METHOD, SYSTEM, NETWORK AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIA FOR CONTROLLING OUTGOING TELEPHONY CALLS

• US 20110158129A1
• Filed: 12/31/2009
• Published: 06/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BCE Incorporated
• Original Assignee: BCE Incorporated
• Inventors: ARSENAULT, Jonathan Allan, LIU, Gao Feng, WOLF, Eric John, CLARK, David William
• Granted Patent: US 9,565,217 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/259
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1464 using a card, such as credit card, prepay card or SIM
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/103 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/104 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1076 Screening of IP real time communications, e.g. spam over Internet telephony [SPIT]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/56 for VoIP communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/63 based on the content carried by the session initiation protocol [SIP] messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/88 Provision for limiting connection, or expenditure

Abstract

The present invention discloses numerous implementations for IP-based call processing systems that can selectively control an outgoing call initiated by a source device to a destination device. The call processing system communicates with a Service Switching Point (SSP) associated with the source device and determines whether to effect control of the outgoing call. It could determine to effect control of the outgoing call for many reasons including to convey a media message to the source device, to implement a call feature or to manage call restrictions. Upon determining to effect control of the outgoing call, the call processing system causes the SSP to initiate a media connection between the source device and the call processing system. The call processing system can then utilize the media connection with the source device to perform functionality for the outgoing call prior to and/or during the outgoing call.

Claims

1. A method, implemented by a call processing system within an Internet Protocol (IP) network, for controlling an outgoing call initiated by a source device to a destination device, the method comprising:

receiving a call request message from a Service Switching Point (SSP) via the IP network, the call request message comprising source and destination identifiers associated with the source and destination devices respectively;

determining whether to effect control of the outgoing call based upon at least one of the source and destination identifiers; and

causing transmission of a routing message to the SSP via the IP network upon determining to effect control of the outgoing call, the routing message to cause a media connection to be established between the source device and the call processing system.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein receiving the call request message via the IP network comprises receiving a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message that has been converted from a Signaling System 7 (SS7) message by a signaling converter that previously received the SS7 message from the SSP.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the SS7 message comprises a Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) message initiated by an Off Hook Delay trigger on the SSP.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein causing transmission of the routing message to the SSP via the IP network comprises causing transmission of a SIP message to a signaling converter that is operative to convert the SIP message to an SS7 message and transmit the SS7 message to the SSP.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the SS7 message comprises a Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) call route message directing the outgoing call to the call processing system.

6. A method according to claim 1 further comprising causing transmission of a reject message to the SSP via the IP network upon determining not to effect control of the outgoing call, the reject message to cause the SSP to cause establishment of a media connection between the source and destination devices.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein causing transmission of the reject message to the SSP via the IP network comprises causing transmission of a SIP message to a signaling converter that is operative to convert the SIP message to an SS7 message and transmit the SS7 message to the SSP.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the SIP message comprises one of a service unavailable message, an error message, an unauthorized call message and a service not implemented message.

9. A method according to claim 7, wherein the SS7 message comprises a TCAP continue message.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the determining whether to effect control of the outgoing call comprises determining whether the outgoing call is a restricted call for the source device based upon at least the destination identifier;

and wherein, upon determining that the outgoing call is a restricted call, a determination to effect control of the outgoing call is made.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the determining whether to effect control of the outgoing call comprises determining whether the outgoing call is a restricted call for the source device based upon at least the destination identifier and determining whether an authorization is required upon determining that the outgoing call is a restricted call;

and wherein, upon determining that an authorization is required, a determination to effect control of the outgoing call is made.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the determining whether to effect control of the outgoing call comprises determining whether the outgoing call is a restricted call based upon at least the destination identifier and determining whether a call limitation is required upon determining that the outgoing call is a restricted call;

and wherein, upon determining that a call limitation is required, a determination to effect control of the outgoing call is made.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the call limitation comprises one of a call length limitation, an account credit limitation, a temporal limitation and a destination identifier limitation.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein the determining whether to effect control of the outgoing call comprises determining whether the source identifier is associated with a call feature.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein, upon determining that the source identifier is associated with the call feature, a determination to effect control of the outgoing call is made.

16. A method according to claim 14, wherein the call feature comprises a call feature to convey an audio element to the source device prior to establishment of a media connection with the destination device;

and wherein, upon determining that the source identifier is associated with the call feature to convey an audio element to the source device, a determination to effect control of the outgoing call is made.

