Patent ID: 6614888
Filing Date: 2003-09-02
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
An exchange in a telecommunications system comprising:a switching device; a data network connection device connected to the switching device; a telephony server connected to the switching device; a user information database accessible from both the network connection device and the telephony server; and an exchange controller that receives user information that is entered once via an input terminal, and stores the user information in the user information database within the exchange, wherein: the user information database receives and stores the user information, said user information database being accessible from both the network connection device and the telephony server for verification of the user information, said user information identifying the user and specifying the user's rights to use both the data services and the telephony services; the switching device establishes a first communication connection for exchanging data between a user's computer and the data network connection device within the exchange; the data network connection device establishes a second communication connection with a remote data network, said second communication connection providing data services with the remote data network, said network connection device requiring verification of the user information stored in the database before establishing the second communication connection; and the telephony server utilizes the first communication connection to provide telephony services to a telephone at the user's location while the first communication connection is also exchanging data with the user's computer, said telephony server also requiring verification of the user information stored in the database before providing the telephony services.