Patent Publication Number: US-7903805-B2

Title: Method and system for providing enhanced call waiting

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/350,918, filed Jan. 24, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,095,826, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/439,902 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,539,079), filed Nov. 12, 1999, the entirety of which are both hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to telecommunications call processing and more particularly to call waiting service features. 
     Call waiting services are offered by numerous telephone service providers and are well known by those skilled in the art. Call waiting services generally notify a customer who is engaged in a first call that a second call has been placed to them. Some call waiting services utilize an audible tone that is transmitted to the customer during the first call, to notify the customer that the second call is waiting. Other call waiting services substitute the name of the calling party in place of the tone commonly used to notify the customer. In both systems, the notification of the second call is sent to the customer while they are still engaged in the first call. This notification can be distracting to both of the parties engaged in the first call. In addition, these systems typically allow the customer to answer the second call by placing the first call on hold. This causes an interruption of the first call and can also be distracting to both parties engaged in the first call. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,359 describes an alternative system to these traditional call waiting systems. In this system, the notification of the second call is sent to the customer after the first call is over, but the notification is not effective. When the system receives the second call, it stores the telephone number from which the second call was placed. After the first call is over, the system calls the customer and provides him with the stored telephone number. However, because the system only provides the telephone number from which the second call was placed it does not effectively identify the calling party. This system is particularly ineffective when the second call is placed from a telephone that is not associated with the second caller, such as a pay phone, a restaurant&#39;s phone, a business&#39;s phone, or another person&#39;s phone. Therefore, a system that overcomes these deficiencies is needed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a system for processing a telephone call of a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is more detailed block diagram of the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart of a method for processing a telephone call of a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a more detailed flow chart of the method depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a more detailed flow chart of the method depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a more detailed flow chart of the method depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is a more detailed block diagram of the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     By way of example,  FIG. 1  depicts a system  10  of a preferred embodiment. The system  10  comprises a network  20  that can be coupled with a called communication station  30 , a first calling communication station  40 , and a second calling communication station  50 . The phrase “coupled with,” as used herein, means coupled either directly or indirectly via one or more intervening elements. The network  20  preferably comprises means for determining whether the called communication station is busy  22 , means for recording information provided by a calling party at the second calling communication station  24 , and means for transmitting the recorded information to the called communication station  26 . 
     The system  10  is preferably implemented in a telecommunications network. Alternatively, the system  10  can be implemented in computer network or any other network that is adapted to store and retrieve information. Each of the means  22 ,  24 ,  26  described above is preferably implemented through the use of computer readable program code written in any suitable programming language and implemented on an analog or digital computer utilizing any suitable operating system. Alternatively, each of the means  22 ,  24 ,  26  can be implemented through the use of hardware in the form of a hardwired computer, an integrated circuit, or a combination of hardware and computer readable program. The called communication station  30 , first calling communication station  40 , and second calling communication station  50  preferably comprise an analog telephone. Alternatively, the communication stations  30 ,  40 ,  50  can comprise any suitable communication station, including wireless, PCN, ISDN, or any other form of communication station adapted for use in the present embodiments. 
     The system  10  enables a called party at the called communication station  30 , who is busy on a first call from the first calling communication station  40 , to be effectively notified that a second call from the second calling communication station  50  was placed to him without interrupting the first call. After receiving the second call from the second calling communication station  50 , the network  20  can determine that the called communication station  30  is engaged in a first telephone call with a first calling party at the first calling communication station  40 . The network  20  can then record information that is provided by a calling party at the second calling communication station  50 . The information recorded is preferably limited to 15 seconds or less of information but can be any duration of information. If the information is less than 15 seconds, the system differs from traditional voice mail systems, which typically do not limit their messages to 15 seconds. The second calling party can record their name and telephone number, which unlike prior systems that only provide a telephone number, effectively identifies the second calling party. The network  20  can then automatically transmit the recorded information to the called party at the called communication station  30  after the first call is over. The called party is thereby notified that the second call was placed without being interrupted during the first call because neither a call waiting indicator nor other information is transmitted to the called party during the first call. 
