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EP1685694A1 - Appareil et procedes pour services de telecommunications - Google Patents

Appareil et procedes pour services de telecommunications

Info

Publication number
EP1685694A1
EP1685694A1 EP04798632A EP04798632A EP1685694A1 EP 1685694 A1 EP1685694 A1 EP 1685694A1 EP 04798632 A EP04798632 A EP 04798632A EP 04798632 A EP04798632 A EP 04798632A EP 1685694 A1 EP1685694 A1 EP 1685694A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
connection
text message
text
mobile
message
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04798632A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Jeffrey Wilson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Intellprop Ltd
Original Assignee
Intellprop Ltd
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
Priority claimed from GB0327137A external-priority patent/GB0327137D0/en
Priority claimed from GB0327372A external-priority patent/GB0327372D0/en
Priority claimed from GBGB0328606.9A external-priority patent/GB0328606D0/en
Priority claimed from GB0329108A external-priority patent/GB0329108D0/en
Priority claimed from GB0329316A external-priority patent/GB0329316D0/en
Application filed by Intellprop Ltd filed Critical Intellprop Ltd
Publication of EP1685694A1 publication Critical patent/EP1685694A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L51/00—User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
    • H04L51/58—Message adaptation for wireless communication
    • 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
    • H04M3/42382—Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks
    • 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
    • H04M3/487—Arrangements for providing information services, e.g. recorded voice services or time announcements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W76/00—Connection management
    • H04W76/10—Connection setup
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/26—Devices for calling a subscriber
    • H04M1/27—Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously
    • H04M1/274—Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously with provision for storing more than one subscriber number at a time, e.g. using toothed disc
    • H04M1/2745—Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously with provision for storing more than one subscriber number at a time, e.g. using toothed disc using static electronic memories, e.g. chips
    • H04M1/27467—Methods of retrieving data
    • H04M1/2748—Methods of retrieving data by matching character strings
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2203/00—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M2203/20—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges related to features of supplementary services
    • H04M2203/2016—Call initiation by network rather than by subscriber
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2203/00—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M2203/65—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges related to applications where calls are combined with other types of communication
    • H04M2203/652—Call initiation triggered by text message
    • 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
    • H04M3/487—Arrangements for providing information services, e.g. recorded voice services or time announcements
    • H04M3/493—Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
    • H04M3/4931—Directory assistance systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/12—Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
    • H04W88/18—Service support devices; Network management devices

Definitions

  • This invention relates to telecommunications services apparatus and methods, such as for use with a mobile telecommunications system, such as a mobile telephone system.
  • Users of mobile telephones can directly call other users of telephones, and can also have access to a variety of voice services, including .network-based services such as voicemail and also information and entertainment services such as live radio feeds.
  • Some types of mobile phone particularly those known as third generation, or 3G , can make audiovisual connections and access a wide range of media. However in all these cases they must know the number to dial. Normally, a user originates a call to a voice service or an organisation by dialling a string of digits representing the telephone number of the desired destination.
  • PCT-WO 01/08430 discloses that alphanumeric entry on the user's handset using a text message can cause the return of a number to the handset, a process known as 'Directory Enquiry'. The mobile phone user can then call a selected number, either by keying in the number again or by using the 'Use Number' facility available in some handsets, which enables extraction of numbers from SMS messages for immediate use in dialling.
  • This method requires the user to perform two separate steps, first to send a text message to a well-known service number, and then to make a voice call to a (different) received directory number.
  • the same prior art document discloses two further approaches. Either the call can be automatically completed by outdial from the network ('outdial method') on receipt of the text message, or alternatively a handset improvement would permit automatic call set-up from the handset ('indial method') on receipt of the response.
  • PCT/GB2004/002058 describes alpha name servers used to provide the translation between alpha strings and network addresses in much the same way as Domain Name Servers provide IP addresses from Internet URLs. Samuel Johnson (1707-1784) is quoted as saying "If it rained knowledge, I'd hold out my hand; but I would not give myself the trouble to go in quest of it.” This aptly illustrates the present situation with regard to connectivity between a mobile telephone and the very large number of potential audio sources, audio services, chat-lines, bulletin boards, organisations, product promotions etc. and other voice services and/or voice connections to which a mobile telephone user would like to connect - if it were easily possible to do so.
