WO2001086970A2 - System and method for providing ip-based services - Google Patents

System and method for providing ip-based services Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001086970A2
WO2001086970A2 PCT/IB2001/001079 IB0101079W WO0186970A2 WO 2001086970 A2 WO2001086970 A2 WO 2001086970A2 IB 0101079 W IB0101079 W IB 0101079W WO 0186970 A2 WO0186970 A2 WO 0186970A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
client
call
service
called
advanced intelligent
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2001/001079
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2001086970A3 (en
Inventor
Li Li
Eber Mello
Janusz Janulewicz
Martin Beauvais
Giuseppe Cinotti
Andre Moskal
Edward Lin
Sharon Chen
Tu Do
Original Assignee
Ss8 Networks, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ss8 Networks, Inc. filed Critical Ss8 Networks, Inc.
Priority to AU2001264170A priority Critical patent/AU2001264170A1/en
Publication of WO2001086970A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001086970A2/en
Publication of WO2001086970A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001086970A3/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q3/00—Selecting arrangements
    • H04Q3/0016—Arrangements providing connection between exchanges
    • H04Q3/0029—Provisions for intelligent networking
    • H04Q3/0054—Service creation techniques
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
    • H04M3/42136—Administration or customisation of services
    • H04M3/42153—Administration or customisation of services by subscriber
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M7/00—Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres
    • H04M7/12—Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
    • H04M7/1205—Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal where the types of switching equipement comprises PSTN/ISDN equipment and switching equipment of networks other than PSTN/ISDN, e.g. Internet Protocol networks
    • H04M7/1225—Details of core network interconnection arrangements
    • H04M7/123—Details of core network interconnection arrangements where the packet-switched network is an Internet Protocol Multimedia System-type network
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q3/00—Selecting arrangements
    • H04Q3/0016—Arrangements providing connection between exchanges
    • H04Q3/0025—Provisions for signalling
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
    • H04M3/42127—Systems providing several special services or facilities from groups H04M3/42008 - H04M3/58

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the field of Internet Protocol telephony, and especially provides a system and a method for providing Internet Protocol-based advanced intelligent network services. Functional circuits and method steps are taught herein, accordingly.
  • the purpose of the present invention is to provide a specialized IP -based advanced intelligent network service system which will offer a variety of services, whereby IP telephony service providers and carriers may offer to their customers a number of value added services that would integrate with the features and capabilities of both existing public switched telephone networks and IP networks.
  • the present invention recognizes that the protocols on PSTN and IP networks are different, but translators are easily provided to interface between varying services and protocols, and are beyond the scope of the present invention.
  • One of the features of the present invention is such that the architecture of the system provided hereby may be structured in such a manner that the system hardware, software, and methods in keeping with the present invention will only be operative when any one or more of the specialized services is required to be invoked, depending on a profile which may have been established by either or both the calling party or the called party.
  • each client whether the client is a calling party or a called party, may establish a profile governing many different circumstances surrounding the making or receiving of calls.
  • the specific client profiles may be established using scripting methods. The precise manner of scripting, the language used, and the nature of the specific interfaces, are also outside or beyond the scope of the present invention, but fall within the skill of signal handling designers and computer software writers, and so on.
  • the present invention provides a system for providing
  • Internet Protocol-based advanced intelligent network services which comprises a plurality of media gateways each being in communication with and controlled by a respective media gateway controller.
  • There is a plurality of telephone signal gates each having an associated signalling transport point, and each being in communication with a media gateway controller and with a plurality of clients on any IP -based network or IP -telephony service network.
  • At least one service creation and service management module having scripting and memory means, whereby any client of the advanced intelligent network services might prepare or have prepared a script which details the specific advanced intelligent network services that each such client may individually subscribe to. Once the script has been written, by which parameters for some of the services will have been determined, each individual script may be invoked each time an individual client is the target of an incoming call to that client, or makes an outgoing call.
  • a service data source module having a database and memory means whereby translation services for called numbers of individual clients of the advanced intelligent network services on the IP -based telephony service network are stored. Other globally shared data may also be stored in the service data source module.
  • An intelligent media server is provided, wherein media stream interaction for any invoked script requiring such media stream interaction is performed.
  • IP -based telephony routing means will carry calls between and among individual clients of the advanced intelligent network services.
  • each of the universal service modules, the at least one service creation and service management module, the service data source module, and the intelligent media server may be interconnected one to another, if present and required.
  • Each individual script for each respective client is stored in a universal service module that is associated with each respective client; it being understood that many clients will share a single universal service module. That universal service module associated with each respective client is sometimes referred to as the client's home universal service module.
  • Definitions of the advanced intelligent network services which are available for subscription by any client are stored in the service management module, and may be downloaded to a respective home universal service module associated with that client.
  • any particular advanced intelligent network service to which any client of the telephone service networks subscribes will be invoked whenever a call is made to or by that client, if the conditions surrounding that call are within the parameters of such invokable advanced intelligent network service at the time the call is made.
  • the parameters of the invokable advanced intelligent network service are within the definition thereof as it is stored in the respective home universal service module; and the fact of the subscription to that advanced intelligent network service by that individual client is also stored in the respective universal service module.
  • the information concerning the particular advanced intelligent network service to which any client of the telephone service networks subscribes may be stored, as well, in the service data source module.
  • the IP -based telephony routing means may be public switched telephone networks, IP-based telephony networks, and combinations thereof. Accordingly, depending on the nature of the routing means, a plurality of signal switching points or a plurality of signal routers will be provided, for connecting one to another.
  • At least one universal service module may also include scripting means, whereby an individual client may establish her or his own parameters and choices of available specialized telephone signal services, as they are defined in the service management module.
  • At least one service creation module having a GUI interface for scripting specific advanced intelligent network services for any individual client.
  • a service creation module is under the control of an operator in the employ of the service provider.
  • the scripting may be done by any client, by web access to a home page operated by the advanced intelligent network services provider; and as well, by access to a telephone-based prompting dialogue, or by access to voice recognition and voice synthesis resources associated with the respective universal services module.
  • the provision of advanced intelligent network services to individual clients is not centralized. Rather, it is a distributed service, throughout an IP-based telephony network.
  • any client may check and/or update her or his scripted profile, at any time, either by appropriate web access or voice access.
  • calendar routing by which a call routing may be established based on the called client's calendar as it is stored in said intelligent media server;
  • terminating call screening by which a call to a specific client may be dropped or enabled depending the scripted parameters established by each respective client;
  • originating call screening by which a call to a specific client may be dropped or enabled depending on the identity of the calling client
  • origin dependent routing by which a call from a specific client may be routed to a particular destination as defined by the called client;
  • call transfer [0032] third party call control by which a controller mediates a call between a calling client and a called client;
  • buddy presence service by which a calling client may browse her or his personal directory and determine if any client to be called in that personal directory is available for a call to be made at that instance in time;
  • a particular feature of the present invention is that each client of the telephone signalling services network has a unique identity whereby that client may be reached by any calling client, irrespective of the location of the called client.
  • any called client may predetermine a location at which any individual incoming call may be received, in keeping with predetermined established parameters which are in effect at the time the call is being received.
