Providing enhanced services through SIV and personal dial tone

• US 6,167,119 A
• Filed: 01/12/1998
• Issued: 12/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Farris, Robert D., Bartholomew, Dale L., Strauss, Michael J., McAllister, Alexander I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weaver, Scott L.
• Application Number:
  US09/006,033
• Time in Patent Office: 1,079 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67.1, 379/88.01, 379/88.02, 379/88.03, 379/88.04, 379/88.22, 379/88.26, 379/201, 379/207
• US Class Current: 379/88.04
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 using speech recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/405 involving speaker-dependent recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/12 intelligent networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2281 Call monitoring, e.g. for law enforcement purposes; Call tracing; Detection or prevention of malicious calls
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/385 using speech signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42017 Customized ring-back tones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42068 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42102 Making use of the called party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4211 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• 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 3/53383 Message registering commands or announcements; Greetings
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/06 using auxiliary connections for control or supervision , e.g. where the auxiliary connection is a signalling system number 7 link
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0045 involving hybrid, i.e. a mixture of public and private, or multi-vendor systems

Abstract

An intelligent telephone network provides personalized communication services based on subscriber prescribed double speech signal processing of utterances of both calling and answering parties on a subscriber line having multiple subscribers with a single directory number. Specifically, when one of the multiple subscribers has personalized voice mail service and a busy/no answer call is received, the network uses speech processing of an utterance of the calling party to identify a customer service profile of the called party in the terminating switch. This contains instructions inviting storage of a voice message left by the caller. Upon the subscriber going off-hook, the customer profile of the subscriber line is installed in the switch. The subscriber transmits an utterance and the personalized customer profile of the subscriber is identified by a virtual office equipment number and the profile installed in the switch. The subscriber may then retrieve the stored message.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting a request to make a voice call from a first link to an identified second link through a communication network including multiple central office switching systems connected to multiple links;

identifying one of multiple parties available via said second link by processing signals resulting from speech transmitted via said first link;

selecting a customer profile record corresponding to a virtual office equipment designation assigned to said one party;

installing said customer profile record at a central office switching system serving said second link;

pursuant to information in said customer profile record storing a voice message in message storage associated with said second link and said one party for retrieval by said one party.

2. A method according to claim 1 including the step of transmitting said stored message responsive to identification by processing signals resulting from an utterance of a party retrieving said message.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said transmitting said stored message is responsive to said customer profile record following its reinstallation at said central office switching system serving said second link.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said identification by processing signals resulting from an utterance of a party retrieving said message is at least partially responsive to information contained in a customer profile record different than said customer profile record corresponding to a virtual office equipment designation assigned to said one party.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said reinstallation of said customer profile record is responsive to said identification by processing signals resulting from an utterance of a party retrieving said message.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said storing of a voice message is responsive to a busy or no answer condition at said second link.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein said storing of a voice message is responsive to a voice prompt responsive to detection of said busy or no answer condition at said second link.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein said storing of said voice message is responsive to processing of speech signals transmitted from said first link.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein said last named speech comprises at least a portion of said speech transmitted via said first link identifying said one of multiple parties available via said second link.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein each of said multiple parties is assigned a personalized customer profile record corresponding to an individual virtual office equipment designation.

11. A method comprising:

detecting a request to make a voice call from a first link to a second link through a switched telecommunication network including multiple central office switching systems connected to multiple links;

installing a first customer profile record corresponding to an office equipment designation assigned to said second link in a central office switching system serving said second link;

pursuant to information in said first customer profile record establishing a speech connection between said first link and a speech processing facility;

identifying by speech processing an utterance identifying a called party, said utterance transmitted via said first link to said speech processing facility;

selecting a second customer profile record corresponding to a virtual office equipment designation assigned to said called party;

replacing said first customer profile record with said second customer profile record;

pursuant to information in said second customer profile record establishing a speech connection between said first link and a message storage associated with said second link;

storing a voice message for said called party in said message storage.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein said utterance identifying said called party emanates from a party initiating said request to make said voice call.

13. A method according to claim 11 including the step of transmitting said stored message responsive to speech processing identification of a party requesting said message.

