Abstract:
A method for handling multiple call redirections in a voice messaging platform is provided that includes receiving a call at the voice messaging platform, wherein multiple, sequential redirecting numbers are associated with the call. The method also includes selecting a mailbox associated with a last number associated with the call when it is determined that the last number does not belong to a closed user group, and depositing a message in the selected mailbox. When the last number belongs to the closed user group, and if the closed user group does not allow individual call forwarding control, the method selects the mailbox based on a closed user group preference. An apparatus and a computer readable medium are provided.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/148,178, filed Jan. 29, 2009, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to call forwarding and more particularly to handling multiple call redirections in a voice messaging system. 
     Unified messaging is the integration of different streams of communication (e.g., email, voicemail, short message service (SMS), fax, etc.) into a single, unified message store (e.g., a unified messaging platform) accessible from a variety of user devices. 
     Call forwarding is a feature available in some telephone networks that allows an incoming call to an unavailable called party to be forwarded (e.g., redirected) to another party (e.g., telephone number). Calls may be redirected multiple times before being answered. 
     If the call at the last forwarded number is not answered, and no further forwards are indicated, a voice message may be left by the caller. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Calls may be forwarded (e.g., redirected) multiple times before being answered in a call forwarding system. A system for call forwarding of messages may provide that, in the event that a final redirected recipient does not answer a call, then a voicemail message is left. A system for call forwarding of messages must determine at which telephone number to leave the voice message. The present disclosure provides novel improvements to the voice messaging system to use group/subscriber policies to determine which mailbox should ultimately be used for the message deposit/retrieval. 
     In a voice messaging system, when a first subscriber&#39;s number is called (e.g., to deposit and/or retrieve messages), the call may be redirected to the messaging platform (e.g., a unified messaging platform (UMP)). As a result, a call enters the voice messaging platform with the first subscriber&#39;s number in the Redirected Dialed Number Identification Service (RDNIS) redirecting field and a different Called Number in the Dialed Number Identification Service (DNIS) field. Based on the RDNIS, the messaging platform determines which mailbox to deposit a voice message into (and/or retrieve messages from). 
     When a call arrives at the voice messaging platform with multiple RDNIS entries, the following method may be executed. When it is determined that the last number does not belong to a closed user group, a mailbox associated with a last number associated with the call is selected. The message is deposited in the selected mailbox. When the last number belongs to the closed user group, and if the closed user group does not allow individual call forwarding control, the method provides for depositing the message in a mailbox based on a closed user group preference. If the closed user group preference allows call forwarding of messages, the method provides for depositing the message in a last mailbox associated with the last number. If the closed user group preference does not allow call forwarding of messages, the method provides for depositing the message in a first mailbox associated with a first number associated with the call which belongs to the closed user group. When the last number belongs to the closed user group, and if the closed user group does allow individual call forwarding control, the method provides for selecting the mailbox based on a user preference associated with a first number associated with the call which belongs to the closed user group. If the user preference allows call forwarding of messages, the method provides for depositing the message in a last mailbox associated with the last number. If the user preference does not allow call forwarding of messages, the method provides for depositing the message in a first mailbox associated with the first number. 
     An apparatus for handling multiple call redirections in a voice messaging platform is provided that includes means for receiving a call at the voice messaging platform, wherein multiple, sequential redirecting numbers are associated with the call. The apparatus also includes means for selecting a mailbox associated with a last number associated with the call when it is determined that the last number does not belong to a closed user group. The apparatus further includes means for depositing a message in the selected mailbox. 
     A computer readable medium encoded with computer executable instructions for handling multiple call redirections in a voice messaging platform is provided. 
     Such a system supports subscriber-level policies and closed group-level policies for handling multiple call redirections in voice messaging, including unified messaging platforms. 
     These and other advantages of the disclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing of a call forwarding message control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart of a method of call forwarding message control according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing of a computer. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Calls may be forwarded (e.g., redirected) multiple times before reaching a voice messaging system. The present disclosure provides novel improvements to the voice messaging system to use group/individual (e.g., enterprise/subscriber) policies to determine which mailbox should ultimately be used for the message deposit/retrieval. 
     In a voice messaging system, when a first subscriber&#39;s number is called (e.g., to deposit and/or retrieve messages), the call may be redirected to the messaging platform (e.g., a unified messaging platform (UMP)). As a result, a call enters the voice messaging platform with the first subscriber&#39;s number in the Redirected Dialed Number Identification Service (RDNIS) redirecting field and a different Called Number in the Dialed Number Identification Service (DNIS) field. Based on the RDNIS, the messaging platform determines which mailbox to deposit a voice message into (and/or retrieve messages from). A SIP diversion header is one exemplary method of maintaining multiple RDNIS entries for a call. Different telephony signaling protocols may include alternative methods of maintaining the RDNIS information. 
