Method and apparatus for using a B-answer signal to prevent a voice announcement in a group call

• US 6,405,051 B1
• Filed: 06/10/1999
• Issued: 06/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Ahlström, Lars Gunnar Folke, Ramle, Jan Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban, Edward F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Milord, Marceau
• Application Number:
  US09/329,897
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: 455/416, 455/445, 455/433, 455/413, 455/414, 455/518, 455/519
• US Class Current: 455/518
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2027 Live party detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2044 Group features, e.g. closed user group
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/5063 Centrally initiated conference, i.e. Conference server dials participants computer conference organisation arrangements H04L12/1818
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15

Abstract

A technique for preventing voice announcements in a group call is provided. If any voice activity precedes a B-answer signal on a call to a party, that party is not added to the group call. This approach guarantees that no voice announcements will be added to the group call. With this approach, all subscribers are allowed to use voice mail systems, but subscribers currently forwarding messages to a voice mail system will not be connected to group calls.

Claims

1. A method for preventing a voice announcement in a group call, the group call involving a plurality of potential participants of the group call, each of the plurality of potential participants of the group call receiving an individual call from a group controller, a first potential participant of the plurality of potential participants of the group call forwarding its received individual call to a response system, the method comprising the steps of:

generating, in response to the forwarded individual call, an announcement signal including voice activity;

detecting the voice activity of the announcement signal; and

excluding the first potential participant from the group call if the voice activity of the announcement signal is detected before a B-answer signal is received.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the response system generates the announcement signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the response system is a network response system.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the response system is a voice mail system.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the detecting step is implemented by a voice detector associated with the group controller, the voice detector being configured to detect the voice activity.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the step of excluding the first potential participant from the group call includes disconnecting the first potential participant from the group call.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the group call is formed over a telecommunication network which includes one or more Public Land Mobile Networks.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the group call is formed over a telecommunications network which includes a Public Switched Telephone Network.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

connecting to the group call a second potential participant of the plurality of potential participants of the group call, the second potential participant not forwarding its individual call to the response system so that a B-answer signal is generated before any voice activity.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of potential participants are subscribers of a Public Land Mobile Network.

11. An apparatus for preventing a voice announcement in a group call, the group call having a plurality of potential participants, the group call being established in a telecommunications network by establishing a call connection in the network for each of the plurality of potential participants of the group call, the apparatus comprising:

a voice detector, coupled to the network, configured to detect voice activity on any one of the individual call connections; and

a group controller associated with the voice detector and configured to disconnect the any one of the call connections if the voice activity on the any one of the call connections is detected before a B-answer signal is received.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

a response system for generating voice activity in response to one of the call connections.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:

the response system is a network response system.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:

the response system is a voice mail system.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

a mobile station for generating the B-answer signal in response to one of the call connections.

16. A system for preventing a voice announcement in a group call, the group call having a plurality of potential participants, the group call being established in a telecommunications network by signaling the plurality of potential participants of the group call to establish an individual call connection for each of the plurality of potential participants of the group call, the system comprising:

a response system, coupled to the network, configured to generate a voice announcement including voice activity upon being signaled over the network; and

a group controller, coupled to the network, comprising;

a voice activity detector for detecting the voice activity and;

a processing unit coupled to the voice detector for disconnecting the any one of the call connections if the voice activity associated with the any one of the call connections is detected before a B-answer signal is received.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein:

the potential participants are subscribers of one or more Public Land Mobile Networks.

18. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

a mobile station generating the B-answer signal in response to one of the call connections.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein:

the response system is a network response system.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein:

the response system is a voice mail system.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein:

the telecommunication network includes one or more Public Land Mobile Networks.