CA2263264C - Internet-based telephone call manager - Google Patents

Abstract

A method is provided that allows data access service provider subscribers to manage their telephone service through a data connection. The subscriber is enabled to obtain call data information and is provided real-time control. During a data call, a visual incoming call indicator informs the subscriber, through a pop-up window, connected to the data access service provider that there is a call attempt. A visual message waiting indicator allows a subscriber, connected to the data access service provider to be notified of a pending message on the voice message system. A visual call disposition allows the subscriber, through the data connection, to dispose of calls. The call disposition options include forwarding a call to voice mail, playing an announcement to the calling patty, forwarding the call to another line, sending a text message which could be converted to speech using text to speech technology, answering the call using voice over data call or terminating the data connection in order to accept t he call.

Description

INTERNET-BASED TELEPHONE CALL MANAGER
Field Of The Invention The present invention relates to handling telephone related messages during data communications sessions.
Background Of The Invention As a result of the increasing popularity of the Internet and the World Wide Web, more an more users stay connected to their Internet service provider, mainly through dial-up modem connections, for durations well exceeding the average holding time for voice calls (3 minutes). During these calls, the call waiting indicator is usually disabled since the tone generated by this feature would disrupt the data stream.
Since the Internet session in most cases occupies the only telephone line in the house, the subscriber is neither able to detect nor respond to a call attempt.
Summary Of The Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide improved telephone call handling during data communication sessions.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing an indication of a message waiting at a voice messaging service to a called station coupled to a telecommunications network, the called station having a data processing terminal engaged in a data call with a data communications network, the data call being through a connection in the telecommunications network to an access gateway for the data network, the method comprising the steps of: providing, by the telecommunications network, an incoming call intended :' co:r~ the cz~ 7. led. st:at ion -:o a voice messaging service enabled to r_eccr_d a mf~ssage ~rcm the incoming call; providin~~ a sigma i ~~:,~visinc; o::v t:.hE::~ message waiting from the access gateway, over r;tle d~it.« caill c:~onnect: ion through the telecommunications net.w:_~:~r;, t:c tr ~ ~~ata proces.~in~~ terminal;
and generating bY.,r the dau:.a proce~~i:ra t=.ez-rriinal., responsive to receipt of the signal, t~lw me~s~>ac,r :.aazt~:~n~ Indication.
According to ~rt~t~ anot:hEn aspect of the present invention there is provided ac metEnocl c>i: providing a.n indi_cation 1C) of a message w~~iting at ~:~ VO:i ce n:~es:~ac~ar~.g servf~r_ to a called station coupled to a to ~ ec:::~mrvurric<~t kris networi~, t:'~~ae called station having a data p:Y c:>c: ~s:W ng t. e~_w~ m:~:l engcu~ed in a data call with a data common:~.~_:r:~c~ic>n~~ rv.:,t;..NCr-k , the data call being through a connect=ion irL t~~m t:elec~mmuni.c:at ions network to an access gateway for the e:l,~ta net:wc>;~k, t.hc~~ method comprising:
receiving an i:nd i_cator cs C a Decor ,:fed re:~;:~sage a:: r_he~ voice messaging server result:i.::rc~ from ~c,zll ~ntendec~ :for the called station; in response t.c> the ~i.ndir_~atc~r, j,~roviding ~a signa7_ advisi:rrg of the recordec;l m~~s:~ac~e at the voice messaging ~~erver, over t:he data call conne~~tiozn thi::~u~,~i: the tele~~om.munications network by way of the a.c~~e.~s gatF wake t c7 true data processing terminal.
According to m fuzrt:her aspect_. of the present invention there is provi.r~~v;~ ~~ method of providing an indication of a message waii_ing at a ~rc~:i_ce rnesaac :i,n ct servi_c~e for a called station at a data proce:~s~~ag termint:rl whsle the called station has the data procJessinG w:e~.r_m:;. nal ~~ngac~eci in a dat a call with a data communications netwo_:k, the e~ata. ca:~ll bei_1~g through a connection in the telecornrnun::_catic~na network t~t~ an acces~~
gateway for the data netw~:~rk, t~hF: metlio~::~ c~ompr:=ising: receiving at the data processing t~~anm:i.nai~ ~,. si~rla'~. advisinc of the message waitin~~ from thc- cr~~cesws gateway, and gene:rating the message waitin~~ :,.ndicat:,.:~n, re~~pc::ls eve t.c; recE~:~pt= of the signal.
Acco:rd~ng to ,:~:nc>Wher asoec~t of the p~~eserzt invention there :is provided .a comp,.rt:<~r_ readable mc.~diurn st::or:ing comb>uter executable instructions l ruat: when, I_ >aded at a data processing terminal interconnected t:<o a data n~:twc;ok by wary of connection through a telel?)zon~~ netwc:>~.';~, adap.: :he caata proce sling terminal to, recJeive from a telex-mne netwar:~: gat:eway in cc.~rnmunication with the data of=_t:work, ,_i s igr.al a~:lv:~.sinc; ~f_ a ;~t:ored message waiting for thf~ ~~ubscril:;~~r~ at a vc:>i~.:e mail server in communication with the tre..Napr.onc= ~neec:wor~r~, and <generate respon:~ive to ~_ec:~e:i.pt o:f t:iue sigri<:~1, a message waiting indicaiJion at the data. t,E:e.~rnir:.<~l.
l~~ According t.o yet:. ar:.other~ ,:aspect of the present invention there i_s prov:i.ca~~c~ a conal~u':er neadablE-> medium storing computer execut:.a);>le i.nst_ au:~c~ti.on:~ ~: hart wL~en :Loaded at a telephone networJ~c c~atew<x~;~ :in c~ornm~m3cat.~,on wit:ki a data network and a ~roice mail server ir~t_erc~onnt:_c~ ed with a t e7_t~phone network, adapt the gatew~zlr tc, rec:::~ei_ve from the v~zce mail server,, an indicator of <:r ;stored rne.~_sagesvaitimg at the voice mail server, for a subsc:~:ril_>E=r; orzg~.nat-a a s.igna7_ indicative of.
the received im:~ic<~tor. t-_<:> i:.he data=~ r_.erlr~~.na~l, so tk~at the data terminal may provide a rnc::~.~~age wa i t i_ng in~:xicati.on for the subscriber, wh_i lEe the sr.al:~=,c.wiber_ i s ir~ae:~r~~or~nec:te:~ with the data network by way of a ~~onnect~i:>n th.rough the t:=_lephone network.
According to a~. f ~,~rt.he~~~ ~~si>ect. of the present invention there is prov_ici~:c~ a voicve rrcai7 pervert :iraerconnected with a telephone networl<:~ t:o recur::Y rnes:;~:ges de,:~tir~ed for a subscruber, the ~--o:ice ma.s.l server cc:>u~;lE:d to a dat=a network by way of a network gatewav~, ~hF~ rret~roz.~k ga:~teway opc=:r able to provide=_ an indication co ar w~~itiz;~~ nessage at t: he voice mail server to the ;wabscribet:: a ~~ay wavy pf tree data network, when the subscriber is :iz-terconne:~tf~d tc> t,~e date: netwol_-k by way of a call tc~ the te:iephone n~~t~~ror_l~:_; th~~ -=,roi.ce maz.l ~~ervf~r operable to provide the network ci-,:~2:ew~y an imdic~~t.or of the waiting message=_ .
Acco_=ding to another <~spe~.;t ci the present invention there :is provided i:rl a :~~~aa.t.cr_c~d telephone network,, comprising:
