Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR REMOTE CALL ESTABLISHMENT
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[001] The present invention relates generally to communications
systems and, more particularly, to methods and systems for remote
establishment of calls.
Background of the Invention
[002] Telephone systems have become an important aspect of
modern day life. Presently various mechanisms exist for customers to make
calls when away from their home telephone such that these calls are billed to
either their account, the called party, or to a third party.
[003] For example, if the user is away from their home phone and has
a calling card, the user may use a payphone to place the call and have it
billed to their calling card. For example, the user may place a call to a
specific
number associated with the calling card that is then transferred to a calling
card center. In certain cases, a calling card company may have multiple such
centers throughout the United States, in which case the call is typically
transferred to a regional calling card center in the same region as the
calling
party. Alternatively, the call may be transferred to a computer connected to
the switch that provides calling card type services. The calling card center
or
switch then prompts the user to enter the number they are calling and then
their calling card number. Typically, the calling number is the user's home
phone number plus a four-digit personal identification number (PIN). The call
is then forwarded from the calling card center to the number they entered and
the caller is appropriately billed.
[004] In another example, a user may purchase a prepaid calling card.
Use of this card is essentially the same as described above, with the
exception that rather than billing the user after the call, the costs of the
call
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are deducted from the prepaid amount of the calling card until the amount
remaining on the card becomes zero. Although billing procedures are
simplified, this system requires a separate retail transaction prior to
placing
the call.
[005] In another example, a user away from their home can make a
collect call such that the call is billed to the called party. For example,
the
user can dial a specific number for obtaining collect call services. This call
is
then transferred to an appropriate data center or computer device that
prompts the user to enter the number they are calling. A call is then placed
to
the number they are calling. If answered, the answering party is asked
whether they will accept charges for the call. If so, the center connects the
calling and called parties and the called party is later billed for the call.
This
system, however, requires action by the called party before the call can
proceed.
[006] In yet another example, the user may place a call to an
operator. The user is then connected to the operator, and the user provides
the operator with the number they are calling plus information regarding whom
to bill (e.g., the called party, the user's account, or a third party). The
operator
then verifies the billing information (e.g. verifies that the party to be
billed will
accept the charges). The operator then connects the calling and called party.
This, however, imposes personnel costs associated with employing live
operators.
[007] Accordingly, it would be desirable for improved methods and
systems for remote establishment of calls.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[008] In accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied
and broadly described herein, methods and systems are provided for
establishing of a call from a first device to a second device. In one
embodiment, the methods and systems include receiving a call placed by a
user from the first device, receiving from the first device information
regarding
the second device to which the call is to be placed, receiving from the first
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device information regarding a third device, wherein the third device is
associated with the user, transferring the call to a first switch associated
with
the third device, transferring the call from the first switch to a second
switch
using the information received from the first device, the second switch
associated with the second device, and transferring the call from the second
switch to the second device.
[009] In another aspect, the invention comprises methods and
systems for a system for establishment of a call from a first device to a
second
device via a communication network, including a first switch for receiving a
call placed by a user from a first device, a set of one or more processors for
receiving from the first device information regarding a second device to which
the call is to be placed and receiving from the first device information
regarding a third device, wherein the third device is associated with the
user,
a second switch associated with the second device for receiving the call and
transferring the call to the second device, and a third switch for receiving
the
call from the first switch and transferring the call to the second switch
using
the information received from the first device.
