COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING MESSAGES IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

Abstract: Communication system including message devices (BV1 - BV3) for providing messages in one of different languages, wherein a list of at least one preferred language assigned to a subscriber may be entered via subscriber input/retrieval means (EA1, EA2), stored in storage means (S) and be retrieved and displayed from the storage means (S). A list with at least one preferred language, assigned to a calling or called subscriber, may be used to provide a calling and/or called subscribers with a message in one of preferred languages.

Description: Communication system for providing messages in different languages The present invention relates to a communication system including message means for providing messages in a language according to the preamble of patent claim 1. In a communication system, for example as known from DE 44 30 991, it may be required to provide subscribers with messages related to certain system statuses, or to provide subscribers with messages related to certain system services. These messages are usually transmitted to a calling subscriber, however, may also be transmitted to a called subscriber. Particularly in mobile communications systems covering a plurality of countries, it may occur that messages are provided by units of the communication system, which are located far away from the subscriber, for example in a region or country with a different language. In this case a message may be transmitted in a language which is not understood by the subscriber. For example, a subscriber placing a call to another country and dialing an invalid extension will be provided with a message like "you dialed an invalid extension number" in the language of the respective country. Moreover, because of free subscriber-roaming, in a mobile communication network it is possible that the subscriber at different times roams within regions having differing official languages. In this case, even if a subscriber is provided with a message from a local unit of the network, the subscriber will receive messages in different languages. Moreover, the home location register of a subscriber, storing subscriber related data, is not necessarily located within a region having an official language understood by the subscriber. Here, too, in case of a notification, it is possible that a message is transmitted in a language not understood by the subscriber. To avoid communication problems when transmitting messages to a subscriber, it is desirable to be able to provide a subscriber with a message in a language understood by the subscriber. This is particularly desirable in a mobile communication network, for example a communication network according to the GSM-standard. DE 44 30 991 describes a communication network allowing to transmit a message to a caller in different languages. The network may, in particular, be a mobile communication network, e.g. a GSM-network. For selecting a message, a notification number is generated, consisting of a fixed portion of digits for determining the type of the message, and consisting of a variable portion of digits for selecting a specific language for the message. The digits for selecting the language for the message may be derived from the number dialed by the calling subscriber. In case a particular language is unavailable, a predetermined language may be used as a language for the message instead. DE 44 30 991 further describes to assign certain subscriber data to each subscriber, specifying at least one language for a message. Data specifying said at least one language are fixedly assigned to the subscriber and are stored in his home location register. The home location register centrally stores important subscriber data of a large number of subscribers. If more than one language is stored, a replacement language may be selected, in case a language is unavailable. Language selection data is transferred to a temporary register of a respective transmitter station of the communication system which currently serves the subscriber. In case the subscriber moves from one transmission station into the coverage area of a second transmission station, the data is stored in the temporary register of the second transmission station. In the above system, however, it is disadvantageous that the subscriber is unable to readily specify language selection data himself. Furthermore, the previously described known system poses the threat, that language selection data does not arrive a respective message device, due to system incompatibilities or due to other transmission problems. In this case, the message device is not able to transmit a message in a language assigned to the subscriber. In further systems, subscribers of a communication network may be provided with messages in a particular language, by specifying a desired language for a message means, e.g. by entering it via a telephone keyboard or by analyzing the telephone number entered by the caller with respect to country codes or sequences of numbers, which specify regions of the country. These systems, however, further have the disadvantage that a separate language selection input is required or, in case of an automatic system, the language of the message depends on the location of the caller. It is therefore object of the invention, to provide a communication system including message means for transmitting messages in one of different languages allowing the subscriber to easily specify or change one or more preferred languages. This object of the invention is solved by a communication system having a message device for transmitting messages in one of different languages according to the features of claim 1. The system according to the invention comprises at least one transmission device, at least two communication devices, e.g. telephones, at least one storage device for storing a list assigned to a subscriber containing at least one preferred language, and at least one message device for providing a message in one of different languages. Furthermore, the system comprises at least one subscriber input/retrieval device for inputting, changing or deleting the list of preferred languages. The system thus advantageously allows a subscriber to define an assigned list of preferred languages or to change an existing list of preferred languages. The subscriber input/retrieval device may comprise input means, for example a keyboard for inputting certain commands or