The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 15, 1998
Filed:
Feb. 09, 1996
Robert H Montgomery, Herndon, VA (US);
J Alfred Baird, Fairfax, VA (US);
Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc., Arlington, VA (US);
Abstract
A system and method is provided for using underused or unused local telephone company local loops to subscriber premises for providing to such premises a connection to an alternate service provider. The use of the local loop is leased to the ultimate service provider at a rate dependent upon the usage and nature of usage of the circuit. Information and data to permit efficient and convenient billing for leased usage of the loops is implemented by providing on the local loop a passive monitor. The monitor detects and temporarily stores data relating to the commencement and termination of the signaling, the time of day, and the nature of the signaling that occurs. Data collected from the monitors is stored at a monitor center from which it is transferred to a billing operation such as the telephone company Revenue Accounting Office (RAO). Switching is provided to permit optional usage of the loop by either the telephone company of the alternate service provider or both. The use of a single local loop by multiple alternate service providers is also possible.