RU2185036C2 - Communication system yielding messages in different languages - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: communication systems. SUBSTANCE: system has at least one transmitting device, at least two communicating devices, at least one memory device, at least one list containing at least two preferable languages, at least one device yielding messages in different languages, at least one memory device for retrieval and display of list. EFFECT: provision for sending messages in different languages and for defining or changing one of preferable languages. 12 cl, 5 dwg

Description

 The invention relates to a communication system for providing messages in different languages according to the preamble of paragraph 1 of the claims.

 In a communication system, for example, such as is known from DE 4430991, it may be necessary to provide subscribers with messages related to certain system states, or to provide subscribers with messages related to certain system services. These messages are usually transmitted to the caller, however, they can also be transmitted to the called subscriber. In particular, in mobile communication systems covering many countries, it may happen that messages are provided by communication network devices that are located far from the subscriber, for example in an area or country with a different language. In this case, the message may be transmitted in a language that is not understood by the subscriber. For example, a subscriber who sends a call to another country and dials the wrong extension number will receive a message like "you dialed the wrong extension number" in the language of the corresponding country. Moreover, due to the free roaming of the subscriber in the mobile network, it is possible that the subscriber travels at different times in regions with different official languages. In this case, even if the subscriber is provided with a message from the local network device, he will receive messages in different languages.

 Moreover, the subscriber's reference location register storing subscriber-related data is not necessarily located in a region having an official language that is understood by the subscriber. Here, also, in the case of a notification, it is possible that the message is transmitted in a language incomprehensible to the subscriber.

 To avoid problems when sending messages to the subscriber, it is desirable to be able to provide the subscriber with messages in a language that he understands. This is especially desirable in a mobile network, for example a communication network according to the GSM standard.

 DE 44 30 991 describes a communication network that allows a message to be sent to a caller in different languages. This network may be, in particular, a mobile network, for example a GSM network. To select a message, a message number is generated, consisting of a fixed part of the digits to determine the type of message and consisting of a variable part of the digits to select a specific language for the message. The numbers for selecting the language for the message can be extracted from the number dialed by the caller. In the event that a particular language is not available, a predefined language may be used instead as the language for the message. DE 44 30 991 furthermore describes in order to assign to each subscriber certain subscriber data defining at least one language for the message. The data defining said at least one language is permanently assigned to this subscriber and recorded in his reference location register. The reference location register centrally stores important subscriber data of a large number of subscribers. If more than one language is recorded, a replacement language may be selected if the language is not available. The language selection data is transmitted to the temporary register of the corresponding transmitting station of the communication system, which currently serves the subscriber. In the case when the subscriber moves from one transmitting station to the coverage area of the second transmitting station, the data is stored in the temporary register of the second transmitting station.

 In the above system, however, there is such a drawback that the subscriber is not able to easily specify his language selection data. Moreover, the previously described known system poses a difficult task when the language selection data does not arrive in the corresponding message device due to system incompatibilities or due to other transmission problems. In this case, the message device cannot transmit the message in a language intended for the subscriber.

 In further systems, communication network subscribers can be provided with messages in a particular language by defining the desired language for the communication tool, for example, entering it through the telephone keypad or analyzing the telephone number entered by the caller with respect to country codes or a sequence of numbers that define the regions of the country .

 These systems, however, have the disadvantage that a separate language selection input is required, or in the case of an automatic system, the message language depends on the location of the caller.

 WO 95 20859 Al (D1) describes a language selection in a telephone communication system in which a subscriber is notified in a language intended for him. For example, a language selection indicator predefined by a user may be recorded in a database. If a user gains access to a communication system, one can search for a user identifier to find language selection data associated with the user for notification in the selected language. The language selection functions for the user cover the choice of language from the set of languages available in the system.

 The objective of the invention is to provide a communication system comprising a message tool for transmitting messages in one of various languages based on the availability of languages and allowing the subscriber to easily determine or change one or more preferred languages.

 This is achieved by a communication system having a message device for transmitting messages in one of various languages according to the features of paragraph 1 of the claims.

 The system according to the invention comprises at least one transmission device, at least two communication devices, for example, a telephone, at least one storage device for recording a list assigned to a subscriber containing at least two preferred languages, and at least one message device for providing messages in one of various languages. The determination means selects, in accordance with the sequence of languages in the list, the first language available on at least one message device, and sets the message to be transmitted in the selected language.

 In addition, the system comprises at least one subscriber input / correction device for entering, changing or deleting a list of preferred languages. Thus, the system favorably allows the subscriber to determine the assigned list of preferred languages or change the existing list of preferred languages, and allows the transmission of messages in one of various languages based on the availability of languages and based on the list of specified languages.

