Method for providing a menu to a subscriber on a switched communications network

A method for providing a menu to a subscriber on a switched telecommunications network is provided. In a first step, a menu of service options is provided to a subscriber. The menu includes a menu modification option. In a second step, a service request code corresponding to one of the service options is received from the subscriber. And, in a third step, the corresponding service option is provided to the subscriber.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to switched communications networks, and more 
particularly, to switched communications networks in which subscribers on 
such networks are quickly provided access to a variety of services, 
including enhanced services. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
One example of a known switched communications network is the public 
switched telephone network ("PSTN"). In that network, individual 
subscriber lines are connected to a local end office switch that is 
capable of connecting one subscriber to another subscriber or to a trunk 
line that connects to another switch. 
Tandem switches ("tandems") are switching systems that switch between 
switching systems, such as end offices or other tandems. Local tandems 
provide connections between end offices for local calls in the same Local 
Access and Transport Areas ("LATAs"). Direct trunk lines also provide 
connections between switching systems, and in particular may provide 
connections between two end offices in the same LATA. 
Access tandems provide entry points into a LATA for an interexchange 
provider ("IXP"). An IXP is any carrier which is authorized to provide 
service on an interLATA basis (i.e., a "toll call"). Two access tandems 
and an IXP provide a connection between two end offices for toll calls in 
different LATAs. At least one access tandem is used to obtain access to 
IXP services and at least two access tandems are used to provide interLATA 
connections. 
In order for the switching network to properly place a call (i.e., 
establish a communication path between two subscribers), that call must 
contain a call code, including an origination code and a destination code. 
As used herein, the term "code" refers to one or more signals for 
conveying information originating in a first location and destined for a 
second location, that contain voice or data content to be transferred from 
the first location to the second location, and optionally data that 
control how the voice or data content is transferred. An origination code 
usually includes the identification number of the caller ("caller ID"). As 
used herein, an abbreviated code is any code that must be translated in 
order for a switch or server to properly handle that call. The caller ID 
may be used locally by a Local Exchange Carrier or an IXP for (1) routing 
the call to a selected IXP, (2) connecting to one or more desired 
services, such as voice mail and other enhanced information services on 
the switched network, and (3) billing the caller. A destination code 
usually includes the identification number of the called subscriber. The 
call code may also include other additional information such as control 
information that may provide auxiliary functions, such as restricting a 
call from being placed to certain destinations. 
Common protocols used to convey call codes include dial pulsing (i.e., for 
use with a rotatory telephone), dual-tone multi frequency ("DTMF") pulsing 
(i.e., for use with push-button phones), and multi frequency pulsing 
(i.e., for use with trunk lines). 
A disadvantage of conventional methods for providing access to network 
services is that the requesting subscriber is inconvenienced by the 
relatively large number of digits required to place one or more calls. 
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a method for providing network 
services on a switched communications network that expedites switching 
between network services provided by the same or different IXPs. 
Another disadvantage of conventional methods for providing access to 
network services is that access to those services is not rapid, 
particularly to enhanced services. Enhanced services are services which 
may be provided to a subscriber without the normally expensive high 
bandwidth connections that are usually required for real-time voice 
transmission. For example, when a subscriber wishes to switch between 
different network services, that subscriber may be required to hang-up and 
redial the entire new destination code, especially when the desired new 
service is provided by a different IXP. Redialing is slow, inconvenient to 
the caller, and wastes valuable access tandem resources because it 
requires that the caller terminate and reinitiate communication paths 
between the caller and the IXP for each subsequent call. Therefore, it 
would be desirable to provide expedited services to subscribers who wish 
to switch between network services on any particular IXP. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for expediting 
subscriber access to services offered by a single IXP and for expediting 
switching between network services. 
In accordance with this invention, there is provided a method for 
expediting access to network services during communication between two 
subscribers over a communication path on a switched communication network. 
The method includes the steps of: (1) detecting in the network injection 
of a DTMF service request signal by one of the subscribers, and (2) 
providing a service to that subscriber corresponding to that signal from a 
set of services including a service for terminating said communication 
path to said second subscriber. 
Also in accordance with this invention, there is provided a method for 
providing a menu to a subscriber on a switched telecommunications network. 
That method includes the steps of: (1) providing a menu of service options 
to a subscriber comprising a menu modification option, (2) receiving from 
that subscriber a service request code corresponding to one of the service 
options, and (3) providing one of the service options to that subscriber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides to subscribers on a switched network 
expedited access to network services. The description that follows is set 
in the context of the public switched telephone network, but the 
principles of the invention are applicable to any type of switched 
network. 
A known telephone network architecture is shown in FIG. 1. Network 100 
includes an end office switches 110, 111, 112, and 113 to which many 
subscribers 101 and 102, 103 and 104, 105 and 106, and 107 and 108 are 
connected, as shown. The term "connection" as used herein, refers to any 
physical, electrical, optical, or wireless connection between any two 
points in switched communication network 100, including any of the 
plurality of subscribers, any intervening switches and/or trunks between 
switches. End office switches 110 and 111 are coupled to access tandem 
120, and optionally further connected by local tandem 121. Similarly, end 
office switches 112 and 113 are coupled to access tandem 122, and 
optionally further connected by local tandem 123. 
