CA2414909A1 - Network-based virtual identity method for telecommunications network - Google Patents
Network-based virtual identity method for telecommunications network Download PDFInfo
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- CA2414909A1 CA2414909A1 CA 2414909 CA2414909A CA2414909A1 CA 2414909 A1 CA2414909 A1 CA 2414909A1 CA 2414909 CA2414909 CA 2414909 CA 2414909 A CA2414909 A CA 2414909A CA 2414909 A1 CA2414909 A1 CA 2414909A1
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- calling party
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- called party
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Classifications
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- 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
- H04M3/42136—Administration or customisation of services
- H04M3/42153—Administration or customisation of services by subscriber
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- 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
- H04M3/42025—Calling or Called party identification service
- H04M3/42034—Calling party identification service
- H04M3/42042—Notifying the called party of information on the calling party
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- 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
- H04M1/571—Blocking transmission of caller identification to called party
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/22—Arrangements for supervision, monitoring or testing
- H04M3/2281—Call monitoring, e.g. for law enforcement purposes; Call tracing; Detection or prevention of malicious calls
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- 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
- H04M3/487—Arrangements for providing information services, e.g. recorded voice services or time announcements
Abstract
A method is disclosed for call processing control between a calling party and a called party using a device configured to receive incoming calling line identification, such as telephone or dedicated display device. The method features establishing a communications connection from an originating telephone number to a terminating telephone number, retrieving subscriber information of the terminating telephone number, and transmitting a notification to the called party of the substitution of the caller identification. Also disclosed is a method of selectively controlling a calling party identification of a calling party as carried out on a caller identification system. The method includes receiving a telephone call from a calling party to a called party in a service control point. The service control point receives a delivery option for the calling party telephone number. The delivery option includes delivering a substituted calling party number, delivering a calling party number associated with a calling party telephone line, or suppressing delivery of a calling party number. The telephone call is processed based on the received delivery option.
Description
NETWORK-BASED VIRTUAL IDENTITY METHOD
FOR TI;I,>E;COMMNUNICA'fIONS NETWORK
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present inventir~n generally relates to telecommunications services, more particularly to a methcad and system that provides caller identification or caller related information to subscribers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Incoming caller line identification, also known as Caller ID, is a popular telecommunications service. A brief overview of Caller ID service may be helpful to understand the various drawbacks. In general, Caller ID displays the originating telephone number of the calling party. As conventionally implemented, the calling number is received by the originating end office and transmitted to the terminating end office in an Initial Address Message (IAM). The terminating end office sends the calling number over the subscriber's line to a display device configured to receive the calling number. The display device can be integrated into a telephone with an appropriate liquid crystal display, or a dedicated display device can connect into a terminating telephone line.
An extension of this service, commonly named "Caller ID-Enhanced," which is also referred to as Calling Name Delivery service, has additional features available in an intelligent telecornrnunications network. Like the conventional Caller ID
service described above, the calling number is received by the originating end office and transmitted to the terminating end office in an Initial Address Message. At that point, the terminating end ,7 office recognizes that the call is for a Caller ID-Enhanced subscriber and generally launches a calling name query on the intelligent network. As conventionally performed, a signaling transfer point (STP) determines which service control point (SCP) to route the query to, and forwards the query to that SCP. 'The SCP typically searches a name directory database for the calling number's record and retrieves the associated name. Then, the SCP
returns the caller name to the termmatrng cnd oftice in a signal message response. When the terminating office completes the c4r11 to the subscriber's phone, it sends the caller name and calling number, typically along with the current date and time, over the subscriber's line to the display device. Caller-ID and Caller-ID Enhanced cervices do not provide a full scope of services for customer den sands for privacy and information.
Telecommunication providers have an ongoing struggle with Caller ID services.
This struggle involves balancing the need for privacy concerns of the calling pr>'rty, while accommodating the called party's guest for determining information about the calling party prior to answering the telephone call. Additionally, a calling party has privacy concerns that include preventing disclosure of the calling party identity/information associated with the station's/device's nurrrber that may be used by any individual who has the ability to use the station/device. The conventional Caller ID service enables the called party to screen incoming calls before answering the telephone. While there are many uses for the screening information, called parties with Caller ID services generally want to know who is calling them or at least the phone number of the calling party.
Some callers or calling parties, however, do not want their phone number or name displayed to the called party, particularly when they may not even know to whom the information is being displayed or otherwise provided. Therefore, these persons might utilize conventional Caller ID blocking services in which the called party display unit may be blanked. This arrangement may afford privacy of the calling party but is ineffective for having the call answered. To further aggravate the situation, the called party can subscribe to what is commonly named an Anonymous Caller Rejection service that will not allow the call to be completed to the called party unless the calling party number is provided.
In another method focusing on the calling party's need for privacy, l0 telecommunication service providers have proposed substituting the transmitted caller name and telephone number to the called party display device, instead of the originating phone number or directory name. This arrangement can be problematic and lead to potential misuse. A calling party can send any telephone number and name to the called party display unit. Examples of Carller II-) substitution are shown in U.S. Patent No.
5,864, 612 to Strauss 1 _5 et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,209 to 'fannenbaurn et al., and U.S. Pat. No.
5,903,636 to Malik, which are herein incorporated by reference. These systems have no accommodation to prevent misuse and abuse by providing a proper notification or an indication that the display information has been changed by the calling party. 'Therefore, there is a need for a system and method to balance the needs of the calling party and called party in relation to caller 20 identification services.
SUMMARY OF THIr: INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a system and method that provides caller identification information to subscribers.
In one aspect, there is provided a method for call processing control between a calling party and a called p<zrty using a device contigured to receive incoming calling line identitication, such as a telephone or dedicated display device. 'The method features establishing a communications connection from an originating telephone number of the calling party to a terminating telephone number of the called party;
retrieving subscriber information of the terminating telephone number of the called party;
determining whether a caller identification of the originating address has been substituted; and transmitting a notification to the called party of the substitution of the caller identification during establishment of the cornrnunication connection. In this way, there is provided a method for notification that the delivered Calling Party number is a replaced/altered number and not the true/acLual calling directory number, which provides a balance between the calling party and 1 S called party in privacy considerations.
