Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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WO 99/23802 PCTNS98I22714
OUTGOING CALL HANDLING SYSTEM AND METHOD
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to systems and method for handling outgoing calls from
a mobile
station, or handset, in a cellular telephone system. Particularly, this
invention relates to systems
and methods for handling outgoing calls from a mobile station in which the
mobile station and a
network element cooperate in handling such calls.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
1o The subject matter disclosed and claimed in the copending application,
entitled
"Call Screening Method and Apparatus," invented by the same inventors, filed
on the same day
as the instant application, and to be assigned to the same assignee, is hereby
incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of cellular telephones or mobile stations has proliferated throughout
the world.
One of the primary reasons for this proliferation is the convenience
associated with cellular-
telephone use.
Mobile stations are often used in constrained conditions, such as an
automobile or in a
crowd of people, by persons who are traveling and in a rush. In such places,
it is often difficult
to focus on manipulating the dial pad of the telephone. Moreover, if the user
of the telephone
does not remember the telephone number of the person the user wishes to dial,
it is often
difficult in such conditions to look up the telephone number in the user's
telephone book. These
are some of the disadvantages of the cellular telephones and cellular-
telephone systems
commonly in use today.
U.S. Patent No. 4,644,107 to Clowes et al. discloses a telephone which stores
names and
corresponding telephone numbers. The telephone recognizes voice, and when a
name which is
stored by the telephone is spoken, the telephone dials the telephone number
corresponding to
that spoken name. Other, similar inventions are disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
5,483,579 to
3o Stogelx and U.S. Patent No. 5,452,340 to Engelbeck et al.
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The products disclosed in the above-cited references offer the advantage of
storing
telephone numbers such that the user of the telephone does not have to pause
to look up the
number of the party the user wishes to dial. Also, the products disclosed in
the above-cited
references offer the advantage of allowing the user to dial the desired party
by speaking the
party's name.
One of the disadvantages of the conventional products disclosed in the above-
cited
references is that the names and numbers are stored in the telephone. Storage
of names and
numbers in a cellular telephone does not easily allow users of other mobile
stations to access the
stored data. Moreover, such storage requires memory circuitry within the
cellular telephone.
i o Although developments in circuit integration have reduced the size of such
circuitry
considerably, such circuitry nonetheless requires some space within the
cellular telephone and
increases the weight of the telephone. It is desirable to manufacture cellular
telephones with
dimensions and weight as small as possible.
Another disadvantage of conventional products results from the volatility of
memory.
The mobility of cellular phones expose such phones to physical forces that can
cause a loss of
power or damage to the telephone's memory. When such products store names and
numbers
within the mobile station, such volatility risks loss or damage to that data.
Another disadvantage of conventional products is that such products do not
perform
network functions, such as setting up a conference call and interacting with
network resources
2o to find a desired telephone number.
Another disadvantage of conventional products that store names and numbers
within a
mobile station is that mobile stations do not have access to the data stored
within other mobile
stations. A person that has multiple conventional phones must program each
phone
individually.
Another disadvantage of conventional products is that mobile stations must
allow the
network platform to perform call control.
Another disadvantage of conventional products is that trombone franking,
generally
requiring all calls to route into and out from the network platform, is relied
upon.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention features processes and apparatus for handling outgoing
calls from
a mobile station in a cellular telecommunication system. The processes are
carried out by, and
the apparatus comprises, a mobile station, a base station subsystem, network
switching
subsystem, and a network element, ~, an intelligent-network (IN) platform,
Service Control
Point (SCP), Service Node (SN), Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN),
Intelligent Peripherals
(IPs) or other network element. Preferably this network element is an IN
platform. Such
apparatus have functionality that can associate those numbers with the
corresponding names.
1 o The present invention allows call control to alternate between the mobile
station and the
IN platform. The mobile station detects an attention signal from the user and
calls a platform at
a platform callback number. The platform detects the incoming call and answers
the call,
thereby connecting the mobile station with the platform. The platform sends a
greeting to the
mobile station and waits for a command from the mobile station. The mobile
station receives a
t5 user command from the user and communicates this command to the platform,
which the
platform receives and evaluates. After evaluating the command, the platform
sends a
corresponding command signal to the mobile station and the mobile station
receives the
command signal. The mobile station then carries out an outgoing call function
corresponding to
the command signal, such as calling a particular number, conferencing with a
particular number,
20 or carrying out such functions and then calling the platform back to resume
communication with
the platform at the operation point at which the command was given by the
mobile station.
The present invention offers the advantages of the products disclosed in the
above-cited
references. That is, one advantage of the present invention is that it
includes storage of
telephone numbers such that the user of the telephone does not have to pause
to look up the
25 number of the party the user wishes to dial. Another advantage of the
present invention is the
user may dial the desired party by speaking the party's name.
_ Another important advantage of the present invention is that utilization of
platform
capabilities and network resources are greatly reduced. Conventional outgoing
call handling
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methods and devices place considerable emphasis on utilizing platform
capabilities and network
resources. The present invention emphasizes utilization of the mobile station
in carrying out
and controlling outgoing calls and associated functions. The present invention
contemplates
connecting to and using the capabilities of platforms only when necessary. The
present
invention allows up to eighty to ninety percent less utilization of
Intelligent Network ("IN")
platforms and trunks with port connections than conventional systems. Thus,
the platform's
resources are freed up to provide services to a great number of subscribers
and to provide
services which require greater platform resources than are normally available
with conventional
systems.
1o Another advantage of the present invention is that it enables network
costs,to be reduced
and can make speech-recognition and control in communications networks more
affordable.
Another advantage of the present invention is that billing for enhanced
services is
simpler than conventional systems. The present invention contemplates that all
enhanced
service calls either originate or terminate at the mobile station. Thus, the
platform or adjunct
systems would not be required to gather billing information. Consequently, all
billing could be
switch-based.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it is not necessary to
modify structure
in conventional switches in order to implement the present invention. Thus,
only minimal
modifications to conventional cellular-telephone networks are necessary to
implement the
present invention.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the present invention
performs
network activity, such as setting up a conference call, and interacts with
network resources to
fmd a desired telephone number.
Another advantage of the present invention is that multiple mobile stations
may access a
database. Thus, the owner of multiple mobile stations need only input names
and telephone
numbers a single time.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it contemplates the storage
of data at
one or more platforms, e.g., a fault-tolerant network platform. Thus, the loss
of power or receipt
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of a physical impact of a mobile station contemplated by the present invention
does not risk the
loss of data as with conventional mobile stations. Moreover, the purchase of a
new mobile
station does not require the user to reprogram data as with conventional
mobile stations.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides the process of
passing call
control back-and-forth between the network platform and the mobile station.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the mobile station can
interactively
control a call in conjunction with a network platform, thus interaction with a
PSTN switch (or
other public network switch) or an SCP is not necessary.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the user of a mobile
station may
1 o initiate a communication session with the network platform rather than
waiting for a message
from the network platform.
Another advantage of the present invention is that call-control commands, such
as a
command to conference, may be initiated while the mobile station is carrying
out a call session.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it allows alternating call
control
between a mobile station and a network platform.
The present invention offers other advantages, including: multiple users may
easily
access a database of stored names and corresponding telephone numbers, and the
dimensions
and weight of mobile stations may be reduced.
