CN1394448A - Apparatus and method for selectively connecting to voice calls received during roaming wireless data communication service - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus and method for selectively connecting a voice call to be accessed received during a wireless data communication service, the communication connection apparatus comprising: a data processor for providing wireless data communication services to a user; a switch for providing language channels between users and paths between users and the data processor; and a voice call processor connected to the switch and the data processor for processing a voice call to be accessed by the communicating subscriber, depending on whether the subscriber is connected to the wireless data communication service provided by the data processor. When the user is connecting with the wireless data communication service, the data processor informs the user of an incoming voice call and enables the user to decide whether to connect with the incoming voice call. When the user decides to connect the incoming voice telephone, the voice telephone processor connects the user with the incoming voice telephone. The present invention allows a user to receive a request for voice communication to be accessed from another user and perform voice communication with another user during a connection with a wireless data communication service using a wireless data terminal.

Description

Apparatus and method for selectively connecting to voice calls received during roaming wireless data communication service

Technical field

The present invention relates to a device and method for selectively connecting an incoming voice call during wireless data communication, and more particularly to a device and method for selectively connecting an incoming voice call to a user, the A user connects with a wireless data communication service with a wireless data terminal, the user is notified of an incoming voice call, and optionally connects to the voice call.

Background technique

The use of wireless data terminals (such as mobile communication terminals, PDAs (personal digital assistants), notebook computers and other smart terminals), especially wireless data communication services that support wireless voice and data communication services, refers to Services, including wireless Internet service and communication take-up two-way text service.

The wireless Internet service allows a terminal to access the Internet using HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) or WAP (Wireless Application Protocol). The description languages of HTTP are m-HTML (Mobile Hypertext Markup Language) and C (Portable)-HTML, and the description languages of WAP are WML (Wireless Markup Language) and HDML (Handheld Device Markup Language).

Due to the increasingly widespread application of wireless data terminals, the number of wireless Internet users using wireless data terminals also tends to rise.

Usually, when wireless data communication service subscribers are communicating, the communication request sent to them is always difficult to be received by the recipient, and the incoming voice call is disconnected or transferred to VMS (Voice Mail System), so that Let the caller leave a voice message.

The calling user of the voice call is then unable to call the receiving user, which happens more frequently when the receiving user is likely to be connected to a wireless data communication service, especially due to the widespread use of wireless data terminals.

As the number of users of wireless data communication services such as wireless Internet services increases, voice communication is not so easy to achieve, and the actual number of successful communication decreases.

This is because the voice path is different from the data channel in the wireless data communication service network, thus, it becomes difficult to report, connect or switch an incoming voice call.

One way to solve this problem is to use VoIP (Voice over IP) to implement ICW (Internet Call Waiting).

VoIP-based technology, on the basis of VoIP (such as H.323, MGCP (Media Channel Control Protocol), SIP (Session Establishment Protocol), etc.), converts the voice data of the calling user of the voice call into the form of digital information and transmit it to the receiving user connected to the data communication service, thereby linking the voice call to the receiving user.

However, this technology requires the wireless data terminal to have a separate VoIP function, so the application of this technology is still limited for general users.

The relevant functions require a lot of wireless data terminal resources, and it will take too much time to be practically used in the near future.

Furthermore, the requirement to convert speech into digital data has resulted in data rate limitations on the Internet, which degrades the quality of data services.

Contents of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for selectively connecting an incoming voice call to a user connected to a wireless information communication service with a wireless data terminal, the user being notified of the incoming voice call A voice call, and optionally connect to that voice call.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a device and method for selectively connecting voice calls received during wireless data communication services. This communication connection device includes: a data processor for providing wireless data communication services to users; a switch for switching the voice channel between users and the path between the user and the data processor; and a voice telephony processor connecting the switch and the data processor for processing incoming incoming calls for users in communication Voice calls, depending on whether the user is connected to the wireless data communication service provided by the data processor. When the user is connected with the wireless data communication service, the data processor notifies the user of the incoming voice call, and enables the user to decide whether to connect with the incoming voice call. When the user decides to connect the incoming voice call, the voice call processor connects the user to the incoming voice call. The invention allows a user to receive an incoming voice communication request message from another user while using a wireless data terminal to connect with the wireless data communication service, and to carry out voice communication with the other user.

The data processor includes a user state information processor for processing user state information. The user's status information includes information indicating whether the user is currently connected to the wireless data communication service, and the voice telephony processor inquires the data processor whether the user is connected to the wireless data communication service provided by the data processor.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a communication connection method, including the following steps:

a) the first user requests voice communication with the second user;

b) judging whether the second user is communicating;

c) If the second user is communicating, determine whether the second user is connected to the wireless data communication service;

d) if the second user is connected to the wireless data communication service, send a message to the second user in the message format used in the wireless data communication service, indicating that there is an incoming voice call from the first user;

e) allowing the second user to decide whether to connect the voice call from the first user;

f) Connecting the voice call from the first user to the second user if the second user decides to connect with the voice call.

Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a communication connection device, which includes: a data processor that provides wireless data communication services to users; and a voice channel between users and a path between users and data processors A switch for switching; when receiving an incoming voice call from a communicating user, processing the incoming voice call according to whether the user is connected to the unlimited data communication service provided by the data processor. When the user is connected with the wireless data communication service, the data processor notifies the user of the incoming voice call, and enables the user to decide whether to connect with the incoming voice call. When the user decides to connect the incoming voice call, the voice call processor connects the user with the incoming voice call. The previous wireless data communication service state is stored in the terminal of the second user, so that the second user can continue to use the previous wireless data communication service after the voice communication is ended.

After the connection with the incoming voice call is terminated, the second user activates the stored wireless data communication service state to restore the previous data service.

A brief description of the drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one embodiment of the invention and together with the description explain the principles of the invention.

1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for selectively connecting to a voice call received during a wireless data communication service in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an alternative method of connecting to a voice call received at a wireless data communication server in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed ways

In the following detailed description, only the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and described, simply illustrating the best method contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. As should be recognized, the present invention can be improved in various obvious aspects, and all modifications do not depart from the technical content of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the present invention should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus selectively connectable to a voice call received during a wireless data communication service in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a switch 100 , a home location register (hereinafter referred to as HLR) 200 , a voice telephony processor 300 , and a data processor 400 .

Switch 100 provides wireless voice and data communication services to users A and B. Except that user A and user B are in the same base station service area, a base station (not shown in the figure) and a base station controller, or a second switch, can be connected between the switch 100 and users A and B .

Although it is described in this embodiment that it is used on a mobile communication terminal, that is, a wireless data communication terminal that supports wireless data communication services, it can also be used on a data communication terminal with a fixed connection.

The HLR 200 is connected to the switch 100 for managing additional service information and location information for mobile communication service subscribers.

The voice call processor 300 is connected to the switch 100 for processing an incoming voice call received by the switch 100 when the user involved (ie user A) is in a communication state. Voice telephony processor 300 includes conventional systems such as VMS (Voice Mail System), UMS (Unified Messaging System) and other ARSs (Automatic Response Systems).

The data processor 400 is connected to the switch 100 and the Internet 500 to provide the user A with a wireless Internet service or a two-way text service.

The voice telephony processor 300 inquires of the data processor 400 whether the user A is in the state of connection and wireless data communication service. Then, the data processor 400 sends the result of this inquiry to the voice telephony processor 300 .

The data processor 400 may also send a voice communication request message to user A who is currently connected to the wireless data communication service.

Like this, data processor 400 comprises a wireless Internet service provider 410, in order to provide wireless Internet service, and a communication occupies two-way text service provider 420 in order to provide communication and occupy two-way text service, and a user state information processor 430 is in order to Process the status information of user A, especially the usage information of wireless data communication service.

A wireless Internet service provider 410 and a call-to-use two-way text service provider 420 are optionally included in the data processor 400 .

For HTTP in wireless Internet service, since all operations are performed on request and response, voice communication requires information to be sent to user A only through a request for new data from user A.

If the wireless data terminal, that is, the mobile communication terminal is connected to TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) after going through the request and response steps, the data processor 400 sends the corresponding data information to the mobile communication terminal.

Unless the TCP/IP connection has been established, the data processor 400 attempts to send a data path establishment message to the mobile communication terminal and sends a corresponding data message to the mobile communication terminal.

The data processor 400 can immediately send the corresponding data information to user A according to the periodic data request from user A of the mobile communication terminal connected with a data location with refreshing function.

The information sent to user A includes information about an incoming voice call and a call back number to connect to the voice call.

When user A approves a new voice communication request, the voice call processor 300 connects user A to the calling user of the incoming voice call, ie, user B. When the voice communication between the user A and the user B is terminated, the user A activates the previous wireless data communication service state stored in the mobile communication terminal to restore the wireless data communication service.

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a description will be given of a method for selectively connecting to an incoming voice call received during a wireless data communication service.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that user B makes a voice communication request to user A, and user A is in a connected state with the wireless data communication service provided by the data processor 400 through the switch 100 .

First, in step 100, user B proposes a voice communication request to user A who is connected to the wireless data communication service provided by data processor 400 through switch 100. In this embodiment, it is assumed that both user A and user B Service areas under the control of the same switch 100. In step 110, based on the location (route) information of user A, the switch 100 gives the final location vacancy of user A, which location information is obtained from HLR 200 by switching from HLR 200 to the switch, or on the contrary from the service area where user A is in charge obtained from different switches. The switch 100 in charge of the service area where the user B is located requests the location information of the user A from the HLR 200, and the HLR 200 sends the location information of the user A to the switch 100 in turn.

