JP2002514330A - Internet-based subscriber profile management for communication systems - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] Telecommunications systems include a wide variety of services. For example, the system provides a wide variety of communication services with a single number for the subscriber. Subscribers can easily configure, manage, and update their services by accessing, via the Internet, a service or a subscriber profile that describes the services specific to the subscriber. . The subscriber profile specifies to each individual who calls the subscriber's telephone number which communication service the subscriber wishes to provide. The system provides a method for accessing the World Wide Web to a subscriber profile. The system includes a security device that secures the system.

Description

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to communication systems, and more particularly to a system having a single telephone number to access a wide variety of communication services. Managing such telecommunications systems. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In conventional telecommunications systems, many different telecommunications services are provided to subscribers. Each telecommunications service generally requires a unique telephone number. Examples of telecommunications services that require unique telephone numbers include automatic routing services, voice mail services, facsimile services, paging services, cellular telephone services, and personal 800 numbers. One of the drawbacks of each service that requires a separate telephone number is that managing and disseminating different telephone numbers can be very cumbersome for subscribers utilizing different communication services. . For example, the subscriber must have a first telephone number for facsimile service, a second telephone number for voicemail service, and a third telephone number for cellular service. become. For this reason, subscribers must remember all of their own phone numbers, and for those who call their phone numbers, which services are associated with which phone numbers Must be revealed. Often, a party confuses the mapping of a telephone number to multiple services and dials the telephone number given to the party to receive the wrong service. For example, if a caller dials a number while trying to reach a person, the caller may instead be connected to a facsimile machine. Another disadvantage of conventional systems is the lack of flexibility with respect to telecommunication services provided to subscribers. Subscribers may have to arrange for different people to access different services at different times. For example, a subscriber must ensure that telephone calls are directed to the subscriber's office during the weekly work period, but on weekends the telephone call is directed to his home or cellular telephone. You have to do that. The subscriber may also want to restrict who can contact him over the weekend. Still further, the subscriber may wish to have other people access to their voicemail. Unfortunately, some conventional systems do not provide such compatibility for telecommunication services. In addition, subscribers have difficulty managing a large number of communication services if each service has a different number. For example, if a subscriber wants to update various menus of its services (eg, voicemail) by telephone, then various repeated menu selections and presentations are required. U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,161 discloses a telephone system that provides multiple services to subscribers using a single telephone number. The subscriber can configure his telephone service with multiple voice menus and push buttons or dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) input. The subscriber can configure the selected telephone service and store the configuration in memory. Unfortunately, the system based on this patent suffers from the need to interact with the repeated menu selections while programming the subscriber's memory. In addition, the subscriber must recall the number associated with each memory and the contents of that memory that program their telephone service with swift operation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The features of the present invention overcome the problems of conventional telecommunications systems and provide still additional benefits, as described in detail herein. Under the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a telecommunications system provides a single subscriber with multiple communication services associated with only one number. The subscriber can easily configure, manage and update these services through a network such as the Internet. The subscriber can access the service or a subscriber profile detailing the service specific to the subscriber via the Internet. The subscriber can quickly identify the particular service that the subscriber wants to reconfigure by choosing one of several choices displayed simultaneously on the screen. The choice of a large number of simultaneously presented options on such a screen is much faster than if the subscriber needed to hear a sequence of voice messages in an audio-based menu. The conventional problem seems to be to automatically access conventional telecommunications services by attempting to enter a large number of personal IDs (PINs) or other codes into the conventional system. That was done. The best embodiment, instead, provides enhanced security over conventional systems. For example, when a subscriber first accesses a web server under the exemplary embodiment, a "token" is associated with the subscriber's session. The subscriber's token is verified or authenticated based in part on the subscriber's password and Internet address. The present invention constitutes a computer-implemented method used in a communication system connected to the Internet. The method comprises the steps of: (a) receiving, via the Internet, a request to access a subscriber-specific record indicating a relationship with the system; and (b) transmitting, via the Internet, alternative data for the record. Receiving; and (c) updating the record based on the received replacement data. The invention also constitutes a device in a telecommunications network. The device has a memory and a network server. The memory stores a subscriber-specific record indicating the relationship with the system. The network server is connected between the memory and the Internet. The network server (a) receives the access request for the record via the Internet, (b) receives alternative data for the record via the Internet, and (c) the received alternative Requesting alteration of the record in the memory based on the data. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the following drawings. FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a first system configuration suitable for practicing the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating a second system configuration suitable for practicing the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing details of parts of the system of FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIG. 3 is a data or message flow diagram illustrating a subscriber initiation or login process. FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are flow diagrams illustrating the steps performed by the web browser, web server and token server of FIG. 2, respectively, during the login process of FIG. FIG. 5 is a front view of a computer screen showing a typical subscriber login screen. FIG. 6 is a front view of a computer screen showing a typical service selection screen. FIG. 7 is a front view of a computer screen showing a typical login failure screen. FIG. 8 is a data or message flow diagram illustrating the service selection process. 9A-9C are flow diagrams illustrating the steps performed by the web browser, web server, and token server of FIG. 2, respectively, during the service selection process of FIG. FIG. 10 is a front view of a computer screen showing a typical call routing options screen. FIG. 11 is a front view of a computer screen showing a screen of a representative guest menu option. FIG. 12 is a front view of a computer screen showing a typical override routing option screen. FIG. 13 is a front view of a computer screen showing a typical speed dial number selection screen. FIG. 14 is a front view of a computer screen showing a typical voice mail options screen. FIG. 15 is a front view of a computer screen showing a typical fax mail option screen. FIG. 16 is a front view of a computer screen showing a typical call screening option screen. FIG. 17 is a front view of a computer screen showing a typical error screen. FIG. 18 is a front view of a computer screen showing a representative last screen. