US 6,335,927 · Granted 2002-01-01

The 1996 Patent That Let You Control Phone, Internet, and Video From One Place

Back in the late 1990s, phone networks and the internet were separate worlds. This patent describes a system that merges them into one controllable network, letting users manage calls, data, and video all from a single dashboard while the system automatically delivers the quality of service you need.

Curated and verified by the IsItPatented Editorial team

The plain-English version

What it protects

The claim covers a hybrid network system that combines telephone, data, and multimedia services through a unified platform. What's protected here is the method of capturing a complete user profile, then using that profile throughout the entire experience—routing information intelligently, handling billing, monitoring usage, and responding to requests for guaranteed quality of service. The system also reserves network resources on demand to meet those quality commitments.

Why it matters

This patent was filed in 1996, right when the internet was starting to threaten the traditional telephone business. MCI Communications, a major long-distance carrier, was trying to protect a vision of converged networks where voice, data, and video could all flow through one intelligent system under user control. The idea of bundling services and managing quality centrally became foundational to how modern broadband providers operate today.

Real-world use

When you bundle your phone, internet, and cable TV with one provider and manage them through a single online account, you're using the networked infrastructure this patent helped protect.

Original USPTO abstract

Telephone calls, data and other multimedia information is routed through a hybrid network which includes transfer of information across the internet. A media order entry captures complete user profile information for a user. This profile information is utilized by the system throughout the media experience for routing, billing, monitoring, reporting and other media control functions. Users can manage more aspects of a network than previously possible, and control network activities from a central site. The hybrid network also contains logic for responding to requests for quality of service and reserving the resources to provide the requested services.

Patent details

Publication number: US 6,335,927
Filing date: 1996-11-18
Grant date: 2002-01-01
Assignee: Mci Communications Corporation
Inventor(s): ELLIOTT ISAAC K., REYNOLDS TIM E., KRISHNASWAMY SRIDHAR
CPC class: H04L41/5054

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