     By way of further example,  FIG. 2  depicts a preferred embodiment of the system described above. The system  200  comprises a publicly switched telephone network (PSTN)  210 , a called party&#39;s switch  230 , a called telephone station  232 , a first calling telephone station  240 , a second calling telephone station  250 , a hub switch  260 , a service control point (SCP)  270 , and a service node (SN)  280 . This system can be implemented with intelligent network components, commonly referred to as advanced intelligent network (AIN) components, which can implement computer readable program code, and are commercially available from Lucent Technologies. Vendors of AIN components typically have a preferred programming language and operating platform as known by those skilled in the art. Alternatively, this system can be implemented using a Unix platform, an NT server, or other suitable computer systems. 
     PSTN  210  preferably comprises a group of interconnected network components including signal transfer points, central office switches, tandem switches, and other such switches, along with other network components that route telephone calls as known by those skilled in the art. The PSTN can also include SCPs and SNs. The network components preferably transmit information in accordance with a signaling protocol such as Signaling System 7 (SS7), internet protocols, or other such protocols as known by those skilled in the art. The PSTN  210  is preferably coupled with the calling telephone stations  240 ,  250  and the called party&#39;s switch  230  and enables calls to be placed between the calling telephone stations  240 ,  250  and the called telephone station  232 . 
     The called party&#39;s switch  230  can comprise an AIN switch, such as a service switching point (SSP), or a non-AIN switch, such as a central office switch. The called party&#39;s switch  230  is preferably coupled with the PSTN  210  and the hub switch  260 . In a preferred embodiment, the called party&#39;s switch  230  is preferably connected to one or more telephone stations, such as the called telephone station  232  and is not directly connected to the SCP  270  or SN  280 , which are preferably connected to the hub switch  260  as described herein. The called party&#39;s switch  230  connects called telephone station  232  with the PSTN  210  to enable a customer at called telephone station  232  to place calls to and receive calls from telephone stations  240 ,  250 . The called party&#39;s switch  230  is preferably coupled with the hub switch  260  by a direct trunk and preferably communicates with hub switch  260  in accordance with a signaling protocol such as Signaling System 7 (SS7), internet protocols, or other such protocols. The called party&#39;s switch  230  can alternatively be coupled with the hub switch  260  through the PSTN  210 . 
     The telephone stations  232 ,  240 ,  250  preferably comprise analog telephone sets. Alternatively, the telephone stations  232 ,  240 ,  250  can comprise wireless, PCN, ISDN or any other form of communication station. 
     The hub switch  260  can comprise an AIN switch, such as an SSP, or a non-AIN switch, such as a central office switch, as described herein. The hub switch  260  can be coupled with the called party&#39;s switch  230 , the SCP  270 , and the SN  280 . In a preferred embodiment, the hub switch  260  is preferably connected to the SCP  270  and the SN  280 , while the called party&#39;s switch  230  is not directly connected to the SCP  270  or the SN  280 . In this way, the hub switch  260  serves as a centralized location for the SCP  270  and the SN  280 . 
     The SCP  270  preferably comprises an AIN element that can receive queries from the hub switch  260  and can analyze information included within the queries. The SCP  270  can also store call control information and accesses the stored call control information. The SCP  270  is preferably coupled with the hub switch  260  and can communicate with the hub switch  260  via a signaling protocol such as SS7, internet protocols, or the like. Alternatively a suitable processor can be used in place of the SCP  270 . 
     The SN  280  preferably comprises a network element that stores call control information and performs call related functions as known by those skilled in the art. The SN  280  can generate announcements that can be transmitted to the PSTN  210  and to the calling telephone stations  240 ,  250  and/or the called telephone station  232 . The SN  280  can also record information transmitted from the calling telephone stations  240 ,  250  and can transmit the recorded information to the called telephone station  232 . The SN  280  can also include logic that can analyze information in the same manner as an SCP. Alternatively a processor in a Unix platform, an NT server, or other suitable computer system can be used in place of the SN  280 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, an intelligent peripheral (IP) can be used in place of the SN  280 . The IP preferably comprises an AIN element that performs the same functions as the SN  280  described herein. 