17. A method according to claim 14, wherein the call feature comprises a call feature to convey a media element to the source device prior to establishment of a media connection with the destination device;

and wherein, upon determining that the source identifier is associated with the call feature to convey a media element to the source device, a determination to effect control of the outgoing call is made.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the media element comprises one of a video element, an image element and a text element.

19. A method according to claim 14, wherein the call feature comprises a call restriction feature;

and wherein, upon determining that the source identifier is associated with the call restriction feature, a determination to effect control of the outgoing call is made.

20. A method according to claim 14, wherein the call feature comprises a call record call feature;

and wherein, upon determining that the source identifier is associated with the call record call feature, a determination to effect control of the outgoing call is made.

21. A method according to claim 1, wherein the determining whether to effect control of the outgoing call comprises determining whether the destination identifier comprises a call feature identifier;

and wherein, upon determining that the destination identifier comprises a call feature identifier, a determination to effect control of the outgoing call is made.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the destination identifier comprises a call record call feature identifier.

23. A method according to claim 1, wherein the determining whether to effect control of the outgoing call comprises determining whether a media message is desired to be conveyed to a user associated with the source identifier;

and wherein, upon determining that a media message is desired to be conveyed to a user associated with the source identifier, a determination to effect control of the outgoing call is made.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein determining whether a media message is desired to be conveyed to a user associated with the source identifier comprises determining whether an alert message is desired to be conveyed to a user associated with the source identifier, the alert message comprising at least one of:

a weather alert, an amber alert, a traffic alert, a terrorism alert, a natural disaster alert, an epidemic disease alert and a public safety alert.

25. A method according to claim 23, wherein the determining whether a message is desired to be conveyed to a user associated with the source identifier comprises determining whether a service provider that enables a telephony service associated with the source identifier desires to convey a media message to the user associated with the source identifier.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein determining whether the service provider desires to convey a media message to the user associated with the source identifier comprises determining whether the service provider has identified a billing matter related to the telephony service.

27. A method according to claim 1, wherein the determining whether to effect control of the outgoing call comprises determining whether the source identifier is associated with a service provider matter;

wherein, upon determining that the source identifier is associated with a service provider matter, a determination to effect control of the outgoing call is made.

28. A method according to claim 27, wherein the service provider matter comprises at least one of a past due payment, credit, debit, status and termination related to a telephony service associated with the source identifier.

29. A method according to claim 27, wherein the service provider matter comprises at least one of a loyalty program matter, policy change matter, pricing change matter and advertisement matter related to a service provider that enables a telephony service associated with the source identifier.

30. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

establishing a media connection with the source device; and

conveying a media message to the source device via the media connection with the source device.

31. A method according to claim 30 further comprises causing termination of the media connection with the source device after conveying the media message to the source device.

32. A method according to claim 31, wherein the media message comprises a call restriction message.

33. A method according to claim 31, wherein the media message comprises a service provider message associated with a service provider that enables a telephony service associated with the source identifier, the service provider message comprising information associated with at least one of a past due payment, credit, debit, status and termination related to the telephony service associated with the source identifier.

34. A method according to claim 31, wherein the media message comprises at least one of:

a weather alert, an amber alert, a traffic alert, a terrorism alert, a natural disaster alert, an epidemic disease alert and a public safety alert.

35. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

establishing a media connection with the source device;

initiating authorization of a user of the source device for the outgoing call; and

causing a media connection to be established between the source and destination devices upon successful authorization of the user of the source device.

36. A method according to claim 35 further comprising causing termination of the media connection with the source device upon unsuccessful authorization of the user of the source device.

37. A method according to claim 35, wherein the initiating authorization of the user of the source device comprises:

conveying a media message to the source device via the media connection with the source device, the media message comprising a call authorization message prompting a user of the source device to provide authorization data, and determining whether valid authorization data is received as the authorization data from the user of the source device; and

wherein the causing a media connection to be established between the source and destination devices comprises causing a media connection to be established between the source and destination devices upon determining that valid authorization data is received.

38. A method according to claim 37 further comprising causing termination of the media connection with the source device upon determining that valid authorization data is not received.

39. A method according to claim 38 further comprising conveying a second media message to the source device via the media connection with the source device prior to causing termination of the media connection with the source device, the second media message comprising a call unauthorized message.

40. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

establishing a media connection with the source device;

determining if a call parameter associated with the outgoing call is acceptable for the source identifier;

initiating authorization of a user of the source device for the outgoing call upon determining that the call parameter is not acceptable for the source identifier; and

causing a media connection to be established between the source and destination devices upon successful authorization of the user of the source device.

41. A method according to claim 40 further comprising causing a media connection to be established between the source and destination devices upon determining that the call parameter is acceptable for the source identifier.

42. A method according to claim 40 further comprising causing termination of the media connection with the source device upon unsuccessful authorization of the user of the source device.

43. A method according to claim 40, wherein the initiating authorization of a user of the source device for the outgoing call comprises conveying a media message to the source device via the media connection with the source device, the media message comprising a call authorization message prompting a user of the source device to provide authorization data, and determining whether valid authorization data is received as the authorization data from the user of the source device;

and wherein the causing a media connection to be established between the source and destination devices comprises causing a media connection to be established between the source and destination devices upon determining that valid authorization data is received.

44. A method according to claim 43 further comprising causing termination of the media connection with the source device upon determining that valid authorization data is not received.

45. A method according to claim 44 further comprising conveying a second media message to the source device via the media connection with the source device prior to causing termination of the media connection with the source device, the second media message comprising a call unauthorized message.

46. A method according to claim 40, wherein the call parameter comprises at least one of a temporal parameter, a parameter associated with the destination identifier and a parameter associated with a toll associated with the outgoing call.

47. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

establishing a media connection with the source device;

determining a call limitation for the outgoing call;

causing a media connection to be established between the source and destination devices;

determining whether the call limitation has expired; and

causing termination of the media connection between the source and destination devices upon determining that the call limitation has expired.

48. A method according to claim 47 further comprising conveying a media message to the source device via the media connection with the source device, the media message comprising a call limitation message indicating at least one aspect of the call limitation.

49. A method according to claim 48 further comprising conveying a second media message to the source device via the media connection with the source device upon determining that the call limitation has expired, the second media message comprising a call termination message.

50. A method according to claim 47, wherein the call limitation comprises one of a call length limitation, an account credit limitation, a temporal limitation and a destination identifier limitation.

51. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

establishing a media connection with the source device;

determining an audio element to convey to the source device;

initiating conveying of the audio element to the source device via the media connection with the source device; and

causing establishment of a media connection between the source and destination devices.

52. A method according to claim 51 further comprising terminating conveying of the audio element to the source device prior to or substantially simultaneously with the causing establishment of the media connection between the source and destination devices.

53. A method according to claim 51 further comprising determining a time period to convey the audio element and terminating conveying of the audio element to the source device in response to the time period expiring.

54. A method according to claim 51, wherein the causing establishment of a media connection between the source and destination devices comprises causing initiation of a media connection with the destination device, detecting acceptance from the destination device of the outgoing call and causing establishment of the media connection between the source and destination devices in response to the acceptance from the destination device.

55. A method according to claim 54 further comprising terminating conveying of the audio element to the source device in response to the detecting acceptance from the destination device.

56. A method according to claim 54 further comprising determining a minimum time period to convey the audio element;

and wherein the causing initiation of a media connection with the destination device is in response to the minimum time period expiring.

57. A method according to claim 51, wherein the audio element comprises one of a plurality of audio elements, and wherein the determining an audio element to convey to the source device comprises selecting one of the plurality of audio elements.

58. A method according to claim 57, wherein the selecting one of the plurality of audio elements comprises selecting one of the plurality of audio elements based upon a random algorithm.

59. A method according to claim 57, wherein the selecting one of the plurality of audio elements comprises selecting one of the plurality of audio elements based upon a predetermined order.

60. A method according to claim 57, wherein the selecting one of the plurality of audio elements comprises selecting one of the plurality of audio elements based upon the destination identifier.

61. A method according to claim 51, wherein the audio element comprises an audio element from an external content source.

62. A method according to claim 61, wherein the audio element from the external content source comprises one of a radio broadcast;

an audio portion of a television broadcast;

a source for audio news;

a reading of a website, newspaper, magazine or book;

a podcast; and

a reading of a social media update.

63. A method according to claim 51, wherein the audio element comprises scheduling information associated with the source identifier;

and wherein the determining an audio element to convey to the source device comprises conducting a look-up within a storage entity for the scheduling information using the source identifier.

