Abstract:
A method and apparatus for providing real time updates of a database describing the features of individual terminals of a shared plan telecommunications group for communication sessions from and to that individual terminal. The characteristics (numbering plan, incoming and outgoing screening, alternate routing, types of service provided) of each of the individual stations of the shared communication plan are stored in a database accessed through a server. The database can be updated in real time by a designated one of the stations in the shared group. The designated station can also handle appeals for an exception to the restrictions stored in the database. The designated station can receive immediate or periodic information on activity of individual stations, or can receive such information on request. Advantageously, updates of the database can be implemented immediately and economically without requiring assistance of the personnel of the carrier, and the designated station can control communications for the group.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0001]    This invention relates to the control of features for groups of telecommunications terminals, and, more specifically, to real time control of such features.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    In the prior art there are many arrangements wherein a telecommunications network controls groups of telecommunications terminals in order to provide the members of the group with the kinds of features that are otherwise provided from private branch exchanges and/or key telephone systems. For example, commonly available Centrex® systems allows the individual callers of the group to reach each other by dialing a much smaller number of digits (typically 3-6 digits) while still allowing the members of the group to reach the outside world by dialing an access code (typically “9”) followed by a regular (POTS=plain old telephone service) telephone number. Virtual Centrex service can also be provided by having an intelligent network with a service control point (SCP) having a database to supply the data necessary for providing the individual telephone stations with services including those of a Centrex system. Intelligent network systems frequently provide outgoing or incoming call screening, i.e., selective blocking of calls based on the calling or called number. Such systems can also be used for serving mobile stations.  
           [0003]    A problem of the prior art is that in order to make any kind of change such as removing a call restriction from a particular station it is necessary to go through an administrative procedure in the common carrier serving the members of the group. Changes therefore can typically be made only in a matter of days. This is undesirable, for example, to modify a restriction on the number of minutes of use allowed to a particular group member.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    Applicants have studied these systems carefully and have concluded that they lack the flexibility for providing immediate changes in customer station restrictions, and that they lack a fast mechanism for providing exceptions. These problems are overcome and an advance is made over the prior art in accordance with Applicants&#39; invention, wherein a member of the group is given access to a database used for establishing communication sessions in accordance with the features of the individual members of the group; this database is then consulted whenever a call or other communication session is originated by or terminated to one of the members of the group. The restrictions can be applied to telephone or mobile calls, short messages, Internet web site access, immediate message transmittal and other telecommunications services. Advantageously, changes can be made in real time. Advantageously, the system provides cost savings to the carrier which need not provide personnel to process changes.  
           [0005]    In accordance with one preferred embodiment of Applicants&#39; invention the network is the public mobile communications network and the group of terminals is a group of wireless stations. The home location register (HLR) and visitor location register (VLR) combination provides data for identifying telecommunications stations which subscribe to a group plan service. When incoming calls to or outgoing calls from such stations are received, the HLR/VLR combination provides information to the call processing system to request that an application server be queried and the data from a database associated with that application server be used for establishing calls from or to that station. The call processing system has access to a database for identifying the application server that serves the group of the originating or terminating station.  
           [0006]    In accordance with one preferred embodiment of Applicants&#39; invention one member of the group is assigned the role of primary member. This member, identified by data in the database of the group, has the authorization for changing the entries in the database for all members of the group. Alternatively, a primary member can be identified by a personal identification number (PIN) when requesting a change in the database for the group.  
           [0007]    In accordance with one feature of Applicants&#39; invention, if on terminating calls a particular station can be blocked from receiving terminating calls from-particular callers, or from all but particular callers, the calls can be rerouted to a different station.  
           [0008]    In accordance with another service offered by Applicants&#39; invention, a call from one of a group of callers can be presented to a terminating station, which can accept the call or have the call automatically rerouted to a designated terminal; the rerouting can be performed in response to an indication (such as a “flash” signal, the operation of a dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) key or the operation of a “soft button” to control appropriate software) from the terminating station.  
           [0009]    In accordance with one feature of Applicants&#39; invention, a party that is blocked from originating or receiving a call or a service, can appeal immediately to the primary member who can remove the restriction for this call by operating an indicator from a terminal. Advantageously, this arrangement allows for an emergency use of a restricted facility. For example, while instant messaging may normally be denied to a station, the ability to send just one instant message may be useful.  
           [0010]    The restrictions can be based on one or more of the following: communication source and/or destination; time of day and/or day of week/month/year, amount of use (minutes); type of application (e.g., games).  
           [0011]    The primary station can receive reports concerning communication sessions (calls, Internet web access, Immediate Messaging sessions, conference calls, short messages), periodically, upon demand, or in response to the attempt to establish a particular communication session. The report can be for sessions of one or all members of the group.  