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a typical screen layout. FIG. 20 is a representative data flow diagram including a data flow for a token under the system portion of FIG. FIG. 21 is a representative subscriber profile with a representative field therein. FIG. 22 shows a typical data structure of a token. FIG. 23 is a typical directory structure used by the web server of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Overview A system that overcomes the problems of the prior art is co-filed with an application entitled "Single Telephone Number Access to Multiple Communications Services," and assigned to the assignee of the present application and is similarly pending. It is disclosed in detail in U.S. patent applications. As disclosed in this application, the platform allows a wide variety of telecommunication services to be accessible by a single telephone number. Thus, for example, access to a paging service, a facsimile service, a routing service, a voice mail service, a calling card service, and a personal 800 number service is achieved by a single telephone number. Subscribers have complete control over access to these services. In particular, the subscriber can specify what services are available to whom and when. Thus, the first subset of services to which the subscriber subscribes is made available to the first party for the first time, and the second subset of services is made available to the second party for the second time. Available to the public. Further, only one party may access a different subset of services depending on when. The platform of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention also provides a system for making a variety of multiple calls from anywhere using the same telephone number and billing all calls to a single account. To provide. Subscribers are assigned a single telephone number, such as 800 or 888, which is free of charge. This one telephone number is used by another party ("guest") to reach the subscriber at any of the called telephone numbers programmed by the subscriber. In addition, the one telephone number will be used to send a fax to the subscriber, leave a voicemail message for the subscriber, or page the subscriber. . The subscriber can also program routing so that calls made to the one telephone number of the subscriber reach the subscriber at a variety of different locations. Also, as described above, each caller can reach a wide variety of services. As an example, a call from a certain caller may automatically generate and issue a page or be automatically placed into voice mail. Subscribers are assigned a wide variety of personal identification numbers (PINs). Each PIN is a short sequence of alphanumeric characters. Each PIN is provided with a different service configuration. One of the PINs is only assigned for use by that subscriber. Then, when the subscriber calls his assigned telephone number and enters his PIN, the platform recognizes that it is the calling party and calls only the subscriber. Providing services. Other PINs may be assigned different service profiles. These PINs are spread out to the appropriate parties and specify what services will be available to those parties. For example, a first PIN is given to a member of the subscriber's family, while a second PIN is given to the subscriber's business associate. As a result, family members will have access to the first set of services, and business associates will have access to the second set of services. Multiple outbound calls to domestic or international destinations are billed to a single account. The account may be a calling card account, a credit card account, or an account created specifically for grooving the service. As a result, the subscriber does not need to enter the calling card number multiple times when making a wide variety of calls. Subscribers can also access their accounts and update the maintained service profile. As an example, a subscriber can change the terminating telephone number used to reach himself. Similarly, the subscriber can change which callers are sent to voicemail and which callers generate automatically sent pages. Under the above-cited U.S. patent application, subscribers access and modify their service profile by dialing their account. Unfortunately, subscribers generally can only enter dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) inputs, such as 12 DTMF buttons on a typical telephone. This limits DTMF input. Under one embodiment of the present invention, subscribers can view their subscriber profile through a graphical user interface accessed by the subscriber over a computer-implemented network such as the Internet or an intercommunication network. Services can be easily configured, managed, and updated. When on the Internet, subscribers of the World Wide Web ("Web") identify to each individual calling their one number which communication services they wish to provide. Access their profile through Access. Under one embodiment of the present invention, a subscriber can use any web browser and internet access provider to access his or her subscriber profile. By entering a particular Internet address on their web browser, the subscriber reaches a web server that forms part of a system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system, including the web server, authenticates each subscriber. The system then provides a graphical user interface (GUI) in the form of a user-friendly web page that subscribers use to update their subscriber profile. These updates are recorded and updated in real time nearby, so that the next call generated to the subscriber's number will be served by the updated profile. II. Platform architecture FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a first system architecture for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Here, the system architecture is part of a larger telecommunications network. The system has a platform 10 that contains a wide variety of components. Platform 10 provides one telephone number access for a wide variety of telecommunication services for one subscriber. A subscriber is a customer who is assigned one telephone number in this environment. The one telephone number will be accessed by both the subscriber and the caller (eg, guest) to the subscriber. The call originator 12 described in FIG. 1A indicates the origination of a call to the platform 10. The call is from a subscriber or a calling party searching to reach the telephone number assigned to the subscriber. The call may also be from a facsimile machine or a computer. The call reaches the service provider's switch network 14 over a number of routes, including local exchange carriers, private lines, leased access lines, or international carriers. The switch network 14 routes the call over a release link trunk (RLT) 16 to an automatic call distributor (ACD) 18 in the platform 10. . RLT 16 is a voice trunk that is released from the call when the call arrives back at switch network 14 by ACD 18. The ACD 18 routes incoming calls to the appropriate components within the platform to properly handle incoming calls. ACD 18 is a conventional digital matrix switch with a program for performing call queuing and distribution. A suitable ACD is DMS-100 from Northern Telecom. The platform 10 also includes an application processor (AP) 46 provided with an ACD 18. The AP may be a dedicated computer system that performs intelligent application processing on the ACD 18. The off-load of certain functions performed by ACD 18 to AP 46 allows the ACD to focus on performing switching and queuing functions. The AP 46 connects to the ACD 18 via an integrated services digital network (ISDN) means of a switch / computer application interface (SCAI) link 30 of a switch / computer. Linked. The platform 10 includes an audio response unit (ARU) 20 that provides voice response and menu routing functions to the caller. ARU 20 facilitates entry by the caller's selection of DTMF digits, such as by pressing a key on a telephone keypad. ARU 20 may provide various automated menus that callers may navigate to reach a desired service. The ARU 20 includes a network audio server (NAS) 22. The NAS 22 is a server computer having a voice telephone interface to the ACD 18. The NAS 22 is linked to the ACD 18 via a multiplexed voice trunk 23 and typically provides a voice interface to the caller. ARU 20 also includes an automated call processor (ACP) 24. The ACP 24 provides the ARU 20 with intelligent call processing func- tions. ARU 20 is responsible for handling all of the initial city-bound calls for platform 10. The ACP 24 operates by executing a script. The script guides the caller through a series of menus, accepts caller input, makes decisions based on the caller input, and provides another destination to provide the appropriate service. Perform functions such as forwarding calls to The ACP 24 prompts the NAS 22 to play the script, or collects DTMF digit input, plays various recorded messages, and sends a call to direct the caller to another destination. Encourage caller action. The AC P24 is a high-grade computer such as an IBM RS / 6000 from International Business Machines Corporation or a DEC Alpha-based computer from Digital Equipment Corporation. -It may be implemented on a mid-range computer. The script executed by the ACP 24 determines which communication services should be provided to the caller and then provides those services by instructing the NAS 22 to forward the call to the appropriate service provider. . The