Abstract:
A method of forwarding calls for a subscriber having a primary communication device and a number of alternate communication devices in a multimedia telecommunication network by storing a call forwarding profile for the subscriber&#39;s primary communication device at a network server, where the call forwarding profile specifies at least one of the alternate communication devices to which specific types of calls are to be forwarded based on the incoming media desired for that call, receiving a call for the subscriber&#39;s primary communication device from a caller, determining the type of the call that has been received, matching the type of call received to the call forwarding profile, and routing the call to the proper alternate communication device according to the call forwarding profile.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to the art of telecommunication, and, more particularly, to a method and system for call forwarding in a multimedia telecommunication network.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Wireless telecommunication networks allow mobile devices to communicate with each other and other networks, such as the Internet and the public switched telephone network. First and second generation wireless telephone systems are generally constrained in the amount of bandwidth available for communication. This limits capacity and also the types of services that can be provided. Third generation wireless systems, which are being developed through the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), hold the promise of greater bandwidth, thereby increasing capacity and allowing for enhanced services, such as multimedia services. 3GPP is the new worldwide standard for the creation, delivery, and playback of multimedia over new, high-speed wireless networks. 3GPP enables the free sharing of multimedia files between a variety of devices, including cell phones, PDAs, and desktop computers. 3GPP devices include, in addition to a voice communication interface, capability for communication of data and display of data, including video.  
         [0003]     Certain features are currently available to telephone service subscribers, including wireless subscribers. For example, select call forwarding is a service that automatically forwards calls from a selected set of numbers to a phone number of the subscriber&#39;s choice. Call forwarding services may also allow the subscriber to decide which calls to receive. Typically, incoming calls to the subscriber&#39;s phone from the numbers preselected are rerouted to a phone number of the subscriber&#39;s choice, whether it&#39;s the subscriber&#39;s mobile, office, or other number. When call forwarding is activated, the subscriber&#39;s home phone may ring once with a short burst as a reminder that the call is being transferred. Further, busy call forwarding is a service that automatically forwards calls to another number when the subscriber&#39;s line is busy. Busy call forwarding eliminates missing a call when the line is in use. Typically, incoming calls to the subscriber&#39;s busy line are rerouted to a phone number of the subscriber&#39;s choice, whether it&#39;s the subscriber&#39;s mobile, office, or other number.  
         [0004]     There is a need for a method and system that would allow a subscriber to send forward calls to multiple numbers, based upon the type of data being sent or other provisioned settings. Also, it is desirable to have a method and system in which a call may be forwarded to different destinations based on the type of data.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a method for method of forwarding calls for a subscriber having a primary communication device and a number of alternate communication devices in a multimedia telecommunication network is provided. The method includes storing a call forwarding profile for the subscriber&#39;s primary communication device in a network server, where the call forwarding profile specifies at least one of the alternate communication devices to which specific types of calls are to be forwarded, receiving a call for the subscriber&#39;s primary communication device from a caller, determining the type of the call that has been received, matching the type of call received to the call forwarding profile, and routing the call to the proper alternate communication device according to the call forwarding profile.  
         [0006]     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a system for forwarding calls for a subscriber having a primary communication device and a plurality of alternate communication devices in a multimedia telecommunication network is provided. The system includes means for storing a call forwarding profile for the subscriber&#39;s primary communication device at a network server, where the call forwarding profile specifies at least one of the alternate communication devices to which specific types of calls are to be forwarded, means for receiving a call for the subscriber&#39;s primary communication device from a caller, means for determining the type of the call that has been received, means for matching the type of call received to the call forwarding profile, and means for routing the call to the proper alternate communication device according to the call forwarding profile.  
         [0007]     Still further advantages and benefits of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a known multimedia telecommunication environment suitable for implementing aspects of the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating a call forwarding process in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is memory layout of data stored in the centralized database in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     It is to be understood that the specific methods and systems illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Therefore, specific examples and characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.  
         [0013]     For simplicity and ease of reference, the acronyms listed below shall be used in the specification to refer to structural and/or functional network elements, relevant telecommunication standards, protocols and/or services, terminology, etc., as they are commonly known in the telecommunication art, except to the extent they have been modified in accordance with aspects of the present invention.  
