Method, system, network and computer-readable media for controlling outgoing telephony calls to convey media messages to source devices

• US 20110158130A1
• 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: Liu, Gao Feng, Clark, David William, Arsenault, Jonathan Allan, Wolf, Eric John
• Granted Patent: US 8,531,992 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 15/06 Recording class or number of calling , i.e. A-party or called party , i.e. B-party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/83 Notification aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/835 Time or frequency of notifications, e.g. Advice of Charge [AoC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8353 during the communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/84 Types of notifications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/844 Message, e.g. SMS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/846 optical, e.g. icon
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/85 characterised by the type of condition triggering a notification
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/852 Low balance or limit reached
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/855 Successful event
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking

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 a media message is to be conveyed to the source device. It could determine a media message is to be conveyed to the source device for many reasons including to convey a message related to a call feature, to prompt a user to provide authorization data, to alert a user of particular information or to provide an audio element to the source device prior to establishing the outgoing call. 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 to convey a media message to the source device.

Claims

1. A method implemented by a call processing system 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 an Internet Protocol (IP) network, the call request message comprising source and destination identifiers associated with the source and destination devices respectively;

determining whether a media message is to be conveyed to the source device; and

;

causing transmission of a routing message to the SSP via the IP network upon determining a media message is to be conveyed to the source device, 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 a media message is not to be conveyed to the source device, 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 a media message is to be conveyed to the source device 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 convey a media message to the source device is made.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the determining whether a media message is to be conveyed to the source device 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 convey a media message to the source device is made.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the determining whether a media message is to be conveyed to the source device comprises determining whether the outgoing call is a restricted call for the source device 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 convey a media message to the source device 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 a media message is to be conveyed to the source device 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 convey a media message to the source device 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 convey a media message to the source device 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 convey a media message to the source device 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 convey a media message to the source device 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 convey a media message to the source device is made.

21. A method according to claim 1, wherein the determining whether a media message is to be conveyed to the source device 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 convey a media message to the source device 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 determining whether a media message is to be conveyed to the source device comprises determining whether a media message is desired to be conveyed to a user associated with the source identifier.

24. A method according to claim 23, 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.

25. A method according to claim 23, wherein the determining whether a media 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;

and wherein, upon determining that the service provider has identified a billing matter related to the telephony service, a determination to convey a media message to the source device is made.

27. A method according to claim 1, wherein the determining whether a media message is to be conveyed to the source device 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 convey a media message to the source device 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 30, wherein the media message comprises a call authorization message prompting a user of the source device to provide authorization data;

and wherein the method further comprising;

determining whether valid authorization data is received as the authorization data from the user of the source device; and

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

36. A method according to claim 35 further comprising causing termination of the media connection with the source device upon determining that valid authorization data is not received.

37. A method according to claim 36 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.

38. A method according to claim 30 further comprising determining if a call parameter associated with the outgoing call is acceptable for the source identifier;

wherein the media message comprises a call authorization message prompting a user of the source device to provide authorization data; and

wherein the method further comprising;

determining whether valid authorization data is received as the authorization data from the user of the source device 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 determining that valid authorization data is received.

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

40. A method according to claim 39 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.

41. A method according to claim 38, 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.

42. A method according to claim 30 further comprising determining a call limitation for the outgoing call;

wherein the media message comprises a call limitation message indicating at least one aspect of the call limitation; and

wherein the method further comprising;

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.

43. A method according to claim 42 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.

44. A method according to claim 42, wherein the call limitation comprises one of a call length limitation, an account credit limitation, a temporal limitation and a destination identifier limitation.

45. A method according to claim 30 further comprising determining an audio element to convey to the source device;

wherein the conveying a media message to the source device comprises initiating conveying of the audio element to the source device via the media connection with the source device; and

wherein the method further comprises causing establishment of a media connection between the source and destination devices.

46. A method according to claim 45, wherein the conveying a media message to the source device further comprises 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.

47. A method according to claim 45 further comprising determining a time period to convey the audio element;

and wherein the conveying a media message to the source device further comprises terminating conveying of the audio element to the source device in response to the time period expiring.

48. A method according to claim 45, 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.

49. A method according to claim 48, wherein the conveying a media message to the source device further comprises terminating conveying of the audio element to the source device in response to the detecting acceptance from the destination device.

50. A method according to claim 48 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.

51. A method according to claim 45, 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.

52. A method according to claim 51, wherein the selecting one of the plurality of audio elements comprises selecting one of the plurality of audio elements based upon a random algorithm.

53. A method according to claim 51, wherein the selecting one of the plurality of audio elements comprises selecting one of the plurality of audio elements based upon a predetermined order.

54. A method according to claim 51, wherein the selecting one of the plurality of audio elements comprises selecting one of the plurality of audio elements based upon the destination identifier.

55. A method according to claim 45, wherein the audio element comprises an audio element from an external content source.

56. A method according to claim 55, 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.

57. A method according to claim 45, 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.

58. A method according to claim 45, 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.

59. A method according to claim 58, wherein the audio element comprises an audio element associated with a user of the destination device.

60. A method according to claim 59, 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.

61. A method according to claim 30 further comprising determining a media element to convey to the source device;

wherein the conveying a media message to the source device comprises initiating conveying of the media element to the source device via the media connection with the source device; and

wherein the method further comprises causing establishment of a media connection between the source and destination devices.

62. A method according to claim 61, 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.

63. A method according to claim 30, wherein the media message comprises a call feature message prompting a user of the source device to provide an indication of acceptance for a call feature;

and wherein the method further comprises;

determining whether a user of the source device has provided acceptance for the 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 that the user of the source device has provided an indication of acceptance for the call feature.

64. A method according to claim 63, 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.

65. A method according to claim 30, wherein the destination identifier comprises a call feature identifier associated with a call feature, the destination device comprises a device associated with the call feature, and the media message comprises 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;

and wherein the method further comprises;

receiving a second destination identifier from the source device, the second destination identifier being associated with the 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.

66. A method according to claim 65, 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.

67. A method according to claim 30, wherein the media message comprises information related to a matter associated with the source identifier;

and wherein the method further comprises;

determining whether the 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.

68. A method according to claim 67 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.

69. A method according to claim 67, wherein the matter 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.

70. A method according to claim 69, 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.

71. 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 a media message is to be conveyed to the source device;

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

72. A call processing system according to claim 71, 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.

73. A call processing system according to claim 72, wherein the SS7 message comprises a Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) message initiated by an Off Hook Delay trigger on the SSP.

74. A call processing system according to claim 71, 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.

75. A call processing system according to claim 71, wherein the network interface is further operative to transmit a reject message to the SSP via the IP network upon the processing entity determining a media message is not to be conveyed to the source device, the reject message to cause the SSP to cause establishment of a media connection between the source and destination devices.

76. A call processing system according to claim 71, wherein the processing entity is operative to determine a media message is to be conveyed to the source device if the outgoing call is a restricted call for the source device based upon at least the destination identifier.

77. A call processing system according to claim 71, wherein the processing entity is operative to determine a media message is to be conveyed to the source device if the source identifier is associated with a call feature.

78. A call processing system according to claim 71, wherein the processing entity is operative to determine a media message is to be conveyed to the source device if a message is desired to be conveyed to a user associated with the source identifier.

79. A call processing system according to claim 71, 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.

80. A call processing system according to claim 71, 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.

81. 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 a media message is to be conveyed to the source device 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 a media message is to be conveyed to the source device.

82. 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 a media message is to be conveyed to the source device; and

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