2o BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. lA is a block diagram of a system according to the present invention.
FIG. 1 B is a block diagram of a base station subsystem according to a
preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2A is a flow chart illustrating a first portion of an embodiment of
processes
according to the present invention.
FIG. 2B is a flow chart illustrating a second portion of an embodiment of
processes
according to the present invention.
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FIG. 2C is a flow chart illustrating a third portion of an embodiment of
processes
according to the present invention.
FIG. 2D is a flow chart illustrating a fourth portion of an embodiment of
processes
according to the present invention.
FIG. 2E is a flow chart illustrating a fifth portion of an embodiment of
processes
according to the present invention.
FIG. 2F is a flow chart illustrating a sixth portion of an embodiment of
processes
according to the present invention.
FIG. 2G is a flow chart illustrating a seventh portion of an embodiment of
processes
1 o according to the present invention.
FIG. 2H is a flow chart illustrating a eighth portion of an embodiment of
processes
according to the present invention.
FIG. 2I is a flow chart illustrating a ninth portion of an embodiment of
processes
according to the present invention.
t 5 FIG. 2J is a flow chart illustrating a tenth portion of an embodiment of
processes
according to the present invention.
FIG. 2K is a flow chart illustrating a tenth portion of an embodiment of
processes
according to the present invention.
FIG. 3A is a flow chart illustrating a process according to the present
invention, showing
2o particularly action of the intelligent network platform.
FIG. 3B is a flow chart illustrating a process according to the present
invention, showing
particularly action of the intelligent network platform.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
25 In a first embodiment of the present invention provides an outgoing-call
handling
method, said method carried out by an apparatus comprising a mobile station
and an intelligent
telecommunications network element, said method comprising the following
steps: a) detecting
an attention signal; b) calling the network element at a network element
callback number; c)
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connecting with the network element; d) .communicating a user command to the
network
element; e) receiving a command signal from the network element corresponding
to said user
command; f) disconnecting from the network element; and g) in a mobile
station, carrying out
a function corresponding to said command signal. A second embodiment includes
the steps
described in the first embodiment, and step b is carried out in the mobile
station. A third
embodiment includes the steps described in the second embodiment, and said
command signal
comprises at least one of first data corresponding to a telephone number, a
control signal, and
second data corresponding to a network element callback telephone number. A
fourth
embodiment includes the steps described in the third embodiment, and said
fimction comprises
1 o connecting with the telephone number corresponding to said first data. A
fifth embodiment
includes the steps described in the fourth embodiment, and said function
comprises setting the
network element callback number to the number corresponding to said second
data in the event
that said command signal comprises said second data. A sixth embodiment
includes the steps
described in the fifth embodiment, and said function comprises setting the
network element
callback number to the number corresponding to said second data and connecting
with the
network element callback number upon disconnection with the telephone number
corresponding
to the first data in the event said control signal comprises a with-callback
signal and said second
data. A seventh embodiment includes the steps described in the sixth
embodiment, and said
function comprises being placed at a operation point corresponding to the
network element
2o callback number called.
An eighth embodiment includes the steps described in the third embodiment, and
the
function comprises calling the number corresponding to said first data in the
event that said
control signal signifies calling the number corresponding to said first data.
A ninth embodiment
includes the steps described in the third embodiment, and the fimction
comprises calling the
number corresponding to said first data and placing said call in a mufti-party
connection with
any other connected party in the event that said control signal signifies
conferencing with the
number corresponding to said first data. A tenth embodiment includes the steps
described in the
third embodiment, and the function comprises connecting with the number
corresponding to
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said first data and then calling the number corresponding to said second data
upon
disconnection from said connection in the event that said control signal
signifies calling the
number corresponding to said first data and then returning to the present
operation point. An
eleventh embodiment includes the steps described in the third embodiment, and
the function
comprises connecting with the number corresponding to said first data and
including said
connection in a conference call with all other connected calls in the event
that said control signal
signifies conferencing with the number corresponding to said first data. A
twelfth embodiment
includes the steps described in the seventh embodiment, and said step of
communicating a user
command to the network element is carried out using a radio frequency signal.
A thirteenth
1o embodiment includes the steps described in the first embodiment, and said
network element is a
platform. A fourteenth embodiment includes the steps described in the first
embodiment, and
said network element is an intelligent network platform. A fifteenth
embodiment includes the
steps described in the first embodiment, and said network element comprises
hardware that is
capable of sensing a current status of a call to the network element and of
assigning a platform-
callback number that will return the mobile station to that status when
called.
A sixteenth embodiment includes the steps described in the fourteenth
embodiment, and
said command signal comprises at least one of: first data corresponding to a
telephone number,
a control signal, and second data corresponding to a network element callback
telephone
number. A seventeenth embodiment includes the steps described in the sixteenth
embodiment,
2o and said function comprises connecting with the telephone number
corresponding to said first
data. An eighteenth embodiment includes the steps described in the fifteenth
embodiment, and
said command signal comprises at least one of: first data corresponding to a
telephone number,
a control signal, and second data corresponding to a network element callback
telephone
number. A nineteenth embodiment includes the steps described in the eighteenth
embodiment,
and said function comprises connecting with the telephone number corresponding
to said first
data.
_ A twentieth embodiment includes an outgoing-call handling method, said
method
carried out by an apparatus comprising an intelligent telecommunications
network element, said
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method comprising the following steps: a) detecting an incoming call; b)
answering said call;
c) establishing connection with said call; d) if said call is to one of a
first set of preselected
network element callback numbers, sending greeting to caller; if said call is
to one of a second
set of preselected network element callback numbers, placing said connection
at operation point
within the network element operation corresponding to the called callback
number; e) waiting
for command; f) receiving command; g) evaluating command; and h) if said
command
corresponds to a command to enter a selected platform-based service, entering
the selected
platform-based service and returning to step e); and if said command
corresponds to a command
to signal a command signal, sending a command signal corresponding to said
command to the
mobile station and disconnecting call.
A twenty-first embodiment includes the steps described in the twentieth
embodiment,
and step b is carried out in said network element. A twenty-second embodiment
includes the
steps described in the twenty-first embodiment, and said command signal
comprises at least one
of: first data corresponding to a telephone number, a control signal, and a
second data
corresponding to a network element callback number. A twenty-third embodiment
includes the
steps described in the twenty-second embodiment, and said selected platform-
based service is a
voice-mail messaging service. A twenty-fourth embodiment includes the steps
described in the
twenty-third embodiment, and said one of a second set of preselected network
element callback
numbers corresponds to an operation point within said voice-mail messaging
service. A twenty-
2o fifth embodiment includes the steps described in the twenty-fourth
embodiment, and said step of
sending a command signal is carried out with a radio frequency signal. A
twenty-sixth
embodiment includes the steps described in the twentieth embodiment, and said
network
element is a platform. A twenty-seventh embodiment includes the steps
described in the
twentieth embodiment, and said network element is an intelligent network
platform. A twenty-
eighth embodiment includes the steps described in the twentieth embodiment,
and said
platform-based service is a supplementary service.