         [0014]     3G—3 rd  Generation  
         [0015]     3GPP—3 rd  Generation Partnership Project  
         [0016]     3GPP2—3 rd  Generation Partnership Project 2  
         [0017]     AAA—Authentication/Authorization/Accounting  
         [0018]     AH—Address Handling  
         [0019]     AS—Application Server  
         [0020]     BGCF—Border Gateway Control Function  
         [0021]     CCF—Call Control Function  
         [0022]     CDMA—Code Division Multiple Access  
         [0023]     CSCF—Call Session Control Function  
         [0024]     HLR—Home Location Register  
         [0025]     HSS—Home Subscriber Server  
         [0026]     ICGW—Incoming Call Gateway  
         [0027]     IMS—IP Multimedia Subsystem  
         [0028]     IP—Internet Protocol  
         [0029]     MGCF—Media Gateway Control Function  
         [0030]     MGW—Media Gateway  
         [0031]     MMT—Multimedia Terminal  
         [0032]     MRFC—Multimedia Resource Function Controller  
         [0033]     MRFP—Multimedia Resource Function Processor  
         [0034]     PDN—Public Data Network  
         [0035]     PLMN—Public Land Mobile Network  
         [0036]     PSDN—Packet Switched Data Network  
         [0037]     PSTN—Public Switched Telephone Network  
         [0038]     PTT—Push-to-Talk  
         [0039]     RAN—Radio Access Network  
         [0040]     SIP—Session Initiation Protocol  
         [0041]     SMS—Short Message Service  
         [0042]     SMT—Single Media Terminal  
         [0043]     SPD—Serving Profile Database  
         [0044]     UMTS—Universal Mobile Telecommunications System  
         [0045]     VoIP—Voice over IP  
         [0046]     WLAN—Wireless Local Area Network  
         [0047]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a known multimedia telecommunication network  10  suitable for implementation of aspects of the present invention. However, it is to be understood that other such networks may also be suitable. The multimedia telecommunication network  10  provides users with a variety of options for communication. Users are able to transmit and receive multimedia communications, including audio, voice, video, and all types of data. The multimedia telecommunication network  10  provides access to data networks, such as the Internet, and public telephone networks, including wireless networks.  
         [0048]     The multimedia telecommunication network  10  preferably includes an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS)  20 . The IMS  20  relates to a technology standardized by the 3 rd  Generation Partnership Project, also known as 3GPP, and it is also defined by 3GPP2 (3 rd  Generation Partnership Project 2). The IMS  20  is used to join mobile communication with IP technologies by adding the ability to deliver integrated voice and data services over the IP-based packet switched network. IMS services are based on the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), which is the signaling protocol standard for next-generation 3GPP mobile wireless networks. The IMS  20  includes a number of system elements, such as a call session control function (CSCF)  22 , media gateways (MGW)  24 , a media gateway control function (MGCF)  26 , a border gateway control function (BGCF)  28 , a multimedia resource function processor (MRFP)  30 , a multimedia resource function controller (MRFC)  32 , a home subscriber system (HSS)  34  and application servers  36 . As is known in the art, the IMS  20  manages call sessions and provides and administers packet switching for multimedia communications within the network  10 .  
         [0049]     A first communication device  40  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The first communication device  40  may be a wireless device that includes a user interface and an interface for coupling to a radio access network (RAN)  42 . The user interface of the communication device  40  is typically referred to as terminal equipment and generally includes an audio interface, such as a microphone and speakers, a visual interface, such as a display, and a user input interface, such as a keyboard or touch pad. The interface for coupling to the RAN  42  is typically referred to as a mobile terminal and generally includes an over-the-air interface for transmitting and receiving data. The over-the-air interface of communication device  40  is used to communicate with base stations in the RAN  42 . Preferably, the communication device  40  and the base stations in the RAN  42  communicate over-the-air using a packet-based protocol. A packet data subsystem (PDS)  44  couples the RAN  42  with the IMS  20  and the public data network (PDN)  52  in the usual manner.  
         [0050]     A second communication device  50  is shown as a laptop or notebook computer operatively connected to the IMS  20  via the PDN  52 . The communication device  50  optionally employs a wireless local area network (WLAN) or wireline network, in the usual manner, to operatively connect to the PDN  52 . A third communication device  60  is shown as an ordinary telephone equipped to handle only voice communications. The communication device  60  is operatively connected to the IMS  20  via the public switched telephone network/public land mobile network (PSTN/PLMN)  62 .  
