GB2487392A

GB2487392A - Improving the efficiency of a cellular gateway by unmasking a calling number

Info

Publication number: GB2487392A
Application number: GB1100939.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerald Davison
Original assignee: Bank of America Corp
Current assignee: Bank of America Corp
Priority date: 2011-01-19
Filing date: 2011-01-19
Publication date: 2012-07-25
Anticipated expiration: 2031-01-19
Also published as: GB2487392B; GB201100939D0

Abstract

A method for configuring a gateway which improves efficiency is provided. The method may include configuringa telecommunication system including a cellular gateway to transmit the telephone numbers used to place calls. Transmission of the cellular number encourages customers to answer the call and conduct business efficiently. The gateway is configured to unmask a calling number to a called device when the gateway places a call. The method also includes the configuring of the cellular gateway so that missed calls may be returned. The returned calls are routed to a consolidation number on the PBX. The PBX in turn will route the returned calls to available representatives.

Description

SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF A CELLULAR GATEWAY

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[01] Aspects of the disclosure relate to configuring a cellular gateway to improve utilization.

BACKGROUND

[02] Telephony utilizes multiple, technologically distinct communication systems, traditional wired service, cellular service and internet services. In certain situations the toll rates charged for a call placed for some combination of technologies are different than the rate charged for other combinations. As an example, a cellular to cellular call is less expensive than that of a wired service to cellular call.

Cellular gateways, --e.g., GSM gateways --which may be connected to a Private Branch exchange ("PBx") may be used to take advantage of lowest available rates [03] The following is an example of using how a PEX maybe used in conjunction with a cellular gateway. A cellular gateway, or simply a gateway, may operate a number of cellular account cards (usually called Subscriber Identity

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Modules ("SIN") cards) . Each SIN card represents a distinct cellular account associated with a distinct cellular telephone number. Ordinarily a SIN card is used to personalize a mobile handset. When a SIN card is used in a gateway the SIN card may be used to make a cellular call on behalf of wired telephone. The savings in tolls more than compensate for the cost of the gateway.

[04] Phone rates are set by a combination of business and regulatory factors. It is common for a cellular network to cellular network call to be billed at a lower rate than a wired network to cellular network call. Thus the gateway may be used to reduce the price paid to make the call.

[05] The gateway may be connected to a PBX. The PBX is often used in an office building to connect handsets, --e.g., wired desk telephones --within the building to each other and to make calls outside the building. Calls outside the building utilize a connection to a common carrier wired telephone network --e.g., British Telecom or Sprint. In the absence of a gateway a call from a handset to a cellular number would be routed by the PBX to the common carrier wired network. The call would then be routed from the wired network to the cellular network, accruing a wired-to-cellular toll. If a gateway is connected to the PBX, when a handset within the building is used to make a call via the local PBX to a cellular number, the call can be routed to the gateway.

At the gateway, one of the SIN cards completes the call through the public cellular network on behalf of the handset.

Thus, the gateway exchanges a wired network to cellular network call for a cellular network to cellular network call, which may reduce the toll paid to complete the call.

[06) When a call is made through public telephone network via a wired or cellular service the calling number is typically sent to the customer (called) device. The number sent is often referred to as Caller Identification (Caller ID) or Caller Line Identity ("CLI") . It is possible to mask this number on a call by call basis or permanently. If the calling number is masked then the customer device will see a fixed message, --e.g., "unknown number" or "restricted".

Typically, a gateway is configured to mask the outgoing numbers used by the SIN cards. Under certain circumstances it may be desirable to configure a gateway to unmask the calling number.

SUMMARY

[07] A PBX connected to a gateway is provided. The PEX may be connected to one or more handsets. The gateway utilizes one or more SIN cards to make calls on behalf of a handset connected to the PEX. Each SIN card may utilize a distinct telephone number associated with a particular account to make the call.

