SE520204C2 - Telephone register in communication network updatable via internet and arranged to reduce network load - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device at communication networks where users (A; C) in a system utilize connection/switching functions and register (B) which include personal telephone registers. The person register consists of names and alternative telephone numbers to different persons/companies. The user (A) establishes connection with register (B), which identifies the user (A). The user a transmit/transfers an identification which identifies a person/service, at which the register on basis of the identification determines the call number to the wanted person/service. The register (B) after that establishes contact with the user's (A) switching centre (T1) and transmits/transfers the call number to said switching centre. The switching centre after that switches over the user's (A) original connections with the register (B) to a connection with the wanted person/service.

Description

520 204 2. To be able to make a connection in a production-economical way via speech recognition equipment without double connection paths arising (ie double calls). To be able to access the service for the user in a smooth way.

STATE OF THE TECHNOLOGY The utilization of personal telephone directories is realized within the telecommunications area with various technologies. Initially, lists or notebooks were used to record telephone numbers of other people with whom one often has contact. Later, other solutions have emerged where electronic notebooks are used, such as number transmitters, separate or built-in telephone sets. The possibility of storing telephone lists in equipment arranged at telephone stations in or in or in connection with the telecommunications system has also been developed.

Such systems are based on the subscriber calling a special unit (B) via the telephone system, see Fig. 1, which stores the subscriber's personal telephone directory. Scrolling in the system can be done by pressing a key on the telephone keypad, whereby the possibility of scrolling forwards and backwards in the register is effected by pressing different numbers on the keypad. When the register has been notified of which telephone number to call, a call is made to the current telephone number. In this case, forwarding takes place in the traditional way (Fig. 3) via the telephone station to which the register is connected. Other solutions are that the register is provided with outputs and inputs (Fig. 2) where the register, after receiving information about who is to be called on one of its outputs, performs the dialing, after which the outputs and inputs in the register are connected. A disadvantage of this latter system is that the resources of the telephone system are used for interconnection between individuals who wish to communicate. Systems of this kind further have the disadvantage that the transmission properties of the connection deteriorate. The register gives losses, partly because a number of extra connections are required which in themselves degrade the overall transmission quality beyond what is necessary.

Today's public telecommunications network includes, when talking about ordinary telephony between subscribers, the possibility of reaching other subscribers by using the fingers to activate various keys that belong to the telephone. This means that DTMF tones are generated and signaling takes place via the network, whereby a call is connected to the person you intend to talk to.

In some (local) telephony systems, there are ways to use the voice to direct calls to the subscriber you wish to talk to. These systems are then based on a (computer) equipment 5203204 identifying a certain name as belonging to a telephone number, whereby the call (in a known manner) is connected via this equipment.

There are also local terminals that work this way but with a very limited number of words.

There is thus a need to make efficient use of available transmission resources in the telecommunications networks from economic, network technology and transmission technology aspects.

THE SOLUTION The present invention relates to a device for communication networks where users (A, C) in a system use switching functions as well as registers (B) which comprise personal telephone registers. The personal register consists of names and alternative telephone numbers for different person companies. The user (A) establishes contact with the register (B), which identifies the user (A). The user (A) transmits an identification that identifies a person / service, whereby the register determines from the identification a call number to the searched person / service.

The register (B) then establishes contact with the user (Azs) telestation (Tl) and transmits the call number to said telestation. The telecommunications station then reconnects the user (Azs)'s original connections with the register (B) to a connection with the requested person / service.

The personal register is updated through communication via the Internet.

The information can then be transferred using the computer keyboard. The register (B) predicts a number of possible selections / alternatives for the verbal information to be received.

The user (A) is thus allowed to communicate verbally with the register (B) without prior voice training.

The user (A) transfers information to the register (B) verbally. The information is processed in a speech analysis device arranged in, or in connection with, the register. The information received from the user (A) is translated by the speech analyzer into information identifiable to the system. The information is transmitted to the telecommunication station (Tl) to which the user (A) is connected.

Based on the information from the register, care is then taken to establish a connection between the user (A) and the user / service (C). The original connection between the register (B) and the user (A) is connected.