     Generally, a first voice messaging subscriber&#39;s telephone is configured to forward calls when busy or if not answered. The call forwarding number will redirect the call to the voice messaging platform. This configuration may be accomplished either in the first subscriber&#39;s telephone or in a network device (e.g., TDM switch, Soft Switch, etc.). In at least one embodiment, the call forwarding is handled by the service provider. Alternatively, the first voice messaging subscriber may override this feature by forwarding their telephone calls to a second telephone number at which they wish to answer their calls. If the second telephone corresponds to a second voice messaging subscriber of the voice messaging platform, the second telephone will, in turn, be call forwarded to the voice messaging platform when busy or if not answered. When such a call arrives at the voice messaging platform, there will be two redirecting numbers—corresponding to the first and second subscribers. Of course, multiple call forwards results in corresponding multiple redirect numbers. 
     If a final redirect call is not answered, a decision must be made as to which mailbox or mailboxes should be used to deposit a voicemail message. In particular, for the message deposit, the decision must be made whether to deposit the voice mail message into the mailbox of the first subscriber or the second subscriber (or the nth subscriber in the multiple user/forwards case). Additionally, the voice mail message may be deposited in multiple mailboxes. 
     In some instances, a closed user group is a group of messaging subscribers for which there is a special level of trust. Broadcast and other capabilities may exist between members of the group. For example, in the AT&amp;T Unified Messaging Service, the “enterprise” concept corresponds to such a closed user group. In a closed user group, the message could be deposited in the first or last mailbox depending on the use-case. A user working in another office for a few hours may forward calls to that office, but may not want voice messages to be forwarded to the mailbox for the phone in that office. On the other hand, a user may be away from the office for an extended period and forward their calls to their secretary. In this case, the user may prefer that the messages also be forwarded to the last mailbox. Therefore, in the context of a closed user group, if a first subscriber forwards their telephone calls to the telephone of a second subscriber, a particular, variable user preference may drive the decision whether to forward to the second subscriber&#39;s telephone messages for calls originally directed to the first subscriber&#39;s telephone. 
     A mass market subscriber is not a member of a closed user group. That is, mass market subscribers are independent of each other and do not share any special relationship. If any subscriber (e.g., closed user group or mass market) forwards their telephone to another mass market subscriber, it is reasonable to assume that a voice message should be deposited in the mass market subscriber&#39;s mailbox regardless of the first telephone subscriber&#39;s status. The first telephone may or may not be a mass market subscriber. In any case, it may be preferable to deposit a message in the second subscriber&#39;s mailbox. 
     Mailboxes are class-of-service (CoS) enabled to indicate whether or not the subscriber can control multiple call forward handling. Subscribers with such a CoS are configured to optionally dictate whether voicemail should be locked to the initial mailbox or follow the call in a multiple call forwarding scenario. This option can be controlled by a telephone user interface (TUI), a subscriber browser interface (SBI), a web service API, or the like. An group-wide or enterprise-wide directory attribute may also be established for multiple call forward handling in the closed user group instance. 
       FIG. 1  depicts system  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. System  100  includes unified messaging platform  130  and Voice over IP (VoIP) service networks  110 . VoIP service networks  110  may include ENUM  111 , which may provide a telephone number mapping function to allow a telephone system to interact with the internet. System  100  may also include a PSTN  120  and Internet  140 . VoIP service networks  110  and PSTN  120  may communicate with telephony user interface (TUI)  131  of unified messaging platform  130 . TUI  131  may include application servers and media servers, front-ended by call processing infrastructure such as media gateways, session border controllers, and softswitches. An Application Server within the TUI  131  may execute the algorithm according to an embodiment of the instant disclosure, and specifically the method shown in  FIG. 2 . TUI  131  may interact with the directory and determine the correct mailbox to deposit a voice mail message. Unified messaging platform  130  may also include directory  132  which operates to store service parameters, which may also include subscriber preferences, group preferences and/or settings. Unified messaging platform  130  may also include a notification system  133 , E-mail back end  134 , web access  135 , and web services  136 . Notification system  133  may identify the types of messages waiting, and may notify a user using SMS, e-mail, or any other appropriate system. E-mail back end  134  may operate to handle all messages, including voice messages, as e-mails. Web access  135  may operate as a web portal access to messages enabling clients to access their messages. Web services  136  may include a low level API allowing other portals from other service networks to interact with unified messaging platform  130 . Internet  140  may interact with web services  136  in this manner. 
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart of a method  200  of handling multiple call redirections in a voice messaging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method  200  of  FIG. 2  supports subscriber-level policies and closed user group level (also referred to herein as closed group or enterprise level) policies for handling multiple call redirections in voice messaging, including unified messaging platforms. The flow chart of  FIG. 2  illustrates a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the instant disclosure. 
