Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6744868?dq=U.S.+patent+number+7,325,728
Timestamp: 2015-03-29 00:48:03
Document Index: 600060002

Matched Legal Cases: ['arty 508', 'arty 508', 'arty 508', 'arty 508', 'arty 508', 'arty 508']

Patent US6744868 - Call party profile presentation service in a multimedia-capable network - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA call party profile presentation system and method for use in a multimedia-capable network for delivering a party's presentation profile to a subscriber at call setup or during the call in order to uniquely identify the party. A multimedia session engine is operable to launch a call treatment application...http://www.google.com/patents/US6744868?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6744868 - Call party profile presentation service in a multimedia-capable networkAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS6744868 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 09/871,410Publication dateJun 1, 2004Filing dateMay 31, 2001Priority dateMay 31, 2001Fee statusPaidAlso published asCN1249955C, CN1390011A, DE60229587D1, EP1263244A2, EP1263244A3, EP1263244B1, US20020181683Publication number09871410, 871410, US 6744868 B2, US 6744868B2, US-B2-6744868, US6744868 B2, US6744868B2InventorsBabu V. ManiOriginal AssigneeAlcatelExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (22), Non-Patent Citations (10), Referenced by (18), Classifications (16), Legal Events (6) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetCall party profile presentation service in a multimedia-capable network
US 6744868 B2Abstract
A call party profile presentation system and method for use in a multimedia-capable network for delivering a party's presentation profile to a subscriber at call setup or during the call in order to uniquely identify the party. A multimedia session engine is operable to launch a call treatment application for the subscriber with respect to a call between a call party and the subscriber. Logic associated with the call treatment application determines an appropriate portion of the call party's presentation profile to be provided to the subscriber based on subscriber selection, call party presentation restrictions, or both. A multimedia interface operable with the subscriber's terminal is actuated for delivering an indicium associated with the selected portion of the call party's presentation profile to the subscriber.
What is claimed is: 1. A call party profile presentation method for use in a multimedia-capable network, comprising the steps:
with respect to a call between a call party and a subscriber, invoking a multimedia session engine to launch a call treatment application for said subscriber; determining by said call treatment application at least a portion of said call party's presentation profile to be provided to said subscriber; and actuating at least a portion of a multimedia interface operable with said subscriber's terminal for delivering an indicium associated with said at least a portion of said call party's presentation profile to said subscriber, wherein said indicium is operable to identify said call party. 2. The call party profile presentation method for use in a multimedia-capable network as set forth in claim 1, wherein said indicium is selected from the group consisting of a name, a photograph, a video clip, an audio clip, a graphic image, a nickname, an age group, and gender, each of which being associated with said call party.
3. The call party profile presentation method for use in a multimedia-capable network as set forth in claim 2, wherein said call party comprises one of a calling party and a called party.
4. The call party profile presentation method for use in a multimedia-capable network as set forth in claim 3, wherein said indicium is delivered to said subscriber during one of a call setup and a call session.
5. The call party profile presentation method for use in a multimedia-capable network as set forth in claim 4, further comprising the steps:
determining if said at least a portion of said call party's presentation profile is restricted; and if so, providing an indication to said subscriber that said indicium associated with said at least a portion of said call party's presentation profile is unavailable for delivery. 6. The call party profile presentation method for use in a multimedia-capable network as set forth in claim 4, further comprising the steps:
upon delivering said indicium associated with said at least a portion of said call party's presentation profile to said subscriber, effectuating a profile request by said call party to obtain at least a portion of said subscriber's presentation profile; and responsive to said effectuating step, actuating at least a portion of a multimedia interface operable with said call party's terminal for delivering an indicium associated with said at least a portion of said subscriber's presentation profile to said call party. 7. The call party profile presentation method for use in a multimedia-capable network as set forth in claim 6, wherein said indicium associated with said at least a portion of said subscriber's presentation profile is selected from the group consisting of a name, a photograph, a video clip, an audio clip, a graphic image, a nickname, an age group, and gender, each of which being identified with said subscriber.
