verification module has successfuly 14 completed its processing I i. The telephony platform according to claim 17, wherein the 2 telephony platform is coupled to a network comprising: 3 a landline communication network; 4 a wireless communication network; 5 a vide area network; 6 a global compier network; 7 a cable network;r 8 a satellite network. 43
3. 19. The telphony platform according to claim 18. further 2 comprising a high lvl appicatiprogan i nte ewhea 3 telphony platto s inependenoanyha e coupgtep 4 thenetwork. 20, The telepbongplatforn according to claims where the 2 processor is programmed to include the cost of providing the user-selected 3 enhanced commuclation service in the users acunt data,
4. 21. The telephony platformaccording to daim 7.wherei the 2 enhanced communication services comprise: 3 outcalling funcdons; 4 voice mdil fnations and 5 call conferencing functions.
5. 22. The telephony platform according to claim 21 wherein the 2 nacdconn)to services firthercopie administtadion functions; 4 account nngment functions; 5 external carrier and rat e pIan functions; and 6 managementinformation functions, 2 The telephony platform according to claiml21' further 2 eonpsingapersonal identification number access card authenticating Ser 3 access to the enhanced commnicaone'ices 1 24, The telephony platform according to claim 22, wherein the 2 telephony platform includes an interaive voice response system to request 3 aand provide enhanced communication series 44 25, The telephony platform according to -claim 23, wherein the 2 processor provides the enhanced communication sees ths through either an 3 analog switch or a digital switch, without upgrading the switch. 1 26 A telephony platform providing enhanced communication 2 services asrs, to the telephony pltibrm comprising: 3 an input device to receive an enhanced communiaadon service 4 selection from. a user; 5 a storage device storing account data related to the user: 6 a verification module verifying that the user is authorized to 7 receive a user-selected communication service and verifyingthat the stored 8 account data comprises an account balance sufficient toi. pay for the user 9 selected enhanced conumunication service; and 10 a processor programmed to provide the user-selected. enhanced I communication service after the verfication module has successfully 12 completed its processing,
6. 27. The telephony platform according to claim 2, wherein the 2 telephony platform is coupled to a network, comprising; 3a andline communication network; 4 a wireless communication network; 5 a wide area network; 6 a global computer network; 7 a cable network; or Sasateltentwork. 45
7. 28. The telephony platform according to clain 27, further 2 cmping a high livel application programning interface wherein the 3 telephony platform is independent of any hardware coupling the platform to 4 the network 1 29. The telephony platform according toclaim 26, wherein the 2 processor is programmed to include the cost of providing the useriselected 3 enhanced communication service in the usersaccount data 30 The telephony platifon according to aim 26, wherein the 2 enhanced comnnmication services comprise 3 call forwarding functions; 4 call waiting functions; 5 automatic alarm functions; 6 abbreviated dialing functions; 7 voice mail ftutions; 8 call conferencing functions; 9 call acceptancerejectio functions; call ack functions; password fmtions; and 2 interception functions. i 3 l The telephony platform according to clain 30, fumher 2 composing a personal identification number access card authenticating a 3 user's access to the enhanced communication services.
8. 32. The telephony platform according to claim wherein the 2 telephony platform includes an interactive voice response system to request 3 and provide enhanced communication services. 46 33 Thlle telephony platform according to claim 30, wherein the 2 processor provides the enhanced communication services through either at 3 analog swch or a digital swich, without pgrading the switch. 1
9. 34. Aimethod of providing enhanced communication services to 2 users, the method comprising: 3 receiving from a user a personal identification number; 4 authenticating the personal identification number; accepting from the user a request for an enhanced 6 comn neation serv ice; verifying that an account linked to the person identification finumber has sufficient value to pay for the enhanced communication service; 9 and 10 providing, by an enhanced services platform the enhanced 1I communication service to the user.
10. 35. The method of providing enhanced communication services 2 according to clain 34, wherein said step of providing includes decrementing a 3 charge for the enhanced cornnunatihon service from an onlie prepaid user 4 account or adding a charge to an online credit account 36, The method of providing enhanced communication services 2 according to claim 34, wherein the enhanced counication services are 3 accessed by a user through eitheran analog itch or a digital switch ithou 4 upgrading the switch 1 37. A telephony platform providing enhanced communication 2 services to users, the telephony platfon comprising 3 an input device to receive a personal identification number 47 4 from a user and to receive an enhanced coxnmnication seni'e selecton from 5 a user; 6a storage device storing an account value linked to the personal 7 identification number; a verication module at henticating the perstmal identification number input by the input device and verifying thathe stired accountable 10 has sufficient value to pay for the enhanced cmnmiJcation service; and ii a processor programmed to provide the enhanced 12 communication service. 38 A telephony platform providing enhanced communiation 2 services to users the telephony platforn composing 3 an input device to receive an enhanced communication service 4 selection fRom a user; 5 a storage dedce storing account data related tW he user; 6 a verifcation module verifying that thea stored account data 7 compnses an account balance sufficient to pay for the user-seected enhanced , communication service; and 9 a processorprogrammed to provide the userselected enhanced o nmnuiiiationl services 40