A thirtieth embodiment includes an outgoing-call handling apparatus, said
apparatus
comprising: a network element; a mobile station; wherein said network element
is programmed
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to store telephone numbers and corresponding names, to recognize said names
when spoken, to
answer and connect incoming calls, to receive and evaluate commands from said
incoming
calls, and to send at least one command signal to the connected calls; and
wherein said mobile
station is programmed to receive at least one command signal from said network
element and to
s carry out calling functions corresponding to said command signals. A thirty-
first embodiment
includes the apparatus of the thirtieth embodiment wherein said command signal
comprises at
least one of first data corresponding to a telephone number, a control signal,
and a second data
corresponding to a network element callback number. A thirty-second embodiment
includes the
apparatus of thirtieth embodiment wherein said network element is a platform.
A thirty-third
1o embodiment includes the apparatus of the thirty-second embodiment wherein
said network
element is coupled to a public telephone network. A thirty-fourth embodiment
includes the
apparatus of the thirty-fourth embodiment wherein said public telephone
network is a public
switched telephone network. A thirty-fifth embodiment includes the apparatus
of the thirty-
third embodiment wherein said public telephone network is a integrated
services digital
1 s network. A thirty-sixth embodiment includes the apparatus of the thirty-
fourth embodiment
wherein said mobile station comprises a subscriber identity module. A thirty-
seventh
embodiment includes the apparatus of the thirtieth embodiment wherein said
network comprises
an intelligent network platform.
A thirty-eighth embodiment includes an outgoing-call handling method, said
method
2o carned out by a communications device and a platform, said method
comprising the following
steps: a) the communications device receiving an attention signal from a user
of the
communications device; b) the communications device calling the platform; c)
the platform
answering the call; d) the platform sending a greeting; e) the communications
device receiving
a greeting from the platform; f) the communications device receiving a user
command
2s from the user; g) the communications device communicating said user command
to the
platform; h) the platform sending a command signal corresponding to said user
command
to the communications device; i) the communications device receiving said
command
signal; j) the communications device carrying out a function corresponding to
said command
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signal. A thirty-ninth embodiment includes the steps described in the thirty-
eighth embodiment,
and said communications device is a mobile station.
The apparatus and process described below is for use in a Global System for
Mobile
(GSM) standard cellular system network, but the invention may be used in non-
GSM networks,
such as an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), as well. Embodiments
according to
present invention are disclosed herein in reference to GSM because GSM is one
of the most
popular standards for cellular radio and telecommunications. GSM is described
generally in
Theodore S. Rappaport, Wireless Communications (1996), and William C.Y. Lee,
Mobile
Cellular Telecommunications (2d ed. 1995), which are incorporated herein by
reference.
to FIG. lA is a high level functional block diagram of an embodiment according
to the
present invention. The apparatus or system shown in FIG. 1 A includes a
communications
device, in this case a mobile station 1, or handset, a base transceiver
station (BTS) 4, a base
station controller (BSC) 6, a network switching subsystem (NSS), and an
network element 8,.
The preferred embodiment employs a mobile telephone as a communications
device, but other
telephones and devices may be used, such as land-line telephones, computers,
or other devices.
The network element 8 shown is an intelligent network platform (IN platform).
Network
elements that may be used are elements such as a Service Control Point (SCP),
Service Node
(SN), Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN), Intelligent Peripherals (IPs) or
other network
element.
2o The mobile station comprises mobile equipment and a subscriber identity
module
(SIM). The SIM is capable of storing a default telephone number for the IN
platform. The
mobile station 1 shown in FIG. lA is capable of communicating using the GSM
standard. The
mobile station 1 communicates with the BTS 4, also known as a cell. This
communication is
accomplished using radio-frequency signals in conventional fashion or as
otherwise desired or
accomplished as desired. The BTS 4 in turn communicates with a BSC 6 in
conventional
fashion or as otherwise desired. The BSC 6 may control and communicate with
several BTSs.
The BSC in turn communicates with Network Switching Subsystem (NSS) 9 in
conventional fashion or as otherwise desired The NSS 9 comprises a Mobile
Switching Center
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(MSC) (not shown), which governs the -platform's communication with public
telephone
networks and which coordinates call set-up to and from mobile stations using
the GSM
standards. The NSS 9 also comprises a Home Location Register (HLR) and a
Visitor Location
Register (VLR) (not shown). The HLR comprises a computer, including a database
storing
subscriber information and current-location information for each user who
resides in the MSC's
city or surrounding area. The VLR comprises a computer, including a database
temporarily
storing subscription data then needed by the MSC. For example, the VLR stores
customer
information for a roaming subscriber who is temporarily in the coverage area
of the MSC.
The NSS 9 communicates with an IN platform 8 using radio-frequency signals in
to conventional fashion or as otherwise desired or accomplished as desired.
The NSS 9 is coupled
with a network, such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN),
Integrated Services
Digital Network (ISDN), or other data networks (not shown), thus allowing
communication
between the mobile station and devices connected to a public telephone
network. The NSS 9 is
shown connected with a PSTN 2.
The BTS 4 and BSC 6 comprise the base station subsystem 7 (BSS) as shown in
FIG.
1B. The mobile station thus normally communicates with the IN platform 8
through the BTS 4,
BSC 6, and NSS 9, i.e., through the BSS 7 and NSS 9. For convenience, this
disclosure of the
embodiments according to the present invention describe the mobile station's
communication
with the IN platform, rather than the mobile station's communication with the
BTS, the BTS's
2o communications with the BSC, the BSC's communication with the NSS (or the
BSS's
communication with the NSS), and the NSS's communication with IN platform. It
would be
recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that communication between a
mobile station and
an IN platform often occurs through other structure, such as a BTS, BSC, and
NSS.
The IN platform 8 according to the present invention includes voice-
recognition
hardware, memory or database which is capable of storing telephone numbers and
corresponding names, and hardware that is capable of sensing the current
status of a call to the
platform and of assigning a platform-callback number that will return the
caller to that status
when called. Such hardware, memory, or database may include a microprocessor.
The IN
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platform 8 has a first preselected set of telephone numbers which, when
called, cause the caller
to receive a greeting and be presented with a selection of command options.
The IN platform 8
has a second preselected set of telephone numbers which, when called, cause
the caller to be
placed in a particular or preselected operation state within the platform
operation structure.
The present invention allows call control to be passed between a
communications
device, such as a mobile station or a landline telephone, and a network
element, such as an IN
platform. FIGS. 2A - 2K and FIGS. 3A - 3B are flowcharts showing an embodiment
of the
present invention in detail. The flowcharts show an embodiment according to
the present
invention beginning from various initial states of the mobile station. The
flowcharts in FIGS.
2A - 2K describe the operation of the mobile station, or handset, during the
carrying out of an
embodiment of the present invention. The flowcharts in FIGS. 3A - 3B describe
the operation
of the IN platform during the carrying out of an embodiment of the present
invention. The
mobile station and the IN platform take the steps shown in FIGS. 2A - 2K and
FIGS. 3A - 3B in
cooperation with each other to carry out the preferred embodiment of the
present invention. The
embodiment shown therein is described below.
FIG. 2A shows an embodiment according to the present invention with the mobile
station beginning from idle mode. In idle mode, the mobile station is on, but
there are no active,
held, or pending calls.