[010] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set
forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious
from
the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects
and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the
elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
[011] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description
and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and
are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
[012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one (several)
embodiment(s) of
the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the
principles
of the invention.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[013] Figure 1 provides a simplified diagram of a voice network, in
accordance with methods and systems consistent with the invention;
[014] Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary logical diagram of a voice
network 100, in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the
invention;
[015] Figure 3 illustrates a flow chart for a method for establishing a
call from a remote location, in accordance with methods and systems
consistent with the invention;
[016] Figure 4 illustrates a logical architecture of an exemplary system
wherein the user may access an address book in establishing a call from a
remote location, in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the
invention; and
[017] Figure 5 illustrates a flow chart for a method for establishing a
call from a remote location using an address book for the user, in accordance
with methods and systems consistent with the invention
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[018] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments
of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used
throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
[019] The following will provide a description of methods and systems
consistent with the invention of an embodiment for enabling a user to place a
call from any telephone, and have the call billed to the user's primary
telephone number (e.g., their home phone). In such an embodiment, the call
may be routed to the service switching point (SSP) servicing the user's home
phone (phone to be billed). The SSP may then forward the call to the called
number.
[020] Figure 1 provides a simplified diagram of a voice network 100, in
accordance with methods and systems consistent with the invention. As
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shown, voice network 100 includes an intelligent service control point (ISCP)
102, service transfer points (STP) 104 and 106, service switching points
(SSP) 108 and 110, and an ISCP Service Provisioning And Creation
Environment (SPACE) 114. Although in this embodiment voice network 100
is described as a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), voice network
100 may be, for example, a voice or video over broadband network, a
wireless broadband network, a wireless voice network, etc.
[021] Voice network 100 may be implemented using PSTN and SS7
as a signaling protocol. SS7 protocol allows voice network 100 to provide
features, such as call forwarding, caller-ID, three-way calling, wireless
services such as roaming and mobile subscriber authentication, local number
portability, and toll-free/toll services. The SS7 protocol provides various
types
of messages to support the features of voice network 100. For example,
these SS7 messages may include Transaction Capabilities Applications Part
("TCAP") messages to support event "triggers," and queries and responses
between ISCP 102 and SSPs 108 and 110.
[022] ISCP 302 may also be, for example, a standard service control
point (SCP), an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) SCP, a soft switch, or any
other network call controller. As used herein, the term service control point
(SCP) is a generic term that covers standard SCPs, ISCPs and AIN SCPs.
ISCP 102 provides translation and routing services of SS7 messages to
support the features of voice network 100, such as call forwarding. In
addition, ISCP 102 may exchange information with the service center 106
using TCP/IP or SS7. ISCP 102 may be implemented using a combination of
known hardware and software. ISCP 102 is shown with both a direct
connection to service center 106 and a connection through ISCP SPACE 114,
however, any number of network elements including routers, switches, hubs,
etc., may be used to connect ISCP 102, ISCP SPACE 114, and service center
106. Further, information exchanged between the ISCP 102 and service
center 106 may use, for example, the SR-3389 General Data Interface (GDI)
for TCP/IP.
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[023] STPs 104 and 106 relay SS7 messages within voice network
100. For example, STP 104 may route SS7 messages between SSPs 108
and 110. STP 102 may be implemented using known hardware and software
from manufacturers such as NORTELTM and LUCENT TechnologiesTM
[024] SSPs 108 and 110 provide an interface between voice network
100 and phones 114 and 120, respectively, to setup, manage, and release
telephone calls within voice network 100. SSPs 108 and 110 may be
implemented as a voice switch, an SS7 switch, or a computer connected to a
switch. SSPs are also often referred to as Central Office (CO) switches, and
the terms are used herein interchangeably. SSPs 108 and 110 exchange
SS7 signal units to support a telephone call between calling party 120 and
user 110. For example, SSPs 108 and 110 may exchange SS7 messages,
such as TCAP messages, within message signal units ("MSU") to control
calls, perform database queries to configuration database 112, and provide
maintenance information.
[025] Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary logical diagram of a voice
network 100, in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the
invention, and will be used below to explain exemplary methods and systems
for permitting a user to make a call from a remote location. As illustrated,
the
system includes a remote phone 202, a network 204, an Intelligent Service
Control Point (ISCP) 206, a Service Switching Point (SSP) 208, a home
phone 210, a called party's phone 212, and an SSP 214. Although the
network 204 is illustrated as three separate clouds 204-A, 204-B, and 204-C,
one of skill in the art would understand that these all may be the same
network and that all may be part of the voice network 100 and, as such,
include additional SSPs, STPs, ISCPs, etc. Further, although not illustrated,
as discussed above, one or more Signal Transport Points (STPs) may
connect SSP 214 with ISCP 210.