According to present day regulations in the United States, access tandems 
120 and 122 may be used in a conventional switched network to place toll 
calls by providing access to any of IXPs 130 and 140. For example, IXP 130 
has two switches 131 and 132 for coupling to access tandems 120 and 122, 
respectively. Similarly, IXP 140 has two switches 141 and 142 for 
connecting access tandems 120 and 122, respectively. In conventional 
switched network 100, United States regulations require that toll calls, 
that is calls placed between subscribers in different LATAs (e.g., between 
subscriber 101 in LATA 125 and subscriber 105 in LATA 135), be routed 
through access tandems 120 and 122. 
As used herein, network services include any service that may be provided 
to subscribers on network 100 including, but not limited to, real-time 
voice transmission, analog and digital data transmission, and various 
enhanced services, including messaging, financial transactions, directory 
assistance, etc. Enhanced services may be provided by any server located 
at any destination on network 100, including service providers. 
In accordance with the present invention, a method for providing access to 
network services during communication between two subscribers over a 
communication path on a switched communications network, such as network 
100, is provided. The term "communication path" as used herein refers to 
any one or combination of connections that provide communication between 
any two points in switched communication network 100, including 
communication between subscribers, any switches and/or trunks between 
switches. 
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method according to the present 
invention. 
In order for a communication path to be established between two 
subscribers, a connection must be available between them. As described 
above, the connection may be any physical, electrical, optical, or 
wireless connection. Normally, the connection is terminated at each 
subscriber with a terminal end unit, which may be any unit capable of 
translating information conveyed on the network to a subscriber. Typical 
end units are telephones, facsimiles, screen phones, and computers of any 
kind. 
Next, a communication path must be established between the connected 
subscribers. A communication path may be established in a variety ways, 
but is usually accomplished by one subscriber calling another. Of course, 
communication paths that connect more than two subscribers are also 
possible (i.e., conference calls). 
One way in which a communication path may be established between two 
subscribers is shown in FIG. 2 in step 210. First, a communication path is 
established between a first subscriber and an adjunct. As used herein, an 
adjunct is any intermediate device in a network capable of routing or 
directing a call from the adjunct to another point on the network, 
including another adjunct, or subscriber. Second, a preliminary menu is 
offered to the first subscriber that includes a service for connecting the 
first subscriber to the second subscriber. The preliminary menu could be a 
visual menu provided on a screen, a voice-based instruction set, or any 
other conventional means for presenting information to a subscriber. The 
menu may be customized to the subscriber, either by the subscriber himself 
or by a network service provider, such as an IXP or another subscriber. 
Preferably, the customized menu (or a customized menu profile which can be 
used to create a customized menu) is stored in a database with a 
subscriber identification code for subsequent retrieval by the provider of 
the menu. Third, a request for connecting the first subscriber to a second 
subscriber is received from the first subscriber. And forth, the 
communication path is extended from the first subscriber and the adjunct 
to the second subscriber. Naturally, these steps can be performed 
repeatedly in order to establish a communication path in which more than 
two subscribers are capable of communicating with each other at one time. 
Once a communication path is established between at least two subscribers, 
any of the participating subscribers may request a menu by injection of a 
DTMF service request signal onto the network. After such a signal is 
injected in the network, a two-step process may be performed. First, in a 
step 215, the DTMF menu request signal is detected by the first 
subscriber. The DTMF signal may be detected by any conventional detector. 
Optionally, the detector is capable of identifying which of the 
subscribers requested the menu. Second, in a step 220, a menu of at least 
one service is provided to the subscriber in response to the menu request 
signal. As already discussed above, the menu may, for example, be visually 
or audibly provided to the subscriber. 
Any of the participating subscribers may request that a menu be provided to 
them for access to further network services, however, it should be clear 
to one of ordinary skill in the art that the menu need not be provided to 
the subscriber in order for that subscriber to access network services. 
After a communication path has been established, any participating 
subscriber may be provided with one or more network services. In a step 
225, the injection of a DTMF service request signal by a first subscriber 
is detected by a DTMF detector. Once such a signal is detected, then, in a 
step 230, a service is provided to that subscriber corresponding to the 
DTMF service request signal injected. The requested service may be any 
network service available on the network, including a service for 
terminating the communication path between the first and second 
subscribers. Steps 225 and 230 may be performed before or after the second 
subscriber is on-hook. Also, each of these steps may be repeated any 
number of times in order to gain access to any number of corresponding 
services. Such services may include, for example, ordinary voice telephone 
calls or voice-band data call to an online data service such as an 
Internet service provider. Optionally, the set of network services also 
includes at least IXP access (i.e., transmitting analog or digital data on 
at least one part of an IXP), IXP switching (i.e., changing IXPs), and 
messaging (i.e., transmittal and retrieval of messages). 