In another aspect, there is provided a method of selectively controlling a calling party identification of a calling party as carried out on a caller identification system. The method includes (a) receiving a telephone call from a calling party to a called party, (b) determining if the telephone call is eligible for selective control of calling party identification, and if eligible then (c) determining a delivery option for the calling party .5 number. The delivery option may include delivering a substituted calling party number, delivering a calling party number associated with a calling party telephone line, or suppressing delivery of a calling party number. The telephone call is processed based on the received delivery option. 'The method further includes establishing a communications connection between the calling party and the. called party; retrieving account information of the called party; and transmitting a notitication to the called party of a substitution of the calling party identification during establishment of the communication connection. In this way, the culling party has selective control of privacy features and the called party has control of how the caller identification is presented (i.e., whether the identification has been replaced/altered).
In another aspect, there is provided a method in which the notification function enables appropriately authorized users (e.g., law enforcement or other authorized personnel) to selectively suppress the notification indication for appropriate uses.. In this manner, the potential for misuse or fraud over a conventional Caller ID substitution system is eliminated I S for unauthorized users while an authorized user may suppress Caller ID
notification.
The method of notification can be realized through a variety of methods. These methods include, but are not lirrrited to: visual codes, pre-fixed or post-fixed information, audible signals, or interactive voice response. protocols.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing summary of the invention, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are included by way of example and not by way of limitation with regard to the claimed invention:
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a telecommunication network environment in which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a call processing system shown in FIG. I ; and FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of processing a telephone call within the network shown in FIG. 1 and system shown in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF T'HE INVENTION
The following description is divided into sub-sections to assist the reader.
The sub-sections include: Network Environment, Service ('.ontrol Point Environment, Notification Approaches, and Illustrative Application Examples.
The term VIPER as used herein refers to Virtual Identity/Personality Enabled Representation (VIPER) feature for a telecommunications network. The feature supports the delivery of a representation that the user/customer wishes to have associated with them when using a service, such as Caller-ID. The VIPER feature provides the ability to change the originating telephone number to a particular customer's pre-defined telephone number as the Calling Party Number (CPN) across telecommunication carrier networks and have this CPN delivered under the Caller-ID feature as the number of the person/station originating the call. This feature can also include delivery of the calling party name or other text information, but it at least includes delivering a telephone number.
In contrast to prior Caller-ID substitution systems as indicated in the background section, the VIPER feature of the present invention supports the ability to provide the called party with a method of determining that the presented telephone number is a 'representation' rather than the true calling party number. A notification is provided to the called party of the change in the CPN. Thus, the VIPER feature of the present invention provides a balance between the privacy concerns of the calling party and the called party's quest for determining information about a calling party prior to answering the call. In another aspect, the VIPER feature enables appropriately authorized users, such as law enforcement personnel or other authorized persons, to suppress the notification indication.
IS
Network Errvironment FIG. i illustrates a schematic diagram of one exemplary telecommunications network 2, including an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) having a VIPER
feature for providing telephone service to one or more; customers or subscribers 41, 42 .
. . 4n (where n is an integer and the number of subscribers). The operation of the network 2 will be briefly described followed by a description of implementing a method and system in a Caller ID
service for notifying a called party that the calling party identification has been substituted for or changed from a predetermined Caller identification (i.e., the originating number of the calling party). The network 2 may include a plurality of Local Exchange Carrier Networks (LEC's) 61, 6~ . . . (n, each providing local service to ogre or more corresponding telephony devices, including wireless phones connected to LEC Orr. For example, LEC 61 comprises one or more Service Switching Points (SSP) (not shown), including local switches with associated software to process and route a plurality of telephone calls made by the subscribers. Regarding LEC Eon, subscriber 4n may, for example, make and receive calls through an individual cell site (not shown) cor a succession of cell sites connected to at least one Mobile Telephone Switching Ol~tice (not shown). While FIG. 1 depicts a separate LEC
for each subscriber, a single LE<i may serve a plurality of individual subscribers for wire-line or wireless services.
In the illustrated embodiment, subscribers 41, 42 . . . 4n receive long distance telephone service from an Inter-eXchange Carrier (IXC) network 8, such as the network maintained by AT&T C'.orp. The network 8 includes at least one, and typically a plurality, of interconnected toll switches, represented by the switches 10 and t 2 embodied in remote Service Switching Points (SSP) ) and 17, respectively, that are linked to at least one LEC.
Although FIG. 1 depicts only the twa toll switches 1() and 12 within the IXC
network 8, the network may typically include a plurality of such interconnected switches.
Network 8 also includes a signaling network 14 that comprises a plurality of network elements. The network elements include intelligent controlling computers, such as service control points (SCP'-.s) 16 and '18, and intelligent peripherals (IP's) 30 and 32, such as voice/Dual Tone Multi-Fre.duency (DTMF) processing platforms and announcement platforms.
Servico Corttrnl Point Enviro~tme~at SCP 16 and 18 each include a plurality of service package applications for providing advanced telecommunications services to the subscribers via the AIN 8.
Signaling network 14 links the SSPs 9, 17 and SCPs 16, 18 to provide the advanced telecommunications services. The signaling network includes a plurality of signal transfer points (not shown) having hardware and software for transmitting call control information between the SSPs, SCPs, intelligent peripherals, or other specialized resources. It should be appreciated that the signaling network may include data lines 28, such as ATM lines for sending control information. The signaling network employs software such as Signal System No.
7 (SS7) signaling protocol, which is known to those of ordinary skill in the telephony art.
SCP 16 and 18 are functionally the same for originating and terminating call processing control according to an embodiment of the invention. For ease of explanation, the operation of SCP 16 will be described for telephone calls originating from LEC 61 or LEC 6n. It should be appreciated that calls can also originate from LEC 62 as well.
According to an embodiment of the invention, as seen in FIG. 2, SCP 16 may include a subscriber database 22 and service: logic application 20 for transmission of a substituted calling party identification information and a notification to the called party of the substituted information. Likewise, the service package application 20 can selectively suppress the notification feature. Processing service logic 20 includes programmed 5 instructions in computer-readable/executable code to obtain the calling party telephone number via automatic number identification (ANI). During the telephone call-setup period when each SSP consults an SCP, auch as SCP ( (l, for call processing instructions, SCP 16 executes programmed insirucaions so that the called party is advised or notified of substitution of the calling party identification information or the notification is suppressed 10 depending on the service parameters.
Referring to FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the invention, one or more intelligent peripherals (IP) 30 and 32 are coupled through signaling network 14 to the SCPs and each is coupled to a respective <me of the SSPs 9 so as to provide a voice or audio announcement to a called party of the change in the calling party identification information.
Accordingly, IP 30 may he; actuated by SC'P 16 with a play announcement instruction via signaling network 14 to produce or otherwise provide the desired notification.
