Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
  • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
  • H04M3/432—Arrangements for calling a subscriber at a specific time, e.g. morning call service
• • 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
  • H04M3/4228—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers in networks
• • 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
  • H04M3/48—Arrangements for recalling a calling subscriber when the wanted subscriber ceases to be busy
• • 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
  • H04M3/50—Centralised arrangements for answering calls; Centralised arrangements for recording messages for absent or busy subscribers ; Centralised arrangements for recording messages
  • H04M3/51—Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention, e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
• • 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
  • H04M3/56—Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q3/00—Selecting arrangements
  • H04Q3/0016—Arrangements providing connection between exchanges
  • H04Q3/0029—Provisions for intelligent networking
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M2203/00—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
  • H04M2203/50—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges related to audio conference
  • H04M2203/5063—Centrally initiated conference, i.e. conference server dials participants
• • 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
  • H04M3/50—Centralised arrangements for answering calls; Centralised arrangements for recording messages for absent or busy subscribers ; Centralised arrangements for recording messages
  • H04M3/53—Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages, i.e. mailbox systems
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/1324—Conference call
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13511—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems reservation
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13546—Intelligent Peripheral

Definitions

• the present invention relates to telecommunications networks and more particularly to services provided by such networks
• PSTN public switched telephone network
• Digital networks such as that provided by BT in the United Kingdom have the ability to effect call connection very quickly.
• DTMF dual tone multi frequency
• special service platforms may be called by customers requesting connection to specified network numbers to provide additional services.
• One such service which has been automated is an "alarm" or wake-up" call facility
• the customer may dial up the alarm call service and using DTMF specify a time (using for example the twenty four hour clock) at which he wishes to be woken.
• the network causes the customers telephone to be called by setting up an automatic call through the PSTN.
• Such a service is quite simple to operate but is very unsophisticated leaving the customer to decide exactly what further action is to be taken in response to the call.
• a telecommunications network including means responsive to signals transmitted from a first telephone line during a first call connection to store time data defining a time specified by such signals and to store connection data defining a call connection characterised in that the network includes control means responsive to the time data to establish a further call to the first telephone line at the time specified and to connect the first telephone line through the network to at least one other network node determined from the connection data.
• a first feature of the invention allows a user to effect signalling while the first call is in progress in which case the connection data defines the current call connection whereby the call is re-established at the time specified by the time data.
• connection data may be derived from further signals transmitted from the first telephone line.
• connection data may define more than one network node such that the subsequently established communication is between three or more network nodes.
• a further feature of the invention allows the user to record a message which is replayed to the first telephone line when the later call is established.
• the time data stored may define more than one time or may store a repeat period whereby more than one subsequent call is established and/or regular calls are automatically established under control of the network control means without further user intervention.
• Figure 1 is a block schematic diagram of the telecommunications network
• Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an interpretation of the network elements of Figure 1 .
• Figure 3 is a service flow diagram in respect of an automatic call booking service
• Figure 4 is a service flow diagram in respect of call set up following call booking
• Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the inter-action of a service control point and a service switching point of the network of Figure 1 during the establishment of the later call in the automatic call booking service;
• Figure 6 shows a modification to the service flow diagram of figure 2 in respect of a diary call booking service
• Figure 7 shows a service flow diagram in respect of the call set up following the diary call booking service
• Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the inter-action of a service control point and a service switching point of the network of Figure 1 during the establishment of the first call in the diary call booking service
• Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the inter-action of a service control point and a service switching point of the network of Figure 1 during the establishment of a later call in the diary call booking service.
• Figure 1 0 shows a service flow diagram in respect of a call booking service for effecting reconnection of a current call at a subsequent time;
• digital telecommunications networks that is to say those which operate using time division multiplex channels normally comprise a number digital local exchanges 1 each of which is parented on at least one of a number of fully interconnected digital main switching units 2.
• Each local exchange 1 provides service to a number of customer lines 3 any one of which may be switched through the network to any other line on any of the exchanges and to lines connected to other systems (not shown).
• the main PSTN in the United Kingdom is of this form.