  • Drawbacks of the '0800 TELSIS' approach to making numbers easier to remember include the fact that a number of different layouts for letters on telephone keypads are in use throughout the world, and also the fact that multiple alphanumeric strings can share the same numeric representation. Whilst the problem of keypad variations has been eased in recent times with the introduction of an ISO standard, organisations may still have to promote both alpha and numeric telephone numbers, e.g. '0800 TELSIS (835747)'.
  • dialling 00 800 00 TELSIS could allow access to Telsis from any country supporting the Universal Freephone service, but in practice the organisation has to arrange for the particular Universal Freephone number to be activated in every country from which it is prepared to accept calls.
  • a further limitation of the technique of WO 01/08430 is that text sent to the network for the purpose of specifying a destination to dial is interpreted literally by the network, e.g. by being looked up in a database or table and converted to a telephone number. This approach is very restrictive in that it requires an exact match between the text entered and the database entry. Multiple database entries are required in the prior art if the system is to cope with the many common variations of requested destinations.
  • SMS Service Centre SMS Service Centre
  • WAP As a means to select an alphanumeric string as a specifier of a desired destination telephone call.
  • the delay in setting up a GSM data call can be as much as 30 seconds, which makes this approach impractical for requesting connection by a subsequent voice call.
  • telecommunications services apparatus for use with a mobile telephone network, the apparatus comprising means for establishing a connection from a mobile terminal in response to alphanumeric dialling on the mobile terminal, wherein alphanumeric dialling information is transmitted from the mobile terminal to the connection establishing means.
  • apparatus for establishing a connection from a mobile telephone handset using alphanumeric dialling.
  • a telecommunications services method for use with a mobile telephone network, the method comprising establishing a connection from a mobile terminal in response to alphanumeric dialling on the mobile terminal, wherein alphanumeric dialling information is transmitted from the mobile terminal to the connection establishing means.
  • Other aspects of the invention provide a computer program for implementing a method as set out above and a storage medium storing the computer program.
  • a telecommunications services apparatus for use with a mobile radio telecommumcations system to which is connected at least one mobile terminal capable of at least voice and text communication, said apparatus comprising a text message decoder for receiving a text message from a mobile station of the mobile radio telecommunications system, and for identifying the received text message as a request for connection, and means for using the received text to determine a first connection associated with the received text message; and a connecting means for setting up a second connection to the mobile station that initiated the text message, and for setting up said first connection and for connecting said second connection to said first connection.
  • first and second are used for distinguishing two connections and do not imply any sequence.
  • the second connection to the mobile terminal, may be set up in a number of ways. This could be a voice call, or on capable terminals could be a multimedia or audiovisual call. Alternatively the connection could be made by other means, for example via a data connection that provides suitable connectivity such as can be provided by GPRS or a 3G technology.
  • the term text message is to be interpreted as any means for transmitting to the network a representation of an alphanumeric entry made by the user. For example this includes but is not limited to • a Short Message of the GSM SMS service and enhancements thereof such as EMS and MMS, and their equivalents in a non-GSM network • an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) message • a message transmitted over a packet data bearer such as GPRS
  • a telecommunications services apparatus for use with a mobile radio telecommunications system to which is connected at least one mobile terminal capable of at least voice and text communication, said apparatus comprising a text message decoder for receiving a text message from a mobile station of the mobile radio telecommunications system, and for identifying the received text message as a request for connection, the decoder being operable to process the text message to derive an alphanumeric string which may be different from the received text, and means for using said derived string to determine a first connection associated with the received text message; and a connecting means for setting up a second connection to the mobile station that initiated the text message, and for setting up said first connection and for connecting said second connection to said first connection.
  • a telecommunications services apparatus for use with a mobile radio telecommumcations system to which is connected at least one mobile terminal capable of at least voice and text communication, said apparatus comprising a text message decoder for receiving a text message from a mobile station of the mobile radio telecommunications system, and for identifying the received text message as a request to define a connection, and means for using the received text to determine a first connection associated with the received text message; and a connection means for receiving a second connection from said mobile terminal and for setting up said first connection and for connecting the received second connection from the mobile station to said first connection.