a plurality of tell=phony ;_cwitches irnterc:~onnected .in a switched traffic carrying nf~tworx: ir_>r carr~,~izzg t.E~lephonce call traffic and an associated ;. igna ~.::i.rz:l r~.etwo_vk for carrying s_i gnalin.g information re=Letrant to l::r:m estab L i;zhmero.t of czl.l paths on the traffic. carrying of=twork;: ~ rr;ethoca c>f prowessing an incoming call directed t=o a spec:i:f i ed su.bsr=yr i.ber tc~lephcme ~ ine on. the traffic carrying network, the specified s~.zbscr_ber_ telephone line initially Ln-l.ae tcv ~.::~r:>rznect :-~ c-later t<~rrnizm_~1 t=o a data networii. The method in.c_vl.s_a.c~es: a. rfeceiv-img a ~;a.gnaling message from the signa~_ing netwo~:v generat.ec~1 in response to the incoming call, t~rLe rece:i s~r_~c~ signa:t irvg message a~ec:~ived prior to establ__shment o1_ a call ~:><t~ri for t:hc=~ ir.c:crning cal.:L on the traffic carryiry~ nE=tworE~:~ r:,. i.n r~sl>onsE= to they z-~=ceived signaling mess~zc_~e, disport: c~t~.ing a '.vivst data me:~sa~_~e indicative of the incoming call to t:l~e_ data t e:.vminal on tLue ~~iata network by way of the t:raff:ic caz:-rw,%i.ng net:w«rk ~~nd the specified subscriber telepr~ome lirvE~ .
Accorc~inc~ to vent arlothe~- a..spect .of the ;resent invention therE: s s prove coed a not , f:i cat ion ser~~~er comprising : a first interface fom conz~c:ect ion of the serve r_ tc~ a telephony signaling netwoz:vk, the S:icir~.aling :aet work. tar c:a.rr.rei.ng signaling 3f, information relevant tc~ f:.lne est:af:,:Li~~h.me~:lt. of c<:~1:1 paths on a switched traffi~ carryiru.:~ telep.hcny net: work, t.l-ze first interface adapted to rec~=,~:ive si.gn.al:Lng messages prior to establishment «f associ.._~.n.:c>.,~ oal.1 p a!:h; on the traffic carrying telephony network; a second interia~:e fcsr connection of the server to a data network.,; x ~~rcc~e:~s~~r o~:oerable to a. receive a signal indicative of ar: i.rucon;.ing :za~.~1 ox:~iginat:~nc~ with a caller to a specified ~~elephone l..ine on t:.hY= t.x~Giffic cax~ryi.ng telephony network, by wa~~ of the ~:~.c:~na7 ir~g ea:wc;x~~~.:; b. in re:~ponse to 7.0 receiving the :signal, di.;:~y.~~rt c:h <~ ~aa::a message :i:nd_LCative of the incoming call i~o a termi.rual in ccln~munic:~~tion with the data networ)c, by wa~,r of the ~~p.~E~c~i f ie:d i: a a.ephc:~ne l inE:~ .
According to a Yurthe~~ aspect. o° the present invent:L On there is provi_c:ie=~cx a serwri.r:~e cc:>ntrol. point: (SCP) for use in an advancEed rote:l:, ic~ent= ne~:;wa~rl~ AIN) fc:ornling part of a switched telephone netwc~:.:~~,:, the Se_'P c::nf figured to dispatch a signalling messa<~E= i~o a dart:<R netwo.::wk gateway intex-~:onnected to a data network, :_n response-a to rec:e:~ v:i.ry an AIN signal indicative of an :_ncoming c;al:L to a specifie;a t el.ephone s~.~bs~riber line in-use to connect a. date t:ezrrrina:l tc~ thEc:lata network.
According to arzcther aspect of the px~es~°nt invention there is provic~ec~ a switc:lr.:.ru~ poi.r7t, wit.h:in an advanced intelligent net:work: (AI~;t; t:elephoroy sigr~a:Ling r~et:~aork, the signaling network for carrying si~_xnalinc; information relevant to the establi:~hmen.t. of c:vall pat:rn::c~n a traffir:; c,~x:rying telephony network. The switching pcaint is opexvabl_e to dispatch an AIN terminat:~_on atte~y:>i: message::., c.-n trae signa.li.ng network in response to an incoming c:vz.:i.l dir:e::~tE-d tc_.. ~.a spec.:if: i_ed subscriber telephone line ire tzse t:t co:r_nect .a c~aca tern~in~xl _ o a data networl~: using t:he t:rafflc:' c:arryin~:~ telephony netwcpr:k, to a telephony network gatewa~a ire ~omm.~n~ c,~tion witr_ a data network - 3 c __ gateways. The ciat:.a netwc>a-k: gatewa:yT ~_s o~~erable to dispatch a data message from the ovc:>_r tr:e da.t a net.w ork to the data terminal, as a con;~equerzc~e of the A:N tE~rminat:on attempt message .
Accordi.ncx to vc:~t another aspect of the present invention there i.s prov:i c:ied a pro~:~e~sir~c. t~:lemer~t f_or interconnection with a c_w>rumunic<~t:iorls sig_nalinct ru:~twork carrying signa~_5 re l.evarrt: t~c> ~~st~al.~l i shir:g call paths on a traffic carrying tE~l.eph~.~7r~.e networla, the p.roces~,i.n~_~ element compri:~ing: a f_s.rst: int~~o:w:Face for cc:~nnect.~ng the processing element: with an advancecv :i.rt.el.I_ag~nt network (AIN) signaling networhc in comnluni<<atiocv w~.tr: a s,-~it.ch cn the r raf:f=i.c carrying telephone network; a se::c.~r:ci intera:-a.c~E~ fc:r connecting the proces:~ing elemera with a:, data nel wore caat~eway fo:L dispatching data messages on a data rcet,work; t hc= ;orc:cEessincx a iement operab~.e to diw~patc:h a f ~. Y .at me:~s:~ge- ~.. tlm~ dat a rnetwork gatewa~r by way of t:he s c~c:~and int:e r_ f ace i n respc:~ns~= to receiving an AIN signaling messages by way o1 t he first ir:a:e:e-f:ace, the signal indicative of an _.rm:cimincx °a-~l tc <~ specif:i_ed telephone subscriber line in--use ._.~nraectirrg a date. terminal to the data networl~: by way of t=he t r:; f f i s car u:y~. nc~ t e=1_ ephor5e net work .
Accorcfinc~ to <_~ f Ltrtlner ash-ec:t of: t:he pwc~sent invention there i s provi :EE_>ci in a ~w_ t.~~hed telephone network comprising: a fs.rst; swi~:~:h; a fi_r>t sigma. ;~witch:i.ng point associated with the f.ir;_t: 7witcr7; a sf~c~~~n.i switcrv:; a second signal switchirrcf point ~a~sociated w~.t.~ thc=~ sect:~nd switch; a processing element in cwn,rru:m..ic:at:i~:;n wits. t_ne second signal switching point.; the fix-r::t= s:i~nal s~.i.~cr,iru~ po:int, the second signal switching point :::~r,cx tpe pr< ces;~ir,g element intercc>nnectinc~ in a tel.~~>p2uct~y ~~i~_tn~~~ine rietwor_k; a method of dispatching a message ir5ciicative :::f an incominc, call, - 3d origin<~ting wii~h a c,allf~:r~ intercc~iru,act.ecwith t:he first switch to a subscribe.. a ize intcel~c~or,nectFed wit:r; the second switch, to a term:i.nal in c~onamuni.car.:_c:gym u.~itlz <~ a::3.ata network, the method comprising: a. dvspat.cha.nct a firs: :>ian~~ling aces sage from the first :~ignalinc~ point to:; t:he sec~o:nd sigr.al.ir~g pc>irzt; b. .in respon;~e to the f i:rst. s .c:~r~~~.i.ng ma-~s ,age, di.spat: ching a second signal_Lng message Erom 1_.lm.~ second s.:.gnaJ ing po_nt to the proces~~ing elernerrt; c. irs }:~espc~nsE_ r:.o ti',e second .~v~gnalin.g message, dispat~c~hir:~g a t:LW u-d sic~n<~l ing me;~sage fx-.>m the proces:~ing elernervt to tlrc-~ data net work c;av;eway; d. in response to the third signaling me,~:;~age, dispatcp:ing a data message from the network gat=ewa;r over ~-lue data nc::atwork to tire .:iata terminal.
According to aznt~::t:her asEaecvt of:he pxwes::>nt: invention there ._s provided in a ;~v~.it~ched t~~le~phor~e netwc>rll: comprising: a l S first switch; ~~ f ir_ st s i anal swit..::~h ~ ng ~:~o ~nt a:~so:~iated with the first switch; a secc~rud. w;w~.tch; ~. second sic;nal switching point Dissociated with tL:.c::~ second :.,witch; a proce~>~ing element in communication with ttw:~ ecc~nd ic~nal switching point; the first ~~ignal sw.it.ching i;o:int, the swcon.ci .:~igna:l s'Nltching point.
and the process>in.g element. inter.-c.~nne~~t~.ng in <~ t..=7_ephony signaling network:; a meti-coci of di,~p«tchinc~ a message indicative of an incoming call , or:c;:~i r~atinc~ faith a caller invE:rconnected with the first ~~wit:ch t:::: a:~ subscr:ber line intc:rcon:nected with the second swit:cr, to a t:er:~rrrina7_ ~n comrrunicat:ion with a data networl~:, the mE:t:hod corrr~:n:::i~~ir~g: ~:~. ~.e~eiv:i_crc~ a fi.:rst signaling message from the first _=.clrraling ::'o::n~ ~.t the ;ecc->nd signaling point; b. in re~~ponse t. a, t.l~e~ firs: :=ignaling message, dispatching a ~>econd si~~r.tA=i. ing rne~s<age from thc_ scecond signaling point: to the ~>r_ r>cessing e__ emer~t ; c, . :i n :e-esponse to 3U the second signaling me~:::age, dis:;at c:~irag a third :signaling message from the proces~.rm~ eleme:_t t.o the datU r~fetwork 3 E' --gatewa~~; d. in .response t~<;~ tar:ce ~rf~_rc~ ~>ic~naling message, dispatching a c~at,a messa~yy~ f_z:om t.:ie net:cnork gat:eway over the data network to t:he dat;:r t: erminal .