8. A call party profile presentation system for use in a multimedia-capable network, comprising:
means for invoking a multimedia session engine to launch a call treatment application for a subscriber with respect to a call between a call party and said subscriber; database means operable to store presentation profiles for said call party and said subscriber; service logic means associated with said call treatment application for determining at least a portion of said call party's presentation profile to be provided to said subscriber by interacting with said database means; and means for actuating at least a portion of a multimedia interface operable with said subscriber's terminal for delivering an indicium associated with said at least a portion of said call party's presentation profile to said subscriber, wherein said indicium is operable to identify said call party. 9. The call party profile presentation system for use in a multimedia-capable network as set forth in claim 8, wherein said indicium is selected from the group consisting of a name, a photograph, a video clip, an audio clip, a graphic image, a nickname, an age group, and gender, each of which being associated with said call party.
10. The call party profile presentation system for use in a multimedia-capable network as set forth in claim 9, wherein said call party comprises one of a calling party and a called party.
11. The call party profile presentation system for use in a multimedia-capable network as set forth in claim 10, wherein said indicium is operable to be delivered to said subscriber during one of a call setup and a call session.
12. The call party profile presentation system for use in a multimedia-capable network as set forth in claim 11, further comprising:
means for determining if said at least a portion of said call party's presentation profile is restricted; and means for providing an indication to said subscriber that said indicium associated with said at least a portion of said call party's presentation profile is unavailable for delivery. 13. The call party profile presentation system for use in a multimedia-capable network as set forth in claim 11, further comprising:
means for effectuating a profile request by said call party to obtain at least a portion of said subscriber's presentation profile; and means for actuating at least a portion of a multimedia interface operable with said call party's terminal for delivering an indicium associated with said at least a portion of said subscriber's presentation profile to said call party. 14. The call party profile presentation system for use in a multimedia-capable network as set forth in claim 13, wherein said indicium associated with said at least a portion of said subscriber's presentation profile is selected from the group consisting of a name, a photograph, a video clip, an audio clip, a graphic image, a nickname, an age group, and gender, each of which being identified with said subscriber.
15. The call party profile presentation system for use in a multimedia-capable network as set forth in claim 11, wherein said presentation profiles are subscriber-maintainable.
16. A computer-accessible medium operable with a network element disposed in a multimedia-capable next-generation network, said computer-accessible medium carrying a sequence of instructions which, when executed by at least one processing entity associated with said multimedia-capable next-generation network, cause the following steps to be performed:
with respect to a call between a call party and a subscriber, invoking a multimedia session engine to launch a call treatment application for said subscriber; determining by said call treatment application at least a portion of said call party's presentation profile to be provided to said subscriber; and actuating at least a portion of a multimedia interface operable with said subscriber's terminal for delivering an indicium associated with said at least a portion of said call party's presentation profile to said subscriber, wherein said indicium is operable to identify said call party. 17. The computer-accessible medium operable with a network element disposed in a multimedia-capable next-generation network as set forth in claim 16, wherein said indicium is selected from the group consisting of a name, a photograph, a video clip, an audio clip, a graphic image, a nickname, an age group, and gender, each of which being associated with said call party.
18. The computer-accessible medium operable with a network element disposed in a multimedia-capable next-generation network as set forth in claim 17, wherein said call party comprises one of a calling party and a called party.
19. The computer-accessible medium operable with a network element disposed in a multimedia-capable next-generation network as set forth in claim 18, wherein said indicium is operable to be delivered to said subscriber during one of a call setup and a call session.
20. The computer-accessible medium operable with a network element disposed in a multimedia-capable next-generation network as set forth in claim 19 including an additional sequence of instructions for performing the following steps:
determining if said at least a portion of said call party's presentation profile is restricted; and if so, providing an indication to said subscriber that said indicium associated with said at least a portion of said call party's presentation profile is unavailable for delivery. 21. The computer-accessible medium operable with a network element disposed in a multimedia-capable next-generation network as set forth in claim 19 including an additional sequence of instructions for performing the following steps:
upon delivering said indicium associated with said at least a portion of said call party's presentation profile to said subscriber, effectuating a profile request by said call party to obtain at least a portion of said subscriber's presentation profile; and responsive to said effectuating step, actuating at least a portion of a multimedia interface operable with said call party's terminal for delivering an indicium associated with said at least a portion of said subscriber's presentation profile to said call party. 22. The computer-accessible medium operable with a network element disposed in a multimedia-capable next-generation network as set forth in claim 21, wherein said indicium associated with said at least a portion of said subscriber's presentation profile is selected from the group consisting of a name, a photograph, a video clip, an audio clip, a graphic image, a nickname, an age group, and gender, each of which being identified with said subscriber.