• the exchange switches 1 and 2 each have a processor control system associated therewith to provide intelligent handling of switching.
• the processor unit associated with one of the switches 1 will receive transmitted digits from a customer line 3 which digits will indicate either a call to another line 3 on the same exchange 1 or requirement for connection to another point in the network.
• signalling channels are used to pass information to one of the DMSUs and thence to a destination exchange possibly through a further DMSU 2.
• Positive interconnection between a line 3 on a first exchange 1 to line 3 on the destination exchange only occurs if the destination line 3 is available.
• the rapid switching capability of a digital network means that a connection does not need to be completed until all of the digits defining a destination have been received.
• digital networks use service platforms (not shown) to provide special services to the network customers such as (e.g.) freephone 0800, local charging, premium rate services and the like.
• Specific service platforms will be located within the network at say one of the DMSUs 2 and, if a customer dials a network access code for one of the special services the call is connected to the appropriate service platform through the network, the service platform analysing subsequent digits and connecting via a special switch back through the network to the required destination.
• a telephone network as comprising a number of layers.
• a first layer, the core transport network layer 4 comprises the switching capability and trunking of the exchange network 1 and 2 with the trunking in-between while the processors 1 1 , 1 2, 1 3 and 14 of the exchanges 1 and 2 represent an intelligence layer 5.
• a virtual path exists shown by dotted lines 6 between the computer facilities of the network.
• C7 signalling is used to transfer information it is possible to add another level of intelligence here represented as network intelligence 7 having communications access with the processors of the switching units. Now, if a processor reaches a point at which it requires additional processing power it may refer to the higher intelligence layer 7 for instructions.
• processors of a switching unit 1 , 2 need to do is to recognise a requirement for additional service functionality.
• the processors may be programmed to recognise customer action or customer signalling representing a trigger to additional service functionality. Once triggered the processor refers relevant data such as the identity of the calling line, the digits dialled, special class of service to the network intelligence layer 7 which may instruct the processor to perform specific tasks within its capability for handling a particular call.
• the intelligent network comprises service sv ⁇ tch ⁇ ng points which may be the digital local exchanges 1 or digital main /'tch ⁇ ng units 2 and a service control point 8 (of which there may be several) to which the exchange processors refer via virtual signalling paths (shown dotted) 9
• Specialised service engines or intelligent peripherals 15, 16 and 1 7 may provide dedicated functions and calling lines 3 may be switched to these peripherals through the network as a result of instructions from the service control point 8.
• an intelligent peripheral may be equipped to provide voice prompts, message storage functionality or specific data storage or programming function.
• Stand-alone intelligent peripherals 1 8 may be provided at a Service Control Point or elsewhere in the network.
• the intelligent peripheral 18 is accessible through the network (connections not shown) and may have direct connections to several or all DMSUs and/or DLEs of the network.
• the present invention is described with reference to an intelligent network although it will be appreciated that the kind of service here noted could be provided using dedicated service platforms.
• the service switching point 2 will receive by way of the customer's line 3 appropriate dialled digits. This will result in a trigger at the service switching point (SSP) 2 which will refer the dialled code and customers calling line identity to the service control point 8 by way of the C7 signalling channel 9.
• SSP service switching point
• Other relevant data relating to the status of the calling line, and/or the current call may be simultaneously transferred and may be used in determining how the service request is subsequently handled.
• the service control point will cause the SSP to switch the call to an appropriate IP for service which provides the complete booking functionality.
• the IP say 1 5
• the IP will provide a voice prompt to the customer to encourage the customer to enter an appropriate date upon which the call is required.
• a simple instruction enter date is shown, it will be appreciated that a series of options may be given to the customer such as booking a call for today, tomorrow or at a future date.
• the IP provides an opportunity for the customer to enter a time, probably suggesting use of the 24 hour clock to enter the information as shown at step 31 5.
• step 320 the customer enters appropriate digits, those shown here indicating a requirement for a call to be established at four - thirty five PM.
• the caller will now be prompted at step 325 to enter a telephone number or, for conference calls to enter a series of telephone number each separated by for example a hash (#).
