WO2002098117A1

WO2002098117A1 - A coupling arrangement related to a mobile telecommunications system

Info

Publication number: WO2002098117A1
Application number: PCT/SE2002/001012
Authority: WO
Inventors: Staffan Kjellqvist
Original assignee: Trio Ab
Priority date: 2001-05-28
Filing date: 2002-05-27
Publication date: 2002-12-05
Also published as: SE523218C2; SE0101866D0; NO20035309D0; SE0101866L; NO20035309L; EP1402712A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a coupling arrangement related to a mobile telecommunications system (2), where a caller (3), from within or to said system (2), can be connected to a called party (5), via a system-associated exchange function (2a), in response to initiation of a system-associated telephone number, and wherein a system-associated unit (6) is adapted to implement those functions or chosen functions that are typically allocated to a public branch telephone exchange. The unit (6) consists of a coupling unit (6a) and a control unit (6b), and an interception system (7) is connected to the control unit (6b). The coupling unit (6c) and the control unit (6b) are able to exchange information therebetween via a wireless information transmission connection (8). The wireless information transmission is effected over a narrow band connection (8) intended for two-way information carrying signals and is adapted to this end. The connection (8) connects the coupling unit (6a), connected to the mobile telecommunications system (2), to the control unit (6b) connected to the interception system (7).

Description

A COUPLING ARRANGEMENT RELATED TO A MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM

Field of invention The present invention relates generally to a coupling arrangement, which is either related directly to a mobile telecommunications system or to a mobile telephone system or which can be related to such systems, and more particularly to a coupling arrangement which enables a party calling within said system or to said system to be connected to a called party through the medium of a switching function belonging to said system.

The call is coupled in response to a telephone number initiated or dialled by the calling party in the system.

The invention is also based on a mobile telecommunications system in which a connectable system-associated unit is adapted to implement the functions, or at least selected functions, that are typical of a private branch telephone exchange.

Description of the background art

Coupling arrangements of the aforedescribed kind are known for implementing several different applications and coupling options. With respect to different coupling arrangements related to a mobile telecommunications system, it can be mentioned that it is known to allow a complete private branch exchange or a switchboard to be connected to such a system, where exchange extensions may have the form of mobile telephone apparatus, among other things. It is also known that direct coupling of calls will normally be encumbered with certain drawbacks, since certain exchange functions cannot be implemented. For example, call-back cannot be implemented in respect of certain applications and combinations, and in certain combinations the telephone operator will lack information to the effect that the extension is engaged. The telephone operator manning the exchange is in an information transfer mode with the exchange and its various functions via a connected fixed connection, so as to be able to control the functions within the exchange unit and therewith, secondarily, also control the exchange functions pertinent to the mobile telephone system. Also known in other contexts is the use of units that are adapted to implement those functions, or at least selected functions, that are typically assigned to the subscriber exchange. Such co-action between a private branch exchange and a telecommunications system in order to provide a level of service that cannot be achieved with a mobile telecommunications system is known from Swedish Patent Publication 98 03174-3.

This prior publication illustrates a telecommunication system (1 ) which includes a public telecommunications network (2) to which a number of apparatus (21 , 22, 23) are connected and where a calling apparatus (23) is able to initiate and effect coupling to a called apparatus (22, 23), and which further includes a private branch exchange function which is related to the telecommunications network and which can be connected to an incoming port or line (4a) of equipment (4) which includes switching functions among other things, via an outgoing port or line (3b) assigned to an extension apparatus.

A peripheral extension apparatus (21 ) belonging to a subscriber exchange function (3) and the equipment (4) are connected to said telecommunications network as a network-adapted apparatus, and an outgoing port or line (4b) of said equipment (4) is connected to the telecommunications network (2), thereby allotting exchange services to said peripheral extension apparatus (21 ).

Swedish Patent Publication 99 02108-1 illustrates a telecommunications system (1 ) which is adapted to a data network that includes a number of apparatus (9) which can each be assigned a specific address belonging to said data network, a data address, and an address register (11 ) in which the data addresses of said apparatus (9) are stored, among other things.

An interception system (7) constructed on the basis of telephone number identification is connected to a data network (16) constructed for data address identification, wherein circuits belonging to said data network or connected thereto function to establish whether or not a call incoming to the data network or a call to a called apparatus initiated within the data network said apparatus has been intercepted via the interception system (7). If the call has been intercepted, a data address applicable to the interception system (7) is created and sent to the interception system (7) together with telephone number identification.

