Apparatus and method for managing number sources
AssigneeMCI Communications Corporation
InventorsSivaramakrishna Kannan, Dan M. Parkins
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A number resource management system for automatically managing number resources implements a Web-based client-server application for accessing and updating information pertaining to a number resource in a stored repository of number resources. Each number resource has an associated unique customer identifier and an associated status attribute. A Web/browser-based interface device enables communication between a business client and an accessing server, the interface device directing the server to retrieve and update information relating to a number resource according to a unique customer identifier and/or a status attribute input.
Claims35
A system for automatically managing number resources associated with a service provider, said service provider applying workflow procedures relating to one or more number resources for use by a customer of said service provider, said system comprising:
- means for providing a customer identifier corresponding to said customer having number resources to be managed;
- memory storage means having a repository of number resources associated with a customer identifier, each number resource having an associated status indicator;
- means for updating the status indicator of a number resource in said memory storage means for a customer according to an implemented workflow procedure, wherein a workflow procedure includes reserving one or more number resources for a customer and provisioning one or more network switches to enable customer use of one or more number resources, said updating means updating said status indicator from a first status to a reserved status;
- interface means enabling input of user directives relating to number resource management for a customer;
- means responsive to said user directives for automatically accessing one or more number resources and their corresponding status indicators from said memory storage means, said interface means displaying said one or more number resources and their corresponding status indicators for said user;
- and
- means for validating a status indicator against said customer identifier for each said one or more number resources prior to said provisioning procedure.
A method for automatically managing number resources associated with a service provider, said service provider applying workflow procedures relating to one or more number resources for use by a customer of said service provider, said method comprising:
- providing a customer identifier corresponding to said customer having number resources to be managed;
- storing one or more number resources associated with a customer identifier, each number resource having one or more associated status attributes;
- updating a status attribute of a stored number resource for a customer according to an implemented workflow procedure wherein a workflow procedure includes reserving one or more number resources for a customer and provisioning one or more network switchers to enable customer use of corresponding one or more number resources, said method including updating a status attribute from said first status to a reserved status;
- automatically accessing those stored number resources and associated status attributes for display at a user display terminal in response to a user directive;
- and
- validating a status indicator for each said one or more number resources against said customer identifier prior to applying said provisioning procedure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.