sequences of numbers corresponding to preferred languages. Further, the subscriber input/retrieval device can be used to interrogate and display the list of preferred languages. Furthermore, the subscriber input/retrieval device allows to delete the list of preferred languages. Languages may be entered in a certain sequence in accordance to subscriber preference. During a set-up of a connection in the net, the list with the at least one preferred languages assigned to a subscriber is transmitted. As a consequence, the list is available to the at least one message device. For the provision of messages selection means may screen the languages in the sequence of preference in order to determine whether at the message device the message is available in the respective language. The message may be transmitted to the subscriber in a first available language. If the message is not available in any one of the preferred languages, a known language selection method may be used or the message is transmitted in a predetermined language. The message device is usually not directly accessed by the subscriber, it rather is activated by certain processes in the communication system and/or a respective list with at least one preferred language is transmitted to the message device or is actively retrieved by the message device. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention the at least one subscriber input/retrieval device is integrated into a communication means, e.g. into a mobile telephone, such that the subscriber can input or change the list of preferred languages by using said communication means. Furthermore, in an advantageous embodiment the invention allows a secure transmission of information regarding preferred languages to the message device. The transmission of information in the communication network may include ISDN-connections. During a set-up of a connection, the storage means transmits the list of at least one preferred languages to the message device. In case a message needs to be transmitted to the subscriber, the message device selects a language in- accordance with the sequence of languages of the list and transmits the message to the subscriber in the selected language. Due to transmission problems or system incompatibilities the list of preferred languages may not properly arrive at the message device. Therefore, the message device can advantageously comprise retrieval means, which actively retrieve the list from storage means, in case the list was not received. The retrieval means may send a retrieval command to the storage means, causing a re-transmission of the list from the storage means to the message device. For determining, whether a retrievable list is present, the retrieval means may include means for determining whether or not a list of preferred languages is assigned to the respective subscriber. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a list with at least one preferred language assigned to a calling or called subscriber may be transmitted to the message device and the calling and/or the called subscriber may be provided with a message. Further, the communication system may be a mobile telephone network according to the GSM standard and/or may comprise a further mobile communication network and/or a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone) network. In case the communication network includes a communication network according to the GSM standard, the list of preferred languages may be transmitted in an extension part of the MAP (Mobile Application Part) protocol. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in further dependent claims. Brief description of the drawings: Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a communication system according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows part of the communication system according to the invention, illustrating entering, storing and changing a list of preferred languages; Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of the communication system according to the invention; Fig. 4 shows an embodiment illustrating a retrieval of a list of preferred languages; Fig. 5 shows a flow chart of the method for providing messages and for entering and storing a list of preferred languages; and Fig. 6 shows a flow chart of the method according to the invention in the case the list of preferred languages was not received by the message device . In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures similar reference numerals describe similar objects . Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a communication system according to the invention, including an arbitrary number of transmission devices. In Fig. 1 three transmission devices UEV1, UEV2, UEV3 are shown. Communication links may be set-up between transmission devices, or may already be established. The transmission devices may be part of a mobile communication network, as for example according to the GSM-standard, or may be transmission stations of a PSTN network. Transmission device may be connected according to the ISDN standard (Integrated Services Digital System) . The communication network is provided with message devices BV1 - BV3 for providing messages in different languages. The message devices may be directly connected to one of the transmission devices or may constitute separate units. The message devices can provide messages in a plurality of different languages. The communication system according to the invention further comprises storage means S for storing a list of preferred languages, assigned to a subscriber. Preferably, the storage means is arranged to store lists of preferred languages of a plurality of subscribers. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 the storage means S is connected with the transmission device UEV3. Subscriber input/retrieval devices EAl and EA2, shown in Fig. 1, are each part of a communication device Tl - T3. The subscriber input/retrieval devices EAl and EA2 are connected with respective transmission devices. The connections between the subscriber input/retrieval devices and the transmission devices may be fixed lines, or, in case of a mobile communication network, may be radio connections. The subscriber input/retrieval devices allow to enter data and to retrieve data, respectively. The subscriber input/retrieval devices comprise input means Kl, K2 and display means Dl, D2. Since in the present embodiment the subscriber input/retrieval means and a respective communication device Tl, T2 together form a unit, respective input means and display means may be shared by communication devices and subscriber input/retrieval means. In other embodiments, however, input/retrieval means EA may constitute separate units, located remotely from said communication devices shown in Fig. 1. A list of preferred languages assigned to a respective subscriber may be stored by the subscriber in the storage means S using the input means Kl, K2. Further, subscribers may retrieve data, e.g. respective lists of preferred languages from the storage means S using the input means Kl, K2. The retrieved data subsequently is displayed on respective display means Dl, D2. Preferably, a storage location within the storage means S for storing a list of preferred languages is assigned to each subscriber. It is further preferred, that only an authorized subscriber or service personnel is allowed to access the list of preferred languages. A list of preferred languages may include data describing a specific sequence of languages according to subscriber preference, entered by a subscriber via subscriber input/retrieval means EA. In case a connection is being set-up from one of the communication devices Tl - T3, the list of at least one preferred language assigned to the subscriber is transmitted such that the list is available to said message devices BV1 - BV3. However, it is possible that, in case a subscriber is to be notified, the list of the at least one preferred language is transmitted to the respective message device BV1 - BV3 after the connection has been established. In case of a notification, said message devices BV1 - BV3 transmit a message to a communication device in one of the preferred languages according to the list or in a predetermined (default) language. In general, a list assigned to a calling subscriber or assigned to a called subscriber may be considered by the message device, and the called and/or the calling subscriber may be notified accordingly. Therefore, while a call is being established or at any other instant in time during the call, a list of preferred languages may be transmitted from a calling communication device Tl - T3, and further, from the called communication device, a corresponding list of preferred languages may be transmitted in reverse direction, such that in case one or both subscribers are to be notified, the respective lists are available at respective message devices BV1 - BV3. It is then determined whether the message is available in one of the preferred languages at the message device. The list of preferred languages is therefore processed according to the sequence of preferred languages and the message is transmitted to the subscriber in the first available language. In case none of the preferred languages is available, a known language selection method or a pre-determined language can be used instead. The message is transmitted to the subscriber via one of the communication devices Tl - T3. Messages can be composed of audio signals or can comprise a sequence of digits or characters to be displayed at the communication device. Fig. 2 illustrates part of another embodiment of the communication system according to the invention. In Fig. 2, again three transmission devices UEV1, UEV2 and UEV3 are shown. Storage means S are connected to the transmission device UEV3, temporary storage means TS are connected to transmission device UEV2. Subscriber input/retrieval means EAl are shown connected with transmission device UEV2. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the storage means S are constituted by a central memory, permanently storing a plurality of lists of preferred languages assigned to subscribers. Preferably, lists of preferred languages or further subscriber data of a large number of subscribers served by any of said transmission devices of the network, are stored. Said temporary storage means TS store lists of preferred languages or subscriber data of subscribers served by the transmission device UEV2. Not shown in Fig. 2 are further temporary storage means connected to further transmission devices and storing subscriber data or lists of preferred languages of subscribers served by these transmission devices . In the following, it is described, how a subscriber specifies a list of preferred languages via the subscriber input/retrieval means EAl. A language can be entered via the input means of the subscriber input/retrieval means EAl by entering sequences of numbers or characters. For example, the sequence of digits or characters can specify a country code where a language is used as an official language. Since country codes are standardized worldwide, this may also allow a recognition of the language in systems, which do not have the features according to the invention. Another approach to specify a language of the list of preferred languages is to enter an internationally defined name of a respective country (e.g. "SF" = Finn, language) in form of a sequence of characters or digits via the input means Kl of the input/retrieval means EAl. The sequence of the languages of the list of preferred languages can, e.g., be specified by the particular sequence the numbers or characters defining particular languages were entered. The list of preferred languages is stored by entering further numbers or characters before or after the numbers and characters specifying the languages. For example, a list which is specified, in the sequence of preference, Finnish, Italian, German, English, may have the following form: "*#* 123 * SF I BRD GR #" or "*#* 123 * 35 39 49 44#". After the list is entered, the list is transmitted to the transmission device UEV2 where it is stored in the temporary storage means TS . Further, the list is transmitted to the transmission device UEV3 where it is stored in the storage means S, constituting the central register. In another embodiment of the invention the list of preferred languages may be directly transferred to said storage means S. In case of a mobile communication network according to the GSM standard, data transmission can be performed using an USSD (Unstructured Service Data) command. In this case the list is transferred from the subscriber input/retrieval means EA to a VLR (Visitor Location Register) storage means and to a HLR (Home Location Register) storage means. The subscriber can retrieve the list of preferred languages by entering a specific retrieval command via input means of the subscriber input/retrieval means EAl. This command is transmitted to the transmission device UEV3 and causes that the list of