script executed by the ACP 24 is customized for the subscriber by using the subscriber profile, such as the data entered. The subscriber profile is stored for use by the platform, as will be described in more detail below. The subscriber profile specifies which services are available to subscribers and guests and which called telephone numbers should be used. The NAS 22 and the ACP 24 are linked by, for example, an Ethernet (trademark) local area network (LAN) 26 (Ethernet is a trademark of Xerox Corporation). The platform 10 includes one or more operator consoles 28. These operator consoles 28 are specialized workstations operated by human operators. Operator console 28 performs many of the same functions as performed by ARU 20. In particular, a human operator at the operator console 28 performs the appropriate scripts, action enhancements and transfers. The platform 10 includes a voice mail / fax mail platform (VFP) 32. The platform collects, stores, and manages both voicemail and facsimile messages. It collects voicemail and facsimile messages from the switch network 14 via a trunk 33 of a Group D special feature (FGD). Calls requesting voicemail or facsimile services are forwarded from the ARU 20 to the VFP 32, as described in more detail below. The transfer occurs with the aid of the ACD 18 and the switch network 14. The VFP 32 is also connected to the Ethernet LAN 26. The platform 10 includes a variety of network implementation distribution servers (NIDS) 27, 34 and 36. Each of these NIDSs may be embodied as a separate computer system. NIDS is redundant, and serves to store information in a database that typically contains subscriber profiles. In the system configuration shown in FIG. 1A, NIDSs 27, 34 and 36 are all connected to Ethernet LAN 26. The NIDS 27 is shown as part of the ARU 20 so that the ACP 24 can access the subscriber profile directly without having to go through the Ethernet LAN 26. Typically, the ACP 24 submits a database query to the NIDS 27 to obtain data on the subscriber profile. The subscriber profile determines what scripts should be played for the caller, what communication services can be provided to the caller, and what called telephone numbers And is used to determine if the mailbox identifier should be used. VFP 32 offers to NIDS 34 for subscriber profile information and voice mail or facsimile message processing. The NIDSs 27, 34, 36 are also interconnected by a token ring local area network (LAN) 38. This LAN 38 is used for updates made to subscriber profiles, and stores the database stored on a number of NIDSs on a mainframe profile management system 40 (dedicated mainframe or other suitable computer system). Used to keep up with the centralized profile database maintained by. When a change or update occurs in one of the NIDSs 27, 34, 36, the affected NIDS sends a message to the mainframe profile management system 40. This allows the mainframe profile management system 40 to update the centralized profile database, and then ensure that each of the profile databases on other NIDSs is updated. The platform 10 includes one or more web servers 42. These web servers 42 are connected to the token ring LAN 38 and provide websites accessed by subscribers through the Internet 44. As will be described in greater detail below, a web page or a page on web server 42 allows a subscriber to update a subscriber profile for that subscriber over the Internet. These updates are sent to the mainframe profile management system 40, which updates the information stored in the NIDSs 27, 34, 36 sequentially. Alternatively, the NIDS may reside on a web server. The NIDS provided on the web server updates the profile information and forwards the update to the mainframe profile management system 40. Web server 42 may be part of an intranet rather than the Internet, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Still further, the web server 42 may be, more generally, a program that provides a user interface to the subscriber and allows the subscriber to update service profile information with a computer, which is well known to those skilled in the art. If you can understand. Thus, the program may be a program that resides on a server that is part of a distributed system, such as a LAN or a wide area network (WAN). FIG. 1B illustrates a second system configuration suitable for practicing the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This second configuration differs from the first configuration in several respects. First, there is no NIDS in the ARU and no NIDS associated with the VFP. In this second system configuration, database queries from the ACP 24 in the VFP 32 are sent to the NIDS 36 through the Ethernet LAN 26. Second, the VFP 32 reaches the ACD 18 directly via the FGD trunk line 33 '. As a result, the transfer of the call from the ARU 20 to the VFP 32 is performed by the ACD 18 inside the platform 10. There is no need to transfer calls outside the platform. The system configurations shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B are intended to be merely exemplary, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. For example, a wide variety of platforms can be implemented within a given telecommunications system. Further, a wide variety of operator consoles 28 can be provided within platform 10 and a wide variety of ACDs can be provided. Each ACD will have its own associated AP. Furthermore, a wide variety of ARUs can be provided within a given platform range, and a single VFP can be combined with a wide variety of ACDs. Still further, the components may be connected by different types of LANs, or by different interconnects than those shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. For further details on platform 10 and its associated services, see the titles of the inventions "Single Telephone Number Access to Multiple Communications Services", "Multiple Routing Options In A Telecommunications Service Platform", and "Outbound Calling Services On A Telecommunications Service Pl, respectively. atforms, "Integrated Messaging Platform," and "Integrated Voicemail and Faxmail Platform for A Communications System" are also disclosed in further detail in pending US patent applications. They have been filed concurrently therewith and assigned to the common assignee of the present application. Referring to FIG. 2, the logical architecture of the connection between the platform 10 and the Internet 44 is shown. The architecture is logical, in which many server components can be implemented on shared resources of a computer (eg, memory, processor, etc.). Although three web servers 42 are shown in FIG. 2, the platform 10 may use fewer or more web servers, depending on the amount of Internet traffic on the platform. The web server 42 can use a separate application server (not shown). Each application server is dedicated to one or more applications. This application can be used to manage subscriber profiles, personal web space for subscribers, message centers for email, voicemail and / or fax mail, subscriber profiles for smart cards, etc. It is something. Additional application services can add additional applications to the respective web servers 42 in addition to the platform 10. The subscriber can use any of a variety of web browsers 60, such as an Internet Navigator ™ by Netscape Corp. The subscriber accesses the Internet 44 by using any Internet service provider (ISP). Through a web browser 60, the ISP and the Internet 44, the subscriber accesses one of the web servers 42. The web server 42 operates a proprietary web operating system, such as a Netscape Commerce Server HTTP Server, in a secret mode. As used herein, “secure” refers to using a secure socket layer (SSL) or between the web browser 60 and the web server 42. Refers to another way to ensure that a connection cannot be intercepted. The use of SSL prevents data or tokens (described below) from being eavesdropped on without having physical access to the subscriber's platform on which the web browser 50 is running. In response to the request for access to the subscriber profile, web server 42 requests a token from token database 64 through token server 62. Although in FIG. 2 the token server 62 is shown as a separate block connected to each of the web servers 42, each web server shall have its own token server and thereby have a common The hardware platform may be shared. Token information is maintained by the token database 64. The token database 64 not only stores information about the token, but also provides an additional database of information such as passwords, subscriber ID codes, and the like. Thus, here, the token database 64 is queried so that it can be exchanged as the token database 64 and as the database 64. Token server 62 and token database 64 are used for subscriber login and authentication, and are particularly useful for platform 10 security, as described below. Once the confirmed token is issued by the token server 62, the token is used for track state information for subscriber communication with the web server 42 ("web session"). The issued and verified token allows the subscriber to access the subscriber's profile stored on one or more NIDSs 