Case 6:22-cv-00031-ADA Document 67-7 Filed 10/28/22 Page 1 of 14
`
`Exhibit 7
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 6:22-cv-00031-ADA Document 67-7 Filed 10/28/22 Page 2 of 14
`ee= STEED
`
`US011012554B2
`
`a2) United States Patent
`US 11,012,554 B2
`0) Patent No.:
`
` Zhidovet al. (45) Date of Patent: *May 18, 2021
`
`
`(54) TELEPHONE NETWORK SYSTEM AND
`METHOS
`
`(71) Applicant: Flypsi, Inc., Bedford, TX (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors:
`
`Ivan Zhidov, Chickasha, OK (US);
`Peter Rinfret, Nantucket, MA (US);
`Sunir Kochhar, Oro Valley, AZ (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Flypsi, Inc., Bedford, TX (US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`.
`:
`:
`:
`:
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 17/039,566
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Sep. 30, 2020
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2021/0021701 Al
`Jan. 21, 2021
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Division of application No. 16/444,753, filed on Jun.
`18, 2019, now abandoned, which is a division of
`application No. 16/031,806, filed on Jul. 10, 2018,
`now Pat. No. 10,334,094, which is a continuation of
`application No. 15/582,091, filed on Apr. 28, 2017,
`now Pat. No. 10,051,105, which is a continuation of
`application No. 14/307,052, filed on Jun. 17, 2014,
`now
`Pat.
`No.
`9,667,770,
`which
`is
`a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 13/944,853,
`filed on Jul. 17, 2013, now abandoned.
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`HOAM 3/436
`HO4L 29/06
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC .... H04M 1/72547 (2013.01); HO4M 3/42042
`(2013.01); HO4M 3/42263 (2013.01); HO4M
`3/42272 (2013.01); HO4L 65/1069 (2013.01);
`HO4M 3/436 (2013.01); HO4M 3/565
`(2013.01); HO4M 2203/5054 (2013.01); Ho4W
`76/10 (2018.02)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC . H04W 76/19; HO4W 36/0055; HO4W 76/18;
`H04W 36/08; H04W 76/27; HO4W
`36/0085; HO4W 8/18; HO4M 3/42042;
`HO4M 2203/2011; H04M 3/42059; HO4M
`3/42102; HO4M 3/42263; HO4M 3/42272;
`HO4M 3/42229: HO4M 3/4365
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2006/0140200 Al*
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`6/2006 Black ww HO4W 76/20
`3701401
`
`Primary Examiner — Nam T Huynh
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — West & Associates, A
`PC; Stuart J. West
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Systems for and methods of delivering telephonecalls using
`the combination of a data channel and a voice channel are
`disclosed. A data channel connection with the telephone
`handset may provide pre-call information used to set up
`incoming and outgoing calls which are ultimately connected
`using a voice channel. Use ofthe pre-call information may
`permit the same handset to be associated with multiple
`secondary telephone numbers from which calls appear to
`have been made and to which calls appear to have been
`placed.
`
`12 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`HO4M 1/725
`HO4M 3/42
`HO4W 76/10
`HO4M 3/56
`
`(2021.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2018.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`We
`
`PUBLIC SIITCHED
`TELEPHONE NETWORK
`(PSTN
`
`
`
`wt
`
`
`TELEPHONE NETWORK
`AUTOMATED STRUCTURE
`‘Oe
`NETWORKLAYER
`
`tot
`100+
`
`HANDSET
`
`
`APPLICATION
`
`MOBILE
`
`INTERNET
`310.4
`NETWORKP~348
`
`
`toa
`t06s+
`
`
`
` pwoad
`
`

`

`Case 6:22-cv-00031-ADA Document 67-7 Filed 10/28/22 Page 3 of 14
`Case 6:22-cv-00031-ADA Document 67-7 Filed 10/28/22 Page 3 of 14
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May18, 2021
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 11,012,554 B2
`
`( ianuain
`
`NOUYSO)|eeimi
`
`mS,_
`
`le_
`}iiHSLSIOSH||HSESIOTY
`NOLEVIO7||NOUWSOT
`HOLSIA|AWOH
`
`/ *
`
`Aai,i|ncaa—-Loao006oleBye
`
`
`