 A subscriber input / correction device may include input means, such as a keyboard, for entering certain commands or sequences of numbers corresponding to preferred languages. In addition, a subscriber input / correction device can be used to poll and display a list of preferred languages. Moreover, the subscriber input / correction device allows you to delete the list of preferred languages. Languages can be entered in a specific sequence according to the preferences of the subscriber.

 At the time of establishing a connection in the network, a list is transmitted with at least two preferred languages assigned to the subscriber. As a result, this list is available to at least one message device.

 To provide messages, the selector can browse languages in a preference sequence to determine if a message in the corresponding language is available on this message device. The message can be transmitted to the subscriber in the first available language. If the message is not available in any of the preferred languages, a known language selection method may be used, or the message may be transmitted in a predetermined language. The message device is usually not directly accessible to the subscriber, but it is activated by certain processes in the communication system, and / or the corresponding list with at least two preferred languages is transmitted to the message device or actively selected by the message device.

 In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one subscriber input / retrieval device is integrated in the communication means, for example in a mobile telephone, so that the subscriber can enter or change the list of preferred languages by using said communication medium.

 In addition, in an advantageous embodiment, this invention allows the transmission of information regarding preferred languages to a message device. Communication in a communications network may include ISDN (Service Integrated Digital Network) connections. At the time of establishing the connection, the storage means transmits a list with at least two of the preferred languages to the message device. If you want to send a message to the subscriber, the message device selects a language in accordance with the sequence of languages in the list and transmits a message to the subscriber in the selected language.

 Due to transmission problems or system incompatibilities, the list of preferred languages may not be reliable for the message device. Therefore, the message device can advantageously comprise a search tool that actively retrieves the list from the storage medium in case the list has not been received. The search facility may send a search command to the storage facility, causing the list to be retransmitted from the storage facility to the message device. To determine if there is a list available for retrieval, the search tool may include means for determining whether or not a list of preferred languages is assigned to the corresponding subscriber.

 In a further advantageous embodiment of this invention, a list with at least two preferred languages assigned to the calling or called subscriber can be transmitted to the message device and the calling and / or called subscriber can be provided with a message.

 In addition, the communication system may be a mobile telephone network according to the GSM standard, and / or may contain an additional mobile communication network, and / or PSTN (public switched telephone network). If the communication network includes a communication network according to the GSM standard, the list of preferred languages can be transmitted in terms of the extension of the MAP protocol (Part of Mobile Applications).

 Further advantageous embodiments of this invention are described in the additional dependent claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings:
Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a communication system according to the invention.

 FIG. 2 shows a part of a communication system according to the invention illustrating the entry, recording and modification of a list of preferred languages.

 FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of a communication system according to this invention.

 FIG. 4 shows an embodiment illustrating a search for a list of preferred languages.

FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of a method for providing messages and for entering and recording a list of preferred languages; and
FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a method according to the invention if a list of preferred languages has not been received by the message device.

 Further, preferred embodiments of this invention are described with reference to the accompanying figures. In these figures, the same reference numbers describe similar objects.

 FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a communication system according to the invention, including an arbitrary number of transmission devices. Figure 1 shows three transmission devices UEV1, UEV2, UEV3. Communication channels between transmission devices may be established, or they may already exist previously. Transmission devices may be part of a mobile network, such as, for example, according to the GSM standard, or may be transmitting stations of the PSTN network. The transmission device can be connected in accordance with the ISDN (Integrated Services Digital System) standard. The communications network is equipped with BV1-BV3 messaging devices to provide messages in different languages. Message devices can be directly attached to one of the transmission devices or can be in separate units. Message devices can provide messages in many different languages. The communication system according to the invention further comprises a storage means S for storing a list of preferred languages assigned to the subscriber. Preferably, the storage means is for storing lists of preferred languages of a plurality of subscribers. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the storage means S is connected to the transmission device UEV3.

 The subscriber input / correction devices EA1 and EA2 shown in FIG. 1 are each part of the communication devices T1-TK. Subscriber input / correction devices EA1 and EA2 are connected to the respective transmission devices. Connections between subscriber input / correction devices and transmission devices may be fixed lines, or, in the case of a mobile network, may be radio connections. Subscriber input / correction devices allow you to enter data and change data accordingly. Subscriber input / correction devices comprise input means Kl, K2 and display means Dl, D2. Since in the present embodiment, the subscriber input / correction devices and the respective communication devices Tl, T2 together form a block, the corresponding input means and display means can be shared between the communication devices and the subscriber input / correction devices. In other embodiments, however, the input / correction means EA can constitute separate units located remotely from the communication devices shown in FIG.