The interception system (7) is adapted to generate on the basis of said telephone number identification a new address or the like corresponding to a stored and chosen interception service, and to establish a connection to this new data address or its particular similarity.

In this regard, reference is made to co-operation between a private branch exchange unit, such as an exchange unit marketed by Ericsson, Sweden, under the designation MD1 10, and an interception unit, such as an interception unit marketed by TRIO AB, Sweden, under the designation PRESENT, so as to enable information to be exchanged over fixed and physical lines.

With regard to mobile telecommunications systems, i.e. systems which are able to use mobile telephone apparatus and which are in information-exchange co-action with stations included in the mobile telecommunications system, over wireless connections, such as radio connections, and which use a private branch exchange for offering a level of service which only the mobile telecommunications system is unable to offer, it is known to create the possibility of enabling switching or coupling functions included in the mobile telecommunications network to be controlled by a telephone operator in the employ of a company and utilising an office space.

It is also known with regard to the mobile telecommunications system that every network operator who does not have at his or her disposal an own fixed mobile telephone network must hire or rent the capacity, lines and channels from another network operator that has a fixed network at its disposal and which also constitutes a competitor in other respects.

It is possible, of course, for network operators who do not have access to an own fixed mobile telecommunications network to take drastic and highly expensive measures to establish a radio link for its signal transmission. It is also known that a mobile telecommunications network normally includes a number of accessible connections or channels that can be utilised.

This marginal number of connections or channels, and therewith available capacity can be utilised beneficially for data transmission and requires a small bandwidth (say 9600-43 kb/sec). However, data transmission via the connections or channels utilised to this end create time delays, which must be of short duration for practical reasons in order not to influence the quality of the signal transfer detrimentally. It is also known that private branch exchanges, or complete units providing functions corresponding to those that can be offered by a private subscriber exchange unit, normally consist of a combination of two integrated function parts, a part referred to as a coupling or switching unit and a part referred to as a control unit, where the keyboard and picture screen of the telephone operator is, in principle, connected to the control unit.

Summary of the present invention

Technical problems When taking into consideration the technical deliberations that a person skilled in this particular art must make in order to provide a solution to one or more technical problems that he/she encounters, it will be seen that it is necessary, on the one hand, initially to realise the measures and/or the sequence of measures that must be undertaken to this end, and on the other hand to realise which means is/are required to solve one or more of said problems. On this basis, it will be evident that the technical problems listed below are highly relevant to the development of the present invention.

When considering the present state of the art as described above, it will be evident that in respect of a coupling arrangement which is related to a mobile telecommunications system and which utilises a private branch exchange or switchboard, or a unit which can at least provide chosen subscriber exchange functions, and an interception system connected thereto, there exists a technical problem that resides in the possibility of increased flexibility with regard to the location of the telephone operator and the control unit or the computer. It will also be seen that there is also a technical problem in the ability to provide a unit which is capable of implementing subscriber exchange functions that are unavoidably lost when a private branch exchange or switching station is connected directly to the mobile telecommunications system. Another technical problem resides in the provision of co-action between included units that can tolerate a longer delay than known systems without impairing system requirements.

Another technical problem resides in the ability to realise the advantages associated with allowing the subscriber exchange or unit to be divided into two physically separate functional parts that are able to co-act with each other to provide subscriber exchange functions, with the aid of selected information transmission over a wireless connection.

It will also be seen that a technical problem resides in utilising as said wireless connection connections that are allocated to the mobile telecommunications system.

It will also be seen that a technical problem resides in the ability to create and to choose between the two functional parts, the coupling unit and the control unit, an interface where requisite information transfer and signal exchange between the coupling unit and the control unit, and vice versa, in the form of data (not speech connection) can be effected as narrow band transmission, and where the information transmission utilised is able to tolerate a given delay in excess of that which can normally be accepted.

In the case of a coupling arrangement of the aforesaid kind, it will be seen that a technical problem resides in the ability to realise the significance of and the advantages associated with allowing the one functional part, in the form of the coupling unit, to be adapted for standard co-action with and coupling to the mobile telecommunications system, and to allow the control unit to be adapted for typical co-action with and connection to a telephone operator or corresponding entity allocated with a picture screen and keyboard and/or an interception system.