[026] Further illustrated is an Intelligent Peripheral (IP) 216 connected,
via SSP 208, to SSP 214. IP 216 may be, for example, any type of
commercially available IP, such as those available from Cognitronics and IBM.
Also illustrated is a voice portal 218 that may include a voice recognition
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function that can receive and interpret dictation or recognize spoken
commands. Voice portal 218 may interface with a data center in a voice data
network 220, which may be used for billing purposes.
[027] Figure 3 illustrates a flow chart for a method for establishing a
call from a remote location, in accordance with methods and systems
consistent with the invention, that will described in conjunction with Figure
2.
As used herein, the term "call" refers to a communications session between
two or more end points.
[028] A user may initiate a call from remote phone 202 by first placing
a call to a voice portal number (S302). As used herein the term "place a call"
means the user initiating a communications session between the user's
device and one or more other devices. This number may be, for example, a
specific number advertised for providing this service, and may be, for
example, a 1-800 type number.
[029] Network 204-A (Fig. 2) then receives the call and transfers the
call to SSP 208 using the dialed number (S304). SSP 208 may be, for
example, located in the local access and transport area (LATA) where service
is provided to the user's home phone 210.
[030] The call is then received at SSP 208 which recognizes the
dialed number as one for remote call establishment. SSP 208 then provides
signaling information to IP 216 using a protocol, such as, for example,
Primary
Rate Interface (PRI) signaling (S306).
[031] IP 216 may also, in response to the dialed number, invoke an
appropriate software application. This application may, for example, assign a
10-digit session-id for this call and log Calling Party information received
in a
setup message as part of PRI protocal. This Calling Party information may
include the Called Party's Number (CPN), Nature of Number, and
Presentation Restriction Indicator. In this example, the CPN is the number
dialed out by the user to obtain this service (i.e., the 1-800 number), the
Nature of Number is an indication of whether the dialed number is a domestic
or international number and the Presentation Restriction Indicator is an
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indication of whether the number from which the call was placed is unlisted or
specifies that caller-ID information is not to be displayed.
[032] The session_id may be used for identification/tracking purposes
and include a unique IP id number for identifying IP 216, and a session
number for identifying the session between IP 216 as voice portal 218. For
example, in an embodiment, the session id may be a ten digit number that
includes a six digit IP id number (NPA-XXX) and a four digit session number
(YYYY) for identifying the session within IP 216. Additionally, in this
embodiment, each IP may have up to 1,000 simultaneous sessions active
with Voice Portal 218.
[033] The application of IP 216 may then send a setup message to the
Voice Portal 218. (S308). This setup message may be sent, for example,
over a TCP/IP connection. This message may contain, for example, the 10-
digit session-id number.
[034] The application of IP 216 may also extend the voice path of the
call to the Voice Portal 218. (S310). That is, the IP 216 may direct the SSP
208 to transfer the call back through the network 204-B to the Voice Portal
218. The application of IP 216 may populate the CPN for this call with the
session-id sent to it in the TCP/IP Setup Message.
[035] Next, the call arrives at the Voice Portal 218. Voice Portal 218,
a software application then matches the CPN to a pending session-id. This
indicates that special handling is required for this call. (S312).
[036] The Voice Portal 218 then may play a voice recording indicating
to the user that the call has been received and prompting the user to enter
the
number they wish to call. (S314). Additionally, the user may be prompted to
enter a primary number (i.e., the number associated with their home phone
210) along with a Personal Identification Number (PIN). The user may
provide the requested information by, for example, speech or by entering it
using a keypad on their phone. The Voice Portal 218 may then send the
user's primary number and PIN to the voice network's data center 220 to
verify that the user is authorized to bill the call to the primary number. If
the
PIN entered by the user is not recognized, the Voice Portal 218 may ask that
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the user reenter this information, or play a message that they should try
again
later.
