NL1012552C2 - System for the performance of supplied services from a telecommunication system by a subscriber, relating to telecommunications to or from subscriber, involves installation and control of interface by subscriber comprising software modules - Google Patents

Abstract

The system is for the performance of supplied services from a telecommunications system by a subscriber, relating to telecommunications to or from the subscriber. It involves the installation and control of an interface (2) by the subscriber comprising software modules, connected with control devices of the public switched telephony network. The control devices on each recorded telecommunication call-up to or from the subscriber activate the interface, causing the software in the interface to function. The interface is formed by an Internet page controlled by the subscriber. The telecommunication system is an intelligent network. The interface incorporates JAVA-based software modules, which can work in conjunction with the intelligent network via a JAVA-based platform.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION. User interface for telecommunications subscribers

The invention relates to a system for developing and performing additional services relating to telecommunication connections to or from that subscriber by a subscriber to a telecommunication system.

It is known that the Intelligent Network (IN) concept offers a software environment in which new services can be developed. The JAVA Advanced Intelligent Network (JAIN) concept also offers the possibility to develop such services, using JAVA technology. By means of World Wide Web techniques it is possible for a subscriber to configure his service via an internet page of his telecom operator.

The known has the following disadvantages: the services from which the subscriber can choose must be developed and then offered by the telecom operator. As a result, new services will only be introduced if there is a reasonably large market for them. The subscriber is unable to develop and execute his own services, at his own discretion and preference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to obviate the above-mentioned drawbacks.

To this end, the invention provides an interface configurable and manageable by that subscriber, for example, in the form of a personal internet "home page" administered by the subscriber. The interface is connected, for example via the internet access server on which the home page 30 is located, to control means of the telecommunication system. With each call to or to the subscriber registered by the network controller, the interface is activated to run the software set therein.

35 The JAIN concepts make it possible to develop the service control software as JAVA components. In a JAVA

1012552 -2 environment (or other modern development environment) it is quite easy to develop a software component. Proof of this can be seen on the Internet ("World Wide Web"). Individual users are able to develop JAVA 5 software modules and place them on their own homepage. They can then use this to offer services to third parties. The service is entirely determined by the user.

The present invention is thus based on the idea that the concept of a subscriber's personal internet homepage is introduced in the IN environment of the telecom operator, using the JAIN concepts hitherto only used for linking by the telecom operator. managed internet pages and the IN-based telecommunications network, also managed by the telecom operator. Thus, the individual subscriber can use his own "IN home page" to store his personal service operating software. That personal software can be based on, for example, JAVA / JAIN, 20 Parlay / CORBA, JTAPI + or other modern systems. The telecom operator must ensure that the software components on the IN homepage are triggered during calls to or from the subscriber number. The subscriber must then ensure that the correct software components are present on the IN home page 25 to handle the incoming or outgoing call. The use of these components (eg call forwarding) can be settled on the basis of a contract concluded with the telecom operator.

The telecom operator can provide standard components that can be used by the subscriber. It is to be expected that substantial libraries with standard components will be created in the foreseeable future, just as there are now many standard JAVA applets for creating regular home pages.

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FIGURE DESCRIPTION

The operation of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to a figure.

Figure 1 shows how the system can be implemented 5. A standard IN environment is extended with a JAVA-based Service Platform (JAVA SP) 1. This JAVA-based service platform contains three categories of software components.

A domain in which subscribers can place personal home pages (HP) 2, each of which may comprise one or more JAVA modules 2 which perform or control "services" developed by the subscriber.

- A generic component library (GC) 3 with standard modules that subscribers can use to build their personal home pages.

- A control component library (CC) 4 with control components used to control the IN based telecommunications network (PSTN).

A scenario feasible with the system according to the invention can proceed as follows: - An A subscriber calls the number of a B subscriber.

- The B subscriber has previously concluded a contract with the telecom operator, whereby the control of the PSTN indicates that calls to the B subscriber must be forwarded to a Service Creation Platform (SCP) 5 belonging to the IN.

- The SCP starts a software component on the home page of the B subscriber. Information about the call is passed on, such as the number of the A subscriber.

30 - If desired, the B subscriber's software invokes functions in the generic components 3 that the telecom operator offers. An example of this is the display of music on hold for the A subscriber or a voicemail prompt 1012552-4- where the A subscriber can provide further information about himself or the intended call.

- Ultimately, the service developed by the B subscriber will forward the call to a specific destination.

5 To this end, the control components from the control components library 4 are called, allowing the PSTN network to be controlled again.

- The control components 4 screen the request (security test) and instruct the PSTN network via the SCP 5.

10 - The PSTN will eventually forward the call to the destination. This can be the telephone of the B subscriber, but also another telephone number or, for example, voice mail, mobile number, another number, etc., entirely depending on the service implemented by the B subscriber. In the figure, this destination is indicated with a question mark.

The following should also be noted: - A standard appointment must be made with the subscribers who take the opportunity to develop their own services. Compare this to a normal homepage, where the agreement is often that users create a directory called WWW (or something else) and place a document in it called index.html. The agreement to be made here is that the subscriber must place a 25 JAVA component at an agreed location with a fixed name. This JAVA component is then started first if a call is forwarded.

- The control components must have good security and accounting functions. The security functions serve to prevent the service developed by the subscriber from controlling things in the network that can disrupt the network. The accounting functions ensure that the subscriber (A or B subscriber, depending on the service) can be charged for the use of the network.

1012552 -5- - It is advisable to build in a security, which is forwarded to the subscriber's service components. Not every subscriber will be able to write error-resistant software components. So sometimes components 5 will react or crash unwantedly. To prevent this, a time-out must be built in: if the control components are not called again within a certain time, a default forwarding in the network is effected. Most simple default forwarding 10 is to the telephone of the B subscriber. In this way it is not unavailable if he has programmed his service software incorrectly.

Finally, it should be noted that the functional connection between the personal interface (i.c. homepage) and the control of the PSTN can be based on JAVA, or another modern environment, such as (currently) CORBA or JTAPI +. REFERENCES

http://www.JAVAsoft.com provides the latest state of affairs regarding JAVA techniques.

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Claims (7)

System for performing additional services by a subscriber of a telecommunication system, relating to telecommunication connections to or 5 of that subscriber, characterized by an interface (2) adjustable and manageable by that subscriber comprising software modules, connected to control means of the subscriber telecommunication system (PSTN), said control means activating said interface with each registered telecommunication call 10 to or from said subscriber to execute the software set in the interface. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the interface is formed by an internet page (2) managed by the subscriber. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the telecommunication system comprises an "Intelligent Network" (IN) based network. System according to claim 3, characterized in that the interface comprises JAVA based software modules that can interact with the IN via a JAVA based platform. System according to claim 3, characterized in that the interface comprises CORBA based software modules that can interact with the IN through a CORBA based platform. System according to claim 3, characterized in that the interface comprises JTAPI based software modules that can interact with the IN through a JTAPI based platform. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the telecommunication system comprises means (3) for making standard software modules available to the subscriber, which are provided by the subscriber in the interface (2), in modified form or not. can be recorded. 1012552