EP2324614A2

EP2324614A2 - Telecommunication method implementing the means of an organization such as an enterprise

Info

Publication number: EP2324614A2
Application number: EP09806131A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rabih Abou-Chakra; Jean Francois Leroy
Original assignee: Alcatel Lucent SAS
Current assignee: Alcatel Lucent SAS
Priority date: 2008-09-11
Filing date: 2009-09-10
Publication date: 2011-05-25
Also published as: FR2935858B1; WO2010029523A3; WO2010029523A2; FR2935858A1

Abstract

A method and system sending Multimedia Message (MMS) with advertisement is disclosed. The method includes the subscriber sending an MMS, MMS proxy relay receiving the MMS frorn the subscriber, MMS proxy relay sending the MMS to Muliimedia Message Service Center, Multimedia Message Service Center (MMSC) verifying the subscriber information m the subscriber list MMSC checks the size of MMS in Multimedia Message Service Paeket Data Unit (MMR PDU), MMSC appending the advertisement information Io the MMS, MMSC delivering the MMS to the receiver; and a Billing system/ Service Control Point (SCP) performing a discounted billing of the subscriber. The MMSC bas a datàbase for storing the subscriber list and advertisement information to be appended in the MMS. The Multimedia Message Service Center of the subscriber includes logic to determine the size of MMS information in MMS PDU.

Description

TELECOMMUNICATION METHOD IMPLEMENTING THE MEANS OF AN ORGANIZATION SUCH AS AN ENTERPRISE

The invention pertains to telecommunications, in particular over public networks. It is common for organizations such as enterprises to provide their employees with various telecommunications services. In particular, they are consultation calls, communication transfers, conferencing multiple speakers, or preferred communication methods between an executive and a subordinate.

However, most of the time, the employee of such an enterprise is not in a position to benefit from these various options while he is on a telephone call over a public network with his or her own terminal, regardless of whether that terminal is fixed or mobile.

In light of this difficulty, it has been foreseen that the employee may make a special call to his or her company in order to be connected with the enterprise's apparatus in charge of these services so as to benefit from these various options.

However, this sort of call may only be sent from a specific type of terminal. Additionally, such a call is not simple for the user to carry out, and furthermore is costly for the user.

Another alternative consists of asking the person calling such a user, if appropriate, to call that user back, this time using the company's telephone number so that the incoming call is routed from the enterprise onto the public network all the way to the employee. However, such an approach is obviously bothersome and should therefore be avoided.

One purpose of the invention is therefore to enable people associated with a predetermined organization to use the telecommunication services offered by that organization in a simple manner.

To that end, the invention discloses a telecommunication method wherein, a user having a communication over a public telecommunication network, an application server devoted to an organization, such as an enterprise, associated with the user in a predetermined fashion, instructs a switching unit of the network to substitute a managing apparatus devoted to the organization in place of the user in the communication over the network.

Thus, the server is what controls the routing of the communication. The user therefore does not need to perform any complicated tasks for that purpose.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, he will send a message ordering the server to proceed in this manner or will accept a proposal from the server to that effect. The inventive method is therefore simple and fast to implement from the user's perspective. He does not need any specific skills. Additionally, the method may be implemented by means of a common communication terminal without requiring a special terminal. Furthermore, this method does not cause any bother for the person speaking to the user, in particular when that speaker originated the communfcation.

The inventive method may further exhibit at least one of the following characteristics:

- the application server registers with the network in order to receive external notifications regarding the user and/or to give call routing commands; - the application server monitors and/or controls the communications which travel through the managing apparatus;

- the application server sends a message to a terminal of the user through which the communication is being carried out, indicating that the communication may travel through the managing apparatus; - the application server instructs the managing apparatus to reestablish communication to a terminal of the user, particularly the terminal through which the communication is being carried out over the public network; and

- the application server orders that data regarding the communication be recorded. The invention also discloses a telecommunication method wherein, a user having a communication over a public telecommunication network, the method comprises the following steps:

- an application server devoted to an organization, such as an enterprise, associated with the user in a predetermined fashion, instructs a switching unit of the network to substitute a managing apparatus devoted to the organization in place of the user in the communication over the network;

- the switching unit substitutes the managing apparatus in place of the user in the communication over the network; and

- the managing device receives the communication. The invention further discloses an application server capable of instructing a switching unit of a public telecommunication network to substitute a managing apparatus devoted to an organization, such as an enterprise, associated with the user in a predetermined fashion, in place of the user in a communication over the network.

