WO2004064360A1

WO2004064360A1 - Method and system for providing background sound in a telephone call

Info

Publication number: WO2004064360A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/000528
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jin-Ho Lee
Original assignee: Jin-Ho Lee
Priority date: 2003-01-11
Filing date: 2003-03-18
Publication date: 2004-07-29
Also published as: JP2005528866A; AU2003214668A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a background sound in a telephone call. The method comprises steps of receiving a sender's identifier and a background service request corresponding to a sender's terminal from a sender's exchange system, receiving a background sound selection signal from the sender's terminal, extracting a background sound corresponding to the sender's identifier from a background sound database server, generating at least one background sound corresponding to the background sound selection signal into a communication channel. The background sound changes depending on a multi- frequency signal of the sender's terminal. If the background sound is a modulated voice, the modulated voice i s generated into the communication channel through a voice-modulating module.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING BACKGROUND SOUND IN A

TELEPHONE CALL

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method and system for providing background sound during a telephone call.

Background Art

In general, background sound during a telephone call is chiefly used to produce a certain atmosphere. Background sound is provided by an apparatus for synthesizing background sound or effect sound with a call signal. Further, with the popularization of personal mobile portable communication equipment, background sound during a telephone call is used in a variety of communication services. Such background sound during a telephone call is described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a conventional apparatus for providing background sound during a telephone call.

Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus for providing background sound during a telephone call 300 includes a connection unit 310, a subscriber information extracting unit 320, a storage unit 330, a selection unit 340, an audio level controller 350 and an audio mixer 360.

The connection unit 310 is a unit that functions to receive voice data sent in various forms in conjunction with a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a mobile communication network or the Internet. The subscriber information extracting unit 320 is a unit that functions to extract subscriber information from a call signal input through the connection unit 310.

The storage unit 330 is a unit that functions to store Commercial Messages (CMs) or music files to be provided to users. The selection unit 340 is a unit that functions to select a CM or music file most suitable for the characteristics of a user using the subscriber information extracted by the subscriber i nformation extracting unit 320. The audio level controller 350 is a unit that functions to control the level of the CM or music file selected by the selection unit 340 to be less than a certain voice level so as to mix voice data with the CM or music file. The audio mixer 360 is a unit that functions to mix the voice data received by the connection unit 310 with the level-controlled CM or music file. The background sound provided by the above-described apparatus for providing background sound during a telephone call is described in detail with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a conventional method of providing background sound during a telephone call.

Referring to FIG. 2, the conventional method of providing background sound during a telephone call starts with the collection of subscriber and receiver information in a 1 ogin st ate at s teps 401 and 402. Thereafter, r eceiver c onnection information is received from a calling terminal so as to establish a call path for a voice call at step 403. A subscriber connects to a PSTN, a mobile network or the Internet through a connection unit at step 404. Thereafter, a receiver's telephone connection request information is sent to an exchange or a router of the PSTN, mobile communication network or Internet at step 405. The call path is established between a calling terminal and a called terminal upon a response from the called terminal at step 406.

Separately from the performance of steps 403 to 406, the conventional apparatus for providing background music during a telephone call receives subscriber information through the performance of step 406, at step 407.

A CM or music file most suitable for a subscriber is selected based upon the received subscriber information at step 408. The level of the CM or music file is controlled to be less than a certain voice level to mix voice data with the selected CM or music file at step 409. When the call path is established at step 406, the voice data are mixed with the CM or music file through the audio mixer at step 410. Thereafter, the voice data mixed with the CM or music file are sent to the calling terminal and called terminal at step 411. As described above, the conventional method and apparatus for providing background music during a telephone call provides the background music during a telephone call so that a call is performed in a produced atmosphere.

However, when the conventional method and apparatus for providing background music during a telephone call sends the background sound, it provides a service using only one of background sound, effect sound, and a modulated voice that was not described above. Accordingly, the conventional method and apparatus for providing background music during a telephone call has limitations in the provision of an individual background sound service.

Further, the conventional method and apparatus for providing background music during a telephone call may send a CM or background music in the case where a user does not select specific background sound, or the intension of a service provider is reflected. Accordingly, the conventional method and apparatus for providing background music during a telephone call is problematic in that the user may listen to the CM or background music that the user does not like during a telephone call.

Further, the conventional method and apparatus for providing background music during a telephone call is constructed to simply synthesize the voice data with the CM or background music between a caller and a receiver. Accordingly, it is difficult for a user to freely select or alter background sound before or during a telephone call.

Disclosure of the Invention

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for providing background music during a telephone call, which can simultaneously provide various pieces of background sound, such as background music, effect sound and a modulated voice, according to the sound of a Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF), and which can easily modulate a voice and alter the background music during a telephone call. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for providing background music during a telephone call, in which a user can use a background sound service by easily setting and registering various pieces of background sounds, such as background sound, effect sound, a modulated voice and a psychological test, through the Automatic Response System (ARS) or wired or wireless home page of a background sound setting server.