The user (A) is assigned a personal call number when calling the register (B). The personal call number is activated by entering a speed dial number, for example 9 #. The invention further relates to a method in which the carrier (A) is given the possibility of simplified connection to users / services (C) when using centrally located registers (B) in a telecom operator's telecommunications system. The register is in this case normally connected to a telephone station other than the one to which the user is connected. Information regarding the searched user / service (C) is transferred from the user (A) to the register (B). The register (B) determines which, of at least one, call number is to be selected. The information is transmitted to a telephone exchange (T1) to which the user (A) is connected. The connection between the user (A) and the register (B) is terminated and a new connection is established between the user (A) and the user / service (C).

The register (B) verbally informs the user (A) regarding alternative connections to the user / service (C).

Information regarding users / services (C) is stored in text form and processed in a speech synthesis equipment, which translates the text into spoken information. The information retrieved from the register is transmitted verbally to the user (A), who in turn is given the opportunity to verbally give instructions to the register.

Information from the user (A) is transferred to the register (B), where the information is stored in text format. The text is processed by the speech synthesis equipment that creates an expected speech profile based on a number of possible pronunciations for the stored information. The information is used by a speech analysis equipment that receives information from the user (A).

The register (B) receives the information from the user (A) verbally without the need for special voice training in the individual cases.

ADVANTAGES The invention allows users of personal registers to store these centrally. For the users, this means the advantage that registers do not have to be entered in the individual terminals. This reduces the risk that users may forget to update their local records. Furthermore, the capacity of the various terminals is not affected by the user's registry needs. Additional benefits for users are that the personal register is accessible from various terminals which do not necessarily have to be any of the terminals the user normally uses.

For the operators, the invention means that the number of lines in telecommunications systems can be reduced as a result of the registers not using inputs and outputs in the register to forward respective calls. 520 5204 Alternatively, capacity is also saved in telecommunications systems by not connecting the calls over telephone stations that do not have a share in the actual call.

Additional advantages are that, in cases where the telephone directory makes use of the telephone stations' possibilities for forwarding, in this case connection of telephone traffic via connections that are not required is avoided.

The invention further makes use of intelligent networks (IN) with the help of which computer technology can be used for updating the registers and controlling them. Furthermore, the intelligent networks allow communication to be established between telephone exchanges, and orders are given on how connections are to be established.

For the customer, the service means that the subscriber is given the opportunity to try the service before it is ordered and that the telephony is streamlined with a simple admission of people you wish to be able to call. The subscriber gets his own telephone book in the network which he can use and utilize for different needs as well as for voting. For the private user, one can see the following benefits.

° Time-efficient and smoother communication. The user saves time and money by avoiding searching for phone numbers and the user does not have to remember so many phone numbers.

'The user (Customer) does not have to use the keypad to operate the phone.

'Easy entry of telephone numbers and updating of the telephone directory via the Internet. (Online, at home, at work. ...)' Telephone directory sounded accessible and readable via the Internet. ° Increased traffic safety when driving a car and using mobile telephony.

° Easier use for the disabled and visually impaired.

For the customer / operator, the great advantage is obtained that the speech recognition is linked to the personal telephone book that is in the network, in one and the same place accessible from fl your various fixed and mobile (services) terminals.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES Figure 1 shows a basic solution according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a solution according to the state of the art where the user first connects to the register and the register thereafter forwards the call via outputs in the register. 5206204 Figure 3 shows a solution where the register uses forwarding technology accessible via the telecommunications system's service offering.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the following, the invention is described on the basis of the figures and the designations therein.

A user A in a telecommunication system T intends to use his personal telephone directory B, which is established in the telecommunication system T. The user A can use both the fixed and the mobile telephone network. The communication refers to analogue or digital communication, for example spoken information or data communication. User A calls, for example, the register function B with a special call prefix, hereinafter stated as 9 #, other prefixes or numbers can of course still be used in other addressing formats. The prefix activates, for example, the telephone station alternatively the terminal to activate a personal call number for the subscriber, A, for a register function, which comprises a telephone directory personally arranged for the subscriber. The telecommunications station receives the information and identifies where the call is to be connected in the usual way. The telephone directory is administered centrally within a region, for example a country or part of a country. The telephone stations to which the user, A, and the register, B, respectively, are thus separated. The telephone directory answers the call and informs that it is ready to receive information from user A.