The ~~resent irr,~re.zt:iom h<:is tree a:~vant<~ge of allowing a subscr=fiber to rnoniv~or arcs°~ control t~~lepr~.o.ne services while engaged in a d<~r_a call, ,,r~ a the datF_z ca~_1 .
The baaic conc:.o_y>t- ~:eh.ineu ~:he ~:r<=seat irnvention is to combine the Publz_c Switc_~.lm~cl 'felephome NE-twork yPSTN) and the Internet servicF: p=rovidE-~:r.~,' ezuh.an~~ec: sic~n;:~llinct arid data communication c:apalr~i_lit:i c:a~: t:c pr;:v"~idina imcomirrg :all information and coiarol i: c., an Int:.~rnet ~:ubscri~~er. With the Internet Call DQanager, t_}.c subscrzbcer i:~ informed of call attempt:s and can dic~pos~ c.t~ the c<al:' as deemed appropriate.
Furthermore, subscr:i.ber~ connect:e~i l:~y rrcc:dem cannot check if they have pending messages without terminating their session. The visual message waiting indicator allows them to be informed of their mailbox status within their Internet session.
Terminology and acronyms ~ Caller Person that calls the subscriber. The caller can reach the subscriber in two ways, either directly, i.e., the to caller dials the subscriber's DN, or indirectly, i.e., the caller dials a DN that is forwarded to the subscriber's DN.
~ Data Access Service Provider (DASP) Data network operator that sells access services to its z5 data network that allows the subscribers to communicate through the DASP's network and other data networks.
DASP user Person that subscribes to and uses DASP services.
~ Forwarding from station number (FF) 2o Parameter conveyed over the control between the PSTN and the VMS system and used by the VMS system as the mailbox identifier.
~ Subscriber A DASP user that subscribes also to the Call Manager 25 service.
~ VMS subscriber Person that subscribes to a VMS.
Acronyms 30 ~ BRI - Basic Rate Interface ~ CPE - Customer Premise Equipment DASP - Data Access Service Provided ~ DN - Directory Number ~ ICM - Internet Call Manager 35 ~ ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network ~ ISP - Internet Service Provider ~ MWI - Message Waiting Indicator ~ PSTN - Public Switched Telecommunication Network ~ SMDI - Simplified Message Desk Interface ~ SS7 - Signalling System #7 ~ VMS - Voice Messaging Service ~ VMS-SP - VMS Service Provider An advantage of the method of the present invention is allowing data access service providers (DASP) subscribers to manage their telephone service through their 1o DASP connection. The subscriber can obtain call data information and provides real time call control.
The service in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention has the following components.
A Visual Incoming.Call Indicator (VICI) informs a subscriber through a popup window connected to the DASP
that there is a call attempt. When available the user could be provided with the CLID and the calling name.
Another version of this feature could inform the subscriber of a call attempt through Email.
2o A Visual Message Waiting Indicator (VMWI) allows a subscriber connected to the DASP to be notified of pending message on the VMS through a convenient screen display.
A Visual Call Disposition (VCD) allows the subscriber through the DASP connection to dispose of the calls following a visual incoming call indication. The subscriber can optionally:
~ forward the call to voice mail ~ play an announcement (perhaps personalized) ~ forward the call to another line ~ send a text message which would be read using text to speech technology ~ answer the call using voice over Internet ~ terminate or park the Internet connection and take the call.
A method in accordance with the present invention introduces the concept of combining the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and Data Access Service Provider (DASP) enhanced signalling and data communication capabilities to provide incoming call information and control to a DASP subscriber.
In the following descriptions, specific instances of the PSTN enhanced signalling capabilities are used for the purpose of describing the concept. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the scope of this invention is not limited to these specific instances. To 1o ease description, functional call flows are used.
Brief Description Of The Drawinas The present invention will be further understood from the following description with reference to the drawings in which:
Fig. 1 illustrates an overview of a network in which the method in accordance with the present invention can be used;
Figs. 2 and 3 graphically illustrate the call-indication functional flow in accordance with another 2o embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4 graphically illustrates the call-indication functional flow in accordance with a further embodiment;
Fig. 5 graphically illustrates the message waiting indication functional flow in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 6 graphically illustrates the message waiting indication functional flow in accordance with an additional embodiment of the present invention;
Figs. 7 and 8 graphically illustrate the incoming 3o call disposition functional flow in accordance with a still further embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description Referring to Fig. 1 there is provided a view of the network components and interfaces required by this method. The network components are grouped into four (4) domains, i.e., the PSTN domain, the DASP domain, the Voice Message Service - Service Provider (VMS-SP) domain and the - 7 _ Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) domain. The PSTN domain network components are the SS7-capable telecommunication switches, labelled Service Switching Point (SST)[1, 2, 3), the Public Switched Telephone Network, labelled PSTN [5], the PSTN Gateway Agent, labelled GA [19] and the PSTN
gateway, labelled PSTN-G[4]. The DASP domain network components are the DASP gateway, labelled DASP-G[7] and the DASP data network [6]. The VMS-P[11] and the VMS gateway, labelled VMS-G[12]. For conciseness, the VMS gateway [5]
1o is shown as being part of the VMS-SP domain. However, depending on the implementation, the VMS gateway [5]
component may be outside of the VMS-SP domain and be part of the PSTN domain. The CPE domain components are the caller's telephone [10], the DASP subscriber's telephone [9] and computer [8] and the CPE gateway, labelled CPE-G
[18].
In Fig. 1, interfaces [9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 20] , shown as direct link between network components and functions, illustrate the logical relationships between 2o these components and functions and as such, have no implications on the physical paths, either direct of indirect, and signalling supports used in the different implementations of this invention.
The PSTN gateway (PSTN-G) [4] is the PSTN
component that implements the PSTN-DASP signalling.
Through interface [12], the PSTN gateway provides the DASP
gateway with the incoming call indication and control for all registered subscribers [17]. Via interface [11], the PSTN gateway mediates with the other PSTN network 3o components, including but not limited to the SSPs [1, 2, 3], the PSTN Gateway Agent [19] through interface [20] and the VMS-SP's VMS gateway [5] through interface [13], to obtain the incoming call information, the MWI information and to remotely control call establishment in the case of call disposition service, for incoming calls to subscriber [17] .

