Abstract:
An audio alerting announcement signals a subscriber  80  during an ongoing call with a distinctive tone to indicate the identity of another party who is trying to call the subscriber. A telephony call-waiting subscriber customizes Call Waiting indicators in order to give immediate recognition of caller or caller classification via audio signaling. The caller or caller classification is based on the calling party&#39;s Line Number ID. This capability is not restricted to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) environment, but will function equally well in a voice-over-IP telephony network as well, on a network such as the World Wide Web, or will function in a hybrid system containing elements of both PSTN and voice-over-IP networks.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to telecommunications services, and more specifically to the provision of caller identification information to a called telecommunications service subscriber at a time when the called subscriber is already occupied with a prior call; this type of service is generally termed Caller ID Call Waiting. 
     1. Definitions 
     ‘Line’ refers either to a telephone line, to a Web address, or to any other type of communication channel which provides for voice connection to a subscriber in control of such a line, address or channel. 
     ‘Phone number’ refers to an identifying text of character codes used to specify uniquely a line as defined above. The choice of character codes to be used is in part dependent on restrictions required for the type of communication channel to which the line belongs; in the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), only numbers or their dialing equivalents in telephone number format are allowable, while on the World Wide Web, any string of displayable characters which can be mapped to an Internet communication channel is usable. 
     2. Discussion of Prior Art 
     Several prior art references address the signaling of a called party with information about the calling party, but fail to combine signaling features in the unique range of contexts and manners performed in the proposed invention. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,269 to Eisdorfer describes collecting information about the caller, such as the caller&#39;s identity or the importance of the call, and provides a distinctive call waiting signal which may take the form of an audio announcement. Eisdorfer does not, however, provide for any application of the art in a voice-over-IP network, nor does it explicitly spell out the use of a database to map caller identification to a desired course of action, nor does it provide for cut-through of real-time one-way signaling directly from the caller. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,828,742 to Khalid et al. creates a pass-code-based distinction among callers, manifested only through distinctive ringing. It offers no voice-based customization of called party notifications. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,128 to McMullin notifies an on-line computer user of the presence of an incoming telephone call, links the computer to the incoming call over the Internet, and provides for completion of the call using the computer&#39;s Internet connection. McMullin does not, however, provide for one-way cut-through of real-time signaling directly from the caller as a substitute for the ring signal. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,406 to Luneau provides for presentation of calling party announcement to the called party, but makes no provision for such presentation in a Call Waiting scenario. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,009 to Diamond et al. describes a method of signal attenuation during Call Waiting signaling, but offers no customization of the Call Waiting signaling itself. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,825,867 to Epler et al. describes methods of signaling during Call Waiting, but fails to address its operation on the World Wide Web. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     An audio alerting announcement signals a called party during another ongoing call. The invention allows a telephony call-waiting subscriber to customize Call Waiting indicators in order to give immediate recognition of caller or caller classification via audio signaling. The caller or caller classification is based on the calling party&#39;s Line Number ID. This capability is not restricted to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) environment, but will function equally well in a voice-over-IP telephony network as well, on a network such as the World Wide Web, or will function in a-hybrid system containing elements of both PSTN and voice-over-IP networks. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows an overview of all components of the invention, including some detail in the Caller Alert Database. 
     FIG. 2 shows an overview of the process of establishment and maintenance of subscriber Caller Alert Database information, as specified in the invention. 
     FIG. 3 shows an overview of the process of handling a call requiring use of caller alert processing as specified in the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     Refer to FIG. 1. A subscriber  80  is connected to a caller  90  by a service infrastructure  55  that includes in any operable combination a public switched telephone network (PSTN)  60 , a switch  45  and its internal computing subsystems, a computer system  50  adjunct to a switch  45  (adjunct call processing system, ACPS), and an Internet and World Wide Web  100 . Each switch is controlled by an Automatic Call Processing System (ACPS)  50 . Calls from the caller  90  to the subscriber may occur over only the PSTN  60  or over the WWW  100  or over a combination of both using Voice over Internet Protocol. 
     On the WWW  100  there is a web server  40  that includes a computer program that provides a customer with Customer Programmable Caller ID Alerting Indicator or CIAI. The CIAI includes a Customer Alert Database  5  with supporting access software. For each subscribed line  10  of each CIAI subscriber  80  the database  5  includes a list of Calling Line ID phone numbers  15 , each with associated audio files  20  or tones  25 , and corresponding text  30  for display to CIAI subscriber  80  on a caller ID box  35  or other text display device associated with line  10  of CIAI subscriber  80 . Customer Alert Database  5  is shown on a Web server  40 , but may also reside on a telephony switch  45  with its internal computing subsystems, or on a database computer system  50  adjunct with a Web server  40  or a switch  45 . 
     The web server  40  includes a resident call control processing software program  70 . However, software program  70  may reside in either a telephone switching system itself  45  or in a call-processing system  50  adjunct to switch  45 . Program  70  conducts the call-control coordination necessary to activate Caller ID Program  75 , plays selected audio files and tones  20 ,  25  and displays selected text files  30  to Caller ID Box  35  for use by subscriber  80 . 