Referring to FIG. 2A, in the process shown, the mobile station is idle 10. In
a preferred
2o embodiment, the user of the mobile station provides an attention signal,
e.~., a phrase such as
"Attention" or "PowerCall," by, for example, speaking, and the mobile station
detects the
spoken signal 12. In another embodiment, the use of a spoken attention signal
may be replaced
with another action or attention signal, such as pressing a button on a mobile
station's keypad.
The mobile station then initiates a call to a IN platform 14 and starts a
timer 16, designated T1.
The call is made to the telephone number that is then designated as the
platform callback
number (or platform call number). At this point, the mobile station is in idle
mode, in that it has
no active connections, and is attempting to call the platform 17. The timer Tl
shown in 16
governs the amount of time the mobile station will wait for the IN platform to
answer. The
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timer T1 expires in a predesignated amount of time, preferably 3-6 seconds. If
the timer T1
expires 18 before the platform answers, the mobile station will return to idle
mode 10.
Similarly, if the call attempt fails for some other reason 20, the mobile
station will return to idle
mode 10. If the platform answers 22 the mobile station's call, the mobile
station will reset the
platform callback number to a number stored in the mobile station's SIM 24.
The platform's
step of detecting the incoming call from the mobile station 502 and answering
the call 504 is
shown in FIG. 3A. Referring again to FIG. 2A, at this point, and at all other
points in which the
callback number is reset described herein, the mobile station may reset the
platform callback
number to a number stored elsewhere or a number communicated to it, but in the
preferred
1o embodiment, the number is retrieved from the mobile station's SIM. The next
time the mobile
station calls the platform, the mobile station will call this designated
number. After the callback
number is reset, the platform sends (or plays) a greeting to mobile station,
~, "Hello, how can
I help you?," (which is shown in FIG. 3A as step 506), and the mobile station
receives the
greeting 26 and accordingly the mobile station user hears the greeting. This
greeting is carried
via a voice-carrying connection between the platform 8 and the mobile station
1.
Once the mobile station receives the greeting 26 and the user hears the
greeting, the
mobile station waits to receive a command according to the present invention
from the mobile
station user 27. The command is preferably a voice command, but can comprise
other forms,
such as touch-tone, designated sounds, or data. At this time, the platform
waits to receive a
2o command from the mobile station as shown as step 508 in FIG. 3A. Referring
to FIG. 2B, the
mobile station communicates the received command to the platform 29. This
communication is
preferably accomplished via a voice-carrying connection between the platform
and the mobile
station. Once the platform receives the voice command (shown as step 510 in
FIG. 3A), the
platform evaluates the voice command (shown as step 512 in FIG. 3A).
Services provided by the IN platform (or similar network element) are
generally referred
to as platform-based services. Such services include services such as
messaging-based services,
calling services, and supplementary services.
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The service requested could be one or more of a variety of services. The
service
requested could be a call-processing service, in which the user desires to
make a call or desired
to utilize an available supplementary service, e.g., call waiting, call
conferencing, call transfer,
and call forwarding. In some instances the mobile station returns control over
calls and other
matters to the platform after a call ends and in some instances the mobile
station retains control
over calls and other matters.
If the service requested is to be provided by the platform, the platform
signals the
mobile station with a command signal (shown as step 514 in FIG. 3A).
Preferably, the
command signal is signaled using GSM Unstructured Supplementary Service Data
(USSD).
to USSD is described generally in European Telecommunications Standards
Institute, GSM 02.90:
Disital Cellular Telecommunications System~ Unstructured Sunplementary Service
Data
(USSDI -- Stage l (Version 5Ø0 November 1996) (Reference: TS/SMG-010290Q);
European
Telecommunications Standards Institute, GSM 03.38: Digital Cellular
Telecommunications
System (Phase 2+)~ Alphabets and Lano~ua~e-Suecific Information (Version 5.3.0
July 1996)
(Reference TS/SMG-040338QR2); and European Telecommunications Standards
Institute,
GSM 03 90' Di~~ital Cellular Telecommunications System; Unstructured
Sunplementary
Service Data fUSSDI - Stage 2 (Version 5Ø0 December 1996) (Reference TS/SMG-
030390Q).
Other methods, though, such as dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) may be used in
the place of
USSD in carrying out the present invention. The command signal preferably
includes telephone
2o number information, platform callback number information, and a control
signal directing the
action the mobile station is to take in response to the user's voice command.
The command
signal tells the mobile station the function that the mobile station is to
carry out.
If the service requested is to be provided by the platform, preferably the
voice-carrying
connection between the mobile station and the platform will remain connected.
This will enable
the mobile station user to send commands (typically voice commands or DTMF
commands)
directly to the platform. Other types of connections may be used and
sustained.
Once the command signal is communicated to the mobile station, the platform
disconnects 518. This disconnect frees up platform resources to be used during
other calls.
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The shown embodiment shows call conferencing as one example of a supplementary
service. The command may be to enter a supplementary service offered by the
platform other
than call conferencing, which is shown. One example of such a service is voice-
mail service. If
the command is to enter a supplementary service other than the shown
conferencing service 39,
the mobile station will enter such a service, carry out steps according to
that particular
supplementary service, and will continue waiting for another command from the
user 27. For
example, the mobile station may enter and use voice mail. The mobile station
will continue to
monitor the user to determine if the user might provide another command, such
as CALL(A) or
another command described below. Other examples of supplementary services are
call waiting,
1 o call conferencing, call transfer, and call forwarding.
The preferred embodiment shows entry into a supplementary service 39. Any
platform-
based service may be entered at the point
shown in the preferred embodiment as entering supplementary service or
regarding
supplementary service.
In the shown embodiment, the call-processing command-signals that the mobile
station
may receive, and recognizes, comprise: CALL(A), CONFERENCE(A),
ALL WITH RETURN(A,B), and CONFERENCE WITH RETURN(A,B). A and B are
parameters corresponding to telephone numbers. The CALL(A) command corresponds
to
commanding the mobile station to place an outgoing call to the number
indicated by parameter
2o A. The CONFERENCE(A) and CONFERENCE WITH RETLTRN(A) are specific examples
of supplementary services. The CONFERENCE(A) command corresponds to commanding
the
mobile station to place an outgoing call to the number indicated by the
parameter A and to
incorporate the cbnnection with A into a mufti-party call.
The CALL WITH RETURN and CONFERENCE WITH RETURN commands are
2s used when the mobile station is connected to the platform and has activated
a call-processing
service while involved in using a platform-based service, e.,g_, voice mail.
The
CALL WITH RETURN(A,B) command corresponds to commanding the mobile station to
place an outgoing call to the number indicated by parameter A and to set the
platform-callback
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number for the mobile station's next call to the platform to the number
indicated by parameter
B. The CONFERENCE WITH RETCTRN(A,B) command corresponds to commanding the
mobile station to place an outgoing call to the number indicated by parameter
A, to incorporate
that connection into a mold-party call, and set the platform-callback number
for the mobile
s station's next call to the platform to the number indicated by parameter B.
The "with return" portion of the commands signifies that the call or
conference portion
of the command is first carried out, and then, preferably after a pre-
designated command is
received from the user, the mobile station will return to operation point in
the service in which
the mobile station was involved before the user decided to initiate a CALL
WITH RETURN
to or CONFERENCE WITH RETURN command. For example, the mobile station may call
the
platform at 404-555-1111, connect with the platform, enter a voice-mail
system, and begin
reviewing voice-mail messages. The user may have five voice-mail messages.
