CA2325416A1 - Method of and computer product for dynamically forwarding messages - Google Patents
Method of and computer product for dynamically forwarding messages Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2325416A1 CA2325416A1 CA002325416A CA2325416A CA2325416A1 CA 2325416 A1 CA2325416 A1 CA 2325416A1 CA 002325416 A CA002325416 A CA 002325416A CA 2325416 A CA2325416 A CA 2325416A CA 2325416 A1 CA2325416 A1 CA 2325416A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- terminal
- subscriber
- messages
- forwarded
- destination terminal
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/42314—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers in private branch exchanges
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/58—Arrangements for transferring received calls from one subscriber to another; Arrangements affording interim conversations between either the calling or the called party and a third party
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/57—Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2203/00—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M2203/20—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges related to features of supplementary services
- H04M2203/2066—Call type detection of indication, e.g. voice or fax, mobile of fixed, PSTN or IP
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/54—Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber
- H04M3/546—Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber in private branch exchanges
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Data Exchanges In Wide-Area Networks (AREA)
- Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)
- Facsimiles In General (AREA)
- Facsimile Transmission Control (AREA)
- Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
Abstract
In a method of forwarding messages (5) directed to a subscriber terminal (2) in a telecommunications system to another destination terminal (3, 4), the arrival or presence of messages directed to the subscriber terminal (2) is notified to the subscriber at his terminal (2), and the subscriber decides whether and, if so, to which other destination terminal these messages (5) should be forwarded. In this way, a single subscriber number becomes possible for all communications services even though the terminal to which this subscriber number is assigned may not be able to receive all those services.
Description
Method of and Computer Product for Dynamicall,~r Forwarding Messages This invention relates to a method of forwarding messages directed to a subscriber's terminal in a telecommunications system to another destination terminal, and to a computer product comprising computer program coding means adapted to perform all steps of this method.
In many cases, communications equipment, such as telephones and fax machines, is implemented as separate devices that can be reached through different directory numbers. In many practical arrangements, telephones are associated with individual persons and fax machines with groups of persons, particularly in private automatic branch exchanges (PABXs), with telephones and fax machines having different extension numbers.
That is the case in private automatic branch exchanges, for example, in which telephones are associated with individual persons and fax machines with departments. From this it follows that despite ISDN, each subscriber must have separate numbers for fax and telephone. In some cases, the telephones are cordless telephones. In the case of mobile terminals, such as GSM phones, the subscriber may have to frequently change the terminal on which he wishes to receive a fax, in order to always receive on the terminal closest at hand. It may also happen thaf the recipient learns only after a long delay or not at all that a fax has arrived for him.
In many cases, communications equipment, such as telephones and fax machines, is implemented as separate devices that can be reached through different directory numbers. In many practical arrangements, telephones are associated with individual persons and fax machines with groups of persons, particularly in private automatic branch exchanges (PABXs), with telephones and fax machines having different extension numbers.
That is the case in private automatic branch exchanges, for example, in which telephones are associated with individual persons and fax machines with departments. From this it follows that despite ISDN, each subscriber must have separate numbers for fax and telephone. In some cases, the telephones are cordless telephones. In the case of mobile terminals, such as GSM phones, the subscriber may have to frequently change the terminal on which he wishes to receive a fax, in order to always receive on the terminal closest at hand. It may also happen thaf the recipient learns only after a long delay or not at all that a fax has arrived for him.
It is already known to forward messages received at a subscriber terminal to another destination terminal. This destination terminal, however, is preselected by the subscriber for a given time.
By contrast, it is the object of the inventions to achieve, in a method of the above kind, a single subscriber number for all communications services and to provide a computer product or computer system for accomplishing this.
To attain this object in the above method, the arrival or presence of messages directed to the subscriber terminal is notified to the subscriber at his terminal, and the subscriber decides in a each case whether and, if sb, to which other destination terminal these messages should be forwarded.
Through the invention, a single subscriber number becomes possible for all communications services even though the terminal to which this number is assigned may not be able to receive or process all those services. Upon receipt of, e.g., a call that cannot be processed by his terminal, the subscriber will be asked for the number of another destination terminal.
The destination terminal can be defined anew for each message, which is particularly important for mobile terminals.
The method according to the invention provides high flexibility during call forwarding, i.e., the subscriber can define the destination terminal anew for each call. A further advantage is that the method is easily realized by implementing suitable software at the subscriber terminal, and that existing systems can be easily retrofitted. Furthermore, the subscriber is informed at all times about all the services arriving for him. The method according to the invention can be implemented as a service in the standardization for future systems and as an expansion feature in existing systems.