     The system depicted in  FIG. 2  can be utilized to implement the method  300  depicted in  FIG. 3 . For purposes of illustration, assume that a called party at the called telephone station  232  ( FIG. 2 ) is engaged in a first call with a first calling party at the first calling telephone station  240 . Also, assume that during the first call, a second calling party at the second calling telephone station  250  places a second call to the called party, and the second call is routed through the PSTN  210  to the called party&#39;s switch  230 . 
     The method  300  of processing the second call from the second calling telephone station  250  to the called telephone station  232  generally comprises the acts of: determining whether the called telephone station  232  is busy on a first call (act  310 ,  FIG. 3 ); recording information that is provided by the second calling party (act  320 ); and automatically transmitting the recorded information to the called telephone station  232  after the first call is over (act  350 ). Each of these acts is discussed in more detail below. 
     The act of determining whether the called telephone station  232  is busy on a first call (act  310 ,  FIG. 3 ) preferably comprises the following acts as depicted in  FIG. 4 . The called party&#39;s switch  230  can receive the second call (act  312 ,  FIG. 4 ) and can attempt to terminate the second call to the called telephone station  232  (act  314 ). However, because the called party at the called telephone station  232  is busy on the first call, the second call cannot be terminated to called telephone station  232  and the called party&#39;s switch  230  can forward the second call for further processing (act  316 ). The second call can be forwarded, for example, in accordance with a preexisting feature of the called party&#39;s switch  230  such as call forward on busy. Alternatively, the second call can be forwarded through the use of a trigger that can be generated by the called party&#39;s switch  230 . For example, the called party&#39;s switch  230  can be configured to include a trigger, such as a terminating busy trigger, terminating attempt trigger, that automatically causes the second call to be transferred. In another example, the called party&#39;s switch  230  can be configured to include a trigger that results in a query being generated that seeks routing information that can be used to forward the second call. 
     The act of recording information provided by a second calling party (act  320 ,  FIG. 3 ) preferably-comprises the following acts as depicted in  FIG. 5 . After the called party&#39;s switch  230  has determined that the called party at the called telephone station  232  is busy on the first call, the second call can be forwarded to the SN  280  as described above. To forward the second call to the SN  280 , the called party&#39;s switch  230  preferably reroutes the second call to the hub switch  260  (act  322 ). The called party&#39;s switch  230  can reroute the second call to the hub switch  260  by routing the second call to a certain telephone number, which essentially connects the second calling telephone station  250  with the hub switch  260  and the SN  280 . When the second call is forwarded to the hub switch  260 , a query can be transmitted from the hub switch  260  to the SCP  270  (act  324 ). The query can be an AIN or an non-AIN query. The query preferably contains the ten digit telephone number associated with the second calling telephone station  250  and requests the SCP  270  to analyze the telephone number included within the query. 
     After receiving the query, the SCP  270  can analyze the information included in the query to determine whether the call originated from the SN  280  (act  326 ). If the call originated from the SN  280 , then it can be determined that this call was placed to the called telephone station  232  in an attempt to deliver information recorded by the SN  280 . In such a case, this call can be ignored, and the SN  280  can be reset to again attempt to deliver the recorded information to the called telephone station  232 . This analysis prevents the system from entering a loop by attempting to record information for a call that originated from the SN  280  and for which there is no calling party. 
     If it is determined that the call did not originate from the SN  280 , an announcement is then transmitted from the SN  280  to the second calling telephone station  250  (act  328 ). The announcement requests that the second calling party provide audible information by, for example, saying their name and telephone number. The announcement can state that the person the second calling party is calling is currently on the phone and can request that they briefly state they name and telephone number. Alternatively, the announcement can request that the second calling party say only their name or provide other types of information or instructions. In addition to providing audible information, the second calling party can provide textual information by entering keys on their telephone or the like. This can be done in place of or in addition to the audible information. The announcement can also indicate that the second calling party can seek assistance by providing DTMF or voice input. 