         [0051]     Only three communication devices ( 40 ,  50 , and  60 ) are shown in  FIG. 1  for the purpose of simplifying the diagram. However, it is to be appreciated that any number of such terminals are typically situated in the multimedia telecommunication network  10 . Additionally, while each is depicted as a specific type of communication device, other like terminals may also be incorporated.  
         [0052]     With continuing reference to  FIG. 1 , the bearer paths that carry (or relay) the communication traffic and/or user information for transmission from one terminal to another, which are known in the art, are shown as solid lines. Control paths carry associated signaling and/or control commands (or messages) to and between appropriate network elements for the purpose of managing and routing call sessions. The control paths are shown as dashed lines in  FIG. 1 . Suitably, SIP and other known protocols are used on the control and bearer paths, respectively. For example, the known H.248 protocol is suitably employed for media gateway control. The CSCF  22 , the BGCF  28 , the MGCF  26 , the MRFC  32  and the AS  36  comprise the call control and signaling functionality for the IMS  20 , while the bearer paths interface with the MRFP  30  and the MGW  24  to provide and support interconnectivity to external networks and/or subsystems, such as the PDS  44 , the PDN  52  and the PSTN/PLMN  62 .  
         [0053]     The CSCF  22  supports and controls multimedia sessions. The CSCF  22  invites elements such as the MGCF  26  and the MRFC  32  to call sessions to control the establishment and maintenance of bearer paths for call sessions by adding, modifying or deleting appropriate bearer paths for respective call sessions. The CSCF  22  is the signaling entity for call session control. It manages sessions by using SIP and/or other appropriate call/session establishment protocols, and it provides features and services and coordinates with other network elements for session control, service control and resource allocation.  
         [0054]     The CSCF  22  may provide the following functionalities: incoming call gateway, call control function, serving profile database, and address handling. By functioning as an incoming call gateway the CSCF  22  acts as a call session entry point and routes incoming calls. The call control function generally refers to call setup/termination and state/event management. The CSCF  22  interacts with the MGCF  26  for calls to/from the PSTN/PLMN  62  and with the BGCF  28  for calls to the PSTN/PLMN  62  to determine the appropriate MGCF  26  to use. It also controls the MRFP  30  via the MRFC  32 , which interprets information or signals coming from the CSCF  22  and controls the MFRP  30 , in order to support conferencing and other multi-party services. SIP level registrations from subscribers are processed with the call control function. The call control function may also provide service trigger mechanisms to the application servers  24  to invoke services provided thereby, either locally, at the application servers  24 , or elsewhere. It also reports call events for billing, auditing, intercept or other purposes, and may query the address handling function to check whether a requested communication is allowed given the current subscription. The serving profiling database function refers to the interaction of the CSCF  22  with the HSS  34  to receive and cache user profile information. The address handling function refers to address analysis, translation, modification (when appropriate) and mapping.  
         [0055]     The MGW  24  acts as a bearer path interface between the IMS  20  and externals networks and/or subsystems, and provides translation resources and resources for modifying the bearer stream (e.g., encoding, transcoding, compression, packetization, depacketization, etc.). The bearer path elements include the MGCF  26 , the MRFC  32 , and the BGCF  28 . These elements provide the flexibility to add, modify or delete bearers used by the users&#39; services. More particularly, the MGW  24  interacts with the MGCF  26 , which interprets signaling coming from the CSCF  22  and controls the MGW  24  to achieve resource allocation, bearer path control, and payload processing. The MGCF  26  communicates with the CSCF  22  in order to control the call state for media channels on one or more MGWs and performs conversions between Legacy and 3 rd  Generation (3G) Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)/Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network call control protocols. Similarly, the MRFC  32  controls the media stream resources in the MRFP  30 , which also acts as a bearer path interface between the IMS  20  and external networks and/or subsystems, while being able to provide for conferencing or multiple party communications or other more advanced media services (relative to the MGW  24 ). The BGCF  28  selects the proper MGCF  26 .  
         [0056]     The HSS  34  is coupled to the CSCF  22  via a data link. The HSS  34  includes subscriber profile information, including information traditionally associated with a home location register (HLR) for a mobile subscriber. Suitably, the HSS  34  stores information such as user identification, user security information, including network access control information for authentication and authorization, user location information for user registration and locating, and user profiles, including identification of the services subscribed to and other service specific information.  