Still another object of the present is to provide a method and apparatus for providing background music during a telephone call, which is capable of providing a new voice content service in which the advantages of Internet contents and a mobile terminal or an ARS are integrated. In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a method of providing background sound during a call at a background sound providing system, which is connected to a calling side exchange positioned within a PSTN or mobile communication network, in a communication network including the P STN, the mobile communication network and an Internet, comprising the steps of receiving a calling identifier corresponding to a calling terminal and a background sound request signal from the calling side exchange, wherein the calling side exchange receives a call connection request signal including the calling identifier and establishes a call path between the calling terminal and a called terminal corresponding to a called identifier included in the call connection request signal in conjunction with a called side exchange, and the background sound service request signal is at least one DTMF including a delimiter #; receiving a background sound selection signal from the calling terminal, wherein the background sound se lection signal is at least one DTMF; extracting background sound corresponding to the calling i dentifier from a b ackground sound database se rver; and outputting at 1 east one piece of background sound corresponding to the background sound selection signal to the call path; wherein the background sound is altered according to another DTMF of the calling terminal, and a modulated voice is output to the call path through a voice modulating module if the background sound is the modulated voice. Preferably, the b ackground sound service request signal is sent to the caller side exchange from the calling terminal, together with the call connection request signal including the calling identifier.

Preferably, the b ackground sound service request signal is sent to the caller side exchange from the calling terminal during a call connecting state before the establishment of the call path. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a method of providing background sound during a call at a background so und providing system, which i s connected to a called si de exchange positioned within a PSTN or mobile communication network, in a communication network including the PSTN, the mobile communication network and an Internet, comprising the steps of receiving a called identifier corresponding to a called terminal and a b ackground so und r equest s ignal from the c ailed s ide e xchange, w herein the called side exchange receives a call connection request signal including the called identifier and establishes a call path between a calling terminal sending the call connection request signal and the called terminal in conjunction with a calling side exchange, and the background sound service request signal is at least one Dual Tone

Multi Frequency (DTMF) signal including a delimiter #; receiving a background sound selection signal from the called terminal, wherein the background sound selection signal is at least one DTMF; extracting background sound corresponding to the called identifier from a background sound database server; and outputting at least one piece of background sound corresponding to the background sound selection signal to the call path; wherein the background sound is altered according to another DTMF of the calling terminal, and a modulated voice is output to the call path through a voice modulating module if the background sound is the modulated voice. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a method of providing background sound during a call at a background sound providing system, which is connected to an exchange positioned within a PSTN or mobile communication network, in a communication network including the PSTN, the mobile communication network and an Internet, comprising the steps of establishing a first call path between the exchange and a calling terminal connected to the exchange in response to a first telephone connection request signal from the exchange; receiving a user identifier from the calling terminal through the exchange; receiving a call ID of a desired called terminal from the calling terminal through the exchange; establishing a second call path by calling the called terminal; receiving a background sound selection signal from the calling terminal, wherein the background sound selection signal is at least one DTMF; and outputting at least one piece of background sound corresponding to the background sound selection signal to the first and second call paths; wherein the background sound is altered according to another DTMF of the calling terminal, and a modulated voice is output to the second call path through a voice modulating module if the background sound is the modulated voice.

Preferably, the background sound is set by a background sound setting server connected to the communication network and the background sound database server, and the background sound setting server comprises an ARS setting unit for setting the background sound using an automatic response service, a wired Internet setting unit for setting the background sound using a wired Internet, and a wireless Internet setting unit for setting the background sound using a wireless Internet

Preferably, the background sound is altered and output while the modulated voice is output.

Preferably, the background is stopped from being output or is adjusted in volume according to at least one DTMF from the calling or called terminal.

Preferably, before the background sound selection signal is received, the background sound, which corresponds to at least one of the calling identifier, the called identifier and the user identifier and is stored in the background sound database server, is automatically output in a regular order or random order to the call path. Preferably, the background sound is output to the call path connected to the calling or called terminal that is switched to a standby state during a call.