[037] After the user provides the number they wish to call, the Voice
Portal 218 may send a TCP/IP Release Message instructing the IP 216 to
drop the call to the Voice Portal 218 and forward the call to the user's
primary
number (e.g., the number associated with the user's home phone 210).
(S318). This Release Message may contain, for example, a Forward-To
Number (the 10-digit Number the user wishes to call), the user's Primary
Number (the 10-digit Number associated with the user's home phone 210),
and the session-id. The IP 216 may then use the session_id in the Release
Message to map the release message to appropriate voice channels. (S318).
[038] In one example, the IP 216 may send a PRI setup message to
the SSP 208 to cause the call to the Voice Portal 218 to be dropped and a
new call established to the SSP 214 associated with user's Primary Number
(i.e., home phone 210). This PRI setup message may contain the following: a
unique CPN, which may be used by the service logic of the ISCP 206 to
invoke the Voice Portal's 218 service logic; a Redirection Parameter
containing the Forward To Number; an Originating Calling Number (OCN)
(i.e., the remote phone number received on the original call from the user),
and the user's Primary Number.
[039] Next, the call is routed to the SSP 214 that serves the user's
Primary Number. (S320) This may be accomplished by, for example, the IP's
216 application instructing the SSP 208 to perform a Two B Channel Transfer
(TBCT).
[040] A Termination Attempt Trigger (TAT trigger) on the user's
Primary Number may then be used to cause the SSP 214 to issue a query to
the ISCP 206. (S322). This query may include the Transaction Capability
Application Part (TCAP) CPN value received in the received call, and may, for
example, cause the ISCP 206 to invoke its service logic. As discussed above,
this CPN value may be a unique CPN used by the service logic of ISCP 206
to invoke the Voice Portal's 218 service logic. The service logic employed by
the ISCP 206 may be, for example, AIN service logic.
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[041] Based on the input Transaction Capability Application Part
(TCAP) CPN value, the service logic of ISCP 206 determines that this is a
Voice Portal 218 call. The service logic then retrieves the input TCAP OCN
and the Redirection Parameters from the received call. The ISCP 206 may
then retrieve the Forward to Number from the Redirection Parameters and
send the OCN and Forward to Number to SSP 214 by populating this
information via output TCAP calling party and called party parameters,
respectively. (S324)
[042] Based on the receipt of this information, the SSP 214 then
forwards the call to the number the user wishes to call (i.e. the Forward to
Number). (S326)
[043] Next, the call is routed over the network 204 to the Forward to
Number using the line class of service assigned to the user's Primary
Number. The SSP associated with the Forward to Number determines if the
associated phone 212 is available. If so, the phone 212 associated with this
number begins ringing. If the call is answered, the call is completed, and the
user primary number is appropriately billed. (S328)
[044] In another example, voice portal 218 may be connected to
various other servers for performing other services as described below with
respect to Fig. 4. For example, the voice portal 218 may be connected to
servers storing an address book for the user, such as described in
U.S. Patent Publication No. US200550157858 entitled Methods and Systems
for Contact Management. In such an example, the user may dial a
number associated with voice portal 218 and then, using voice commands,
elect to place the call to a called party or "contact," whose number is listed
in
the user's address book. The user could then speak the name of the contact.
In response, the server(s) may access the user's address book and retrieve
the number for the contact. The call may then be forwarded as described
above.
[045] If the contact has multiple numbers in the address book (e.g., a
work and a home number) the user may be provided with this information and
permitted to select the desired number via speech or key entries on remote
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phone 202. The user may also search the address book to select a desired
contact, modify the information for a contact or add a new contact using
spoken commands or key entries on remote phone 202.