A communication path between subscribers may be established when the call 
code, which is associated with the call, is sufficient to identify a 
particular destination. For example, end office 110 may be programmed to 
recognize that when origination 101 is in an "off-hook" state, a 
communication path between subscribers 101 and 105 should be established. 
Alternatively, the call code may be sufficient when the caller at 
origination 101 dials an abbreviated IXP code, as long as end office 
switch 110 is capable of recognizing and utilizing that abbreviated IXP 
code. 
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that illustrates another method of the present 
invention. The method provides a menu to a subscriber on a switched 
telecommunications network and includes, in a first step 300, providing a 
menu of service options to a subscriber wherein the menu includes a menu 
modification option, in a second step 310, receiving from the subscriber a 
service request code that corresponds to at least one of the listed 
options, and, in a third step 320, providing to the subscriber a service 
option that corresponds to the request code received. 
The menu provided in step 300 may include a call completion option for 
establishing a communication path between the subscriber and a 
destination. Then, when a service request code from the subscriber that 
corresponds to the above-identified call completion code is received, a 
communication path established. The service request code may be a DTMF 
signal, but may generally be any transmittable code, including video, 
audio, or any other combination of electrical and/or optical signals. 
Step 300 may also include the step of including a marker in the menu that 
corresponds to one or more destinations. The marker indicates to the 
subscriber the communication capability of the corresponding 
destination(s). For example, a marker may distinguish between destinations 
offering plain old telephone service ("POTS") and enhanced services. The 
markers described herein assist the subscriber in choosing service 
options. One way in which the subscriber may be assisted is the power of 
the subscriber to catagorize destinations based on distinguishing 
communication characteristics. By grouping all of the destinations that 
offer enhanced services together (e.g., at one location on a visual 
display), a subscriber may quickly scan those destinations for the 
particular one which meets that subscriber's needs. In this way, a 
subscriber is provided expedited access to particular network services 
that could otherwise take substantial time to locate. 
Markers, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, may 
also distinguish between (1) real time and non-real time transmission 
services, (2) voice and data communication services, and (3) broad and 
narrow band transmission services. The markers may be presented to the 
subscriber in a number of ways including, for example, visual and audible 
icons. 
As already discussed above, step 300 provides a menu of service options 
that includes a menu modification option. When the menu modification 
option is selected by the subscriber, the menu is modified, in step 320, 
after a request code that corresponds to the menu modification option is 
received during step 310. The menu modification option allows 
customization of the menu itself by the subscriber. The modification 
option may, for example, include adding, in a step 330, or deleting, in a 
step 340, service options from the menu, which of course may be nested. It 
may also allow for customization of the arrangement of the options on the 
menu itself. 
The step of adding service options may include: in a step 332, establishing 
a communication path between the subscriber and a repository of service 
options; in a step 334, providing a choice of service options to the 
subscriber; in a step of 336, receiving a selection of a service options 
from the subscriber; and in a step 338, modifying the menu to include the 
options selected by the subscriber. The repository of service options may 
be stored in a local or remote database. A remote database is preferred to 
a local database because it allows that database to be regularly updated 
and provides around the clock availability of the database to the 
subscriber regardless of the subscribers access point. Preferably, step 
334 provides the subscriber with the ability to browse through the 
repository of service options to make one or more selections. Also, step 
334 may provide a plurality of telephone numbers stored in at least one 
database. 
The step of deleting service options may include, in a step 342, receiving 
a selection of one or more service options from the subscriber and, in a 
step 344, modifying the menu to exclude the selected service options. One 
of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the steps of deleting 
and adding service options may be performed repeatedly in any combination 
or order. 
The menu provided in step 300 may be a nested menu hierarchy, including at 
least a primary menu having one or more subscriber-selectable elements, 
which when selected, provides to the subscriber at least one more menus. 
Also, the subscriber may provide any other subscriber on the communication 
path continued access to network services, even after the first subscriber 
terminates the path between himself and the other subscriber. 
Moreover, the menu provided in step 300 may include subscriber-selectable 
network services which have either been previously accessed by the 
subscriber, preselected by the subscriber, and/or included in the menu 
based on subscriber-specific information, including demographic 
information. Demographic information includes certain statistical 
characteristics, such as age or income of the subscriber, that may be 
useful to network service providers. As used herein, a preselected network 
service is one which the subscriber has selected to be on the menu, before 
the menu is actually provided to the subscriber. Previously accessed 
network services include those services which the subscriber has already 
accessed in previous calls, and especially those which the subscriber has 
already accessed a number of times. Network services may be categorized 
appropriately so that if certain services are used or preselected by the 
subscriber, network services in the same category may also be offered to 
the subscriber. In this way, the menu may be continually updated and 
customized to provide to the subscriber expedited access to potentially 
relevant network services. 
While the invention has been described in connection with a telephone 
network, it is applicable to any switched communications network in which 
subscribers wish expedited services on a network. 
Thus it is seen that methods of providing access to network services during 
communication between subscribers and a menu to a subscriber on a network, 
have been provided. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the 
present invention can be practiced by other than the described 
embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration and not of 
limitation, and the present invention is limited only by the claims which 
follow.