27, 34 and / or 36 via LAN 38. To give permission. Web server 42 performs two main tasks. First, the web server 42 authenticates the user through an initial subscriber authentication procedure at login, as described below. Second, web server 42 sends at least a default page or screen for the service to the subscriber. It will be the first screen presented to the subscriber, as described below. The optional NIDS 66 may also be connected to the web server 42 or may reside on the web server 42. The NIDS 66 communicates with the LAN 38. NIDS 66 sends subscriber profile updates to mainframe profile manager 40 over LAN 38. As mentioned herein, NIDS 66 is separated from web server 42 by router-based firewall 117 (FIG. 3). Firewall 117 also separates token database 64 from token server 62 and web server 42. Another firewall 115 shields web server 42 from Internet 44. Generally, a "firewall" is a combination of hardware and software that limits a computer or group of computers from exposure to outside attacks. To this end, the firewall 115 strengthens the boundary between the Internet 44 and the web server 42, while the firewall 117 connects the token database 64 and NIDS 66 (and other NIDS databases) with the token server 62 and web server 42. Strengthen the boundaries between. As shown in FIG. 3, the platform 10 uses a first firewall 115 between the subscriber and the subscriber's web browser 60 and web server 42. The second firewall 117 extends between the token server 62 and the token database 64. As a result, the DMZ (a data management zone) connects the web server 42 and the token server 62 from the Internet 44 (by the first firewall 115) and the token (by the second firewall 117). It will spread between the first and second firewalls 115 and 117, separating from the data stored in the database 64. III. System operation Access to the subscriber profile begins with the login and authentication process. Hereinafter, an exemplary login and authentication process for a subscriber will be described with respect to the data flow diagram of FIG. 3, the flowcharts of FIGS. 4A-4C, and the screen images of FIGS. 5-7. The flowcharts of FIGS. 4A-4C present the steps performed by web browser 60, web server 42, and token server 62 in chronological order. In step 202 of routine 200 (FIG. 4A), the subscriber interacting with web browser 60 causes that web browser to screen for a "get login" request to one of web servers 42. In step 202, the subscriber enters "directline. MCI. com. Request a connection to the web server 202 by entering an appropriate URL (uniform resource locator) such as "". This URL can be assigned to one or more of the web servers 42. Using any desired algorithm, such as round-robin addressing, one of the web servers 42 is selected from the set of web servers. It has a text document or a collection of HTML (Hypertext mark-up language) pages, where the wording “screen” and the wording “page” are: Generally, the web browser 60 is used as a replaceable one.The web browser 60 is a well-known hypertext transport protocol (HTTP). transport protocol)) to access individual HTML pages, so that an exemplary URL that the web browser 60 provides to the Internet 44 is "HTTP: // direcline. mci. com. The token server 62 normally listens for a specific command on a TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) port for a request for a token from the web server 42. In turn, it requests confirmation of the token from the token database 64. The HTML page is sent from the web server 42 to the web browser 60. As is well known, HTML pages are, in particular, documents for display on a computer screen. The first HTML page checks the web browser 60 for compliance with all required standards or language requirements and displays a welcome message, for example, the first HTML page. An HTML page is an application with a short web browser 60 Or that it can interpret or interpret applets written in a given language such as Java or Java.If the web browser 60 does not comply, the web server 42 In response to a "get login" request from web browser 60, the web server issues a suitable message indicating that the profile cannot be used to access the subscriber's profile and / or update the profile. 42 sends a request for a single use token to the token server 62 (FIG. 4B) in step 304 of the routine 300. In step 304, the web server 42 also receives the subscriber's IP address. The IP address is associated with the subscriber's initial request. In response to the token request, the token server 62 issues a token in step 404 of the routine 400 (FIG. 4C). Performed by the web server 42 and the token server 62. In step 406, the token server 62 updates the token database 64 from which the selected token was issued, along with additional data such as issue time and the ID of the receiving web server. In step 408, the token server 62 sends the selected token to the web server 42. In step 310, the web server 42 sends the subscriber's Internet Protocol (IP) address, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address. network With continued addresses, and records the ID of the selected token (Fig. 4B). In an exemplary embodiment, the web server 42 selects one of a variety of differently encrypted or scrambled applets stored in a database within the web server at step 318. . The web server 42 records the selected applet in the database, along with the ID of the selected token and the IP address of the subscriber. In step 312, web server 42 sends a login screen to web browser 60. Further, the web server 42 scrambles the token with the selected applet, and sends the scrambled token and the applet to the web browser 60. An exemplary initial login screen displayed by the web browser 60 to the subscriber is shown in FIG. The login screen 120 is a page on which a script of a common gateway interface (CGI) is drawn, like other screens or pages described here. This page, as will be described more fully below, contains a single-use token embedded, a small application program (applet), and a user for identifying or entering information such as the user's ID code and password. And form fields for In step 214, web browser 60 receives login screen 120. This login screen 120 instructs the subscriber to enter certain subscriber data. For example, a subscriber is required to enter his or her user ID code and password (FIG. 4A). The user ID code may be the same as the user's 800 number (one telephone number) for convenience. The user ID code will probably be a non-secret number. Conversely, a password is a secret alphanumeric string selected by the user, such as a six digit number. The password is the same as the password used by the user to access the user options through ARU 20. At step 216, web browser 60 sends the user ID code, password and token to web server 42. In step 318, web serve 42 authenticates the login request. The web server 42 compares the data recorded in step 310 with the received data and verifies that the subscriber's IP address, token ID and other data are interrelated. As a result, the web server 42 in step 310 confirms that the subscriber has not crafted the data to change the token. In step 318, web server 42 may also compare its IP address to a table of non-conforming IP addresses stored in a database. The non-conforming IP address table lists IP addresses that may attempt to break the security of platform 10. If the received IP address matches one of the addresses on the non-conforming IP address table, then web server 42 sends a login failure screen (as described below with respect to FIG. 7). The non-conforming IP address table can be stored in a database at the database 64 or the web server 42. Each record of a non-conforming IP address contains the following fields: Here, the numbers in parentheses correspond to the number of characters or bytes for each field. 1. 