Apparatus, method and system for providing variable alerting patterns for multiple leg telecommunication sessions

• US 6,366,660 B1
• Filed: 06/29/1999
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Baiyor, Robert John, Strom, Thomas Dale, Smith, Harold Robert Jr., Earl, Deborah Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Matar, Ahmad F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUI, BING Q
• Application Number:
  US09/342,499
• Time in Patent Office: 1,008 Days
• Field of Search: 379/202.01, 379/211.02, 379/211.03, 379/211.04, 379/219, 379/196, 379/233, 379/49
• US Class Current: 379/211.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2016 Call initiation by network rather than by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/04 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/46 Arrangements for calling a number of substations in a predetermined sequence until an answer is obtained
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/465 Arrangements for simultaneously calling a number of substations until an answer is obtained

Abstract

A system, apparatus and method are disclosed which provide variable alerting patterns for multiple leg telecommunication sessions, such as for providing concurrent alerting, sequential alerting, pyramid alerting or cascade alerting, of outgoing call legs for a flexible alerting service. The preferred system includes a home location register coupled to a mobile switching center. The home location register has, stored in a memory, a plurality of secondary directory numbers associated with a primary directory number, such as an ANSI compatible pilot directory number, and for each secondary directory number of the plurality of secondary directory numbers, further stored in the memory a corresponding timing delay parameter, a corresponding no answer time parameter, and a corresponding no answer termination trigger. Variation of the various corresponding timing delay parameters and no answer time parameters produces the variable alerting patterns. The mobile switching center has an interface for receiving an incoming call leg designating the primary directory number and for differentially processing and routing each outgoing call leg associated with each secondary directory number, of the plurality of secondary directory numbers, according to its corresponding timing delay parameter, to form a plurality of outgoing call legs; and unless an outgoing call leg of the plurality of outgoing legs has been answered, for alerting each outgoing call leg for a time period of its corresponding no answer time parameter and, upon an expiration of the time period, for treating each outgoing call leg according to its corresponding no answer termination trigger.

Claims

1. A method for providing variable alerting patterns for multiple leg telecommunication sessions, the method comprising:

(a) receiving an incoming call leg designating a primary directory number;

(b) determining a plurality of secondary directory numbers associated with the primary directory number;

(c) for each secondary directory number of the plurality of secondary directory numbers, determining a corresponding timing delay parameter, a corresponding no answer time parameter, and a corresponding no answer termination trigger parameter;

(d) unless a previously routed outgoing call leg has been answered, differentially processing and routing each outgoing call leg associated with each secondary directory number, of the plurality of secondary directory numbers, according to its corresponding timing delay parameter, to form a plurality of outgoing call legs; and

(e) unless an outgoing call leg of the plurality of outgoing legs has been answered, alerting each outgoing call leg for a time period of its corresponding no answer time parameter and, upon an expiration of the time period, treating each outgoing call leg according to its corresponding no answer termination trigger.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) further comprises:

transmitting a location request.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) further comprises:

transmitting a location request return result containing, for each secondary directory number of the plurality of secondary directory numbers, the corresponding timing delay parameter, the corresponding no answer time parameter, and the corresponding no answer termination trigger parameter.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) further comprises:

(d1) waiting an initial predetermined period of time, determined by a smallest timing delay parameter of a plurality of corresponding timing delay parameters;

(d2) following the initial predetermined period of time, routing a first outgoing call leg to a first secondary directory number, of the plurality of secondary directory numbers, corresponding to the smallest timing delay parameter;

(d3) waiting a subsequent predetermined period of time, determined by a next smallest timing delay parameter of the plurality of corresponding timing delay parameters;

(d4) following the subsequent predetermined period of time, routing a outgoing call leg to another secondary directory number, of the plurality of secondary directory numbers, corresponding to the next smallest timing delay parameter; and

(d5) repeating steps (d3) and (d4) until a first to occur of either a routing of all outgoing call legs corresponding to the plurality of secondary directory numbers or an answering of an outgoing call leg of the plurality of outgoing call legs.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the timing delay parameter is a ring start adjustment time contained as a parameter within a Termination List of a modified ANSI compatible LocationRequest RETURN RESULT.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the no answer time parameter is contained as a parameter within a Termination List of a modified ANSI compatible LocationRequest RETURN RESULT.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the determination of each corresponding time delay parameter and each corresponding no answer time defines a concurrent alerting pattern for the plurality of outgoing call legs.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the determination of each corresponding time delay parameter and each corresponding no answer time defines a sequential alerting pattern for the plurality of outgoing call legs.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the determination of each corresponding time delay parameter and each corresponding no answer time defines a cascade alerting pattern for the plurality of outgoing call legs.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the determination of each corresponding time delay parameter and each corresponding no answer time defines a pyramid alerting pattern for the plurality of outgoing call legs.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein each corresponding no answer termination trigger is a release of a corresponding outgoing call leg.