After listening
to the first message, a message from John Doe, the mobile station user may
wish to immediately
call John Doe, whose number is 404-555-2222. Moreover, the user may wish to
return to the
15 voice-mail system at exactly the point at which the user departed from the
system, just before
listening to the second message, following the user's conversation with John
Doe and
disconnection from John Doe. The user will give a voice command, eg:, "Return
the Call."
The platform has John Doe's name and telephone number stored in memory. The
platform will
send a CALL WITH RETIJRN(4045552222,4045551112) command to the mobile station.
2o This directs the mobile station to call 404-555-2222. When the call to 404-
555-2222 is
finished, and the mobile station receives a command, e.g., "Return," the
mobile station calls the
platform back at 404-555-1112. When the platform receives a call from the
mobile station at
404-555-1112, the platform returns the caller to the point at which the
previous call to the
platform was terminated or to some other selected point. The CALL WITH RETURN
and
25 CONFERENCE WITH RETURN commands, and all similar commands, are called "with-
return" commands.
_ The commands discussed above are made using USSD. Each command is made using
a
USSD string, which the platform is preprogrammed to make and the mobile
station is
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preprogrammed to recognize as instructing that it carry out the corresponding
command. For
example, a command to call 404-555-1212, i.e., a CALL(4045551212) command,
will be made
by the platform to the mobile station by transmitting the USSD string
corresponding to that
command, O1 *4045551212# (with or in relation to the "call" command).
Referring to FIG. ZB, if, while waiting for a command, the mobile station
disconnects from
the platform 28, the mobile station returns to idle mode 10. Similarly, if,
while waiting for a
command, the mobile station senses that the platform has disconnected 30, the
mobile station
will disconnect from the platform 32, and return to idle mode 10.
If the mobile station receives a CALL(A) command from the platform 40, the
mobile
1 o station disconnects the platform 50, and calls the number corresponding to
the parameter A 52.
For example, if the mobile station receives a CALL(4045551212) command from
the platform,
the mobile station will disconnect the platform and place a call to 404-555-
1212. Likewise, if
the mobile station receives a CONF(A) command 42, the mobile station
disconnects the
platform 50, and calls the number corresponding to the parameter A 52.
If the mobile station receives a CALL WITH RETURN(A,B) command from the
platform 34, the mobile station first sets the platform-callback number to the
number
corresponding to the parameter B 36. For example, if the mobile station
receives a
CALL WITH RETURN(4045552222, 4045551112) command, the mobile station will set
the
platform-callback number to 404-555-1112. Similarly, if the mobile station
receives a
2o CONF WITH RETURN(A,B) command from the platform 38, the mobile station
first sets the
platform-callback number to the number corresponding to the parameter B 36.
Unless the
platform call-back number is reset before the next call to the platform is
made by the mobile
station, the mobile station's next call to the platform will be to the number
404-555-1112. Like
the steps above, following setting the platform-callback number 36, the mobile
station
disconnects the platform 50, and calls the number corresponding to parameter A
52.
FIG. 2K illustrates the steps taken according to the present invention when a
setup
_ attempt is made to the platform at a platform callback number. The mobile
station will setup a
call to the number to which the platform callback number has been set 710
(designated B
18
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herein). If the call fails 714, or the number is busy 712, the mobile station
will return to idle
mode 10 if there is no other party connected with the mobile station 718. If
there is another
connected party 720, the mobile station will enter active single party mode
with that connected
party 722.
Referring to FIG. 3B, if the platform detects an incoming call to the callback
number
602, the platform will answer the call 604. Referring again to FIG. 2K, if the
call to the
platform is successful 730, the mobile station will be returned to the
operation point
corresponding to the callback number 732. This is accomplished by operation of
the platform
(step 606 shown in FIG. 3B). Then, the mobile station will wait for a command
27, as shown in
FIG. 2A and 2B, and the platform will wait for a command from the mobile
station 508, as
shown in FIG. 3B and 3A. The command from the mobile station is transmitted
via the voice-
carrying connection between the network platform and the mobile station. The
mobile station
will continue the process from step 27 as shown in FIG. 2B and the platform
will continue from
step 508 as shown in FIG. 3A.
t 5 Once the setup attempt begins 52, the mobile station waits to see the
results of its
attempt 53. If the number corresponding to parameter A is busy 54, or if the
call of the number
corresponding to parameter A fails 56 for some reason, the mobile station will
return to idle
mode 10. If the call to the platform is disconnected 58, the mobile station
will release the call to
A 60, and return to idle mode.
2o If the call to the number corresponding to parameter A is connected 62, the
mobile
station enters active mode with the call 64. In active mode, the mobile
station is on and has an
active, single party call. If the embodiment corresponding to the present
invention reaches
active mode 64, or idle mode after busy 54, setup failure 56, or disconnect
from subscriber 58,
after receiving a CALL WITH RETURN{A,B) or a CONE WITH RETURN(A,B) signal, the
25 mobile station's next call to the platform will be to the number
corresponding to the parameter B
unless this callback-designation is altered.
Refernng to FIG. 2K, if the mobile station is in active mode 64 with a call A,
once the
call is disconnected 700, whether by choice of one or both of the parties or
other cause, the
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. WO 99/23802 PCT/US98/22'114
mobile station will then carry out the appropriate step. If the last command
was a CALL(A)
command 702, the mobile station will return to idle mode 10. If the last
command was a
CONFERENCE(A) command 704, the mobile station will return to active, single-
party mode
with the other connected party 706. If the last command was a "with return"
command 708, the
mobile station will setup a call to the IN platform at the platform callback
number 710. If that
callback number is busy 712, or the call fails 714, the mobile station will
return to idle mode 10
if there are no other connected parties 718. If there is another connected
party to the mobile
station 720, the mobile station will enter single-party active mode with the
connected party 722.
If the setup attempt to the platform at the callback number connects 730, and
is thus
1 o successful, the mobile station will be placed at the operation point
associated with the callback
number used 732, preferably the last operation point at which the mobile
station interacted with
the platform. Subsequently, the mobile station will await a command 27, as
shown in FIG. 2B,
and the process will continue as shown in FIG. 2B.
Referring to FIG. 2C, when the mobile station is in active mode with one
party, if the
active party is disconnected 700, the mobile station will carry out the steps
shown in FIG. 2K.
After the disconnection 700, if the last command was CALL(A) 72, the mobile
station will
return to idle mode 10. If the last command was CONFERENCE(A) 704, and there
is a
remaining connected party, the mobile station will go into active mode with
the connected party
706. If the last command was a "with return" command 708, the mobile station
will call the
2o platform at the platform callback number 710, B. If the connection to the
platform is successful
730, the mobile station will return to the operation point at which the "with
return" command
was given 732 and will wait for further commands 27. If the attempt to call
the callback
number results in a failure 714 or a busy 712, the mobile station will return
to idle mode 10 if no
parties are connected 718 and will enter active mode 722 if parties are
connected 720.
Step 700 is shown several times in the drawings. At each point, the above-
described
steps, as shown in FIG. 2K, are taken upon a disconnect 700.