1. Incompatible IP address (16); 2. The number of invalid accesses attempted by the IP address; 3. First time IP address accessed platform 10 (4); Last time when the IP address failed to access the platform 10 (4); In step 320, the web server 42 sends a token to the token server 62. In step 422, the token server 62 confirms the token (FIG. 4C). The token server 62 sends a request to the token database 64 or actually accesses the token database 64 for data corresponding to a previously issued token. If the token is still the same as previously issued in step 404, then token server 62 sends a confirmation valid response to web server 42 in step 424. At step 320, web server 42 also verifies the subscriber data (eg, user ID code and password). Web server 42 sends a request to database 64 or accesses database 64 to access the password corresponding to the user code. If the password stored in database 64 matches the password received in the subscriber's data, then web server 42 validates the subscriber's data. On the other hand, if the passwords do not match, or if the token has been changed, the web server 42 invalidates the request, or the token server 62 sends a confirmation invalid response to the web server. I do. In step 326, the web server 42 sends a service selection screen to the web browser 60 in response to the validity confirmation response message from the token server 62 (FIG. 4B). The token fits into its service selection screen and all subsequent screens for the current session with the subscriber. As a result, the token cycles through the current session with the subscriber until the subscriber logs off, as described in more detail below. When the web server 42 determines that the password is not correct or receives a response message indicating that the confirmation is invalid from the token server 62, the web server 42 transmits a login failure screen. An exemplary login failure screen 124 is shown in FIG. The user must then attempt a second login by repeating the steps described above. During each login attempt, web server 42 increments the login counter and records the subscriber's IP address in a non-conforming IP address table. If the subscriber logs in successfully, the login counter is reset to 0 at that time and the IP address of the subscriber is removed from the non-conforming IP address table. If the user fails to log in after a predetermined number of times (eg, login counter = 3), then web server 42 in step 326 records the subscriber's IP address in the nonconforming IP address table. Thereafter, whenever the subscriber's IP address is encountered, a time-out counter that delays the login attempt is reset between each login attempt. The number of trials during login is also recorded in the nonconforming IP address table. Subsequently, at step 228, web browser 60 receives either a service selection screen or a login failure screen (FIG. 4A). An exemplary service selection screen 122 is shown in FIG. An exemplary subscriber service selection will now be described with reference to the diagram data or signal flow in FIG. 8 and the flowcharts in FIGS. 9A-9C. After logging in, the subscriber selects an option or changes data relating to one of the subscriber's telecommunication services associated with the screen displayed by web browser 60. For example, the subscriber selects one of the services shown on the service selection screen 122 of FIG. In step 25 of the routine 250, the web browser 60 notifies the web server 42 of the selected service (FIG. 9A). In steps 354 and 356 of routine 350, web server 42 authenticates the subscriber's request (FIG. 9B). On the other hand, the token server 62 confirms the request in step 458 of the routine 450 and, in a manner substantially similar to that described above with respect to routines 300 and 400, sends a confirmation valid or invalid (FIG. 9C). Routines 250, 350 and 450 are executed by web browser 60, web server 42 and token server 62, respectively. In step 362, web server 42 processes the request and issues a response, possibly with a new screen, to the subscriber. Web server 42 dispatches any changes to the subscriber's profile to mainframe profile management system 40 via LAN 38, as described herein. For example, the subscriber may select one of the service options from the screen of FIG. 6 and, in response, select a service option such as the screen shown in FIGS. 10-16 (described below). The screen for the service may be received. When the web server 42 receives the confirmation invalid response message from the token server 62, the web server issues a "service not available" screen. For example, if the subscriber's IP address matches an address in the non-conforming IP address table, or if the subscriber's token has expired, web server 42 sends a login failure screen 124. In step 264, web browser 60 receives a response and / or screen from web server 42 (FIG. 9A). Depending on the processed request, the user will be able to select additional services. Then, the steps under routines 250, 350 and 450 are repeated for each additional service request performed by the subscriber. As a result, when the subscriber makes his choice on one of the service screens, the token originally issued during login will accompany that choice. This token is validated for all accesses attempted by the subscriber during service selection. Next, selection and updating of a subscriber's profile will be described with respect to the screens of FIGS. 6 and 10-18. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally allow subscribers to update their profile, including the addition or modification of telephone numbers in their find-me routing, Change the schedule in the follow-me routing, add default or alternative routing, and many other possibilities described herein. These updates are entered by the subscriber via a user-friendly GUI with the screen shown in FIGS. 5-18. The screens are provided by the web server 42 to the subscriber's web browser 60. When the subscriber updates the service in the profile, web server 42 sends the updated profile to mainframe profile management system 40 via LAN 38. Mainframe profile management system 40 updates the database of centralized subscriber profile records and distributes the updated records to distributed NIDs 27, 34, 36 and 66. After the login and authentication process, web server 60 displays service selection screen 122 of FIG. 6 as described above. The subscriber can select one of several service options, such as call routing, speed dial numbers, voice mail, fax mail, call screening, and the like. Each subscriber service option on the service selection screen 122 has a hypertext link that links to the associated screen as follows. The call routing option links to screen 128 of FIG. 10 (which sequentially links to screens 130 and 132 of FIGS. 11 and 12). The speed-dial number option links to screen 134 of FIG. The voicemail option links to screen 136 in FIG. The fax mail option links to screen 138 of FIG. The call screening option then links to screen 140 of FIG. The user may select one of the service options shown on the screen of FIG. 6 by positioning the cursor and clicking on the service, or by other known user input and selection methods. Is also good. The service selection screen 122 also has a log off button 127. By clicking on the log off button 127, the subscriber can immediately log out of the subscriber's current session. The web server 42 immediately ends the time limit attached to the current token, and sends the login screen 120 to the web browser 60. As shown in FIG. 10, if the subscriber selects the call routing option from the service selection screen 122, the web server 42 sends this screen 128 for display to the subscriber by the web browser 60. I do. In the call receiving section 144 of the screen 128, the subscriber receives a call on his account by selecting one of the two buttons displayed on his computer screen. Specify whether or not to If the subscriber selects the button that does not accept the call, then the caller to the subscriber will make a call indicating that the subscriber has not received a call through one of his telephone numbers. The message that informs the callers will be received. In a choose selections section 146, the subscriber specifies whether the guest caller should receive the guest menu or be subject to override routing. I do. By selecting the guest menu to be selected, the web server 42 sends the guest menu screen 130 to the web browser 60. On the other hand, when the subscriber has not selected any menu to be selected, the web server 42 sends an override routing screen 132 to the web browser 60. Hereinafter, both screens will be described. In a subscriber unavailable section of screen 128, the subscriber specifies the handling of calls received when the subscriber cannot be contacted (alternate terminal). Under section 148, if the subscriber is unable to contact the subscriber, the call is terminated to the subscriber's voicemail, pager, voicemail and pager, or closed for a guest call Determine whether to receive a message (a closing message). After selecting or updating any of the options presented on screen 128 or other screens discussed herein, web server 42 provides status messages on the screen for the subscriber. For example, after the subscriber selects the closed message option in the alternate terminal section 148, the web server 42 will hear "a caller will hear a message asking him to try the call later."