Preferably, the background sound output to the call path connected to the calling or called terminal in a standby state during a call is continuously output in a regular order or random order to the call path. In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a system for providing background sound during a call, the system being comiected to a calling side exchange positioned within a PSTN or mobile communication network in a communication network including the PSTN, the mobile communication network and an Internet, comprising a program stored in a memory; and a processor connected to the memory to run the program, with the program, the processor receiving a calling identifier corresponding to a calling terminal and a background sound request signal from the calling side exchange, wherein the calling side exchange receives a call connection request signal including the calling identifier and establishes a call path between the calling terminal and a called terminal corresponding to a called identifier included in the call connection request signal in conjunction with a called side exchange, and the background sound service request signal is at least one DTMF including a delimiter #, receiving a background sound selection signal from the calling terminal, wherein the background sound se lection signal is at least one DTMF, extracting background sound corresponding to the calling i dentifier from a background sound database server, and outputting at 1 east one piece of background sound corresponding to the background sound selection signal to the call path, wherein the background sound is altered according to another DTMF of the calling terminal, and a modulated voice is output to the call path through a voice modulating module if the background sound is the modulated voice. In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a system for providing background sound during a call, the system being connected to a called side exchange positioned within a PSTN or mobile communication network in a communication network including the PSTN, the mobile communication network and an Internet, comprising a program stored in a memory; and a processor connected to the memory to run the program, with the program, the processor receiving a called identifier corresponding to a called terminal and a background sound request signal from the called side exchange, wherein the called side exchange receives a call connection request signal including the called identifier and establishes a call path between a calling terminal sending the call connection request signal and the called terminal in conjunction with a calling side exchange, and the background sound service request signal is at least one Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF) signal including a delimiter #, receiving a background sound selection signal from the called terminal, wherein the background sound selection signal is at least one DTMF, extracting background sound corresponding to the called identifier from a background sound database server, and outputting at least one piece of background sound corresponding to the background sound selection signal to the call path, wherein the background sound is altered according to another DTMF of the calling tenninal, and a modulated voice is output to the call path through a voice modulating module if the background sound is the modulated voice. In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a system for providing background sound during a call, the system being connected to an exchange positioned within a PSTN or mobile communication network in a communication network including the PSTN, the mobile communication network and an Internet, comprising a program stored in a memory; and a processor connected to the memory to run the program, with the program, the processor establishing a first call path between the exchange and a calling terminal connected to the exchange in response to a first telephone connection request signal from the exchange, receiving a user identifier from the calling terminal through the exchange, receiving a call ID of a desired called terminal from the calling terminal through the exchange, establishing a second call path by calling the called terminal, receiving a background sound selection signal from the calling terminal, wherein the background sound selection signal is at least one DTMF, and outputting at least one piece of background sound corresponding to the background sound selection signal to the first and second call paths, wherein the background sound is altered according to another DTMF of the calling terminal, and a modulated voice is output to the second call path through a voice modulating module if the background sound is the modulated voice.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a conventional apparatus for providing background sound during a telephone call; FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a conventional method of providing background sound during a telephone call;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a system for providing background sound during a telephone call in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a background sound providing server of FIG. 3 in detail;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method of providing the background sound during a telephone call in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a background sound setting step of FIG. 5 in detail;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a service request receiving step, a background sound output step and a background sound alternating and ending step in detail; FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the home page of the background sound setting server of the background sound providing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the menu of the modulated voice that is one of categories displayed on the home page of FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the menu of the modulated voice that is one of categories displayed on the home page of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a process of finally conforming the setting of the background sound after setting the background sound through the home page of FIGS. 8 to 10; and

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a background sound service that is provided by the background sound server of the background sound providing system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a system for providing background sound during a telephone call in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a background sound providing server of FIG. 3 in detail.

Referring to FIG. 3, a system for providing background sound during a telephone call 200 according to the preferred embodiment of the present i nvention includes a background sound setting server 210, a background sound providing server 220, and a background sound database server 230. The background sound providing system 200 is connected to a communication network 100, including exchange systems of a PSTN and a mobile communication network, and the Internet.

The background sound setting server 210 functions to allow a user to conveniently set and register background sound, including background music, effect sound and a modulated voice. In order to accomplish this function, the background sound setting server 210 includes an ARS setting unit 212, a wired Internet setting unit 214 and a wireless Internet setting unit 216.

The ARS setting unit 212 functions to allow the user to conveniently set various p ieces o f b ackground sound u sing t he A RS . The A RS se tting u nit 2 12 i s constructed to provide various items of information to a user terminal connected to the background sound setting server 210 in the form of a voice, and to set background sound according to the voice of the user or the sound of a DTMF.

The wired Internet setting unit 214 functions to allow the user to conveniently set various pieces of background sound using the wired Internet. The wired Internet setting unit 214 provides various items of information through a home page, for example, shown in FIGS. 8 to 10.

When the background sound is set through the home page of the wired Internet setting unit 214, the user can set the background sound after previously listening to the background sound or finally checking sound assigned to each of dial keys. This indicates that the user very conveniently and simply selects and utilizes various pieces of background sound.

The wireless Internet setting unit 216 functions to allow the user to conveniently set various pieces of background sound using the wireless Internet.

The wireless Internet setting unit 216 allows the use of services, including a background sound service for which one item of a menu of wireless Internet services is set. Accordingly, the wireless Internet setting unit 216 operates in conjunction with an exchange system of a wireless communication network that provides a wireless Internet service.

For example, the wireless Internet setting unit 216 operates to allow the user to select and set background so und while seeing the menu of a background so und service displayed on a mobile terminal. In the case of such a background sound service, the user can select and set a background sound source while previously listening to the background sound source selected from background sound source files, similarly to the case of the wired Internet.