  • the present invention also provides a method for providing advanced intelligent network services for clients of a telephone service network, comprising the steps of:
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a system and method whereby IP-based telephony and telephone companies, IP/web operators, and other such operators providing voice and/or data communications between clients over established PSTN networks or other IP -based telephony networks, may offer new revenue generating services which are value added services for subscription by their clients.
  • Figure 2 shows another setup of some principal components in the service network in keeping with the present invention
  • Figure 3 shows the manner in which calls may be made by one calling client to a called client who has a virtual number and a script directing the manner in which calls will be directed;
  • Figure 4 is a call flow diagram showing the exchange of call signals in the example illustrated in Figure 3;
  • Figure 5 is a typical call flow diagram in another set of circumstances where the parties have subscribed to certain advanced intelligent network services;
  • Figure 6 is a general flow chart showing the manner in which a call to a client having a virtual number may be handled;
  • Figure 7 is a message flow chart of the example in Figure 6;
  • Figure 8 is a logic flow chart of the example of Figure 6;
  • Figure 9 is a general flow chart of another service which is offered in keeping with the present invention.
  • Figure 10 is yet another general flow chart of another service offered in keeping with the present invention.
  • Figure 1 illustrates two alternative manners by which calls between parties may be handled and routed, either over a public switched telephone network or a proprietary carrier IP network.
  • Figure 1 illustrates two alternative manners by which calls between parties may be handled and routed, either over a public switched telephone network or a proprietary carrier IP network.
  • the telephone service network 10 as shown in Figure 1, there a plurality of major components, the precise details of which are irrelevant since a number of specific features, operating criteria, specifications, and so on, may vary depending on the signal protocols being used.
  • the media gateways 12 are connected to routers 14 in the carrier IP network 16 - which is an IP -based telephony network.
  • the media gateways are connected to signal switching points 18 in a PSTN trunk, and they are connected for control purposes to a respective media gateway controller 20.
  • the functionality of the media gateways 12 is to establish a cross- connect between the trunk at its interface from either the signal switching point 18, or the router 14.
  • the media gateway controller 20 is in a logical path with a signalling transport point 22 and signalling gate 24, and permits clients to contact a respective universal service module 26 which comprises, a universal service controller 30 and a universal signalling switch 28.
  • the media gateway controller 20 instructs the media gateway 12 in a manner so as to control the signal handling and throughput by the media gateway 12.
  • the functionalities and features of the universal service module 26 include the following;
  • call processing and SIP or H.323 protocol signal handling are provided together with a proxy server and redirect server as necessary, or a Gatekeeper for H.323 protocol.
  • Signal logic interface is provided by the universal service module which is associated with any respective client. There may be a user service script stored where various clients profiles are kept; and script execution may be invoked.
  • a service creation and service management module 32 Also included in the circuit of Figure 1 is a service creation and service management module 32. This module will also have scripting and memory means whereby any client of the telephone service network may prepare a script so as to establish a profile. The module may be provided with a GUI interface, and is then usually under the control of a skilled operator, who will prepare a script for a client.
  • a service data source 34 is provided, having a database and memory means so that the specialized telephone signal services which are subscribed to by individual clients of the telephone service network, are stored. As an example, number translation is provided for.
  • the respective universal service module also provides a database and memory means so that the definitions of the advanced intelligent network services which are available for subscription by individual clients of the telephone service network are stored.
  • a signalling path exists among the various logic modules; and it will be particularly noted that the cluster of the universal service module 26, the service creation management module 32, service data source 34, the intelligent media server 36, may be all interconnected one to another.
  • a service creation and service management system module 32 is shown in correspondence with a plurality of web based devices 40. It is also shown communicating with the proprietary IP network 42, which also communicates to a service data source 34. Within the proprietary network 42 there are found a pair of intelligent media servers 36 and a pair of universal service modules 26. Communication among and between the components within the proprietary network 42 may be by various protocols including SIP and H.323.
  • scripting may be done by web access to a home page operated by the advanced intelligent network services provider. Still further, scripting may be accomplished by access to a telephone-based prompting dialogue, or by access to voice recognition and voice synthesis resources associated with the respective intelligent media server..
  • FIG. 3 a situation is shown where a particular user "A” may have a number of addresses.
  • “A” may be available from time to time at a personal computer 46, a cell phone 48, another telephone 50 which may be located at “A's” home, a handheld computer 52, or a laptop computer 54.
  • Another client "B” may be attempting to contact "A” from a telephone 56, or from a telephone 58.
  • Those telephones of course, have different telephone numbers; but the convention which "B” may be following is such that "B's” identity may be revealed even though the call is not being made from “B's” home telephone location.
  • the call is established through a telephone service network which may be a proprietary IP network, it may be PSTN network, or it may be a combination of both.
  • client "A” has a virtual number which identifies that person, no matter where client "A” is to be reached.
  • a profile script has been established which says that any one calling from 592-1418 (telephone 58) will only be allowed to get through to client "A” from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at location 46. However, if "B” tries to contact "A”, the script which has been prepared by "A” will permit “B” to first try location 46, and then location 48, 50, and perhaps location 54.
  • FIG. 4 A call is made from location 56 at event 60.
  • the call may be made to a special number, which provides services for the owner of virtual numbers, or the call may be made directly to a known virtual number. Those services are directory lookup and real caller identification.
  • an invitation is made from the caller at 56 to the special number.
  • the service logic is represented by the blob 84, and it directs a protocol processor to issue a cancel order to user "B", at 90, and to generate a new invite message to the intelligent media server 36, at 92. This is because user "B" wants anyone who calls him to connect to his interactive server when he is not available.
  • the service logic execution invokes an "on no answer" "origin dependant routing" service, which forms a new address and points to an interactive script on the intelligent media server 36.
  • the intelligent media server 36 receives the invite 92, the interactive service script which is at blob 86 is executed. An OK message 94 is sent back, and further handshaking will occur.
  • a text- to-speech synthesiser will play a message back, giving user "A” an option to listen to the message and take choices that might be included in the message.
  • the present invention contemplates the use of voice recognition and synthesised speech, as well as speech recognition.
  • "A" and "B” will have concluded their dialogue, and a hangup will occur at 100.
  • the various advanced intelligent network services have been identi fied above. However, for greater clarity, they are discussed at this time.
  • Parallel/serial hunting is a service so that a series of other clients may be reached by a particular client using parallel or serial signal modes.
  • parallel/serial hunting provides for a called client to designate the terminal resources to which a call may be directed, and the order in which they should be hunted.
  • the follow-me service is particularly invoked when the client has a virtual number.
  • a client may be following where that client wishes to be reached at any specific time, or the client may define a sequence of alternative locations at which the called client may be located.
  • Time of day and day of week routing is, as suggested, a feature that establishes the manner in which a call will be routed, in keeping with the time of day and/or day of the week when the call is made.
  • Calendar routing is much the same, in that a call routing may be established depending on the called client's calendar as it is stored in the intelligent media server.
  • Terminating call screening allows a call to a specific client to be dropped or enabled, depending upon the scripted parameters that are established by each respective client. Thus, a client may determine that calls from another client will not be accepted if they are from a particular location; and on the other hand, another client may determine that only calls from certain defined devices will be accepted. [0089] Originating call screening is a service by which a call to a specific client may be dropped or enabled depending on the identity of the calling client. Some clients may determine that they will not accept calls from certain other clients, for example.