The telephone directory can now use various techniques for identifying users A. In the first case, the telephone directory uses an identification given by the user. This information can be both verbal and a code given via the telecommunications terminal or the personal telephone number used by the telephone exchange. The identification is further permitted to take place with a personal call code, which code uniquely identifies users. The code can in this case be the telephone number or part of the telephone number used by the user. The user, Azs, telephone directory is retrieved from the registry's memory bank. The telephone directory can hereby be compiled from one or more parts of the said register, or alternatively obtained from other lists.

When the identification has been executed and verified, the telephone directory receives information from user A regarding who the call is to be connected to. This information is preferably provided verbally and is received by a speech analysis equipment in the telephone directory B. The user, A, activates the search by saying a person's, company etc, name or other identification, for example abbreviation, nickname or equivalent. The telephone directory then identifies which subscriber to connect to by searching the subscriber's Az's personal 520 204 7 register. After identification, the register establishes a contact with the user Azs telestation via an intelligent network IN. When contact has been established, with the user Ac's telephone station via the intelligent network IN, information is transmitted regarding the user's Az's identity, and to which subscription the connection is to take place. The station now redirects the connection between user A and the register. Based on the information from the register, the telecommunications system now arranges for a connection to the requested subscriber C to be established and the connection to the register, B, to be terminated. Thereafter, the communication continues in an accepted manner.

When the user, A, calls the register, B, it is allowed that the called user, C, is accessible via a number of different channels. It can be, for example, different telephone numbers, for housing, holiday home, one or fl your workplaces, mobile phone, etc. To overcome the problem of which alternative to choose, the user can in a first alternative express his wish with commands such as "Pelle hem", " Pelle work "," Pelle mobile "etc.

A second option is that the user only says "Pelle", whereby the register identifies the various options that the command can refer to. Information to the user, A, is then given which options are relevant. The user can then notify the registry which option to select. both with the voice and with the push of a button on the current terminal.

An additional alternative is that the register, after identifying the current user, C, also examines which alternatives are relevant. For example, control can take place to a preselected terminal with regard to time of day, day of the week, etc.

An additional alternative is that the register examines which alternatives are currently callable and then selects one of the relevant alternatives and then orders the current connection. In addition to examining which alternatives are callable, the register checks from where the call was established, whereby the register, after the said identification, determines which alternatives are relevant. Based on this identification, the alternatives that may be in question are then selected, taking into account the type of communication that the user, A, is currently using. ~ «~ 5208204 When the register, B, transmits information to the user, Azs, telephone station, a communication function established in the telephone station is used, which is arranged to receive information about who is to be called and who has requested the connection. The communication function then disconnects the connection with the register, at the same time as connection to the selected alternative is started and the connection is established in the usual way between the users.

The switching from the register to the desired user can also be performed as a normal request call, where the first party with whom communication has been established ends its part of the communication, and the communication continues to be completed with a second party. What happens in this case is that the register, in its communication with the user, Azs, telephone exchange, gives instructions that an inquiry call must be established and that the original call must be terminated.

The method according to the invention is a way for a subscriber to subscribe to an additional service to his own subscription.

Procedure is practiced in a telecommunications system, which consists of the public telecommunications network consisting of the fixed network PSTN and the mobile network NMT / GSM. The procedure enables one or more of your subscribers, at a specific operator, to control, via telephony equipment with their own subscription or via telephony equipment with another type of subscription, via control functions cooperating in the network, calls to the subscriber's telephone equipment with which they wish to communicate.

The control is done by the subscriber saying a name or service with the voice that corresponds to a subscriber with a certain telephone number and the call is connected.

A customer who wants the voting service connects to the operator's website or other page belonging to the operator.