64. A method according to claim 51, wherein the determining an audio element to convey to the source device comprises determining an audio element to convey to the source device using the source and destination identifiers.

65. A method according to claim 64, wherein the audio element comprises an audio element associated with a user of the destination device.

66. A method according to claim 65, wherein the audio element associated with the user of the destination device comprises a reminder message for a user of the source device associated with the user of the destination device.

67. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

establishing a media connection with the source device;

determining a media element to convey to the source device;

initiating conveying of the media element to the source device via the media connection with the source device; and

causing establishment of a media connection between the source and destination devices.

68. A method according to claim 67, wherein the media element comprises at least one of a video element, an image element and a text element to be displayed on the source device.

69. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

causing establishment of a media connection between the source and destination devices; and

causing initiation of a call feature within the media connection between the source and destination devices.

70. A method according to claim 69, wherein the call feature is a call record feature and the causing initiation of the call feature comprises causing recording of media on the media connection between the source and destination devices.

71. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

establishing a media connection with the source device;

determining whether to initiate a call feature;

causing establishment of a media connection between the source and destination devices; and

causing initiation of the call feature within the media connection between the source and destination devices upon determining to initiate the call feature.

72. A method according to claim 71, wherein the call feature is a call record feature and the causing initiation of the call feature comprises causing recording of media on the media connection between the source and destination devices upon determining to initiate the call feature.

73. A method according to claim 71, wherein the determining whether to initiate a call feature comprises:

conveying a media message to the source device, the media message comprising a call feature message prompting a user of the source device to provide an indication of acceptance for a call feature, and determining whether a user of the source device has provided acceptance for the call feature.

74. A method according to claim 73, wherein the call feature is a call record feature and the causing initiation of the call feature comprises causing recording of media on the media connection between the source and destination devices upon determining that the user of the source device has provided an indication of acceptance for the call feature.

75. A method according to claim 1, wherein the destination identifier comprises a call feature identifier associated with a call feature and the destination device comprises a device associated with the call feature;

and the method further comprises;

establishing a media connection with the source device;

receiving a second destination identifier from the source device, the second destination identifier being associated with a destination device to which the source device is to be connected within the outgoing call;

causing establishment of a media connection between the source device and the destination device to which the source device is to be connected within the outgoing call; and

causing initiation of the call feature within the media connection between the source device and the destination device to which the source device is to be connected within the outgoing call.

76. A method according to claim 75 further comprising conveying a media message to the source device prior to the receiving of the second destination identifier, the media message comprising a call destination message prompting a user of the source device to provide a destination identifier associated with a destination device to which the source device is to be connected within the outgoing call.

77. A method according to claim 75, wherein the call feature is a call record feature and the causing initiation of the call feature comprises causing recording of media on the media connection between the source device and the destination device to which the source device is to be connected within the outgoing call.

78. A method according to claim 1 further comprising

establishing a media connection with the source device;

determining whether a matter associated with the source identifier requires to be addressed prior to establishment of the outgoing call; and

causing establishment of a media connection between the source device and an entity operative to address the matter upon determining that the matter associated with the source identifier requires to be addressed prior to establishment of the outgoing call.

79. A method according to claim 78 further comprising conveying a media message to the source device, the media message comprising information related to the matter associated with the source identifier.

80. A method according to claim 78 further comprising causing establishment of a media connection between the source and destination devices upon determining that the matter associated with the source identifier does not require to be addressed prior to establishment of the outgoing call.

81. A method according to claim 78, wherein the matter associated with the source identifier comprises a service provider matter associated with a service provider that enables a telephony service associated with the source identifier, and the entity operative to address the matter comprises a customer service system.

82. A method according to claim 81 further comprising conveying a media message to the source device, the media message comprising a service provider matter message providing information related to the service provider matter.

83. A method according to claim 82, wherein the service provider matter comprises at least one of a past due payment, credit, debit, status and termination related to a telephony service associated with the source identifier.

84. A call processing system for controlling an outgoing call initiated by a source device for connection to a destination device, the system comprising:

a network interface operative to receive a call request message from a Service Switching Point (SSP) via an Internet Protocol (IP) network, the call request message comprising source and destination identifiers associated with the source and destination devices respectively;

a processing entity operative to determine whether to effect control of the outgoing call based upon at least one of the source and destination identifiers;

wherein the network interface is further operative to transmit a routing message to the SSP via the IP network upon the processing entity determining to effect control of the outgoing call, the routing message to cause a media connection to be established between the source device and the call processing system.