  • a telecommunications services apparatus for use with a mobile radio telecommunications system to which is connected at least one mobile terminal capable of at least voice and text communication, said apparatus comprising a text message decoder for receiving a text message from a mobile station of the mobile radio telecommunications system, and for identifying the received text message as a request to define a connection, the decoder being operable to process the text message to derive an alphanumeric string which may be different from the received text, and means for using said derived string to determine a first connection associated with the received text message; and a connection means for receiving a second connection from said mobile terminal and for setting up said first connection and for connecting the received second connection from the mobile station to said first connection.
  • the said text message comprises a Short Message of the GSM Short Messages Services.
  • the said text message comprises an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) message.
  • USSD Unstructured Supplementary Service Data
  • the said text message is delivered to the apparatus using groomed means or direct delivery means preferably by means of an SMS Router, thereby avoiding SMSC delays.
  • said connection means also sends an identification signal characteristic of the telephone number of the originating mobile station to the requested connection.
  • connection identity is announced to the caller before connection. This provides feedback to the caller regarding any translation that may have taken place between the text entered and the connection determined by the apparatus.
  • a price announcement is made to the caller indicating charges that may apply to the connection determined by the apparatus.
  • a user that Text Dials an email address i.e. sends a text message containing an email address to a service number, is connected to a recording service which is operable to deliver a recorded voice message to the specified email address.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram of a telecommunications services apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, comprising a Text Dialling system
  • Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a network configuration of the dialling system
  • Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example instruction card for the service.
  • a Text Dialling system comprising a call connection system CCS and an alpha dialling decoder and database ADDD.
  • the call connection system provides communication with a mobile station (caller) MS, and connection to a desired destination or service.
  • FIG. 2 shows a mobile station MS (1) communicating with a network comprising a base transceiver station BTS (2), a mobile switching centre MSC (3), SMS Router (5) and a short message service centre SMS-C (4).
  • Text Dialling messages are sent using SMS but do not pass through the SMS-C (4).
  • the MSC (3) communicates via the Mobile Application Part protocol MAP with a Text Dialling system (9) embodying the invention.
  • the Text Dialling system (9) includes a SMS Router (5) through which some or all Mobile Originated SMS messages in this network preferably pass, an SMS Wizard engine (6) for intelligently processing the entered text, a database (7) containing rules, exceptions and knowledge tables for the SMS Wizard (6) and a Voice Services or Switching equipment (8).
  • the Voice Switching equipment (8) provides communication to a selected internal connection such as a live feed (11), stored audio/text to speech (14) or other service, or to an external connection, telephone (10), audio service (13) or email server (15), or via other means (16).
  • the SMS Wizard (6) may be connected to external systems and/or databases (12) such as an external alpha name server, or hierarchy of such servers.
  • the Voice Switching equipment (8) may comprise audiovisual switching equipment.
  • the SMS Router (5) may be, for example, one manufactured by Telsis Limited. Embodiments of the invention remove a key constraint on voice and audiovisual telephony, which is that people currently have to obtain and dial telephone numbers in order to connect.
  • Text Dialling It is much more useful to access services using text (“Text Dialling") as names are stable for long periods and are so easily remembered that there is no need for preplanning of phone book entries. So for example if one could directly Text Dial — Radio 4 or Manchester United Chat or Vodafone Customer care then connection is easy for the mobile handset user, and because callers could now connect easily it would be worthwhile for other parties to provide useful connections. Further examples of the types of connectivity that would be useful to mobile telephone users are now given in order to illustrate an embodiment of the invention.
  • the Text Dial column shows the text entered/dialled in order to achieve the desired connectivity and the Benefit column provides an explanation of the benefit of Text Dialling.
  • Embodiments of this invention provide for Text Dialling using standard GSM Handsets and use a simple architecture to achieve it so that a GSM network can quickly add Text Dialling capability.