From this page, the customer decides whether he wants to subscribe to the voice dialing service by clicking on a special marking on the website, whereby the service takes effect immediately.

It is also possible to try the service from the website before the subscription begins.

The customer puts up the names and telephone numbers that he wants to be able to call.

By the customer entering the name and number in a special form and the service is ready to use. ~ 520 9204 The service works so that you enter directly on the web, in the form, the people you want to be able to vote for using the keyboard. In this way, a telephone directory is created with the names and numbers of people you have the opportunity to vote for. A program then interprets the text and provides an expected sound pattern on how the text should be pronounced. This is done with the help of recorded sound patterns from a large number of speakers. In order for the user to receive a confirmation of which name has been interpreted and to whom the call will be connected, it is reproduced in the recognized name with speech synthesis. In this case, the user is given the opportunity to say error, interrupt or stop to prevent the ongoing connection to the designated HUIIIIIICT.

The telephone directory that is located in a database (any computer) in the network is usually built with names and one or fl your telephone numbers of different people with attributes (nothing, at home, at work, on the mobile phone or with synonymous terms) that the subscriber has chosen to add.

Furthermore, the online placement of the directory provides the opportunity to connect various services that need information contained in it.

Another feature is that the phonebook automatically updates itself through the care of the phone operator.

For a person who changes telephone numbers quite often, a check is made, by co-ordinating computers, whereby the person receives the correct number in the telephone directory.

The customer posts / changes the names and numbers of the people he wants to be able to call via voice dialing, in a personal telephone book on a web page. Accessibility to the website is protected by a personal code. This is realized by being behind the automatic customer service.

When the customer wants to call from their own subscription, he picks up the handset (alternatively picks up the handset and dials a card number) and is met by a voice message, for example "Welcome to Telia, who do you want to call?" The customer then says one of the names he has entered in his personal telephone book, possibly with attributes. He receives a receipt through a voice message, for example "Ringer Fred Nelsson" and the call is then connected to this person. 52010204 The initial voice message is interrupted when the customer says the name or starts dialing a number on their phone.

The service is accessed automatically or with a card number from your own fixed subscription. It can also be accessed from any other subscription (fixed or mobile) by the customer calling a special number (and entering a personal code). Getting one or your names or the entire stored phonebook read out normally requires a security solution, such as a personal code.

However, the customer can (also) choose a number of subscriptions, in addition to their own, from which the service can be accessed without a personal code.

The personal telephone directory can be included in or developed into a more comprehensive address book linked to other telecommunications services or a voice portal where the information is retrieved from various web pages and read out via speech synthesis over the telephone line.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described above or to the appended claims, but may undergo modifications within the scope of the inventive concept.

Claims (1)

