Methods and Systems for Releasing a Voice Mail System from a Communication and Further Processing the Communication

• US 20100040208A1
• Filed: 10/30/2009
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Patel, Navneet, Adamczyk, Maria
• Granted Patent: US 7,945,038 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/88.170
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2022 Path replacement
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/12 intelligent networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/527 Centralised call answering arrangements not requiring operator intervention
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/58 Arrangements for transferring received calls from one subscriber to another; Arrangements affording interim conversations between either the calling or the called party and a third party substation line holding circuits H04M1/80

Abstract

Methods and systems relating to a communication in an Advanced Intelligent Network from a caller to a subscriber'"'"'s directory number where the communication has been terminated to a voice mail system (VMS) instead having been terminated to the subscriber'"'"'s directory number. The methods and systems transfer the communication from the VMS so the VMS is no longer involved in the communication. A message indicating a release of the communication by the VMS is generated. The message also indicates an action to be taken regarding the communication such as a transfer to a different number. The action and related information may be provided in a remote operations parameter of a GR-1129 message. In response, directions are provided to carry-out the action. As a result, the communication is released from the VMS, and is acted upon without further involvement of the VMS.

Claims

1. A method for transferring a communication from a voice mail system (VMS) so the VMS is no longer involved in the communication, the method comprising:

receiving a message indicating a release of the communication by the VMS, the message also indicating at least one action to be taken with respect to the communication;

directing that the action be taken with respect to the communication, whereby the communication, which had been terminated to the VMS, is released from the VMS and is acted upon without further involvement of the VMS with the communication; and

causing the communication to be transferred to a different directory number.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the message includes a directory number for the subscriber and the different directory number, wherein the action comprises a transfer of the communication, and wherein directing the action to be taken includes directing the communication be transferred to the directory number for the subscriber.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein causing the communication to be transferred to the different directory number includes providing instructions to cause the communication to be transferred to the different directory number, and wherein the instructions also include a request to generate a billing record with respect to the communication.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the message includes a remote operations parameter including information indicating the action to be taken with respect to the communication.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the message includes a GR-1129 message that includes the remote operations parameter.

6. A method for acting on a communication from a caller to a directory number of a subscriber that has been terminated to a voice mail system (VMS) serving the subscriber, so that the VMS is no longer involved with the communication, the method comprising:

transmitting a message indicating a release of the communication, the message indicating the action to be taken with respect to the communication;

receiving a query with respect to the communication; and

in response to the query, causing the communication to be transferred to a different directory number, where the communication, which had been terminated to the VMS, is released from the VMS and acted upon without further involvement of the VMS in the communication.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the action includes an event allowing for the release of the communication.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising, in order to receive the indication of action to be taken with respect to the communication, providing an option for exercise of the action to be taken with respect to the communication.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the action includes an action other than receipt of a voice mail message from the caller.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein receiving an indication of the action includes receiving the indication of the action from at least one of the following:

the caller and the communication.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the message includes the directory number of the subscriber and the different directory number and wherein the action includes a transfer of the communication.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein the message includes a remote operations parameter that includes information indicating the action to be taken with respect to the communication.

13. A system for transferring communication from a voice mail system (VMS) so the VMS is no longer involved in the communication, the method comprising:

a memory component configured to store logic that performs at least the following;

receiving a message indicating a release of the communication by the VMS, the message also indicating at least an action to be taken with respect to the communication;

directing that the action be taken with respect to the communication, where the communication, which had been terminated to the VMS, is released from the VMS and is acted upon without further involvement of the VMS with the communication;

receiving a query with respect to the communication; and

in response to the query, causing the communication to be transferred to a different directory number.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the message comprises a directory number for the subscriber and the different directory number.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the action comprises a transfer of the communication.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein directing the action to be taken includes directing the communication be transferred to the directory number for the subscriber.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the message includes a GR-1129 message that includes the remote operations parameter.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein causing the communication to be transferred to the different directory number includes providing instructions to cause the communication to be transferred to the different directory number and wherein the instructions also include a request to generate a billing record with respect to the communication.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the message includes a remote operations parameter including information indicating the action to be taken with respect to the communication.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the system includes a service control point (SCP).