One of ordinary skill in the telephony art should recognize that once the IP has received a command to make the desired announcement, it rnay have a logical connection through the associated IXC switch and LEC switch such that a temporary bearer channel is established.
After the announcement is completed, the hearer channel may be released.
It should be understood that the implementation of an embodiment of the invention may be accomplished in a number of ways depending on the service and application technology and architecture. In the signaling network I~. the Initial Address Message (IAM) may include a tield parameter which stores a substituted calling party number to be used as the transmitted Calling Party Number. SCP 16 includes service logic 20 that recognizes the presence of a substitute originating number, hereinafter referred to as a "VIPER number", and causes it to be inserted in the. CPN field of the Initial Address Message (IAM) used in establishing the call connection to a telecommunication provider's network/switch. Further, service logic 20 can appropriately recognize a notification control parameter which indicates that the called party has selected to receive notification of the substitution of the calling party telephone number.
It should be understood the substitution of the Caller ID display telephone number can be effectuated by a calling party dialing a predetermined service number, such as a toll-free number which may be linked to a database with the associated substitution telephone IS number. Likewise, the originating telephone line tn<zy he enabled with a pre-subscription by the subscriber for calls originating from the telephone line. In such a case, the telephone number passed to the terminating switch will be the VIPER number, instead of the originating number for generally all calls depending on the service parameters.
Exernplctry Noti ftcation Approcaches ?0 The notification mechanism of the present invention to advise the called party of the substituted information can be achieved in a number of approaches. In one approach, the conventional Caller ID data message that passes the Calling Party Number and Calling Party Name information to the Caller ID display unitlelement at the called number may be augmented or altered to contain notifying information. For example, the Calling Party Name field may be populated with a text message that indicates that the Calling Number is:
"Not Tme Number," "False Number," "Changed Number" or any other appropriate text message. In the AIN environment, SCP 16 may reformat the calling name data returned from a directory database (not shown) for the calling party name.
Alternatively, in a second approach, the Calling Party Number may be prepended or appended with display characters such as '**' to indicate a 'representative' or 'not the true number' originating telephone number. The called party would know upon enrolling for the service what the codes of display characters mean. These additional digits may be added to the. calling number data transmitted to the display device at the called party. It should be recognized that the calling number data transmitted to the terminating switch (SSP) may include up to 15 digits as is conventionally known.
In yet a third approach, after a telephone call is answered by the called party, a post-answer notification announcement may be provided via an announcement platform, such as Intelligent peripheral 30, 3?. For example, a pre-selected audio announcement may state a phrase like "The Calling Party Number displayed is not the actual calling number" or some equivalent voice announcement. This function can he useful for Caller ID
devices, which may not support the Calling Party Name display function. It should be recognized that the post-answer feature could he used with devices that provide Calling Party Name capabilities as well. As explained above in the network environment, the SCP can send a signaling message to invoke the intelligent peripheral to make the announcement. It should be appreciated that for systems with an audio Caller-ID service, the notification of the announcement can follow the presentation of the calling party number or after the presentation of the calling party name.
In a fourth approach, pre-answer notification rnay provide the advisement that the displayed Calling Number is not the true number or is a false number. This pre-answer notification can be accomplished through a Caller-ID Substitution Alter feature (CISA) in the form of a distinctive ring or modified ringing tone. It should be appreciated that the specific type of distinctive ring can be selected as appropriate. It should be appreciated that SCP 16, 18 may be configured with service logic to provide conventional distinctive alerting parameters to the serving SSP 9, 1'7 in an AIN. As conventionally performed, the distinctive alerting parameters enable the SCP to control the alerting pattern. It should be recognized based on the disclosure that one caf ordinary skill in the telephony art may readily program service logic using conventional service creation environments and/or platforms for Advanced Intelligent Networks. One supplier of AIN software is Lucent Technologies of Murray Hill, NJ. Of course, other suppliers of AIN software can be used as well.
Exernplor.y Operating Approach FIG. 3 illustrates one exemplary approach to advising a called party of substitution of the calling party number and/or calling name in an advanced intelligent network. The illustrated approach may be implemented in a service application package controlled by a designated service. control point within the network. The approach can be applied to local calls and long distance calls as well.
With continued reference to FIG. 3, by way of example, at block 100, a subscriber, such as subscriber 41, places a telephone call from LEC 61 through telecommunications network 2 to another subscriber, such as subscriber 42, that is connected to LEC 62. In this situation, subscriber 41 is the calling party originating the telephone call.
During the call-setup period to the telecommunications device of subscriber 42, the SSP 9 is signaled by IXC switch 10 in IXC network H upon receipt by the IXC switch of the telephone call.
Upon receipt of a signal from tire 1X(~ switch, SSP 9 launches a request via signaling network 14 to S('.P 16 to determine what special predetermined handling is associated with the call. SCP 16 receives the query at step 100 of FIG. 3. After the conventional signal processing during call-setup and verification, the substituted telephone number (i.e., the VIPER number) is recognised by the Service Control Point 16. This recognition may be accomplished, for example, by the SCP 16 consulting as service database (not shown) for the calling party that indicates that the calling numher has VIPER substitution functions.
Alternatively, a comparison may be made between the calling party telephone number and billing information, such as the billing telephone number. There may be other ways to indicate this substitution tc> an SC".I', such as a field in the Initial Address Message that has a value populated with a substituti<rn parameter.
At step 102, SCP 16, having the service application package of the present invention, consults database 22 for a customer record to determine what the called party 42 has preselected for notification options for the substitution. The telecommunication service provider may set a default notification option. The notification options correspond to the 5 previously described approaches. It is assumed that one of ordinary skill in the art based on the disclosure can prepare the customer record accordingly. At step 104, the notification to the called party is provided by the network, preferably coordinated via the Service Control Point 16. The notifucation of the substitution of the calling party number may be provided by changing the calling party name field with a notification message;
appending the calling 10 party number with a predetermined display character; providing a post-answer notification announcement via an Intelligent peripheral; or providing pre-answer notification through a Caller-ID Substitution Alter feature (CISA) in the form of a distinctive ring or modified ringing tone. There may be other ways to provide the notification. At step 106, the calling party information is provided to the called party device. At step 108, the process ends.
IS In other embodiments, video telephone systems are also contemplated, such as systems operating over brcradband CATV networks (not shown), including coaxial or fiber optics networks in which a video message may be provided to the subscriber receiving the call. In this embodiment, a notification in the form of the video message can be provided by the network to the video telephone device of the suhscriber. In a further embodiment, a wireless phone (,not shown) that has a display screen enahled to receive wireless messages from the network can have; a text message or text notification transmitted to the phone via the network. The wireless phone Tray also include software, such as Wireless Application Protocol for wireless World Wide Web access, to display a message on the phone. Further, in a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) environment in connection with an IP-enabled telephone (not shown), a softswitch, a software call agent, or media gateway controller (not shown) can provide the call control similar to the Service Control Points.