  • Origin dependant routing is a service by which a call from a specific client may be routed to a particular destination as defined by the called client. For example, a called client may determine that any call from a particular caller client will be routed to a cell phone, whether or not it is the number of the cell phone that was dialled.
  • Device and media dependant routing service provide that a call from a specific client may be routed to a particular destination as defined by the called client, depending on the nature of the calling device from which the caller's call has emanated.
  • a virtual receptionist service provides a subscriber with the opportunity to have a caller interact with voice recognition and speech recognition software so as to receive or leave a message for the called client.
  • the virtual receptionist advanced intelligent network service may provide voice prompts through pre-recorded messages or through voice synthesis hardware/software; it may select a service routing as required by, say, a called client's scripted profile; or it can leaave a special message for a designated purpose or person, when a call is received from them, or when a call is received from a particular calling terminal.
  • Call-forwarding is, of course, widely available. However, call- forwarding can be established having three different circumstances.
  • the called client may specify that any call coming in on that condition should be forwarded to a different destination.
  • the called client may determine that any call will always be forwarded to another destination. Or, the called client may determine that only calls will be forwarded to another destination after a certain number of rings.
  • call transfer is a generally basic function, but may usually be bundled in suites of services with certain other services.
  • Third party call control gives an opportunity for a controller to mediate a call between a calling client and a called client. In this circumstance, the controller sets up the call between two parties, so that each party is on a different leg to the controller. Media will flow directly from one caller to the other, but the controller will stay in the call for the entire duration of the call. Moreover, the callers cannot send to each other any signalling messages without first linking to the controller.
  • third party call setup requires a controller to set up the call between two parties, after which the controller leaves the call.
  • Unified messaging provides a service by which voice-mail and e-mail of any particular client may be accessed and retrieved by that client. For example, a client who subscribes to this service may be set up to access the e-mail service of that client, for example, SMTP or a POP server. However, if the user does not have his computer connected, he could shut off the auto e-mail downloading to his computer and then call the intelligent media server which will connect the user to his unified message box where voice-mail messages are heard. The user might, at that time, also request the intelligent media server to open the e-mail box and read the e-mails in it to the client, using speech synthesis.
  • Personal directory service provides for a personal directory of a calling client to be retrieved and uploaded to a device phone in possession of that client. Any specific data which relates to a client whose name is on the list will be automatically updated by the network, without the necessity to rekey or reenter that data by the subscriber.
  • Buddy presence service allows for a calling client to browse her or his personal directory and determine if any other client whose name is in that directory is available for a call, or is on the line, at that instance in time.
  • Intelligent alternative billing provides for special billing to a client which may be established and accumulated depending on the particular source of the call, and its duration.
  • Reverse billing requires the cost of the call to a called client to be billed to that called client, rather than to be borne by the caller client.
  • Account card calling allows the cost of any call which is made by a calling client to be billed to an account card owned by that client.
  • a client may acquire access to user logs and profiles so as to review or change them. Usually, such allowance is only permitted if the call is made from a predetermined access port, or under other appropriate security measures.
  • Malicious and mistaken caller identification permits any subscriber to reject an unwanted call. Of course, it may also permit other actions to be taken, such as complaints to the authorities, police, and so on.
  • Any client who possesses a virtual number may subscribe to virtual number owner authentication, by which the authenticity of the identity of any calling client may be verified.
  • Real caller identi fication provides that the identity of the client is made known to the called client irrespective of the nature of the device from which the call emanates.
  • the above defined services are not exhaustive, but exemplary. Moreover, the above defined services are usually provided in suites of selected services.
  • FIG. 6 a service logic is illustrated whereby a virtual number that is owned by a user can be used as a single communication identifier for all incoming calls.
  • the user can configure the incoming calls so that they may be routed to any communication terminal such as e-mail, home phone, office phone, or cell phone, based on the time of day, the identity of the calling party, or any other conditions which may be applicable.
  • an incoming call is shown at 1 10.
  • the call request is made at 134 from “A's” media gateway controller to "A's” universal service module.
  • the universal service module 133 sends a query 136 to the service data source 34, which returns a message 138 that the called party "B” is available through “B's” universal service module 133.
  • the call requested is then made at 140, and in keeping with a service script prepared by client "B", which resides on "B's” universal service module 133, the call is referred to "B's" cell phone through “B's” media gateway controller.
  • FIG. 9 a general flow chart is given to show establishment of another service.
  • the intent of the call which is made at 150 is to locate a particular user's home universal service module. Having done that, the service script for the particular client is searched for at 152. Having found the service script at 154, various actions are determined to be made at 156 so that a specific action might be carried out at 158, or a default action might be carried out at 160, depending on whether there is a logic condition match in the query being made, or not. An event listening state will occur, in any event, at 162.
  • a step is made at 170 to locate a called client's home universal service module. Having found it, a step at 172 again searches for the service script on the called client's universal service module. The next logic step is checked at 174, and a determination is made at 176 as to whether to invoke a subroutine. If yes, the virtual receptionist service will be invoked. [00115] Here, the URL of the called client's receptionist application on the intelligent media service server will be located at 178. The receptionist action is invoked at 180, and the results are collected at 182 from the intelligent media server. The call then returns for a determination of the next logic condition match. If yes, the next defined action is executed at 186, and if not a default action is executed at 188. Event listening then occurs at 190.
  • a mail service by which a client can have a single mail server including e-mail, voice-mail, or pager information. That client can then use a voice browser to access or send e-mail or voice- mail.
  • text-to-speech and speech-to-text conversion is utilised.
  • Another service is a universal information service whereby a client can access any information including personal or public information on the network. However, that client has to store her or his personal information on the network, usually through the web, in the first instance.
  • personal information may include calendar information, schedule information, phone directories, and so on.
  • Public information may include Yellow Page service, promotions, links to other clients or services, and so on.

Abstract

A system (10) for providing Internet Protocol-based advanced intelligent network services, comprises a plurality of media gateways (12), each controlled by a respective media gateway controller (20); a plurality of telephone signal gates (24), each having an associated signalling transport point (22), and each being in communication with a media gateway controller and with a plurality of clients on an IP-based telephony service network (16, 42). There is a plurality of universal service modules (26), each being in signal path communication with one another; and at least one service creation and service management module (32) having scripting and memory means so that any client may prepare or have prepared a script which details the specific advanced intelligent network services that are subscribed to. Each individual script may be invoked each time an individual client is the target of an incoming call to that client, or makes an outgoing call. IP-based telephony routing means conveys calls between and among individual clients of the advanced intelligent network services; so that any particular IP-based advanced intelligent network service to which any client of the IP-based telephony service network subscribes will be invoked whenever a call is made to or by that client if the conditions surrounding that call are within the parameters of such invokable advanced intelligent network services at the time the call is made.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING IP-BASED ADVANCED INTELLIGENT NETWORK SERVICES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
[0001] This invention relates to the field of Internet Protocol telephony, and especially provides a system and a method for providing Internet Protocol-based advanced intelligent network services. Functional circuits and method steps are taught herein, accordingly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
[0002] The field of telephony is becoming more and more complicated and competitive, especially in the area of competing modes of communication including voice telephone, facsimile, e-mail, and so on. More especially, there is a convergence of modes which results in Internet Protocol-based networks which are capable of handling voice and data communications on a large scale. In every case, however, there are at least two parties to each call, the calling party and the call party. Of course, there may be more parties as well, but that matter is irrelevant to the present invention. However, more and more, subscribers to IP telephony systems - including subscribers to PSTN networks as well as to Internet providers and operating companies, and so on — require and demand more and more specialized services. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a specialized IP -based advanced intelligent network service system which will offer a variety of services, whereby IP telephony service providers and carriers may offer to their customers a number of value added services that would integrate with the features and capabilities of both existing public switched telephone networks and IP networks. The present invention recognizes that the protocols on PSTN and IP networks are different, but translators are easily provided to interface between varying services and protocols, and are beyond the scope of the present invention. [0003] One of the features of the present invention is such that the architecture of the system provided hereby may be structured in such a manner that the system hardware, software, and methods in keeping with the present invention will only be operative when any one or more of the specialized services is required to be invoked, depending on a profile which may have been established by either or both the calling party or the called party.