Refernng to FIG. 2C, when the mobile station is in active mode 64, the mobile
station
user may wish to undertake a call to another number. For purposes of setting
forth an
CA 02309502 2000-OS-04
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embodiment according to the present invention, the call with which the mobile
station is in
active mode with is designated "P". While in active mode with call P 64, the
mobile station
user provides an attention signal, by, for example, speaking an attention
phrase, e.~.,
"PowerCall" or "Attention," and the mobile station recognizes such a signal
66. Other attention
signals, such as pressing a designated button on the mobile station's keypad,
may be used.
Accordingly, the mobile station attempts to place the call with P on hold 67.
If the hold attempt
is not acknowledged 69, the mobile station remains in active mode 64.
If the connection between the mobile station and the call P is broken 66,
refernng to
FIG. 2A, the mobile station will call the platform 14 and start a timer 16,
designated T1. The
1 o embodiment according to the present invention then continues as shown in
FIG. 2A.
If the hold attempt is acknowledged 68, and thus the hold is successful, the
mobile
station starts a timer 70, designated T1, and attempts to setup a call to the
platform 72. The
timer T 1 shown in 70 governs the amount of time that the mobile station will
wait for the
platform to connect. If the mobile station is then disconnected from the call
to P 74, referring to
FIG. 2A, the embodiment according to the present invention goes to the step
according to the
step shown as 17 in FIG. 2A, calling platform. The embodiment continues with
step T1 expired
18, setup failed 20, or Answer 22 shown in FIG. 2A. The embodiment then
continues as shown
in FIG. 2A.
If the mobile station is disconnected from the platform 80, the mobile station
will
2o release the call to the platform 82. If the setup attempt fails 76 or the
timer T1 expires 78, or
after the call to the platform is released 82, the mobile station is in hold
mode 84, with the call
designated as P on hold.
If the platform detects the incoming call (as shown at 502 in FIG. 3A) and
answers
(shown at 504 in FIG. 3A) and the mobile station connects with the platform
86, the mobile
station resets the platform callback number 88. Preferably, the mobile station
resets the
platform callback number to a number stored in a mobile station SIM. At this
point, the call P
_ is on hold and the platform and the mobile station are connected. The
platform sends a greeting
to the mobile station, e.~., "Hello, how can I help you?," (shown at 506 in
FIG. 3A) and the
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mobile station receives the greeting 90 and accordingly the mobile station
user hears the
greeting.
Once the mobile station receives the greeting 90, the mobile station waits to
receive a
voice command from the mobile station user 91. Referring to FIG. 3A, the
platform waits to
receive a command from the mobile station 508, preferably as a result of
action by the mobile
station user. Referring to FIG. 2E, the mobile station communicates the
received command to
the platform via the voice-carrying connection 93. Once the platform receives
the voice
command (shown at 510 in FIG. 3A), the platform evaluates the voice command
(512 in FIG.
3A) and signals the mobile station with a command signal (514 at FIG. 3A).
Preferably, the
io command signal is signalled using GSM Unstructured Supplementary Service
Data (LJSSD).
If the command is to enter a supplementary service 109 other than the CALLBACK
services shown, such as voice-mail, the mobile station will enter the
corresponding
supplementary service. Then, the mobile station will continue waiting for a
command 91, and
the process will continue as shown in FIG. 2E.
If the platform disconnects from the mobile station 94, the mobile station
will
disconnect its call to the platform 96, and will go into hold mode 84, with
the call designated P
on hold. Likewise, if the mobile station disconnects from the platform 92, the
mobile station
will go into hold mode 84. If the call to P is disconnected 95, the mobile
station will be waiting
for a command 27, as shown in FIG. 2E and FIG. 2A, and the process will
continue as shown in
2o FIG. 2A and 2B.
If the mobile station receives a command of CALL(A) 98 from the platform, the
mobile
station disconnects the platform 100 and begins to setup a call to the number
corresponding to
the parameter A 106. If the mobile station receives a command of
CALL WITH RETLTRN(A,B) 102, the mobile station sets the platform callback
number to the
number corresponding to the parameter B 104, and then disconnects the platform
100, and
begins to setup a call to the number corresponding to parameter A 106. At this
point, the call P
_ is on hold and the mobile station is waiting to see the results of its setup
attempt 116.
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If the platform disconnects from the-mobile station 118, the mobile station
releases the
pending call to the number corresponding to the parameter A 120 and goes into
hold mode 84,
with the call P on hold. If the setup fails 122 or the mobile station receives
a busy signal from
the number A 124, the mobile station likewise goes into hold mode 84, with the
call P on hold.
If the call to A is connected 126, and is thus successful, the mobile station
is in active
mode with the call to A, and has the call designated P on hold. If, during the
call attempt to A,
the call to P disconnects 130, referring to FIG. 2E and FIG. 2B, the mobile
station continues to
attempt the setup with A 53. Referring to FIG. 2B, the embodiment according to
the present
invention herein described continues as shown from the step designated 53 as
shown in FIG.
l0 2B.
Referring to FIG. 2E, if the mobile station receives a CONF_WITH RETURN(A,B)
command I10, the mobile station will set the platform callback number to the
number
corresponding to the parameter B I 12. Subsequently, or after receiving a
CONF{A) command
108, the mobile station disconnects the platform 130, and begins to setup a
call to the number
corresponding to the parameter A 132.
Referring to FIG. 2F, if, once the mobile station begins to setup a call to
the number
corresponding to the parameter A 132, the setup attempt fails 134 or a busy
signal is received
136, the mobile station will go into hold mode 84, with the call P on hold.
Likewise, if the
subscriber disconnects 138, the mobile station releases the pending call to A
140 and goes into
2o hold mode 84. If the call P disconnects 142, referring to FIG. 2B, the
mobile station waits to
see the results of its attempt to setup a call with A 53. The steps of the
embodiment according
to the present invention continue from 53 as shown in FIG. 2B.
If the mobile station and the call to A are connected 146, and the setup
attempt is thus
successful, the mobile station attempts to put the mobile station, the
connection with A, and the
connection with P in a mufti-party connection 148. The mobile station then
waits 150 to see if
the multiparty attempt is acknowledged (and is thus successful) or is not
acknowledged. If the
_ mufti-party attempt is acknowledged 152, the mobile station is in active
mufti-party mode, with
the mobile station, the connection with A, and the connection with P in mufti-
party, active
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WO 99/Z3802 PCT/US98/22714
connection 154. If the mufti-party attempt is not acknowledged 156, and thus
fails, the mobile
station is in active mode with the connection with A, and retains the
connection with P on hold
158.
Referring to FIG. 2G, if the call to A is disconnected 700, whether
purposefully or not,
the mobile station will carry out the steps shown in FIG. 2K after step 700.
If the last command
was a "with return" command 708, the mobile station will setup a call to the
platform at the
platform callback number last set 710. If this connection is made 730, the
mobile station will
return to its last operation point 723 and will wait for further commands 27.
Again referring to FIG. 2G, if the mobile station is in active mufti-party
mode, the
1o mobile station user may speak an attention phrase, e.g., "PowerCall." The
mobile station
recognizes the attention phrase 160 and attempts to put the mufti-party
connection on hold 162.
At this point, the mobile station is still in active mufti-party mode 164. If
the hold attempt is
not acknowledged 166, and is thus unsuccessful, the mobile station remains in
active multi-
party mode with A and P 168.