     Caller ID software program  75  is also resident in web server  40 . However, software program  70  may reside in either a telephone switching system  45  or in a call-processing system  50  adjunct to switch  45 . Program  75  looks up a phone number or line identifier  10  in customer alert database  5 , selects corresponding audio and text files  20 ,  25 ,  30  and feeds audio and text files  20 ,  25 ,  30  to call control program  70 . 
     Customer Update software program  85  is resident in web server  40 . However, software program  70  may reside in either a telephone switching system  45  or in a call-processing system  50  adjunct to switch  45 . Program  85  conducts a dialog with any subscriber  80  allowing subscriber  80  to access database  5  to initiate, terminate or modify the use of any CLID information  15  for any subscribed line  10  for subscriber  80 , including the recording, alteration or deleting of any audio and/or text files  20 ,  25 ,  30  stored in caller information record  15  for subscriber line  10 . 
     Audio subsystem  65  is invoked by call control program  70  and plays a tone or audio file  20 ,  25  on a communication line for a subscriber. Refer to FIG. 3; audio subsystem  65  may also play an audio file  135  for a caller  90 . 
     OPERATION OF INVENTION 
     Refer to FIG. 2. A provider  100  of service of the invention first establishes in Web server  40  in Caller Alert Database  5  for each subscribed line  10  of subscriber  80  a set of storage resources  105  sufficient to store and use a list of Calling Line ID phone numbers  15  each with associated audio files  20  or tones  25 , and corresponding text  30  for display to CIAI subscriber  80  on a caller ID box or other text display device associated with one or more of lines  10  belonging to CIAI subscriber  80 . 
     Before any call to a line  10  for a subscriber  80  can be processed using features of this invention, subscriber  80  initiates a dialog with Customer Update Program  85  to store in Caller Alert Database  5  a list of calling line ID phone numbers  15 . For each calling line phone number  15 , subscriber  80  creates and stores an associated set of audio files  20  or tones  25 , and corresponding text  30  for display when caller identification is to be provided during another ongoing call. Dialog  95  between subscriber  80  and customer update program  85  may take place via a CGI or other World Wide Web interface, via an audio dialog over the phone itself, or by any other means consistent with the forms and content of data to be stored and presented. 
     Subscriber  80  may initiate dialog with Customer Update Program  85  at any time to initiate, terminate or modify information stored for subscriber  80  in Caller Alert Database  5 . 
     Refer to FIG.  3 . In the normal operation of the invention, a caller  90 , with phone number or identifier  110  attempts a call  115  to a phone number or identifier  120  for a subscriber  80  who uses the invention and who is at time of call  115  engaged with a prior call  125  on line  120 . Service infrastructure  55  detects busy status of line  120  and passes identities of caller line  110  and called line  120  to call control program  70 . 
     Call control program  70  determines that subscriber  80  is engaged in call  125  on line  120 , and activates caller ID program  75 . 
     Caller ID program  75  accesses database  5  to retrieve for subscriber  80  any calling line information containing any entry  15  for line  110  belonging to caller  90 . 
     If database  5  contains no calling line ID information  15  for subscriber line  120 , caller ID program  75  returns a notification to call control program  70  that no special treatment of caller  90  is prescribed. Call control program  70  initiates return of a standard busy notification to caller  90  via service infrastructure  55 , and exits. 
     If subscriber  80  has calling line information in database  5 , and subscriber line  120  is listed for subscriber  80 , caller ID program  75  retrieves Calling Line ID phone number data  10  for line  120 . If caller line identifier  110  is listed under subscriber line  120  in database  5 , caller ID program  75  retrieves for display and playback any audio files  20 ,  135  or tones  25  and corresponding text files  30  associated with caller line identifier  110  under subscriber line  120 . Caller ID program  75  passes audio files  20  and  135  or tones  25  and corresponding text  30  for line  120  to call control program  70 . 
     Call control program  70  uses any appropriate method well-known in the art to add to call  125  an audio feed  130  which is audible only to subscriber  80  on call  125  on line  120 . Call control program  70  plays audio files  20  for line  120  over feed  130  into call  125  on line  120 , mixing feed  130  input so that it is audible only to subscriber  80 , with ongoing call  125  audio signals using line  120 . During playing of audio files  20 , service infrastructure  55  or call control program  70  returns ringing signal or audio file announcement  135  to caller  90  by means well-known in the art. 
     If text  30  for line  120  for calling line  110  is returned to call control program  70 , call control program  70  transmits text  30  to a caller ID box  35  or other text display device associated with CIAI subscriber&#39;s line  120 , given the availability of such a display device. 
     Following presentation of caller ID information to subscriber  80  by call control program  70 , call handling proceeds by means commonly understood in the art. Subscriber  80  may choose to interrupt call  125  and take call  115 , or else continue call  125  and defer response to call  115 . 
     ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Refer to FIG.  3  and FIG. 2. I an embodiment using PSTN technology, the invention is implemented completely within PSTN  60  except for Customer Update Program  85 , Caller Alert Database  5 , and access to Customer Update Program  85 , Caller Alert Database  5  by a subscriber  80  to the invention&#39;s services. In this embodiment, service infrastructure  55 , within PSTN  60  components such as switch  45  and adjunct call processing system  50 , manages all aspects of call control including access to Caller Alert Database  5  over a link between infrastructure  55  and a Web server  40 . Web server  40  contains Caller Alert Database  5  and Customer Update Program  85 , and provides update access to Caller Alert Database  5  and Customer Update Program  85  from subscriber  80 . 
     In this embodiment, the terms ‘line’ and ‘phone number’ have their traditional meanings as understood in PSTN telephony. 
     In an alternative embodiment using World Wide Web and voice-over-IP technology, the invention is implemented completely within the World Wide Web and the Internet. In this embodiment, the term ‘line’ means a logical path of voice access over a subscriber&#39;s Internet connection, and the term ‘phone number’ means an identifying name or label for such a path of access. Also, in this embodiment, the text associated with a calling line identifier appears on the subscriber&#39;s Web display rather than on a separate device. 
     In another alternative embodiment using streaming audio and video technology, the invention implements the storage and playback of combined audio, video and virtual-reality files to accomplish its signaling both to the subscriber and to the calling party, as connection bandwidths and display capabilities permit. Such files are edited and stored in the Customer Alert Database by the subscriber in the same manner as for other types of files or data. 
     In still another alternative embodiment using audio interaction scripting, the invention allows the caller to interact with the call control program to select from among alternatives such as hanging up, leaving a voice message, leaving a text message or waiting for connection. Scripts for such programmed interactions are edited and stored in the Customer Alert Database by the subscriber in the same manner as for other types of files or data. 
     ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE 
     Sam Townson, a lone businessman working from his home office, subscribes to the invention (Caller ID Alert Indicator, or CIAI) as provided by one of his local telecommunications exchange carriers. He uses his computer, browser and Internet connection to visit the carrier&#39;s CIAI website, where he uses interactive forms to set up his list of numbers for which he wants special treatment when CIAI is invoked. He includes in the list the number for his primary-care physician, Dr. Angela Parker; for her, he records a special audio message to announce her name to him whenever she calls: “This incoming call is from Dr. Parker&#39;s office. The call is awaiting attention.” (sub x, line 1, CL1 D2). He adds a special acknowledgment message to be played for the caller at the same time: “Mr. Townson is being signaled, and should be with you shortly. Please remain on the line; he considers your call to be important.” (sub x, line 2, CL1 D2). 
     Later, Sam is engaged in a call with his business partner Norman via his Web-based telephone connected through his workstation to his ISP&#39;s Web server. At this time Dr. Parker calls him with results of blood tests from his physical examination three days earlier. Dr. Parker is using a regular phone on the PSTN; she dials an ordinary telephone number for Sam. 
     Dr. Parker&#39;s call reaches an Internet gateway, where the dialed number is converted to an Internet address for Sam. The connection process from this point to Sam&#39;s Web server as for any PSTN-to-voice-over-IP call. 
     Dr. Parker&#39;s call, with its calling line number attached, arrives at the Web server handling Sam&#39;s Internet and telephone services and access. The Web server maintains information indicating that Sam is currently engaged in another call. The Web server finds Sam&#39;s list of calling line IDs in its database, locates Dr. Parker&#39;s line number in Sam&#39;s list, and retrieves audio files and text information from Dr. Parker&#39;s line number entry, along with a priority code for Dr. Parker that specifies playing audio files on any active call. 
     The Web server notifies Sam of the incoming call by playing Dr. Parker&#39;s audio file on Sam&#39;s side of the ongoing call. The Web server also presents Dr. Parker&#39;s text file in a window on the screen of Sam&#39;s workstation. Concurrently, the Web server feeds back to Dr. Parker the acknowledgment message Sam had recorded for Dr. Parker&#39;s office to hear. 
     While hearing the audio file being played by the server over his conversation on the prior call, Sam reads the text file&#39;s contents, and decides to take the call from Dr. Parker. He excuses himself from the first call, and signals the server to connect him directly. 
     The call between Sam Townson and Dr. Parker then continues normally. 
     CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE OF INVENTION 
     From the foregoing detailed description, alternate embodiments and illustrative example, the convenience, simplicity and flexibility of the invention and its use should be apparent. Specifics of signaling, messaging and administration are relegated to commonly-accepted methods, combined with innovation so as to ease the burden of effort, and extend the possible set of call responses, for the subscriber to the invention&#39;s services. 
     The invention does not depend explicitly and fully on a specific substrate technology, PSTN or Web, for the handling of calls; instead, it offers a service that bridges the differences between these technologies, thereby- avoiding restrictive constraints that would otherwise limit its usefulness to both its subscribers and its providers. This freedom from such restrictions renders the invention more attractive, both personally and commercially, than many similar proposals previously developed. 
     Although the description, operation and illustrative material above contain many details, these details should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations and examples of some of the preferred embodiments of this invention. 
     Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given above.