[046] Figure 4 illustrates a logical architecture of an exemplary system
wherein the user may access an address book when using voice portal 218 to
remotely establish calls, in accordance with methods and systems consistent
with the invention.
[047] As illustrated, one or more user terminals, such as 212 A and
212_B, are connected to service center 402. This connection may be a direct
connection or via a network such as, for example, the Internet. The user
terminals 212 may be any appropriate type of device a user may use for
communicating with a Service Center 106. For example, the user terminal
212 A may be a PDA running a program for communicating with the Service
Center 106, while user terminal 212_B may be a desktop type computer
running a web browser for communicating with the Service Center 106 via the
Internet. Additionally, the user may call the voice portal 218 using a phone
such as remote phone 202.
[048] As illustrated, service center 106 may include one or more digital
companion server(s) 406, one or more communication portal server(s) 408,
and the voice portal 218. Servers 406, 408 and voice portal 218 may
communicate between one another using, for example, web services or any
other suitable protocols. Web services are a standardized way of integrating
Web-based applications using the Extensible Markup Language (XML),
Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), Web Services Description Language
(WSDL) and Universal Description, Discovery and Integration (UDDI) open
standards over an Internet protocol (IP) backbone.
[049] As illustrated, digital companion server(s) 406 may provide the
following functions: a client proxy 512, a web server 514, an application
server function 516, and a database function 522. Each of these functions
may be performed in hardware, software, and/or firmware. Further, these
functions may each be executed by a separate server, split across multiple
servers, included on the same server functions, or any other manner.
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[050] The client proxy function 512 provides a proxy function for the
digital companion that may be used for security purposes. This client proxy
function 512 may be included in a separate server such that all
communications sent from the other digital companion functions/servers to a
user terminal 212 go through the client proxy 512. Also, if the client proxy
512
is included on a separate server, for example, an additional firewall may be
provided between the client proxy 512 and the other digital companion
servers to provide additional security.
[051] Web server 514 provides functionality for receiving traffic over
the data network 102 from a customer. For example, web server 514 may be
a standard web server that a customer may access using a web browser
program, such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Communicator.
[052] Application server function 516 encompasses the general
functions performed by the digital companion server(s) 406. For example,
these functions may include interfacing with the various other digital
companion functions to perform specific applications provided by the service
center. These services may include, for example, interfacing with other
function(s), software, and/or hardware to provide a customer with the
capability of managing their calls online. For example, permitting a customer
to add contacts to their address book from a history of calls made or received
by the customer, and permitting a customer to modify, add or delete contacts
in their address book, e.g., for example, using user terminals 212A or 212-B.
[053] Additionally, the application server function 516 may interface
with one or more external devices, such as an external web server, for
retrieving or sending information. For example, the application server
function
516 may interface with a voice network's data center 220 (e.g., verizon.com)
to determine the services to which the customer subscribes (e.g., call
waiting,
call forwarding, voice mail, etc.).
[054] Database function 522 provides the storage of information
useable by the various applications executed by the digital companion
server(s) 406. These databases may be included in, for example, one or
more external storage devices connected to the digital companion server(s)
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406. Alternatively, the databases may be included in storage devices within
the digital companion server(s) 406 themselves. The storage devices
providing the database function 522 may be any type of storage device, such
as for example, CD-ROMs, DVD's, disk drives, magnetic tape, etc.
[055] The communication portal server(s) 408 may provide the
hardware and software for managing a customer's account and interfacing
with customer account information stored by the provider of the customer's
voice network. As illustrated in Figure 4, communication portal server 408
may provide the following functions: a web server function 526, an application
server function 528, a contacts database function 530, and/or a customer
profile function 532. Each of these functions may be performed by a
separate server, split across multiple servers, included on the same server
functions, or any other manner.