The invention further discloses an assembly of such a server and such an apparatus. The invention further discloses a telecommunication system which comprises:

- an application server capable of instructing a switching unit of a public telecommunication network to substitute a managing apparatus devoted to an organization, such as an enterprise, associated with the user in a predetermined fashion, in place of the user in a communication over the network;

- the switching unit, this unit being capable of substituting the managing apparatus in place of the user in the communication over the network; and

- the managing apparatus, this apparatus being capable of receiving the communication. Finally, the invention discloses a computer program which comprises instructions capable of ordering the execution of an inventive method whenever it is executed on a computer, a data recording medium which comprises such a program, and a provisioning of such a program on a telecommunication network so that may be downloaded. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent in the following description of the preferred embodiments given by way of a nonlimiting example with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a diagram showing the architecture of an assembly comprising an inventive server; - Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the steps of an example embodiment of the inventive method by means of the assembly from Figure 1.

First, we will briefly describe an example embodiment of the inventive method by means of the assembly from Figure 1. We will then detail the components of this assembly. Finally, with reference to Figure 2, we will detail the steps of the implementation of the method in the present example.

The invention provides an interface for controlling calls and communications traveling over the SIP network interface, this interface connecting an organization to a public network of the IMS. The session initiation protocol (or SIP) Is an open standard protocol for managing sessions often used in multimedia telecommunications (sound, image, etc.). Today, it is the most common for Internet telephony (VoIP).

It is known that the standardized architecture called IMS (for IP Multimedia Subsystem) is a next-generation network (or NGN) and enables the telephony carriers to provide fixed and mobile multimedia services. It uses so-called "voice over IP" (VoIP) technology with a standardized 3GPP implementation of SIP running on a standard IP protocol (Internet protocol). The invention, as we shall see, may particularly be applied within the scope of the IMS, but it may also apply to other architectures.

In the present example, it shall be assumed that the organization is an enterprise such as a public or private company. However, it may more generally be an organization or body such as an administration, an association, etc. having at its disposal its own means and installations.

A user 3 associated with the organization, such is because he is an employee of it, is considered. It is assumed that this user receives on his mobile terminal 2 (telephone, personal digital assistant or PDA, etc.) a call from a caller using a terminal 28. By means of the SIP protocol's trunk 4, the public network 6 receiving this call notifies the enterprise of this call made to the terminal 2. A company application server 8 or CAS receives this notification and sends it via a data network 10 to the terminal 2. This network 10 is a telecommunication network which may be independent of the network 6. The server 8 thereby informs the user that the enterprise is aware of the existence of this call and that the user may switch this call to the enterprise's infrastructure. Whenever he wants to, the user is therefore able to request this switchover and thereby to use the enterprise's communication means. He thus benefits from their flexibility and applications that they hold: consultation calls, transferring, conferencing, privileged connections between an executive and a subordinate, etc. Furthermore, in all situations, the call is listed on a call log server of the enterprise so that the data about it may be used later, including from the enterprise.

The same procedure is carried out if it is the user who makes the call using the terminal 2 to a recipient.

Now, we will describe in greater detail the architecture of the assembly 12 illustrated in Figure 1. This assembly comprises an apparatus 14, which constitutes a company communication manager or CCM. The assembly 12 further comprises the company's application server 8. The server may be located within the company's premises, or off-site. It may also be a server which is held by a third party but whose usage is devoted to the company. This server comprises a call log server 16 or CLS.

The server 8 is further capable of implementing an application 18, here called "application for controlling public-network calls from the company" or PCA. This application implements a method controlled by a program executed by the server. The application 18 comprises four modules within the present embodiment: - the SS module 20 ensures the subscription and registration of the server with the external notification service;

- the CS module 22 is capable of receiving notifications from the service and sending instructions or commands to communication managers of the public network 6 and the company's network;

- the DS module 24 provides a connection service in the form of data to the user's 3 mobile terminal 2;

- the LS module 26 is a log server connected to the server 16.