The background sound information about the background sound selected in the process of setting the background sound is stored in the background sound database server 230, together with corresponding membership information. The background sound providing server 220, as illustrated in FIG. 4, includes a control unit 221, a voice modulating module 222, a communication network interface 223, a transceiver unit 224, a data extracting unit 225, an authentication unit 226, a background sound output unit 227 and a memory 228. The background sound providing server 220 is connected to the background sound setting server 210, the background sound database server 230 and the communication network 100. The control unit 221 functions to entirely control the background sound providing server 220. The voice modulating module 222 functions to input a modulated voice corresponding to an item of a list of modulated voices according to the sound of DTMF or dial key input signal of the calling terminal. For example, if the background sound is a modulated voice, the background providing server 220 receives voice data from the calling terminal 15, modulates the voice data through the voice modulating module 222, and outputs the modulated voice to the called side of the call path.

The communication network interface 223 functions to connect the background sound providing server 220 to the communication server 100. The transceiver unit 224 functions to receive necessary information from a terminal comiected through the communication network interface 223 and send the background music or modulated voice to the call path connected to the calling terminal or called terminal. The data extracting unit 225 is connected to the background sound database server 230 and functions to extract necessary data from the background sound database server 230. The authentication unit 226 functions to authenticate a user identifier by comparing the user identifier received from the calling terminal 15 with membership information stored in the background sound database server 230. For example, the authentication unit 226 may carry out authentication by comparing the user identifier, including a calling identifier corresponding to the calling terminal, a called identifier corresponding to the called terminal, a call IDentification (ID), a password, and an ID number, with the membership information.

The background sound output unit 227 functions to output the background sound set according to the background sound setting information stored in a membership storage unit 232 of the background sound database server 230 or the sound of the DTMF input from the calling terminal 15 during a telephone call. In this case, the sound of the DTMF is number or code information assigned to dial keys of the c ailing terminal, including numerical keys 0 to 9 , an asterisk ( *) key, and a sharp (#) key. Referring to FIG. 3 again, the background sound database server 230 includes the membership information storage unit 232 and the background sound storage unit 234. The background sound database server 230 may be connected to the background sound setting server 210 and the background sound providing server 220, or may include databases embedded in the background sound setting server 210 and the background sound providing server 220.

The membership information storage unit 232 is a database that stores membership information received through the background sound setting server 210. The membership information includes at least the user identifier and the background sound setting information. In this case, the user identifier includes the call ID of a wired or wireless telephone terminal, an identifier corresponding to the call ID, and the ID number of the user. Further, the user identifier may include the password of the user aside from the call ID of a wired or wireless telephone terminal, an identifier corresponding to the call ID, and the ID number of the user. As described above, the background sound providing system 200 provides various pieces of background sound to the call path between the calling and called terminals in accordance with the sound of the DTMF of the calling or called terminal 15 or 45 connected to the background sound providing server 220. In particular, the background sound providing system may automatically provide the background sound previously stored in the background sound database server 230 to the user terminal connected to the wired or wireless communication network in a sequential or random order.

Meanwhile, the background sound providing system 300 may output the background sound to a first call path between the calling terminal 15 and the background sound providing server 220 and a second call path between the background sound providing server 220 and the called terminal 45 in a three party call manner. In this case, the background sound providmg server 220 of the background sound providing system 200 may be provided with an automatic response server function. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method of providing background sound during a telephone call in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the method of providing the background sound during a telephone call according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention may be divided into four steps. The four steps include a background sound setting step

SI 00, a background sound service request receiving step S200, a background sound providing step S300 and a background sound altering and ending step S400. These four steps are described below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the background sound setting step of FIG. 5 in detail. Since the below description made with reference to FIG. 6 relates to the background sound setting step, it is carried out on the basis of the user for ease of understanding.

Referring to FIG. 6, the background sound setting step SI 00 starts with the connection of the user to the background sound setting server or background sound setting ARS server through the user terminal capable of connecting to the Internet at steps SI 10 and SI 12. In this case, the connection to the background sound setting ARS server is performed in such a way that the user terminal connects to the ARS setting unit 212 of the background sound setting server 210 of FIG. 3.

Thereafter, the user performs membership registration to utilize the background sound service at steps S120 and S122. Thereafter, the user searches a wired or wireless home page in which background sound categories are displayed, or listens to background sound category guiding information, which are transmitted from the background sound setting server to the user terminal, at steps 130 and 132. In this case, the wired or wireless home page refers to a home page provided by the wired Internet setting unit 214 or wireless Internet setting unit 216 of the background sound setting server 210 of FIG. 3.