  • Embodiments of this invention are also applicable to other types of mobile technology, including but not limited to TDMA, CDMA and 3 G.
  • TDMA Time Division Multiple Access
  • CDMA Code Division Multiple Access
  • 3 G Code Division Multiple Access
  • New mobile handsets could also have Text Dialling built in so that an even simpler man-machine interface is possible.
  • the technologies of Text Messaging for rapid alpha entry, SMS Routers for rapid delivery without variable delays, SMS Wizard for intelligent processing and interpretation of text, Alpha name servers for managed translation of alpha names into connections and Voice or Video Switching Equipments for connecting the caller to the requested name have been brought together to enable a facility known as Text Dialling, which permits any mobile phone user, with at least the basic call features of voice and text, to be connected to any organisation, company, brand, chat room, celebrity message, local service, live audio feed, voice mailbox etc... the list is endless.
  • the step change in connectivity provided by this invention cannot be underestimated as it allows names to be used that users already know.
  • the connection may be made by a variety of methods such including but not limited to — • Circuit switched voice call • Packet switched voice call • Direct connection internal to the Voice or Video Switching Equipment • TCP/IP • ATM • Audiovisual connection
  • the present technique utilises a 'Text Dialling' system, which is operable using an unmodified basic handset that needs only to support voice calls and text message sending.
  • the technique is applicable immediately to the vast majority of the mobile telephone handsets in use, and to many fixed line terminals.
  • This technique is also applicable to fixed network terminals that support voice and text sending. Further aspects of the technique ensure that the text message is delivered rapidly to the apparatus to enable rapid and predictable call-set-up performance, without the variable delays introduced by traditional SMS network architectures.
  • the technique is also applicable to mobile terminals with enhanced capabilities, and will be particularly useful with 3G video handsets, allowing the possibility of browsing audiovisual content without any need to find telephone numbers.
  • the mobile user composes an SMS text message that comprises an identifier for the required destination party, service or category of services.
  • the message is sent to a service number via the mobile telephone network to the ADDD.
  • the SMS text message is routed via an SMS Router rather than through an SMSC using a technique known as grooming or direct delivery. This removes temporal ambiguity from the call set-up process and provides predictable call set-up performance.
  • the ADDD system performs processing on the entered text using an SMS Wizard that is part of the ADDD and derives a preferred form of the requested destination.
  • the apparatus then performs a database look-up using the preferred form to identify a requested connection that corresponds to the text identifier.
  • sponsored telephone numbers may be provided as the preferred connection translations, allowing the directory system to provide a commercial income.
  • the system may be operable to use the entered text directly without translation by an SMS Wizard.
  • the text message decoder is in the form of an SMS Wizard, such as is described in EP-A-1 185 119.
  • This is operable to intelligently process received text using a system of exceptions, classes and rules to derive an alphanumeric string from the input text supplied by the user.
  • the processing is able to cope with multiple forms and spellings of names, different short-forms and arbitrary punctuation.
  • the derived string determines the audio that is played to the user for confirmation before the user is connected.
  • the SMS Wizard (6) is able to interpret this as a request for connection to a number for Virgin Atlantic, and announces for example: "connecting to Virgin Atlantic.” Variations such as Airways or Airlines are provided for in the SMS Wizard's text processing, and the preferred or correct form is the one derived.
  • the system may offer choices to the user if the SMS Wizard (6) is not able to determine a resolution of the entered text. The choices may be offered as an audio menu when the voice call is connected, or may be sent in a text message or by other means.
  • the derived string is passed to a lookup process, preferably implemented as an external Alpha Name server that is analogous to the Domain Name server in TCP/IP networks.
  • the Alpha Name server is preferably centrally maintained, although its implementation may be distributed.
  • the name entries in the alpha name server are in the same form as the derived strings in the SMS Wizard, and are used by the system to initiate connections.
  • the Alpha Name server is a managed resource, which means that the entries and translations that it makes are managed and controlled.
  • the prior art describes databases where users can add their own aliases in a free-for-all fashion as is common on web email systems. This leads to an anarchic and un-organised naming scheme, where generally the contact-name of any subscriber cannot be guessed.