If subscriber A is located in the same service area as subscriber B, in particular under the control of the same switch, switch 100 determines in step 120 whether subscriber A is in communication.

Otherwise, if user A is located in a different service area from user B, the switch connected to user B searches for the switch 100 responsible for the service area where user A is located and establishes a connection with it to determine whether user A is in a communication state, the above steps done in a known way. Although it is described in this embodiment that users A and B are located in the same service area and under the control of the same switch 100, those skilled in the art will easily understand that users A and B can also be located in different service area and under the control of different controllers.

If the user A is not in the communication state, in step 130, the switch 100 requests the phone to connect the voice communication of the user B to establish the voice communication between the user A and the user B. Otherwise, if the user A is in the communication state, the switch 100 switches the incoming voice call from the user B to the voice call processor 300 in step 140 .

When receiving an incoming voice call from user B of the switch 100, in step 150, the voice call processor 300 keeps the voice call in a non-billing state, and then asks the data processor 400 whether user A and wireless The data communication service is connected.

In step 160 , the data processor 400 obtains the status information of user A from the user status information processor 430 , and sends the inquiry result to the voice telephony processor 300 .

The voice telephony processor 300 determines whether the user A is currently connected to the wireless data communication service according to the query result obtained from the data processor 400 in step 170 .

If the subscriber is not connected to a wireless data communication service, in step 180 the voice call processor 300 connects subscriber B's incoming voice call to the VMS, UMS or other ARSs in a known manner.

Otherwise, if the user is currently connected to a wireless data communication service, in step 190 the voice call processor 300 notifies the data processor 400 of an incoming voice call from user B to user A.

Simultaneously, the voice call processor 300 stores (in a built-in database) information including the number of subscriber A and the line number used to connect the voice call to the call path of the voice call processor 300.

When the voice call processor 300 notifies the user A who is connected to the wireless data communication service that there is an upcoming voice call, in step 200 the data processor 400 uses the format of the wireless communication service currently connected to the user A to make a notification information and send it to user A. This notification information will be displayed on user A's mobile communication terminal in step 210 .

In this regard, the data processor 400 determines the message format of the user A according to whether the user A connects to the wireless Internet service from the wireless Internet service provider 410 or connects to the communication occupying two-way text service from the communication occupying two-way text service provider 420. .

When user A is in the state of being connected to the wireless Internet service, the data processor 400 must send notification information in different ways according to whether a TCP/IP connection is established or whether the refresh function is activated on the data location connected to user A .

The data processor 400 sends a selection message for user A to decide whether to connect to the incoming voice call, and also sends user A a notification message about the upcoming incoming voice call. The selection information includes a call back number used to connect the incoming voice call.

When a message such as "You have a voice call, select 1 to connect, select 2 to keep on hold" is displayed to user A, user A realizes that he/she has a new call during the wireless data service process. The voice call that is about to be connected, if he wants to answer the voice call, select "1". The numeral 2 can also refer to various other functions other than "hold", including "reject", "maintain", "connect voice mailbox" and "continue previous service", etc.

If user A does not want to answer this new voice call after receiving the notification message during the wireless data communication service process, in step 230 voice call processor 300 switches this voice call from user B to VMS in a known manner , UMS or other ARSs.

If user A wants to interrupt the wireless data communication service and connect a new incoming voice call, he will use the call back number to connect to the voice call processor 300 . In step 240, the voice call processor 300 compares the received caller number with the caller number stored in the built-in database, and then makes a call between the voice call switched from user B and user A in wireless data communication. Create a call path. The status of the wireless data communication service currently connected to user A is stored in user A's mobile communication terminal or data processor 400 .

After the connection of the incoming voice call is terminated, the user A can activate the previous state of the wireless data communication stored in his/her mobile communication terminal, and continue to receive the previous data service.

As described above, when user A is connected to an incoming voice call from user B during the course of wireless data communication service and terminates the voice communication with user B, the mobile communication terminal of user A activates the previous wireless data communication service status and establish a connection with the data processor 400 to obtain new data, thus switching to the previous data service environment and allowing user A to continue the previous data communication service.

Different from the above description, in this case, that is, user A is communicating, and the exchange 100 has a separate unit directly connected to the data processor 400, then the exchange 100 can ask user A directly from the data processor 400 Whether it is connected to the wireless data communication service, when receiving the information indicating that the user A is connecting to the wireless data communication service, the voice call from the user B is connected to the separate VMS, UMS and other ARS systems.