The user having obtained various items of information about the background sound selects a background sound category at step S140. Thereafter, the user selects desired background sound from the menu of the selected background sound category at step SI 50. At this time, the user may listen to the selected background sound in advance at step SI 60. The user having selected the desired background sound sets various pieces of selected background sound to be stored to correspond to the numbers of the dial keys of the user terminal capable of performing wired or wireless communication, at step SI 70. In such background sound setting, since the user can set the background sound to correspond to the numeral keys 1 to 9 of the dial keys of the user terminal, nine pieces of background sound can be set at step SI 80. Of course, in the case where DTMFs each having two digits are employed, more pieces of background sound can be set. In such a case, the numeral key 0 of the dial keys of the user terminal is used to end the background sound in use. Further, the delimiter keys, that is, the asterisk key and the sharp keys, of the dial keys of the user terminal are used to increase and decrease the volume of the background sound in use, respectively.

When the background sound setting is completed, the user checks the final results of the background sound setting and ends the flow at step SI 90.

In a background sound setting step using the background sound setting server, when the user connects to the background sound setting server through the wired or wireless communication server, the background sound setting server checks an identifier or a call ID corresponding to the user terminal and background sound information corresponding to the identifier or call ID, and provides the background sound. In this case, the identifier or call ID is used to identify or authenticate the user. User identifiers other than the identifier or call ID, such as a calling identifier, a called identifier and an ID number, may be registered, and background sound information corresponding to these user identifiers may be set. Further, the background sound setting step using the ARS server is performed in such a way that the user of the wired or wireless terminal connects to the background sound setting ARS server through the wired or wireless communication network, and the background sound setting server responds to the user's request in the form of a voice and guides the user using stored voice files. In the meantime, although the background sound setting step has been described on the basis of methods using the wired or wireless Internet and ARS, the background sound setting step further includes a method using a wireless communication service. The method using a wireless communication service is described below in brief. The background sound setting method using a wireless communication service may be performed through a background sound service included in a menu of wireless communication services provided by a wireless communication service provider. In detail, when the user selects the background sound service from the menu of the wireless communication services of the mobile terminal, the menu of the background sound service is displayed on a display screen of the mobile terminal of the user. Then, the user may select at least one item from the menu of the background sound service, including background music, a psychological test, a sound source comment, effect sound and a modulated voice.

Thereafter, the user is provided with the background sound service from the background sound providing server connected to an exchange of a common carrier that provides a wireless communication service. At this time, the background sound providing server provides the background sound service using the membership information and the background sound information.

As d escribed a bove, the b ackground so und se tting se rvice o f the m ethod o f providing the background sound during a telephone call can be performed by the method using at least one of the wired or wireless Internet, ARS or mobile communication service.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the background sound request receiving step, the background sound providing step and the background sound alternating and ending step. Since the below description made with reference to FIG. 7 relates to the b ackground so und r equest r eceiving s tep, the b ackground so und p roviding s tep and the background sound alternating and ending step, it is carried out on the basis of the background sound providing server for ease of understanding.

The background sound providing step according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 7 employs at least three methods for the calling terminal to connect to the background sound providing server. These three methods are described first.

Referring to FIG. 7, in the first method for the calling terminal to connect to the background sound providing server, the calling terminal requests a telephone connection from the exchange of the communication network by inputting or selecting the call ID of the called terminal at step S220. Thereafter, in a telephone connection standby state or call connection sound receiving state, the user requests the background sound service by pushing a specific dial key of the calling terminal. That is, the background sound providing server is connected to the exchange and determines whether the call ID of the calling terminal registers for the background sound service. When the background sound providing server receives the input signal of the specific dial key from the calling terminal through the exchange, the background sound providing server considers the input signal a background sound service request at step S230. In other words, in the first method to connect to the background sound providing server, when the user requests the telephone connection from the exchange of the communication network, the calling side exchange having received the request sends a call path establishment request signal to a called side exchange in the case of a wired terminal, or se nds a call path establishment request signal to a called side exchange through a Home Location Register (HLR) in the case of a wired terminal.

Thereafter, the called side exchange sends call connection sound to the calling terminal through the calling side exchange. In this case, the user of the calling terminal requests the background sound service by inputting a specific dial key during the continuance of the call connection sound. For example, when the user pushes the delimiter # during the continuance of the call connection sound, the calling side exchange considers the input of the delimiter # the background sound service request, examines whether the user of the calling terminal is a member having registered for the background sound service using the calling identifier, notifies the background sound providing server of the examination results, and establishes a call path connected to the called terminal at step S240. Then, the background sound providing server outputs the background sound through the calling side exchange to the call path established between the calling terminal and the called terminal at step S310. In contrast, if the user does not desire the background sound service, the user can make a telephone call through a general telephone connection without pushing the specific dial key.

Meanwhile, the above-described first method may be altered to the below- described method. Before the user sends the telephone connection request signal to the exchange of the communication network, including wired and wireless communication networks, the user of the calling terminal can input the call ID of the called terminal after inputting a specific number consisting of the delimiter # and dial keys corresponding to "00", that is, dial keys corresponding to "#00".

That is, the second connection method is a method to connect to the background sound providing server by pushing the dial keys corresponding to "#00" and then pushing the call ID of the called terminal, for example, "123-1234". In other words, the second connection method is a method in which a specific number is assigned for the background sound service request.