Another technical problem resides in the ability to realise the significance of and the advantages associated with allowing the coupling unit and the control unit to remain in a connected information exchanging mode with each other, via said wireless connection. Another technical problem resides in the ability to realise the significance of and the advantages that are associated with allowing the coupling unit to be adapted to initiate and activate a wireless speech-information transmission connection to a chosen telephone operator. Another technical problem resides in the ability to realise the significance of and the advantages that are associated with allowing said wireless information- transmission connection to consist of a data transmission channel, and more particularly to allow the use of a time slot or a data packet in the mobile telephone system used.

Another technical problem resides in the ability to realise the significance of and the advantages afforded by adapting and dimensioning said wireless information-transmission connection to provide information transmission in both directions, with a delay that can exceed a maximum suitable time delay, say from 0.5 to 1.0 sec, although less than a predetermined value which is much higher in these contexts.

Another technical problem resides in the ability to realise the significance of and the advantages afforded by creating conditions which will allow said predetermined value to be about or slightly less than 2.0 sec. Another technical problem resides in the ability to realise the significance of and the advantages afforded by allocating to the coupling unit transmitter/receiver circuits for transmission of requisite signal exchanges to the control unit, via said wireless connection.

Another technical problem resides in the ability to realise the significance of and the advantages afforded by allocating to the control unit transmitter/receiver circuits for transmitting requisite signal exchanges to the coupling unit, via said wireless connection.

Another technical problem resides in the ability to realise the significance of and the advantages afforded by providing an interface between the coupling unit and the control unit, where the information structure of the allocated information transmission connection requires a small or reduced bit quantity.

Still another technical problem resides in the ability to realise the significance of and the advantages afforded by connecting said interception system, as a unit, to said control unit. In the case of said application that includes a unit where the subscriber exchange function is divided physically into two parts, into said coupling unit and said control unit, it will be seen that a technical problem resides in the ability to realise the significance of and the advantages afforded by dimensioning and choosing the interface between said units so that in addition to only requiring a small exchange of information therebetween the interface is able to withstand a relatively long time delay and requires only small amounts of data to achieve the full exchange of information.

In addition, a technical problem resides in the ability to realise the significance of and the advantages afforded by utilising a narrow-band wireless connection for said interface and then, primarily, to utilise the marginal capacity afforded by a connection or a channel within a utilised mobile telephone system.

Another technical problem resides in the ability to realise the significance of and the advantages afforded by allowing said connection or channel to consist of a system-separate radio link, albeit in exceptional cases.

Still another technical problem resides in the ability to realise the significance of and the advantages afforded by allowing said connection to consist of a time slot or a data packet in a mobile telephone system used, such as a time slot in a GSM system and a data packet in a GPRS system or a UMTS system. In addition, it will be seen that a technical problem resides in the storage in said coupling unit of the current status of those extensions that are allotted tasks in the interception system and accordingly the establishment of a connection or a forwarding connection, and in the absence of such information switching the incoming call to the telephone operator without evaluating the content of the interception system.

Another technical problem resides in the ability to determine the significance of and the advantages afforded by storing in the coupling unit each incoming call concerning an extension and co-ordinated with the unit function and with extension-related information entered in the interception system, to enable information relating to said extension and stored in the interception system to be evaluated via said wireless information transmission, said information constituting assumptions for a subsequently chosen through-connection of said call through the coupling unit and the exchange function.

Another technical problem resides in the ability to realise the significance of and the advantages afforded by adapting said coupling unit to initiate a requested forwarding connection through the system-associated exchange function, when receiving interception information concerning a forwarding connection.

Another technical problem resides in the ability to realise the significance of and the advantages afforded by adapting said coupling unit so as to initiate said forwarding connection when receiving interception information concerning said forwarding connection.

Another technical problem resides in the ability to realise the significance of and the advantages afforded by enabling said forwarding connection to be effected to a telephone operator, to another extension, to a voice mailbox or to a corresponding entity.

Another technical problem resides in the ability to realise the significance of and the advantages afforded by allowing a telephone operator, said control unit and an interception system connected to the control unit to be co-ordinated locally and separated physically from the coupling unit.

Another technical problem resides in the ability to create conditions in which the control unit can be provided with a call co-ordinating memory and to connect the next arriving call over said connection when a connection has been made to the telephone operator on the established connection and a first call has been terminated.

Another technical problem resides in the ability to provide conditions in respect of wireless connections such as to enable the control unit to be tested and checked completely at the place of manufacture with regard to its various functions in the absence of field-scale conditions. A further technical problem resides in the creation of conditions in the coupling unit which enable solely those extension numbers that have information stored in the interception system to be marked in a memory, and in making an inquiry in the control unit and the interception system solely in respect of these extension numbers, via the coupling unit.