This application discloses subject matter related to the subject matter disclosed in the following commonly owned co-pending patent application(s): (i) �User Verification Service In A Multimedia-Capable Network,� filed May 31, 2001, Ser. No. 09/871510 in the name(s) of: Babu V. Mani; (ii) �Direct Connect Service In A Multimedia-Capable Network,� filed May 31, 2001, Ser. No. 09/871,514, in the name(s) of: Babu V. Mani; (iii) �Distinctive Call Notification Service In A Multimedia-Capable Network,� filed May 31, 2001, Ser. No. 09/871,079, in the name(s) of: Babu V. Mani; (iv) �Emergency Notification And Override Service In A Multimedia-Capable Network,� filed May 31, 2001, Ser. No. 09/871,515, in the name(s) of: Babu V. Mani; and (v) �Call Waiting Service In A Multimedia-Capable Network,� filed May 31, 2001, Ser. No. 09/871,042 in the name(s) of: Babu V. Mani, which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
The subject matter of the present patent application is also related to the subject matter disclosed in the following commonly owned co-pending patent application(s): (i) �Personalized Calling Party ID Display Service,� filed May 31, 2001, Ser. No. 09/871,289, in the name(s) of: Babu V. Mani.
The present invention generally relates to telecommunication and data communication services. More particularly, and not by way of any limitation, the present invention is directed to a call party profile presentation service in a multimedia-capable next-generation network.
Accordingly, the present invention advantageously provides an enhanced call party profile presentation service in a multimedia-capable network wherein the identity of a call party, i.e., either a called party or a calling party, can be presented to a subscriber via one or more multiple formats, including pictures, audio/video clips, graphic images, and the like. Preferably, the multimedia-capable network is provisioned as a next-generation network having a decoupled service architecture that is facilitated by the use of multimedia softswitch technology.
In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a system and method for delivering a party's presentation profile to a subscriber at call setup or during the call in order to uniquely identify the party. A multimedia session engine is operable to launch a call treatment application for the subscriber with respect to a call between a call party and the subscriber. Service logic associated with the call treatment application determines an appropriate portion of the call party's presentation profile to be provided to the subscriber based on subscriber selection, call party presentation profile restrictions, or both. Preferably, a database populated with the presentation profiles is provided that can be queried by the service logic. A multimedia interface operable with the subscriber's terminal is actuated for delivering an indicium, e.g., name, picture, audio or video clips, etc., associated with the selected portion of the call party's presentation profile to the subscriber. In additional exemplary embodiments, the indicia may also include the call party's nickname, age group, gender, languages spoken, hobbies, and the like, which can be selectively presented based on the context, e.g., shopping, leisure, research, insurance quotes, and so on.
Where the call party profile refers to the profile of a calling party, it can be a default profile maintained by the network, or one selected by the calling subscriber, or one selected by a party who is authorized to make a call. Similarly, where the call party profile refers to the profile of a called party, it can be a default profile maintained by the network, or one selected by the called subscriber, or one selected by a party authorized to answer the call.
In one exemplary embodiment, the call party profile presentation scheme of the present invention is operable to effectuate a profile request by the call party in order to obtain a portion of the subscriber's presentation profile. Responsive thereto, a multimedia interface operable with the call party's terminal is actuated for delivering the subscriber's profile to the call party.
In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a computer-accessible medium operable with at least a network element disposed in a multimedia-capable next-generation network. The computer-accessible medium is further operable to carry a sequence of instructions which, when executed by at least one processing entity associated with the network, cause to be performed at least a portion of the steps of the multimedia-capable call party profile presentation method set forth hereinabove.
FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary service network which employs a multimedia-based call party profile presentation system and method in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary multimedia interface with browser navigation for effectuating multimedia calls and call party profile presentation in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a party presentation profile;
FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the steps involved in an exemplary call party profile presentation method of the present invention; and
FIGS. 9A and 9B depict the steps involved in select exemplary call party profile presentation scenarios in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
In the drawings, like or similar elements are designated with identical reference numerals throughout the several views thereof, and the various elements depicted are not necessarily drawn to scale. Referring now to FIG. 1, depicted therein is an exemplary high-level architectural scheme 100 of a next-generation network that is capable of effectuating multimedia communications. In the context of the present patent application, the term �multimedia� broadly refers to visual information, aural information, and other information. Visual information is generally divided into two categories: (i) still pictures and graphics, and (ii) full-motion video or animation. Aural information includes both speech and non-speech categories. Other information categories can include text, computer data, etc. Multimedia communication involves, accordingly, integrated presentation of text, graphics, video, animation, sound, and the like, using different media and multiple information elements in a single application or session.
The exemplary architectural scheme 100 of the next-generation network is preferably effectuated by implementing what is known as softswitch technology. Essentially, the softswitch functionality is operable to separate the call control functions of a call (or, �session control� functions in the context of a multimedia communication session) from the media gateways (i.e., transport layer(s)) that carry it. Call control features can vary, but call routing, admission control, connection control (such as creating and tearing down sessions), and signaling interworking�such as from SS7 to Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)�are usually included. These functionalities may collectively be referred to as session control. The softswitch functionality can also include: (i) the ability to route a call based on customer database information, (ii) the ability to transfer control of the call to a node disposed in another network, and (iii) support of management functions such as provisioning, billing, etc.
Those skilled in the art should readily appreciate that several protocols and APIs are available for effectuating the architectural scheme 100 set forth hereinabove, which effectively decouples the session control layer from the underlying access/transport layer as well as the service application layer. For example, these protocols�which effectuate media control APIs, signaling APIs, and service APIs�include: SIP, H.323, Call Processing Language (CPL), Media Gateway Controller Protocol (MGCP), Internet Protocol Device Control (IPDC), H.248, MEGACO, Real-Time Protocol (RTP), Java� APIs for Integrated Networks (JAIN), Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP), Parlay, Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), Markup Languages such as Extensible Markup Language (XML), Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), and the like. Additionally, access to the existing IN/AIN service architecture is also available via suitable SS7 or IP-based interfaces.
FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary next-generation multimedia network 400 that is capable of providing a plurality of multimedia services in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. For purposes of the present invention, network 400 and its variants and exemplary implementations will be referred to as a �service network.� One or more legacy circuit-switched networks (CSNs) 402 such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) for wireline telephony and the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) for wireless telephony are coupled to one or more packet-switched networks (PSNs) 406 such as the IP-based Internet, ATM-based packet network, etc. Further, the PSN portion 406 may also encompass such other private IP-based networks as, e.g., corporate intranets, enterprise networks, home networks, and the like. Accordingly, in one embodiment, PSN 406 represents an inter-networking network of a combination of such IP networks. A plurality of Trunk Gateways (TGWs), e.g., TGW 404A and TGW 404B, are disposed between the CSN and PSN portions of the network 400 for effectuating the interfacing therebetween. An Access Gateway (AGW) node 408 is coupled to the PSN portion 406 for facilitating access to the network from a plurality of access devices (ADs) 410-1 through 410-N. One or more multimedia-capable SIP terminals 412 and multimedia-capable H.323 terminals 414 are operable to originate and terminate multimedia sessions in conjunction with various multimedia services supported by the network 400.
Referring now to FIG. 5, depicted therein is an exemplary service network arrangement 500 which employs a multimedia call party profile presentation system and method in a multimedia-capable next-generation network 502 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art upon reference hereto that in one embodiment, the network 502 may be comprised of a combination of various PSN and CSN portions and their hybrids, including local and inter-carrier network portions. A multimedia node or network element 504 is operable to serve a plurality of subscribers, e.g., subscriber 508A operating a multimedia IT device 506A for originating and/or terminating calls. Similarly, other call parties operating suitable ITs, e.g., call party 508B with IT 506B and call party 508C with IT 506C, are also operably coupled to the network 502.