("Callers will hear a message asking them to try their call later,"), and the web browser 60 displays it to the subscriber on the screen 128. As shown in FIG. 11, when the subscriber selects the guest menu to be selected on the call routing screen 128, the web server 42 displays the guest menu screen 130 for display by the web browser 60. Send In a Findme routing section 150, a guest menu screen 130 provides options for the subscriber to plan the routing of calls to them, and continuously detects the subscriber. Provide up to three numbers to try. In an exemplary embodiment, the subscriber enters up to three numbers and the number of rings to be performed on that number before trying an alternate number. Leading "1" numbers and all non-numbers (eg, parentheses and dashes) in the national number are removed from all numbers entered into the three boxes shown in section 150. The number of ring tones is converted to seconds based on a formula that multiplies the number of ring tones by six, and three rings (18 seconds) if the subscriber does not enter any numerical value. Is preferably stored in the subscriber's profile with a default value of 0 to 8 seconds are interpreted as 1 ring, while all numbers greater than 8 seconds are divided by 6 and rounded up to the number of rings, up to a maximum of 16. In the second selection section 152, the guest menu screen 130 indicates that the guest caller can leave both a hoist mail and a fax. The subscriber can also choose whether to allow the guest caller to send the page. By communicating with the operator at operator console 28 (FIG. 1A), only certain options, such as sending a fax, may not be selected. Referring to FIG. 12, the override routing screen 132 confirms to the subscriber that he wishes to route the guest's call to a particular destination, thereby presenting a guest menu. Make a detour. The subscriber must confirm the override routing selection under the override routing screen 132. Referring to FIG. 13, a speed-dial number screen 134 allows the subscriber to enter up to nine speed-dial numbers through the web browser 60. As shown in FIG. 13, the speed-dial number screen 134 provides a number entry section 154 that provides nine boxes for the user to enter nine speed-dial numbers. Web server 42 preferably verifies all numbers received from web browser 60 (as input by the subscriber). Confirmation of the numbers entered on screen 134 and the other screens described herein ensure that a valid, unblocked international number is entered for all international telephone numbers. For the domestic number, the web server 42 confirms that 10 digits are input, and a valid numbering plan area (NPA) or “area code” is assigned to the 10 digits. Confirm that it is entered. In addition, web server 42 may indicate whether 976 blocking is enabled if the entered number is a "976" number, or whether other specified numbers are blocked (eg, certain North American A directory plan (NADP (North American directory plan) number) can be determined. Assuming the web server 42 confirms that the number entered by the subscriber is acceptable, the web server then forwards the number over the LAN 38 to the mainframe profile management system 40. Referring to FIG. 14, the voicemail service screen 136 allows the subscriber to be paged whenever the subscriber receives a voicemail. In FIG. 15, the fax mail service screen 138 provides the subscriber with the option of also allowing him to be paged whenever he receives a fax message. Fax mail service screen 138, in the exemplary embodiment, displays the subscriber's fax number. Referring to FIG. 16, the call screening service screen 140 provides a call screening selection section 156. In section 156, the subscriber can determine how incoming calls are screened. For example, it may be determined that a screen is to be screened by name alone, by phone number alone, or by name and phone number. If a guest caller fails to provide their name, platform 10 will provide the guest caller's telephone number. As shown in FIG. 17, an exemplary error screen 160 is displayed when a subscriber fails to enter, ie, enter the appropriate data. The first message 162 on the error screen 160 indicates that "Your first number may not be blank". Web server 42 displays the first message 162 if the subscriber did not enter the first number in an appropriate location, such as within section 150 of guest menu service screen 130 (FIG. 11). Send to web browser 60. The second message section 164 provides the subscriber with an indication that certain numbers entered by the subscriber are blocked or invalid. As described above, if the subscriber enters any numbers, web server 42 will verify those numbers. If the web server recognizes the invalid number, it sends a second message 164 to the web browser 60. Referring to FIG. 18, a final or exit screen 166 is shown. When the subscriber enters appropriate data that is validated and accepted by web server 42, the web server sends the data to mainframe profile management system 40 to update the subscriber's profile. After successfully updating the profile, the web server 42 sends an exit screen 166 to the web browser 60 and provides the subscriber with an appropriate message indicating that the profile update was successful. For example, screen 166 shows "Your guest menu options have been succes sfully updated." Referring to Figure 19, an exemplary HTML layout for pages and screens is shown. A photo frame 170 in the upper left corner displays a graphic or other image. And the photo frame 170 in the exemplary embodiment displays a continuous static icon between each service screen.The title frame 172 in the upper right corner of the screen is The title frame 172 may have a height of 40 pixels and a width determined by the available screen size, and the graphics displayed in the photo frame 170 may include: Specific services requested by the subscriber and displayed on the screen. In an exemplary embodiment, the title frame indicates the title of the application accessed by the subscriber, which also displays the service provider's logo, such as "MCI". The information displayed in the title frame 172, like the photo frame 170, does not change throughout the entire session with the subscriber as long as the subscriber remains logged into the platform 10. At the bottom of the screen The bottom frame 174 has hypertext links to various other services provided by the platform 10. The bottom frame 174 has a height of 40 pixels and a width determined by the size of the available screen. Can be provided. In a typical embodiment, the bottom frame 174 or other portion of the screen contains hypertext links to other services handled by the operator of the platform 10, such as MCI services, as well as other web sites. Such a link allows the subscriber to effectively cancel the login process and move on to other services or sites, if requested.List on the left part of the screen Frame 176 displays other, screen-specific, hypertext links to applications and screens within the application accessed by the user List frame is 160 pixels wide And depending on available screen size It can be as high to be constant. Text frame 178 displays the data requested by the subscriber. Both text frame 178 and list frame 176 change to every new screen selected by the subscriber. Text frame 178 and list frame 176 display the screen described above in FIGS. 5-18. Referring to FIG. 20, an exemplary data flow within a portion of the platform 10 of FIG. 2 is shown. The data flow shown in FIG. 20 corresponds to that described above with respect to FIGS. 3, 4A-4c, 8, and 9A-9C. Typically, the token database 64 is accessed by the token server 62 to generate a new record, read the record for a given token value, and update the record for the given token value. Provided, a token database service. Each update service or application is executed by the web server 42, which accesses the token database 64 and deletes outdated records on a periodic basis (eg, hourly). The web server 42 continuously scans the token database 64 and deletes records relating to expired tokens. The data provided by the web server 42 is stateless. State information is maintained by writing through a cache database on NIDS and indexed by tokens (each of which is unique). As a result, there is no need to synchronize data between various web servers 42. Each web server 42 also provides one or more services. The services provided by web servers 42 are distinguished by their location in the web server's document root (described below). Token server 62 is a client of token database 64 and issues tokens to web server 42 during login attempts. The issued token, once confirmed, is used to circulate state information for connection by one of the web servers 42. As a result, the token service 62 performs three important tasks. (1) issue a single-use token during subscriber authentication or login; (2) confirm a single-use token; and (3) multi-use token. (If such a token is used). As mentioned above, each token must be unique for every login request. Referring to FIG. 21, an exemplary record for a subscriber profile is shown as record 180. Record 180 includes a speed-dial number, a primary terminal number and a time-out value (number of rings) for the guest menu routing service, whether the subscriber is paged based on the receipt of the message, It has a number of fields, such as the status of call screening. Records 180 corresponding to the subscriber profiles are stored in 27, 34, 36 and 66 NIDs. The fields of the record 180 are generally self-explanatory by reference to the detailed description provided herein. The web server 42 and, broadly speaking, the platform 10 may be used by infringers, hackers, and others with hostility to adversely affect the platform 10 or to retrieve data without authentication. Must not be intercepted. Therefore, the web server 42 preferably operates sleeping programs (secure daemons) that cannot be intercepted. For example, the web server 42 operates a sleeping program of HTTP that cannot be intercepted. As is known, a "sleeping program"("daemon") is a virtual agent software program that processes continuously as on a UNIX server and supplies resources to client systems over a network. It is. Generally, sleeping programs are background processes used to handle low-level processing system tasks. The token used here also provides security for platform 10. Referring to FIG. 22, an exemplary token 500 is shown. The token 500 includes the following fields with the exemplary number of bytes or characters represented in parentheses. 