Voice mail communication with call blocking

• US 5,661,782 A
• Filed: 10/06/1995
• Issued: 08/26/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Bartholomew, Dale, Farris, Robert D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bost, Dwayne
• Assistant Examiner(s): PRESSON, THOMAS
• Application Number:
  US08/539,952
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 379/230, 379/243, 379/229, 379/207, 379/67, 379/88, 379/89, 379/211
• US Class Current: 379/88.18
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53325 Interconnection arrangements between voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13176 Common channel signaling, CCS7
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13216 Code signals, frame structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13345 Intelligent networks, SCP
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13375 Electronic mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13377 Recorded announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1338 Inter-exchange connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13527 protocols - X.25, TCAP etc.
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13562 blocking
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0025 Provisions for signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking

Abstract

A system and method of effecting transfer of a message such as a voice message from one centralized messaging system to multiple centralized messaging systems in a switched communications network having a plurality of central offices connected to subscriber terminals and connected together by trunks wherein the transfer of the message is effected through a common channel signaling network without using the trunks.

Claims

1. In a switched communications network comprising:

a first switching system connected to a first plurality of subscriber lines and including a service switching point for selectively providing switched communications between subscriber lines;

a second switching system connected to a second plurality of subscriber lines and including a service switching point for selectively providing switched communications between subscriber lines;

a signaling network arranged separately from the switching systems and connected to the service switching points through at least one signal transfer point to convey control data to effect communications;

each of said switching systems providing selective communications between subscriber lines and a message storage system for storing messages directed to subscribers on subscriber lines;

a method comprising;

establishing a database associated with a signal transfer point, said database storing call processing data associated with subscriber lines;

forwarding from an originating message storage system a pre-stored digital data message including digital message information and processing parameters;

determining if a value in said processing parameters meets a predetermined criterion, and in response thereto accessing data in said database to obtain processing information; and

responsive to said processing information, directing at least the pre-stored digital message information through said signaling network to multiple addresses via said signal transfer point.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of accessing data comprises:

formulating a query message containing information relating to said value in said parameters;

transmitting the query message from the transfer point to the database;

utilizing information in the database to translate the information relating to said value in said parameters into routing information;

formulating a response message containing the routing information; and

transmitting the response message from the database to the transfer point.

3. A method as in claim 2, including the step of transmitting the digital message information through the signaling network from the originating message storage system to multiple addresses in a destination message storage system.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said forwarding of a message from an originating message storage system includes establishing an off-hook condition on a subscriber line, initiating a voice message through said line, and digitizing and storing said voice message in digital form in said message storing system.

5. A method according to claim 1 including transmitting said digital message information to a destination message storage system in digital format through the signaling network and storing said digital message information in said destination message storage system.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein any translation in protocol in the digital data message occurs as a function of the operation of a message storage system.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein said inquiry to said database and responsive message from said database are in Transactional Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) protocol.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the pre-stored digital data message from the originating message storage system is transmitted in Common Channel Signaling 7 (CCS7) format.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the pre-stored digital data message is forwarded by packet switching via a Common Channel Signaling network.

10. A method according to claim 1 including the step of storing said transmitted digital message information in multiple addresses in a destination message storage system.

11. A method according to claim 9 including the step of delivering the message stored in said destination message storage system as real-time analog audio information delivered to multiple addresses.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein the message forwarded to said originating message storage system is initiated as a real time audio signal.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the message is initiated and delivered via premises terminals comprising telephone stations.

14. A method according to claim 1 wherein said database is associated with a signal control point which controls said signaling network.

15. In a switched telecommunications network including program controlled switch nodes connected by trunks and connected to subscriber links and at least one message storage node for digitizing and storing subscriber messages, and having a separate control network linked to said switch nodes and to at least one signal transfer point;

a method comprising;

receiving at a signal transfer point a pre-stored digital data message originated at a switch node and including digital message information and parameter values;

determining if a parameter value carried by the message meets a predetermined criterion, and in response thereto accessing processing or routing data in a database separate from the signal transfer point; and

transmitting via the control network and said signal transfer point, pursuant to said processing or routing data at least said pre-stored digital message information for delivery to multiple destination message storage node addresses.

16. A method as in claim 15, wherein the step of accessing translation data comprises:

formulating a query message containing information relating to the parameter value;

transmitting the query message from the transfer point to the database;

utilizing information in the database to translate the information relating to the parameter value into routing information;

formulating a response message containing the routing information; and

transmitting the response message from the database to the transfer point.

17. A method as in claim 16, wherein:

the step of transmitting the query message comprises transmitting the query message through the control network; and

the step of transmitting the response message comprises transmitting the response message through the control network.

18. A method according to claim 15 wherein said switch node originated message is stored in said message storage node by calling said telecommunications network from a subscriber terminal, initiating a voice message through said terminal, and digitizing and storing said voice message in digital form.

19. A method according to claim 15 wherein said information is forwarded to said destination message storage node addresses in digital format through the control network.

20. A method according to claim 19 wherein any translation in protocol in the pre-stored digital data message occurs as a function of the operation of a message storage node.

21. A method according to claim 15 wherein the accessing of said database and responsive message from said database are in Transactional Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) protocol.

22. A method according to claim 15 wherein the digital message information is forwarded in Common Channel Signaling 7 (CCS7) format.

23. A method according to claim 15 wherein the digital message information is forwarded by packet switching via a Common Channel Signaling network.

24. A method according to claim 15 including the step of storing said forwarded digital message information in a destination message storage node.

25. A method according to claim 24 including the step of delivering the digital message information stored in said destination message storage node as real-time analog audio information delivered to multiple addresses.

26. A method according to claim 25 wherein the message forwarded to said destination message storage node and stored therein is initiated as a real time audio signal.

27. A method according to claim 15 wherein said database is associated with a signal control point which controls said control network.

28. A method according to claim 15 wherein said database is separate from any signal control point for said control network.

29. A method according to claim 28 wherein said database is associated with a microprocessor.

30. A network comprising:

local communication lines;

trunk circuits;

separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication lines;

at least three separately located message storage systems linked to said central office switching systems for digitizing and storing subscriber messages;

a signal transfer point for routing signaling messages;

signaling links coupling the signal transfer point to the central office switching systems; and

a database separate from the signal transfer point and the central office switching systems providing routing information to the signal transfer point to control routing of at least some pre-stored digital message data via the signal transfer point.

31. A network according to claim 30 wherein said database provides routing information to control routing of at least some pre-stored digital data message information from one said message storage system to at least two other message storage systems.

32. A switched communications network comprising a plurality of service switching points associated with subscriber lines connected to subscriber premises terminals, said service switching points being connected by trunks for selectively providing switched communications between subscriber lines, a network controller arranged separately from the trunks and being connected to at least some of the service switching points through at least one signal transfer point arranged to convey control data to effect communications, a database separate from said signal transfer point linked to said signal transfer point, said database storing pre-programmed message processing data associated with subscribers who are associated with the subscriber lines connected to consumer premises terminals, at least two of said service switching points being connected to centralized messaging systems for digitizing and storing subscriber originated messages directed to individual subscribers, said signal transfer point being triggered by at least some pre-stored digital data message signals to respond to signals intended to transfer digital message information from one centralized messaging system to another centralized messaging system to send an inquiry to said database, said database sending a responsive message causing said signal transfer point to forward said digital message information from said one centralized messaging system to at least one other centralized messaging system via at least one signal transfer point.

33. A network according to claim 32 wherein said responsive message from said database causes said signal transfer point to regenerate said digital message information and forward the regenerated message to another centralized messaging system.