     The flow in  FIG. 2  starts at start  204  and proceeds to operation  206 , which indicates that a call arrives at a messaging platform. From operation  206 , the flow proceeds to decision  208 , which asks whether the last RDNIS entry belongs to a closed group (also referred to herein as a closed user group or an enterprise). If the response to decision  208  is negative, the flow proceeds to operation  210 , which indicates to choose a mailbox associated with the last RDNIS entry. From operation  210 , the flow proceeds to operation  220 , which indicates to deposit the message. From operation  220 , the flow proceeds to end  222 . If the response to decision  208  is affirmative, the flow proceeds to decision  212 , which asks whether the closed group has a policy allowing the individual multiple call forwarding control. If the response to decision to  212  is negative, the flow proceeds to operation  214 , which indicates to select a mailbox based on a closed group preference. From operation  214 , the flow proceeds to operation  220 . If the response to the decision  212  is affirmative, the flow proceeds to decision  216  which asks whether a mailbox associated with first RDNIS is enabled for multiple call forwarding control feature. If the response to decision  216  is negative, the flow proceeds to operation  214 . If the response to decision  216  is affirmative, the flow proceeds to operation  218 , which indicates to select a mailbox based on the subscriber preference associated with the first RDNIS of closed group. From operation  218 , the flow proceeds to operation  220 . 
     In regard to operation  214  and an exemplary method according to the instant disclosure, the closed group preference may indicate to deposit the message in the mailbox of the first RDNIS. Alternatively, the closed group preference may indicate to deposit the message in a last RDNIS mailbox. Other alternative closed group preferences are also possible. As further explanation of operation  218 , the subscriber preference of operation  218  may indicate to select the mailbox of the first RDNIS for depositing the message. Alternatively, the subscriber preference may indicate to forward the message to the last RDNIS for depositing the message. For example, it may be determined that the mailbox associated with the first RDNIS entry is CoS enabled for the multiple call forwarding control feature. Alternatively, a first subscriber&#39;s preference may defer to a second or subsequent subscriber&#39;s preference, or may not indicate any preference. In the case of an undeclared or prohibited preference, a default group preference may control. Other alternative subscriber preferences are also possible. 
     A method according to an exemplary embodiment of the instant disclosure provides that the mailbox associated with the first number is class-of-service (CoS) enabled to indicate whether a user can control multiple call forward handling. In the method, the call that arrives may have multiple Redirected Dialed Number Identification Service (RDNIS) entries in a signaling protocol header (for instance, a session initiation protocol (SIP) diversion header), and each of the RDNIS entries may correspond to different redirecting number. When it is determined that the last number does belong to a closed user group, the method may provide for determining all of the RDNIS entries associated with the closed user group, and identifying a first number associated with a first RDNIS entry belonging to the closed user group. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing of a controller  300  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Controller  300  contains devices that form a controller including a processor  302  that controls the overall operation of the controller  300  by executing computer program instructions, which define such operation. The computer program instructions may be stored in a storage device  304  (e.g., magnetic disk, database, etc.) and loaded into memory  306  when execution of the computer program instructions is desired. Thus, applications for performing the herein-described method steps, such as those described above with respect to method  200  are defined by the computer program instructions stored in the memory  306  and/or storage  304  and controlled by the processor  302  executing the computer program instructions. The controller  300  may also include one or more network interfaces  308  for communicating with other devices via a network (e.g., global TMS  100 ). The controller  300  also includes input/output devices  310  that enable operator interaction with the controller  300 . Controller  300  and/or processor  3202  may include one or more central processing units, read only memory (ROM) devices and/or random access memory (RAM) devices. One skilled in the art will recognize that an implementation of an actual computer for use in a portable communication device could contain other components as well, and that the controller of  FIG. 3  is a high level representation of some of the components of such a portable communication device for illustrative purposes. 
     According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, instructions of a program (e.g., controller software) may be read into memory  306 , such as from a ROM device to a RAM device or from a LAN adapter to a RAM device. Execution of sequences of the instructions in the program may cause the controller  300  to perform one or more of the method steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry or integrated circuits may be used in place of, or in combination with, software instructions for implementation of the processes of the present disclosure. Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to any specific combination of hardware, firmware, and/or software. The memory  306  may store the software for the controller  300 , which may be adapted to execute the software program and thereby operate in accordance with the present disclosure and particularly in accordance with the methods described in detail above. However, it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the disclosed technology as described herein could be implemented in many different ways using a wide range of programming techniques as well as general-purpose hardware sub-systems or dedicated controllers. 
     Such programs may be stored in a compressed, uncompiled, and/or encrypted format. The programs furthermore may include program elements that may be generally useful, such as an operating system, a database management system, and device drivers for allowing the portable communication device to interface with peripheral devices and other equipment/components. Appropriate general-purpose program elements are known to those skilled in the art, and need not be described in detail herein. 
     The foregoing Detailed Description is to be understood as being in every respect illustrative and exemplary, but not restrictive, and the scope of the general inventive concept disclosed herein is not to be determined from the Detailed Description, but rather from the claims as interpreted according to the full breadth permitted by the patent laws. It is to be understood that the embodiments shown and described herein are only illustrative of the principles of the present general inventive concept and that various modifications may be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the general inventive concept. Those skilled in the art could implement various other feature combinations without departing from the scope and spirit of the general inventive concept.