_ g -The PSTN Gateway Agent (GA) [19] is the PSTN
component that provides the PSTN-G [4] with the incoming call information and remote call control for incoming calls to registered subscribers [i7].
The VMS-SP's VMS gateway's (VMS-G) [5]
responsibility is to provide the PSTN gateway [4] with the MWI information for registered subscribers [17].
The DASP gateway (DASP-G) [6] is the DASP
component that implements the PSTN-DASP signalling.
1o Through interface [12], the DASP gateway obtains from the PSTN gateway [4] the incoming call indication and control for all registered subscribers [17]. The main responsibility of the DASP gateway is then to mediate, through interface [9], DASP data network [8] and interface (10], with the subscriber's [17]. For call disposition service, the CPE gateway receives the subscriber's inputs from the HMI and translates the call disposition request in the appropriate message format for delivery to the DASP
gateway [ 6 ] .
2o The above components can be implemented in various ways. A single component can be implemented as a stand-alone network equipment, multiple components can be combined in a single network equipment or a given component can be partitioned over two (2) or more network equipments.
In the following sections, methods and systems are described which implement the service components of this invention, namely, call indication, MWI delivery and call disposition. However, the scope of this invention is not limited to these implementations, which are merely 3o illustrative. Finally, for each service component, a specific service scenario issued for simplicity of description only. The invention is not limited to these service scenarios.
The following data is used in the functional flows:
~ caller's DN is Dnc ~ caller's name is Name c _ g _ ~ subscriber's DN is Dns ~ subscriber's Name is Name s ~ DASP gateway's DN is Dng (where applicable) ~ VMS's DN is Dnv.
Incoming call indication Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 there is provided a detailed functional flow for a specific implementation of the call indication service component. The following 1o service scenario is used in the functional flow for description purposes only, the method not being limited to this service scenario:
~ the subscriber subscribes to a VMS
~ the subscriber's telephone line is busy due to a dial-up data session to the DASP.
~ all calls are interswitch.
In this implementation of the invention, the GA[19] is implemented using the AIN call model on SSP[2].
The PSTN-G[4] component could be implemented in many ways, including but not limited to an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) Service Control Point (SCP) an SS7 protocol analyzer and an SS7 mediation point. The PSTN signalling capabilities used are the Signalling System #7 (SS7) Transaction Capability Application Part (TCAP) as interfaces [11] , [12] and [20] .
The AIN call model GA [19] at the subscriber's [17] SSP [2] is used to detect incoming calls to subscriber's DN, using, for example, the AIN
Termination Attempt trigger. It communicates with the PSTN-G[4] using the SS7-based AIN SSP-t-SCP protocol as interfaces [11] and [20]. Upon incoming call to subscriber [17], the SSP [2] AIN Termination Attempt trigger gets fired and sends incoming call information, including the caller's [15] DN and name, to the PSTN-G[4], using, for example, the AIN Termination Attempt message, in which case the PSTN-G[4] could answer with an Authorize Termination message. The PSTN-G[4] can then provide the RASP-G[6] with the required incoming call indication information. The DASP G[6], through a standard data communication protocol, including but not limited to TCP/IP, HTTP and FTP, communicates the information to the CPE-G[18]. This information is then formatted and displayed to the user.
The terms used are:
~ TA: AIN Termination Attempt trigger ~ TA: AIN Termination Attempt SSP-SCP message ~ A T: AIN Authorize_Termination SCP-SSP message ~ IAM: SS7 ISUP Initial Address Message ~ ACM: SS7 ISUP Address Complete Message ~ ANM: SS7 ISUP Answer Message ~ FF: SMDI Forwarded From number ~ CdPN: Called Party Number parameter ~ CgPN: Calling Party Number parameter ~ CgName: Calling Party Name parameter ~ OCN: Originally Called Number parameter ~ RDI: Redirecting Indicator parameter ~ RDN: last Redirecting Number parameter ~ RgName: Redirecting Name parameter Other implementations of this method to deliver the call indication service component are possible. They include but are not limited to the following one.
Referring to Fig. 4 there is illustrated an embodiment of the present method. In this implementation of the invention, the GA[19].is implemented using the SSP-based [2] Call Forward Busy (CFB) telephony feature, the PSTN[4]
3o component is implemented by a PSTN SSP and the PSTN
signalling capabilities used are:
~ the Signalling System #7 (SS7) Integrated Services Digital Network User Park (ISUP) as interface [11] and [20]
~ the Integrated Services Data Network - Basic Rate interface (ISDN-BRI) as interface [12]

