Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing voicemail routing information in a network that provides customized voicemail services

• US 20080205603A1
• Filed: 08/10/2007
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tekelec Global, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Tekelec
• Inventors: Bantukul, Apirux, Marsico, Peter J., Allison, Rick L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,730,970 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/88.12
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42136 Administration or customisation of services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53325 Interconnection arrangements between voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements

Abstract

Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing voicemail routing information in a network that provides customized voicemail services are disclosed. According to one method, a voicemail routing query is received at an advanced voicemail routing node, where the query includes at least one parameter associated with a voicemail transaction. Based on at least one query parameter, voicemail routing information may be determined that identifies a voicemail server and a voicemail service from among a plurality of voicemail servers, where at least some of the voicemail servers provide different services. A voicemail routing query response may then be generated including the determined voicemail routing information.

Claims

1. A method for providing voicemail routing information, the method comprising:

receiving a voicemail routing query message including at least one query message parameter associated with a voicemail transaction;

determining voicemail routing information based on the at least one query message parameter, wherein the voicemail routing information identifies a voicemail server; and

generating a voicemail routing response message including the determined voicemail routing information.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving a voicemail routing query message includes receiving a voicemail routing query message generated by a mobile switching center (MSC).

3. The method of claim 1 wherein determining voicemail routing information based on the at least one query message parameter includes determining a voicemail routing number based on at least one query message parameter selected from the group consisting of a message transfer part (MTP) originating point code (OPC), MTP destination point code (DPC), signaling connection and control part (SCCP) calling party (CgPA), SCCP called party (CdPA), called party number (CdPN), calling party number (CgPN), mobile subscriber integrated services digital network (ISDN) number (MSISDN), called party directory number (DN), redirect indicator (RDI), original called number (OCN), redirecting dialed number (RDN), and a bearer capabilities indicator.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein determining voicemail routing information includes determining a voicemail routing number based on a subscriber identifier and a call condition, wherein the call condition indicates whether a voicemail call is associated with a voicemail deposit or a voicemail retrieval transaction.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving a voicemail routing query message includes receiving one of an intelligent network application part (INAP) initial detection point (IDP) query message and a customized applications for mobile networks enhanced logic (CAMEL) application part (CAP) query message.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein determining voicemail routing information includes determining a voicemail server and a voicemail service from among a plurality of voicemail servers where at least some of the voicemail servers provide different services.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein determining voicemail routing information includes performing a lookup in a database including voicemail routing information and being indexed by voicemail query parameters.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein performing a lookup in a database includes performing a lookup in a database including at least one range-based entry for associating a range of subscriber identifiers with a voicemail server and at least one exception-based entry for associating an individual subscriber identifier with a voicemail server.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein determining voicemail routing information based on at least one query message parameter includes determining a voicemail server center (VMSC) identifier (ID), where the VMSC ID identifies a VMSC, determining a voicemail (VM) index identifying a voicemail service, and based on the VMSC ID and the VM index, determining a voicemail routing number.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein generating a voicemail routing response message includes generating at least one of an intelligent network application part (INAP) response message and a customized applications for mobile networks enhanced logic (CAMEL) application part (CAP) response message.

11. A method for providing voicemail routing information, the method comprising:

receiving a voicemail routing query message including at least one parameter associated with a session initiation protocol (SIP) transaction;

determining voicemail routing information based on the at least one query message parameter, wherein the voicemail routing information identifies a voicemail server; and

generating a voicemail routing response message including the determined voicemail routing information.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein receiving a voicemail routing query message includes receiving a message containing at least one of a called party identifier, a media type, and a cause code.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein receiving a voicemail routing query message includes reading a message containing one of an audio media type, a video media type, and a text media type.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein receiving a voicemail routing query message includes reading a message at least one of a busy 486 cause code, an unknown/not available 404 cause code, a no reply 408 cause code, a unconditional 302 cause code, a deflection during alerting 487 cause code, a deflection immediate response 480 cause code, and a mobile subscriber not reachable 503 cause code.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein determining voicemail routing information includes determining a transaction type that includes one of a default transaction, a deposit transaction, and a retrieval transaction and a media transaction type that includes one of a video voicemail transaction, an audio voicemail transaction, and a text voicemail transaction.