1. Version 502 (1); 2. Use flag 504 (single versus multiple use) (1); 3. Token value 506 (16); 4. Subscriber IP address 508 (16); 5. User ID code 510 (16); 6. given time 512 (4); and Disappearance 514 (4). The IP address field is large enough to hold extended IP version 6 access when required. A time-out timer is associated with the value of the given time 512 and expiration time 514 of each token so that unused tokens for a certain period of time (eg, 10 minutes) are confirmed invalid by the web server 42. To The token value 506 has 16 characters. Here, each character has 62 possible character values, which are selected from the set (W-9, az, AZ). Characters at positions 1 and 2 of the token value 506 are fixed and assigned to the token server 62. If a wide variety of token servers 62 are used, the characters at positions 0, 1 and 2 uniquely define each token server, thereby ensuring that the tokens used by each web server 42 are unique. become. The character at position 0 is used to identify the physical location of the token server 62. The character at position 1 identifies the server at the physical location. On the other hand, the character at position 2 has a reserve value, which can be used for identification of the version number of the token server 62 or other information. The remaining 13 characters of the token value 506 are continuously generated using 62 possible character values. Character positions 10-15 are assigned to the current time for platform 10 (in token server 62 set-up). The system time (a 32-bit quantity) is calculated as a 6-digit base 62 number, which is placed at 10-15. The token value is continuously incremented throughout the positions 3-15, with position 3 being the lowest position. In the character value, the order of the values of the digits from the upper to the lower is as follows. "Z"-"a", "Z"-"A" and "9"-"0". As a result, if the system time is calculated with a 4-byte value, the token server 62 generates a unique token. It calculates a 6 base-62 characters in positions 10-15 at positions 10-15. This means that for any given token server 62, the token server 62 ⁷ (35 * 10 ¹² ) Does not generate more than one token. As a result, the probability that the infringer actually guesses the token value is 4.7 × 10 ²⁸ Becomes one of the following. Even with a correctly assigned token value, the intruder passes through the firewall 115 because the subscriber's appropriate IP address must be correct and the token time must not expire. There is no guarantee that it will succeed. As described above, each token fits within a service-specific screen that web server 42 sends to web browser 60. If the given screen contains a formwork, the token may be in a hidden field of that formwork. If the screen contains an applet, such as a Java applet, the token may be a parameter of the applet. If the screen contains a hypertext link (eg, a hypertext reference (HREF) specifying the name or URL of the file to which the hypertext link points), the token It may be a part of itself. Typically, the particular value of a given token does not necessarily need to be kept unintercepted. Token security is provided by the use of SSL within the platform 10, the expiration or timeout of the token, and the linking of the token to the subscriber's (client) IP address. In the exemplary embodiment, all HTML pages that the web server 42 sends to the web browser 60 are shared by a common, such as Perl-based, Common Gateway Interface (CGI) script. Generated using common rules in the language. As is well known, CGI scripts are a standard way to extend sleeping programs in HTTP and are commonly described using Perl, C or shell scripts. All accesses to the web server 42 by the web browser 60 are transferred to the description of the CGI script. Referring to FIG. 23, all CGI scripts are preferably located in directories within web server. Then, the directory is not in the document-root directory of the sleeping program of HTTP, and thereby provides security to the web server 42. As mentioned above, authentication of each request and issuance of a valid token is required for every subscriber's request and thus at the start of every script. Each application on the web server 42 has its own document root and CGI scripts (cgi-bin), templates (templ), images, Java class libraries and, if necessary, image maps (map). It has an associated collection of directories. The structure of an exemplary welcome server directory on the web server 42 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 23, the document root directory is separated from the server root directory. The document root directory holds only welcome and access failed / denied HTML pages for security. These directories are mapped through server instructions so that they can be accessed by application-specific URLs. As with CGI scripts, many applications may store libraries of images and classes. As shown in FIG. 23, distributed objects are maintained in a separately distributed directory tree. There is no URL map for these distributed objects. However, instead, the distributed object is accessed at startup of the platform 10 through its application-specific URL linked to the distributed object. The common server root directory contains the processing parameters for web server 42. Such information is maintained in a common database to maintain the same environment for a wide variety of web servers 42. While particular embodiments and examples of the present invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant arts, Various equivalent modifications can be made. The teachings of the present invention provided herein may be applied to other communication or network systems and are not necessarily limited to the exemplary telecommunications systems described above. For example, while embodiments of the present invention have been described above generally for use with a telecommunications platform 10, the present invention is not limited to computer systems that provide updates to user records by means of the World Wide Web. It is equally applicable to other communication systems, such as networks. Certain options under embodiments of the present invention have been described as generally occurring in a serial fashion, but more or less simultaneously, or in another order different from that described herein. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art that performing some processing is entirely within the scope of the present invention. The features of the present invention have been described above in relation to a single telephone number telecommunications system providing a number of functions, such as call routing, speed dial numbers, voice mail, fax mail, call screening, and the like. . The single phone number system also provides additional features such as e-mail (including voice recognition and possible text-to-speech output), video mail, telex services, etc. May be included. Other embodiments of the present invention may include a display and provide a configuration for e-mail, video mail, telex service, and the like. For example, a subscriber may have access to a user-maintained dictionary of speech recognition and text-to-speech words via the Internet. In addition, the subscriber may be presented with a screen that allows the subscriber to select the next option. Voice type (e.g., male or female voice), pitch (ability to select the pitch of the voice), speed of speaking (ability to define slow, medium or fast speech), mode (natural) Language / locale (language / dialect) (select the language spoken (English, Spanish, etc.) and local language). Web server 42 may include a mailbox for subscribers that can store not only HTML pages, but also voice, facsimile, video, telex, and other messages. It is better to select options using a mouse, keyboard or other pointer / text-based screen-viewable input, and other embodiments of the invention make selections and make selections. The use of voice navigation between and within displayable screens to enter is also allowed. All of the above U.S. patents and applications are incorporated herein by reference, as though set forth in their entirety. Embodiments of the present invention can be modified based on the embodiments disclosed in the above US patents and applications to provide still further embodiments of the present invention. These and other variations can be made to embodiments of the invention in light of the above detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but may disclose the records of the user. It should be construed to include any system that performs claims-based processing, updates records, or provides processing for updating. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the disclosure, whose scope is to be determined entirely by the following claims.