12. A system for providing a variable alerting pattern for multiple leg telecommunication sessions, the system comprising:

a database, the database having stored in a memory a plurality of secondary directory numbers associated with a primary directory number, and for each secondary directory number of the plurality of secondary directory numbers, further storing in the memory a corresponding timing delay parameter, a corresponding no answer time parameter, and a corresponding no answer termination trigger; and

a switching center coupled to the database, the switching center further having an interface for receiving an incoming call leg designating the primary directory number and, unless a previously routed outgoing call leg has been answered, for differentially processing and routing each outgoing call leg associated with each secondary directory number, of the plurality of secondary directory numbers, according to its corresponding timing delay parameter, to form a plurality of outgoing call legs; and

unless an outgoing call leg of the plurality of outgoing legs has been answered, for alerting each outgoing call leg for a time period of its corresponding no answer time parameter and, upon an expiration of the time period, for treating each outgoing call leg according to its corresponding no answer termination trigger.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the switching center transmits a location request to the database.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the database transmits to the switching center a location request return result containing, for each secondary directory number of the plurality of secondary directory numbers, the corresponding timing delay parameter, the corresponding no answer time parameter, and the corresponding no answer termination trigger.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the switching center waits an initial predetermined period of time, determined by a smallest timing delay parameter of a plurality of corresponding timing delay parameters;

following the initial predetermined period of time, the switching center routes a first outgoing call leg to a first secondary directory number, of the plurality of secondary directory numbers, corresponding to the smallest timing delay parameter; and

wherein the switching center waits a subsequent predetermined period of time, determined by a next smallest timing delay parameter of the plurality of corresponding timing delay parameters, and following the subsequent predetermined period of time, the switching center routes a outgoing call leg to another secondary directory number, of the plurality of secondary directory numbers, corresponding to the next smallest timing delay parameter, until a sooner to occur of either a routing of all outgoing call legs corresponding to the plurality of secondary directory numbers or an answering of an outgoing call leg of the plurality of outgoing call legs.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein the timing delay parameter is a ring start adjustment time contained as a parameter within a Termination List of a modified ANSI compatible LocationRequest RETURN RESULT.

17. The system of claim 12 wherein the no answer time parameter is contained as a parameter within a Termination List of a modified ANSI compatible LocationRequest RETURN RESULT.

18. The system of claim 12 wherein a specification of each corresponding time delay parameter and each corresponding no answer time defines a concurrent alerting pattern for the plurality of outgoing call legs.

19. The system of claim 12 wherein a specification of each corresponding time delay parameter and each corresponding no answer time defines a sequential alerting pattern for the plurality of outgoing call legs.

20. The system of claim 12 wherein a specification of each corresponding time delay parameter and each corresponding no answer time defines a cascade alerting pattern for the plurality of outgoing call legs.

21. The system of claim 12 wherein a specification of each corresponding time delay parameter and each corresponding no answer time defines a pyramid alerting pattern for the plurality of outgoing call legs.

22. The system of claim 12 wherein each corresponding no answer termination trigger is a release of a corresponding outgoing call leg.

23. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

wherein the database transmits a request to a second switching center for determining a temporary local directory number for a roaming mobile unit corresponding to a secondary directory number of the plurality of secondary numbers.

24. The system of claim 12, wherein the database is a home location register and wherein the switching center is a mobile switching center.

25. An apparatus for providing variable alerting patterns for multiple leg telecommunication sessions, the apparatus comprising:

a network interface for reception of an incoming call leg designating a primary directory number and for transmission of an outgoing call leg;

a memory having a plurality of secondary directory numbers associated with the primary directory number, and for each secondary directory number of the plurality of secondary directory numbers, further having a corresponding timing delay parameter, a corresponding no answer time parameter, and a corresponding no answer termination trigger; and

a processor coupled to the memory and the network interface, wherein the processor, when operative, includes program instructions to differentially process and route each outgoing call leg associated with each secondary directory number, of the plurality of secondary directory numbers, according to its corresponding timing delay parameter to form a plurality of outgoing call legs; and

the processor having further instructions to, unless an outgoing call leg of the plurality of outgoing legs has been answered, alert each outgoing call leg for a time period of its corresponding no answer time parameter and, upon an expiration of the time period, treat each outgoing call leg according to its corresponding no answer termination trigger.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the processor includes program instructions to wait an initial predetermined period of time, determined by a smallest timing delay parameter of a plurality of corresponding timing delay parameters, and following the initial predetermined period of time, to route a first outgoing call leg to a first secondary directory number, of the plurality of secondary directory numbers, corresponding to the smallest timing delay parameter;

and wherein the processor includes further program instructions to wait a subsequent predetermined period of time, determined by a next smallest timing delay parameter of the plurality of corresponding timing delay parameters, and following the subsequent predetermined period of time, to route an outgoing call leg to another secondary directory number, of the plurality of secondary directory numbers, corresponding to the next smallest timing delay parameter, until a sooner to occur of either a routing of all outgoing call legs corresponding to the plurality of secondary directory numbers or an answering of an outgoing call leg of the plurality of outgoing call legs.

27. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the timing delay parameter is a ring start adjustment time contained as a parameter within a Termination List of a modified ANSI compatible LocationRequest RETURN RESULT.

28. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the no answer time parameter is contained as a parameter within a Termination List of a modified ANSI compatible LocationRequest RETURN RESULT.

29. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein a specification of each corresponding time delay parameter and each corresponding no answer time defines a concurrent alerting pattern for the plurality of outgoing call legs.

30. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein a specification of each corresponding time delay parameter and each corresponding no answer time defines a sequential alerting pattern for the plurality of outgoing call legs.

31. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein a specification of each corresponding time delay parameter and each corresponding no answer time defines a cascade alerting pattern for the plurality of outgoing call legs.

32. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein a specification of each corresponding time delay parameter and each corresponding no answer time defines a pyramid alerting pattern for the plurality of outgoing call legs.

33. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein each corresponding no answer termination trigger is a release of a corresponding outgoing call leg.

34. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the memory is embodied within a home location register and wherein the network interface and the processor are embodied within a mobile switching center.

35. A system for providing variable alerting patterns for outgoing call legs for flexible alerting service, the system comprising:

a home location register, the home location register having stored in a memory a plurality of secondary directory numbers associated with a pilot directory number, and for each secondary directory number of the plurality of secondary directory numbers, further storing in the memory a corresponding ring start adjustment time (RSAT) parameter, a corresponding no answer time (NAT) parameter, and a corresponding no answer termination trigger; and

a mobile switching center coupled to the home location register, the mobile switching center further having an interface for receiving an incoming call leg designating the pilot directory number and for differentially processing and routing each outgoing call leg associated with each secondary directory number, of the plurality of secondary directory numbers, according to its corresponding RSAT parameter, to form a plurality of outgoing call legs; and

unless an outgoing call leg of the plurality of outgoing legs has been answered, for alerting each outgoing call leg for a time period of its corresponding no answer time parameter and, upon an expiration of the time period, for treating each outgoing call leg according to its corresponding no answer termination trigger.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the mobile switching center transmits an ANSI compatible LocationRequest to the home location register.

37. The system of claim 35, wherein the home location register transmits to the mobile switching center a modified ANSI compatible LocationRequest RETURN RESULT containing, for each secondary directory number of the plurality of secondary directory numbers, the corresponding RSAT parameter, the corresponding NAT parameter, and the corresponding no answer termination trigger.

38. The system of claim 35, wherein the mobile switching center waits an initial predetermined period of time, determined by a smallest RSAT parameter of a plurality of corresponding RSAT parameters;

following the initial predetermined period of time, the mobile switching center routes a first outgoing call leg to a first secondary directory number, of the plurality of secondary directory numbers, corresponding to the smallest RSAT parameter; and

wherein the mobile switching center waits a subsequent predetermined period of time, determined by a next smallest RSAT parameter of the plurality of corresponding RSAT parameters, and following the subsequent predetermined period of time, the mobile switching center routes an outgoing call leg to another secondary directory number, of the plurality of secondary directory numbers, corresponding to the next smallest RSAT parameter, until a sooner to occur of either a routing of all outgoing call legs corresponding to the plurality of secondary directory numbers or an answering of an outgoing call leg of the plurality of outgoing call legs.

39. The system of claim 35 wherein the timing delay parameter is a ring start adjustment time contained as a parameter within a Termination List of a modified ANSI compatible LocationRequest RETURN RESULT.

40. The system of claim 35 wherein the no answer time parameter is contained as a parameter within a Termination List of a modified ANSI compatible LocationRequest RETURN RESULT.

41. The system of claim 35 wherein a specification of each corresponding time delay parameter and each corresponding no answer time defines a concurrent alerting pattern for the plurality of outgoing call legs.

42. The system of claim 35 wherein a specification of each corresponding time delay parameter and each corresponding no answer time defines a sequential alerting pattern for the plurality of outgoing call legs.

43. The system of claim 35 wherein a specification of each corresponding time delay parameter and each corresponding no answer time defines a cascade alerting pattern for the plurality of outgoing call legs.

44. The system of claim 35 wherein a specification of each corresponding time delay parameter and each corresponding no answer time defines a pyramid alerting pattern for the plurality of outgoing call legs.

45. The system of claim 35 wherein each corresponding no answer termination trigger is a release of a corresponding outgoing call leg.

46. The system of claim 35, wherein the home location register transmits a request to a serving mobile switching center for determining a temporary local directory number for a roaming mobile unit corresponding to a secondary directory number of the plurality of secondary numbers.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the home location register transmits an ANSI compatible RoutingRequest to the serving mobile switching center and receives an ANSI compatible RoutingRequest RETURN RESULT from the serving mobile switching center.