If both A and P disconnect from the mufti-party connection 170 while the
mobile station
attempts to put the mufti-party connection on hold, the mobile station will
start a timer 172,
designated Tl, and attempt to setup a call to the platform 174. The timer T1
shown in 172
governs the amount of time the mobile station will wait for the platform to
connect. Preferably,
the timer T1 expires in 3-6 seconds. At this point, the mobile station is in
idle mode in that it
2o has no active connections, and is attempting a call to the platform 17.
Referring to FIG. 2A, the
embodiment according to the present invention continues from this point 17 as
shown in FIG.
2A.
Referring to FIG. 2G, if the hold attempt is acknowledged 176, the mobile
station starts
a timer 178, designated T1, and attempts to setup a call to the platform 180.
The timer Tl
shown in 178 governs the amount of time that the mobile station will wait for
the platform to
connect. Preferably, the timer Tl shown in 178 expires in 3-6 seconds. At this
point, the
mobile station has multiple parties on hold (A and P) and is attempting a call
to the platform
182.
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CA 02309502 2000-OS-04
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Referring to FIG. 2H, the embodiment according to the present invention
continues at
the step shown at 182 in FIG. 2H. If the setup attempt fails 184 or the timer
Tl expires 186, the
mobile station is in held multi-parry mode 190, with both A and P on hold. If
the platform and
the mobile station are disconnected 192, the mobile station releases the
pending call to the
s platform 194, and the mobile station is in held multi-party mode 190. If A
and P disconnect
from the mobile station 196, the mobile station is in idle mode, with no
connected call, and
continues to attempt the call to the platform 17. From the step shown at 196
in FIG. 2H, the
embodiment according to the present invention continues to attempt to call the
platform 17 as
shown in FIG. 2A. The embodiment according to the present invention continues
from step 17
as shown in FIG. 2A and as described above.
If the platform answers the mobile station's call and the mobile station is
connected to
the platform 200, the mobile station resets the platform callback number 202
to the value stored
in the mobile station's SIM. At this point, the mobile station has its
connection with A and P in
multi-party hold and is connected with the platform 204 and awaits a command
206.
t5 Referring to FIG. 2I, once the platform is connected, the mobile station
receives a
greeting from the platform, e.g., "Hello, how can I help you?" At this point,
the user may, or
may not, elect to examine voice mail or undertake some other platform-based
service. The user
of the mobile station may speak a voice command and the mobile station
communicates this
voice command to the platform 208. This voice command may be, for example,
"Call Jane Doe
2o at work" or "Conference Jane Doe at work." If the user is examining voice
mail, the voice
command may be, for example, "Return the Call" or "Return the Call and
Conference." As
explained above, once the platform receives the voice command, the platform
evaluates the
voice command and signals the mobile station with a command signal.
Preferably, the
command signal is signalled using USSD. The command signal includes both
telephone
2s number information and a control signal directing the action the mobile
station is to take in
response to the user's voice command. The command signal received by the
mobile station
_ determines what action the mobile station next takes.
CA 02309502 2000-OS-04
. wo ~r~soz rc~rius9an2m a
If the user elects to enter supplementary services other than the conference
service as
described, such as voice mail, the mobile station will enter the selected
supplementary service
229. Then, the mobile station will continue waiting for a command 206.
If the mobile station recognizes that the platform has disconnected 210, the
mobile
station is in held mufti-party mode 212, with A and P in a mufti-party call on
hold. Likewise, if
the mobile station recognizes that the user seeks to disconnect 214, the
mobile station will
disconnect its call to the platform 216, and go into held mufti-party mode
212. If both parties to
the mufti-party call disconnect 218, the mobile station is then in idle mode,
with no active calls,
and is connected to the platform. Referring to FIG. 2B, the mobile station
then waits to receive
1 o a voice command from the mobile station user 27. The embodiment according
to the present
invention then continues as shown from step 27 as shown in FIG. 2B.
If the mobile station receives a CALL(C) command from the platform 220,
wherein the
parameter C is the telephone number corresponding to the voice command given
by the mobile
station user, the mobile station will disconnect from the platform 230. If the
mobile station
receives a CALL WITH RET'L7RN (C,B) command from the platform 222, wherein the
parameter C is the telephone number corresponding to the voice command given
the mobile
station user and the parameter B is the platform callback number, the mobile
station resets the
platform callback number to the number corresponding to the parameter B 224,
and then
disconnects the platform 230.
2o The mobile station then attempts to setup a connection with the number
corresponding
to the parameter C 232. At this point, the mobile station has two call in
mufti-party hold and is
waiting to see if its setup attempt is successful 234. If the setup attempt
fails 236, or the mobile
station receives a busy signal 238, the mobile station is in held mufti-party
mode 240, with the
connection with A and P on hold. If the mobile station recognizes that the
user seeks to
disconnect 242, the mobile station will release the pending call to C 244, and
will go into held
mufti-party mode 240. If both mufti-party members disconnect 246, the mobile
station is in idle
- mode, with no active calls, and continues to call C 248. Referring to FIG.
2B, the embodiment
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CA 02309502 2000-OS-04
_ _ WO 99/23802 PCT/US98/22714
according to the present invention continues at step 53, wherein the call is
being made to the
number designated by C rather than by A.
Referring again to FIG. 2I, if the call to C is connected 250, the mobile
station is in
active statues with the call to C and has a mufti-party connection with A and
P on hold 252.
If, after the mobile station communicates this voice command to the platform
208, the
mobile station receives a command from the platform of CONF(C) 226, the mobile
station will
disconnect the platform 260 and will attempt to setup a connection with the
number
corresponding to the parameter C 262. If, after the mobile station
communicates this voice
command to the platform 208, the mobile station receives a command from the
platform of
1 o CONF WITH RETURN(C,B) 228, the mobile station will set the platform
callback number to
the number corresponding to the parameter B 264, disconnect the platform 260,
and attempt to
setup a connection with the number corresponding to the parameter C 262.
At this point, whether the command received was CONF(C) or
CONF WITH RETURN(B,C), the mobile station has the mufti-party connection on
hold and
is attempting to connect with the number corresponding to the parameter C 270.
Referring to
FIG. 2J, if the setup fails 272 or the mobile station receives a busy signal
274, the mobile station
is in held mufti-party mode 276, with the connection with A and P on hold. If
the mobile
station receives a disconnect command from the mobile station user 278, the
mobile station will
release the pending call to C 280, and will be in held mufti-party mode 276.
If the mobile
2o station recognizes that both of the parties on mufti-party hold disconnect
282, the mobile station
will be in idle mode, with no connected calls, and will continue attempting to
connect with C
284. Refernng to FIG. 2C, the embodiment according to the present invention
continues at step
53, wherein instead of calling the number corresponding to A as shown in FIG.
2C, the number
being called is the number corresponding to C.
Referring again to FIG. 2J, if the call to C connects 290, the mobile station
will attempt
to add C to the mufti-party connection 292. If the attempt to add C to the
mufti-party
- connection is acknowledged 294, and is thus successful, the mobile station
will be in active
mufti-party mode with the numbers corresponding to A, P, and C 296. If the
attempt to add C
27
CA 02309502 2000-OS-04
_ _ ~rp g9~38p2 PCT/US98/Z2714
to the multi-party connection is not acknowledged 298, and thus fails, the
mobile station will be
in active mode with the call to C and will retain the mufti-party connection
with A and P on
hold 300.