           [0012]    One application for this type of service is to allow parents to monitor and control the use of cellular terminals by their children. This can include limitations on time, limitations on callers and called parties, limitations on applications (e.g., games). 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)  
       [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the overall operation of Applicants&#39; invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a flow diagram for an outgoing call from the group;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an incoming call for a member of the group;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating the emergency over-ride for blocked calls; and  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating the process of changing the data for the shared plan file. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the operation of Applicants&#39; invention. A shared plan group of mobile stations  1 ,  2 , . . . , 3  are all connected via base stations (not shown) to a mobile communications network (MCN)  10 . MCN  10  supports voice, circuit data, and packet data.  
         [0019]    The mobile stations can be equipped with computer terminals to allow for displays and for transmitting messages generated under the control of “soft buttons” of the computer display. The terminals can be equipped to communicate with the Internet, and can receive and transmit Short Message Service messages, and Immediate Messaging messages. The terminals can be identified by a mobile telephone number or by a URL (Universal Resource Locator). This represents usage of IP services in which the calling/called station is some type of terminal that is accessed via the Internet or other data network. Applications for which URLs would be used include VoIP, voice over IP services, e-mail services, soft phones, IM, etc. While the specific embodiment is for calls between a mobile terminal that is a member of a group and another terminal, it is to be understood that the same types of arrangements can be used for other communication sessions. For example, this service can allow application restriction as well—such as games. It is not simply intended for voice. Other communications for data services include SMS, IM, web access, e-mail.  
         [0020]    A switch  11  of MCN  10  contains a processor  12  for controlling call processing for these stations and an announcement system  13  for returning announcements to ones of these stations. The primary station  1  is distinguished from the others in that only the primary station has the ability to change data in the database for the shared plan in real time. When an outgoing call request is received in MCN  10 , or an incoming call is received in MCN  10 , the network consults a database, such as a home location register and/or visitor location register  14  to determine whether the caller of the originating call or the called party of the incoming call is a member of a shared plan. If not, the call is established in accordance with the principles of the prior art. If the originating call is from a station in a shared plan or the incoming call is to a station that is in a shared plan, then the application server  20  is accessed in order to obtain data from the shared plan database  30 . The switch  11  then uses the data from the shared plan database to determine how the call is to be processed.  
         [0021]    Each switch of MCN  10  has access to a database  14  (such as HLR/VLR) for identifying directory numbers that are part of a shared plan, and for identifying the server serving that shared plan. Database  30  is the database for a plurality of shared plans. In one embodiment, this database has a file  40  for all destinations (numbers or other identifiers such as URL or handles (e.g., janedoe@nowhere.com where janedoe is the handle, or Instant Messaging contacts that are part of a shared plan. Each entry points to a shared plan data file, such as block  50 , for the shared plan of which that destination is a member. Block  50  is a block for a particular shared plan file. It contains a common record  51  of information about the shared plan group. This data would include the identity of the primary station and/or a personal identification number (PIN) for designating or identifying the primary station, and pointers to the individual records for individual stations. If two or more stations share the same individual record, i.e., the same features and screening, then the pointers of the two or more stations can point to the same record. The individual records  52 , . . . , 53  contain information as to which destinations the particular stations can reach and cannot reach; and calls from which sources (telephone numbers or other identifiers) can be completed or blocked to the specific station. In addition, for some stations of the group and for some callers for these stations, an alternate destination is listed to which calls for the initial destination can be completed.  
         [0022]    Data services such as SMS, IM, or e-mail, soft phone sessions, etc. would work in a similar manner. A text, or data, message is sent from one terminal to another, and will be intercepted by any restrictions placed on the user. For example, if the sending user is only allowed N number of SMS messages per day, the primary could provision this in the HLR, and block any messages that exceed this number. If data messages are not allowed from a particular user (e.g., based on that user&#39;s identification or handle), then they would be blocked in real time, and a notification would be sent to the primary (if this notification function is provisioned) to warn them of the occurrence.  
         [0023]    Also shown on FIG. 1 are connections to an Internet Service Provider (ISP)  21 , connected to the Internet  22 . The Internet is connected to a web site  23  which may provide Internet server functions and/or data. The mobile communication network  10  is also connected to a land-based communication network  25  for interconnecting nodes of network  10  and for connection to land-based terminals. One of these land-based terminals is terminal  4 , part of the group controlled by primary station  1 .  