`

`Case 6:22-cv-00031-ADA Document 67-7 Filed 10/28/22 Page 4 of 14
`Case 6:22-cv-00031-ADA Document 67-7 Filed 10/28/22 Page 4 of 14
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May18, 2021
`
`Sheet 2 of6
`
`US 11,012,554 B2
`
`AUSER SUBSCRIBES TO
`TELEPHONE NETWORK
`
`o9
`|
`A
`
`FELEPHOINE NETWORK
`
`APPLICATION INSTALLED ON _
`
`TELEPHONE HANDSET 2
`
`|
`ADDS ONE OR MORE SECONDARY
`|
`TELEPHONE NUMBER
`
`| REFERENCEDTOPRIMARY=|g,
`|
`TELEPHONE NUMBER
`wf
`
`USERSELECTS
`PROCESSING RULES
`
`m8
`
`
`INCOMING AND QUEGQING CALLSAARE
`
`
`
`ROUTED VIA THE PUBLIC SWITCHED
`
`TELEPHONE NETWORK (PSTN) TO THE
`
`
`TELEPHONE NETWORK
`;
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 6:22-cv-00031-ADA Document 67-7 Filed 10/28/22 Page 5 of 14
`Case 6:22-cv-00031-ADA Document 67-7 Filed 10/28/22 Page 5 of 14
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May18, 2021
`
`Sheet 3 of6
`
`US 11,012,554 B2
`
`|
`TELEPHONE NETWORK0fe————~_
`PSTN
`
`x m=sand© =x—fmvLae cs3—t ~Gcn >wnand =3YE
`
` PUBLIC SIWITCHED
`
`TELECOMSWITCH
`
`MOBILE NETWORK|
`f MOBILE|
`SWITCHING
`werner eee eens ERFfLL Mae mei ye wit
`
`(01H NETWORKLAVER
`M0.
`
`‘nn grcctttte i
`Lpceeeneeesbo oe -n ee
`(02~p.APPLICATIONLAVER
`
`POOR OREOO
`
`(447MOBILITYMANAGER
`[ge
`cceeeeeseeeeeneceenececeaeeeeeeey |
`108
`WEB MANAGER
`.
`
`pony
`igv— INTERNET
`Lng
`
`|
`oc]
`
`WEB
`
`|
`HANDSET =f
`APPLICATION 342
`
`
`NETWORK |
`
`MOBILE
`DATA
`
`|
`
`
`PORTAL
`
`

`

`Case 6:22-cv-00031-ADA Document 67-7 Filed 10/28/22 Page 6 of 14
`Case 6:22-cv-00031-ADA Document 67-7 Filed 10/28/22 Page 6 of 14
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May18, 2021
`
`Sheet 4 of6
`
`US 11,012,554 B2
`
`208
`cam'
`
`
`
`|CARLESPLACED BYACALLERTO
`A SECONDARY NUMBER (GALL 1)
`
`|
`THE CALL IS ROUTEDVIA THE PSTNOR PRIVATE
`|
`NETWORK TOTHE TELEPHONE NETWORK
`
`402
`
`404
`
`[CALLMANAGERAPPLIESTHE CALL PROCESSING RULESASSIGNSABRIDGE
`|
`NUMBER AND COMMUNICATES WITH THE HANDSE
`
`PRE-CALL NOTIFICATIONIS SENT
`pO~__
`TO THE HANDSET WITH A BRIDGE NUMBER
`
`L406
`
`L408
`
`[FANDSET APPLICATIONDISPLAYSTHE CALLED AND CALLING PHONE NUMBER
`INFORMATIONAND ADDITIONAL CUSTOM INFORMATION
`
`|
`|
`
`410
`
`MAIL MESSAGE
`
`
`
`USER CHOICE I$ SENT TO
`CALL MANAGER
`
`DELVER CUSTOM VOICE
`
`
`HANDSETDIALS THE ASSIGNED
`BRIDGE NUMBER (CALL 2}
`
`SWITCH CONNECTSTHIS CAALLAND THEINCOMINGCALLTOGETHER,
`
`CALLTAND CALL 2 ARE BRIDGED
`
`