  • the apparatus is arranged to commence outdial first from the Voice Switching equipment (8) to the mobile station that initiated the text message, and on answer to effect the requested connection associated with the received text message, although alternative sequencing of operations is possible.
  • the CLI of an outdialled call to the originator of the text message is the same as the service number to which the text message is sent, allowing the user to easily recognise the call as being the one initiated by the text message, rather than a different call.
  • the CLI of the originator is passed to the requested connection.
  • the outdial to the mobile station that initiated the text message is preferably prevented from going to Voice mail or to another diverted number as this would cause unexpected and undesirable behaviour. For example, if this were not prevented, a voice mail system could become connected to the destination number that the user requested. This situation may be avoided by outdialling with call parameters set to prevent diverts. Alternatively, diversion may be detected by the apparatus and the call set-up immediately terminated, in which case the apparatus preferably notifies the originator by SMS. If the call back to the originator does not result in answer, then connection to the requested destination is not initiated. The apparatus may employ a retry algorithm that attempts to connect to the user again in the event that the call back fails.
  • Outdial may be preferable to an alternative 'indial' method that is now described.
  • Outdial may be preferable because it can work while the user is roaming, without any requirement for the roaming network to support CAMEL or other special facilities.
  • Text Dialling requests sent by SMS are automatically routed back to the home network using the global title of the home network's SMS Service Centre that is programmed into the handset.
  • USSD is used as the transport for the text request, certain ranges of USSD command codes are specified as being transported transparently to the home network.
  • the Text Dialling user is able to receive a call-back and to be connected to a destination regardless of where he is roaming.
  • the service number used for the text message and the service number used for the voice call are the same service number.
  • an international standard is adopted whereby a preferred short service number is operable to connect the caller to apparatus in his home network to facilitate Text Dialling while roaming.
  • a service number in international format may be used for the indialled call, thereby overcoming the limitations of dialling from a roaming network.
  • the first acknowledgement of the text message delivery received at the handset is indicative that the apparatus has received and processed the message and is ready to accept a voice call and effect the requested connection associated with the received text message.
  • the text message decoder may include a database linking alphanumeric identifiers with respective connections. Means may be provided for accessing at least one external database linking further text identifiers with respective further connections.
  • the apparatus optionally retains memory of the requested connection last used so that further calls or reconnections may be made without re-entry of the alphanumeric text message.
  • the memory data associating a CLI with a previously used connection may be stored in a network data store or in a data store or table within or associated with the apparatus.
  • the use of memory in this way is particularly applicable to 'outdial' implementations of the invention where the apparatus dials back to the originator.
  • Indial implementations may also use memory, but care must be taken to avoid a race condition between a text message from a user specifying a desired connection and a voice call from the same user with intent to connect to the specified connection.
  • voice call arrives and is processed before the text message has been processed to determine a connection, then there is a possible ambiguity in whether the system should wait, or use a previous connection identity stored in memory.
  • return of a 'message sent' type of acknowledgement to the user is indicative that text processing is completed and that a subsequent voice call will invoke the most recently requested connection.
  • a preferred implementation of the invention is also operable, subsequent to a drop in the connection, to accept a voice call addressed to the said service number as a request to reconnect.
  • An outdial implementation of Text Dialling could advantageously be launched first, since this mode of operation requires the least customer familiarisation and is therefore more easily adopted.
  • the users simply send a text message to a short code and they are called back and connected. This process only requires one action on the part of the user, which is sending a text message.
  • An advantageous second phase of implementation could offer an indial version of the service.
  • An indial implementation of Text Dialling as described herein provides a number of advantages: • No billing changes whatsoever are required in the network, since the only operations carried out by users are the sending of text messages and the initiation of voice calls. Both of these operations are already covered by existing billing systems.
  • the user sends a text message to a short code, preferably by sending a GSM Short Message, and preferably to the destination number 222, to specify a desired connection, and subsequently makes an indialled call to the apparatus.
  • a short code preferably by sending a GSM Short Message, and preferably to the destination number 222, to specify a desired connection, and subsequently makes an indialled call to the apparatus.
  • the indialled call could be initiated. 1.