85. A call processing system according to claim 84, wherein the call request message comprises a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message that has been converted from a Signaling System 7 (SS7) message by a signaling converter that previously received the SS7 message from the SSP.

86. A call processing system according to claim 85, wherein the SS7 message comprises a Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) message initiated by an Off Hook Delay trigger on the SSP.

87. A call processing system according to claim 84, wherein the routing message comprises a SIP message and the network interface is operative to transmit the SIP message to a signaling converter that is operative to convert the SIP message to an SS7 message and transmit the SS7 message to the SSP.

88. A call processing system according to claim 84, wherein the network interface is further operative to transmit a reject message to the SSP via the IP network upon the processing entity determining not to effect control of the outgoing call, the reject message to cause the SSP to cause establishment of a media connection between the source and destination devices.

89. A call processing system according to claim 84, wherein the processing entity is operative to determine to effect control of the outgoing call if the outgoing call is a restricted call for the source device based upon at least the destination identifier.

90. A call processing system according to claim 84, wherein the processing entity is operative to determine to effect control of the outgoing call if the source identifier is associated with a call feature.

91. A call processing system according to claim 84, wherein the processing entity is operative to determine to effect control of the outgoing call if a message is desired to be conveyed to a user associated with the source identifier.

92. A call processing system according to claim 84, wherein the network interface is further operative to establish a media connection with the source device;

and wherein the processing entity is further operative to convey a media message to the source device via the media connection with the source device.

93. A call processing system according to claim 84, wherein the network interface is further operative to establish a media connection with the source device;

and wherein the processing entity is further operative to determine a media element to convey to the source device, to initiate conveying of the media element to the source device via the media connection with the source device, and to cause establishment of a media connection between the source and destination devices.

94. A call processing system according to claim 84, wherein the processing entity is further operative to cause establishment of a media connection between the source and destination devices and to cause initiation of a call feature within the media connection between the source and destination devices.

95. A network for controlling an outgoing call initiated by a source device for connection to a destination device, the network comprising:

a signaling converter operative to receive a first SS7 message from a Service Switching Point (SSP), the first SS7 message comprising source and destination identifiers associated with the source and destination devices respectively, and transmit a first IP signaling message corresponding to the first SS7 message;

a call processing system operative to receive the first IP signaling message, determine whether to effect control of the outgoing call based upon at least one of the source and destination identifiers and cause transmission of a second IP signaling message;

wherein the signaling converter is further operative to receive the second IP signaling message and transmit a second SS7 message to the SSP, the second SS7 message to cause a media connection to be established between the source device and the call processing system upon the call processing system determining to effect control of the outgoing call.

96. Computer-readable media containing a program element executable by a call processing system to perform a method for controlling an outgoing call initiated by a source device to a destination device, the computer-readable media comprising:

first program code for receiving a call request message from a Service Switching Point (SSP) via an Internet Protocol (IP) network, the call request message comprising source and destination identifiers associated with the source and destination devices respectively;

second program code for determining whether to effect control of the outgoing call based upon at least one of the source and destination identifiers; and

third program code for causing transmission of a routing message to the SSP via the IP network upon determining to effect control of the outgoing call, the routing message to cause a media connection to be established between the source device and the call processing system.

97. A method, implemented by a call processing system within an Internet Protocol (IP) network, for controlling an outgoing call initiated by a source device to a destination device, the method comprising:

receiving a call request message from a Service Switching Point (SSP) via the IP network, the call request message comprising source and destination identifiers associated with the source and destination devices respectively;

determining whether to allow the outgoing call to be established based upon at least one of the source and destination identifiers; and

causing transmission of a continue message to the SSP via the IP network upon determining to allow the outgoing call to be established, the continue message to cause the SSP to cause establishment of a media connection between the source and destination devices.

98. A method according to claim 97 further comprising causing transmission of a termination message to the SSP via the IP network upon determining to not allow the outgoing call to be established, the termination message to cause the SSP to cause termination of the outgoing call.

99. A method according to claim 97, wherein the determining whether to allow the outgoing call to be established comprises determining whether the outgoing call is a toll call and determining whether a toll call is allowed for the source identifier.

100. A method according to claim 97, wherein the determining whether to allow the outgoing call to be established comprises determining whether a service account associated with the source identifier is allowed to initiate outgoing calls.