`

`Case 6:22-cv-00031-ADA Document 67-7 Filed 10/28/22 Page 7 of 14
`Case 6:22-cv-00031-ADA Document 67-7 Filed 10/28/22 Page 7 of 14
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May18, 2021
`
`Sheet 5 of6
`
`US 11,012,554 B2
`
`OUTGOINGCALL=|
`
`PROCESSING RULES
`
` THE CALL MANAGER VIA
`
`
`
`THE SWHECH DIALS
`THE CALLED NUMBER
`AND SECONDARY
`NUMBER APPEARS
`AS THE
`CALLING NUMBER
`
`
`
`Kewecneeoeeneeeeeewee
`
`
` CALL MANAGER
`ASSIGNS AND SENDS
`A BRIDGE NUMBER
`TO HANDSET
`
`
`
`
`
`NATIVE HANDSET
`
`DIALER ORIGINATES
`
`
`ACALL TO
`
`BRIDGE NUMBER
`
`
`HANDSET APPLICATION
`
`|
`
`USER CHOOSE'S ONE OF
`THE SECONDARY
`TELEPHONE NUMBERS AS
`THE ORIGINATING
`TELEPHONE NUMBER
`
`USER ENTERS
`THE TELEPHONE
`NUMBER TO BE CALLED
`AND INFIATES THE CALL
`
`CALL MANAGER
`APPLIES THE CALL
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 6:22-cv-00031-ADA Document 67-7 Filed 10/28/22 Page 8 of 14
`Case 6:22-cv-00031-ADA Document 67-7 Filed 10/28/22 Page 8 of 14
`
`U.S.
`
`Patent
`
`May18, 2021
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 11,012,554 B2
`
`APPLICATION
`
`SERVER AND
`
`SWI
`
`CH
`
`
`
`
`INVITEES
`HANDSET
`
`APPLICATION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CRIGINATOR
`HANDSET
`APPLICATION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`|
`PICKUSERSA,B,6,D
`|
`TO JOIN ACONE, CALLNOW 1.
`
`ALSOBE SCHEDULED |
`AN
`EG
`ALATER DATA TIME |
`OR A
`
`
`
`2 C
`
`ii
`
`
`
`ASSIGN A CONFERENCE
`BRIDGE NUMBER.
`|
`IN NUMBER OPTIONAL)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SEND MES
`i
`SAGE TO
`N ON USER
`APPLICATIO
`i
`A,B, ©, D HANDSET
`
`
`
`+* BRIDGE NUMBER
`“OPTIONAL PINNUMBER
`
`* JACK HAS INVITED YOU TO
`JOIN A CONFERECE CALL
`° (OPTIONAL) OTHER
`PARTICIPANTS ARE A,B,C, D
`
`|
`
`| ||U
`
`SERB,C,DACCEPTTO
`WOIN THE CONFERENCECALL
`|
`APPLICATIONINITIATES THE
`||
`||CALLTOTHE BRIDGE
`
`
`SWITCH! SERVER
`AUTHENTICATES INCOMING
`fe beseeeeeesetee USERS" YES
`
`
`CALLER 1D WITHINVITEE LIST
`
`
`Jesfoceecsceeseeceees USER‘C' YES
`(PIN OPTIONAL) AND ALLOWS
` THEMTO JOINTHE
`fir oprcnrreeerenerereneees USER “DY YES
`BRIDGE
`En prec enaeen eenerctenersane ORIGNATOR
`*
`UPDATE ORIGINATION APP WITH
`ORINOREO |
`
`pS
`
`USER"A’ CHOOSE
`
`NOTIFICATION SENT TO
`TO JOIN IN 5Mv
`Apevineeneveneevinnnnnernnnnannnnnannnnnnnnnnancnnnnntnintinsinnnnasiinasnnnnti
`ORGANIZER: “A’
`WILL JOIN INS MIN
` NS MIN:REMINDER TOA" |
`
`SWITCH! SERVER
`AUTHENTICATES INCOM
`tING
`
`
`CALLER ID WITHINVITEE LIST
`
`
`(PIN OPTIONAL) AND ALLOWS
`BRIDGE
`“THEMTO JOIN THE
`
`
`ON APP WITH
`UPDATE ORIGINAT!
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TO JOIN THE CALL
`
`|
`
`

