Abstract

A method and apparatus for obtaining subscriber services available from a service provider, in a telephone in communication with the service provider. The method includes the step of receiving a subscriber services message at the telephone, where the subscriber services message includes a feature identifier for identifying at least one of a plurality of features available in the telephone and a feature controller for controlling whether or not the feature is to be enabled at the telephone. The method further includes the steps of displaying at the telephone a display message including an indication of features enabled at the telephone and transmitting to the service provider a feature request code associated with an enabled feature selected by a user of the telephone, the subscriber services request identifying to the service provider a request for the enabled feature selected by the user. The enabled feature is then provided to the telephone by the central office.

Other References

• International Application Published Under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), Publication Number WO 96/25012, Publication Date Aug. 15, 1996. PCT International Application Serial No. PCT/GB96/00252 filed Feb. 7, 1996. Title: Information Services Provision and Management. Applicant: British Telecommunications Public Limited Compan