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:
Nov. 06, 2007
Filed:
Dec. 10, 2002
Jennifer H. Chen, San Jose, CA (US);
Douglas M. Nortz, Red Bank, NJ (US);
Robert J. Sayko, Colts Neck, NJ (US);
Jennifer H. Chen, San Jose, CA (US);
Douglas M. Nortz, Red Bank, NJ (US);
Robert J. Sayko, Colts Neck, NJ (US);
AT&T Corp., New York, NY (US);
Abstract
In a communication network that provides a path through a cable IP network between sending and receiving terminals residing on respective networks (e.g., an HFC, and/or PSTN network) controlled by different network managers or service providers, a controller hands off control of service access of the terminals between the service providers. Subscriber terminals may include broadband telephony interfaces, cable modems, or multimedia terminal adapters. To effect hand-off control, configurable modules of the terminals enable them to respond directly to a network manager (e.g., cable modem termination system or call management server) according to instructions supplied by the controller based either on subscriber authorization, database information, call type, dialing plan, and/or other parameters. Transfer of call control may also occur on a call-by-call basis. Further, a usage server collects network usage information of the respective terminals or subscribers to determine user fees between competitive networks.