Accordingly, the call agent may provide the functionality for implementing a VIPER Notification feature of the substituted calling party identification.
In alternative embodiments, the VIPER substitution capability may be applied to any number of product areas and service applications. For example, both Prepaid Calling Card and Traditions! Calling Card products may optionally offer customers a VIPER
feature option. With the VIPER feature, these: crrstomcrs can be easily and reliably recognized by the receiving person, device or system based on the number provided via the Caller ID
delivery function. The VIPER notifrcation feature provides the called party the ability to determine that the call was actually being placed from a phone other than the one presented I S in the Calling Party Number display field.
In an alternative ernbodirnent, the VIPER notification feature may be incorporated into the 1+ service, such as a calling card environment. U.S. Pat. No.
5,283,824 to Shaw, which is herein fully incorporated by reference, illustrates a calling card application. A
notification parameter can be added in a CCS noessage where a terminating switch can indicate to the receiving phone of the change in the incoming calling line identification. A
ringing feature may be performec.f at the receiving phone for notification.
It should be recognized that a user and/or administrative protocol or interface can be provided to enable the customer or service representative to create, delete, or modify the value populated in the subscriber dattabase 22 or other databases that support the features.
Likewise, the administrative protocol can be used to support the control (on/of~ of the Notification function by the service administrator ibut generally not the customer).
According to an embodiment of the invention, a user interface/protocol enables the calling party to determine at the time each call is made whether to deliver (i) the substituted calling party number; (2) the defai.rlt ANI associated with the calling station (directory telephone number); or (3) to suppress any delivery of a calling party value (set the station as Privacy Restricted). The calling party is given a selective option of how to present the call to the called party. Generally, a determination is made whether the calling party is authorized or eligible for the selective control. The user interface is accomplished by prompting the calling party to enter a delivery option corresponding to the above three choices. The service control point can hove an intelligent peripheral gather the requested choices. Once the delivery option is selected, call processing continues. However, the called party would still receive notificatir>n oC the substituted calling party number as previously described above. In this way, a balance of privacy and screening information is maintained between the parties.
An example of an alternate embodiment of the invention would be to employ a self-contained service platform having the VIPER feature that provides and contains all relevant service capabilities. The service platform can he a Private Branch Exchange-like device with caller identification services. In the service platform embodiment, the calling party's telephone call can be bridged to the service platform with a second call leg from the platform to the called party. Under this method, the control of the calling party information is realized via the platform's own originating number representation on the second call leg to the called party. In such a case, the service platform has the information of the substitution and can accordingly provide notification to the called party.
This assumes the called party has the feature f'or notification of the substitution. In this case, the calling party may have a subscription for the VIPER features and may connect into the platform under conventional practices, such as dialing a predetermined service platform number.
Illustrative ApJolicutiorr Examples The following examples illustrate how the VIPER feature could be employed in various service areas. It should be recognized that the present invention is not limited to the examples, but can be applied to many services areas and applications.
In a first example, a physician calls patients from his/her home but does not want to IS have his/her home phone nunober presented or made available to the patient via Caller ID.
Conventionally, the physician will subscribe to what is known as Caller ID
Blocking;
however, in a situation where the patient that he/she is calling has subscribed to the terminating feature known as '"Caller 1D Required'', the call will not complete. This situation can be very problematic to the called party. The needs of both parties are met with the features of the present invention. C'.alling party substitution enables the physician to call the patient and have a CPN delivered that is not his/her home number. In fact, it is likely i9 that the physician would rather have his/her office number displayed. 'This would allow the patient to be able to contact the ctoct.or's office or answering service. When the call is delivered to the called party, the called party need's for information is supported by the notification feature so that they can know a change has been made in the phone number displayed.
A second example is a government agency that does not wish to have the identity of the caller using a phone at an agency or oUher governmental site compromised as being associated with the government agency. An agent on an under-cover assignment might need to place a call from the agent's office; and if the receiving number has Caller ID, a call back to the number displayed could expose the agent as at least having been at the location. The agent could have the number of his/her under-cover residence provided or any number that made sense for the given assignment, such as a public phone. In this example, according to an embodiment of the invention, a control parameter would have been set by the administrating service provider to 'disabled' notification of the substituted change based on the appropriate authorization. This suppression assumes that the called party has elected to receive notification of the substituted calling party number.
While the present invention has been described with reference to preferred and exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents rnay be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation to the teachings of the invention without departing from 1~
the scope thereof. Different hardware may be used than those shown and suggested that may comprise hardware, firmware, or software implementations of the present invention.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
FOR TI;I,>E;COMMNUNICA'fIONS NETWORK
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present inventir~n generally relates to telecommunications services, more particularly to a methcad and system that provides caller identification or caller related information to subscribers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Incoming caller line identification, also known as Caller ID, is a popular telecommunications service. A brief overview of Caller ID service may be helpful to understand the various drawbacks. In general, Caller ID displays the originating telephone number of the calling party. As conventionally implemented, the calling number is received by the originating end office and transmitted to the terminating end office in an Initial Address Message (IAM). The terminating end office sends the calling number over the subscriber's line to a display device configured to receive the calling number. The display device can be integrated into a telephone with an appropriate liquid crystal display, or a dedicated display device can connect into a terminating telephone line.
An extension of this service, commonly named "Caller ID-Enhanced," which is also referred to as Calling Name Delivery service, has additional features available in an intelligent telecornrnunications network. Like the conventional Caller ID
service described above, the calling number is received by the originating end office and transmitted to the terminating end office in an Initial Address Message. At that point, the terminating end ,7 office recognizes that the call is for a Caller ID-Enhanced subscriber and generally launches a calling name query on the intelligent network. As conventionally performed, a signaling transfer point (STP) determines which service control point (SCP) to route the query to, and forwards the query to that SCP. 'The SCP typically searches a name directory database for the calling number's record and retrieves the associated name. Then, the SCP
returns the caller name to the termmatrng cnd oftice in a signal message response. When the terminating office completes the c4r11 to the subscriber's phone, it sends the caller name and calling number, typically along with the current date and time, over the subscriber's line to the display device. Caller-ID and Caller-ID Enhanced cervices do not provide a full scope of services for customer den sands for privacy and information.