A softswitch 510 having the multimedia call/session engine functionality as described hereinabove is disposed in the network 502 for call routing and application triggering. Although the softswitch 510 is illustrated as a separate node in this embodiment, it should be recognized that the softswitch functionality may also be provided as part of the serving multimedia node 504. A call treatment server 512 is provided as an application server node coupled to the network 502, wherein suitable multimedia service logic 513 is provided for querying a subscriber presentation profile database. Again, as alluded to hereinabove, it should be apparent that the functionality of the call treatment server node 512 may be distributed or embedded, depending upon the service architecture and application layering.
Continuing to refer to FIG. 5, the call treatment application system of the present invention includes a database environment 514 associated with the call treatment server node 512 via a suitable interface. Various calling party and called party ID/profile information, call notification information, multimedia call treatment criteria, other subscriber features, profiles, restrictions and policies, etc. are stored in the database environment 514. In a presently preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the database environment 514 is capable of being updated by the subscribers as well as the network operator.
Reference numeral 509A refers to a call to be set up or an established call connection in the network 502 between subscriber 508A being served by the multimedia network element 504 and another call party 508B, who may or may not be a subscriber. In similar fashion, reference numeral 509B refers to another call connection between subscriber 508A and at least another call party 508C. Reference numeral 509C refers to yet another call connection between subscriber 508A and a non-subscriber call party 508D. It should be appreciated that a call party may be a calling party (also referred to as a caller) or a called party (also referred to as a callee) with respect to the subscriber 508A. Also, as alluded to in the foregoing, the call parties (or, simply �parties�) may or may not be subscribers of the call party profile presentation service of the present invention. Further, some of the terminals operated by the parties, e.g., terminal 505 operated by the party 508D, may or may not be multimedia-compatible. Accordingly, numerous call scenarios may be had with respect to call party profile presentation, e.g., (i) both caller and callee are subscribers and operate multimedia-compatible terminals; (ii) caller is a subscriber, callee a non-subscriber, and both operate multimedia-compatible terminals; (iii) callee is a subscriber, caller a non-subscriber, and caller operates a non-multimedia-compatible terminal, and so on.
Moreover, in some exemplary embodiments, the parties may also have additional service features such as, for example, multiple call waiting (i.e., the capability to wait on multiple incoming calls) and distinctive call notification. Additional information regarding distinctive call notification and multiple call waiting is provided in the following co-pending U.S. patent applications which have been cross-referenced and incorporated by reference hereinabove: (i) �Distinctive Call Notification Service In A Multimedia-Capable Network,� filed May 31, 2001, Ser. No. 09/871,079 in the name(s) of: Babu V. Mani; and (ii) �Call Waiting Service In A Multimedia-Capable Network,� filed May 31, 2001 Ser. No. 09/871,042, in the name(s) of: Babu V. Mani.
FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary multimedia interface 600 with browser navigation capability that is operable with multimedia-capable terminals for effectuating multimedia calls and call party profile presentation in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. A display 602 is operable to present a graphic user interface (GUI) with a plurality of call-oriented icons which can be activated via drag-and-drop interaction under the control of a browser client 604 running on a multimedia terminal, e.g., IT 506A depicted in FIG. 5. At least a portion of the display 602 may be utilized for presenting video/photo indicia of the call party to the subscriber. A keyboard or keypad 606 and a cursor pointing device 608 (such as, e.g., a mouse or trackball, and their equivalents) are provided for facilitating the drag-and-drop interaction between the subscriber and the interface. Suitable audio input devices 610 and audio output devices 612 are associated with the interface 600 for effectuating live speech responses. A digital video camera 614 and a still camera 616 are also included for capturing live video and still photographs of the subscriber in order to provide live images as multimedia responses to a call party engaged in a session with the subscriber.
If call waiting (CW) notification features are available to the subscriber, a plurality of waiting callers may be presented on the display 602 as suitable �icons� (not shown in this FIG.). It should be recognized that these icons may comprise audio clip icons, image icons, animation graphics, flashing text messages, et cetera, associated with the waiting callers.