WO 98!07266 PCT/CA97100570 ~ the Simplified Message Desk Interface (SMDI} for PSTN to VMS system signalling.
Terms used are:
~ Setup: ISDN BRI call Setup message ~ Alert: ISDN BRI Alert message ~ Rel: ISDN BRI Release message ~ CRn ISDN BRI Call Reference number n ~ CFB: PSTN Call Forward Busy Feature ~ CFD: PSTN Call Forward Don't Answer feature ~ T cfd: CFD timer Message Waiting Indicator (MWI) delivery Referring to Fig. 5, there is illustrated a detailed functional flow for a specific implementation of the MWI delivery service component. The following service scenario is used in the functional flow in Fig. 5 for description purposes only, the method not being limited to this service scenario:
~ the subscriber subscribes to the VMS
2o ~ the subscriber's telephone line is busy due to a dial-up data session to the DASP.
~ all calls are interswitch ~ a message for the DASP subscriber [17] has just been left at VMS-P[14].
In.the embodiment of the invention of Fig. 5, the VMS-G (voice messaging service gateway) [5] is implemented using the AIN call model on SSP [2]. The PSTN-G [4]
component is as discussed with regard to Figs. 3 and 4.
Incoming call indication, could be implemented in many ways, including but not limited to an AIN Service Control Point (SCP). The PSTN signalling capabilities used are the Signalling System #7 (SS7} Transaction Capability Application Part (TCAP} as interfaces [11], [12] and [13].
The AIN non-call associated capability VMS-G [5]
at the subscriber's [17] DN. The PSTN-G[4] and the VMS-G[5] communicates using the SS7-based AIN SSP-to-SCP