`

`Case 6:22-cv-00031-ADA Document 67-7 Filed 10/28/22 Page 9 of 14
`Case 6:22-cv-00031-ADA Document 67-7 Filed 10/28/22 Page 9 of 14
`
`US 11,012,554 B2
`
`1
`TELEPHONE NETWORK SYSTEM AND
`METHOS
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`
`APPLICATION(S)
`
`This application is a divisional application and claims the
`benefit of priority to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.
`No. 16/444,753, filed Jun. 18, 2019, by Zhidov, et al., which
`is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`16/031,806 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,334,094), filed Jul. 10,
`2018 by Zhidov, et al., which is a continuation application
`of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/582,091 (now U.S.
`Pat. No. 10,051,105), filed Apr. 28, 2017, by Zhidov,et al.,
`which is a continuation application of U.S. patent applica-
`tion Ser. No. 14/307,052 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,667,770),
`filed Jun. 17, 2014, by Zhidov,et al., which is a continua-
`tion-in-part application of US patent application Ser. No.
`13/944,853,
`filed Jul. 17, 2013, by Zhidov, et al.,
`the
`complete contents of each of which is hereby incorporated
`herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Technical Field
`
`The present invention relates to systems and methods for
`setting up and connecting telephone calls, and delivering
`information related to such telephonecalls using an Internet
`Protocol (IP) or other data channel while delivering the
`voice portion of the call in accordance with CDMA, GSM
`or like voice channel delivery standards.
`
`Background
`
`The volumeof telephone calls and text messaging has
`increased dramatically and users are finding it more and
`more difficult to manage that volumeofcalls and messages.
`The current systems to aid in managing sometypesofcalls
`only provide minimalassistanceto theuser.It is therefore an
`advantage of some, but not necessarily all, embodiments of
`the present invention to provide systems and methods for
`assisting callers and call recipients with the managementof
`calls and messages.
`Additional advantages of various embodiments of the
`invention are set forth, in part, in the description that follows
`and, in part, will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the
`art from the description and/or from the practice of the
`invention.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`Responsive to the foregoing challenges, Applicant has
`developed an innovative method of providing telephone
`service by transmitting call handling information between a
`handset and a switch using an IP channelor similar protocol
`channel and by transmitting a voice call associated with the
`call handling information between the handset and the
`switch using a voice channel provided in accordance with a
`voice channel protocol, e.g., in accordance with CDMA or
`GSM,3G, 4G, LTE or like future protocol channels stan-
`dards.
`Applicant has further developed an innovative method of
`providing telephone service comprising: automatically stor-
`ing electronic information that indicates an association of a
`secondary telephone numberand a primary telephone num-
`ber with a telephone handset in a computer memory asso-
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`2
`ciated with a server; automatically storing electronic infor-
`mation that indicates a selection of call processing rules for
`the primary telephone number in the computer memory;
`automatically storing electronic information that indicates a
`selection of call processing rules for the secondary telephone
`number in the computer memory; receiving an electronic
`indication of an incoming call to the secondary telephone
`numberat the server, said electronic indication of an incom-
`ing call being received from a switch associated with the
`server; automatically accessing the call processing rules for
`the secondary telephone number under the control of the
`server responsive to the receipt of the electronic indication
`of the incoming call to the secondary telephone number;
`automatically handling the incomingcall in accordance with
`the accessed call processing rules for the secondary tele-
`phone number; transmitting pre-call information via a data
`channel to the handset under the control of the server, said
`pre-call information including a bridge telephone number
`for connecting the handsetto the incomingcallat the switch;
`and receiving, at the server via the data channel, an elec-
`tronic indication of a selection of a call processing rule for
`handling the incoming call
`to the secondary telephone
`number, or establishing a voice channel connection between
`the handset and the switch as a result of the handsetcalling
`the switch using the bridge number.
`Applicant has further developed an innovative method of
`providing telephoneservice, comprising: automatically stor-
`ing electronic information that indicates an association of a
`secondary telephone numberand a primary telephone num-
`ber with a telephone handset in a computer memory asso-
`ciated with a server; automatically associating a unique
`bridge telephone numberwith each of a plurality of contact
`telephone numbers in the computer memory; automatically
`transmitting information that indicates the association of the
`unique bridge telephone numberwith each of a plurality of
`contact
`telephone numbers to the handset via the data
`channel; automatically associating each primary telephone
`numberand bridge telephone numberpairing with a corre-
`sponding secondary telephone number and contact
`tele-
`phone numberpairing in the computer memory; receiving,
`at a switch associated with the server, an outgoing call from
`the handset to the bridge telephone number via a voice
`channel;
`receiving, at
`the server,
`information from the
`switch indicating the outgoing call
`is being made to the
`bridge telephone number from the primary telephone num-
`ber; receiving, at the switch, information from the server
`directing the switch to: (a) connect the outgoing call to a
`contact telephone numberassociated with the primary tele-
`phone numberandbridge telephone numberpairing, and (b)
`identify the telephone number from which the outgoing call
`is being made as the secondary telephone number.
`Applicant has
`still
`further developed an innovative
`method of providing telephone service, comprising: enroll-
`ing a telephone handset in a telecommunications system
`having a server and a switch, wherein said telephone handset
`is associated with a primary telephone numberin a database
`associated with the server and switch; electronically trans-
`mitting an application from the server to the telephone
`handset via a data channel responsive to telephone handset
`enrollment, wherein said application is: adapted to send
`instructions to have one or more secondary telephone num-
`bers referenced to the primary telephone number in the
`database, adapted to present visually perceptible call pro-
`cessing rules on the telephone handset, and adapted to
`transmit information indicating a selection of call processing
`rules from the telephone handset to the server; electronically
`receiving instructions from the telephone handset via the
`
`