520 204 H PATENT REQUIREMENTS 1. Device for communication networks, comprising users (A; C) in a telecommunications system, comprising switching functions and registers (B) comprising personal telephone registers, characterized in that user A is arranged to establish contact with the register (B) , that the register (B), after identification of the user (A), is arranged to receive an identification of a searched person / service and said identification identifies a call number of the searched person / service, that the register (B) is arranged to establish contact with the user, (Azs), telestation (Tl) and transmit information regarding the call number to the telestation, which is arranged to reconnect the user (A zs) original connection with the register (B) to a connection with the requested person / service and that the telephone directory is arranged to be automatically updated by the communication network operator. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the register is arranged to communicate via the Internet. Device according to claim 1, or 2, characterized in! of, that the user (A) is arranged to use the Internet to update his personal telephone directory. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the updating of the personal register is arranged to be performed by means of communication between the register and a computer arranged at the user (A). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the user (A) is arranged to transmit information to the register (B) by means of verbal information, which information is arranged to be processed by a speech analysis device arranged in, or in connection with, the register. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the register (B) is arranged to, at a given textual information, predict a number of possible pronunciation alternatives for the verbal information. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the user (A) is allowed to communicate verbally with the register (B) without the register (B) first undergoing voice training. Device according to claims 5-7, characterized in that the speech analysis device is arranged to receive verbal information from the user (A) and said information is translated into information identifiable for the system, which identifiable information is transmitted to a telephone station (T1) to which the user (A) is connected, the telephone station (T1) being arranged to arrange a connection between the user (A) and the user / service (C) on the basis of the information from the register. Device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the connection to the register (B) is arranged to be disconnected.................................. . Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the user (A), when calling the register (B), is assigned a personal call number, which uniquely identifies the user (A). Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the personal call number is activated by a card number indication, e.g. 9 #. Method in telecommunication systems, including users (A) and users / services (C), for simplified interconnection between the users (A, C) and the services, respectively, in cases where centrally located registers (B) are used, characterized in that information concerning a searched user / service (C) is transmitted from the user (A) to the register (B), that the register (B) determines which, of at least one, call number to be selected, that the register transmits information regarding said call number to a telephone station (T1) to which the user (A) ) is connected together with its identity, that the telephone exchange (T1) terminates the communication between the user (A) and the register, and establishes a connection between the user (A) and the user / service (C) and that the telephone register is automatically updated by the telecommunication system operator. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the register (B) leaves a message to the user (A) regarding alternative connections to the user / service (C), that the message is left in spoken form. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that information regarding users / services (C) is stored in text form and processed in a speech synthesis equipment, which translates the text into spoken information. Method according to claims 12-14, characterized in that the user (A) transfers information to the register (B), which stores said information in text format. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that a text analysis equipment creates an expected speech profile based on a number of possible pronunciations for the stored information, which information is used by a speech analysis equipment which receives information from the user (A) - Method according to claims 12-16, characterized by , that the register (B), upon receiving information from the user (A), receives the information verbally, without the user (A) Method according to claim 12, which consists of the public telecommunications network consisting of the fixed network PSTN, the mobile network NMT / GSM, Internet and subscriber equipment, which 520 2Û4 _ / Ö ii may make it possible for one or fl your subscribers, at a certain operator, to control voice via telephony equipment with their own subscription or via a telephony equipment with another type of subscription, via control functions cooperating in the network, calls to the subscriber's telephone equipment that you wish to communicate with, characterized by, - that an additional subscription of a voice control service effu by the subscriber marking on a web page belonging to a telecommunications operator that the service is desired, - - that the subscriber enters the names and telephone numbers that are desired to be used in making name calls / voice dialing via said web page, - - that for each name can also be added attributes such as eg at home, in the office, on the mobile phone, - that the additional subscription becomes available immediately after the order of the service has been made and that the subscriber is thereby assigned a telephone number through which he / she can reach the telephone directory (the telephone directory is filled in to the desired degree), - - that the speech recognition takes place speech recognition equipment by the system sensing the information in the speech signal (voice) of the speaker, - - that a speed dial function is activated immediately on all subscribers' subscriptions that connect to the speech recognition equipment, or that you immediately pick up the handset, - that the service is realized in the intelligent telecommunications network, so that the connection to the speech recognition equipment is broken when the call link to the connection of the pronounced name is connected, in order to reduce the traffic routes in the telephone network - - that the user can reach his phonebook to make calls without security code - - that the user to use their security code (pressed on the keypad or pronounced on the phone) - - that the subscriber can exclude a number of numbers from which he / she does not have to use security code. A method according to claim 18, characterized in that the speech recognition equipment senses the voice on a first call to a certain telephone number in a speaker-independent manner by comparison with a synthetic voice, wherein other calls to the speeches are made in a speaker-dependent manner by comparison with own read voice. 520 204/4 in H i 20. Method according to claim 18, characterized in that the telephone directory is located in the public - ~ .- '“Mn- .w fi v telephone network. Method according to Claim 20, characterized in that the telephone directory consists of the names and telephone numbers of the persons to whom the voting is desired and available for other telecommunication services. Method according to Claim 20, characterized in that the speech synthesis takes place in a device which converts text into speech. The speech synthesis is based partly on a name database (dictionary) of pronunciation of names, and partly for unknown names a program with rules on pronunciation. Method according to claim 18, characterized in that the website contains marking in order to be able to try the voting service for a certain period of time at no cost to the customer.