Solution

As before mentioned, the present invention is based on a coupling arrangement which is related to a mobile telecommunications system, and more particularly to a telecommunications system in which a caller, calling from within or to said system, can be connected to a called party via a system-associated switching function, in response to an initiated system telephone number, and wherein a unit belonging to or connected to said system is adapted to be able to implement those functions or selected functions that are normally allocated to a private branch exchange. With the intention of solving one or more of the aforesaid technical problems, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that said unit is divided into two functional parts, i.e. a coupling unit and a control unit, and that these functional parts are mutually co-ordinated via wireless information co-operation, and that said coupling unit is adapted for co-operation with the mobile telecommunications system and the control unit is adapted for co-operation with a telephone operator or corresponding entity and/or with an interception system.

By way of proposed embodiments that lie within the scope of the present invention, it is suggested that the coupling unit and the control unit shall be in an information exchange mode with each other via said wireless connection.

It is also proposed that one and the same connection shall be adapted for two-directional transmission of information carrying signals.

According to the invention, the coupling unit shall be adapted to initiate and activate a wireless speech-information transmission connection to the telephone operator in response to a command from the control unit.

The wireless information transmission connection shall comprise a data transmission channel.

The wireless information transmission connection is adapted and dimensioned to provide the two-directional transmission of information with a delay shorter than a predetermined relatively high value, where said predetermined value will, in practice be less than 2.0 sec.

The coupling unit shall be provided with transmitter/receiver circuits for the transmission of information over said wireless connection. These circuits shall be adapted to allow the information transmission connection to be given an information structure that comprises a small bit quantity.

The interception system is connected as a unit to said control unit.

The connection may consist of a narrow band radio link or of a radio link separate to the system. It is also proposed that the connection or channel may consist of a time slot or a data packet allocated to the mobile telephone system used, such as a time slot in a GMS system and a data packet in a global package radio service (GPRS) or a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS). It is also proposed that each incoming call to the coupling unit, to an extension co-ordinated with the unit function and with information stored in the interception system in a memory allocated to the coupling unit, and when there is agreement between call and memory, circuits in the coupling unit are activated for evaluation of the information in said interception system with respect to said extension, via said connection, and that said information provides conditions for selected through-coupling of the call through the coupling unit and the exchange function.

The coupling unit is adapted to initiate forwarding of the call through the system-associated exchange function upon receipt of interception information relating to forwarding of a call.

It is also proposed that the coupling unit is adapted to initiate forwarding of a call itself, upon receiving interception information concerning said forward coupling. In accordance with the invention, the call is forwarded to a telephone operator, to another extension number, to a voice mailbox or to some corresponding entity.

It is particularly proposed that a telephone operator, the control unit and said interception system are co-ordinated and separated physically from the coupling unit.

Conditions are also provided that enable the control unit to be provided with a call co-ordinating memory, and to switch said connection to the next arriving call when coupling to a telephone operator has been effected on the established connection and a first call has ended. In addition, the invention provides conditions in respect of wireless connections that enable the control unit to be tested and checked fully at its place of manufacture with respect to its different functions, in the absence of field-scale conditions.

The present invention also enables the creation in said coupling unit of conditions whereby only those extension numbers that have information stored in the interception system are marked in a memory, whereby a query is sent to the control unit and the interception system via the coupling unit solely in respect of these extension numbers prior to initiating forwarding of a call. Advantages

Those advantages that can be considered primarily characteristic of a coupling arrangement or switching arrangement that has features significant of the present invention reside in the creation of conditions that enable the use of all or at least selected private branch exchange functions to be greatly simplified in a mobile telecommunications system, by dividing a unit capable of performing chosen functions for a private branch exchange into two physically separated but information-wise co-ordinated functional parts, i.e. a coupling unit and a control unit, and wherein a further degree of freedom is provided in that the telephone operator and the control unit in co-operation with said interception system may be co-ordinated locally and therewith completely separate from the system- associated coupling unit, which may be mounted in connection with a mobile telephone system. The coupling arrangement is also able to implement functions that cannot be provided via a private branch exchange in combination with a mobile telephone system.

The main characteristic features of a coupling or switching arrangement related to a mobile telecommunications system with a private branch exchange function co-ordinated therewith are set forth in the characterising clause of the accompanying Claim 1.