Preferably, the number of the destination terminal to which the messages received at the subscriber's terminal are to be forwarded is dialed by the subscriber anew for each call. In the case of mobile terminals, such as GSM
phones, the subscriber can receive messages on the respective destination terminal closest at hand.
Furthermore, the messages received at the subscriber terminal can, after a waiting time, be forwarded automatically to a preselected destination terminal. If the subscriber does not specify the destination terminal within a given, freely selectable period of time, the message will be forwarded to the preselected destination terminal. If a zero period of time is selected, messages present at the subscriber terminal will be immediately forwarded to the preselected destination terminal, without the presence of the messages being signaled to the subscriber and without the subscriber being asked to specify a destination terminal for them.
In an advantageous variant, the subscriber is notified at his terminal that messages have been successfully forwarded to the destination terminal.
Thus, after a forwarded message has been printed out, the subscriber can be informed that the message is waiting for him at the destination terminal in printed form.
Depending on the type of message received, the message can be forwarded to different preselected destination terminals that are capable of processing the respective messages.
Particularly if, together with the arrival of a message, the name and number of the sender as well as information about the contents or length of the message are notified to the subscriber, the latter can reject a message or services received at his terminal.
Advantageously, messages received at the subscriber terminal are stored therein until they are forwarded.
Preferably, the messages received at the subscriber terminal are forwarded to the destination terminal with a delay, for example in order to prevent disclosure of confidential messages to third parties if the destination terminal is public and is located some distance away. The respective delay can be selected by the subscriber anew after each notification of the presence of a message at his terminal, so that the subscriber can, for example, allow for the time it will take to get to the respective destination terminal.
According to a further aspect, the invention also relates to a computer product or computer system with computer program coding means suitable for implementing all the steps of the above method. The computer product or computer system may, for instance, be a computer program or a computer-readable storage medium.
Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. According to the invention, the aforementioned features and the features described in the following can be used alone or in arbitrary combinations. While a particular embodiment of the invention is shown and described, it is to be understood that the description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of the invention.
In the drawing:
Fig. 1 schematically shows a private automatic branch exchange in a telecommunications network; and Fig. 2 shows a flowchart for a program running in a private automatic branch exchange in order to dynamically forward a message directed to a terminal of the subscriber to another destination terminal.
In Fig. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a private automatic branch exchange (PABX) or a base station subnetwork of a telecommunications network. Connected to this private automatic branch exchange 1 are a terminal 2 of a subscriber, a first fax machine 3, and a second fax machine 4. Terminal 2, which may be a mobile terminal such as a GSM phone, cannot process certain calls, such as fax calls.
By contrast, it is the object of the inventions to achieve, in a method of the above kind, a single subscriber number for all communications services and to provide a computer product or computer system for accomplishing this.
To attain this object in the above method, the arrival or presence of messages directed to the subscriber terminal is notified to the subscriber at his terminal, and the subscriber decides in a each case whether and, if sb, to which other destination terminal these messages should be forwarded.
Through the invention, a single subscriber number becomes possible for all communications services even though the terminal to which this number is assigned may not be able to receive or process all those services. Upon receipt of, e.g., a call that cannot be processed by his terminal, the subscriber will be asked for the number of another destination terminal.
The destination terminal can be defined anew for each message, which is particularly important for mobile terminals.
The method according to the invention provides high flexibility during call forwarding, i.e., the subscriber can define the destination terminal anew for each call. A further advantage is that the method is easily realized by implementing suitable software at the subscriber terminal, and that existing systems can be easily retrofitted. Furthermore, the subscriber is informed at all times about all the services arriving for him. The method according to the invention can be implemented as a service in the standardization for future systems and as an expansion feature in existing systems.
Preferably, the number of the destination terminal to which the messages received at the subscriber's terminal are to be forwarded is dialed by the subscriber anew for each call. In the case of mobile terminals, such as GSM
phones, the subscriber can receive messages on the respective destination terminal closest at hand.
Furthermore, the messages received at the subscriber terminal can, after a waiting time, be forwarded automatically to a preselected destination terminal. If the subscriber does not specify the destination terminal within a given, freely selectable period of time, the message will be forwarded to the preselected destination terminal. If a zero period of time is selected, messages present at the subscriber terminal will be immediately forwarded to the preselected destination terminal, without the presence of the messages being signaled to the subscriber and without the subscriber being asked to specify a destination terminal for them.
In an advantageous variant, the subscriber is notified at his terminal that messages have been successfully forwarded to the destination terminal.
Thus, after a forwarded message has been printed out, the subscriber can be informed that the message is waiting for him at the destination terminal in printed form.
Depending on the type of message received, the message can be forwarded to different preselected destination terminals that are capable of processing the respective messages.
