Method and system for minimizing connect-time charges associated with dial-up data networks
OwnerC. Wyatt Williams, Joel Liboveinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method to dynamically connect an originating computer to a receiving computer on a dial-up network, such as the Internet. The originating computer calls the receiving computer over the Public Service Telephone Network (PSTN); the receiving computer detects the call but does not answer it so that no PSTN charges are incurred; then both the receiving computer and originating computer call up the dial-up network and one of the computers obtains the network address of the other computer to establish a communication link between them.
Claims17
The method for dynamic connection of an originating computer and a receiving computer to the same dial-up network, the steps to be performed automatically by the computers under program control, the steps being:
- (a) the originating computer places a telephone call to the receiving computer over the Public Service Telephone Network (PSTN);
- (b) having the receiving computer detect an incoming call being telephoned over PSTN and generating a control signal in response to said detection and not answering the incoming call;
- (c) the originating computer hangs up (hooks) the PSTN call prior to incurring PSTN-related charges;
- (d) automatically in response to the control signal, the receiving computer dials-up a dial-up network using a predetermined generally unchanging phone number;
- (e) the originating computer automatically dials-up or maintains communication with the same dial-up network;
- and
- (f) one of the computers uses the dial-up network to obtain the network address of the other computer and establishes a link over the dial-up network to said other computer.
A method for the dynamic connection of an originating computer and a receiving computer to the same dial-up data network, the method including the steps of:
- (a) said originating computer requesting a connection, using a dial-up means, over Public Service Telephone Network (PSTN) to the receiving computer;
- (b) said receiving computer detecting a connection request from said PSTN using a detecting means and not answering the incoming call;
- (c) said originating computer using means to convey information to said receiving computer without incurring PSTN-related charges;
- (d) said receiving computer using a receiving means to receive the information from said originating computer;
- (e) said receiving computer using a processing means and a databank to determine that the received information associates the originating computer with a particular data network;
- (f) said receiving computer, automatically, after receiving said received information, using dial-up means for establishing a connection over the PSTN to the derived data network;
- (g) said originating computer, after conveying said information, automatically using said dial-up means for requesting a new connection over the PSTN or maintains communication to the same derived network.
A system for dynamic connection of an originating computer and a receiving computer to the Internet, to be performed automatically by the computers under program control, comprising:
- (a) PSTN call means at the originating computer to place a telephone call to the receiving computer over the Public Service Telephone Network (PSTN);
- (b) detection means at the receiving computer to detect it is being telephoned over PSTN, not answering the incoming call, and means therein for generating a control signal in response thereto;
- (c) termination means at the originating computer to hang up (hook) the PSTN caller prior to incurring PSTN-related charges;
- (d) controlled means at the receiving computer to automatically use a predetermined, generally unchanging phone number to dial-up the Internet in response to the signal generated in (b);
- (e) Internet dial-up means at the originating computer to dial-up the Internet;
- and
- (f) means at one of the computers to generate signals to establish a data link over the Internet between the computers.
A fax call-back device, which is adapted to connect to a device capable of transmitting or receiving a fax for establishing a data communication link over a dial-up network, to be performed automatically by the fax call-back device under program control, comprising a casing and within the casing:
- (a) a port to receive a telephone line for connecting the fax call-back device to a fax machine;
- (b) a second port for connecting the call-back device to the Public Service Telephone Network (PSTN);
- (c) detection means to detect if the call-back device is being telephoned over PSTN and if the telephone call is hung up (hooked) prior to incurring PSTN-related charges, and means therein for generating a control signal in response thereto;
- (d) controlled means to automatically dial-up a dial-up network in response to the signal generated in (c) using a predetermined, generally unchanging phone number;
- and
- (e) means to generate signals to the dial-up network to establish a data link thereon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.