 The list of preferred languages assigned to the respective subscriber can be recorded by the subscriber in the storage means S using the input means K1, K2. In addition, subscribers can retrieve data, such as corresponding lists of preferred languages, from the storage means S using the input means K1, K2. The extracted data is then displayed on the corresponding display means D1, D2. Preferably, the memory cells in the storage means S for storing a list of preferred languages are assigned to each subscriber. In addition, it is preferable that only an authorized subscriber or service personnel have access to a list of preferred languages.

 The list of preferred languages may include data describing a particular sequence of languages according to the preferences of the subscriber, entered by the subscriber through the subscriber input / correction means EA.

 If the connection is established from one of the communication devices T1-TK, a list with at least one of the languages assigned to the subscriber is transmitted so that the list is accessible to the mentioned message devices BV1-BV3. However, it is possible that when the subscriber is to be notified, a list with at least one preferred language is transmitted to the corresponding message device BV1-BV3 after the connection has been established. In case of notification, said message devices BV1-BV3 transmit the message to the communication device in one of the preferred languages according to the list or in a predetermined (default) language.

 In general, the list assigned to the caller or assigned to the called subscriber can be reviewed by the message device and the called and / or caller can be notified, respectively. Therefore, during the establishment of a conversation or at any other time during a conversation, the list of preferred languages can be transmitted from the calling communication device T1-TK and additionally from the called communication device, the corresponding list of preferred languages can be transmitted in the opposite direction, so that if one or both subscribers must be notified, the corresponding lists will be available in the corresponding BV1-BV3 messaging devices.

 It is then determined whether the message is available in one of the preferred languages in the message device. The list of preferred languages is therefore processed according to the sequence of preferred languages, and the message is transmitted to the subscriber in the first available language. In the event that none of the preferred languages is available, a known language selection method may be used, or a predetermined language may be used instead. The message is transmitted to the subscriber through one of the communication devices T1-TK. Messages can be composed of audio signals or may contain a sequence of numbers or symbols that must be displayed on a communication device.

 Figure 2 illustrates part of another embodiment of a communication system according to this invention. In FIG. 2 also shows three transmission devices UEV1, UEV2, and UEV3. The storage medium S is connected to the transmission device UEV3, the temporary storage medium TS is connected to the transmission device UEV2. The subscriber input / correction means EA1 is shown connected to the transmission device UEV2. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the storage means S is constituted by a central memory device continuously recording a plurality of lists of preferred languages assigned to subscribers. Preferably, lists of preferred languages or additional subscriber data of a large number of subscribers served by any of said network transmission devices are stored. Said temporary storage medium TS stores lists of preferred languages or subscriber data served by the transmission apparatus UEV2. Not shown in FIG. 2, additional temporary storage media attached to additional transmission devices and storing subscriber data or lists of preferred languages of subscribers served by these transmission devices.

 The following describes how a subscriber determines a list of preferred languages through a subscriber input / correction device EA1. The language can be entered through the input means of the subscriber input / correction means EA1 by entering sequences of numbers or symbols. For example, a sequence of numbers or symbols may determine the code of a country where a language is used as an official language. Since country codes are standardized worldwide, this may also allow language recognition in systems that do not have the capabilities of the invention. Another approach for determining a language from the list of preferred languages is to enter the internationally defined name of the corresponding country (for example, "SF" - Finnish) in the form of a sequence of characters or numbers through the input tool K1 of the EA1 input / correction tool. The order of languages of the list of preferred languages can, for example, be determined by a specific sequence of entered numbers or characters that define specific languages. A list of preferred languages is recorded for storage by entering additional numbers or characters before or after the numbers and characters defining the languages. For example, a list that is defined in a preference sequence, Finnish, Italian, German, English, may take the following form: "* # * 123 * SF I BRD GR #" or "* # * 123 * 35 39 49 44 #". After the list is entered, it is transmitted to the transmission device UEV2, where it is recorded in the temporary memory means TS. In addition, this list is transmitted to the transmission device UEV3, where it is recorded in the storage medium S constituting the central register.

 In another embodiment of the invention, a list of preferred languages can be directly transmitted to said storage medium S. In the case of a mobile network according to the GSM standard, data transmission can be performed using the USSD (Unstructured Services Data) command. In this case, the list is transferred from the subscriber input / correction means EA to the ULR (Visiting Location Register) of the storage means and to the HLR (Reference Location Register) of the storage means.