[056] Web server function 526, as with web server function 522 of the
digital companion servers, provides functionality for receiving traffic over a
network from a customer. For example, the web server may be a standard
web server that a customer may access using a web browser, such as
Internet Explorer or Netscape Communicator.
[057] The application server function 528 encompasses the general
functions performed by the communication portal servers 406. For example,
these functions may include interfacing with the voice network to retrieve
and/or modify customer profile information, and creating and editing the
address book for the user. Additionally, the application server function 528
may include the functionality of sending and/or receiving information to/from
external servers and/or devices. For example, the communication portal
servers 408 may be connected to a network, such as, the Internet. The
application server function 528 may then provide connectivity over the
Internet
to external servers 552 that provide web services, such as the Superpages
webpage. The application function 528 may then contact these external
services 552 to retrieve information, such as an address and or number for a
person in the user's address book.
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[058] In another example, the application server function 528 of the
communication portal 408 may interface a single sign on (SSO) server 554.
SSO 554 may be used to allow users to access all services to which the user
subscribes, on the basis of a single authentication that is performed when
they initially access the network.
[059] The contacts database 530 includes storage devices for storing
an address book for the user. This address book may be any type of address
book. For example, the user's address book may include the names, phone
numbers, and addresses of people and/or organizations. These storage
devices may be internal or external to the communication portal servers 406
or some combination in between. In addition, these storage devices may be
any type of storage device, such as magnetic storage, memory storage, etc.
[060] The customer profile database 532 includes storage devices for
storing customer profile information for the user. These storage devices may
be the same or separate storage devices used for the contacts database.
The customer profile may include information regarding the user's account for
their voice network. For example, this information may include the user's
name, billing address, and other account information. Additionally, the
customer profile may include information regarding voice services to which the
user subscribes, such as, for example, call waiting, voice mail, etc.
[061] Figure 5 illustrates a flow chart for a method for establishing a
call from a remote location using an address book for the user, in accordance
with methods and systems consistent with the invention, that will described in
conjunction with Figures 2 and 3. A user desiring to make a remote call may
initiate a call to voice portal 218 from remote phone 202, as discussed above
in steps S302-S312. The user may then, using speech commands,
authenticate himself by, for example, stating his name followed by a user
specified password. (S502). The user may then elect to search his address
book. (S504). For example, the voice portal 218 may recognize certain
words (e.g., search, address book, etc.) or a sequence of key entries on the
phone 202 as a request to search the address book. This request may then
be forwarded by the voice portal 218 to the application server 516 of the
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digital companion server(s) 406. The application server 516 may then send a
query to the application server 528 of the communication portal 408 to search
and retrieve information regarding the contact. (S506)
[062] For example, the voice portal 218 may inquire by synthesized or
reworded voice prompt whether the user wishes to access their address book
or whether the user wishes to simply enter a number. The user may then
select to access their address book by speaking an appropriate command or
by entering a particular digit(s) on the keypad of the phone 202. If the user
elects to access their address book, the voice portal 218 may, for example,
ask for the user to spell the name of the user. The voice portal 218 may then
contact the digital companion server(s) 406 to look up this name in the user's
address book and retrieve the contact's number. The call may then be
forwarded to this number by, for example, the methods discussed above, e.g.,
steps S316 - S328.
[063] Additionally, if the user is unsure of the contacts name, the user
may be presented with an option by the voice portal 218 to just speak the
first
few letters of the contacts name. The voice portal 218 may then retrieve all
contacts from the user's address book including these first few letters. The
user may then select from these retrieved names the desired contact by
speaking an appropriate command or entering a digit on the keypad of their
phone. The voice portal 218 may then retrieve the phone number for this
contact from the address book and the call may be forwarded as discussed
above.
[064] Additionally, if the selected contact has multiple numbers (e.g.,
home, work, and cell), the voice portal 218 may inform the user of these
multiple numbers and ask for the user to select the desired number.
[065] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the
invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples
be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention
being indicated by the following claims.