         [0024]    A communication session as used herein includes voice communication (point-to-point, conference, broadcast); short message service; connections to an Internet server; immediate messaging; video streaming; telecommunications game playing; and file transfers.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the processing of an outgoing call. A call is received in the MCN (action block  201 ). A test ( 207 ) is made whether this call is from a shared plan station. If this call is not from a shared plan station (negative result of test  207 ) then the call is processed as in the prior art (action block  209 ). If the call is from a shared plan station then the shared plan database is accessed (action block  211 ). This access is via the application server  20 . The accessing message includes the called number. Test  213  is used to determine whether the caller is allowed to call the called number. If not, then the rejection of the call is announced (action block  215 ). If the caller is allowed to call the called number then the call is completed (action block  217 ). Records for the call (time of call, length of call, calling and called numbers) are accumulated (action block  219 ). These records are then sent to the primary station on demand, periodically, or in real time (i.e., immediately) (action block  221 ). In accordance with one feature of the invention, if the caller of a tentatively rejected call then dials an appropriate PIN (action block  214 ), the call can be completed or, alternatively, routed to the primary member of the group (action block  223 ).  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an incoming call. The call is received (action block  301 ). Test  303  is used to determine whether the call is to a shared plan station. If not, then the call is processed as in the prior art (action block  305 ). If the call is to a shared plan station then the shared plan database is queried (action block  307 ). Test  309  is used to determine whether the caller (identified by incoming caller identification) is allowed to call the called number. If the result of test  309  is that this call is not allowed, then a check is made whether the caller dials a PIN (action block  310 ). If not, then an announcement of the rejection of the call is presented to the caller (action block  311 ). If the caller is allowed to call the called number then test  313  is used to determine whether the call can be completed to the called number station. This can either be on the basis of the availability (i.e., idle state) of the called station or, on the basis of a feature supplied to the called station, the call is completed to a different station. If the result of test  313  is positive then the call is completed to the called station. If it is negative then test  317  is used to determine whether the call can be completed to an alternate station. If not, then a busy signal or an announcement is returned (action block  319 ). If the call can be completed to an alternate station then the call is completed to that alternate station (action block  321 ). In accordance with one feature of Applicants&#39; invention, the call can be initially presented to the called station and the caller identified by caller identification. Then, if the party served by the called station wishes to have the call forwarded to the alternate station, the called party can send an indication to route the call to the alternate station. Records for the call (time of call, length of call, calling and called numbers) are accumulated (action block  323 ). These records are then sent to the primary station on demand, periodically, or in real time (action block  325 ). If the caller has dialed a correct PIN, then the call is routed to the called station, alternate station or primary station (action block  327 ).  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 4 illustrates the feature whereby a caller or called party who is restricted from making or receiving a particular type of call, can make a call to or receiving a call from a particular station. The caller attempts to make a restricted (blocked) call (action block  401 ). The caller receives a blocking announcement (action block  403 ). The caller appeals for an exception. The appeal is in the form of an indication sent to the network that the exception is being requested. The appeal may be an operation of a dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) button or the operation of a soft button from a terminal. In response, the network sends an appeal message to the primary station (action block  407 ). If the primary station is a terminal, the appeal message may be displayed (or announced) on the primary station. If the primary station responds with an exception OK indication (action block  409 ) then the call is completed (action block  411 ). If there is either a timeout or the primary station responds negatively (action block  413 ) then the call is blocked (action block  415 ). This type of arrangement can also be used for incoming calls. The system receives an incoming call which is blocked according to the database of the group (action block  421 ). The blocked call is presented to the called party (action block  423 ). This presentation can be on a caller identification display or via an announcement. The call may be presented automatically or in response to an appropriate PIN. The called party may appeal for an exception (action block  425 ). The appeal indication is the same kind of appeal indication discussed with respect to action block  405 . The appeal message is sent to the primary station (action block  427 ). If the primary station responds with an exception OK (action block  409 ) then the call is completed (action block  411 ). If the primary station does not respond within a timeout interval or the primary station responds negatively (action block  413 ) then the call is blocked (action block  415 ).  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating the process of changing the shared plan file. A party requests access to the shared plan file (action block  501 ). Test  503  is used to determine if the requester is a primary station for the shared plan. If not, then the request is rejected (action block  505 ). If the requester is a primary station for the shared plan then a shared plan update session is performed between the primary station and the application server used for controlling the shared plan file of the database. The methods of communicating with the application server are the same as methods for communicating with other servers known in the prior art, i.e., via soft buttons on the primary station terminal, via exchange of prompts and responses, etc.  
         [0029]    While in this preferred embodiment the primary station is identified in information stored in the network, an alternative arrangement allows the primary station to be any member of the group identified by means of a personal identification number (PIN). Anyone who has the knowledge of the PIN can then edit the database from a station of the group. With this arrangement, a plurality of stations can act as the primary station, although appeals are still routed to the station recorded as the primary station.  
         [0030]    The above description is for a shared plan mobile group. The same basic arrangement can be used for a land based group except that no HLR/VLR is required in a land based group; the data is stored as part of the database of the switch.  
         [0031]    The above is one preferred embodiment of Applicants&#39; invention. Other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention is only limited by the attached claims.