 The subscriber can change the list of preferred languages by entering a special correction command through the input means of the subscriber input / correction means EA1. This command is transmitted to the transmission device UEV3 and causes the list of preferred languages to be changed and transmitted to the subscriber input / correction means EA1. The command, as well as the list, is transmitted through the transmission device UEV2. In other embodiments, the patch command directly modifies the list of preferred languages from the temporary TS storage medium.

 In addition, the subscriber can delete the list of preferred languages by entering a predefined command through the subscriber input / correction means EA1. In this case, the command is transmitted through the transmission device UEV2 to the transmission device UEV3 and the list is deleted in the storage medium S.

 FIG. 3 describes a further embodiment of a communication system according to the present invention. Two temporary storage facilities TS1, TS2 are provided. These temporary storage means are connected to transmission devices UEV1 and UEV2, respectively. With respect to FIG. 2, it was emphasized that a list of preferred languages is recorded in the central storage medium S, as well as in the temporary storage medium TS connected to the transmission device serving this subscriber. If now, as shown in FIG. 3, the subscriber or the communication device T1 is moved from the area covered by the transmission device UEV1 to the area covered by the transmission device UEV2, the list of preferred languages assigned to the subscriber that was originally recorded in the temporary storage medium TS1 is deleted and is recorded in the temporary storage medium TS2 attached to said transmission device UEV2.

 In a preferred embodiment, in a GSM system, this procedure can be performed as follows: a UEV3 transmission device or control device (not shown) connected to a central storage means initiates the transmission of a list of preferred languages. This list is transferred to the temporary storage medium TS2 by adding this list as a data packet to the extension part of the standard MAP protocol. In the temporary storage medium TS2, this list is recorded along with additional subscriber data. This list is then deleted in the temporary storage medium TS1. If the ISDN network is part of the transmission path, the list is transmitted along with the IAM (Initial Address Message). A list of preferred languages is obtained from the ISDN network by the transmission device UEV2 and recorded in the temporary storage medium TS2. Next, the list is deleted in said temporary storage medium TS1. This method can also be applied to call transfer. Additionally, it is possible that this method was applied to existing communication networks by assigning certain subscriber code numbers to identify the subscriber in the direction of the network.

 FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a change in a list of preferred languages. The message device BV1 is connected to the transmission device UEV2, and the storage means S is connected to the transmission device UEV3. The communication device T1 and the subscriber input / correction means EA1 are also connected to the transmission device UEV3. As previously emphasized, in the case where a connection is established that is started from the communication device T1, a list of preferred languages is transmitted from said storage medium S to the message device BV1. The language is selected by the message device, and accordingly a message is transmitted. Due to incompatibilities of the communication networks or transmission failures, however, it may turn out that the list of preferred languages is not transmitted or is not completely transmitted to the message device. For example, the PSTN network may form part of a channel between a UEV2 transmission device and a UEV3 transmission device that does not support the transmission of a list of preferred languages.

 Therefore, the message device BV1 of the shown embodiment includes a search engine AU1 for actively searching the list from the storage means S, in case the list is not received.

 In order to determine whether a conversation is coming in the direction of the message device BV1 from a subscriber having an associated list of preferred languages, the message device BV1 includes means for determining PV1. For example, the means for determining PV1 may be designed to determine, by analyzing the country code and additional parts of the code number, whether the caller is a mobile subscriber. If the means for determining PV1 determines that a list of preferred languages may possibly be assigned or assigned to this subscriber, the means for searching PV1 transmits a “transfer list” command to the transmission device UEV3. This command starts the transfer of the list of preferred languages to the message device. In other embodiments, the “transfer list” command may be transmitted without prior polling.

 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing messages in a preferred language to subscribers of a communication system according to this invention. First, a search command may be issued, or languages entered. In the case of a search command from the subscriber input / correction means EA1, a sequence of numbers or characters entered through the input means K1 is transmitted to the storage means S, in which a list of preferred languages is stored. In response to this storage means S transmits a list of preferred languages to the subscriber input / correction means, which in turn will display it on the display means D1. Entering a list of preferred languages can be done through the keyboard of a subscriber input / correction tool, as previously described in detail with respect to FIG. In the event that the list is to be recorded, it is transferred to the storage means S, TS1, TS2 and recorded in them. Subsequent entry and correction of languages in the list is possible. In the case when the connection is established through a subscriber or a communication device having a list of preferred languages assigned to him, this list of preferred languages is transmitted. As previously emphasized, as a result, this list is thus made available to the respective message devices. However, it is also possible that the list is transmitted to the message device only when a message is required. After that, the message device provides, as described with respect to FIG. 1, a message to the subscriber in accordance with one of the preferred languages.