[0004] In keeping with certain aspects of this present invention, it is envisaged that specific combinations of specialized services will be offered in suites, where one suite may have differing advanced intelligent network services than another suite. [0005] It will be noted at this time that each client, whether the client is a calling party or a called party, may establish a profile governing many different circumstances surrounding the making or receiving of calls. In keeping with a particular provision of this present invention, as described hereafter, the specific client profiles may be established using scripting methods. The precise manner of scripting, the language used, and the nature of the specific interfaces, are also outside or beyond the scope of the present invention, but fall within the skill of signal handling designers and computer software writers, and so on.
[0006] To that end, the present invention provides a system for providing
Internet Protocol-based advanced intelligent network services, which comprises a plurality of media gateways each being in communication with and controlled by a respective media gateway controller. There is a plurality of telephone signal gates, each having an associated signalling transport point, and each being in communication with a media gateway controller and with a plurality of clients on any IP -based network or IP -telephony service network. [0007] There is a plurality of universal service modules provided, each comprising a universal service control and a universal signalling switch, and each being in signal path communication with one another.
[0008] There is at least one service creation and service management module having scripting and memory means, whereby any client of the advanced intelligent network services might prepare or have prepared a script which details the specific advanced intelligent network services that each such client may individually subscribe to. Once the script has been written, by which parameters for some of the services will have been determined, each individual script may be invoked each time an individual client is the target of an incoming call to that client, or makes an outgoing call.
[0009] A service data source module is provided, having a database and memory means whereby translation services for called numbers of individual clients of the advanced intelligent network services on the IP -based telephony service network are stored. Other globally shared data may also be stored in the service data source module.
[0010] An intelligent media server is provided, wherein media stream interaction for any invoked script requiring such media stream interaction is performed.
[0011] IP -based telephony routing means will carry calls between and among individual clients of the advanced intelligent network services.
[0012] In order for the system of the present invention to function, each of the universal service modules, the at least one service creation and service management module, the service data source module, and the intelligent media server, may be interconnected one to another, if present and required.
[0013] Each individual script for each respective client is stored in a universal service module that is associated with each respective client; it being understood that many clients will share a single universal service module. That universal service module associated with each respective client is sometimes referred to as the client's home universal service module.
[0014] Definitions of the advanced intelligent network services which are available for subscription by any client are stored in the service management module, and may be downloaded to a respective home universal service module associated with that client.
[0015] Accordingly, any particular advanced intelligent network service to which any client of the telephone service networks subscribes will be invoked whenever a call is made to or by that client, if the conditions surrounding that call are within the parameters of such invokable advanced intelligent network service at the time the call is made. The parameters of the invokable advanced intelligent network service are within the definition thereof as it is stored in the respective home universal service module; and the fact of the subscription to that advanced intelligent network service by that individual client is also stored in the respective universal service module. However, it is possible that the information concerning the particular advanced intelligent network service to which any client of the telephone service networks subscribes may be stored, as well, in the service data source module. [0016] The IP -based telephony routing means may be public switched telephone networks, IP-based telephony networks, and combinations thereof. Accordingly, depending on the nature of the routing means, a plurality of signal switching points or a plurality of signal routers will be provided, for connecting one to another.
[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one universal service module may also include scripting means, whereby an individual client may establish her or his own parameters and choices of available specialized telephone signal services, as they are defined in the service management module.
[0018] Generally, there is provided at least one service creation module having a GUI interface for scripting specific advanced intelligent network services for any individual client. Usually, such a service creation module is under the control of an operator in the employ of the service provider. Moreover, the scripting may be done by any client, by web access to a home page operated by the advanced intelligent network services provider; and as well, by access to a telephone-based prompting dialogue, or by access to voice recognition and voice synthesis resources associated with the respective universal services module. [0019] It will be noted that the provision of advanced intelligent network services to individual clients is not centralized. Rather, it is a distributed service, throughout an IP-based telephony network. Moreover, it will be noted that any client may check and/or update her or his scripted profile, at any time, either by appropriate web access or voice access. [0020] There are a plurality of advanced intelligent network services to which any client of the telephone service network may subscribe. They are as follows: [0021] parallel/serial hunting by which a series of other clients or a series of called client terminal resources may be reached in parallel or serial signal modes as defined or requested by the scripts of the called and calling clients;
[0022] follow-me service by which a called client may define where she or he may be reached at any specific time, and whereby a sequence of alternative locations at which the called client may be located is defined;
[0023] time of day call routing;
[0024] calendar routing by which a call routing may be established based on the called client's calendar as it is stored in said intelligent media server; [0025] terminating call screening by which a call to a specific client may be dropped or enabled depending the scripted parameters established by each respective client;
[0026] originating call screening by which a call to a specific client may be dropped or enabled depending on the identity of the calling client; [0027] origin dependent routing by which a call from a specific client may be routed to a particular destination as defined by the called client;
[0028] device and media dependent routing by which a call from a specific client may be routed to a particular destination as defined by the called client, depending on the nature of the calling device from which the caller's call has emanated;
[0029] virtual receptionist by which a calling client interacts with voice recognition and speech recognition software so as to receive or leave a message;
[0030] call forwarding;
[0031] call transfer; [0032] third party call control by which a controller mediates a call between a calling client and a called client;
[0033] unified messaging by which voice-mail and e-mail of any particular client may be accessed and retrieved by that client;
[0034] personal directory service by which a personal directory of a calling client may be retrieved and uploaded to a device phone in possession of that calling client, and wherein any specific data relating to any client to be called by the calling client is automatically updated if that data changed;
[0035] buddy presence service by which a calling client may browse her or his personal directory and determine if any client to be called in that personal directory is available for a call to be made at that instance in time;
[0036] intelligent alternative billing by which special billing to a client may be established and accumulated depending on the particular source of the call, and its duration;
[0037] reverse billing by which the cost of any call to a called client is billed to that called client;
[0038] account card calling by which the cost of any call by a calling client is billed to an account card owned by that client;
[0039] access to user logs and profiles by which a client may review her or his call log and profile of advanced intelligent network services being subscribed to, from a predetermined access port;
[0040] malicious and mistaken caller identification ny which an unwanted call may be rejected;
[0041] virtual number owner authentication by which the authenticity of the identity of any calling client may be verified; [0042] real caller identification by which the actual identity of a calling client is made known to a called client irrespective of the nature of the device from which the call emanates; and
[0043] combinations of the above.