The exemplary multimedia interface 600 also includes a plurality of call party profile presentation icons to indicate the types of call party profiles selectable by the subscriber with respect to a call between a call party and the subscriber. Depending on which icon is activated, the subscriber selects the particular call party profile portion, which can comprise audio, video, text, etc. associated with the call party, to be presented or delivered to the subscriber. As can be appreciated, these audio, video, text files stored in the profile database uniquely identify the subscribing call party and may be referred to as call party profile indicia.
An Audio Live icon 619 is operable, when selected, to enable the subscriber to receive a live speech profile indicium associated with the call party. Similarly, Audio Stored icon 621 is available for selecting a multimedia call party profile that includes a stored audio clip to be transmitted to the subscriber. Video Live icon 623 and Video Stored 625 are operable to indicate the selection of live video and stored video profile indicia, respectively. Also, an exemplary Picture/Graphics icon 627 may be provided for selecting such call party indicia as animation images, still photographic images, live or stored, and the like. A TTS icon 628 is operable, when activated, to convert text messages to speech and vice versa. Further, a Call Diversion icon 629 is provided so as to enable the subscriber to divert an incoming call to a voice mail box, answering service, or a different terminal, etc.
Referring now to FIG. 7, depicted therein is an exemplary embodiment of a presentation profile 700 for use in the call party profile presentation service of the present invention. It should be apparent that the database environment 514 (shown in FIG. 5) is populated with subscriber profiles such as the presentation profile 700, wherein subscribers may function as callers or callees with respect to a particular call. A plurality of subscribers, reference numerals 702-1 through 702-N, are identified in the presentation profile database 700. Each subscriber's profile record is comprised of a plurality of portions specifying the types of profile indicia the subscriber can present to the other party either on request, upon call acceptance, or call presentation, during call setup or at any time during the call. In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, the following profile indicia are illustrated: name or ID 704, multimedia telephone number 706, stored picture/image 708, live picture/image 710, video 712, and audio 714. By setting appropriate flags and the like, a particular profile option may be activated for a subscriber, wherein the indicia associated therewith may be localized elsewhere in the database environment. Various scheduling options 716 may also be provided as part of the exemplary presentation profile 700 to specify time-dependent delivery of the indicia. For example, a subscriber may select particular days or times for delivering video profile indicia 712, for audio profile indicia 714, for stored picture indicia 708, et cetera. Also, various restriction options 718 may be provided as part of the profile records that would allow the subscribers to block the delivery of the various profile indicia based on time, place, selective call list, or other criteria.
Although not explicitly shown in FIG. 7, additional profile indicia may be included in other exemplary embodiments of the present invention. For example, a party's nickname, age group, gender, language capabilities, hobbies, etc. may be provided so as to customize profile presentation depending on the context, for instance, shopping, leisure, research, obtaining insurance/interest rate quotes, etc.
Those skilled in the art should realize upon reference hereto that the presentation profile 700 described herein is illustrative only. Accordingly, both the contents and specific implementation of a subscriber profile database may vary depending upon the objectives of a particular application. It should therefore be recognized that the scope of the present invention is not circumscribed by the specifics of a subscriber profile database in any manner.
As alluded to hereinabove, numerous call scenarios are possible within the context of delivery of a call party profile because of the various combinations resulting from the subscription status and service features of the callers, callees and the capabilities of their terminals. FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the steps involved in an exemplary high-level call party profile presentation scheme of the present invention. With respect to a call between a call party and a subscriber, a multimedia call session engine is invoked by a serving network element disposed in a service network structure (such as, e.g., service network arrangement 500 depicted in FIG. 5) to launch a call treatment application when the call party profile is to be presented to the subscriber (step 802). A determination is made thereafter to ascertain an appropriate portion of the call party's profile to be provided to the subscriber depending upon subscriber selection, applicable call party profile restrictions, et cetera (step 804). As pointed out in the foregoing discussion, presentation of the call party profile can take place at call setup or any time during the call upon subscriber or call party request. Further, the call party profile may be delivered as part of call presentation or call acceptance. A multimedia interface operable with the subscriber terminal is actuated accordingly to deliver one or more indicia (i.e., a picture, audio/video clips, and the like) associated with the selected call party presentation profile portions (step 806).