In order to indicate that the incoming call is a new call to the data service subscriber, the switch 100 transmits the corresponding information in an Internet telephony connection signaling protocol (e.g., SS7 ISUP (ISDN User Part) R2-MFC).

In this way, when the switch 100 directly determines that the user A is connected to the wireless data communication service, the phone can be switched to the optional restriction system.

Although it has been described that the switch 100 inquires the data processor 400 whether the user A is connected to the wireless data communication service, the switch 100 may store in the HLR 200 information indicating whether the user A is using the information service. In this case, a separate data transmission path between HLR 200 and data processor 400 is required.

When switch 100 requires the switch (or the second switch connected with user A) that is responsible for user A to be terminated by HLR200 to provide path information, the corresponding switch directly notifies HLR200 that user A is connected with wireless data communication service, so that The HLR 200 stores information indicating whether the user A uses the data service.

If the corresponding information is not stored in the HLR 200, but sent to the calling switch, the calling switch can handle the voice call at the VMS, UMS and other ARSs connected thereto.

While this invention has been described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and best embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but on the contrary covers the invention as contained in the appended claims. Various modifications and equivalent configurations are within the spirit and scope of the book.

The invention allows a user to receive an incoming voice communication request from another user during connection with a wireless data communication service with a wireless data terminal, and to perform voice communication with another calling user of voice telephone communication.

Claims (12)

1, a kind of communication jockey comprises:

A data processor is used for providing the wireless data communication service to the user;

An interchanger is used at the language passage between the user and provides the path between user and data processor; With

A voice call processor that is connected to this interchanger and data processor is used to the user who is in the communication to handle the voice call that is about to access, and this depends on whether this user is connected with the wireless data communication service that is provided by this data processor;

When the service of user and radio data communication equipment news is connected, the voice call that data processor notifies the user to be about to tap into, and make the user determine whether be connected with the voice call that is about to tap into;

When the user determined to connect the voice call that is about to tap into, the voice call processor was connected this user with the voice call that is about to tap into.

2, communication jockey as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, it further comprises a Home Location Register, and Home Location Register is connected with interchanger, to handle additional service information and user position information.

3, communication jockey as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that wherein data processor comprises: an any wireless network services provides device, is used for providing any wireless network services by interchanger to the user;

A communication takies the two-way text service provider, and being used for provides communication to take the two-way text service by interchanger to the user;

A user state information processor is used for the state information of process user.

4, communication jockey as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that, wherein state of user information comprises the current information that whether links to each other with the wireless data communication service of expression user.

5, communication jockey as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, wherein whether voice call processor inquiry data processor user links to each other with the wireless data communication service that data processor provides.

6, communication jockey as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, wherein the voice call processor was stored user's wireless data communication service state before connecting the user to the voice call that is about to insert, after terminating with being connected of this voice call, when the user wished that the wireless data communication that recovers previous is served, the voice call processor activated the wireless data communication service state of storage to continue previous wireless data communication service.

7, a kind of communication method of attachment is characterized in that it comprises the steps:

A) first user request is carried out speech communication with second user;

B) judge that whether second user is just in communication;

C) if, judging second user just in communication, second user whether is connected with the wireless data communication service;

D) if second user just is connected with the wireless data communication service, the data format to use in the wireless data communication service sends an information to second user, and this information is pointed out a voice call that is about to tap into from first user;

E) whether second user decision is connected from the first user's voice phone;

F) if second user decision is connected with this voice call, then with second user be connected from the first user's voice phone.

8, communication method of attachment as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that, wherein Connection Step (f) is included as the step of the second user storage wireless data communication service state.

9, communication method of attachment as claimed in claim 8 is characterized in that it further comprises the steps:

At Connection Step (f) afterwards, judge whether second user wishes the wireless data communication service that recovers previous; With

If second user wishes the wireless data communication service that recovers previous, activate the wireless data communication service state of storage.

10, a kind of communication jockey comprises:

A data processor is used for providing the wireless data communication service to the user; With

An interchanger, be used to provide language passage between the user and the path between user and the data processor, receiving one just during the voice call that be about to insert of the user in communication, whether be connected according to this user, be about to the voice call that inserts and handle this with the wireless data communication service that data processor provides;

When the user just was connected with the wireless data communication service, the data processor notice was about to the user of the voice call of access, and made the user determine whether be connected with the voice call that is about to insert; With

The voice call that determines and soon insert as the user is connected, and interchanger is connected the user with the voice call that is about to insert.

11, communication jockey as claimed in claim 10 is characterized in that, it further comprises a Home Location Register, and described Home Location Register is connected with interchanger, to handle additional information on services and user position information.

12, communication jockey as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, the information whether user is connected with wireless data communication service that data processor provides is pointed out in Home Location Register storage.