[0044] A particular feature of the present invention is that each client of the telephone signalling services network has a unique identity whereby that client may be reached by any calling client, irrespective of the location of the called client.
Moreover, any called client may predetermine a location at which any individual incoming call may be received, in keeping with predetermined established parameters which are in effect at the time the call is being received. [0045] The present invention also provides a method for providing advanced intelligent network services for clients of a telephone service network, comprising the steps of:
[0046] (a) establishing definitions for a plurality of advanced intelligent network services to be offered for a subscription by the clients of the IP-based telephony service network;
[0047] (b) storing the definitions of the plurality of advanced intelligent network services in at least one universal service module;
[0048] (c) providing a scripting means whereby any client may subscribe to any desired number of advanced intelligent network services, and may establish specific parameters for any of those desired advanced intelligent network services for which a choosable range of operating parameters exists;
[0049] (d) storing the scripts for each respective client in a respective universal service module; [0050] (e) providing a plurality of universal service modules, each comprising a universal service control and a universal signalling switch, and each being in signal path communication with one another;
[0051] (f) providing a plurality of media gateways, each in communication with and controlled by a respective media gateway controller; [0052] (g) providing a plurality of telephone signal gates, each having an associated signalling transport point, and each being in communication with a media gateway controller and with a plurality of clients on an IP -based telephony service network; and
[0053] (h) providing routing means to convey calls between and among individual clients of the IP-based telephony service network.
[0054] Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a system and method whereby IP-based telephony and telephone companies, IP/web operators, and other such operators providing voice and/or data communications between clients over established PSTN networks or other IP -based telephony networks, may offer new revenue generating services which are value added services for subscription by their clients. [0055] A more specific description of some particular aspects of the present invention, hardware, and operation of software, will follow hereafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: [0056] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example in association with the accompanying drawings in which: [0057] Figure 1 shows a typical network architecture of a circuit set up in keeping with the present invention, from the point of view of a logical view of that network;
[0058] Figure 2 shows another setup of some principal components in the service network in keeping with the present invention;
[0059] Figure 3 shows the manner in which calls may be made by one calling client to a called client who has a virtual number and a script directing the manner in which calls will be directed;
[0060] Figure 4 is a call flow diagram showing the exchange of call signals in the example illustrated in Figure 3;
[0061] Figure 5 is a typical call flow diagram in another set of circumstances where the parties have subscribed to certain advanced intelligent network services; [0062] Figure 6 is a general flow chart showing the manner in which a call to a client having a virtual number may be handled;
[0063] Figure 7 is a message flow chart of the example in Figure 6;
[0064] Figure 8 is a logic flow chart of the example of Figure 6;
[0065] Figure 9 is a general flow chart of another service which is offered in keeping with the present invention; and [0066] Figure 10 is yet another general flow chart of another service offered in keeping with the present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS: [0067] A typical architecture for a telephone service network is shown in
Figure 1. Briefly, Figure 1 illustrates two alternative manners by which calls between parties may be handled and routed, either over a public switched telephone network or a proprietary carrier IP network. [0068] In the telephone service network 10 as shown in Figure 1, there a plurality of major components, the precise details of which are irrelevant since a number of specific features, operating criteria, specifications, and so on, may vary depending on the signal protocols being used.
[0069] In any event, there is shown a pair of media gateways 12. It will be noted that the media gateways 12 are connected to routers 14 in the carrier IP network 16 - which is an IP -based telephony network. The media gateways are connected to signal switching points 18 in a PSTN trunk, and they are connected for control purposes to a respective media gateway controller 20.
[0070] The functionality of the media gateways 12 is to establish a cross- connect between the trunk at its interface from either the signal switching point 18, or the router 14. The media gateway controller 20 is in a logical path with a signalling transport point 22 and signalling gate 24, and permits clients to contact a respective universal service module 26 which comprises, a universal service controller 30 and a universal signalling switch 28. The media gateway controller 20 instructs the media gateway 12 in a manner so as to control the signal handling and throughput by the media gateway 12.
[0071] The functionalities and features of the universal service module 26 include the following;
[0072] call processing and SIP or H.323 protocol signal handling are provided together with a proxy server and redirect server as necessary, or a Gatekeeper for H.323 protocol. Signal logic interface is provided by the universal service module which is associated with any respective client. There may be a user service script stored where various clients profiles are kept; and script execution may be invoked. [0073] Also included in the circuit of Figure 1 is a service creation and service management module 32. This module will also have scripting and memory means whereby any client of the telephone service network may prepare a script so as to establish a profile. The module may be provided with a GUI interface, and is then usually under the control of a skilled operator, who will prepare a script for a client. [0074] A service data source 34 is provided, having a database and memory means so that the specialized telephone signal services which are subscribed to by individual clients of the telephone service network, are stored. As an example, number translation is provided for.
[0075] The respective universal service module also provides a database and memory means so that the definitions of the advanced intelligent network services which are available for subscription by individual clients of the telephone service network are stored.
[0076] It will be noted that a signalling path exists among the various logic modules; and it will be particularly noted that the cluster of the universal service module 26, the service creation management module 32, service data source 34, the intelligent media server 36, may be all interconnected one to another. [0077] Referring to Figure 2, a major component architecture is briefly illustrated. Here, a service creation and service management system module 32 is shown in correspondence with a plurality of web based devices 40. It is also shown communicating with the proprietary IP network 42, which also communicates to a service data source 34. Within the proprietary network 42 there are found a pair of intelligent media servers 36 and a pair of universal service modules 26. Communication among and between the components within the proprietary network 42 may be by various protocols including SIP and H.323.
[0078] Thus, as noted above, the scripting may be done by web access to a home page operated by the advanced intelligent network services provider. Still further, scripting may be accomplished by access to a telephone-based prompting dialogue, or by access to voice recognition and voice synthesis resources associated with the respective intelligent media server..