Brief description of the drawings

A coupling or switching arrangement having features characteristic of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a principle illustration of the set-up and co-action between a mobile telecommunications system and a system-associated unit which is adapted to implement at least selected private branch exchange functions;

Figures 2 to 6 illustrate in principle sequential conditions concerning a first coupling instance; Figures 7 to 8 illustrate sequential conditions for a second coupling instance; and

Figure 9 is a simplified block diagram illustrating two functional parts of the unit, the coupling unit and the control unit, and also the interface connecting these units via a wireless connection.

Description of embodiments at present preferred

It is pointed out initially that we have chosen to use in the following description of embodiments at present preferred and including significant characteristic features of the invention and illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings special terms and terminology with the intention of illustrating the inventive concept more clearly.

However, it will be noted that the expressions chosen here shall not be seen as limited solely to the chosen terms used in the description, but that each term chosen shall be interpreted as also including all technical equivalents that function in the same or essentially the same way so as to achieve the same or essentially the same function and/or technical effect.

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a coupling or switching arrangement 1 which is related to and utilises a mobile telecommunications system or mobile telephone system 2.

The mobile telecommunications system 2 is adapted to enable a caller 3, either a caller within the system or a caller to said system, to be coupled to a called party 4 via a system-associated exchange function 2a, in response to an initiated system telephone number. However, the present invention is based on the assumption that the calling party 3 desires speech contact with a called party 5 included as an extension in a private branch exchange or in some other way related to a unit 6 which can perform one or more chosen exchange functions, or all of said functions, and where the calling party 3 therewith initiates an exchange group number or a direct number allocated to the unit 6 and which is coupled to the unit 6 via the exchange function 2a.

According to the present invention, the private branch exchange or switchboard shall be considered as a system-associated unit 6 which is adapted to implement those functions, or at least a choice of functions, that are normally allocated to such an exchange.

According to the basic concepts of the invention, the unit 6 shall comprise two functional parts, i.e. a coupling unit 6a and a control unit or logic unit 6b, where the coupling unit 6a is connected directly to the mobile telecommunications system 2 and its exchange or switching function 2a, as a private branch exchange.

The control unit 6b is separated physically from the coupling unit 6a and said units co-act with each other electrically via one or more information transmission connections, of which one is referenced 8. The connection 8 is a wireless connection.

In addition to a separate radio link, the invention also affords the option of a connection 8 that consists of a time slot in a GSM system or a data packet in a GPRS system or a UMTS system.

The division of exchange-associated parts between the coupling unit 6a and the control unit 6b and also the new coupling circuits required by the invention are shown in more detail in the block diagram of Figure 9.

As illustrated in Figure 1 , the extension telephone apparatus 5 may be in radio connection with a base station (TRX; Transmitter Receiver) in the case of a mobile telephone network or system, a number of such base stations (TRX) are normally co-ordinated with a base station controller (BSC), and a number of such base station controllers (BSC) are co-ordinated with a mobile services switching centre (MSC).

For transmission-technical reasons, the coupling unit 6a of the unit 6 may beneficially be placed and mounted in a mobile services switching centre (MSC) of the mobile telecommunications system 2.

Although the illustrated embodiment includes only one single coupling unit 6a which is in information-transmission co-action with one single control unit 6b, it will be understood that such a coupling unit or switching unit 6a may very well be able to co-act with a plurality of control units 6b, 6b', 6b" (see Figure 9). A control unit 6b may also be connected to a plurality of coupling units 6a, 6a'.

The unit 6 is thus divided physically into the two functional parts 6a, 6b, which may be placed at mutually different locations.

These functional parts 6a, 6b, however, are mutually co-ordinated information-wise via the wireless information transmission connection 8 and in the embodiment most preferred shall be related to the mobile telephone system 2 in the aforedescribed fashion.

The coupling unit 6a is adapted for direct co-action with the mobile telecommunications system 2 via input and output ports, and the control unit 6b is adapted for direct co-action with a telephone operator 9 or corresponding entity and a complete interception system 7, such as the construction represented by

PRESENT mentioned in the introduction.

The coupling unit 6a and the control unit 6b may, of course, stand in an information exchange mode with each other, via a "fixed" coupling over said wireless connection 8.

One and the same connection 8 may, of course, be adapted to transfer two- directional information carrying signals, in a known fashion.

The coupling unit 6a is also adapted to be able to initiate and activate a wireless speech-information transmission connection to the telephone operator 9 when necessary, this connection being referenced 9a in Figure 4.