The application 18 further comprises a core level cooperating with these four modules in order to implement the inventive method. It thereby performs the following operations.

When it starts up, the core of the application 18 subscribes to the public network's 6 notification service via the trunk 4 and by means of the module 20. It may thereby receive external notifications regarding users or give call routing commands. Also during startup, the core level of the application 18 subscribes to the call monitoring and controlling service of the manager 14, also by means of the module 20. It may thereby monitor and control communications which travel through the manager.

It is assumed that the user 3 receives on his terminal 2 a call from the public network 6, or sends such a call. This calling step has reference 50 on Figures 1 and 2. It is thereby assumed that this call does not travel through the enterprise's manager 14.

On this topic, note that the core level of the application 18 is also monitoring the manager 14 by means of the module 22 and therefore knows how to determine whether a given call is or is not travelling through this manager. Because the core level of the application 18 is monitoring the manager 14, it receives from module 22 a notification indicating that this call has not travelled through the manager.

During a next step 52, the application 18 orders the establishment of a data transmission link between the terminal 2 and the module 24 via the network 10.

During a next step 53, a switch 29 of the public network in question 6 makes the connection between the terminal 2 and the caller's device 28. During step 54, it notifies the module 22 of the state of the terminal 2 indicating this connection. This notification is transmitted to the core during the next step 55.

In return, during a step 56, the core level orders the module 24 to send a notification to the terminal 2 during a step 58. By this notification, it informs the user that the enterprise's telecommunication means, offered by the application server 12 and the manager 14, may be made available to him, and that the application 18 is for this reason awaiting an instruction or approval from the user. At this stage, the user is therefore able, if he wants to and whenever he wants, to request the enterprise's services.

In the rest of the description, it is assumed that the user makes such a request during step 60. This request is therefore addressed by the terminal 2 to the module 24 via the network 10 and is transmitted during the next step 62 to the core level of the application 18. It then travels to the manager 14 during step 64.

During the next steps 68 and 70, the core level of the application 18 uses the module 22 in order to ask a unit of the public network 6 to reroute the communication towards the manager 14.

During the next step 72, a switch 19 of the public network interrupts the communication with the terminal 2, and, during the next step 74, puts the communication with the caller 28 on hold while it makes a call to the manager 14 during step 76. Thus, terminal 2 is replaced by the manager 14 in communication with the terminal 28.

The communication, in the form of a voicefeed for example, is then directly established between the caller 28 and the manager 14 during step 78.

The manager 14 sends a call to the terminal 2 during the next step 80, which accepts the communication during the next step 82. ' Communication in the form of a voicefeed is then established during step 84 between the terminal 2 and the manager 14 so that the terminal 2 and the caller 28 are brought into communication, this time via the manager 14. The user 3 then has the options offered by the company's communication means.

Whether the user does or does not request the services offered by the enterprise, the core level of the application 18 uses the module 26 in order to store the call within the registry server 16.

Here, the data link between the mobile terminal and the switch of the public network is based on 3G or WiFi technology.

The messages and notifications sent from the units of the public network are declared as-is in XML format, and use the SIP protocol or HTTP protocol to carry them. The messages and notifications by the application 18 to the mobile terminals are declared as-is in XML format, and use the SIP or HTTP protocols to carry them.

The service requests sent by the mobile terminal 2 to the application 18 are based on web services technologies. The inventive method may be executed in whole or in part by means of a computer program whose lines of code comprise instructions ordering the implementation of the relevant steps of the method when they are executed on a computer, such as servers forming the elements 8 and 14. Such a program may be recorded on a data recording medium such as a CD or DVD disk, a hard drive or flash memory device, or may be made available over a telecommunication network such as the Internet or an Ethernet network in order to be downloaded.

Naturally, numerous modifications may be made to the invention without departing from its scope. It may be provided that the switching or carrying of the communication to the enterprise's means is done by itself and automatically without the user needing to give his approval or send an instruction to that effect.

The server 8 and the apparatus 14 may be one and the same unit.

Inline Advertisements in Messaging

The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed: - Technical Field

1 The embodiments herein relate to telecommunications, and, more particularly, to mobile messaging services including appending advertisement information.