`

`Case 6:22-cv-00031-ADA Document 67-7 Filed 10/28/22 Page 10 of 14
`Case 6:22-cv-00031-ADA Document 67-7 Filed 10/28/22 Page 10 of 14
`
`US 11,012,554 B2
`
`3
`data channel to reference the one or more secondary tele-
`phone numbers to the primary telephone number; storing
`telephone handset information, including the primary tele-
`phone number and the one or more secondary telephone
`numbers referenced to the primary telephone number, in the
`database; electronically receiving instructions from the tele-
`phone handsetvia the data channel to store user selected call
`processing rules for the telephone handset in the database,
`wherein the user selected call processing rules include
`instructions to route calls over a voice channel in a manner
`that will indicate that the calls are made to or from the one
`or more secondary telephone numbers; electronically trans-
`mitting information to the telephone handset via the data
`channel, said information being adapted to cause a pre-call
`information to be displayed on the telephone handset
`responsive to initiation of an outgoing call using the one or
`more secondary telephone numbers or an incoming call to
`the one or more secondary telephone numbers; electroni-
`cally receiving from the telephone handset via the data
`channel call handling information indicating a user selected
`call processing rule to be used to process the outgoing or
`incoming call; and automatically handling the outgoing or
`incoming call based on the call handling information.
`Applicant has
`still
`further developed an innovative
`methodof providing telephone service, comprising: associ-
`ating a telephone handset with primary and secondary
`telephone numbers in a database; receiving, from the tele-
`phone handset via a data channel, digital information indi-
`cating primary call processing rules for handling calls to the
`first telephone number; storing the primary call processing
`rules digitally; receiving, from the telephone handsetvia the
`data channel, digital information indicating secondary call
`processing rules for handling calls to the secondary tele-
`phone number; storing the secondary call processing rules
`digitally; receiving a call request to the secondary telephone
`number; transmitting pre-call information to the telephone
`handsetvia the data channel responsiveto receipt of the call
`request, wherein said pre-call information is based on the
`secondary call processing rules; responsive to the pre-call
`information, receiving information indicative of a user input
`to the telephone handset over the data channel; and process-
`ing the call based on the stored alternative call processing
`rules and user input to the telephone handset, wherein said
`processing includes an option of connecting the call over a
`voice channel.
`
`It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
`description and the following detailed description are exem-
`plary and explanatory only, and are notrestrictive of the
`invention as claimed.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`In order to assist the understanding of this invention,
`reference will now be madeto the appended drawings, in
`which like reference characters refer to like elements.
`FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a network
`architecture that may be usedto provide telephone service in
`accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a method of pro-
`viding telephone calls in accordance with embodiments of
`the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating data channel and
`voice channel connections used to provide telephone service
`in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
`FIG.4 is a block diagram illustrating a methodofsetting
`up and connecting an incoming call in accordance with one
`embodiment of the present invention.
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`4
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a method ofsetting
`up and connecting an outgoing call in accordance with one
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG.6 is a call sequence diagram illustrating a method of
`setting up and connecting a conference call in accordance
`with one embodimentof the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Reference will now be madein detail to embodiments of
`
`the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in
`the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that other
`embodiments maybeutilized and structural changes may be
`made without departing from the scope of the present
`invention.
`It should be noted that in connection with the described
`
`embodiments, reference is made to a data channel. A pre-
`ferred data channel maybe an Internet Protocol (IP) channel,
`which is not a conventional telephone voice channel. How-
`ever, other data, non-conventional voice, channels over
`which information may be transmitted between a telephone
`handset and a server may be used in alternative embodi-
`ments of the invention.
`
`With reference to FIG. 1, embodiments of the present
`invention may be implemented using a system having a
`server 100, associated computer memory, such as a database
`120, and an associated telecommunications switch 110
`which communicate through a network with a telephone
`handset 340. The server 100 may be connected to the
`database 120 and the switch 110. The server 100 may also
`be connected via the Internet 316 through one or more
`nodes, such as a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) 322
`and a Servicing GPRS Support Node (SGSN) 324,
`to a
`mobile network 313. The switch 110 may be connected
`through the PSTN 310 to the mobile network 313 at a
`Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 314. In turn, the MSC 314
`may be connected to a Home Location Register database
`(HLR) 318, a Visitor Location Register database (312), a
`Mobile Number Portability database (MNP) 320, a location
`server 308, and the SGSN 324. The SGSN 324 may be
`connected to one or more Radio Network Controllers (RNC)
`326 and/or one or more Processor Control Units (PCU)327,
`which in turn may be connected to one or more Base
`Stations (BS) 328 and to one or more mobile devices
`referred to collectively as “handsets” 340.
`The communications between the server 100 and the
`handset 340 over the Internet 316 may utilize IP as a
`protocol opposed to protocols used to establish communi-
`cations according to CDMA, GSM,orlike standards. Such
`IP governed communicationsare referred to herein as being
`conducted over a “data channel.” Conversely, communica-
`tions between the switch 110 and the handset over the PSTN
`
`310 may be transmitted and received in accordance with
`CDMA, GSMorlike standards as opposedto using IP. Such
`CDMA, GSMorlike governed communications, when used
`to carry voice information, are referred to herein as being
`conducted over a “voice channel.”
`With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, method embodiments of
`the invention may be facilitated starting with step 200 in
`which a handset 340 may be used to subscribe to 10 the
`telephone network that includes the server 100 and switch
`110 used to provide telephone service in accordance with
`embodiments of the invention. A user may subscribe to the
`telephone network in step 200 by enrolling the telephone
`handset 340 using a data channel connection between the
`handset and the server 100. Responsive to a data channel
`request received from the handset 340, a handset application
`
`