[08] The gateway and PBX may be combined into a single device. In the alternative, one or more handsets may be connected directly to the gateway. The connection between the wired handsets and the PBX, or directly to the gateway, may be via traditional telephonic methods, an I? based local area network, a local wireless connection or any other suitable connection method.

[09] The gateway may be configured to send the telephone number from the SIM card to the customer device. The gateways/PBX may yet be further configured to redistribute received calls to appropriate personnel. In the alternative,

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the cellular accounts for the SIN cards may be configured to forward received calls to a consolidation number where the call may be re-routed by the PBX.

[010] The customer device may be any type of telephone equipment including but not limited to a wired telephone, a mobile handset, an internet telephone or a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[011] The objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: [012] FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a telecommunication system including a gateway with outgoing routing; [013] FIG. 2 shows a flow chart describing a algorithm for routing calls to a gateway; [014] FIG. 3 shows a flow chart describing a algorithm for routing calls to a gateway; and [015] FIG. 4 shows a diagram of a telecommunication system including a gateway with incoming routing according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

(016] Often a person receiving a "restricted" call will be suspicious and refuse to answer the call. For certain types of calls --e.g., call to make collections on delinquent accounts it is desirable to encourage the called party to answer the call. Thus it is desirable in certain situations to send the calling phone number to the customer device. Often, the customer device is a mobile handset but any other device connected to the cellular network may be called. Even if the call is not answered it is desirable to leave a phone number behind on a "missed calls list". The missed call list is a list of numbers that have called the customer device but have not been answered. The listing of the phone number on the missed call list encourages a customer to return the missed call.

10171 Certain embodiments of the invention may provide a method of configuring gateways to send a valid phone number to the customer device. Some embodiment of the invention may also allow the configuration of the gateway, PEX and/or the cellular network to permit calls to be returned if the outgoing call is missed.

[018) A method of configuring a telecommunication system to present a valid telephone number to a customer device is provided. The valid telephone number is presented to an owner (customer) of the customer device via CLI. If the call is not answered, the CLI system will preferably leave a valid telephone number on the missed call list. At a later time, the owner of the customer device may return the call using the valid telephone number. The returned called may be routed to a consolidation telephone number where the call can be distributed via suitable methods to available personnel.

[019) Illustrative embodiments of apparatus and methods in accordance with the principles of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural, functional and procedural modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

[020] As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the invention described herein may be embodied in whole or in part as a method, a data processing system, or a computer program product. Accordingly, the invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment or an embodiment combining software, hardware and any other suitable approach or apparatus.

[021] Furthermore, such aspects may take the form of a computer program product stored by one or more computer-readable storage media having computer-readable program code, or instructions, embodied in or on the storage media. Any suitable computer readable storage media may be utilized, including hard disks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, and/or any combination thereof.

In addition, various signals representing data or events as described herein may be transferred between a source and a destination in the form of electromagnetic waves traveling through signal-conducting media such as metal wires1 optical fibers, and/or wireless transmission media --e.g., air and/or space.

[022] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a telecommunication system 100. A typical handset lOlA may communicate with a PBX 103A via PBX connection 102A.

Similarly a typical handset lOtS may communicate with a PBX 1035 via PBX connection 1025. Typically more than one handset is connected to a PSX. PEX connection 102A, 1028 may use any known method to communicate with PBX lO3A and 1038

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respectively. The PEX lO3A may communicate with a gateway stack 11OA via a trunk line 104A. The PBX 1038 may communicate with a gateway stack 1103 via a trunk line 1043.

The trunk 104A, 1048 line may be a DS1, Ti or El connection as is known in the art. Larger or smaller trunk lines may be used as is necessary. Several Ti or El connections may be collected as the trunk line 104A, 1043.

[023] The gateway stack 11OA may include gateway lliA, 1118, 1110, hiD. The gateway stack 1103 may include gateway 112A, 1128, 1120, 112D. A gateway stack may include any number of gateways or a single gateway.

[024] The gateways lilA-hiD, 112A-ll2D of the gateway stacks hlOA, 1108 will typically have one or more SIN cards.