The wireless information transmission connection 8 shall thus consist of a data transmission channel or connection 8 and for requisite signal exchange will only require a small bandwidth and a small bit quantity in respect of momentarily demanding signal exchange, although it may also be used for other signal transmissions during a time period when the current signal exchange has not been forced by a call that shall be answered.

More particularly, said wireless information transmission connection 8 is adapted and dimensioned to provide the transmission of information in both directions with an accepted and chosen time delay that is long in the present context and that must be below a predetermined value even in this application.

This predetermined value may, in practice, be shorter than 2.0 sec.

As will be seen from Figure 9, an interface-associated circuit 6a4 is pre- connected to the transceiver circuits 6a3 of said coupling unit 6a for said wireless connection 8, for co-ordinating said information in the coupling unit 6a with respect to said transceiver circuits and said connection.

The circuit 6a4 may be adapted to allocate a small bit quantity to the information structure of the information transmission connection 8, via an associated protocol and prevailing circumstances. The transceiver circuits 6b3 of the control unit 6b for said wireless connection 8 are allocated a corresponding circuit 6b4.

The interception system 7 is connected as a unit to said control unit 6b.

Selected functions in the interception system 7 may conveniently be integrated with functions related to the control unit 6b.

In the illustrated case, a complete interception system 7 (PRESENT) is in direct co-action with the control unit 6b.

The control unit 6b comprises, among other things, a display 6b1 and a keyboard 6b2 by means of which a telephone operator 9 is able to obtain information from the coupling unit and/or the interception system 7 and to direct the throughput of a call through the coupling or switching unit 6a and the exchange function 2a, via the keyboard.

It is particularly proposed in accordance with the invention that marginally available capacity in a mobile telephone network, with a relatively narrow bandwidth in respect of the requisite data transmission, can be used for the necessary exchange of signals between the coupling unit 6a and the control unit

6b and between the coupling unit 6a and the interception system 7, or vice versa.

It would be more convenient for said connection 8 to consist of a time slot in the mobile telecommunications system used, said time slot beneficially being included in a GSM system.

Alternatively, the connection 8 may consist of a data packet in a GPRS system or a UMTS system.

Referring back to Figure 1 , it will be seen that each call incoming to the unit 6 is checked in a memory 6a5 and that when the telephone number of the extension 5 is found stored in the memory 6a5, it means that information relating to this extension is also stored in the interception system 7.

With each call stored in the memory 6a5 in the coupling unit, the coupling unit causes, via said channel or connection 8, the control unit 6b to evaluate information stored in the interception system 7 with respect to said extension 5, wherewith said information can then constitute a condition for selected through- coupling of the call through the unit 2 and with the aid of the exchange function 2a.

If the interception system 7 contains no information regarding the extension 5, this information deficiency in the memory 6a5 is noted in the coupling unit 6a, which then puts the call through to the extension 5, via the coupling unit 6a or the exchange function 2a.

However, in the event of the coupling unit 6a receiving interception information from the interception system 7 concerning forwarding of the call, the coupling unit 6a functions to forward the call to a telephone operator 9 through the system-associated exchange function 2a, via a connection 9a.

The call from the telephone apparatus 3 will therewith be connected to the telephone operator 9 via a radio link or via a connection adapted for speech connection and speech communication. There is nothing to prevent the coupling unit 6a initiating a call forwarding procedure directly to the telephone operator 9 upon receipt of interception information relating to said call forwarding process.

Such a call forwarding instruction stored in the interception system 7 need not necessarily refer to forwarding of the call to a telephone operator 9, but may alternatively refer to another extension number, to a voice mailbox or to some other entity.

Figures 2 to 6 are intended to illustrate the sequential conditions for a first coupling instance in more detail.

Figure 2 illustrates in more detail that each incoming call to a group number or to a direct telephone number belonging to the private branch exchange and related to the coupling unit 6a, such as a call from the calling telephone apparatus 3, will be switched automatically to the control unit 6b via the connection 8, and presented to the telephone operator 9 on the display, via the narrow band connection 8. The presentation on the display unit 6b1 can be effected with the aid of A- number identification, B-number identification and a presentation of the contents of the interception system 7.

The telephone operator 9 can confirm a call connection via his/her keyboard 6b2, or initiate a through connection of a radio-allocated speech connection 9a to himself/herself.

Figure 3 illustrates in more detail conditions in which the wireless connection 8 between the coupling unit 6a and the control unit 6b in the company is used to allow the coupling unit or switching unit 6a to inform that a call to a specific telephone number has arrived. An automatic query in the control unit 6b and the interception system 7 affords a clear answer with regard to the coupling options that are available and possible.