     The information provided by the second calling party can be transmitted from the second calling telephone station  250  to the PSTN  210  (act  330 ). The information can be transmitted from the PSTN  210  to the SN  280  (act  332 ). The SN  280  can analyze the information to ensure that information was received and can digitize and record this information (act  334 ). Alternatively, if the information is in a text format, the information can recorded and then converted from a text format to an audible format through the use of a text to speech module that can be included within or coupled with the SN  280 . If no information is received by the SN  280 , another announcement requesting such information can be sent to the second calling party or the announcement can instruct the second calling party to call back at a later time. 
     In a further alternative embodiment, in addition to transmitting a request for information to the second calling telephone station  250  (act  332 ,  FIG. 5 ) a request for control commands can also be transmitted to the second calling telephone station  250 . For example, a request for control commands relating to the handling of and/or the content of the information can be transmitted from the SN  280  the second calling telephone station  250 . Control commands provided by the second calling party at the second calling telephone station  250  can, among other things, be used to determine and assign a priority to the recorded information. 
     For example, if the second calling party believes that the recorded information is of an urgent nature, the second calling party may transmit appropriate control commands that enable the SN  280  provide the recorded information, which the second calling party provided, to the called telephone station  232  before providing other recorded information provided by other calling parties. The second calling party can, for example, utilize dual-tone-multi-frequency (DTMF) signals to provide the control commands. Alternatively, the second calling party can provide audible control commands that can be interpreted by voice recognition capabilities that can be included within or coupled with the SN  280 . 
     The act of automatically transmitting the recorded information to the called telephone station  232  after the first call is over (act  350 ,  FIG. 3 ), preferably comprises the following acts. After the information has been recorded, the SN  280  can determine that the first call is over by periodically placing an outgoing call to the telephone number of the called telephone station  232  (act  352 ,  FIG. 6 ). The outgoing call can be transmitted from the hub switch  260  to the called party&#39;s switch  230  (act  354 ). If the outgoing call is answered at the called telephone station  232 , it can be determined that the first call is over and SN  280  is coupled with the called telephone station  232  (act  356 ). The recorded information can then be transmitted to the called telephone station  232 . (act  358 ). The recorded information can be transmitted to the called telephone station  232  after an informational announcement is first transmitted to the called telephone station  232 . For example, an announcement indicating the number of calls and the time and date of each call can be transmitted along with the identifying information. 
     The SN  280  preferably places the outgoing call to the called telephone station  232  at one minute intervals for the first thirty minutes after the information has been recorded. During the next one and one-half hours, the SN  280  preferably places the outgoing call to the called telephone station  232  once every five minutes. Thereafter, the SN  280  preferably places the outgoing call to the called telephone station once every fifteen minutes. The SN  280  can continue to place the calls indefinitely, or the SN  280  can stop placing the calls after a predetermined amount of time has passed. Other variations in the timing of the calls from the SN  280  are possible. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the SCP  270  can monitor status of the called telephone station  232  to determine when the first call is over. The SCP  270  can monitor the status of the called telephone station&#39;s line and can determine when a change in the status of the line occurs. Such a change in status signifies that the called party has finished the first call and has hung up the telephone. When the first call is over, the SN  280  can place the outgoing call to the called telephone station  232 . 
     In a further alternative embodiment, in addition to transmitting the recorded information to the called telephone station  232  (act  350 ,  FIG. 3 ), the SN  280  can transmit an announcement that provides the called party with options for processing or responding to the recorded information. The announcement preferably comprises audible instructions that are transmitted by the SN  280  to the called telephone station  232 . For example, the announcement can indicate that the called party can delete the recorded information, save the recorded information, or call back the party that recorded the information. The called party can respond to such an announcement by transmitting DTMF tones or by speaking instructions that can be received by the SN  280 . In this embodiment, the recorded information is preferably transmitted three times in succession if no response is received from the called party so that an answering machine or a voice mail can record information. 