At any point in time any number of SIM cards or none may be have an active call. The gateway stacks 11OA, 1108 use the SIN cards to place cellular calls on behalf of handsets lOlA, 1018.

[025] The gateway stacks llOA, 1108 communicate with customer devices 123A-l23D via cellular connections 120A and 1208, cellular network 121 and cellular calls 122A-122D.

Each cellular connection 120A, 1203 may contain one or more cellular connections depending on the number of active SIM cards in the gateway stacks 11OA, 1108. Each cellular call 122A-122D connects to a single customer device 123A-123D.

[026] In a first embodiment of the invention, selection criteria are established to enable routing some but not all calls made from the handsets lOlA, 1013 to the gateway stacks 11OA, 1103. The selection criteria may include the type of business being conducted, the organization making the call,

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the type of customer called, the location of the customer, the status of the customer account, the cost savings of making the call via the gateway stack, the available capacity of the gateway stack and/or the type of customer device being called --e.g., a wired telephone versus a mobile handset.

Other selection criteria may also be within the scope of the invention.

[027] In other embodiments of the invention selection of the gateway stack as a means to place a particular call may depend on a prefix code dialed by the user of the handsets lOlA, lOlB.

(028] Gateways 111A-lllJJ, 112A-112D within gateway stacks llOA, 1105, may place calls on behalf of handsets lOlA, 1015.

Each call may be placed using a SIN card. Typically, a group of SIN cards are designated for particular use --e.g., for the use of a specified department, such as collections, within an institution. Each SIN card accesses an existing cellular account, where each cellular account is associated with a distinct telephone number. The gateways lilA-lilD, 112A-112D may be configured upon receipt by the called device to unmask the cellular number associated with each respective SIN card. Preferably, all calls made by the gateway will be unmasked and present the CLI. The cellular number associated with the SIN is displayed on the customer device via CLI. If the customer is not available, CLI may be configured to leave the calling number on the customer device in a missed call list.

[029] In some countries, cellular telephone numbers use unique prefixes which allow these numbers to be readily identifiable. In yet other countries prefixes denote cellular accounts within a specific region. In yet still other countries cellular numbers may net be distinguishable from any other telephone number.

[030] When a readily identifiable cellular number is shown via CLI on a customer device it may suggest a personal call rather than a business call, thus encouraging the user of the customer device to answer the call. The increased number of calls answered improves the utilization of the gateways within the gateway stacks thereby reducing gateway overhead including but limited to processing overhead and memory utilization.

[03].] FIG. 2 is a flowchart 200 showing an algorithm which may be used by gateways lllA-lllD, ll2A-ll2D to determine whether to unmask the outgoing number when placing a cellular call. At step 201 a call is initiated at one of the gateways lllA-lllD, ll2A-112D. At step 202 one of the gateways lllA-lllD, ll2A-1l2fl uses available information --e.g., prefix codes --to determine if the call is a cellular call. If the call is not a cellular call than one of the gateways lllA-lllD, ll2A-ll2D allows the call to be made via a wired network in step 203. In the alternative, the person making the call can select the GSM gateway as the method making the call, thereby avoiding the use of the wired network. When the gateway receives a specific prefix, only a GSM call will be made.

[032] If the call is a cellular call, one of the gateways 111A-lllfl, 112A-ll2D uses available information --e.g., prefix codes --to determine if the call is from a specified department within an institution such as collections that would benefit from an unmasked number at step 204. As stated -10 -above, the default setting may be set to unmask the out-going cellular call. Optionally, the CLI information of a particular call made at step 205 may be masked. Typically the default setting for one of the gateways lllA-lllD, ll2A-ll2D is to mask the number of outgoing cellular calls. If the call is made by a specified department that would benefit from an unmasked number, a cellular call is made with an unmasked number at step 206.