preferred languages is retrieved and transmitted to the subscriber input/retrieval means EAl. The command, as well as the list is transmitted via transmission device UEV2. In other embodiments the retrieval command directly retrieves the list of preferred languages from the temporary storage means TS . The subscriber is further able to delete the list of preferred languages by entering a predetermined command via the subscriber input/retrieval means EAl. In this case, the command is transmitted via transmission device UEV2 to transmission device UEV3 and the deletion of the list in the storage means S is executed. Fig. 3 describes a further embodiment of the communication system according to the present invention. Two temporary storage means TS1, TS2 are provided. The temporary storage means are connected to transmission devices UEV1 and UEV2, respectively. With respect to Fig. 2 it was outlined that a list of preferred languages is stored in central storage means S as well as in temporary storage means TS, connected to the transmission device serving the subscriber. If now, as shown in Fig. 3, a subscriber, or communication device Tl moves from the area covered by transmission device UEV1 into the area covered by the transmission device UEV2, the list of preferred languages assigned to the subscriber, which initially was stored in the temporary storage means TS1, is deleted and is stored in the temporary storage means TS2, connected to said transmission device UEV2. In a preferred embodiment, in a GSM-system, this procedure can be performed as follows: the transmission device UEV3 or control means (not shown) connected to the central storage means, initiates the transfer of the list of preferred languages. The list is transmitted to temporary storage means TS2, by means of appending the list as a data packet into an extension part of the standard MAP- protocol. At the temporary storage means TS2, the list is stored together with further subscriber data. Further, the list is deleted in the temporary storage means TS1. In case an ISDN-network is part of the transmission path, the list is transmitted together with the IAM (Initial Address Message) . The list of preferred languages is received from the ISDN-network by transmission device UEV2 and is stored in temporary storage means TS2. Further, the list is deleted in said temporary storage means TS1. This method may be also applied to a call forwarding. It is further possible that this method is applied to existing communication networks, by way of assigning certain code numbers to subscribers, for identifying the subscriber towards the network. Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the retrieval of a list of preferred languages. A message device BV1 is connected to transmission device UEV2, and storage means S are connected to transmission device UEV3. A communication device Tl and subscriber input/retrieval means EAl are also connected to transmission device UEV3. As outlined before, in case a connection is being set-up, originating from communication device Tl, the list of preferred languages is transmitted from said storage means S to the message device BV1. A language is selected by the message device and a message is transmitted accordingly. Due to incompatibilities of communication networks or due to transmission errors, however, it may happe that the list of preferred languages is not or not completely transmitted to said message device. For example, a PSTN- network can form part of the link between transmission device UEV2 and transmission device UEV3, which does not support a transmission of the list of preferred languages. Therefore, the message device BV1 of the shown embodiment includes retrieval means AVI for actively retrieving the list from storage means S, in case the list was not received. In order to determine, whether a call towards the message device BV1 originates from a subscriber having an associated list of preferred languages, the message device BV1 includes determining means PV1. For example, the determining means PV1 may be arranged todetermine, by analyzing the country code and further partitions of the code number, whether the calling subscriber is a mobile subscriber. If the determining means PV1 determines, that a list of preferred languages could possibly be, or is assigned to the subscriber, the retrieval means PV1 transmits a "transmit list"-command to the transmission device UEV3. This command initiates a transmission of the list of preferred languages to the message device. In other embodiments the "transmit list"-command may be transmitted without a previous polling. ID Fig. 5 shows a flow chart illustrating the method for providing messages, in a preferred language, to subscribers of a communication system according to the invention. Initially, either a retrieval command may be sent out or an input of languages may be performed. In case of a retrieval command from the subscriber input/retrieval means EAl, a sequence of digits or characters, entered via input means Kl, is transmitted to storage means S, wherein the list of preferred languages is stored. In response thereto, the storage means S transmits the list of preferred languages to subscriber input/retrieval means, which in turn will display it on display means Dl . The input of a list of preferred languages may be performed via a keyboard of the subscriber input/retrieval means, as previously described in detail with respect to Fig. 2. In case the list is to be stored, the list is transmitted to storage means S, TS1, TS2 and stored therein. Subsequent input and retrieval of languages of the list is possible. In case a connection is being established via a subscriber or a communication device, having a list of preferred languages assigned thereto, the list of preferred languages is transmitted. As outlined before, as a result, the list is thus available to respective message devices. However, it is also possible that the list is transmitted to the message device only in case a message needs to be provided. Subsequently, the message device provides, as described with respect to Fig. 1, a message to the subscriber in accordance with one of the preferred languages. Fig. 6 illustrates how a message is transmitted in one of preferred languages by the message device, and further illustrates how a list of preferred languages may be actively retrieved, in case the list was not or not entirely transmitted during establishing- a connection. The flow starts at an entry point E. In case the message device determines that a list of preferred languages was received, the determining means PV1 determines, in accordance to the sequence of preference, whether the message is available in one of the preferred languages. In case the list was not received, the message device may determine, whether a list of preferred languages is assigned to the subscriber, or may determine whether the subscriber is a mobile subscriber. Following, said message device attempts to actively retrieve the list from the storage means by sending a retrieval command. In case no list is retrieved, the message is transmitted in a predetermined language. In case a list is received, a message will be sent to the subscriber in the first available language of the list of preferred languages, as described with respect to Fig. 5.