`

`Case 6:22-cv-00031-ADA Document 67-7 Filed 10/28/22 Page 11 of 14
`Case 6:22-cv-00031-ADA Document 67-7 Filed 10/28/22 Page 11 of 14
`
`US 11,012,554 B2
`
`5
`maybe transmitted to the handset from the server 100, and
`installed and stored in memory associated with the handset
`in step 202. Once the handset application is installed on the
`handset 340, the handset may connect to the server 100 by
`operation of the handset application as needed over a data
`channel connection which may include the BS 328, RNC
`326 or PCU 327, SGSN 324, GGSN 322, and Internet 316.
`In connection with step 204, the server 100 may transmit
`information to the handset 340 via the data channel, which,
`through automatic operation of the handset application,
`permits the user to select one or more secondary telephone
`numbers to be referenced to a primary telephone numberfor
`the handset. The primary telephone number, preferably, may
`be a SIM number or ESN whichis assigned to the handset
`340 at the time of activation. Once selected, the handset 340
`may automatically transmit information which to the server
`100 over the data channel which requests that the secondary
`telephone numbers be associated with the primary telephone
`number. In response. the server 100 may store (i.e., refer-
`ence) information indicating the association of the one or
`more selected secondary telephone numbers in computer
`memory associated with the server such as the database 120.
`In an alternative embodiment, the server 100 may automati-
`cally assign one or more secondary telephone numbersto the
`handset 340, as opposed to them being selected.
`In step 206 of FIG. 2, the handset 340 may be used to
`access the handset application installed thereon to select call
`processing rules for handling incoming and outgoing voice
`channel calls to and from the handset 340. Information
`indicating call processing rules may be transmitted from the
`handset 340 to the server 100 via the data channel by
`automatic operation of the handset application. Custom call
`processing rules may be selected for, and associated with,
`each of the primary telephone number andthe one or more
`secondary telephone numbers associated with the primary
`telephone number. The call processing rules information
`maybe automatically stored in a computer memory, such as
`database 120, by the server 100. An indication of the
`association of particular call processing rules with a par-
`ticular 10 handset 340 and particular primary and/or sec-
`ondary telephone numbers mayalso be stored in the data-
`base 120. The call processing rules may include preset
`responses for incoming calls, such as custom stored voice
`message(s) and/or custom stored text message(s) to be
`associated with the primary and/or one or more secondary
`telephone numbers. The call processing rules may further
`permit the handset 340 to be used to control the availability
`of the secondary telephone numbers as well as activation of
`additional secondary telephone numbers and deactivation of
`existing secondary telephone numbers. Information indicat-
`ing the call processing rules for the primary telephone
`number and secondary telephone numbers may be stored
`automatically in memory associated with the handset 340.
`The call processing rules may further include stock rules
`used for all telephone numbers, such as an option to accept
`or not accept (i.e., drop) an incoming call. With reference to
`step 208, the application stored on the handset 340 may
`enable it to be used to receive incomingcalls from, and place
`outgoing calls to, a recipient telephone (not shown) whichis
`connected to the PSTN 310, as explained in more detail
`below.
`
`With reference to FIGS. 3 and4, the handset 340 may be
`used to receive incoming (terminating) calls to a secondary
`telephone number, using a telephone network automated
`structure having a network layer 101 and an application
`layer 102 associated therewith. An incoming call to the
`secondary telephone number maybe placed in step 402 by
