Method and apparatus for anonymous call redirection in a wireless network

• US 20050113096A1
• Filed: 11/25/2003
• Published: 05/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Hua, Shiyan, Zaki, Ahmed N., Gayde, Ruth Schaefer, Gobba, Wafaa
• Granted Patent: US 7,346,343 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/445
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/12 intelligent networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42042 Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold

Abstract

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for anonymous call redirection in a wireless network. More particularly, the invention is directed to providing an anonymous call redirection service for wireless service subscribers by implementing service logic within the wireless network to intercept incoming calls for which no calling name or number is available and redirect the calls to an intelligent peripheral device for further processing. In one embodiment, anonymous calls are directed to an intelligent peripheral such as a network-based recording device, which records the caller'"'"'s name and then repeats or plays this name to the called party, before the call is connected to allow the called party to accept or reject the call.

Claims

1. A method for anonymous call redirection in a wireless network, the method comprising:

receiving a call from a first device of a first party to a second device of a second party, the second device being a wireless device;

attempting to deliver the call to the second device;

determining if the call is an anonymous call;

forwarding a call to an intelligent peripheral if the call is an anonymous call;

requesting identification information from the first party;

receiving the identification information;

attempting to deliver the call to the second device;

notifying the second device of the call;

requesting connection information from the second party and whether the second device will receive the call;

receiving the connection information; and

,

selectively connecting the call based on the connection information.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein determining if the call is an anonymous call comprises analyzing a location request message.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein determining if the call is an anonymous call comprises analyzing a send routing information request message.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein determining if the call is an anonymous call comprises accessing a database module.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein determining if the call is an anonymous call is based on whether calling party information is provided by the first party.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein determining if the call is an anonymous call is based on a presentation indicator.

7. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein attempting to deliver the call comprises sending a location request.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein a location request does not identify the first party or has a presentation indicator of the first party marked as restricted.

9. The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein the location request identifies the calling party as a network element.

10. The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the network element is an intelligent peripheral.

11. The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein the location request takes the form of a send routing information message.

12. A system for anonymous call redirection in a wireless network, the system comprising:

means for receiving a call from a first device of a first party to a second device of a second party, the second device being a wireless device;

means for attempting to deliver the call to the second device;

means for determining if the call is an anonymous call;

means for forwarding a call to an intelligent peripheral if the call is an anonymous call;

means for requesting identification information from the first party;

means for receiving the identification information;

means for attempting to deliver the call to the second device;

means for notifying the second device of the call;

means for requesting connection information from the second party and whether the second device will receive the call;

means for receiving the connection information; and

,

means for selectively connecting the call based on the connection information.

13. The system as set forth in claim 12 wherein the means for determining if the call is an anonymous call comprises means for analyzing a location request message.

14. The system as set forth in claim 12 wherein the means for determining if the call is an anonymous call comprises means for analyzing a send routing information request message.

15. The system method as set forth in claim 12 wherein the means for determining if the call is an anonymous call comprises means for accessing a database module.

16. The system as set forth in claim 12 wherein the means for determining determines based on whether calling party information is provided by the first party.

17. The system as set forth in claim 12 wherein the means for determining determines based on a presentation indicator.

18. The system as set forth in claim 12 wherein the means for attempting to deliver the call comprises means for sending a location request.

19. The system as set forth in claim 18 wherein a location request does not identify the fist party or includes a presentation indicator of the first party marked as restricted.

20. The system as set forth in claim 18 wherein the location request identifies the calling party as a network element.

21. The system as set forth in claim 20 wherein the network element is an intelligent peripheral.

22. The system as set forth in claim 18 wherein the location request takes the form of a send routing information message.