For example, when the user desires a call, the calling side exchange receives specific dial keys and the call ID of the called terminal from the calling terminal. Then, the calling side exchange considers that the calling terminal requests the background sound service, and sends the request to the background sound providing server. After the call path is established between the calling and called terminals by the calling side exchange and the called side exchange, the background sound providing se rver o utputs the b ackground so und to the c all p ath through the c ailing side exchange at step S310. As described above, in the second connection method according to the embodiment of the present invention, the background sound providing server receives the background sound service request using the specific dial keys and the call ID sent from the calling terminal through the exchange, and outputs the background sound, which is consistent with the user identifier and is previously set by the user, from the background sound database server, thus providing the background sound service during a telephone call. Accordingly, in the second connection method, if the user does not desire the background sound service, the user can make a general telephone call by inputting the call ID of the calling terminal without the specific number.

A third method for the calling terminal to connect to the background sound providing server is a method using the ARS setting unit of the background sound setting server (hereinafter referred to as an "ARS server"). For example, in the third connection method, after the user of the wired or wireless communication terminal sets the background sound, the user immediately makes a telephone connection to a counter part. In detail, as shown in FIG. 7, the user connects to the ARS server that provides free call, lifetime call ID, representative call ID, automatic response services at step S210. Then, the ARS server explains the background sound service and the background sound information. The user can set the background sound for each of the dial keys of the user terminal after listening to the background sound in advance (refer to FIG. 6). Then, after completing the setting of the background sound, the user makes an outbound connection in an intelligent network by inputting the call ID of a counterpart. At this time, if the background sound has been set, the flow moves to the step of inputting the call ID of the counterpart, thus making a telephone connection at step S222.

Thereafter, the call path is established through the communication network at step S232. When the user pushes the dial key corresponding to desired background sound, that is, the ARS server receives the signal of the dial key from the user terminal, at step S242, the ARS server extracts the background sound corresponding to the input signal of the dial key and outputs the background sound to the call path at step S310. As described above, the background sound providing step according to the embodiment of the present invention provides a first background sound service to the call path between the calling terminal and the called terminal by the above-described three connection methods.

Thereafter, when the signal of the dial key is input from the calling terminal, the background sound providing server considers the signal a background sound alteration request at step S410. Then, the background sound providing server outputs second background sound corresponding to the input signal of the dial key to the call path at step S330. Meanwhile, if the background sound corresponding to the input signal of the dial key is the modulated voice at step S420, the background sound providing server modulates the voice of the user input through the voice modulating module to the calling terminal and sends the modulated voice to the called terminal. In this case, the level of the previously provided background sound is controlled to be less than that of the modulated voice, and is output to the call path, together with the modulated voice at step S350. In the meantime, although not shown in the drawings, the scope of the present invention includes the selection/alteration/ending of the background sound by the called terminal other than the selection/alteration/ending of the background sound by the calling terminal. In this case, the present invention is implemented in such a way as to receive the identifier corresponding to the called terminal from the called side exchange before the establishment of the call path, prepare the background sound service c orresponding to the received identifier, and provide the b ackground sound service according to the sound of the DTMF input from the called terminal after the establishment of the call path.

Additionally, the present invention includes the case where all the calling and called terminals have registered for the background sound service. In this case, the present invention is constructed to provide the background sound corresponding to a most recently input command, that is, a latest input command, to prevent the selection/alteration/ending commands of the calling and called terminals from overlapping each other. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the home page of the background sound setting server of the background sound providing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the menu of the modulated voice that is one of categories displayed on the home page of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the menu of the modulated voice that is one of categories displayed on the home page of FIG. 8. Referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, the user can conveniently set the background sound through the home page provided by the wired Internet setting unit of the background sound setting server. As shown in FIG. 8, the home page displays the background sound with respect to each of categories. Data on this background sound are stored in the background sound database server.

For example, the background sound stored in the background sound database server includes the categories of modulated voices, curiosities, seduction comments, congratulations, background music, television, psychological tests, and recommended themes. Of these categories, the modulated voices include a menu of a Zola man, a Zola woman, a robot, an echo, the Asura, a scream, a man's voice, a Greenland tea shop disc jockey and the Janus. This menu can be displayed by the means of a window.

This menu can be displayed by means of another window, as shown in FIG. 10. In the menu shown in FIG. 10, the user may select each item after listening to the item. The items of this menu may be sequentially selected by the user, or may be provided in the form of a predetermined background setting package.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a process of finally settling the setting of the background sound after setting the background sound through the home page of FIGS. 8 to 10. Referring to FIG. 11, the background setting server provides another window that is constructed so that the user finally confirms the setting of the background sound after setting the background sound through the above-described home page. The user finally confirms the setting of the background sound through the confirmation window. That is, the user can check for which dial key the background sound is set, and finally set desired background sound or a modulated voice for a desired dial key by altering, deleting or adding the background sound if desired.