 FIG. 6 illustrates how a message is transmitted in one of the preferred languages by the message device, and also illustrates how a list of preferred languages can be actively called up when this list was not transmitted or was not completely transmitted during connection establishment.

 The flowchart begins at entry point E. If the message device determines that a list of preferred languages has been received, the means for determining PV1 determines, in accordance with the sequence of preferences, whether the message is available in one of the preferred languages. If the list was not received, the message device can determine whether the list of preferred languages is assigned to this subscriber, or can determine whether the subscriber is a mobile subscriber. Then, said message device attempts to actively find this list from the storage medium by sending a search command. In case no list is found, the message is transmitted in a predefined language. If the list is received, the message will be sent to the subscriber in the first available language from the list of preferred languages, as described with respect to FIG.

Claims (12)

 1. A communication system for providing messages in different languages, comprising: at least one transmission device (UEV1, UEV2, UEV3), at least two communication devices (T1, T2, T3), at least one device ( S) for storing at least one list containing at least two preferred languages, each of at least one of the lists being assigned to one subscriber; at least one device (BV1, BV2, BV3) for providing messages in different languages, characterized in that at least one subscriber input / correction device (EA1, EA2) is designed to record a list with at least two preferred languages, at least one storage device (S) and for retrieving and displaying a list from said at least one storage device (S), each of at least one subscriber input / correction device (EA1, EA2) includes means (K1, K2) for inputting the sequence those numbers or symbols and means (D1, D2) for displaying a list of at least two preferred languages, the list with at least two preferred languages assigned to the subscriber is transmitted between the at least two devices communication (T1, T2, T3) or other blocks of the communication system during the establishment of a connection or during an existing connection; and at least one message device (BV1, BV2, BV3) includes means for determining (PV1) for selecting, in accordance with the sequential order of languages in the list, the first language available in at least one message device, and for initiating that the message is transmitted to one of the at least two communication devices in the selected language.  2. The communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the at least one subscriber input / correction devices (EA1, EA2), together with the corresponding communication device (T1, T2, T3) constitute a unit.  3. The communication system according to p. 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one list includes many preferred languages in a certain sequence.  4. The communication system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that only if the subscriber is to be notified, during the establishment of communication, a list with at least two preferred languages is transmitted to the corresponding message device (BV1, BV2, BV3).  5. The communication system according to one of paragraphs. 1-4, characterized in that at least one message device (BV1, BV2, BV3) transmits a message to the communication device (T1, T2, T3) of the calling and / or called subscriber.  6. The system according to one of paragraphs. 1-5, characterized in that the list with at least two preferred languages, intended for the calling and / or called subscriber, is transmitted and, in case of notification of the communication device and / or called subscriber, a message is transmitted in the language according to the corresponding list.  7. Communication system according to one of paragraphs. 1-6, characterized in that it provides the first means of temporary storage (TS1) connected to the first transmission device (UEV1), for recording a list with at least two preferred languages assigned to the subscriber served by the first transmission device (UEV1), there is a second temporary storage means (TS2) attached to the second transmission device (UEV2), as well as means for deleting the list of preferred languages in the first storage medium (TS1) and for writing the list to the second temporary storage means (TS2), if the tent moves from the area covered by the first temporary storage means (TS1) to the area covered by the second temporary storage means (TS2).  8. The communication system according to one of paragraphs. 1-7, characterized in that the message is transmitted to the communication device (T1) in a predefined language, if none of the languages is available.  9. The communication system according to one of paragraphs. 1-8, characterized in that at least one message device (BV1, BV2, BV3) includes means (AV1) for searching a list with at least two preferred languages from storage means (S, TS1, TS2) in the case when the list is not transmitted or incorrectly transferred from the communication device (T1, T2, T3) to the message device (BV1, BV2, BV3).  10. The communication system according to one of paragraphs. 1-9, characterized in that at least one subscriber input / correction device (EA1, EA2) is designed to transmit a sequence of numbers or symbols to the said at least one storage device (S), and these sequences of numbers or characters are country codes or international country abbreviations.  11. The communication system according to one of paragraphs. 1-10, characterized in that the communication system is a mobile network and / or telephone network according to the GSM standard and / or fixed telephone network.  12. The communication system according to claim 11, characterized in that at least one message device (BV1, BV2, BV3) is intended to receive a list with at least two of the preferred languages in terms of the extension of the MAP (Part of Mobile Applications) .

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