[0079] Reference is now made to Figures 3 and 4. In Figure 3, a situation is shown where a particular user "A" may have a number of addresses. For example, "A" may be available from time to time at a personal computer 46, a cell phone 48, another telephone 50 which may be located at "A's" home, a handheld computer 52, or a laptop computer 54. Another client "B" may be attempting to contact "A" from a telephone 56, or from a telephone 58. Those telephones, of course, have different telephone numbers; but the convention which "B" may be following is such that "B's" identity may be revealed even though the call is not being made from "B's" home telephone location. The call is established through a telephone service network which may be a proprietary IP network, it may be PSTN network, or it may be a combination of both. [0080] The conditions which are set up for the example being discussed are that client "A" has a virtual number which identifies that person, no matter where client "A" is to be reached. A profile script has been established which says that any one calling from 592-1418 (telephone 58) will only be allowed to get through to client "A" from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at location 46. However, if "B" tries to contact "A", the script which has been prepared by "A" will permit "B" to first try location 46, and then location 48, 50, and perhaps location 54. However, if the call does not go through, "B" will be invited to leave a special message. If the call is from a web based device, there may be an exchange of web page information between "A" and "B". [0081] This is more fully explained in Figure 4. Various modules as they were described above are identified in Figure 4. A call is made from location 56 at event 60. In this case, the call may be made to a special number, which provides services for the owner of virtual numbers, or the call may be made directly to a known virtual number. Those services are directory lookup and real caller identification. Thus, at 62 an invitation is made from the caller at 56 to the special number. After an exchange of handshakes, a media path is established at 64, and at 66, callers "B's" identification will be given, together with the intent by "B" to call "A". Now, the intelligent media server knows the identity of both "A" and "B", as shown at 68, and the incoming script of "A" is executed at 70. At 72, the script determines that "B" is trying to call "A", and the call should first go to location 46. Then, since the script established by client "A" sets out a sequential list where "A" can be reached, a follow-me service is initiated at 74. After a period of time - say 15 seconds - has passed, as at 76, then serial hunting and call-forwarding advanced intelligent network services will be invoked at 78. Thus, an attempt is made at 80 to contact the cell phone at location 48, since "A" did not answer the original call, and a media path between "B" and "A's" cell phone is established at 82. [0082] Another example which shows communication between user "A" and user "B" is illustrated in Figure 5. Here user "A" is attempting to contact user "B" but after the universal service module 26 has received 4 rings but no answer, a service is invoked whereby the user "B ' s" script will be followed. Here, user "B" has subscribed to a service that calls for action when no answer has occurred. The service logic is represented by the blob 84, and it directs a protocol processor to issue a cancel order to user "B", at 90, and to generate a new invite message to the intelligent media server 36, at 92. This is because user "B" wants anyone who calls him to connect to his interactive server when he is not available. At the same time that the invite message 92 is being sent, the service logic execution invokes an "on no answer" "origin dependant routing" service, which forms a new address and points to an interactive script on the intelligent media server 36. When the intelligent media server 36 receives the invite 92, the interactive service script which is at blob 86 is executed. An OK message 94 is sent back, and further handshaking will occur. Then, at blob 88, a text- to-speech synthesiser will play a message back, giving user "A" an option to listen to the message and take choices that might be included in the message. The present invention contemplates the use of voice recognition and synthesised speech, as well as speech recognition. Finally, after the audio message at 96, which may change to an analogue voice at 98, "A" and "B" will have concluded their dialogue, and a hangup will occur at 100. [0083] The various advanced intelligent network services have been identi fied above. However, for greater clarity, they are discussed at this time. [0084] Parallel/serial hunting is a service so that a series of other clients may be reached by a particular client using parallel or serial signal modes. There are several criteria by which a decision might be made, including such matters as the number of calls to or from a particular client. Alternatively, parallel/serial hunting provides for a called client to designate the terminal resources to which a call may be directed, and the order in which they should be hunted.
[0085] The follow-me service is particularly invoked when the client has a virtual number. By invoking this service, a client may be following where that client wishes to be reached at any specific time, or the client may define a sequence of alternative locations at which the called client may be located.
[0086] Time of day and day of week routing is, as suggested, a feature that establishes the manner in which a call will be routed, in keeping with the time of day and/or day of the week when the call is made. [0087] Calendar routing is much the same, in that a call routing may be established depending on the called client's calendar as it is stored in the intelligent media server.
[0088] Terminating call screening allows a call to a specific client to be dropped or enabled, depending upon the scripted parameters that are established by each respective client. Thus, a client may determine that calls from another client will not be accepted if they are from a particular location; and on the other hand, another client may determine that only calls from certain defined devices will be accepted. [0089] Originating call screening is a service by which a call to a specific client may be dropped or enabled depending on the identity of the calling client. Some clients may determine that they will not accept calls from certain other clients, for example. The refusal to accept a call from another client make come as a consequence of an allowed list - calls only from certain other clients will be accepted - or from a disallowed list - by which calls from anyone on that list will not be accepted. [0090] Origin dependant routing is a service by which a call from a specific client may be routed to a particular destination as defined by the called client. For example, a called client may determine that any call from a particular caller client will be routed to a cell phone, whether or not it is the number of the cell phone that was dialled.
[0091] Device and media dependant routing service provide that a call from a specific client may be routed to a particular destination as defined by the called client, depending on the nature of the calling device from which the caller's call has emanated.
[0092] A virtual receptionist service provides a subscriber with the opportunity to have a caller interact with voice recognition and speech recognition software so as to receive or leave a message for the called client. Moreover, the virtual receptionist advanced intelligent network service may provide voice prompts through pre-recorded messages or through voice synthesis hardware/software; it may select a service routing as required by, say, a called client's scripted profile; or it can leaave a special message for a designated purpose or person, when a call is received from them, or when a call is received from a particular calling terminal. [0093] Call-forwarding is, of course, widely available. However, call- forwarding can be established having three different circumstances. For example, i fthe called number is busy, the called client may specify that any call coming in on that condition should be forwarded to a different destination. The called client may determine that any call will always be forwarded to another destination. Or, the called client may determine that only calls will be forwarded to another destination after a certain number of rings.
[0094] Likewise, call transfer is a generally basic function, but may usually be bundled in suites of services with certain other services. [0095] Third party call control gives an opportunity for a controller to mediate a call between a calling client and a called client. In this circumstance, the controller sets up the call between two parties, so that each party is on a different leg to the controller. Media will flow directly from one caller to the other, but the controller will stay in the call for the entire duration of the call. Moreover, the callers cannot send to each other any signalling messages without first linking to the controller. [0096] On the other hand, third party call setup requires a controller to set up the call between two parties, after which the controller leaves the call. [0097] Call back is a service which indicates when a user is offline, so that a caller who wants to call that other client may then make the call. [0098] Unified messaging provides a service by which voice-mail and e-mail of any particular client may be accessed and retrieved by that client. For example, a client who subscribes to this service may be set up to access the e-mail service of that client, for example, SMTP or a POP server. However, if the user does not have his computer connected, he could shut off the auto e-mail downloading to his computer and then call the intelligent media server which will connect the user to his unified message box where voice-mail messages are heard. The user might, at that time, also request the intelligent media server to open the e-mail box and read the e-mails in it to the client, using speech synthesis.
[0099] Personal directory service provides for a personal directory of a calling client to be retrieved and uploaded to a device phone in possession of that client. Any specific data which relates to a client whose name is on the list will be automatically updated by the network, without the necessity to rekey or reenter that data by the subscriber.
[00100] Buddy presence service allows for a calling client to browse her or his personal directory and determine if any other client whose name is in that directory is available for a call, or is on the line, at that instance in time. [00101] Intelligent alternative billing provides for special billing to a client which may be established and accumulated depending on the particular source of the call, and its duration.
[00102] Reverse billing requires the cost of the call to a called client to be billed to that called client, rather than to be borne by the caller client. [00103] Account card calling allows the cost of any call which is made by a calling client to be billed to an account card owned by that client. [00104] Likewise, a client may acquire access to user logs and profiles so as to review or change them. Usually, such allowance is only permitted if the call is made from a predetermined access port, or under other appropriate security measures. [00105] Malicious and mistaken caller identification permits any subscriber to reject an unwanted call. Of course, it may also permit other actions to be taken, such as complaints to the authorities, police, and so on.