Description of the Related Art

2. Short Message Service (SMS) advertising is last emerging as the most suitable and effective medium for advertising. There have been many concepts that have emerged wherein the advertisers send advertisements to the mobile

3. SMS text advertising is a quick and easy way of marketing to mobile phone users. SMS Text Advertising companies collect a great number of mobile numbers from the users on an opt-in basis with permission, to send the users SMS text advertising messages. The companies send the SMS text advertising message to users once the company is provided with the chosen message and the target profile. Most commercial SMS text service providers provide access to SMS text Application Programmable Interfaces (APIs). APIs allow users to control sending and receiving of SMS text via web, PC or MAC application,

4. As wireless text messaging (SMS) has grown into a mainstream communication tool for consumers, reaching them via SMS marketing has become increasingly important strategy lor businesses. High speed access over 3G and high-end mobile handsets have expanded the base for mobile advertising, and new methods and advertising models are being introduced. Howe\er, similar to other media mix components, SMS advertising methods also exhibit drawbacks such as spammmg, fraud, and illegal use of the Shori Message Service Center (SMS-C) addresses. Certain firms are bound to start sending out unsolicited and undesirable (spam) commercial advertisements through text messaging to mobile handsets and other communication devices capable of receiving SMS. Further, faked SMS traffic and spoofing lead to revenue leakage and unpredictable loads on the network. Furthermore, such drawbacks may lead to customer dissatisfaction, cause errors in communication devices and so on.

5. Generally, advertisements aic sent as separate SMS to subscribe, which are ignored or deleted without reading by the user. The advertising agencies get very little return on investment as few people read the advertisements and the advertising agencies end up paying the operators for sending such SMS advertisements. Moreover, most SMS messaging services charge a per- use fee to a user for every SMS received.

6. In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a method for sending a Multimedia Message (MMS) by a subscriber to a MMS proxy relay, the MMS proxy relay forwarding the multimedia message to a Multimedia Message Sendee Center (MMSC), the method comprising steps of Multimedia Message Service Center (MMSC) serifying the information of the subscriber in a subscriber list, the MMSC appending at least one advertisement to the MMS if the subscriber information is present in the subscriber list, and the MMSC delivering the MMS to a receiver. In the embodiment disclosed herein, MMSC appends the advertisement information to the MMS if the size of the MMS is- less than a predetermined value.

7. Embodiments further disclose a method of billing the subscriber for the MMS services by a Service Control Point (SCP) triggered by an MMS proxy relay by performing discounted fail ling to the subscriber on finding the subscriber in an inline MMS Profile.

8 Embodiments further disclose a method of billing the subscriber for the

MMS services, the method comprising the steps of MMSC generating tickets for MMS delivery, MMSC providing tickets to the billing system, and the billing system performing discounted billing to the subscriber, 9. Embodiments further disclose a system adapted for sending a Multimedia

Message (MMS)- where the MMS is sent by a subscriber to an MMS proxy relay and the MMS proxy relay forwarding the MMS to a Multimedia Message Center (MMSC). The system further comprising of means adapted for verifying the information of the subscriber in a subscriber list, appending at least one advertisement to the MMS if information of the subscriber is present in the subscriber list, and delivering said MMS to the receiver, hi the embodiments herein, MMSC includes a means adapted for checking ihc subscriber information present in the subscriber list and comparing she of the MMS with a predetermined value. Further, MVfSC comprises a database for storing the subscriber list and the advertisements to be appended in the MMS.

10. Embodiments further disclose a system with a Service Control Point (SCP) triggered by MMS proxy relay for performing billing of the subscriber. The SCP comprising at least one means adapted for receiving information about the MMS from the MMS proxy relay, checking for the subscriber in an MMS profile, performing discounted billing on finding the subscriber in the MMS profile, and sending a message to the MMS proxy relay to continue sending of the MMS. The embodiments further inch ides a billing system triggered by MMSC to perform billing for the subscriber by receh ing information about tiie MMS from MMSC and performing billing of the subscriber.

1 1. Embodiments disclosed use a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) between the MMS proxy relay and SCP triggered by proxy relay.

12. These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be belter appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings.

13. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:

14. FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a system for appending an advertisement information m an MMS. according to an embodiment herein-

15. FSG. 2 illustrates a sequence diagram depicting the network call flow for appending an advertisement in an MMS, according to an embodiment herein;

16. FlG. 3 illustrates a flowchart depicting a method of appending an advertisement in an MMS, according to an embodiment herein: 17- FIG. 4 illustrates a sequence diagram depicting the network call flow for billing the subscriber by a Service Control Point (SCP), according to an embodiment herein;

18. FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart depicting the method of billing the subscriber by a Service Control Point (SCP). according to an embodiment herein; 39. FIG. 6 illustrates a sequence diagram depicting die network call flow for billing the subscriber by a billing system, according to an embodiment herein; arid

20. FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart depicting a method of billing the subscriber for toe service by a billing system, according to an embodiment herein.

21. The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof me explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

22. The embodiments herein achieve a method for sending a Multimedia message with appended advertisement information from an acquaintance resulting in discounted MMS tariff for the subscriber, advertisement options for advertising agencies and revenue for operators. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 7, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.

23. Embodiments herein disclose enable a method for sending MMS with advertisements. The subscriber initiates an MMS to a concerned receiver. The MMS proxy relay accepts the MMS from the subscriber and transmits the MMS to Multimedia Message Service Center (MJMSC). The MMSC of the network of subscriber comprises logic for checking the size of MMS in MMS PDU and if the size of MMS is less than a predefined value. MMSC then appends the advertisements a! the end of the MMS and further delivers the MMS with the advertisements to the receiver. An SCP (triggered by SMS proxy relay) or Billing system (triggered by MMSC) performs a discounted billing of the subscriber for the sen ice. The SCP/Biiling system is available as a configurable option at SCP/Biiling in subscriber account profile or as a subscription. Also, the operator earns revenue from the advertisements that are appended in the MMS.

24. FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a system 100 for appending an advertisement in a Multimedia Message Service (MMS), according to an embodiment herein. The system 100 comprises a subscriber 101, MMS proxy relay 102, Multimedia Message Service Center (MMSC) 1.3. Billing system/Service Control Point (SCP) 104 and a receiver 105. The subscriber 101 initiates sending an MMS from the mobile to the receiver 105. The MMS proxy relay 102 receives the MMS ft can the subscriber 101 and transmits the message to thf MMSC 103. MMSC 103 includes database 107 comprising information of subscriber list and advertisement information to be appended and an appending module 106. MMSC 103 checks for the subscriber ϊ 01 in subscriber list in database 107. If the subscriber 101 has subscribed for die service, then the appending module 106 in the MMSC 103 appends the advertisement to the MMS and delivers the MMS to the receiver 105. Further, MMSC 103 generates tickets for the subscription of the service and prov ides the tickets to billing system/SCP 104. The billing systenvSCP 104 performs discounted billing to the subscriber 103.

25. FIG. 2 illustrates a sequence diagram 200 depicting the network call floow for appending an advertisement in an MMS, according to an embodiment herein. The subscriber 101 sends an MMS from the mobile and the MMS proxy relay 102 receives the MMS from the subscriber 101 , The MMS proxy relay 102 then transmits the MMS to Multimedia Message Service Center (MMSC) 103. MMSC 103 checks if the subscriber 101 is present in the subscriber list in the database 107 and if the MMS size is less than a predetermined value, where the predetermined v alue can be decided upon by the service provider. If the si/e of MMS is less than the predetermined value and if the subscriber is present in the subscribers list, then the appending module 106 of the MMSC 103 appends the advertisement information stored in the database 107 to the MMS MMSC 103 then delivers the MMS with the appended advertisement to the receiver 105. Further, the billing system/SCP 104 performs billing of the subscriber 101.

26, FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart depiching method of appending advertisements in MMS, according to an embodiment herein. The subscriber 101 sends,

(301) an MMS from the mobile and the MMS pioxy relay (102) receives (302) the MMS from the subscriber 101. The MMS proxy relay (102) then transmits (303 ) the MMS to Multimedia Message Service Center (MMSC) (103). MMSC 103 checks (304) if the subscriber (101) is present in the subscriber list in the database 107. If the subscriber 101 is present in the subscriber list, then MMSC 103 further performs (305) a check to find if the size of MMS is less than the ptedetcrmmcd value or not. If the size of MMS is less than the predetermined value and if the subscriber is present in the subscribers list, then the appending module 106 of the MMSC 103 appends (306) the advertisement information to the MMS. If the size of MMS is more than the predetermined value or if the subscriber is not present in the subscriber list in the database, then the appending module 106 of the MMSC 103 docs not append the advertisement text to the MMS. The MMSC 103 delivers (307) the MMS message tυ the receiver 105. The various actions in method 300 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 3 may be omitted. 27. FIG. 4 illustrates a sequence diagram depicting the network call flow for billing the subscriber 101 by SCP, according to an embodiment herein. The MMS proxy relay 102 receives the MMS sent by the subscriber 101 and transmits a DEBIT REQUEST for charging the subscriber to Service Control Point (SCP). The debit request message comprises fields like Mobile Subscriber International ISDN (International Subscriber Directory Number) Number (MSISDN), transaction ID, message identifier, destination number operator code of the message, time of message being sent and any customized messages. The SCP 104 then verifies the subscriber 101 information and checks if the subscriber 101 is present in the inline MMS profile. If the subscriber 101 information is present in the inline MMS profile, then SCP 104 performs a discounted billing of the subscriber 101 registered for the service. Further, SCP 104 sends a DEBIT_ACKNOWLEDGEMENT message 402 to MMS proxy relay 102 for delivering the MMS. The MMS proxy relay 102 then transmits the MMS to MMSC 103. MMSC 103 checks for the subscriber 101 in the subscriber list. The subscriber list comprises information as to services the subscriber has subscribed to, including if the subscriber has subscribed to the service of appending the advertisement to MMS. If the subscriber has subscribed to this particular service, the MMSC 103 checks the size of the MMS message, If the size of MMS is less than a predetermined value and i f the subscriber is present in the subscribers list, then the appending module 106 of the MMSC 103 appends the advertisement to the MMS and delivers the MMS to the receiver 105 if the subscriber has not subscribed to this service or the size of the MMS is gi eater than the predetermined value, then the MMSC 103 sends the MMS message to the receiver 105 without appending any advertisement.

28. FIG, 5 illustrates a flowchart depicting the method of SCP billing the subscriber, according to an embodiment herein. The MMS proxy relay 102 receives (501 ) the MMS sent by the subscriber 101 and transmits (502) a DEBIT REQUEST for charging the subscriber to Service Control Point (SCP). The DEBIT REQUEST message comprises fields like Mobile Subscriber International ISDN (International Subscriber DirectorY Number) Number (MSISDN), transaction ID. message identifier, destination number operator code of the message, time of message being sent and any customized messages. The SCP 104 then verifies (503) the subscriber 101 information and checks (504) if the subscriber 101 is present in the inline MMS profile. If the subscriber 101 information is present in the inline MMS profile, then SCP 104 performs (506) discounted billing for the subscriber 101 registered for the service. If the subscriber information is not present in the inline MMS profile, then discounted billing is not performed (505). Further, SCP 104 sends (507) a DEBIT_ACKNOWLEDGEMENT message 402 to MMS proxy relay 102 to continue the delivery of the MMS. The MMS proxy relay S 02 then transmits (50S) the MMS to MMSC 103, MMSC 103 checks (509) if the subscriber 101 is present in the subscriber list in the database. If the subscriber 101 is present in the subscriber list, then MMSC 103 further performs (510) a check to find if the MMS size is less than a predetermined value, if the bize of MMS is less than the predetermined value and if the subscriber is present in the subscribers list, then the appending module 106 of the MMSC 103 appends (511) the advertisement information to the MMS. If the si/e of MMS is more than the predetermined value or if the subscriber is not present in the subscriber list in the database, then the appending module 106 of the MMSC (103) docs not append the advertisement Information to the MMS. Thereafter, the MMSC delivers (512) the MMS to the recipient 105. The various actions in method 500 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 5 may be omitted.