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`6
`a calling party. The incomingcall is routed from the caller’s
`telephone to the PSTN 310. In step 404, the incoming call
`may be routed over the PSTN 310 to the switch 110
`Responsive to receipt of the incoming call at the switch 110,
`a Call Manager 104 application, which cooperates with a
`Mobility Manager 106 application, and a Web Manager 108
`application, which are all associated with the server 100,
`may access the call processing rules in the database 120
`which are associated with the secondary telephone number
`that is being called. Subject to the accessed call processing
`rules, the Call Manager 104 mayassign or look up a bridge
`telephone numberto be used for completion of the call in
`step 406. The bridge telephone number maybeassociated
`with the switch 110, and calls to the bridge telephone
`number may be automatically routed to this switch.
`The call processing rules may provide for call routing via
`a call distribution algorithm where the call could be routed
`to one or many telephone numbers. Thecall processing rules
`maybe user selectable and configurable, and may apply to
`voice, text and/or other data messaging. The call processing
`rules may govern howcalls are handled and may provide
`automated call routing or call dropping based on location
`data of the calling and/or called party. The call processing
`rules may further govern handling calls based on incoming
`caller ID, which may identify a calling party as being on an
`accepted caller ID list or a non-accepted caller ID list. The
`call processing rules may further provide call routing based
`on weekday, weekend, holiday, time of day, biometrics data,
`and accelerometer data information. The call processing
`rules may still further provide call routing based on an
`interface with a handset 340 calendar to check availability to
`accept calls. Such calendars may include, for example,
`Outlook, Google Calendar, and other user calendars.
`If the call processing rules indicate that the secondary
`telephone numberis not available to this particular caller, or
`to all callers, however, the Call Manager 104 may apply such
`rule or rules and reject the incoming call at the conclusion
`of step 406. Application of the call processing rules for a call
`rejection mayresult in the call simply not being answered,
`being dropped, or automated return of a voice, text, or other
`type of message to the calling telephone number or a
`communication device associated therewith.
`
`On the other hand, if the call processing rules permit
`completion ofthecall, in step 408 the Call Manager 104 may
`transmit pre-call notification information to the handset 340,
`which includes the assigned/looked up bridge telephone
`number, via the data channel connection,
`i.e., over the
`Internet 316 and the Mobile Data Network 348. The pre-call
`information may include information usedbythe application
`installed on the handset 340 to cause a display ofthe calling
`telephone number,
`the calling party name, calling party
`location, such as GPSlocation, and/or the called secondary
`telephone number, as well as other information in step 410.
`The incoming pre-call information may be received at the
`handset 340 before or during the call ringing on the handset.
`In step 412, responsive to receipt of the incoming pre-call
`notification information, the handset application may cause
`the handset 340 to display call handling choices for the call.
`For example, the handset 340 may be directed under the
`control of the handset application to display receive call,
`drop call, custom voice mail message, and/or custom text
`message choices. The choices may be selected through
`interaction with the handset 340, all before the call
`is
`connected or dropped. In step 414, the selection of either
`delivering a responsive text message (416), not accepting,
`i.e., “dropping”the call (418), or respondingto the call with
`a custom voice message (420) may be transmitted from the
`
`