[00106] Any client who possesses a virtual number may subscribe to virtual number owner authentication, by which the authenticity of the identity of any calling client may be verified.
[00107] Real caller identi fication provides that the identity of the client is made known to the called client irrespective of the nature of the device from which the call emanates. [00108] Of course, the above defined services are not exhaustive, but exemplary. Moreover, the above defined services are usually provided in suites of selected services.
[00109] It should also be noted that when there may be a conflict as to service routing, order of hunting, or the like, between a calling client's profile and a called client's profile, it is conventional that the called client's profile will take precedence. [00110] Referring now to Figure 6, a service logic is illustrated whereby a virtual number that is owned by a user can be used as a single communication identifier for all incoming calls. Thus, the user can configure the incoming calls so that they may be routed to any communication terminal such as e-mail, home phone, office phone, or cell phone, based on the time of day, the identity of the calling party, or any other conditions which may be applicable. Here, an incoming call is shown at 1 10. A determination is made at 112 as to whether the call is routable. If it is not, the service data source is queried at 114, and the call is then passed on, with a translated number identi lying the home universal service module of the called client, if necessary and as appropriate. Otherwise, and in any event, the call is sent to the called user at the universal service module employed by that user. This is shown at 116. Then, the service logic script for the called user is located at 1 18, and whatever the service logic requires in its script, it is executed at 120. Then, the result of the execution of the scripted instructions are taken al 122 so as to treat the call or respond to the query in the manner which was established. [00111] A flow chart of messages for a situation as suggested in Figure 6 is shown in Figure 7. This shows a call from "A" to "B" utilising media gateway controllers 130 and 131, universal service modules 132 and 133, and a service data source 34. The call request is made at 134 from "A's" media gateway controller to "A's" universal service module. The universal service module 133 sends a query 136 to the service data source 34, which returns a message 138 that the called party "B" is available through "B's" universal service module 133. The call requested is then made at 140, and in keeping with a service script prepared by client "B", which resides on "B's" universal service module 133, the call is referred to "B's" cell phone through "B's" media gateway controller.
[00112] The above is also illustrated in Figure 8. Here, the same reference numerals are used, but it will be seen that there is a script 137 which has been established by client "B" that at the particular time of day that the call is being made, a call from client "A" is to be sent to client "B's" cell phone through a particular media gateway controller 131. Otherwise, at another time of day or under other conditions, the call might be forwarded through the media gateway controller 135 to "B's" home telephone.
[00113] Referring to Figure 9, a general flow chart is given to show establishment of another service. Here, the intent of the call which is made at 150 is to locate a particular user's home universal service module. Having done that, the service script for the particular client is searched for at 152. Having found the service script at 154, various actions are determined to be made at 156 so that a specific action might be carried out at 158, or a default action might be carried out at 160, depending on whether there is a logic condition match in the query being made, or not. An event listening state will occur, in any event, at 162.
[00114] Finally, reference is made to Figure 10. Here, a step is made at 170 to locate a called client's home universal service module. Having found it, a step at 172 again searches for the service script on the called client's universal service module. The next logic step is checked at 174, and a determination is made at 176 as to whether to invoke a subroutine. If yes, the virtual receptionist service will be invoked. [00115] Here, the URL of the called client's receptionist application on the intelligent media service server will be located at 178. The receptionist action is invoked at 180, and the results are collected at 182 from the intelligent media server. The call then returns for a determination of the next logic condition match. If yes, the next defined action is executed at 186, and if not a default action is executed at 188. Event listening then occurs at 190.
[00116] Several other services that are contemplated are a mail service by which a client can have a single mail server including e-mail, voice-mail, or pager information. That client can then use a voice browser to access or send e-mail or voice- mail. Here, text-to-speech and speech-to-text conversion is utilised.
[00117] Another service is a universal information service whereby a client can access any information including personal or public information on the network. However, that client has to store her or his personal information on the network, usually through the web, in the first instance. Such personal information may include calendar information, schedule information, phone directories, and so on. Public information may include Yellow Page service, promotions, links to other clients or services, and so on.
[00118] There has been described a telephone signalling services system, by which advanced intelligent network services can be provided. The functional services have been discussed, and a method has been described as well.
[001 19] The precise details of hardware and software within the skill of persons versed in the telephony arts. However, the metes and bounds of the present invention are defined in the appended plans. [00120] Other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the apparatus of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.
[00121] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or. step or group of integers or steps but not to the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. [00122] Moreover, use of the terms "he", "him", or "his", is not intended to be specifically directed to persons of the masculine gender, and could easily be read as "she", "her", or "hers", respectively.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A system (10) for providing Internet Protocol-based advanced intelligent network services, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by: a plurality of media gateways (12), each in communication with and controlled by a respective media gateway controller (20); a plurality of telephone signal gates (24), each having an associated signalling transport point (22), and each being in communication with a media gateway controller and with a plurality of clients on an IP -based telephony service network (16, 42); a plurality of universal service modules (26), each comprising a universal service control (30) and a universal signalling switch (28), and being in signal path communication with one another; at least one service creation and service management module (32) having scripting and memory means whereby any client of the advanced intelligent network services may prepare or have prepared a script which details the specific advanced intelligent network services that each client may individually subscribe to, and where each individual script may be invoked each time an individual client is the target of an incoming call to that client, or makes an outgoing call; a service data source module (34) having a database and memory means whereby number translation services for called numbers of individual clients of the IP- based telephony service network are stored; an intelligent media server (36) wherein media stream interaction for any invoked script requiring such media stream interaction is performed; and
IP-based telephony routing means to convey calls between and among individual clients of the advanced intelligent network services; wherein each individual script for each respective client is stored in a universal service module that is associated with each respective client; and wherein definitions of advanced intelligent network services subscribed to by any client, are stored in a respective universal service modul e associated with that client; whereby any particular IP -based advanced intelligent network service to which any client of the IP-based telephony service network subscribes will be invoked whenever a call is made to or by that client if the conditions surrounding that call are within the parameters of such invokable advanced intelligent network services at the time the call is made, where the parameters of each invokable advanced intelligent network service are within the definition thereof as stored in the respective universal service module, and where the fact of the subscription to that advanced intelligent network service by that individual client is stored in the respective universal service module.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the IP-based telephony routing means is chosen from the group consisting of public switched telephone networks, IP -based telephony networks, and combinations thereof.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the IP-based telephony routing means is at least one public switched telephone network, and includes a plurality of signal switching points (18) for connecting one to another.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the IP -based telephony routing means is an IP-based telephony carrier network, and includes a plurality of routers (14) for connecting one to another.
5. The system of any one of claims 1 through 4, wherein at least one universal service module also includes scripting means, whereby an individual client may establish her or his own parameters and choices of available advanced intelligent network services.
6. The system of any one of claims 1 through 4, wherein there is at least one service creation module having a GUI interface for scripting the specific advanced intelligent network services for any individual client.