Meanwhile, the present invention includes a voice home page other than the above-described home pages. This voice home page is controlled by the ARS setting unit. Further, the voice home page is constructed to be modified to fit the ARS, to be output through the ARS setting unit in the form of a voice, and output corresponding contents according to the item selecting signal of the user.

Additionally, the present invention includes a wireless Internet home page other than the above-described general home page and voice home page. In this case, the wireless Internet home page is controlled by the wireless Internet setting unit. Further, the wireless Internet home page is constructed to be based on characters or icons so as to fit the Internet, and to have a subordinate menu.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a background sound service that is provided by the background sound providing server of the background sound providing system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. That is, FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the background sound service using the ARS in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, when the user connects to the background sound providing server connected to the communication server, the background sound providing server explains to the user of the calling terminal that fees are charged for providing the background sound at step S601. The background sound providing server advises the user to input the user identifier, such as the call ID or ID number, and the delimiter # so as to determine whether the user is a member having registered for the background sound service at step S602. In this case, the user identifier includes the call ID, the ID number or the password registered as the user identifier. The background sound providing server having received the call ID and the delimiter from the calling terminal advises the user to input the call ID of a desired counterpart and the limiter # at step S603. The background sound providing server advises the user that, if the user inputs any one of the dial keys of the calling terminal, the background sound corresponding to the dial key is output at step S604. The background sound providing server having received the call ID of the called terminal from the calling terminal attempts telephone connection through, for example, an automatic telephone connection service of an existing common carrier. Then, the background sound providing server advises the calling terminal that the telephone connection is attempted at step S605. At this time, the background sound providing server extracts the background sound information corresponding to the user identifier from the background sound database server.

When the call path is established at step S606 and the sound of a DTMF is received from the calling terminal at step S607, the background sound providing server outputs the background sound or modulated voice corresponding to the sound of the DTMF received from the calling terminal to the call path at step S608.

Further, the background sound providing server alters the background sound according to the sound of another DTMF input during a telephone call and outputs the altered background sound at step S609. In this case, the modulated voice may be provided, together with the background sound. At the same time that the call ends, the provision of the background sound service ends at step S610.

Although not described in detail in the above-described embodiment, the present invention may provide the background sound service to the calling or called terminal that is switched to a standby state during a telephone call. Since the background sound to be provided at the standby state during a telephone call is provided to the established call path as it is, an additional description of this is omitted. It is apparent that the background sound service may be provided to another call path established between the calling or called terminal and a third party terminal according to the sound of the DTMF generated by the calling, caller or third party terminal. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and, of course, various modifications, additions and substitutions can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Industrial Applicability

In accordance with the present invention, various pieces of background sound can be provided during the telephone call according to the sound of the DTMF of the calling terminal. Additionally, the modulated voice and the background sound can be simultaneously output and altered during a telephone call.

Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, the user can conveniently set and register various pieces of background sound, such as background music, effect sound, a modulated voice, a psychological test, and utilizes the background sound service.

Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, a new sound content service, in which Internet contents and a wireless communication or automatic response service are integrated, can be provided.

Claims

1. A method of providing background sound during a call at a background sound providing system, which is connected to a calling side exchange positioned within a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or mobile communication network, in a communication network including the PSTN, the mobile communication network and an Internet, comprising the steps of: receiving a calling identifier corresponding to a calling terminal and a background sound request signal from the calling side exchange, wherein the calling side exchange receives a call connection request signal including the calling identifier and establishes a call path between the calling terminal and a called terminal corresponding to a called identifier included in the call connection request signal in conjunction with a called side exchange, and the background sound service request signal is at least one Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF) including a delimiter #; receiving a background sound selection signal from the calling terminal, wherein the background sound selection signal is at least one DTMF; extracting background sound coπesponding to the calling identifier from a background sound database server; and outputting at least one piece of background sound corresponding to the background sound selection signal to the call path; wherein the background sound is altered according to another DTMF of the calling terminal, and a modulated voice is output to the call path through a voice modulating module if the background sound is the modulated voice.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the background sound service request signal is sent to the caller side exchange from the calling terminal, together with the call connection request signal including the calling identifier.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the background sound service request signal is sent to the caller side exchange from the calling terminal during a call connecting state before the establishment of the call path.

4. A method of providing background sound during a call at a background sound providing system, which is connected to a called side exchange positioned within a PSTN or mobile communication network, in a communication network including the PSTN, the mobile communication network and an Internet, comprising the steps of: receiving a called identifier corresponding to a called terminal and a background sound request signal from the called side exchange, wherein the called side exchange receives a call connection request signal including the called identifier and establishes a call path between a calling terminal sending the call connection request signal and the called terminal in conjunction with a calling side exchange, and the background sound service request signal is at least one Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF) signal including a delimiter #; receiving a background sound selection signal from the called tenninal, wherein the background sound selection signal is at least one DTMF; extracting background sound corresponding to the called identifier from a background sound database server; and outputting at least one piece of background sound corresponding to the background sound selection signal to the call path; wherein the background sound is altered according to another DTMF of the calling terminal, and a modulated voice is output to the call path through a voice modulating module if the background sound is the modulated voice.