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, I T, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), AU, CA, J P, MX (72) Inventors Vadiya, Ramchandra S             United States Iowa 52402-7082               Cedar Rapids Town House De             Live NE 2830 Unit             ー

Claims (1)

[Claims]   1. In a telecommunications system having a subscriber, the subscriber is the system. Receive multiple services,   Identify subscribers who have selected the service option via the Internet Requesting access to an account record by the subscriber;   Confirming the subscriber's request;   If the subscriber request is confirmed, at least one of the services Providing to the subscriber a menu from which the subscriber can select   Via the Internet, one of the choices given in the menu Receiving, corresponding to one, the input of the subscriber;   Update the account record based on the subscriber input received Steps and   A method comprising:   2. The Internet is a World Wide Web with multiple web pages. Including   The step of making a request includes searching for a web page associated with the system. The method of claim 1, comprising the step of searching.   3. The step of confirming comprises:   Requesting and receiving a token in response to the step of requesting access Steps and   Requesting input data from the subscriber;   Receiving input data from the subscriber;   Comparing the input data with corresponding stored data;   If the input data appropriately corresponds to the stored data, the Steps to confirm Kun   The method of claim 1, comprising:   4. The step of providing   The first screen providing at least some of the services, Supplying to the person;   Initial subscriber input selecting at least one of the plurality of said services Receiving the   Providing a second screen for providing the menu to the subscriber;   The method of claim 1, comprising:   5. The step of providing includes a script having the menu to the subscriber. Providing the   The screen shows the confirmed token and executable included with it Have a functional application   The method of claim 1.   6. The step of receiving includes:   Re-confirming the subscriber's request;   Update the account only if the subscriber's request is confirmed again Steps   The method of claim 1, comprising:   7. In a communication system coupled to the Internet,   Via the Internet, subscribe to a subscriber-specific record indicating its relationship to the system. Receiving a request to access;   Receiving alternative data in place of the record via the Internet; ,   Updating the record based on the received alternative data;   A computer-implemented method comprising:   8. Confirm the received request before the step of updating The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of:   9. Prior to the step of receiving the surrogate data, the subscriber's selectable options Providing a set of options.   The method of claim 7, wherein the options correspond to registrations in the record.   10. Receiving the request includes receiving a request to access the record. Including the steps of   The record is an option for a communication service selectable by a subscriber in the system. The method of claim 7, comprising a data field corresponding to the option.   11. The step of receiving a request comprises a page associated with the system. 8. The method of claim 7, including receiving a request to access the.   12. Requesting and receiving a token in response to the step of receiving a request. Steps   Receiving data associated with the subscriber;   Comparing said data relating to said subscriber data with corresponding stored data Steps to   If the input data appropriately corresponds to the stored data, the token Steps to confirm   The method according to claim 7, further comprising:   13. Multiple options corresponding to the services provided by the system Providing a page that gives   Receiving input of a subscriber selecting one of the options;   The method according to claim 7, further comprising:   14． Providing a screen having a menu,   The screen relates to a request for access included with it The method of claim 7, comprising a token.   15. Providing a screen having a menu,   The screen displays text-to-speech changes in the record. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing an option for:   16. The step of receiving replacement data includes updating the record. 8. The method of claim 7, comprising receiving audio data providing instructions for the operation.   17． Providing a subscriber with access to an e-mail box; The method of claim 7, further comprising a loop.   18. Computer-reading instructions containing instructions for a computer in a communication system The instructions of the computer readable medium, wherein the instructions are:   Connection to services provided by the system via the Internet Receiving a request to access a subscriber-specific record indicating:   Receiving alternative data in place of the record via the Internet; ,   Updating the record based on the received alternative data;   A medium comprising:   19. Check for incoming requests before the step of updating The computer-readable medium of claim 18, further comprising steps.   20. Prior to the step of receiving the surrogate data, the subscriber's selectable options Providing a set of options.   19. The computer of claim 18, wherein the option corresponds to a registration in the record. A computer readable medium.   21. The step of receiving a request includes accessing a page associated with the system. 20. The computer readable medium of claim 18, comprising receiving a request to access. Medium.   22. Requesting and receiving a token in response to the step of receiving a request. Steps   Receiving data associated with the subscriber;   Comparing data associated with the subscriber data with corresponding stored data Steps and   If the input data appropriately corresponds to the stored data, the token Steps to confirm   The computer-readable medium of claim 18, further comprising:   23. Multiple options corresponding to the services provided by the system Providing a page that gives   Receiving input of a subscriber selecting one of the options;   The computer-readable medium of claim 18, further comprising:   24. Providing a screen having a menu,   The screen relates to a request for access included with it 19. The computer readable medium of claim 18, comprising a token.   25. Providing a screen having a menu,   The menu changes text-to-speech features in the record The computer readable medium of claim 18, providing an option to perform. body.   26. The step of receiving replacement data includes updating the record. 19. The computer of claim 18 including receiving voice data providing instructions for Data readable medium.   27. Providing a subscriber with access to an e-mail box; The computer-readable medium of claim 18, further comprising a loop.   28. In telecommunications networks,   A memory for storing a subscriber-specific record indicating the relationship with the system;   Connected between the memory and the Internet, and (a) via the Internet Receiving a request to access the record, (b) via the Internet, Receiving alternative data in place of the record; and (c) receiving alternative data based on the received alternative data. Requesting modification of the record in the memory based on   An apparatus comprising:   29. The network server verifies the received request before requesting the modification. 29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein   30. The network server may select a subscriber before receiving the alternative data. Supply a set of possible options,   The option corresponds to a registration in the record   29. The device according to claim 28.   31. A token database,   Toe connected between the token database and the network server Further comprising a server   The memory stores data corresponding to the subscriber;   The network server requests a token from the token server and Receiving data associated with the subscriber, receiving data associated with the subscriber data. Data with the corresponding stored data, and the input data is stored in the stored data. Check the token if it corresponds to the data properly   29. The device according to claim 28.   32. The memory stores web pages,   The page has a plurality of services corresponding to the services provided by the system. Supply options,   The network server serves the page and receives subscriber input And   The subscriber input selects one of the options   29. The device according to claim 28.   33. Connected to the network server to callers to various services Provide access to a single telephone number on behalf of subscribers to those services. Further comprising a platform for providing, the service comprising:   Voice messaging service to facilitate voice messaging Screws and   Facsimile message to facilitate facsimile messaging Service and   For interfacing with the platform's telephone network Including interface   29. The device according to claim 28.   34. In a telecommunications system having a subscriber, the subscriber may Receive a plurality of services from the computer, the system connects to a network of computers. Continued,   Via the network of the computer, the service selected by the subscriber Request access to account records specifying subscriber options by subscriber Steps to   Confirming the subscriber's request;   If the subscriber request is confirmed, at least one of the services A menu that gives the subscriber a choice for Tep,   Given in the menu via the computer network Receiving subscriber input corresponding to one of the selections;   Update the account record based on the subscriber input received Steps and   A method comprising:   35. The computer network includes the Internet;   The step of making a request comprises a step of accessing a site associated with the system. 35. The method of claim 34, comprising a step.   36. The step of providing a screen to a subscriber having a menu; Including the step of providing   The screen has a confirmed token included with it   35. The method of claim 34.   37. Further comprising the step of providing a menu;   The menu includes a text-to-speech in the account record. 35. The method of claim 34, further comprising providing an option to change the characteristics of the.   38. The step of receiving subscriber input includes updating a record of the account. 35. Receiving audio data providing instructions for updating. The described method.   39. Providing a subscriber with access to an e-mail box; 35. The method of claim 34, further comprising a step.