protocol as interfaces [11] and [13]. A possibility is for the PSTN-G[4), when an incoming call has been detected using method described in regard to Figs. 2 and 3.
Incoming call indication, to start a timer set at the subscriber's [17] maximum allowed message length. At time-out, PSTN-G [4] sends an AIN non-call related Query_Request to SSP [2] requesting for status of subscriber's [17]
MWI.SSP [2] answers with the AIN Query Response with an on/off activation status code parameter. The PSTN-G[4]
1o then provides the DASP-G [6] with the MWI information if necessary. The DASP-G [6], through a standard data communication protocol, including but not limited to TCP/IP, HTTP and FTP, communicates the information to the CPE-G [28]. This information is then formatted and displayed to the user.
The terms used are:
~ Q-Req: SS7 AIN
~ QUERY REQUEST SCP-SSP message ~ Q_Resp: SS7 AIN Query-Response SSP-SCP message ~ P I: AIN Provide Info parameter ~ I P: AIN Info-Provided parameter Other implementations of this method to delivery the MWI delivery service component are possible. They include but are not limited to the following one.
Referring to Fig. 6 there is illustrated an additional embodiment of the present invention, the VMS-G [5]
component is implemented as an SMDI monitoring tool, the PSTN-G [4] component is implemented by a PSTN SSP and the 3o PSTn signalling capabilities used are:
~ the Signalling System #7 (SS7) Transaction Capability Application Part (TCAP) as interfaces [11] and [13]
~ the Tntegrated Services Data Network - Basic Rate Interface (ISDN-BRI) as interface [12]
~ the Simplified Message Desk Interface (SNa7I) for PSTN to VMS system signalling.

It shall be noted here that the parameter content of the TCAP messages used on interfaces 11 and 13 are not standard but adaptation of the NT proprietary TCAP
messaging used to convey the MWI information.
The terms used are:
~ QwP: SS7 TCAP Query with Permission package type ~ Info: ISDN BRI Information message ~ FI: ISDN BRI Feature Identification information 1o element ~ Incoming call disposition Referring to Figs. 7 and 8 there is illustrated a detailed functional flow for a specific implementation of the incoming call disposition service component. The following service scenario is used in the functional flow for description purposes only, the method being not limited to this service scenario:
~ the subscriber's telephone line is busy due to a dial-up data session to the DASP
~ all calls are interswitch ~ the subscriber decides to take the call and hence, selects the Take Call call disposition option.
In this implementation of the invention, the GA
[19] is implemented using the AIN call model on SSP [2].
The PSTN-G [4] component could be implemented in many ways, including but not limited to an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) Service Control Point (SCP). The PSTN
signalling capabilities used are the Signalling System #7 (SS7) Transaction Capability Application Part (TCAP) as interfaces [11] , (12] and [20] .
It shall be noticed that ALL the signalling over interfaces [12] and [9, 10] do not make reference to any existing protocol. It is provided only for sake of clarity of the whole process.
The terms used are:
IAM: SS7 ISUP Initial Address Message ~ TAT: AIN Termination Attempt trigger ~ T_A: AIN Termination Attempt SSP-SCP message S_t-R: AIN Send To Resource SCP-SSP message C R E: AIN Cancel Resource Event SCP-SSP message ~ R C: AIN Resource Clear SSP-SCP message A T: AIN Authorize Termination SCP-SSP message As discussed above with regard to Figs. 2 and 3:
Incoming call indication, the AIN call model on SSP [2]
detects incoming calls to subscriber's DN using the Termination Attempt trigger. The AIN call model also provides the remote call control capability required by the PSTN-G to control call establishment as required by the call disposition service component. To prevent situations where the caller hangs up for waiting too long, the subscriber [17] has a limited time windows (Call Disp Timer expires, a default treatment is provided (e.g., route to VMS). Finally, the other options of the call disposition service component (route to DN, route to VMS, route to announcement, route to canned messages, ..
.) can be implemented using the AIN Forward Call PSTN-G[4] response to. the SSP instead of the Authorize Termination response.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and changes could be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. It should therefor be understood that the claims are not to be considered as being limited to the precise embodiments set forth above, in the absence of specific limitations directed to each embodiment.