Particularly if, together with the arrival of a message, the name and number of the sender as well as information about the contents or length of the message are notified to the subscriber, the latter can reject a message or services received at his terminal.
Advantageously, messages received at the subscriber terminal are stored therein until they are forwarded.
Preferably, the messages received at the subscriber terminal are forwarded to the destination terminal with a delay, for example in order to prevent disclosure of confidential messages to third parties if the destination terminal is public and is located some distance away. The respective delay can be selected by the subscriber anew after each notification of the presence of a message at his terminal, so that the subscriber can, for example, allow for the time it will take to get to the respective destination terminal.
According to a further aspect, the invention also relates to a computer product or computer system with computer program coding means suitable for implementing all the steps of the above method. The computer product or computer system may, for instance, be a computer program or a computer-readable storage medium.
Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. According to the invention, the aforementioned features and the features described in the following can be used alone or in arbitrary combinations. While a particular embodiment of the invention is shown and described, it is to be understood that the description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of the invention.
In the drawing:
Fig. 1 schematically shows a private automatic branch exchange in a telecommunications network; and Fig. 2 shows a flowchart for a program running in a private automatic branch exchange in order to dynamically forward a message directed to a terminal of the subscriber to another destination terminal.
In Fig. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a private automatic branch exchange (PABX) or a base station subnetwork of a telecommunications network. Connected to this private automatic branch exchange 1 are a terminal 2 of a subscriber, a first fax machine 3, and a second fax machine 4. Terminal 2, which may be a mobile terminal such as a GSM phone, cannot process certain calls, such as fax calls.
When such a fax call 5 is received at the subscriber terminal, it is recognized as a service that cannot be or is not to be processed by terminal 2. The fax call 5 is not forwarded automatically, but a query is output at terminal 2 asking the subscriber to specify a destination terminal for this fax call 5. The useful information in the call, i.e., in the present case the fax information, may be temporarily stored in private automatic branch exchange 1. The subscriber is notified of the presence of the fax call 5 via his terminal 2. This information may contain the name and number of the sender as well as information about the contents of the fax, such as the number of pages. The subscriber enters at his terminal 2 the number of the first fax machine 3, to which the fax call 5 is to be forwarded and where the fax message is to be printed out. This printing may also be delayed, for example in order to present disclosure of confidential information to third parties if fax machine 3 is located in another room. Optionally, the subscriber, after the printout has been produced, may be additionally notified at his terminal 2 that his fax is now available in printed form at the first fax machine 3. The subscriber may also reject the fax call 5.
If no destination terminal is specified within a given, freely selectable period of time, the fax call 5 will be forwarded to a predetermined destination terminal (default destination terminal), e.g., to the second fax machine 4, and the information about the arrival of the fax call will be stored in terminal 2. If the subscriber does not wish to be disturbed, he may set the period of time to zero, i.e., he will only receive the information that a fax call 5 has arrived. He may also suppress this notification.
Fig. 2 is an exemplary flowchart showing the steps of a program that is executed in a private automatic branch exchange during the dynamic call forwarding described.
When a call arrives at subscriber terminal 2 (step S1 ), a test is made at step S2 to see whether this call can be processed by this terminal. If so, a branch is made to step S2, at which the call is processed by terminal 2; a fax call, for example, is printed out. If the call cannot be processed by terminal 2, the program goes on to step S4, at which an indication is given to the subscriber at his terminal 2 that a call is present for him. Then, at step S5, the subscriber specifies via his terminal 2 the destination terminal to which the messages received at his terminal should be forwarded. At step S6, an amount of time selected by the subscriber is waited until the call is forwarded to the desired destination terminal (step S7). There, the call is processed at step S8. At a last step S9, an indication is provided to the subscriber at his terminal 2 that the call has been successfully processed at the destination terminal, i.e., in the case of a fax call, that the fax is now available at the destination terminal in printed form.
In a method of forwarding messages directed to a subscriber terminal in a telecommunications system to another destination terminal, the arrival or presence of messages directed to the subscriber terminal is notified to the subscriber at his terminal, and the subscriber decides in each case whether and, if so, to which other destination terminal these messages should be forwarded. In this way, a single subscriber number becomes possible for all communications services even though the terminal to which this subscriber number is assigned may not be able to receive all those services.
If no destination terminal is specified within a given, freely selectable period of time, the fax call 5 will be forwarded to a predetermined destination terminal (default destination terminal), e.g., to the second fax machine 4, and the information about the arrival of the fax call will be stored in terminal 2. If the subscriber does not wish to be disturbed, he may set the period of time to zero, i.e., he will only receive the information that a fax call 5 has arrived. He may also suppress this notification.