29. FIG, 6 illustrates a sequence diagram depicting the network call flow for hilling the subscriber by the billing system, according to an embodiment herein. The MMS proxy relay 102 receives the MMS sow by the subscriber 101 and delivers the 5 MMS 601 to MMSC 103. MMSC 103 checks for the subscriber 101 in the subscriber list. The subscriber list comprises information as to services the subscriber has subscribed to. including if the subscriber has subscribed io the service of appending advertisement information to MMS. If the subscriber has subscribed to this particular service, the MMSC 103 checks the size of MMS message. If the sue of the MMS is less than a 10 predetermined value and if the subscriber is present in the subscribers list, then the appending module 106 of the MMSC 103 appends the advertisement information to the MMS and delivers the MMS to the receiver 105. Further, MMSC 103 generates tickets for MMS delivery and provides the tickets to the billing system 104. Thereafter, the MMSC 103 sends tickets &02 to the billing system 104, so that the billing system can bill the

si/e 1 of MMS is greater than the predetermined val 5 ue, the MMSC 103 sends the MMS message to the receiver 105 without appending any advertisement.

30. FlG. 7 illustrates a flowchart depicting a method of billing the subscriber for the service by a billing system, according to an embodiment herein. The MMS proxy 20 relay 102 receives the MMS sent by the subscriber 101 and transmits (701) the MMS to MMSC 103. MMSC 103 checks (702) tf the subscriber 101 is present in the subscriber list in the database. If the subscriber 101 is present in the subscriber list, then send MMSC 103 further performs (703) a check to find if the MMS size is less than the pi edetcrmined value. If the si/e of MMS text less than the predetermined value and if the 25 subscriber is present in the subscriber list, then the appending module 106 of the MMSC 103 appends (704 ) the advertisement to the MMS. Thereafter, the MMSC 103 delivers (705) the MMS to the receiver. If the subscriber 101 is not present in the subscriber list in the database oi if the MMS size is greater than the predetermined value, then the advertisement information is not appended to the MMS and the MMSC 103 30 delivers (705) to the recipient Further, MMSC 103 generates (706) tickets for MMS delivery and provides (707) the tickets to the billing system 104. Theteafter. the bill big system 104 performs (708) billing of the subscriber 101 for the service. The various actions in method 700 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FfG. 7 may be 35 omitted. 31. The embodiments disclosed herein establish MMS as a successful communication medium for sending advertising information, by creating an opportunity in die advertising and marketing domains. The embodiments preferably use a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) between the MMS proxy relay and SCP, Further, charging the MMSs at a less tariff creates more MMSs as the subscribers have an incentive to send more MMSs as the sendee is cheap, resulting in more advertisements and benefits to the subscriber and service provider as no additional netv/oik capacity is required as advertisement is appended to the MMS.

32. The advantages of the embodiments disclosed include the fact that there is no need for an advertising agent to send separate advertisement MMS messages. Furthermore, embodiments disclosed increase the probability of a receiver reading an advertisement, and therefore create more options for revenue generation for the opera tor/service provider.

Claims

1. A telecommunication method characterized in that, a user (3) having a communication over a public telecommunication network (6), an application server (8) devoted to an organization, such as an enterprise, associated with the user in a predetermined fashion, instructs a switching unit (29) of the network to substitute a managing apparatus (14) devoted to the organization in place of the user in the communication over the network.

2. A method according to the preceding claim, wherein the application server (8) registers with the network (6) in order to receive external notifications regarding the user and/or to give call routing commands.

3. A method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the application server (8) monitors and/or controls the communications which travel through the managing apparatus (14).

4. A method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the application server (8) sends a message to a terminal (2) of the user through which the communication is being carried out, indicating that the communication may travel through the managing apparatus (14).

5. A method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the application server (8) instructs the managing apparatus (14) to reestablish communication to a terminal (2) of the user, particularly the terminal through which the communication is being carried out over the public network.

6. A method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the application server (8) orders that data regarding the communication be recorded.

7. A telecommunication method characterized in that, a user (3) having a communication over a public telecommunication network (6), the method comprises the following steps:

- an application server (8) devoted to an organization, such as enterprise, associated with the user in a predetermined fashion, instructs a switching unit (29) of the network to substitute a managing apparatus (14) devoted to the organization in place of the user in the communication over the network;

- the switching organ substitutes the managing apparatus (14) in place of the user in the communication over the network; and

- the managing device receives the communication.