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. Communication system including message means (BV) for providing messages in one of different languages, comprising: at least one transmission device (UEV1, UEV2, UEV3) ; at least two communication devices (Tl, T2, T3) ; at least one storage device (S) for storing at least one list comprising at least one preferred language, while each of the at least one lists is assigned to one subscriber; at least one message device (BVl, BV2, BV3) for providing messages in different languages; c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a list with at least one preferred language assigned to a subscriber is transmitted between said at least two communication devices (Tl, T2, T3) , or other units of the communication system, during establishing a connection or during an existing connection, and the at least one message device (BVl, BV2, BV3) transmits a message to one of the at least two communication devices (Tl, T2, T3) in one of the preferred languages of the list, or in a predetermined language; at least one subscriber input/retrieval device (EAl, EA2) is provided, for storing a list with at least one preferred language in the at least one storage device (S) and for retrieving and displaying the list from said at least one storage device (S) ; and each of the at least one subscriber input/retrieval devices (EAl, EA2) include input means (Kl, K2) for entering sequences of digits or characters, and include display means (Dl, D2) for displaying a list of at least one preferred language. 2. Communication system according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that each of the at least one subscriber input/retrieval devices (EAl, EA2 ) , together with a respective one of the communication devices (Tl, T2, T3) , constitute a unit. 3. Communication system according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the at least one list includes a plurality of preferred languages in a specific sequence. 4. Communication system according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that only in case a subscriber is to be notified, during establishing a communication the list with the at least one preferred language is transmitted to the corresponding message device (BVl, BV2, BV3) . 5. Communication system according to one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the at least one message device (BVl, BV2, BV3) transmits a message to the communication device (Tl, T2, T3) of the calling and/or called subscriber. 6. Communication system according to one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a list with at least one preferred language, assigned to a calling and/or a called subscriber, is transmitted, and, in case of a notification of the communication device of the calling and/or called subscriber, a message is transmitted in a language according to the corresponding list. 7. Communication system according to one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that first temporary storage means (TSl) are provided, connected to the first transmission device (UEV1), for storing a list with at least one preferred language assigned to a subscriber served by the first transmission device (UEV1) ; second temporary storage means (TS2) are provided connected to the second transmission device (UEV2); and means are provided for deleting the list of preferred languages in the first temporary storage means (TSl) and for storing the list in the second temporary storage means (TS2) , in case the subscriber moves from the area covered by the first temporary storage means (TSl) into the area covered by the second temporary storage means (TS2) . 8. Communication system according to one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the at least one message device (BVl, BV2, BV3) includes determining means (PVl) for selecting, in accordance with the sequence of languages in the list, the first language available at the at least one message device, and for initiating that the message is transmitted to a communication device (Tl) in the selected language or, in case none of the languages is available, for initiating that the message is transmitted to the communication device (Tl) in a predetermined language. 9. Communication system according to one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the at least one message device (BVl, BV2, BV3) includes retrieval means (AVI) for retrieving a list with at least one preferred language from storage means (S, TSl, TS2), in case the list is not or not properly transmitted from a communication device (Tl, T2, T3) to message device (BVl, BV2, BV3) . 10. Communication system according to one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the at least one subscriber input/retrieval device (EAl, EA2) is arranged to transmit sequences of digits or characters to said at least one storage device (S), the sequences of numbers or characters constituting country codes or international country abbreviations. 11. Communication system according to one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the communication system is a mobile communication network and/or a telephone network according to the GSM-standard and/or a fixed telephone network. 12. Communication system according to claim 11, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the at least one message device (BVl, BV2, BV3) is arranged to receive a list with the at least one preferred languages in an extension part of the MAP (Mobile Application Part) .

Inventors: KEMPER ELISABETH, WITZEL ANDREAS, KEMPER, ELISABETH, WITZEL, ANDREAS
Applicants: ERICSSON TELEFON AB L M, TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
Application year: 1998
Main classification: H04M3
IPC codes: H04M3, H04Q7