Telecommunication providers have an ongoing struggle with Caller ID services.
This struggle involves balancing the need for privacy concerns of the calling pr>'rty, while accommodating the called party's guest for determining information about the calling party prior to answering the telephone call. Additionally, a calling party has privacy concerns that include preventing disclosure of the calling party identity/information associated with the station's/device's nurrrber that may be used by any individual who has the ability to use the station/device. The conventional Caller ID service enables the called party to screen incoming calls before answering the telephone. While there are many uses for the screening information, called parties with Caller ID services generally want to know who is calling them or at least the phone number of the calling party.
Some callers or calling parties, however, do not want their phone number or name displayed to the called party, particularly when they may not even know to whom the information is being displayed or otherwise provided. Therefore, these persons might utilize conventional Caller ID blocking services in which the called party display unit may be blanked. This arrangement may afford privacy of the calling party but is ineffective for having the call answered. To further aggravate the situation, the called party can subscribe to what is commonly named an Anonymous Caller Rejection service that will not allow the call to be completed to the called party unless the calling party number is provided.
In another method focusing on the calling party's need for privacy, l0 telecommunication service providers have proposed substituting the transmitted caller name and telephone number to the called party display device, instead of the originating phone number or directory name. This arrangement can be problematic and lead to potential misuse. A calling party can send any telephone number and name to the called party display unit. Examples of Carller II-) substitution are shown in U.S. Patent No.
5,864, 612 to Strauss 1 _5 et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,209 to 'fannenbaurn et al., and U.S. Pat. No.
5,903,636 to Malik, which are herein incorporated by reference. These systems have no accommodation to prevent misuse and abuse by providing a proper notification or an indication that the display information has been changed by the calling party. 'Therefore, there is a need for a system and method to balance the needs of the calling party and called party in relation to caller 20 identification services.
SUMMARY OF THIr: INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a system and method that provides caller identification information to subscribers.
In one aspect, there is provided a method for call processing control between a calling party and a called p<zrty using a device contigured to receive incoming calling line identitication, such as a telephone or dedicated display device. 'The method features establishing a communications connection from an originating telephone number of the calling party to a terminating telephone number of the called party;
retrieving subscriber information of the terminating telephone number of the called party;
determining whether a caller identification of the originating address has been substituted; and transmitting a notification to the called party of the substitution of the caller identification during establishment of the cornrnunication connection. In this way, there is provided a method for notification that the delivered Calling Party number is a replaced/altered number and not the true/acLual calling directory number, which provides a balance between the calling party and 1 S called party in privacy considerations.
In another aspect, there is provided a method of selectively controlling a calling party identification of a calling party as carried out on a caller identification system. The method includes (a) receiving a telephone call from a calling party to a called party, (b) determining if the telephone call is eligible for selective control of calling party identification, and if eligible then (c) determining a delivery option for the calling party .5 number. The delivery option may include delivering a substituted calling party number, delivering a calling party number associated with a calling party telephone line, or suppressing delivery of a calling party number. The telephone call is processed based on the received delivery option. 'The method further includes establishing a communications connection between the calling party and the. called party; retrieving account information of the called party; and transmitting a notitication to the called party of a substitution of the calling party identification during establishment of the communication connection. In this way, the culling party has selective control of privacy features and the called party has control of how the caller identification is presented (i.e., whether the identification has been replaced/altered).
In another aspect, there is provided a method in which the notification function enables appropriately authorized users (e.g., law enforcement or other authorized personnel) to selectively suppress the notification indication for appropriate uses.. In this manner, the potential for misuse or fraud over a conventional Caller ID substitution system is eliminated I S for unauthorized users while an authorized user may suppress Caller ID
notification.
The method of notification can be realized through a variety of methods. These methods include, but are not lirrrited to: visual codes, pre-fixed or post-fixed information, audible signals, or interactive voice response. protocols.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing summary of the invention, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are included by way of example and not by way of limitation with regard to the claimed invention:
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a telecommunication network environment in which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a call processing system shown in FIG. I ; and FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of processing a telephone call within the network shown in FIG. 1 and system shown in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF T'HE INVENTION
The following description is divided into sub-sections to assist the reader.
The sub-sections include: Network Environment, Service ('.ontrol Point Environment, Notification Approaches, and Illustrative Application Examples.
The term VIPER as used herein refers to Virtual Identity/Personality Enabled Representation (VIPER) feature for a telecommunications network. The feature supports the delivery of a representation that the user/customer wishes to have associated with them when using a service, such as Caller-ID. The VIPER feature provides the ability to change the originating telephone number to a particular customer's pre-defined telephone number as the Calling Party Number (CPN) across telecommunication carrier networks and have this CPN delivered under the Caller-ID feature as the number of the person/station originating the call. This feature can also include delivery of the calling party name or other text information, but it at least includes delivering a telephone number.
In contrast to prior Caller-ID substitution systems as indicated in the background section, the VIPER feature of the present invention supports the ability to provide the called party with a method of determining that the presented telephone number is a 'representation' rather than the true calling party number. A notification is provided to the called party of the change in the CPN. Thus, the VIPER feature of the present invention provides a balance between the privacy concerns of the calling party and the called party's quest for determining information about a calling party prior to answering the call. In another aspect, the VIPER feature enables appropriately authorized users, such as law enforcement personnel or other authorized persons, to suppress the notification indication.
IS
Network Errvironment FIG. i illustrates a schematic diagram of one exemplary telecommunications network 2, including an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) having a VIPER
feature for providing telephone service to one or more; customers or subscribers 41, 42 .
. . 4n (where n is an integer and the number of subscribers). The operation of the network 2 will be briefly described followed by a description of implementing a method and system in a Caller ID
service for notifying a called party that the calling party identification has been substituted for or changed from a predetermined Caller identification (i.e., the originating number of the calling party). The network 2 may include a plurality of Local Exchange Carrier Networks (LEC's) 61, 6~ . . . (n, each providing local service to ogre or more corresponding telephony devices, including wireless phones connected to LEC Orr. For example, LEC 61 comprises one or more Service Switching Points (SSP) (not shown), including local switches with associated software to process and route a plurality of telephone calls made by the subscribers. Regarding LEC Eon, subscriber 4n may, for example, make and receive calls through an individual cell site (not shown) cor a succession of cell sites connected to at least one Mobile Telephone Switching Ol~tice (not shown). While FIG. 1 depicts a separate LEC
for each subscriber, a single LE<i may serve a plurality of individual subscribers for wire-line or wireless services.
