Globally unique identification of groups of users in a communications system

• US 20050159144A1
• Filed: 11/25/2002
• Published: 07/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Hager, Hanz
• Application Number:
  US10/508,200
• Publication Number:
  US 20050159144A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/416
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2044 Group features, e.g. closed user group
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5322 for recording text messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53375 Message broadcasting
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/40 for selective distribution or broadcast

Abstract

In a communications system, globally unique identification of groups of users is achieved without the need for allocating a unique identifier for each group in the global number plan. Communication is initiated from a first user in the network to a first group of users in the network by transmitting a first user-specific group identifier for a first predefined group to the network; determining, in the network, the unique identifier of the first group based on the first user-specific identifier and the unique user identifier; initiating communication with at least one member of the first group. A memory means associates the unique group identifier, the user-specific group identifier and the user identity for each user with each other in such a way that the unique group identity can be determined on the basis of the user identity and the user-specific group identifier.

Claims

1. A method of initiating communication in a communications network from a first user in the network to a first group of users in the network, said first user being identified by a unique user identifier and each group being associated with a unique identifier and a user-specific identifier for each user associated with the group, said method comprising the following steps:

initiating, by a first user, communication with a first predefined group of users by transmitting a first user-specific group identifier for the first predefined group to the network;

determining, in the network, the unique identifier of the first group based on the first user-specific identifier and the unique user identifier, initiating communication with at least one member of the first group.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the communication with the first predefined group of users is initiated by the first user sending a message intended for the first predefined group of users, said message being addressed to the first user-specific group identifier.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said message prompts the recipient to connect to a conference call.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the communication with the first predefined group of users is initiated by the first user making a call to the first user-specific group identifier.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the call to the first user-specific group identifier is branched in the network to a conference call involving at least three users associated with the group.

7. A group management unit for achieving group communication in a communications network in which at least one group of users has been defined, said node comprising or being connectable to a memory means according to claim 2, said node comprising

receiving means for receiving a communication request for communication with a first predefined group of users, said request comprising a user-specific group identifier for the first group from a sending user,

identity means for determining the user identity of the sending user

group identification means for determining the unique group identification based on the user-specific group identifier and the user identity

transmitting means for initiating communication with at least one member of said group.

8. A group management unit according to claim 7, wherein the receiving means is arranged to receive a message addressed to the user-specific group identifier and the transmitting means is arranged to transmit said message to at least one member of the first group.

9. A group management unit according to claim 8, wherein the transmitting means is arranged to return the message to the mobile exchange for forwarding to the at least one member of said group.

10. A group management unit according to claim 7, wherein the receiving means is arranged to receive call set-up request to the user-specific group identifier and the transmitting means is arranged to arrange a call to at least one member of the first group.

11. A group management unit according to claim 7, wherein the receiving means is arranged to receive call set-up request to the user-specific group identifier and the transmitting means is arranged to prompt at least one member of the first group to participate in the group communication.

6. A memory means for use in a communications network in which at least one group of users has been defined, said memory means comprising

a unique group identifier for the group

a user-specific group identifier for each user belonging to the group

a user identity for each user,

said unique group identifier, said user-specific group identifier and said user identity being associated in such a way that the unique group identity can be determined on the basis of the user identity and the user-specific group identifier.

12. A system for initiating communication in a communications network from a first user in the network to a first group of users in the network, said first user being identified by a unique user identifier and each group being associated with a unique identifier and a user-specific identifier for each user associated with the group, comprising:

means for initiating, by a first user, communication with a first predefined group of users by transmitting a first user-specific group identifier for the first predefined group to the network;

means for determining, in the network, the unique identifier of the first group based on the first user-specific identifier and the unique user identifier,

means for initiating communication with at least one member of the first group.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the communication with the first predefined group of users is initiated by the first user sending a message intended for the first predefined group of users, said message being addressed to the first user-specific group identifier.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein said message prompts the recipient to connect to a conference call.

15. A method according to claim 12, wherein the communication with the first predefined group of users is initiated by the first user making a call to the first user-specific group identifier.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the call to the first user-specific group identifier is branched in the network to a conference call involving at least three users associated with the group.