Claims (54)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:~

1. A method of providing an indication of a message waiting at a voice messaging service to a called station coupled to a telecommunications network, the called station having a data processing terminal engaged in a data call with a data communications network, the data call being through a connection in the telecommunications network to an access gateway for the data network, the method comprising the steps of:
providing, by the telecommunications network, an incoming call intended for the called stations to a voice messaging service enabled to record a message from the incoming call;
providing a signal advising of the message waiting from the access gateway, over the data call connection through the telecommunications network, to the data processing terminal;
and generating by the data processing terminal, responsive to receipt of the signal, the message waiting indication.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal is a message including information relating to the incoming call.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the message includes information relating to the recorded message.

4. A method of providing an indication of a message waiting at a voice messaging server to a called station coupled to a telecommunications network, said called station having a data processing terminal engaged in a data call with a data communications network, said data call being through a connection in said telecommunications network to an access gateway for said data network, said method comprising:
receiving an indicator of a recorded message at said voice messaging server resulting from a call intended for the called station;
in response to said indicator, providing a signal advising of said recorded message at said voice messaging server, over said data call connection through said telecommunications network by way of said access gateway to said data processing terminal.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said indicator is received from a telephone signaling network.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said telephone network comprises an SS7 compliant network.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein said indicator includes information about said recorded messages.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein said signal is provided using an internet protocol.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said data network comprises the Internet.

10. A method of providing an indication of a message waiting at a voice messaging service for a called station at a data processing terminal while the called station has the data processing terminal engaged in a data call with a data communications network, the data call being through a connection in the telecommunications network to an access gateway for the data network, the method comprising:
receiving at the data processing terminal a signal advising of the message waiting from the access gateway, and generating the message waiting indication, responsive to receipt of the signal.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said signal is provided by way of using an internet protocol.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said data network comprises the Internet.

13. A computer readable medium storing computer executable instructions that when loaded at a data processing terminal interconnected to a data network by way of connection through a telephone network, adapt said data processing terminal to, receive from a telephone network gateway in communication with said data network, a signal advising of a stored message waiting for a subscriber at a voice mail server in communication with said telephone network, and generate responsive to receipt of said signal, a message waiting indication at said data terminal.

14. A computer readable medium storing computer executable instructions that when loaded at a telephone network gateway in communication with a date network and a voice mail server interconnected with a telephone network, adapt said gateway to, receive from said voice mail server, an indicator of a stored message waiting at said voice mail server, for a subscriber;

originate a signal indicative of said received indicator to said data terminal, so that said data terminal may provide a message waiting indication for said subscriber, while said subscriber is interconnected with said data network by way of a connection through said telephone network.

15. A voice mail server interconnected with a telephone network.
to record messages destined for a subscriber, said voice mail server coupled to a data network by way of a network gateway, said network gateway operable to provide an indication of a waiting message at said voice mail server to said subscriber, by way of said data network, when said subscriber is interconnected to said data network by way of a call to said telephone network;

said voice mail server operable to provide said network gateway an indicator of said waiting message.

16. In a switched telephone network, comprising:

a plurality of telephony switches interconnected in a switched traffic carrying network for carrying telephone call traffic and an associated signaling network for carrying signaling information relevant to the establishment of call paths on said traffic carrying network:

a method of processing an incoming call directed to a specified subscriber telephone line on said traffic carrying network, said specified subscriber telephone line initially in-use to connect a data terminal to a data network, said method comprising:

a. receiving a signal message from said signaling network generated in response to said incoming call, said received signaling message received prior to establishment of a call path for said incoming call on said traffic carrying network;

b. In response to said received signaling message, dispatching a first data message indicative of said incoming call to said data terminal on said data network by way of said traffic carrying network and said specified subscriber telephone line.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

c. receiving a second data message from said data terminal, said second data message indicative of a call disposition response provided to said data terminal.

18. The method of claim 17; further comprising:
d. in response to receiving said second data message, dispatching a signaling message on said signaling network to establish a call path between said incoming call and said specified subscriber telephone line on said traffic carrying network.

19. The method-of claim 16; wherein said signaling network comprises an intelligent network, and wherein said received signaling message is received from a processing element forming part of said signaling network.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein said received signaling message comprises a telephone dial number identifying said specified subscriber telephone line.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said received signaling message comprises at least one of a dial number associated with an originator of said incoming call and a name associated with an originator of said incoming call.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein said data network comprises an Internet protocol compliant network, and wherein said first data message comprises a Internet protocol compliant message.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said first data message comprises at least one of a dial number associated with an originator of said incoming call and a name associated with an originator of said incoming call.

24. A notification server comprising:

a first interface for connection of said server to a telephony signaling network, said signaling network for carrying signalling information relevant to the establishment of call paths on a switched traffic carrying telephony network, said first interface adapted to receive signaling message prior to establishment of associated call paths on said traffic carrying telephony network;

a second interface for connection of said server to a data network;

a processor operable to a.~receive a signal indicative of an incoming call originating with a caller to a specified telephone line on said traffic carrying telephony network, by way of said signaling network;
b.~in response to receiving said signal, dispatch a data message indicative of said incoming call to a terminal in communication with said data network, by way of said specified telephone line.

25. The notification server of claim 24, wherein said processor is further operable to receive a call disposition response message from said data terminal by way of said data network.

26. The notification server of claim 25, wherein said processor is further operable to dispatch a signaling message to said signaling network to establish a path on said traffic carrying telephony network between said caller and said specified telephone line, in response to receiving said call disposition response.

27. The notification server of claim 24, wherein said signaling network comprises and advanced intelligent network (AIN) and said first interface comprises an interface to said AIN.

28. The notification server of claim 24, wherein said data message comprises an internet protocol compliant message.

29. The notification server of claim 24, wherein said processor is further operable to dispatch a signaling message to said signaling network to establish a call path between said caller and a voice mail server, in response to receiving said call disposition response message.