14. A method according to claim 13 wherein said speech processing is responsive at least in part to information in said second customer profile record following reinstallation of said second customer profile record at said central office switching system serving said second link.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein said reinstallation is responsive to processing of speech of said called party.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the speech of said called party which is processed is received by said processing facility via said second link.

17. A method according to claim 11 wherein said second link is associated with multiple customers, each of said multiple customers being assigned a personalized customer profile record corresponding to an individual virtual office equipment designation.

18. A method for processing a call in multilink telecommunication network comprising the steps of:

assigning subscriber profiles to subscribers associated with a first of said links connected to a first switching system;

at least one of said subscriber profiles including data indicative of subscription to messaging service;

designating in a messaging system a storage capability for said at least one subscriber profile;

identifying through speech signal processing the subscriber profile of one of said subscribers to whom an attempt is made to initiate a call via a second link;

processing said attempt to initiate said call in a manner based at least in part on processing information in the subscriber profile identified by said speech signal processing including said data indicative of subscription to messaging service;

establishing a speech link between said second link and said messaging system; and

storing in said designated storage capability in said messaging system a message transmitted via said second link.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein said subscriber profile identified by said speech signal processing is selected from said subscriber profiles assigned to said multiple subscribers associated with said first of said links by a virtual equipment designation.

20. A method according to claim 18 including the steps of assigning virtual office equipment designations to each of said subscriber profiles, and selecting from said subscriber profiles said subscriber profile identified by said speech signal processing by its virtual equipment designation.

21. A method according to claim 20 including the steps of assigning to said first link an office equipment designation designating office equipment in a switching system in said multilink telecommunication network, which switching system serves said first link, said office equipment designation identifying a further customer profile, and identifying through speech signal processing the subscriber profile of said one of said subscribers to whom an attempt is made to initiate a call via said second link pursuant at least in part to information in said further customer profile.

22. A method according to claim 21 including the steps of installing said further customer profile in said switching system responsive to detecting said attempt to initiate a call via said second link, and replacing said further customer profile in said switching system with said customer profile identified through speech signal processing.

23. A method for processing a call in a switched telecommunication network including multiple central office switching systems connected to multiple links comprising the steps of:

assigning a customer profile to a first of said multiple links corresponding to office equipment in a central office switching system serving said first link;

assigning additional subscriber profiles to multiple subscribers associated with said first link;

at least one of said additional subscriber profiles including data indicative of subscription to messaging service;

designating in a messaging system a storage capability for said at least one additional subscriber profile;

installing in said switching system serving said first link said customer profile assigned to said first link;

pursuant at least in part to information in said installed customer profile identifying through speech signal processing the subscriber profile of one of said subscribers to whom an attempt is made to initiate a call via a second link;

substituting for said installed customer profile said customer profile identified through speech signal processing;

processing said attempt to initiate said call in a manner based at least in part on processing information in the substituted subscriber profile identified by said speech signal processing including said data indicative of subscription to messaging service;

establishing a speech link between said second link and said messaging system; and

storing in said designated storage capability in said messaging system a message transmitted via said second link.

24. A method according to claim 23 wherein said additional customer profiles are designated by virtual office equipment designations associated with said office equipment for said first link.

25. A method according to claim 24 wherein said speech signal processing comprises recognizing the utterance of a name.

26. A method according to claim 25 wherein said utterance of said name emanates from the party attempting to initiate said call.

27. A method according to claim 24 including the step of transmitting said stored message responsive to speech signal processing identification of a party retrieving said message.

28. A method according to claim 27 wherein said speech signal processing identification of a party retrieving said message is responsive at least in part to information in said customer profile corresponding to said office equipment for said first link.

29. A method according to claim 28 wherein said step of transmitting said stored message responsive to speech signal processing identification of a party retrieving said message is responsive at least in part to information in said customer profile identified by a virtual office equipment designation assigned to said party retrieving said message.

30. A method comprising:

detecting a request to make a voice call from a first link to a second link through a communication network including multiple central office switching systems connected to multiple links;

installing in the central office switching system serving said second link a first service profile corresponding to said second link;

pursuant to said first service profile identifying one of multiple parties available via said second link by processing signals resulting from speech transmitted via said first link;

responsive to said identification installing in the central office switching system serving said second link a second service profile corresponding to said one party;

pursuant at least partially to information in said second service profile storing a voice message from said first link in message storage associated with said second link and with said one party for retrieval by said one party.