16. A method for routing a session initiation protocol (SIP) signaling message to a voicemail server, the method comprising:

receiving a SIP signaling message that includes at least one parameter associated with a SIP transaction;

determining voicemail routing information based on the at least one SIP signaling message parameter, wherein the voicemail routing information identifies a voicemail server; and

forwarding the SIP signaling message to the identified voicemail server.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein receiving a SIP signaling message includes receiving a SIP Invite message.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein receiving a SIP signaling message includes receiving a SIP signaling message containing at least one of a called party identifier, a media type, and a cause code.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein receiving a SIP signaling message includes receiving a SIP signaling message containing one of an audio media type, a video media type, and a text media type.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein receiving a SIP signaling message includes receiving a SIP signaling message including one of a busy 486 cause code, an unknown/not available 404 cause code, a no reply 408 cause code, a unconditional 302 cause code, a deflection during alerting 487 cause code, a deflection immediate response 480 cause code, and a mobile subscriber not reachable 503 cause code.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein determining voicemail routing information includes determining a transaction type that includes one of a default transaction, a deposit transaction, and a retrieval transaction and a media transaction type that includes one of a video voicemail transaction, an audio voicemail transaction, and a text voicemail transaction.

22. The method of claim 16 wherein forwarding the SIP signaling message includes modifying the SIP signaling message to include the voicemail routing information and forwarding the SIP signaling message to the voicemail server.

23. A method for triggerlessly providing voicemail routing information, the method comprising:

receiving a first integrated services digital network user part (ISUP) signaling message that includes at least one parameter associated with an advanced voicemail service;

determining voicemail routing information based on the at least one ISUP signaling message parameter, wherein the voicemail routing information identifies a voicemail server;

terminating the first received ISUP signaling message;

generating and transmitting an ISUP response message that includes the determined voicemail routing information;

receiving a second ISUP signaling message that includes the determined voicemail routing information; and

forwarding the second ISUP signaling message to the identified voicemail server.

24. A method for triggerlessly providing voicemail routing information, the method comprising:

intercepting an integrated services digital network user part (ISUP) signaling message that includes at least one parameter associated with an advanced voicemail transaction;

determining voicemail routing information based on the at least one ISUP signaling message parameter, wherein the voicemail routing information identifies a voicemail server;

modifying the ISUP signaling message to include the determined voicemail routing information; and

forwarding the modified ISUP signaling message to the identified voicemail server.

25. An advanced voicemail routing node for providing voicemail routing information, the node comprising:

a communications module configured to receive a voicemail routing query message including at least one query message parameter associated with a voicemail transaction; and

a voicemail routing module configured to determine voicemail routing information based on the at least one query message parameter, wherein the voicemail routing information identifies a voicemail server, and to generate a voicemail routing response message including the determined voicemail routing information.

26. The advanced voicemail routing node of claim 25 wherein the communications module is configured to receive the voicemail routing query message from a mobile switching center (MSC).

27. The advanced voicemail routing node of claim 25 wherein the voicemail routing query message contains at least one query parameter selected from the group consisting of a message transfer part (MTP) originating point code (OPC), MTP destination point code (DPC), signaling connection and control part (SCCP) calling party (CgPA), SCCP called party (CdPA), called party number (CdPN), calling party number (CgPN), mobile subscriber integrated services digital network (ISDN) number (MSISDN), directory number (DN), redirect indicator (RDI), original called number (OCN), redirecting dialed number (RDN), and a bearer capabilities indicator.

