US 6,363,411 · Granted 2002-03-26

How Phone Networks Learn to Handle Your Calls Smarter

Imagine a phone network that's like a smart classroom where teachers (switches) can instantly hand off problems to specialized tutors (business objects) stored in a central library. This patent describes how telecom networks distribute tiny, reusable pieces of code to different locations so that when a call comes in, the right processing tool activates immediately—no delays, no confusion.

Curated and verified by the IsItPatented Editorial team

The plain-English version

What it protects

The claim covers a telecommunications system where a central administration hub stores reusable 'business objects'—chunks of code that each handle one specific call-processing task. What's protected here is the ability to distribute these pre-packaged objects to different nodes in the network based on configuration rules, store them locally, and then activate them in real-time when a call event arrives. The patent also covers the underlying communication system that lets multiple objects work together to complete a service.

Why it matters

This patent addresses a core challenge in 1990s-2000s telecom: how to make switching networks faster and more flexible without constantly reprogramming hardware at every location. By treating call-processing functions as reusable, distributable modules, MCI WorldCom was protecting a more scalable and maintainable approach to network intelligence—allowing one company to push updates and new services across thousands of switches simultaneously rather than upgrading each one individually.

Real-world use

Every time your call gets routed to voicemail, forwarded to another number, or screened by a calling feature, a business object somewhere in the network is executing the logic the patent describes.

Original USPTO abstract

In a telecommunications switching network having a resource complex including network switches, an intelligent service platform for providing intelligent call processing and service execution for call events received at the switches and requiring call processing services. A centralized administration system is provided that comprises a system for storing one or more reusable business objects that each encapsulate a distinct call-processing function, and any associated data required by the business object; a system for distributing selected business objects and associated data to selected nodes in the switching network based on pre-determined node configuration criteria; and, a system for activating the business objects in preparation for real-time use. A computing platform is provided within each node for executing those business objects required to perform a service in accordance with an event received at the network switch. Also within a node is a storage and retrieval system for sorting and retrieving selected objects and any associated data distributed by the administration system, and making them locally available to the computing platform when required to perform a service. An underlying location-independent communication system is provided to coordinate interaction of one or more business objects to perform the service in response to needs of the received event.

Patent details

Publication number: US 6,363,411
Filing date: 1999-10-19
Grant date: 2002-03-26
Assignee: Mci Worldcom, Inc.
Inventor(s): DUGAN ANDREW, HOLMES ALLEN M., ROBB TERENCE A., DEO AJAY P., SYED SAMI, WONG WENDY T.
CPC class: H04M15/90

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