In the illustrated embodiment, subscribers 41, 42 . . . 4n receive long distance telephone service from an Inter-eXchange Carrier (IXC) network 8, such as the network maintained by AT&T C'.orp. The network 8 includes at least one, and typically a plurality, of interconnected toll switches, represented by the switches 10 and t 2 embodied in remote Service Switching Points (SSP) ) and 17, respectively, that are linked to at least one LEC.
Although FIG. 1 depicts only the twa toll switches 1() and 12 within the IXC
network 8, the network may typically include a plurality of such interconnected switches.
Network 8 also includes a signaling network 14 that comprises a plurality of network elements. The network elements include intelligent controlling computers, such as service control points (SCP'-.s) 16 and '18, and intelligent peripherals (IP's) 30 and 32, such as voice/Dual Tone Multi-Fre.duency (DTMF) processing platforms and announcement platforms.
Servico Corttrnl Point Enviro~tme~at SCP 16 and 18 each include a plurality of service package applications for providing advanced telecommunications services to the subscribers via the AIN 8.
Signaling network 14 links the SSPs 9, 17 and SCPs 16, 18 to provide the advanced telecommunications services. The signaling network includes a plurality of signal transfer points (not shown) having hardware and software for transmitting call control information between the SSPs, SCPs, intelligent peripherals, or other specialized resources. It should be appreciated that the signaling network may include data lines 28, such as ATM lines for sending control information. The signaling network employs software such as Signal System No.
7 (SS7) signaling protocol, which is known to those of ordinary skill in the telephony art.
SCP 16 and 18 are functionally the same for originating and terminating call processing control according to an embodiment of the invention. For ease of explanation, the operation of SCP 16 will be described for telephone calls originating from LEC 61 or LEC 6n. It should be appreciated that calls can also originate from LEC 62 as well.
According to an embodiment of the invention, as seen in FIG. 2, SCP 16 may include a subscriber database 22 and service: logic application 20 for transmission of a substituted calling party identification information and a notification to the called party of the substituted information. Likewise, the service package application 20 can selectively suppress the notification feature. Processing service logic 20 includes programmed 5 instructions in computer-readable/executable code to obtain the calling party telephone number via automatic number identification (ANI). During the telephone call-setup period when each SSP consults an SCP, auch as SCP ( (l, for call processing instructions, SCP 16 executes programmed insirucaions so that the called party is advised or notified of substitution of the calling party identification information or the notification is suppressed 10 depending on the service parameters.
Referring to FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the invention, one or more intelligent peripherals (IP) 30 and 32 are coupled through signaling network 14 to the SCPs and each is coupled to a respective <me of the SSPs 9 so as to provide a voice or audio announcement to a called party of the change in the calling party identification information.
Accordingly, IP 30 may he; actuated by SC'P 16 with a play announcement instruction via signaling network 14 to produce or otherwise provide the desired notification.
One of ordinary skill in the telephony art should recognize that once the IP has received a command to make the desired announcement, it rnay have a logical connection through the associated IXC switch and LEC switch such that a temporary bearer channel is established.
After the announcement is completed, the hearer channel may be released.
It should be understood that the implementation of an embodiment of the invention may be accomplished in a number of ways depending on the service and application technology and architecture. In the signaling network I~. the Initial Address Message (IAM) may include a tield parameter which stores a substituted calling party number to be used as the transmitted Calling Party Number. SCP 16 includes service logic 20 that recognizes the presence of a substitute originating number, hereinafter referred to as a "VIPER number", and causes it to be inserted in the. CPN field of the Initial Address Message (IAM) used in establishing the call connection to a telecommunication provider's network/switch. Further, service logic 20 can appropriately recognize a notification control parameter which indicates that the called party has selected to receive notification of the substitution of the calling party telephone number.
It should be understood the substitution of the Caller ID display telephone number can be effectuated by a calling party dialing a predetermined service number, such as a toll-free number which may be linked to a database with the associated substitution telephone IS number. Likewise, the originating telephone line tn<zy he enabled with a pre-subscription by the subscriber for calls originating from the telephone line. In such a case, the telephone number passed to the terminating switch will be the VIPER number, instead of the originating number for generally all calls depending on the service parameters.
Exernplctry Noti ftcation Approcaches ?0 The notification mechanism of the present invention to advise the called party of the substituted information can be achieved in a number of approaches. In one approach, the conventional Caller ID data message that passes the Calling Party Number and Calling Party Name information to the Caller ID display unitlelement at the called number may be augmented or altered to contain notifying information. For example, the Calling Party Name field may be populated with a text message that indicates that the Calling Number is:
"Not Tme Number," "False Number," "Changed Number" or any other appropriate text message. In the AIN environment, SCP 16 may reformat the calling name data returned from a directory database (not shown) for the calling party name.
Alternatively, in a second approach, the Calling Party Number may be prepended or appended with display characters such as '**' to indicate a 'representative' or 'not the true number' originating telephone number. The called party would know upon enrolling for the service what the codes of display characters mean. These additional digits may be added to the. calling number data transmitted to the display device at the called party. It should be recognized that the calling number data transmitted to the terminating switch (SSP) may include up to 15 digits as is conventionally known.
In yet a third approach, after a telephone call is answered by the called party, a post-answer notification announcement may be provided via an announcement platform, such as Intelligent peripheral 30, 3?. For example, a pre-selected audio announcement may state a phrase like "The Calling Party Number displayed is not the actual calling number" or some equivalent voice announcement. This function can he useful for Caller ID
devices, which may not support the Calling Party Name display function. It should be recognized that the post-answer feature could he used with devices that provide Calling Party Name capabilities as well. As explained above in the network environment, the SCP can send a signaling message to invoke the intelligent peripheral to make the announcement. It should be appreciated that for systems with an audio Caller-ID service, the notification of the announcement can follow the presentation of the calling party number or after the presentation of the calling party name.
In a fourth approach, pre-answer notification rnay provide the advisement that the displayed Calling Number is not the true number or is a false number. This pre-answer notification can be accomplished through a Caller-ID Substitution Alter feature (CISA) in the form of a distinctive ring or modified ringing tone. It should be appreciated that the specific type of distinctive ring can be selected as appropriate. It should be appreciated that SCP 16, 18 may be configured with service logic to provide conventional distinctive alerting parameters to the serving SSP 9, 1'7 in an AIN. As conventionally performed, the distinctive alerting parameters enable the SCP to control the alerting pattern. It should be recognized based on the disclosure that one caf ordinary skill in the telephony art may readily program service logic using conventional service creation environments and/or platforms for Advanced Intelligent Networks. One supplier of AIN software is Lucent Technologies of Murray Hill, NJ. Of course, other suppliers of AIN software can be used as well.