Figure 4 illustrates that the control unit 6b and the company telephone operator 9 shall decide what shall be done with the call.

In this regard, the choice is made between several different alternatives: a. Play music whilst waiting for a telephone operator 9 to be free, b. Connect the call to another telephone operator. c. PIay back a recorded or synthetic speech message. In the case of alternative "a", the control unit 6b may conveniently return later with the message that the call will now be connected to someone or will be terminated.

Figure 5 is intended to illustrate the coupling occasion at which an incoming call is forwarded to the telephone operator 9 via the exchange function 2a within the network 2, and where the calling party 3 asks to be connected to someone in the company.

The telephone operator 9 utilises a memory or a database and/or the interception system 7 to find the telephone number of the person asked for or the telephone number of a company function. The database and the interception system also contain information as to those persons that can be reached, and in such case where they can be reached.

The telephone operator 9 forwards the call via the keyboard 6b2 of the computer, wherewith a coupling transaction takes place from the control unit 6b to the coupling unit 6a through the wireless connection 8 and the exchange function 2a is activated to connect the call to the extension 5.

Figure 6 illustrates a coupling occasion at which an incoming call is forwarded to the telephone operator 9 via the exchange function 2a within the network 2, and at which the call coupled to the extension 5 according to Figure 5 is not answered. In this case, a time circuit 6a6 in the coupling unit 6a retrieves the call when the extension called does not answer within a predetermined time period, and informs the control unit 6b that a recall has been effected. The control unit 6b commands the coupling unit 6a to connect the call to the same telephone operator 9 as that who served the incoming call, via the wireless connection 8.

If this telephone operator is not available at that time (occupied in a long call or has gone to lunch) the call is connected to another, available telephone operator.

Figure 7 illustrates another coupling occasion at which an incoming call to the network 2 is switched directly to the extension 5, by the exchange function 2a.

If there is no answer on extension 5, an additional service available in the network 2 can be activated to link the call to the coupling unit 6a, this service being activated in respect of call forwarding in the event of no reply or in the event of the extension being engaged or unreachable.

The coupling unit 6a then informs the company control unit 6b, via the wireless connection 8, that a call has been forwarded to a mobile telephone or cell phone related to said extension number.

The control unit 6a asks the database and/or the interception system 7 for any information that may be stored therein with regard to the mobile telephone 5 concerned, and what shall be done with the call.

The control unit 6a orders the coupling unit 6b to carry out an appropriate procedure, via the wireless connection 8, such as: a. Play back an absent message (I am at lunch and will be back at 1 :00 p.m.). b. Connect to the telephone operator, c. Connect to the voice mailbox. Figure 8 illustrates a coupling occasion on which an incoming call is forwarded to the telephone operator 9 via the exchange function 2a in the network 2.

If this call, according to Figure 7, shall be switched to the telephone operator 9, this can be done in accordance with the same routine as that followed in the case of a call to a group number.

When the call is connected to the telephone operator 9, the operator receives information on the computer screen as to the identity of the caller and obtains from the database or the interception system 7 information that indicates when the called person will be available. The call may then, for instance, be switched to another person.

If the call is to be connected to a voice mailbox or if a speech message shall be given, these functions can either be implemented in the coupling unit 6a or the call can be forwarded to a unit which is adapted especially for this purpose. The coupling unit 6a will, in addition, contain a coupling matrix 6a7, a signalling protocol 6a8 in respect of the network 2, and a number of monitoring circuits 6a9.

Also included are circuits for selecting one or more of a large number of available speech messages 6a10. The control unit 6b will also include logic 6b5 that keeps an account of the telephony and queue functions, log-in logic 6b6 and an individual adapted database 6b7 for telephoning purposes.

Also included in the scope of the invention is the coupling-technical possibility of utilising in the coupling unit 6a a memory 6a11 in which the extension numbers to which information is allocated in the interception system 7 are stored.

In the case of a call incoming to one such "mirrored" extension in the memory 6a11 , the call is coupled via the connection 8 to establish relevant information in the interception system.

A call incoming to an extension that is not stored in the memory 6a11 is connected to the extension directly.

The control unit 6b and the interception system 7 shall be interconnected via a data connection, such as a LAN connection.

The aforesaid co-ordination may be effected to an area, to a company, to an office space, in which a broadband data network is available for coupling purposes.