£033] FIG. 3 is a flowchart 300 showing an algorithm which may be used by gateways 111A-lllD, 112A-ll2D to determine whether to unmask the outgoing number when placing a cellular call. At step 301 a call is initiated at one of the gateways lllA-lllD, 112A-ll2D. At step 302 one of the gateways 111A-lllD, ll2A-ll2D uses available information --e.g.1 prefix codes --to determine if the call a cellular call. If the call is not a cellular call than one of the gateways lilA-hiD, 112A-il2D allows the call to made via a [034] If the call is a cellular call, one of the gateways lllA-lllD, ll2A-112D uses available information --e.g., prefix codes --to determine if the call is from a specified department within an institution such as collections that would benefit from an unmasked number at step 304. If the call is not from such a specified department a cellular call is made at step 305 using a masked number.

[035] If the call is made by a specified department that would benefit from an unmasked number a SIN card is selected by one of the gateways lllA-lllD, 112A-l12D at step 306. At step 307 a check is made to determine if this particular SIM card has been used to call this particular number on a -11 -previous occasion. If this SIN card has been used previously to call this number, another SIM card is selected at step 306. If the SIN card has not been used previously then a cellular network call is placed using an unmasked number at step 308.

[036] It is possible that every SIN card has been used to call a particular number. In that case any SIN card may be used to make the call. The utilization of different SIN cards may save processor overhead, memory use and improve the overall utilization of the gateway.

[037] Although the gateways lllA-lllD, 112AU12D are described as implementing the flow charts shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 regarding call routing and call masking/unmasking, those decisions can also be made by other hardware in the system such as the PBX or a separate decision making device -e.g., a computer. Likewise it is presumed that the toll rates favor a cellular network to cellular network call over a cellular network to wired network call. It is possible to further refine the decision making process of the gateway to improve utilization of gateway resources. For instance the gateway may choose to select a cellular network or wired network call based on real-time toll rates, or based on the importance of a call to a particular customer. Other factors such as the availability of a SIN card or any suitable criteria may be used to refine the decision making process of the gateway.

[038] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a telecommunication system 400 allowing missed calls to be returned. A number of the calling party may be left via CLI on the missed calls for customer device 423A-423D by

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-12 -telecommunication system 100. The missed call may be returned if a valid cellular telephone has been left on the missed call list. However, the valid cellular number may be associated with a SIN that is shared by a group of users --e.g., as described in one embodiment of telecommunications system 100. Thus, a valid cellular number left on the missed calls list may have been placed by any suitable number of handsets lOlA, biB.

[039] Telecommunications system 400 may be configured to route the returned call advantageously. The missed call is returned from customer device 423A-423D. In one embodiment customer device is a mobile handset. The customer device 423A-43D may return the call with a cellular call 422, via cellular network 421 and cellular connections 420A or 42DB.

A cellular connection 420A or 42DB may accommodate more than one cellular call 422.

(040] The returned call may be accepted by the appropriate SIN card (not shown) of gateways 4llA-4liD, 412A- 412. The gateways 4llA-411D may be a component of gateway stack 410A. The gateways 412A-4l2D may be a component of gateway stack 41DB.

(041] Gateways 411A-411D, 412A-412 may be configured respectively to divert the returned call via trunk lines 4D4A, 4D4B to a PBX 403. PBX 403 can route the call to a consolidation number via PBX connection 402 which may in turn route the call to a typical handset 401 associated with the consolidation number.

[042] In another embodiment of telecommunication system 400, the consolidation number may utilize the PBX 103

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-13 -to distribute the returned call to one of many representatives. In this embodiment, there would typically be more than one handset 401.

[043] In certain embodiments, cellular network 421 may be configured to route calls from one SIN to a single telephone number. In this embodiment the PBX 403 would receive returned calls and route them to one or more representatives via typical handset 401. The PBX 403 may receive these forwarded calls via a single SIN in one of the gateways 4llA- 411D, 412A-412. In an alternative aspect of this embodiment the calls may be forwarded to a wired phone number, also connected to PBX 403.