Fig. 2 is an exemplary flowchart showing the steps of a program that is executed in a private automatic branch exchange during the dynamic call forwarding described.
When a call arrives at subscriber terminal 2 (step S1 ), a test is made at step S2 to see whether this call can be processed by this terminal. If so, a branch is made to step S2, at which the call is processed by terminal 2; a fax call, for example, is printed out. If the call cannot be processed by terminal 2, the program goes on to step S4, at which an indication is given to the subscriber at his terminal 2 that a call is present for him. Then, at step S5, the subscriber specifies via his terminal 2 the destination terminal to which the messages received at his terminal should be forwarded. At step S6, an amount of time selected by the subscriber is waited until the call is forwarded to the desired destination terminal (step S7). There, the call is processed at step S8. At a last step S9, an indication is provided to the subscriber at his terminal 2 that the call has been successfully processed at the destination terminal, i.e., in the case of a fax call, that the fax is now available at the destination terminal in printed form.
In a method of forwarding messages directed to a subscriber terminal in a telecommunications system to another destination terminal, the arrival or presence of messages directed to the subscriber terminal is notified to the subscriber at his terminal, and the subscriber decides in each case whether and, if so, to which other destination terminal these messages should be forwarded. In this way, a single subscriber number becomes possible for all communications services even though the terminal to which this subscriber number is assigned may not be able to receive all those services.
Claims (12)
1. A method of forwarding messages (5) directed to a subscriber's terminal (2) in a telecommunications system to another destination terminal (3, 4), characterized in that the arrival or presence of messages (5) directed to the subscriber terminal (2) is notified to the subscriber at his terminal (2), and that the subscriber decides in each case whether and, if so, to which other destination terminal (3, 4) these messages (5) should be forwarded.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the subscriber selects via his terminal (2) the respective destination terminal (3, 4) to which the messages (5) received at his terminal (2) should be forwarded.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the messages (5) received at the subscriber terminal (2) are automatically forwarded to a preselected destination terminal (4) after a waiting time.
4. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the subscriber is notified at his terminal (2) that messages (5) have been forwarded to the destination terminal (3, 4).
5. A method as claimed in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that depending on the type of message (5) received, this message (5) is forwarded to different preselected destination terminals (3, 4).
6. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the subscriber can reject a message (5) received at his terminal (2):
7. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that messages (5) received at the subscriber terminal (2) are stored until they are forwarded.
8. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the forwarding to the destination terminal (3, 4) of the messages (5) received at the subscriber terminal (2) is delayed.
9. A method as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the delay is selected by the subscriber after notification of the presence of a message (5) at his terminal (2).
10. A computer product or computer system comprising computer program coding means adapted to perform all steps of the method claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.
11. A computer product or computer system as claimed in claim 10, characterized by being a computer program.
12. A computer product or computer system as claimed in claim 10, characterized by being a computer-readable storage medium.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19954016A DE19954016A1 (en) | 1999-11-10 | 1999-11-10 | Method and computer product for the dynamic forwarding of messages |
| DE19954016.0 | 1999-11-10 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2325416A1 true CA2325416A1 (en) | 2001-05-10 |
Family
ID=7928520
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002325416A Abandoned CA2325416A1 (en) | 1999-11-10 | 2000-11-07 | Method of and computer product for dynamically forwarding messages |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1100244A3 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2001211481A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU7140000A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2325416A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE19954016A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP4258473B2 (en) | 2005-01-31 | 2009-04-30 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Server apparatus and content providing system |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4723273A (en) * | 1985-09-25 | 1988-02-02 | American Telephone And Telegraph Company, At&T Bell Laboratories | Discretionary call forwarding |
| US5946386A (en) * | 1996-03-11 | 1999-08-31 | Xantel Corporation | Call management system with call control from user workstation computers |
| DE19630968C2 (en) * | 1996-07-31 | 1999-10-21 | Siemens Ag | Method for carrying out call forwarding in a communication system or communication network |
| SE522481C2 (en) * | 1997-09-02 | 2004-02-10 | Ericsson Telefon Ab L M | Method and apparatus in telecommunication networks |
-
1999
- 1999-11-10 DE DE19954016A patent/DE19954016A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2000
- 2000-11-01 JP JP2000334143A patent/JP2001211481A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-11-02 EP EP00123781A patent/EP1100244A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-11-03 AU AU71400/00A patent/AU7140000A/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-11-07 CA CA002325416A patent/CA2325416A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU7140000A (en) | 2001-05-17 |
| EP1100244A2 (en) | 2001-05-16 |
| EP1100244A3 (en) | 2003-01-22 |
| DE19954016A1 (en) | 2001-05-17 |
| JP2001211481A (en) | 2001-08-03 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20041108 |