28. The advanced voicemail routing node of claim 25 wherein the voicemail routing module is configured to determine a voicemail routing number based on a subscriber identifier and a call condition, wherein the call condition indicates whether a voicemail call is associated with a voicemail deposit or a voicemail retrieval transaction.

29. The advanced voicemail routing node of claim 25 wherein the communication module is configured to receive at least one of an intelligent network application part (INAP) initial detection point (IDP) voicemail routing query message and a customized applications for mobile networks enhanced logic (CAMEL) application part (CAP) voicemail routing query message.

30. The advanced voicemail routing node of claim 25 wherein the voicemail routing module is configured to determine a voicemail server and a voicemail service from among a plurality of voicemail servers, wherein at least some of the voicemail servers provide different services.

31. The advanced voicemail routing node of claim 25 comprising a database including voicemail routing information and being indexed by voicemail query parameters.

32. The advanced voicemail routing node of claim 31 wherein the database includes at least one range-based entry for associating a range of subscriber identifiers with a voicemail server and at least one exception-based entry for associating an individual subscriber identifier with a voicemail server.

33. The advanced voicemail routing node of claim 25 wherein the voicemail routing module is configured to determine a voicemail server center (VMSC) identifier (ID), where the VMSC ID identifies a VMSC, and to determine a voicemail (VM) index identifying a voicemail service, and to determine a voicemail routing number based on the VMSC ID and VM index.

34. The advanced voicemail routing node of claim 25 wherein the voice mail routing information module is configured to generate at least one of an intelligent network application part (INAP) voicemail routing response message and a customized applications for mobile networks enhanced logic (CAMEL) application part (CAP) voicemail routing response message.

35. An advanced voicemail routing node for providing voicemail routing information, the node comprising:

a communications module configured to receive a voicemail routing query message associated with a session initiation protocol (SIP) transaction; and

a voicemail routing module configured to determine voicemail routing information based on the at least one query message parameter, wherein the voicemail routing information identifies a voicemail server, and to generate a voicemail routing response message including the determined voicemail routing information.

36. The advanced voicemail routing node of claim 35 wherein the communications module is configured to receive a voicemail routing query message containing at least one of a called party identifier, a media type, and a cause code.

37. The advanced voicemail routing node of claim 36 wherein the communications module is configured to receive a voicemail routing query message containing one of an audio media type, a video media type, and a text media type.

38. The advanced voicemail routing node of claim 36 wherein the communications module is configured to receive a voicemail routing query message containing one of a busy 486 cause code, an unknown/not available 404 cause code, a no reply 408 cause code, a unconditional 302 cause code, a deflection during alerting 487 cause code, a deflection immediate response 480 cause code, and a mobile subscriber not reachable 503 cause code.

39. The advanced voicemail routing node of claim 35 wherein the voicemail routing module is configured to determine a transaction type that includes one of a default transaction, a deposit transaction, and a retrieval transaction and to determine a media transaction type that includes at least one of a video voicemail transaction, an audio voicemail transaction, and a text voicemail transaction.

40. An advanced voicemail routing node for routing a session initiation protocol (SIP) signaling message to a voicemail server, the node comprising:

a communications module configured to receive a SIP signaling message that includes at least one parameter associated with a SIP transaction; and

a voicemail routing module configured to determine voicemail routing information based on the at least one SIP signaling message parameter, wherein the voicemail routing information identifies a voicemail server, and to forward the SIP signaling message to the identified voicemail server.

41. The advanced voicemail routing node of claim 40 wherein the communications module is configured to receive a SIP Invite message.

42. The advanced voicemail routing node of claim 40 wherein the communications module is configured to receive a SIP signaling message containing at least one of a called party identifier, a media type, and a cause code.

43. The advanced voicemail routing node of claim 41 wherein the communications module is configured to receive a SIP signaling message containing one of an audio media type, a video media type, and a text media type.