5. A method of providing background sound during a call at a background sound providing system, which is connected to an exchange positioned within a PSTN or mobile communication network, in a communication network including the

PSTN, the mobile communication network and an Internet, comprising the steps of: establishing a first call path between the exchange and a calling terminal connected to the exchange in response to a first telephone connection request signal from the exchange; receiving a user identifier from the calling terminal through the exchange; receiving a call ID of a desired called terminal from the calling terminal through the exchange; establishing a second call path by calling the called terminal; receiving a background sound selection signal from the calling terminal, wherein the background sound selection signal is at least one DTMF; and outputting at least one piece of background sound corresponding to the background sound selection signal to the first and second call paths; wherein the background sound is altered according to another DTMF of the calling terminal, and a modulated voice is output to the second call path through a voice modulating module if the background sound is the modulated voice.

6. The method as set forth in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the background sound is set by a background sound setting server connected to the communication network and the background sound database server, and the background sound setting server comprises an Automatic Response System (ARS) setting unit for setting the background sound using an automatic response service, a wired Internet setting unit for setting the background sound using a wired Internet, and a wireless Internet setting unit for setting the background sound using a wireless Internet

7. The method as set forth in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the background sound is altered and output while the modulated voice is output.

8. The method as set forth in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the background is stopped from being output or is adjusted in volume according to at least one DTMF from the calling or called terminal.

9. The method as set forth in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein, before the background sound selection signal is received, the background sound, which corresponds to at least one of the calling identifier, the called identifier and the user identifier and is stored in the background sound database server, is automatically output in a regular order or random order to the call path.

10. The method as set forth in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the background sound is output to the call path connected to the calling or called terminal that is switched to a standby state during a call.

11. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the background sound output to the call path connected to the calling or called terminal in a standby state during a call is continuously output in a regular order or random order to the call path.

12. A system for providing background sound during a call, the system being connected to a calling side exchange positioned within a PSTN or mobile communication network in a communication network including the PSTN, the mobile communication network and an Internet, comprising: a program stored in a memory; and a processor connected to the memory to run the program, with the program, the processor: receiving a calling identifier corresponding to a calling terminal and a background sound request signal from the calling side exchange, wherein the calling side exchange receives a call connection request signal including the calling identifier and establishes a call path between the calling terminal and a called terminal corresponding to a called identifier included in the call connection request signal in conjunction with a called side exchange, and the background sound service request signal is at least one DTMF including a delimiter #, receiving a background sound selection signal from the calling terminal, wherein the background sound selection signal is at least one DTMF, extracting background sound corresponding to the calling identifier from a background sound database server, and outputting at least one piece of background sound corresponding to the background sound selection signal to the call path, wherein the background sound is altered according to another DTMF of the calling terminal, and a modulated voice is output to the call path through a voice modulating module if the background sound is the modulated voice.

13. A system for providing background sound during a call, the system being connected to a called side exchange positioned within a PSTN or mobile communication network in a communication network including the PSTN, the mobile communication network and an Internet, comprising: a program stored in a memory; and a processor connected to the memory to run the program, with the program, the processor: receiving a called identifier corresponding to a called terminal and a background sound request signal from the called side exchange, wherein the called side exchange receives a call connection request signal including the called identifier and establishes a call path between a calling terminal sending the call connection request signal and the called terminal in conjunction with a calling side exchange, and the background sound service request signal is at least one Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF) signal including a delimiter #, receiving a background sound selection signal from the called terminal, wherein the background sound selection signal is at least one DTMF, extracting background sound corresponding to the called identifier from a background sound database server, and outputting at least one piece of background sound corresponding to the background sound selection signal to the call path, wherein the background sound is altered according to another DTMF of the calling terminal, and a modulated voice is output to the call path through a voice modulating module if the background sound is the modulated voice.

14. A system for providing background sound during a call, the system being connected to an exchange positioned within a PSTN or mobile communication network in a communication network including the PSTN, the mobile communication network and an Internet, comprising: a program stored in a memory; and a processor connected to the memory to run the program, with the program, the processor: establishing a first call path between the exchange and a calling terminal connected to the exchange in response to a first telephone connection request signal from the exchange, receiving a user identifier from the calling terminal through the exchange, receiving a call ID of a desired called terminal from the calling terminal through the exchange, establishing a second call path by calling the called terminal, receiving a background sound selection signal from the calling terminal, wherein the background sound selection signal is at least one DTMF, and outputting at least one piece of background sound corresponding to the background sound selection signal to the first and second call paths, wherein the background sound is altered according to another DTMF of the calling terminal, and a modulated voice is output to the second call path through a voice modulating module if the background sound is the modulated voice.