• the intelligent peripheral 1 5 provides an indication of the booked call and gives the customer an opportunity to provide confirmation.
• the call will be cleared by the service switching point 2 and the data recovered is transferred at step 304 to the service control point 8.
• data concerning the booking is noted here as being transferred en bloc, with a single instruction from the SCP 8 to the SSP to effect connection of an IP, it will be appreciated that each stage of the acceptance of signalling from the customer could result in that data being transferred on receipt.
• Each section of data recovery, voice prompting and the like could be handled by separate intelligent peripherals with the SCP instructing the SSP to connect a peripheral on transfer of received data relating to the preceding stage of the booking set up.
• a service engine which referring also to Figure 5 causes the SCP to instruct the SSP to effect a call to the originating customer.
• the SSP in will establish a call to the customer line 3 and apply ringing to the customer line as indicated at step 41 5.
• the SCP 8 is again notified by the exchange trigger mechanism and causes the SSP 2 to effect connection between the customer line 3 and an appropriate intelligent peripheral, say 16, to cause an announcement to be played to the customer at step 430.
• the response is reported to the SSP which then passes the destination connection data to the SSP 2 so that network connection to the destination telephone number or numbers is effected at step 445.
• step 430 the customer declines to proceed with the booked call (i.e. by pressing the hash button) then as indicated at step 450 to steps 470 the customer may be given opportunity re-book the call for a later time using similar prompts to that previously described for Figure 3 using connection again to the intelligent peripheral 15.
• the system captures the current connection data from the service switching point
• the intelligent peripheral involved may provide a confirmation request at step 535 and the SCP 8 stores the date, time and destination data at step 540.
• Re-establishment of the call is identical to the method of establishing a call as described with reference to Figures 4 and 5.
• a simpler re-connection facility may be provided with the customer signalling a service access code and a single digit indicating a request for reconnection in say ten minutes, thirty minutes, one hour etc. Again, such a service could be voice prompted to offer the customer the quicker reconnection option avoiding the need for date and time entry.
• the caller may now be connected to an appropriate message storage facility as indicated at steps 640 and be prompted to record the reminder message Again these are checked at step 650 and at step 655 passed back to the service control point 8 which at step 660 will store the date, time and the message location data.
• the message location data is determined from the message platform on which the customer reminder message has been stored. Such storage is not permanently allocated to one particular customer but is only allocated on an as required basis.
• the SCP instructs the service switching point 2 to call the customer as indicated at steps 710 and the system establishes the call to the caller (step 715) and awaits call answer at step 720.
• the SSP again contacts the service control point 8 which instructs the connection of the appropriate IP or message storage facility at which the customers current message is held.
• the customer is connected to an appropriate intelligent peripherals say 1 7 and the message is played back.
• a voice prompt inviting the customer to have the message replayed at a later time is then given at step 735 and if the customer indicates that a later message replay is required after step 735 the customer response is referred to the service control point 8 at step 740.
• the SCP 8 at step 745 causes the service switching point at step 750 to connect an appropriate IP say 1 5 to enable the date and time information to be collected at steps 755 to step 770 in a similar manner to that previously noted. Confirmation of the arrangement may be given by returning to step 650 of Figure 6. Once the customer response has been collected then at 775 the service control point is notified and at 780 will update the stored date and time associated with the message location.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Multimedia (AREA)
• Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Marketing (AREA)
• Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)
• Meter Arrangements (AREA)
• Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)
• Sub-Exchange Stations And Push- Button Telephones (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Publications (1)

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• 1997
  • 1997-03-11 NZ NZ331518A patent/NZ331518A/xx unknown
  • 1997-03-11 EP EP97906295A patent/EP0886951A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1997-03-11 CA CA002247008A patent/CA2247008C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1997-03-11 WO PCT/GB1997/000657 patent/WO1997034406A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1997-03-11 JP JP9532358A patent/JP2000506359A/ja active Pending
  • 1997-03-11 AU AU21035/97A patent/AU728685B2/en not_active Ceased

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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