  • the user could dial a short code.
  • the short code dialled would preferably be 222 as this is the same as the preferred short code destination for the text message.
  • the network would be configured to route calls to this short code to the apparatus.
  • a disadvantage of this method is that it does not always work for roamers as the roaming network may interpret short code numbers differently from the home network. 2.
  • the user could dial a long number in international format to set up a call to the apparatus.
  • the network would be configured to route calls to this number to the apparatus. This will work in all cases even when the user is roaming, since the international prefix and network code will route the call to the home network.
  • the long number could be assigned to a 'speed-dial' key on his handset. In this way, once the number is programmed into the handset, the user no longer has to remember the number. Alternatively, the number could be programmed into the handset's phone book, for recall when required.
  • a key advantage of the indial method of operating a Text Dialling service, over an outdial implementation, is that the indial method required no billing changes whatsoever to the network.
  • an outdial method may require a means for charging the called user for the call leg between the user's terminal and the apparatus. For example, if the user is roaming the outdialled call leg will usually involve an international call, which may need to be charged. The charge may either be borne by the user, a situation known as reverse billing, or may be charged to a third party, as for example in the case of a Freephone service. Reverse billing can take some time for a network operator to implement and test. For minimum time-to-market, an indial-based implementation may therefore be preferable.
  • a key goal of the present technique is to make the user experience as simple as possible to encourage adoption of the service.
  • So-called 'Speed-dial' functionality is commonly available on mobile handsets, and allows a simple key operation, for example a short sequence of keys or a long press on a single key, to activate a pre-stored dialling function.
  • the speed-dialling function of a handset may be disabled, and is often disabled by default when a new handset is supplied. Disabling speed-dialling prevents inadvertent dialling of numbers if keys are pressed accidentally.
  • a keypad lock may be activated when the handset is not in use to prevent inadvertent dialling of numbers.
  • a key such as the digit T key, is reserved for speed dialling the user's Voice mail.
  • the voice mailbox access number is usually programmed into the handset to enable this feature, which is often operable whether or not speed dialling is enabled for the other keys.
  • an access number for Text Dialling for the voice mailbox number programmed into the handset, easy dialling of the Text Dial apparatus may be achieved.
  • an alternative key may be substituted.
  • the access number for Text Dialling may be assigned to digit key '2'.
  • Speed dialling would need to be enabled on a standard handset for this to be operable.
  • an optional variant would preferably send the text message to 2 (as opposed to a short code such as 222) so that the user experience was more clearly defined i.e. the same key for text and voice.
  • All of the methods described here for implementing indial-based Text Dialling are operable on unmodified mobile handsets, on a mobile network with an unmodified billing system.
  • the technique is operable to provide the caller with a wide variety of connections including but not limited to — Start-at-the-beginning audio sources Live feed audio sources Celebrity news • Product promotions Chat services Destinations that do not have a telephone number, but may nevertheless be routed to, for example over an IP data network Voice mail systems • Paging or messaging systems email Agents or operators Other telephones fixed or mobile Any other type of telephony service
  • the mobile terminal has enhanced capabilities, such as for example audiovisual communication, then the scope of possible connections is increased. In the case of audiovisual capability this would allow access to video live feeds, video bulletin boards, video news clips and the like.
  • these destinations do not necessarily have a telephone number, and in some cases the apparatus is operable to connect to a destination that does not have a diallable number in the normal sense.
  • a voice mailbox max be achieved using the technique provided network signalling permits it, yet the voice mailbox may not be diallable directly by a subscriber, or have its own telephone number.
  • the connection resolved by the apparatus may be a routing specified in other ways than a telephone number.
  • the connection may be to a resource within the Voice or Video Switching apparatus, for example utilising stored content.
  • the connection may be to a conference or chat system. If the Voice or Video Switching equipment is distributed across several devices in a network as would be desirable for geographic redundancy, then it may also be desirable to implement a centralised control function, such as a Service Control Point, to manage some types of service.
  • a centralised control function such as a Service Control Point
  • a further example is provided by connection to email.