Exernplor.y Operating Approach FIG. 3 illustrates one exemplary approach to advising a called party of substitution of the calling party number and/or calling name in an advanced intelligent network. The illustrated approach may be implemented in a service application package controlled by a designated service. control point within the network. The approach can be applied to local calls and long distance calls as well.
With continued reference to FIG. 3, by way of example, at block 100, a subscriber, such as subscriber 41, places a telephone call from LEC 61 through telecommunications network 2 to another subscriber, such as subscriber 42, that is connected to LEC 62. In this situation, subscriber 41 is the calling party originating the telephone call.
During the call-setup period to the telecommunications device of subscriber 42, the SSP 9 is signaled by IXC switch 10 in IXC network H upon receipt by the IXC switch of the telephone call.
Upon receipt of a signal from tire 1X(~ switch, SSP 9 launches a request via signaling network 14 to S('.P 16 to determine what special predetermined handling is associated with the call. SCP 16 receives the query at step 100 of FIG. 3. After the conventional signal processing during call-setup and verification, the substituted telephone number (i.e., the VIPER number) is recognised by the Service Control Point 16. This recognition may be accomplished, for example, by the SCP 16 consulting as service database (not shown) for the calling party that indicates that the calling numher has VIPER substitution functions.
Alternatively, a comparison may be made between the calling party telephone number and billing information, such as the billing telephone number. There may be other ways to indicate this substitution tc> an SC".I', such as a field in the Initial Address Message that has a value populated with a substituti<rn parameter.
At step 102, SCP 16, having the service application package of the present invention, consults database 22 for a customer record to determine what the called party 42 has preselected for notification options for the substitution. The telecommunication service provider may set a default notification option. The notification options correspond to the 5 previously described approaches. It is assumed that one of ordinary skill in the art based on the disclosure can prepare the customer record accordingly. At step 104, the notification to the called party is provided by the network, preferably coordinated via the Service Control Point 16. The notifucation of the substitution of the calling party number may be provided by changing the calling party name field with a notification message;
appending the calling 10 party number with a predetermined display character; providing a post-answer notification announcement via an Intelligent peripheral; or providing pre-answer notification through a Caller-ID Substitution Alter feature (CISA) in the form of a distinctive ring or modified ringing tone. There may be other ways to provide the notification. At step 106, the calling party information is provided to the called party device. At step 108, the process ends.
IS In other embodiments, video telephone systems are also contemplated, such as systems operating over brcradband CATV networks (not shown), including coaxial or fiber optics networks in which a video message may be provided to the subscriber receiving the call. In this embodiment, a notification in the form of the video message can be provided by the network to the video telephone device of the suhscriber. In a further embodiment, a wireless phone (,not shown) that has a display screen enahled to receive wireless messages from the network can have; a text message or text notification transmitted to the phone via the network. The wireless phone Tray also include software, such as Wireless Application Protocol for wireless World Wide Web access, to display a message on the phone. Further, in a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) environment in connection with an IP-enabled telephone (not shown), a softswitch, a software call agent, or media gateway controller (not shown) can provide the call control similar to the Service Control Points.
Accordingly, the call agent may provide the functionality for implementing a VIPER Notification feature of the substituted calling party identification.
In alternative embodiments, the VIPER substitution capability may be applied to any number of product areas and service applications. For example, both Prepaid Calling Card and Traditions! Calling Card products may optionally offer customers a VIPER
feature option. With the VIPER feature, these: crrstomcrs can be easily and reliably recognized by the receiving person, device or system based on the number provided via the Caller ID
delivery function. The VIPER notifrcation feature provides the called party the ability to determine that the call was actually being placed from a phone other than the one presented I S in the Calling Party Number display field.
In an alternative ernbodirnent, the VIPER notification feature may be incorporated into the 1+ service, such as a calling card environment. U.S. Pat. No.
5,283,824 to Shaw, which is herein fully incorporated by reference, illustrates a calling card application. A
notification parameter can be added in a CCS noessage where a terminating switch can indicate to the receiving phone of the change in the incoming calling line identification. A
ringing feature may be performec.f at the receiving phone for notification.
It should be recognized that a user and/or administrative protocol or interface can be provided to enable the customer or service representative to create, delete, or modify the value populated in the subscriber dattabase 22 or other databases that support the features.
Likewise, the administrative protocol can be used to support the control (on/of~ of the Notification function by the service administrator ibut generally not the customer).
According to an embodiment of the invention, a user interface/protocol enables the calling party to determine at the time each call is made whether to deliver (i) the substituted calling party number; (2) the defai.rlt ANI associated with the calling station (directory telephone number); or (3) to suppress any delivery of a calling party value (set the station as Privacy Restricted). The calling party is given a selective option of how to present the call to the called party. Generally, a determination is made whether the calling party is authorized or eligible for the selective control. The user interface is accomplished by prompting the calling party to enter a delivery option corresponding to the above three choices. The service control point can hove an intelligent peripheral gather the requested choices. Once the delivery option is selected, call processing continues. However, the called party would still receive notificatir>n oC the substituted calling party number as previously described above. In this way, a balance of privacy and screening information is maintained between the parties.
An example of an alternate embodiment of the invention would be to employ a self-contained service platform having the VIPER feature that provides and contains all relevant service capabilities. The service platform can he a Private Branch Exchange-like device with caller identification services. In the service platform embodiment, the calling party's telephone call can be bridged to the service platform with a second call leg from the platform to the called party. Under this method, the control of the calling party information is realized via the platform's own originating number representation on the second call leg to the called party. In such a case, the service platform has the information of the substitution and can accordingly provide notification to the called party.
This assumes the called party has the feature f'or notification of the substitution. In this case, the calling party may have a subscription for the VIPER features and may connect into the platform under conventional practices, such as dialing a predetermined service platform number.
Illustrative ApJolicutiorr Examples The following examples illustrate how the VIPER feature could be employed in various service areas. It should be recognized that the present invention is not limited to the examples, but can be applied to many services areas and applications.
In a first example, a physician calls patients from his/her home but does not want to IS have his/her home phone nunober presented or made available to the patient via Caller ID.