         [0057]     The application servers  36  are preferably coupled to the IMS  20  for use in interaction with the communication devices  40 ,  50 ,  60 . In particular, the CSCF  22  is coupled to the application servers  36  via a data link. Also, the HSS  34  is preferably coupled to the application servers  36 . A myriad of services and applications may reside in or be coupled to the application servers  36 , including a call forwarding method and system in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0058]     In the preferred embodiment, the CSCF  22 , the MGCF  26 , the MGW  24 , the HSS  34 , and the application servers  36  are processor-based apparatus with data link interfaces for coupling together as described above and shown in  FIG. 1 . These apparatus include one or more processors that execute programs to implement the functionality described herein and generally associated with 3GPP/3GPP2 wireless systems. The flexibility of these processor-based systems permits ready integration into these systems of a multimedia call forwarding method and system in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0059]     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 2  shows a method  100  of forwarding multimedia calls to multiple destination numbers, based upon the type of data being sent or other provisioned settings.  FIG. 2  is described below with reference to the network  10  of  FIG. 1 , although the method  100  may be implemented in other compatible multimedia networks.  
         [0060]     Initially, in step  101 , a wireless subscriber logs on to the first communication device  40 , which preferably supports wireless voice and data transmission as well as data push services (DPS) such as Instant Messaging (IM), which allows users to send messages to any of the people in their pre-selected contact list as long as that person is online, Short Message Service (SMS), which enables the transmission of alphanumeric messages between mobile subscribers and external systems such as electronic mail, paging, and voice-mail systems, and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), which integrates the composition, storage, access and delivery of different kinds of media, e.g., text, voice, image, animations, music or video.  
         [0061]     Next, because the subscriber needs to leave his or her present location and communication device, the subscriber sets up a call forwarding profile, which is stored in a centralized database, such as at the HSS  34  or at an AS  36 . (step  102 ). The centralized database includes a number of data sub-blocks for each subscriber. These are shown in  FIG. 3 . They are shown as a super block  200 , not all of whose fields are filled for a particular subscriber. The super block, as known in the art, can be accessed from the identity of any one of several fields in the super block.  
         [0062]     The super block  200  includes the following data sub-blocks: block  202  contains the subscriber&#39;s IM forwarding information; block  204  contains the subscriber&#39;s SMS forwarding information; block  206  contains the subscriber&#39;s MMS forwarding information, block  208  contains the subscriber&#39;s voice call forwarding information, and block  210  contains the subscriber&#39;s data call forwarding information. Of course, additional blocks may be provided in the super block  200  for storing additional subscriber data.  
         [0063]     The call forwarding profile may be programmed in various ways, including through the subscriber&#39;s communication device  40  via an automated service or by entering a feature activation code (e.g., *78), by logging on to the service provider&#39;s Internet Web site, or by calling a call center. The subscriber will generally want to forward the type of communication/media to the most convenient device available. Thus, the subscriber may want to submit a call forwarding profile along the lines of the following: 
        Forward all IMs to the second communication device  50  (e.g., this could be a mobile phone)     Forward all SMSs to the second communication device  50  (e.g., this could be the same mobile phone)     Forward all MMSs to the third communication device  60  (e.g., this could be a mobile phone with MMS capabilities or a laptop computer)     Forward all other calls (e.g., voice and data) to the second communication device  50  (e.g., this could be the same mobile phone as above) 
 
 Of course, it is to be understood that other call forwarding profiles may be programmed, depending upon the devices and services available to the subscriber. 
       
 
         [0068]     In step  103 , an incoming call having a unique destination address is received at the CSCF  22  in the traditional manner. Next, the CSCF  22  determines the type of call based upon media parameters that are contained in the incoming call request (e.g. ISUP (ISDN User Part) IAM (Initial Address Message) or SIP INVITE) (step  104 ). These would indicate the “type of call,” be it data, text, voice, etc. via existing media description parameters. The CSCF  22  then queries the HSS  34  to determine the appropriate destination number (i.e., the appropriate communication device) for the call (step  105 ) based on the type of media identified in the incoming call request. The HSS  34  looks up the call forwarding information for the unique destination address and media type and returns this information to the CSCF  22  (step  106 ). The CSCF  22  routes the call to the appropriate destination address (step  107 ).  
         [0069]     The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description of the preferred embodiments. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalence thereof.