The invention can also create conditions such as to enable the control unit 6b to be provided with a call co-ordinating memory 6b8 and when the telephone operator 9 has been coupled to the established connection 9a and a first call has been terminated, the telephone operator can switch said connection 9a to the next incoming call.

According to the invention, in the case of wireless connections, the control unit 6a, 6a' and 6a" respectively can be tested and checked fully in its place of manufacture with regard to its various functions in the absence of field-scale conditions. It will be understood that the invention is not restricted to the aforedescribed and illustrated exemplifying embodiments thereof and that modifications can be made within the scope of the inventive concept as illustrated in the accompanying Claims.

Claims

1. A coupling arrangement related to a mobile telecommunications system, wherein a party calling from within or to said system can be connected to a called party via a system-associated switching function in response to an initiated system-associated telephone number, wherein a system-associated unit is adapted to implement the functions or selected functions that are normally allocated to a private branch exchange or switchboard, characterised in that said unit is divided into two functional parts, one part designated coupling unit and one part designated control unit; in that said functional parts are mutually co-ordinated via wireless information co-action over a connection; in that the coupling unit is adapted for co-action with the mobile telecommunications system; and in that the control unit is adapted for co-action with a telephone operator, or corresponding entity, and an interception system.

2. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterised in that the coupling unit and the control unit are in an information exchange mode with each other, via said wireless connection.

3. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said connection is adapted for the two-way transmission of information carrying signals.

4. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterised in that the coupling unit is adapted for initiation and activation of a wireless speech information transmission connection to a telephone operator.

5. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterised in that said wireless information transmission connection is comprised of a data transmission channel.

6. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterised in that said wireless information transmission connection is adapted and dimensioned for providing the transmission of information in both directions with a time delay of chosen duration shorter than a predetermined time value.

7. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 6, characterised in that said predetermined value is less than 2.0 sec.

8. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterised in that the transceiver circuits belonging to said coupling unit are in co-action with said wireless connection.

9. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 8, characterised in that said circuits are adapted to transmit the information structure of the information transmission connection with a small bit quantity.

10. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterised in that the transceiver circuits belonging to said control unit are in co-action with said wireless connection.

11. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 10, characterised in that said circuits are adapted to transmit the information structure of said information transmitting connection with a small bit quantity.

12. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterised in that the interception system has the form of a unit connected to said control unit.

13. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterised in that selected functions within the interception system are integrated with functions related to the control unit.

14. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterised in that the wireless connection is represented by an adapted narrow band channel (8) intended for two-way information carrying signals.

15. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 14, characterised in that the connection is comprised of a narrow band radio link.

16. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 14, characterised in that said connection is comprised of a radio link separate from the mobile telephone system.

17. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 14, characterised in that said connection or channel is comprised of a time slot or a data packet in a mobile telephone system.

18. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterised in that said channel or said connection is comprised of a time slot in a GSM system.

19. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterised in that said channel or connection is comprised of a data packet in a GPRS system.

20. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterised in that said channel or connection is comprised of a data packet in a UMTS system.

21. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterised in that each call incoming to the coupling unit, to an extension co-ordinated with the unit function and with allocated information in the interception system stored in a memory in the coupling unit creates conditions for evaluating, via said wireless information transmission connection, the information stored in the interception system with regard to said extension; and in that said information is adapted to provide conditions for selected through-coupling of the call through the coupling unit.

22. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 1 or 21 , characterised in that in response to receiving interception information concerning a specific call forwarding instruction, the coupling unit functions to initiate and/or execute forwarding of the call through the system-associated exchange function.

23. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 1 or 21, characterised in that in response to receiving interception information regarding a specific call forwarding instruction, said coupling unit functions to initiate and/or execute forward coupling of the call itself.

24. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 21 , 22 or 23, characterised in that the call is forwarded to a telephone operator, to another extension number, to a voice mailbox, or some like entity.

25. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterised in that said telephone operator, said control unit and said interception system are coordinated locally and separate from the coupling unit.

26. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterised in that the coupling unit is allocated to the mobile telephone system.

27. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 14, characterised in that said telephone operator, said control unit and said interception system are coordinated with a broadband data network.

28. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterised in that the control unit includes a call co-ordinating memory, wherein when a call has been connected to the telephone operator on the established connection and a first call has been terminated the next arriving call is switched or connected over said connection.

29. A coupling arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterised in that the control unit can be tested and checked at its place of manufacture with respect to its various functions in the absence of field-scale conditions.