Referring to FIG. 2D, if the mobile station has one call, designated P, on
hold 84, and
the mobile station receives an attention signal from the mobile station user,
e.g., the spoken
word "PowerCall," 310, the mobile station will attempt to setup a connection
with the platform
312. The mobile station will attempt to call the platform at the number that
the mobile station
last set as a callback number for the platform. The mobile station then starts
a timer 314,
designated T1. T1 shown in 314 governs the amount of time that the mobile
station will wait
to for the platform to connect. Preferably, T1 expires after 3-6 seconds. At
this point, the mobile
station has a single call, P, on hold and is calling the platform at the
current callback number
316.
If the setup fails 330, the mobile station will return to hold mode 320, with
the
connection with P on hold. Likewise, if the timer T 1 expires 318, the mobile
station will return
~5 to hold mode 320. If the mobile station is commanded to disconnect 322, the
mobile station
will release the pending call to the platform 324, and will return to hold
mode 320. If the
connection between the mobile station and P is broken 326, the mobile station
will be in idle
mode, with no connected calls, and will continue calling the platform 17.
Referring to FIG. 2A,
the embodiment according to the present invention continues as shown in FIG.
2A after step 17.
2o If the platform answers 332, the mobile station will reset the platform
callback number
334 to the value stored in the mobile station's SIM. At this point, the mobile
station has the
connection with P on hold and is connected to the platform 90. Referring to
FIG. 2C, the
embodiment according to the present invention continues after step 90 as shown
therein.
Referring to FIG. 2H, if the mobile station has a mufti-party connection on
hold 400 and
25 receives an attention signal, e.g., the spoken word "PowerCall," from the
mobile station user
402, the mobile station will begin attempting a call to the platform at the
current platform
_ callback number 404. After beginning 404, the mobile station starts a timer
406, designated T1.
At this point, the mobile station has a mufti-party connection on hold and is
calling the platform
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CA 02309502 2000-OS-04
_ - WO 99/23802 PCT/US98/22714
182. The embodiment according to the present invention continues after step
406 and step 182
as shown in FIG. 2H and as described above.
FIG. 3A shows the action of an intelligent network platform according to the
present
invention. As described above, the network element described herein as a
preferred
s embodiment comprising an IN platform may be one of several types of network
elements. The
IN platform begins in idle mode 500, and is awaiting a call from the mobile
station 10. The
platform detects an incoming call 502 and answers that call 504. Once the call
has been
answered, the platform sends a greeting to the mobile station 506, ~, "Hello,
how can I help
you?" After sending the greeting, the platform waits to receive a voice
command signal from
t o the mobile station 508. In the preferred embodiment, the command is a
voice command. The
command may be in another form, such as data or DTMF.
When a voice command is received S 10, the platform will evaluate the voice
command
signal 512. The voice command may signal the platform to allow the caller to
check platform-
based voice-mail or to place the caller in another platform-based service, and
the caller will be
is placed in that service 516. For example, the voice command may be "Voice
Mail." In that
instance, the platform will place the call in the voice-mail service 516. Once
the caller is placed
in the supplementary service 516, the platform will continue waiting for a
command 508 while
the caller uses the supplementary service.
The voice command may be to utilize a call-processing service. For example, if
the
2o voice signal received is "Call John Doe," the platform will search its
memory in which
telephone numbers and corresponding names are stored. If a number
corresponding to "John
Doe" is found, the platform will send an appropriate command signal to the
mobile station 514.
For example, if John Doe's stored number is 404-555-2222, the platform will
send the
command signal CALL(4045551212) to the mobile station. Preferably, the command
signal
25 CALL(4045551212) is sent using GSM USSD. Similarly, if the voice signal
received is
"Conference John Doe," the platform will send the command signal
CONFERENCE(4045551212) to the mobile station.
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CA 02309502 2000-OS-04
WO 99/23802 PCT/US98/22714
If, during its evaluation of the command 512, the platform determines that a
received
voice command corresponds to a "with return" command, the platform will
determine a
platform call-back number that will return the caller to the operation point
in the service in
which the mobile station was involved at the time the user initiated the "with
return" command.
For example, CALL WITH RETURN and the CONFERENCE WITH RETURN commands
are described above. The platform will send the corresponding signal to the
mobile station 514.
This corresponding signal will include platform call-back number which, when
called, will
allow the mobile station to return to the operation point in the service in
which the mobile
station was involved at the time the user initiated the "with return" command.
After sending the
appropriate signal to the mobile station 514, the platform will disconnect the
call S 18, and return
to idle mode 500.
FIG. 3B shows the action of an intelligent network platform according to the
present
invention. Particularly, FIG. 3B shows the action of IN platform when the
platform is called
using a platform call-back number associated with allowing the mobile station
to return to the
operation point in the service in which the mobile station was involved at the
time the user
initiated a "with return" command. Referring to FIG. 3B, the platform begins
in idle mode 600.
When the platform detects an incoming call to the call-back number 602, the
platform answers
the call 604, and thus connects with the caller. Subsequently, the platform
will place the caller
to the operation point in the service 606 corresponding to the call-back
number. Preferably, the
call-back number will correspond to the point in which the mobile station was
involved at the
time the user initiated the "with return" command. For example, if the caller
initiated a "with
return" command after listening to the first voice mail in the platform's
voice-mail system, the
call-back number will correspond to returning the caller to that operation
point and, when a call
is received to that call-back number, the platform will return the caller to
that operation point
606. Once the platform has placed the connection at the appropriate operation
point 606, the
platform will await a command 508 from the mobile station. Referring to FIG.
3A, the platform
will continue as shown from step 508.
CA 02309502 2000-OS-04
_ _ WO 99/23802 PCT/US98/22'714
Mufti-party conference calls in which there are more than three participants
may be
treated as a platform-based service or supplementary service in an embodiment
of the present
invention. That is, calls of four or more, e.g., four to six, participants
would require that the
mobile station be connected to the network platform. Then, the network
platform would make
the calls to other participants, rather than using a CALL(A) or CONFERENCE(A)
command as
described above. This is due to several practical considerations, the first of
which is that
conventional GSM phones and GSM NSSs do not support six-party mufti-
conferencing.
Additionally, six-party mufti-conferencing is typically a scheduled event
rather than an
impromptu event. Such mufti-party conferencing is accommodated in the present
invention.
to In the present invention, a mobile station user can conference, or
"bridge," two calls,
e.g., call to A and call to B, without involving the platform. For example,
the user can press the
"Send" key and accomplish this bridging. This bridging may be used to, for
example, enact a
three-way call.
As mentioned above, the network element in the preferred embodiment is an IN
~ s platform. Preferably, it has the capability of supporting the USSD or
other signalling command
to a mobile station. Also as mentioned above, this network element could be a
Service Node
(SN), Service Control Point (SCP), Service Node (SN), Advanced Intelligent
Network (AIN),
Intelligent Peripherals (IPs) or other network element, including voice-mail
platforming and
voice-activated dialing platform.
2o The foregoing is provided for purposes of explanation and disclosure of a
preferred
embodiment of the present invention. Modifications of and adaptations to the
described
embodiment will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art of the
present invention and
may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.
31
