Patent ID: 6178233
Filing Date: 2001-01-23
Classification: H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
A method for providing an indication to a subscriber of a network, which subscriber is not continually connected to a network host facility, of an event at the network host facility, the method comprising the steps of:at a subscriber unit:generating an inquiry signal; andgenerating an inquiry telephone call to said host facility responsive to said inquiry signal, and terminating said inquiry call after a predetermined call duration so as to prevent the on-line connection between the subscriber unit and the host facility;at a system connectable to said host facility and said subscriber unit:receiving said inquiry call and identifying said subscriber unit prior to the termination of said inquiry call;upon successful identification of said subscriber unit, determining whether a event associated with said subscriber has occurred at the host facility; and, if so,providing an indication signal for the subscriber;generating, responsive to said indication signal and within a predetermined period of time, a notification telephone call to a subscriber modem associated with a communication device of said subscriber;terminating said notification call after a predetermined call duration so as to prevent on-line connection between said subscriber unit and said system; andat said subscriber unit;determining whether said notification call was received within said predetermined period of time; and, if so,generating a signal indicating the occurrence of said event.