Method in a communications systems for providing an out-of-band signaling response based on predetermined conditions

• US 5,649,003 A
• Filed: 02/27/1995
• Issued: 07/15/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T, Inc.
• Inventors: Kapsales, Peter, Seip, Barry S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zele, Krista M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PRESSON, THOMAS
• Application Number:
  US08/395,009
• Time in Patent Office: 869 Days
• Field of Search: 379/201, 379/211, 379/210, 379/67, 379/396, 379/57, 379/58, 379/59, 379/61, 379/42, 379/40, 379/39, 379/50, 379/51, 379/56, 340/531, 340/539
• US Class Current: 379/88.25
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/022 Paging systems personal calling arrangements or devices G08B3/1008; selective calling networks H04W84/022
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42229 Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location diverting calls from one subscriber to another subscriber, i.e. two different subscriptions H04M3/54; selecting arrangements in intelligent networks H04Q3/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/54 Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; to voice mail H04M3/53308
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0025 Provisions for signalling

Abstract

A method for use in a communications system permitting a first party connected to a central platform to receive an out-of-band signal in response to predetermined trigger conditions. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, leaving a voice mail message results in an automatic page to the first party notifying him, or her, of the voice mail message from a second party. Similarly, the first party is notified of alert or alarm conditions and preprogrammed schedule changes through use of the out-of-band signal. Certain predetermined characters may be used to distinguish between the various types of out-of-band messages sent to the first party.

Claims

1. A method for use in a communication system for supplying to a first party, connected to a central platform, one or more messages transmitted as an out-of-band signal in response to predetermined trigger conditions, the method comprising the steps of:

storing information identifying said trigger conditions at said central platform,

periodically accessing said stored information to determine the necessity to initiate the transmission of said out-of-band signal,

formulating a particular message to be transmitted as an out-of-band signal in response to access of said stored information, and

transmitting said particular message as an out-of-band signal to said first party,

wherein said stored information identifying said trigger conditions includes predetermined schedule changes previously defined by said first party, wherein there is further included the step of adding predetermined characters to said message prior to transmitting said message as an out-of-band signal to said first party, said predetermined characters being added to said message in a predetermined order in accordance with a type of message to be transmitted, and wherein said transmitting step includes the steps of initiating a page as said out-of-band signal, and sending said page to said first party.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said particular message is numeric and said step of adding predetermined characters to said message in said predetermined order includes surrounding said message with said predetermined characters.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2, wherein said predetermined characters to be surrounded include bracket symbols.

4. A method in accordance with claim 2, wherein said predetermined characters to be surrounded include dash symbols.

5. A method for use in a telephone system which provides communication between a caller and a subscriber, said method supplying to said subscriber, connected to a central platform, one or more messages transmitted as an out-of-band signal in response to preprogrammed conditions stored at said central platform, the method comprising the steps of,

detecting the occurrence of events corresponding to at least one of said preprogrammed conditions specified by information stored at said central platform,

determining whether an occurrence of said preprogrammed conditions requires said subscriber to be supplied with one or more of said messages,

transmitting a first message to said subscriber,

determining whether an answer is received from said subscriber in response to said first message,

connecting said caller to said subscriber if an answer is received from said subscriber,

providing to said caller one or more options if no answer is received from said subscriber, and

transmitting a second message to said subscriber in response to at least one option chosen by said caller, wherein said step of transmitting said second message includes the step of adding predetermined characters to said second message to be transmitted, said predetermined characters being added in a predetermined order according to the option chosen.

6. A method in accordance with claim 5, wherein said providing step includes the step of storing information provided by said caller at said central platform.

7. A method in accordance with claim 6, wherein either of said transmitting steps includes the step of including in said second message said stored information provided by said caller.

8. A method in accordance with claim 6, wherein said stored information provided by said caller includes said caller'"'"'s PIN designation.

9. A method in accordance with claim 5, wherein said particular message is numeric and said step of adding predetermined characters to said message in said predetermined order includes surrounding said message with said predetermined characters.

10. A method in accordance with claim 9, wherein said predetermined characters to be surrounded include bracket symbols.

11. A method in accordance with claim 9, wherein said predetermined characters to be surrounded include dash symbols.