  • a user that Text Dials an email address i.e. sends a text message containing an email address to a service number
  • a recording service which is operable to deliver a recorded voice message to the specified email address.
  • the SMS Wizard (6) preferably retains memory, on a per CLI basis, of the last connection used by each user.
  • subsequent voice calls sent to a service number may automatically use the last connection without recourse to further lookup. Internationally this may not be effective, because short codes may have a different effect when dialled on a roaming network.
  • commercial adoption of this technique may preferably result in the specification of an internationally agreed short code, such as 222.
  • the system provides an audio announcement to one or both ends, to indicate to the caller exactly what connection has been reached, and in certain cases to a recipient to indicate or advertise the connecting service.
  • the audio announcements may comprise stored audio, text-to-speech generated audio, or a combination of the two.
  • the system may, in conjunction with the alpha name server, employ a location-based mechanism that uses the location of the caller, and in certain cases the location of the called party or both locations, and may direct the choice of translation between user- entered text and the connection that is required. Furthermore the alpha name server may carry pricing information for connections, and announce this to the caller prior to connection. This allows the technique to be used with a range of tariffs including but not limited to Freephone and premium rate.
  • alpha name server may also support VPN functionality, where certain translations between names and numbers are personalised or restricted to a particular user or closed group of users. Commonly in such cases short-form dialling is possible.
  • a key advantage of the present invention is that it allows a user to initiate a call to an organisation, brand, service, chat room, bulletin board etc. by simply using the name and a well-known service number, which may preferably be a short code such as 222.
  • the technique may be readily implemented to work immediately with unmodified GSM handsets.
  • the text transport can use SMS, which is supported in all modern and most legacy GSM handsets, while the voice call connection may use outdial from the network, which also does not require any special handset capabilities. Similar alternative technologies may be used on other types of network.
  • the invention works identically even while the user is roaming, provided the outdial method is used or the indial method is used with an international format number, without any need for Camel support or special USSD applications.
  • This technique is to voice telephony as the Browser is to the Internet. It opens up connectivity between users to a vast range of organisations and content sources, without requiring the advertising or distribution or any numbers.
  • the technique may be used with multiple directories. For example a hierarchy of directory searching may be provided, or alternatively different service codes could be used to specify — • The user's personal directory • A local directory • A national directory • An international directory
  • the user is also able to send a text message to the service number as an alternative to making a voice call.
  • a syntactic rule is preferably applied to the text message content.
  • the destination address specifier and the message are both included in the body of the text message, separate by ' ... ' as a delimiter.
  • the message is then sent to 222, which is the preferred service code for embodiments of the invention. (This service code has been chosen because it is easy to remember, and corresponds to the number keys for 'ABC, so that the Text Dialling service can be promoted as being 'as easy as ABC!')
  • the delimiter ' ... ' has also been chosen because of its association with continuation.
  • Text message in the preferred embodiment my be sent in three ways: 1. text in the form of just a " ⁇ name>" sent to 222. This causes voice connection to a number associated with the interpreted name. The symbols o mean substitution of the o and contents by a literal string. 2. text in the form " ⁇ name>... ⁇ message>”. This causes the text ⁇ message> to be sent to a number associated with the interpreted name. 3. text in the form "... ⁇ message>”. This causes the text ⁇ message> to be sent to the number most recently determined using a Text Dial message, i.e. a type of continuation message.
  • delimiters as described above may be avoided altogether if one short code is used as the destination number for the text message used to specify the alphanumeric address and a different short code is used as the destination for text messages to be sent to that address or as the destination for requesting an outdialled call set-up.
  • a different short code is used as the destination for text messages to be sent to that address or as the destination for requesting an outdialled call set-up.
  • the Man Machine Interface (MMI) of the mobile telephone is modified to further simplify the process of setting up a voice or audiovisual connection using the invention.
  • MMI Man Machine Interface
  • the user is able to simply enter alpha text and press send.
  • speed of call set-up may be improved by making use of the knowledge of the user's location that is carried with the user's text message.
  • This message informs the SMS Router of the address of the MSC/VLR to which the user is connected.