30. The notification server of claim 24, wherein said processor is further operable to dispatch a signaling message to said signaling network to establish a call path between said caller and a second subscriber telephone line, on said traffic carrying network, in response to receiving an appropriate call disposition signal.

31. A service control point (SCP) for use in an advanced intelligent network (AIN) forming part of a switched telephone network, said SCP configured to dispatch a signaling message to a data network gateway interconnect to a data network, in response to receiving an AIN signal indicative of an incoming call to a specified telephone subscriber line in-use to connect a data terminal to said data network.

32. A switching point, within an advanced intelligent network (AIN) telephony signaling network said signaling network for carrying signaling information relevant to the establishment of call paths on a traffic carrying telephony network, said switching point operable to dispatch an AIN termination attempt message on said signaling network in response to an incoming call directed to a specified subscriber telephone line in use to connect a data terminal to a data network using said traffic carrying telephony network, to a telephony network gateway in communication with a data network gateway, said data network gateway operable to dispatch a data message over said data network to said data terminal, as a consequence of said AIN termination attempt message.

33. The switching point of claim 32, wherein said switching point is operable to generate said AIN termination attempt message in response to an AIN termination attempt trigger generated at said switching point.

34. A processing element for interconnection with a communications signaling network carrying signals relevant to establishing call paths on a traffic carrying telephone network, said processing element comprising:
a first interface for connecting said processing element with an advanced intelligent network (AIN) signaling network in communication with a switch on said traffic carrying telephone network;
a second interface for connecting said processing element with a data network gateway for dispatching data messages on a data network;
said processing a element operable to dispatch a first message to said data network gateway by way of said second interface in response to receiving an AIN signaling message by way of said first interface, said signal indicative of an incoming call to a specified telephone subscriber line in-use connecting a data terminal to said data network by way of said traffic carrying telephone network.

35. The processing element of claim 34, further operable to dispatch a signaling message on said first interface to establish a call path between said incoming call and said specified telephone subscriber line, in response to receiving an appropriate call disposition signal from said data network gateway on said second interface.

36. The processing element of claim 34, further operable to dispatch a signaling message on said first interface to establish a call path between said incoming call and a second subscriber telephone line, on said traffic carrying telephone network in response to receiving an appropriate call disposition signal from said data network gateway on said second interface.

37. The processing element of claim 34, further operable to dispatch a signaling message on said first interface to establish a call path between said incoming call and a voice mail system, on said traffic carrying network in response to receiving an appropriate call disposition signal from said data network gateway on said second interface.

38. The processing element of claim 34, wherein said AIN
signaling message comprises an AIN call termination attempt message.

39. The processing element of claim 38, wherein said AIN call termination attempt message comprises a telephone dial number identifying said subscriber line.

40. The processing element of claim 39, wherein said AIN call termination attempt message comprises an identifier of an originator of said call, including at least one of a name and dial number associated with said call.

41. The processing element of claim 40, wherein said first message comprises at least one of said name and said dial number.

42. The processing element of claim 34, wherein said processing element is further operable to monitor a voice mail server associated with said specified subscriber telephone line, by way of said signaling network, and to provide a signal to said data network gateway indicative of a message waiting for said specific subscriber telephone line, at said voice mail server.

43. In a switched telephone network comprising:
a first switch;
a first signal switching point associated with said first switch;
a second switch;
a second signal switching point associated with said second switch;
a processing element in communication with said second signal switching point;
said first signal switching point, said second signal switching point and said processing element interconnecting in a telephony signaling network;
a method of dispatching a message indicative of an incoming call, originating with a caller interconnected with said first switch to a subscriber line interconnected with said second switch, to a terminal in communication with a data network, said method comprising:
a. dispatching a first signaling message from said first signaling point to said second signaling point;
b. in response to said first signaling message, dispatching a second signaling message from said second signaling point to said processing element;
c. in response to said second signaling message, dispatching a third signaling message from said processing element to said data network gateway;
d. in response to said third signaling message, dispatching a data message from said network gateway over said data network to said data terminal.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein said signaling network comprises an intelligent network, and wherein said second signaling message comprises a termination attempt message.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein said second signaling message is dispatched prior to establishing a call path to said second switch for said incoming call.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein said second signaling comprises a telephone dial number identifying said subscriber line.

47. The method of claim 43, wherein said signaling network comprises an advanced intelligent network (AIN), and said first and second switching points each comprise an AIN service switching point (SSP).

48. The method of claim 47, wherein said processing element comprises an AIN service control point (SCP).

49. In a switched telephone network comprising:

a first switch;

a first signal switching point associated with said first switch;

a second switch;

a second signal switching point associated with said second switch;

a processing element in communication with said second signal switching point;

said first signal switching point, said second signal switching pint and said processing element interconnecting in a telephony signaling network;

a method of dispatching a message indicative of an incoming call, originating with a caller interconnected with said first switch to a subscriber line interconnected with said second switch, to a terminal in communication with a data network, said method comprising:

a. receiving a first signaling message from said first signaling point at said second signaling point;

b. in response to said first signaling message, dispatching a second signaling message from said second signaling point to said processing element;

c. in response to said second signaling message, dispatching a third signaling message from said processing element to said data network gateway;

d. in response to said third signaling message, dispatching a data message from said network gateway over said data network to said data terminal.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein said signaling network comprises an intelligent network, and wherein said second signaling message comprises a termination attempt message.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein said second signaling message is dispatched prior to establishing a call path to said second switch for said incoming call.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein said second signaling comprises a telephone dial number identifying said subscriber line.

53. The method of claim 49, wherein said signaling network comprises an advanced intelligent network (AIN), and said first and second switching points each comprise an AIN service switching point (SSP).

54. The method of claim 53, wherein said processing element comprises an AIN service control point (SCP).