44. The advanced voicemail routing node of claim 41 wherein the communications module is configured to receive a SIP signaling message including one of a busy 486 cause code, an unknown/not available 404 cause code, a no reply 408 cause code, a unconditional 302 cause code, a deflection during alerting 487 cause code, a deflection immediate response 480 cause code, and a mobile subscriber not reachable 503 cause code.

45. The advanced voicemail routing node of claim 40 wherein the voicemail routing module is configured to determine a transaction type that includes one of a default transaction, a deposit transaction, and a retrieval transaction and a media transaction type that includes one of a video voicemail transaction, an audio voicemail transaction, and a text voicemail transaction.

46. The advanced voicemail routing node of claim 40 wherein the voicemail routing module is configured to modify the SIP signaling message to include the voicemail routing information and to forward the SIP signaling message to the voicemail server.

47. An advanced voicemail routing node for triggerlessly providing voicemail routing information, the node comprising:

a communications module configured to receive a first integrated services digital network user part (ISUP) signaling message that includes at least one parameter associated with an advanced voicemail service, to terminate the first received ISUP signaling message, and to receive a second ISUP signaling message that includes determined voicemail routing information; and

a voicemail routing module configured to determine voicemail routing information based on the at least one ISUP signaling message parameter, wherein the voicemail routing information identifies a voicemail server, to generate and transmit an ISUP response message that includes the determined voicemail routing information, and to forward the second ISUP signaling message to the identified voicemail server.

48. An advanced voicemail routing node for triggerlessly providing voicemail routing information, the node comprising:

a communications module configured to intercept an integrated services digital network user part (ISUP) signaling message that includes at least one parameter associated with an advanced voicemail transaction; and

a voicemail routing module configured to determine voicemail routing information based on the at least one ISUP signaling message parameter, wherein the voicemail routing information identifies a voicemail server, modify the ISUP signaling message to include the determined voicemail routing information, and forward the modified ISUP signaling message to the identified voicemail server.

49. A computer program product comprising computer executable instructions embodied in a computer readable medium for performing steps comprising:

receiving a voicemail routing query message including at least one query message parameter associated with a voicemail transaction;

determining voicemail routing information based on the at least one query message parameter, wherein the voicemail routing information identifies a voicemail server; and

generating a query response message including the determined voicemail routing information.

50. A computer program product comprising computer executable instructions embodied in a computer readable medium for performing steps comprising:

receiving a voicemail routing query message including at least one parameter associated with a session initiation protocol (SIP) transaction;

determining voicemail routing information based on the at least one query message parameter, wherein the voicemail routing information identifies a voicemail server; and

generating a voicemail routing response message including the determined voicemail routing information.

51. A computer program product comprising computer executable instructions embodied in a computer readable medium for performing steps comprising:

receiving a session initiation protocol (SIP) signaling message that includes at least one parameter associated with a SIP transaction;

determining voicemail routing information based on the at least one SIP signaling message parameter, wherein the voicemail routing information identifies a voicemail server; and

forwarding the SIP signaling message to the identified voicemail server.

52. A computer program product comprising computer executable instructions embodied in a computer readable medium for performing steps comprising:

receiving a first integrated services digital network user part (ISUP) signaling message that includes at least one parameter associated with an advanced voicemail service;

determining voicemail routing information based on the at least one ISUP signaling message parameter, wherein the voicemail routing information identifies a voicemail server;

terminating the first received ISUP signaling message;

generating and transmitting an ISUP response message that includes the determined voicemail routing information;

receiving a second ISUP signaling message that includes the determined voicemail routing information; and

forwarding the second ISUP signaling message to the identified voicemail server.

53. A computer program product comprising computer executable instructions embodied in a computer readable medium for performing steps comprising:

intercepting an integrated services digital network user part (ISUP) signaling message that includes at least one parameter associated with an advanced voicemail transaction;

determining voicemail routing information based on the at least one ISUP signaling message parameter, wherein the voicemail routing information identifies a voicemail server;

modifying the ISUP signaling message to include the determined voicemail routing information; and

forwarding the modified ISUP signaling message to the identified voicemail server.