  • the SMS Router may then imitate an HLR, and request a roaming number from this MSC/VLR. If this roaming number is then passed to the Voice Switching equipment, then an outdialled call may be made to the user without further recourse to HLR routing queries.
  • the system may generate service usage statistics such as information regarding the number of calls to particular services and the text identifiers used to access them.
  • the system can report all text identifiers for which there is no entry in the database. This will enable the network operator or service provider to determine whether alternative text identifiers need to be added to the database to enable access to existing services, or whether there is a demand for additional services.
  • the SMS Wizard also retains a log of the translations made, and the translations that could not be completed. The log of unsuccessful translations allows the system operator to determine the types of destination that are being requested, and the types of errors that are being made, and allows the SMS Wizard content to be developed using this feedback in a way that matches the users' needs.
  • the processing of the alphanumeric entry made by the user may be carried out wholly in the network, or partly in the network and partly in the handset. It is envisaged that handset developments may permit implementations of the invention that split the processing between the handset and the network.
  • the embodiments) of the invention described above may be implemented, at least in part, using software controlled processing apparatus, it will be appreciated that a computer program providing such software control and a storage medium by which such a computer program is stored are envisaged as aspects of the invention.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil destiné à des services de télécommunications, cet appareil comprenant des moyens servant à établir une connexion à partir d'un terminal mobile en réponse à une numérotation alphanumérique sur ledit terminal de sorte que les informations relatives à cette numérotation alphanumérique soient transmises du terminal à l'appareil.
EP04798632A 2003-11-21 2004-11-22 Appareil et procedes pour services de telecommunications Withdrawn EP1685694A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0327137A GB0327137D0 (en) 2003-11-21 2003-11-21 Telecommunications services apparatus
GB0327372A GB0327372D0 (en) 2003-11-25 2003-11-25 Telecommunications services apparatus
GBGB0328606.9A GB0328606D0 (en) 2003-11-21 2003-12-10 Telecommunications services apparatus and method
GBGB0328858.6A GB0328858D0 (en) 2003-11-21 2003-12-12 Telecommunications services apparatus and method
GB0329108A GB0329108D0 (en) 2003-11-21 2003-12-16 Telecommunications services apparatus and method
GB0329316A GB0329316D0 (en) 2003-11-21 2003-12-18 Telecommunications services apparatus and method
PCT/GB2004/004922 WO2005053296A1 (fr) 2003-11-21 2004-11-22 Appareil et procedes pour services de telecommunications

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EP1685694A1 true EP1685694A1 (fr) 2006-08-02

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EP04798632A Withdrawn EP1685694A1 (fr) 2003-11-21 2004-11-22 Appareil et procedes pour services de telecommunications

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EP (1) EP1685694A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2004310545A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2005053296A1 (fr)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2420648A (en) * 2004-11-25 2006-05-31 Richard Raymond Barry Telephone and text communication system and tool
US7996023B2 (en) 2005-07-13 2011-08-09 Mcgary Faith System and method for providing mobile device services using SMS communications
EP2031933A1 (fr) * 2007-08-09 2009-03-04 Aljosa Podpecan Système et procédé pour la configuration d'appels de contournement initiés par sms d'un système de communication basé sur paquets vers d'autres réseaux

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3629468A1 (de) * 1986-08-29 1988-03-03 Siemens Ag Verfahren fuer ein rechnergesteuertes vermittlungssystem, insbesondere fernsprechnebenstellensystem

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FI113441B (fi) * 1998-06-12 2004-04-15 Teliasonera Finland Oyj Menetelmä ja järjestelmä tietoliikenneyhteyden muodostamiseksi
GB2342536A (en) * 1998-10-09 2000-04-12 Orange Personal Comm Serv Ltd Call back facility
GB0023463D0 (en) * 2000-09-25 2000-11-08 Intellprop Ltd Telecommunications services apparatus

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3629468A1 (de) * 1986-08-29 1988-03-03 Siemens Ag Verfahren fuer ein rechnergesteuertes vermittlungssystem, insbesondere fernsprechnebenstellensystem

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AU2004310545A1 (en) 2005-06-09
WO2005053296A1 (fr) 2005-06-09

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