`

`Case 6:22-cv-00031-ADA Document 67-7 Filed 10/28/22 Page 12 of 14
`Case 6:22-cv-00031-ADA Document 67-7 Filed 10/28/22 Page 12 of 14
`
`US 11,012,554 B2
`
`7
`handset 340 to the server 100 via the data channel. There-
`after, the Call Manager 104 may automatically implement
`the drop call or respond with text or voice message instruc-
`tions received over the data channel, and the call attempt
`maybe terminated thereafter.
`If the call is accepted in step 414, however, the handset
`application may automatically cause the handset 340 tocall
`the bridge telephone number in step 422 over a voice
`channel. The return call from the handset 340 to the bridge
`telephone number may be routed over the PSTN 310 to the
`switch 110 using a voice channel connection. In step 424,
`once the call to the bridge telephone numberis received at
`the switch 110, the switch may “bridge” the incoming voice
`channel call to the bridge telephone number with the incom-
`ing voice channel call to the secondary telephone numberto
`thereby connect the incoming call from the calling party to
`the handset 340 via a voice channel. Further, the switch 110
`may automatically send signaling information to the calling
`party telephone which causes the secondary telephone num-
`ber to be displayed as the numberto which the call has been
`completed.
`With continued reference to FIG. 3, the web manager 108
`may be used to process Internet 316 transactions for the
`server 110. The system may also employ a web portal 350
`to link a digital device 360 other than a handheld 340 to the
`telecommunications system for calling in accordance with
`embodiments of the invention. For example, embodiments
`of the invention may be used with digital devices 360 such
`as a desktop computer, laptop computer, IPad, tablet, IPod
`790, or the like.
`With reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, the handset 340 may be
`used to place outgoing (originating) calls from a secondary
`telephone number, using the telephone network automated
`structure shown in FIG. 3 and described above. If the party
`to be called has not yet been called using a secondary
`telephone number, an outgoing call from the handset 340
`may be initiated to such party in step 502 by opening the
`handset application installed thereon. Once the handset
`application is open, the handset 340 may be used to choose
`a secondary telephone numberas the originating telephone
`number in step 504. A list of such secondary telephone
`numbers may be stored in memory associated with the
`handset.
`
`In step 506,the handset 340 may be usedto enter,or select
`from an addressfile, a contact telephone numberto be called
`in order to initiate a call to such telephone number. The
`handset application may cause the handset 340 to transmit
`information to the server 100 Call Manager 104 via the data
`channel automatically as a result of the selection of the
`secondary telephone number and