31. A method according to claim 30 wherein said first service profile corresponds to designated office equipment in said central office switching system serving said second link.

32. A method according to claim 31 wherein said second service profile corresponds to designated virtual office equipment in said central office switching system serving said second link.

33. A method according to claim 32 wherein said second service profile is substituted for said first service profile in said central office switching system serving said second link.

34. A method according to claim 30 including the steps of:

detecting a request for service over said second link;

installing said first service profile in said central office switching system serving said second link;

responsive to a voice signal over said second link substituting said second service profile for said first service profile in said central office switching system serving said second link;

pursuant at least partially to information in said second service profile transmitting said stored voice message via said second link.

35. A method according to claim 33 including the steps of:

detecting a request for service over said second link;

installing said first service profile in said central office switching system serving said second link;

responsive to a voice signal over said second link substituting said second service profile for said first service profile in said central office switching system serving said second link;

pursuant at least partially to information in said second service profile transmitting said stored voice message via said second link.

36. A communication network comprising:

multiple central office switching systems connected to multiple links, said links including a first and a second link, said second link having multiple subscribers associated therewith;

a control network connected to said central office switching systems;

a speech signal processing facility; and

a message storage facility;

wherein responsive to initiation of a request to establish a connection from said first to said second links, a connection is established to said speech signal processing facility, the identity of one of said subscribers associated with said second link is established via said speech signal processing facility, a virtual office equipment designation identifying a service profile of said one subscriber is associated with the switching system to which said second link is connected, pursuant at least partially to information in said service profile storing a voice message from said first link in said message storage facility for retrieval by said identified subscriber.

37. A communication network comprising:

multiple central office switching systems connected to multiple links, said links including a first and a second link, said second link having multiple subscribers associated therewith;

a speech signal processing facility; and

a message storage facility;

a signaling and control network connected to said central office switching systems, said speech signal processing facility; and

said message storage facility;

wherein responsive to initiation of a request to establish a connection from said first to said second links, a connection is established to said speech signal processing facility, the identity of one of said subscribers associated with said second link is established, a virtual office equipment designation identifying a service profile of said one subscriber is associated with the switching system to which said second link is connected, pursuant at least partially to information in said service profile storing a voice message from said first link in said message storage facility for retrieval by said identified subscriber.

38. A communication network comprising:

multiple central office switching systems connected to multiple links, said links including a first and a second link, said second link having multiple subscribers associated therewith;

a speech signal processing facility;

a message storage facility;

a signaling and control network connected to said central office switching systems, said speech signal processing facility; and

said message storage facility;

wherein responsive to initiation of a request to establish a connection from said first to said second links, a first service profile corresponding to said second link is installed in the central office switching system serving said second link and pursuant at least partially to information in said first service profile connection is established to said speech signal processing facility, the identity of one of said subscribers associated with said second link is established, a second service profile corresponding to said one subscriber is installed in said central office switching system serving said second link, pursuant at least partially to information in said second service profile a voice message from said first link is stored in message storage associated with said second link for retrieval by said one party.

39. A system according to claim 38 wherein said switching systems are connected in a telecommunications network.

40. A system according to claim 39 wherein responsive to detecting a request for service over said second link subsequent to storage of said message, said first service profile in installed in said central office switching system serving said second link, responsive to an utterance over said second link, said second service profile is substituted for said first service profile in said central office switching system serving said second link, and pursuant at least partially to information in said second service profile said stored voice message is transmitted via said second link.

41. A method comprising:

detecting a request to make a voice call from a first link to a second link through a communication network including multiple central office switching systems connected to multiple links;

installing in the central office switching system serving said second link a service profile generic to said second link;

pursuant to said generic service profile identifying one of multiple parties available via said second link by processing signals resulting from speech transmitted via said first link;

responsive to said identification installing in the central office switching system serving said second link a service profile specific said one party;

pursuant at least partially to information in said specific service profile storing a voice message from said first link in message storage associated with said second link and with said one party for retrieval by said one party.