8. An application server (8) characterized in that it is capable of instructing a switching unit of a public telecommunication network (6) to substitute a managing apparatus (14) devoted to an organization, such as an enterprise, associated with the user (3) in a predetermined fashion, in place of the user in a communication over the network.

9. An assembly (12) of an application server according to the preceding claim and the managing apparatus (14) mentioned in the preceding claim.

10. A telecommunication method characterized in that it comprises:

- an application server (8) capable of instructing a switching unit of a public telecommunication network (6) to substitute a managing apparatus (14) devoted to an organization, such as an enterprise, associated with the user (3) in a predetermined fashion, in place of the user in a communication over the network;

- the switching unit, this unit being capable of substituting the managing apparatus in place of the user in the communication over the network; and - the managing apparatus, this apparatus being capable of receiving the communication.

11. A computer program characterized in that it comprises instructions capable of ordering the execution of a method according to one of the claims 1 to 7 when it is run on a computer.

12. A data recording medium characterized in that it comprises a program according to the previous claim.

13. The provisioning of a program according to claim 11 over a telecommunication network so that may be downloaded.

What is claimed is:

1 . A method for sending a Multimedia Message (MMS), said MMS being sent by a subscriber (101) to a MMS proxy relay (102), said MMS proxy relay ( 102) forwarding said multimedia message to a Multimedia Message Service Center (MMSC) (103), said method comprising steps of said Multimedia Message Sen ice Center (MMSC) (103) verifying if information of said subscriber (101 ) in a subscriber list; said MMSC ( 103) appending (306, 51 1) atieast one advertisement to said MMS if said subscriber (101) information is present in said subscriber 1 ist; and said MMSC ( 303) delivering (307, 512) said MMS to a receiver ( 105).

2. The method, as claimed in claim 1. wherein said Multimedia Message Service Center (103) appends (306, 51 1) said advertisement to said MMS, if size of said MMS is less than a predetermined value,

3. The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein a Service Control Point (SCP) ( 104) is triggered by said MMS proxy relay (102) for billing said subscriber (101 ) comprises performing (506) discounted billing to said subscriber (101), on finding said subscriber (101) in an inline MMS Profile.

4. The method, as claimed in claim 1 wherein said subscriber (101) is billed according to the following steps of said Multimedia Message Service Center (103) generating (706) tickets for said MMS delivery; said Multimedia Message Service Center (103) providing (707) tickets to a billing system (104) and said billing system performing (708) discounted billing to said subscriber CIOl).

5. A system adapted to send a Multimedia Message (MMS) to a receiver, said MMS being sent by a subscriber (101 ) to a MMS proxy relay ( 102), said MMS proxy relay ( 102) forwarding said MMS to a Multimedia Message Service Center (103), said system comprising a means adapted for verifying if information of said subscriber (101) in a subscriber list; appending (306. 511) atleast one advertisement to said MMS if information of said subscriber (101 ) is presenr in said subscriber iist; and delivering (307, 512) said MMS to die receiver ( 105).

6. The system, as claimed in claim 5, wherein said Multimedia Message Service Center (103) comprises atleast one means adapted for cheeking (304) said subscriber (1Oi ) information present in said subscriber list; and comparing sbe of said MMS with a predetermined value.

7. The system, as claimed in claim 5, wherein said Multimedia Message Service Center (103) further comprises a database (107) for storing said subscriber list and said advertisements to be appended in said MMS,

8. The system, as claimed in claim 5, wherein a. Service Control Point (SCP) (104) is triggered by said MMS proxy relay (102) for performing billing for said subscriber (101), said SCP (104) comprising atleast one means adapted for receiving information about said MMS from said MMS proxy relay (102); checking (504) for said subscriber (101 ) in an MMS profile; performing (506) discounted billing on finding said subscriber in said MMS profile; and sending (507) a message to said MMS piox> relay (102) to continue sending of said MMS.

9 . The system, as claimed in claim 5, wherein a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HHTP) is used between said MMS Proxy relay (102) and said SCP ( 104),

10. The system, as claimed In claim 5. wherein a billing system (104) triggered by MMSC performs billing for said subscriber ( 101 ), said billing system {104} comprising atieast one means adapted for receiving (707) information about said MMS from said Multimedia Message Sen-ice Center ( 103); and performing {708 ) billing for said subscriber (101 ).