System and method for providing interoperable and on-demand telecommunications service

Abstract

The present invention relates in general to the field of voice and data communications, and in particular, to a novel system for providing interoperable on-demand communications and services across otherwise incompatible narrowband voice and broadband systems. The system is also based on sponsored or universal communications services supported by interactive communications between sponsors and service providers and their respective databases of business rules.

1 . A method of operating a telecommunications system, the method comprising the steps of:
 detecting an incoming call or data message from a calling party to a called party; and   using a called number or identifier to determine whether the called party is a user for whom service is provided at no charge or substantially no charge.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing remotely controlled interactive voice, data, and video services at no charge or substantially no charge. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing web portals providing interactive and automated means of sharing data at no charge or substantially no charge. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of using business rules to determine whether a sponsor will pay for a communication, service, or product. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of evaluating whether a behavior or choice of the calling party meets a business rule. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of adding the calling party on-demand to a new network path or infrastructure. 
   
   
       7 . A method of operating a telecommunications device or network, the method comprising the steps of:
 identifying a prospective user of communications devices, networks, or services; and   adding the prospective user to a database of users for whom service is provided at no charge or substantially no charge.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the steps of detecting a change of personal medical status or environmental status of the user and providing service or connectivity at no charge or substantially no charge to the user. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the service or connectivity is pre-authorized and triggered by the change. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the steps of:
 aggregating a plurality of telecommunications output signals from disparate communications networks into a common audio or video mixer; and   converting the signals to digital signals so that the signals can be shared with others communicating over a digital network.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of sending voice, data, or video signals from the digital network to other communications networks not on the digital network. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of using a data center within a network to offer managed services, wherein network users do not need to provide specialty software or hardware at the user's location. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of using speech activated commands to link the user from one radio frequency to a user of a different radio frequency. 
   
   
       14 . A method for operating a telecommunications device, the method comprising the steps of:
 detecting an outgoing call or data message from a calling party to a called party; and   using a called number or identifier to determine whether the called party is a user for whom service is provided at no charge or substantially no charge to the calling party.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of providing remotely controlled interactive voice, data, and video services at no charge or substantially no charge to the calling party. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of providing web portals providing interactive and automated means of sharing data at no charge or substantially no charge to the calling party. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of using at least one business rule to determine whether a sponsor will pay for a communication, service, or product based on circumstances which trigger an agreement for the sponsor to pay. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of evaluating whether a behavior or choice of the user meets a business rule which determines whether a communication, service or product will be paid by a sponsor. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the steps of providing a communications user as a virtual base station of communications to other communications users. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of using codes for allowing the calling party access only to those called parties specified by a sponsor and use of only those services provided by the sponsor. 
   
   
       21 . A method of operating a telecommunications device comprising the steps of:
 detecting an incoming call or data message from a calling party to a called party;   using a called number or identifier to determine whether said called party is a user for whom service is provided at no charge or substantially no charge;   if said called party is not a user for whom service is provided at no charge or substantially no charge:
 generating and sending a message to said calling party offering participation as a sponsor for the current and subsequent calls of this type for said called party; and 
 using the calling number or identifier to determine the quality level of sponsored service approved for said called party. 
   
   
   
       22 . A method of generating an additional interactive request for additional funding of communications services and/or applications supported by a communications routine, comprising the steps of:
 monitoring a plurality communication parties for a signal indicating that an additional service and/or application is requested,   checking a database to see if the service and/or application is provided by the sponsor; and   determining if the service and/or application is funded and if the services and/or applications are not funded connecting to the sponsor to request additional funds and/or services.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the communications service and/or application may be provided from either a public or private network. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the step of determining if the service and/or application is funded, further comprises the step of determining whether sufficient funds exist in a pre-paid account of the calling party, the called party or a third party to cover charges associated with the call and its applications. 
   
   
       25 . A method for provisioning data services to customers comprising the steps of:
 receiving a request from an initiating party to conduct telecommunications with a receiving party at a specified time; and   determining whether said receiving party is a universal or sponsored service user for whom service is provided at no charge or substantially no charge.   
   
   
       26 . A method in accordance with  claim 25 , further comprising the step of calculating a cost for provisioning a quality of service necessary to support said requested data communications. 
   
   
       27 . A method in accordance with  claim 25 , further comprising the step of determining the cost of accompanying applications at said specified time. 
   
   
       28 . A method in accordance with  claim 25 , further comprising the steps of:
 generating and sending a message to said initiating party requesting authorization to charge a fee for connecting said calling party to said called party;   receiving user input from said initiating party indicating said initiating party's authorization to charge said fee; and,   provisioning data services to support said requested data communications at said specified time.   
   
   
       29 . The method in accordance with  claim 25 , of calculating a cost for provisioning a quality of service supporting the accompanying applications further comprising the step of assessing the network elements and quality of service necessary to support said requested data communications. 
   
   
       30 . The method in accordance with  claim 25 , wherein said step of calculating a cost for provisioning a quality of service further comprises a step of assessing a market demand on said network elements at said specified time. 
   
   
       31 . The method in accordance with  claim 25 , wherein said secure identifier comprises a PIN code, digital signature, pseudo-random number generator, biometric or video transmission. 
   
   
       32 . The method in accordance with  claim 28 , wherein the user input comprises a PIN code, digital signature, pseudo-random number generator, biometric or video transmission. 
   
   
       33 . In an information network, a method for patient or environmental monitoring comprising:
 distributing secured communications agents throughout the network;   enabling the secured communications agents to monitor the network for signals indicating a triggering event;   enabling the secured communications agents to communicate with one another; and   collecting information gathered from the secured communications agents.   
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising the step of enabling the secured communications agents to communicate with one another. 
   
   
       35 . The method in accordance with  claim 33  wherein the secured communication agents and associated applications are approved and/or paid for by sponsors. 
   
   
       36 . The method in accordance with  claim 35 , further comprising the steps of:
 connecting to a called party's number;   providing options of services that can be chosen at a fee;   receiving input indicating selection of one or a plurality of the options;   checking the input against a sponsored user's database to determine if the service is approved; and   delivering or denying each of the secured communications agents and associated applications depending on approval.   
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising the steps of monitoring an environment or behavior and comparing a monitored change to a database of business rules that trigger the authorization of an additional service, product, telecommunications service, or infrastructure.