[044] The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 may also be configured to embody the apparatus shown in FIG. 4. Likewise the apparatus shown in FIG. 4 may be configured to embody the apparatus shown in FIG. 1. Typically a single apparatus may embody more than one embodiment of the invention.

[045] Although several embodiments are shown wherein the two PSXs are individually connected to two gateway stacks, other configurations are contemplated and are included within the scope of the invention --e.g., a single PEX or more than two VBX's may be used within the scope of this invention.

Other possible configurations, which include one gateway stack or more than two gateway stacks are contemplated.

Likewise, more than one gateway stack may be connected to a single PBX.

[046] The gateway is not limited to a cellular gateway which places cellular calls on behalf of a handset. Other gateways such as one accessing multiple wired carriers, -14 -multiple wired accounts or multiple internet calling accounts are also included within the scope of this invention.

[047] Thus, methods and apparatus for configuring a gateway to improve utilization have been provided. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation, and that the present invention is limited only by the claims that follow.

Claims

-15 -WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A method of reducing overhead in a telecommunications system, the method comprising: a least one gateway; and configuring the gateway to unmask a calling number to a called device when the gateway places a call thereby reducing gateway processing overhead.
2. The telecommunications system of claim 1 wherein the gateway is a cellular network gateway.
3. The telecommunications system of claim 1 wherein the gateway is a wired network gateway.
4. The telecommunications system of claim 1 wherein the gateway is an internet telephony gateway.
5. The telecommunications system of claim 1 further comprising at least one PBX wherein the PEX is connected to the gateway.
6. The telecommunications system of claim 1 wherein the at least one gateway in configured into more than one gateway stack.
7. The telecommunications system of claim 1 wherein the calling number is transmitted utilizing CLI.
8. The telecommunications system of claim 1 wherein the gateway further comprises at least one SIM card.
9. The telecommunications system of claim 8 wherein the calling number is derived from the at least one SIM card.

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10. A telecommunications system comprising: a least one gateway; and wherein the gateway is configured to allow the routing of at least one returned telephone call to a consolidation telephone number.
11. The telecommunications system of claim 10 wherein the gateway is a cellular network gateway.
12. The telecommunications system of claim 10 wherein the gateway is a wired network gateway.
13. The telecommunications system of claim 10 wherein the gateway is an internet telephony gateway.
14. The telecommunications system of claim 10 further comprising at least one PBX wherein the PBX is connected to the gateway.
15. The telecommunications system of claim 14 wherein the PX routes the at least one returned call to an available representative.
16. The telecommunications system of claim 10 wherein the at least one gateway in configured into more than one gateway stack.
17. The telecommunications system of claim 10 wherein the gateway further comprises at least one SIM card.
18. The telecommunications system of claim 17 wherein the at least one returned number is derived from the at least one SIM card.

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19. The telecommunications system of claim 10 further comprising a cellular network wherein the cellular network is configured to route calls to a least one SIN to a consolidation number.
20. A method of improving the efficiency of a gateway comprising: configuring the gateway to unmask a calling number to a called device when the gateway places a call; and placing a call utilizing the gateway.
21. The method of claim 20 further comprising configuring the gateway to allow storage of a calling number on a called device when the gateway places a call.
22. The method of claim 20 further comprising choosing to place the call via a cellular network when the called device is a cellular device.
23. The method of claim 20 further comprising choosing to place the call via a cellular network when the calling number is from a specified department.
24. The method of claim 20 further comprising: verify that the call is from a specified department; and unmasking the calling number when the call is from the specified department.
25. The method of claim 20 further comprising: choosing a SIN card; verifying that the SIN card is not on a list of SIN cards used previously to make a call to the -18 -called device; storing the SIM card identification on the list; and placing the call, utilizing the chosen SIM card when the chosen SIM card is not on the list.
26. The method of claim 25 further comprising: choosing a different SIM card when the chosen SIM card is on the list.
27. The method of claim 25 further comprising: choosing any SIM card when the every available SIM card is on the list.