Conventionally, the physician will subscribe to what is known as Caller ID
Blocking;
however, in a situation where the patient that he/she is calling has subscribed to the terminating feature known as '"Caller 1D Required'', the call will not complete. This situation can be very problematic to the called party. The needs of both parties are met with the features of the present invention. C'.alling party substitution enables the physician to call the patient and have a CPN delivered that is not his/her home number. In fact, it is likely i9 that the physician would rather have his/her office number displayed. 'This would allow the patient to be able to contact the ctoct.or's office or answering service. When the call is delivered to the called party, the called party need's for information is supported by the notification feature so that they can know a change has been made in the phone number displayed.
A second example is a government agency that does not wish to have the identity of the caller using a phone at an agency or oUher governmental site compromised as being associated with the government agency. An agent on an under-cover assignment might need to place a call from the agent's office; and if the receiving number has Caller ID, a call back to the number displayed could expose the agent as at least having been at the location. The agent could have the number of his/her under-cover residence provided or any number that made sense for the given assignment, such as a public phone. In this example, according to an embodiment of the invention, a control parameter would have been set by the administrating service provider to 'disabled' notification of the substituted change based on the appropriate authorization. This suppression assumes that the called party has elected to receive notification of the substituted calling party number.
While the present invention has been described with reference to preferred and exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents rnay be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation to the teachings of the invention without departing from 1~
the scope thereof. Different hardware may be used than those shown and suggested that may comprise hardware, firmware, or software implementations of the present invention.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (22)
1. In a telecommunications network, a method of indicating that an incoming caller identification has been substituted, the method comprising the steps of:
establishing a communications connection from the calling party to the called party for processing a telephone call;
retrieving a terminating address of the called party; and responsive thereto:
determining whether caller identification of the calling party has been substituted;
and transmitting a notification to the called party of the substitution of the caller identification.
establishing a communications connection from the calling party to the called party for processing a telephone call;
retrieving a terminating address of the called party; and responsive thereto:
determining whether caller identification of the calling party has been substituted;
and transmitting a notification to the called party of the substitution of the caller identification.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the caller identification includes a substituted directory telephone number.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the caller identification includes a substituted directory calling name.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the notification includes providing an audio announcement to the called party via the telecommunication network after said communication connection is established.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of transmitting the notification includes transmitting an altered calling party name which indicates a substituted originating directory telephone number is for presentation to the called party.
6. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of transmitting the notification includes providing a modified ringing tone to the called party for indicating a substituted originating directory telephone number.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein responsive to receipt of the subscriber terminating address, a determination is made whether the called party has a preselected notification option for receiving said notification.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein said preselected notification option includes at least one of an audio announcement, a modified ring tone and a modified calling party name field.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of suppressing the notification based on a predetermined authorization from a customer service center.
10. In a telephone service network, a method of selectively controlling a calling party identification of a calling party, comprising the steps of:
receiving a telephone call from a calling party to a called party;
determining if the telephone call is eligible for selective control of calling party identification; and if so, receiving from the calling party a delivery option including at least one of (a) delivering a substituted calling party number, (b) delivering a calling party number associated with a calling party telephone line, and (c) suppressing delivery of the calling party number; and responsive to receiving the delivery option, processing the telephone call based on the received delivery option.
receiving a telephone call from a calling party to a called party;
determining if the telephone call is eligible for selective control of calling party identification; and if so, receiving from the calling party a delivery option including at least one of (a) delivering a substituted calling party number, (b) delivering a calling party number associated with a calling party telephone line, and (c) suppressing delivery of the calling party number; and responsive to receiving the delivery option, processing the telephone call based on the received delivery option.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of processing said telephone call further includes:
establishing a communications connection between the calling party and the called party;
retrieving account information of the called party; and transmitting a notification to the called party of a substitution of the calling party identification during said establishing of said communication connection, if said delivery option includes said delivering the substituted calling party telephone number.
establishing a communications connection between the calling party and the called party;
retrieving account information of the called party; and transmitting a notification to the called party of a substitution of the calling party identification during said establishing of said communication connection, if said delivery option includes said delivering the substituted calling party telephone number.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the calling party identification includes the substituted calling party telephone number.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the calling party identification includes a substituted directory calling name.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of transmitting the notification includes transmitting an altered calling party name.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of transmitting the notification includes providing a modified ringing tone to said called party for indicating a substituted calling party telephone number.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of retrieving the account information includes determining whether the called party has a predetermined notification option for receiving said notification.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein said predetermined notification option includes at least one of: (a) an audio announcement, (b) a modified ring tone, and (c) a modified calling party name field.
18. A method of call processing between a calling party and a called party, comprising:
establishing a communications connection from an originating address of the calling party to a terminating address of the called party for processing a telephone call;
receiving account information of the terminating address of the called party;
and responsive thereto:
receiving substituted caller identification of the originating address; and transmitting a notification to the called party of the substitution of the caller identification during said establishing of said communication connection.
establishing a communications connection from an originating address of the calling party to a terminating address of the called party for processing a telephone call;
receiving account information of the terminating address of the called party;
and responsive thereto:
receiving substituted caller identification of the originating address; and transmitting a notification to the called party of the substitution of the caller identification during said establishing of said communication connection.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the caller identification includes a substituted directory telephone number.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the caller identification includes a substituted directory calling name.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of transmitting the notification includes a step of providing an audio announcement to the called party.
22. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of transmitting the notification includes a step of transmitting an altered calling party name which indicates a substituted originating directory telephone number is for presentation at said called party device.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US3396001A | 2001-12-28 | 2001-12-28 | |
| US10/033,960 | 2001-12-28 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2414909A1 true CA2414909A1 (en) | 2003-06-28 |
Family
ID=21873462
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2414909 Abandoned CA2414909A1 (en) | 2001-12-28 | 2002-12-20 | Network-based virtual identity method for telecommunications network |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2414909A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2429869A (en) * | 2005-09-02 | 2007-03-07 | Data Connection Ltd | Party identifiers in a multi-telephony service environment |
| FR3111509A1 (en) * | 2020-06-23 | 2021-12-17 | Orange | Method and device for transforming a communication signaling message. |
-
2002
- 2002-12-20 CA CA 2414909 patent/CA2414909A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2429869A (en) * | 2005-09-02 | 2007-03-07 | Data Connection Ltd | Party identifiers in a multi-telephony service environment |
| US8611522B2 (en) | 2005-09-02 | 2013-12-17 | Metaswitch Networks Ltd | Telephone call processing method and apparatus |
| FR3111509A1 (en) * | 2020-06-23 | 2021-12-17 | Orange | Method and device for transforming a communication signaling message. |
| WO2021260307A1 (en) * | 2020-06-23 | 2021-12-30 | Orange | Method and device for transforming a signaling message of a communication |
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