     In a further alternative embodiment, the second calling party can enter a password or similar command to override the system and immediately identify the existence of the second call without having to record information. This can enable the second calling party to, among other things, speak with the called party at the called telephone station  232 . The second calling party can place a call to the called telephone station  232 . If called party is engaged in a first telephone call, the second calling party will be instructed to record information as described herein. Rather than providing the information, the second calling party can transmit a password or other suitable command to override the present system and enable the second call to ring through to the called party as normally occurs with call waiting. The password can be entered through the use of DTMF tones, voice, or any other suitable manner. The SN  280  can receive the password and compare it to data stored within SN  280 . The stored data can comprise passwords or other identification data and can be stored in a reference table. If the received password matches the stored password, the SN  280  can enable the second call to ring through to the called telephone station  232  or can allow the call to be immediately connected to called telephone station  232 . 
     In a further alternative embodiment, a distinctive ring can be used when transmitting the recorded information to the called telephone station  232  (act  350 ,  FIG. 3 ). The distinctive ring can be used to distinguish a call that is providing the recorded information from a normal call from a calling party. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an alternative embodiment of the system of  FIG. 2  is depicted. In this embodiment, the system comprises a publicly switched telephone network (PSTN)  410 , a called party&#39;s switch  430 , a called telephone station  432 , a first calling telephone station  440 , a second calling telephone station  450 , a service control point (SCP)  470 , and a service node (SN)  480 , all as described above in reference to  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment, the called party&#39;s switch  430  is coupled with the SCP  470  and the SN  480 . The called party&#39;s switch is preferably coupled with the SCP  470  and the SN  480  through a signaling protocol such as SS7 but can also be coupled through a primary rate interface (PRI) or other protocols such as internet protocols. 
     When a called party at the called telephone station  432  is engaged in a first telephone call with a first calling party at the first calling telephone station  440 , and a second calling party at the second calling telephone station  450  places a second call to the called telephone station  432 , the second call is routed through the PSTN  410  to the called party&#39;s switch  430 . When the called party&#39;s switch  430  receives the second call, it can determine that the called telephone station is engaged in a first call and a query can be transmitted to the SCP  470 . The SCP  470  receives and analyzes the query as described above to determine whether the call originated from the SN  480 . If the call did not originate from the SN  480 , the SN can transmit an announcement to the second calling telephone station  440  requesting information. The SN  480  can then record information transmitted from the second calling telephone station  440 . The SN  480  can then transmit the recorded information to the called telephone station  432  when the first call is over, as described above. 
     In a further alternative embodiment, the call from the SN  280 ,  480  to the called telephone station  232 ,  432  (act  352 ,  FIG. 6 ) can also be used to notify the called party that a traditional voice mail message was left for them by a second calling party while they were engaged in a first call. After the called party answers the call from the SN  280 ,  480 , an announcement can be transmitted to the called party indicating that a number of messages were received while they were engaged in the first call. This allows the called party to be notified that a voice mail message has been left for them without requiring the called party to access the voice mail system as is normally required. 
     In a further alternative embodiment, after it is determined that the first call is over (acts  352 - 356 ,  FIG. 6 ), the SN  280 ,  480  can place an outgoing call to the second calling telephone station  250 ,  450  to notify the second calling party that the first call is over and the called party is now available. This enables the second calling party to reach the called party without having to repeatedly place calls to the called party. 
     The present embodiments provide an efficient and effective method and system for providing information about other calls placed to a called party while they are busy on a first call. The present embodiments record information provided by a second calling party and provide the recorded information to the called party after the first call is over. Because the recorded information is automatically provided to the called party only after the first call is over, and because a traditional call waiting indicator is not used, the called party is not interrupted during the first call. 
     It is to be understood that a wide range of changes and modifications to the embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are contemplated. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the spirit and scope of the invention.