FIGS. 9A and 9B depict the steps involved in select exemplary call party profile presentation scenarios in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Upon receiving an incoming call with respect to a callee who is a subscriber of the multimedia-based party profile presentation service (MM-PPP service) (step 902), an appropriate call treatment application is launched by the multimedia session engine. If the calling party's terminal is not multimedia-capable (decision block 904), a default treatment may be available (step 906), wherein a non-multimedia profile (i.e., a generic �name� or telephone number analogous to the conventional caller ID service) may be presented to the callee. Also, in other implementations, a network-maintained default call party profile may be provided in the absence of a call party maintained profile. In addition, where the network maintains default profile, the subscriber may have the option to request such a profile for the party at the other end. This feature is particularly advantageous when the subscriber is suspicious of a presented call party profile. Another related option is to restrict the amount of information that the subscriber wishes to receive (even where there is more information is available), by way of (a) summary profile presentation (by default) and (b) expanded profile presentation (if available and upon explicit request).
Continuing to refer to FIG. 9A, another determination is made whether the calling party is a subscriber having a suitable call party presentation profile (decision block 908). If not, a predetermined default treatment may be provided with respect to the presentation of the caller profile (step 910). In an exemplary implementation, caller name and/or terminal number may be presented to the callee.
If there exist no applicable restrictions with respect to the calling party's presentation profile (decision block 912), appropriate profile indicia are presented to the callee per subscriber selection (step 916). On the other hand, if the selected presentation profile portions are restricted for whatever reason, a predetermined default treatment may be accorded with respect to the incoming call (step 914). For example, an indication may be provided to the subscriber that the call profile option selected is unavailable for delivery. Thereafter, the subscriber may choose a different format for profile delivery or not accept the call. If the call has already been established, the subscriber may select to terminate the call if the requested call party profile is unavailable.
Referring now to FIG. 9B in particular, upon presentation of the calling party's profile to the subscriber (step 916), the calling party can request the subscriber's profile in suitable media (decision block 918). If there is no such request made, a default treatment (i.e., continuing with the established call) may take place (step 920). If the called party has applicable profile presentation restrictions (decision block 922), a default treatment option including, e.g., terminating the call by the calling party, may be effectuated (step 924). Otherwise, indicia relating to the called party's presentation profile are delivered to the calling party as per calling party's selection (step 926).
Based upon the foregoing Detailed Description, it should be readily apparent that the present invention advantageously provides an enhanced call party profile/ID presentation service using multimedia within the context of a next-generation network. By architecting the service as part of a decoupled application layer with open protocols and APIs, not only can service interoperability with different network elements and platforms be ensured, but service rollout can be streamlined for faster delivery. Furthermore, the call party profile presentation service of the present invention provides several advancements and improvements over the conventional caller ID schemes. For example, numerous enhanced service features may be implemented to increase subscriber control over the profile options, restrictions, et cetera, by providing programmable calling party and called party presentation profiles, wherein different indicia can be adapted to the selected call media. In a business context, as soon as a call is established, the customer profile can be made available to the business operator, thereby eliminating the need to query the customer's name, address, and the like. Also, the likelihood of having to deal with potential nuisance calls is significantly reduced in the practice of the present invention. Further, because the subscriber can select different profile delivery options coupled with scheduling options (such as time of day, specific calling lists, etc.), profiles may be customized for different applications, e.g., friends, family members, business acquaintances, call party locations, et cetera. Also, additional context-based customization is possible by including such �demographic� data as names, nicknames, age groups, hobbies, gender, language capabilities, etc. in the presentation profiles.
Moreover, the service architecture allows both calling parties as well as called parties to be subscribers. A calling party is a subscriber in order to receive a called party profile. Similarly, a called party is operable as a subscriber to receive the calling party profile. It is therefore advantageous to the network operators to allow both calling and called parties to maintain their profiles so that revenues flow from subscription at both ends when one party obtains the profile from the other.
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