7. The system of any one of claims 1 through 6, wherein the advanced intelligent network services to which any client of the telephone service network may subscribe is chosen from the group consisting of: parallel/serial hunting by which a series of other clients or a series of called client terminal resources may be reached in parallel or serial signal modes as defined or requested by the scripts of the called and calling clients; follow-me service by which a called client may define where she or he may be reached at any specific time, and whereby a sequence of alternative locations at which the called client may be located is defined; time of day call routing; calendar routing by which a call routing may be established based on the called client's calendar as it is stored in said intelligent media server; terminating call screening by which a call to a specific client may be dropped or enabled depending the scripted parameters established by each respective client; originating call screening by which a call to a specific client may be dropped or enabled depending on the identity of the calling client; origin dependent routing by which a call from a specific client may be routed to a particular destination as defined by the called client; device and media dependent routing by which a call from a specific client may be routed to a particular destination as defined by the called client, depending on the nature of the calling device from which the caller's call has emanated; virtual receptionist by which a calling client interacts with voice recognition and speech recognition software so as to receive or leave a message; call forwarding; call transfer; third party call control by which a controller mediates a call between a calling client and a called client; unified messaging by which voice-mail and e-mail of any particular client may be accessed and retrieved by that client; personal directory service by which a personal directory of a calling client may be retrieved and uploaded to a device phone in possession of that calling client, and wherein any specific data relating to any client to be called by the calling client is automatically updated if that data changes; buddy presence service by which a calling client may browse her or his personal directory and determine if any client to be called in that personal directory is available for a call to be made at that instant in time; intelligent alternative billing by which special billing to a client may be established and accumulated depending on the particular source of the call, and its duration; reverse billing by which the cost of any call to a called client is billed to that called client; account card calling by which the cost of any call by a calling client is billed to an account card owned by that client; access to user logs and profiles by which a client may review her or his call log and profile of advanced intelligent network services being subscribed to, from a predetermined access port; malicious and mistaken caller identification by which an unwanted call may be rejected; virtual number owner authentication by which the authenticity of the identity of any calling client may be verified; real caller identification by which the actual identity of a calling client is made known to a called client irrespective of the nature of the device from which the call emanates; and combinations of the above.
8. The system of any one of claims 1 through 6, wherein each client of the advanced intelligent network services network has a unique identity whereby that client may be reached by any calling client, irrespective of the location of the called client, and whereby any called client may predetermine the location at which any incoming call will be received in keeping with predetermined established parameters which are in effect at the time the call is being received.
9. A method of providing advanced intelligent network services for clients of an IP-based telephony service network, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by the steps of:
(a) establishing definitions for a plurality of advanced intelligent network services to be offered for subscription by the clients of the telephone service network;
(b) storing the definitions of the plurality of advanced intelligent network services in an at least one universal service module (26);
(c) providing a scripting means whereby any client may subscribe to any desired number of advanced intelligent network services, and may establish specific parameters for any of those desired advanced intelligent network services for which a choosable range of operating parameters exists;
(d) storing the scripts for each respective client in a respective universal service module that is associated with each respective client;
(e) providing a plurality of universal service modules, each comprising a universal service control (30) and a universal signalling switch (28), and each being in signal path communication with one another;
(f) providing a plurality of media gateways (12), each in communication with and controlled by a respective media gateway controller (20);
(g) providing a plurality of telephone signal gates (24), each having an associated signalling transport point (22), and each being in communication with a media gateway controller and with a plurality of clients on an IP-based telephony service network (16, 42); and
(h) providing routing means to convey calls between and among individual clients of the IP-based telephony service network; whereby any particular advanced intelligent network service to which any client of the IP-based telephony service network subscribes will be invoked whenever a call is made to or by that client if the conditions surrounding that call are within the parameters of such invokable advanced intelligent network service at the time the call is made, where the parameters of the invokable advanced intelligent network service are within the definition thereof as stored in the respective universal service module, and where the fact of the subscription to that advanced intelligent network service by that individual client is stored in said universal service module.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the IP -based telephony routing means is chosen from the group consisting of public switched telephone networks, IP -based telephony carrier networks, and combinations thereof.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the IP-based telephony routing means is at least one public switched telephone network, and includes a plurality of signal switching points (18) for connecting one to another.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the IP-based telephony routing means is a proprietary carrier IP network, and includes a plurality of signal routers (14) for connecting one to another.
13. The method of any one of claims 9 through 12, wherein at least one provided universal service module also includes scripting means, whereby an individual client may establish her or his own parameters and choices of available advanced intelligent network services.
14. The method of any one of claims 9 through 12, wherein there is at least one service creation module having a GUI interface for scripting the specific advanced intelligent network services for any individual client.
15. The method of any one of claims 9 through 14, wherein the advanced intelligent network services to which any client of the telephone service network may subscribe is chosen from the group consisting of: parallel/serial hunting by which a series of other clients or a series of called client terminal resources may be reached in parallel or serial signal modes as defined or requested by the scripts of the called and calling client; follow-me service by which a called client may define where she or he may be reached at any specific time, and whereby a sequence of alternative locations at which the called client may be located is defined; time of day call routing; calendar routing by which a call routing may be established based on the called client's calendar as it is stored in said intelligent media server; terminating call screening by which a call to a specific client may be dropped or enabled depending the scripted parameters established by each respective client; originating call screening by which a call to a specific client may be dropped or enabled depending on the identity of the calling client; origin dependent routing by which a call from a specific client may be routed to a particular destination as defined by the called client; device and media dependent routing by which a call from a specific client may be routed to a particular destination as defined by the called client, depending on the nature of the calling device from which the caller's call has emanated; virtual receptionist by which a calling client interacts with voice recognition and speech recognition software so as to receive or leave a message; call forwarding; call transfer; third party call control by which a controller mediates a call between a calling client and a called client; unified messaging by which voice-mail and e-mail of any particular client may be accessed and retrieved by that client; personal directory service by which a personal directory of a calling client may be retrieved and uploaded to a device phone in possession of that calling client, and wherein any specific data relating to any client to be called by the calling client is automatically updated if that data changes; buddy presence service by which a calling client may browse her or his personal directory and determine if any client to be called in that personal directory is available for a call to be made at that instant in time; intelligent alternative billing by which special billing to a client may be established and accumulated depending on the particular source of the call, and its duration; reverse billing by which the cost of any call to a called client is billed to that called client; account card calling by which the cost of any call by a calling client is billed to an account card owned by that client; access to user logs and profiles by which a client may review her or his call log and profile of advanced intelligent network services being subscribed to, from a predetermined access port; malicious and mistaken caller identification by which an unwanted call may be rejected; virtual number owner authentication by which the authenticity of the identity of any calling client may be verified; real caller identification by which the actual identity of a calling client is made known to a called client irrespective of the nature of the device from which the call emanates; and combinations of the above.
16. The method of any one of claims 9 through 14, wherein each client of the IP-based telephony services network has a unique identity whereby that client may be reached by any calling client, irrespective of the location of the called client, and whereby any called client may predetermine the location at which any incoming call will be received in keeping with predetermined established. parameters which are in effect at the time the call is being received.
PCT/IB2001/001079 2000-05-09 2001-05-07 System and method for providing ip-based services WO2001086970A2 (en)

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