Method for simulating a ring back for a call between parties in different communication networks

• US 6,574,335 B1
• Filed: 12/22/1999
• Issued: 06/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ramakrishnan, Kadangode K., Mishra, Partho Pratim, Kalmanek, Charles Robert Jr., Marshall, William Todd, Nortz, Douglas M
• Primary Examiner(s): Matar, Ahmad F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, KAREN L
• Application Number:
  US09/468,902
• Time in Patent Office: 1,259 Days
• Field of Search: 379/257, 379/373.02, 379/207.02, 379/207.16, 379/229, 379/230
• US Class Current: 379/386
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/203 composed of PSTN and data network, e.g. the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/02 Calling substations, e.g. by ringing selective calling H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42017 Customized ring-back tones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/00 Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres

Abstract

A ring back signal for a call between a calling party and a called party can be simulated. A ring back message associated with the call is received. The calling party is associated with a first network. The called party is associated with a second network. A prestored ring back signal is selected from a set of prestored ring back signals based on the ring back message and/or a called number for the call. The selected prestored ring back signal is associated with the second network and is different from a second prestored ring back signal associated with the first network. The prestored ring back signal is sent to the calling party.

Claims

1. A method for simulating a ring back for connecting a call between a calling party and a called party, comprising:

receiving a ring back message associated with the call, the calling party being associated with a first network, the called party being associated with a second network;

selecting a prestored ring back signal from a plurality of prestored ring back signals based on at least one of (1) the ring back message and (2) a called number for the call, the selected prestored ring back signal being associated with the second network and being different from a ring back signal associated with the first network; and

sending the selected prestored ring back signal to the calling party.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the ring back message includes an indicator indicating at least one from;

(1) the second network, (2) a terminating interface unit, and (3) a state of the terminating interface unit,

the selected prestored ring back signal is selected based on the indicator included in the ring back message.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the calling party is located within a first country, the called party is located within a second country, the selected prestored ring back signal is associated with the second country and not associated with the first country.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the ring back message is received at the originating interface unit,

the selected prestored ring back signal is selected at the originating interface unit, the plurality of prestored ring back signals are stored in a originating interface unit.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the ring back message is sent from a terminating interface unit to the originating interface unit without being routed through a gate controller.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the ring back message is received, the selected prestored ring back signal is selected and the selected prestored ring back signal is sent before the call is connected.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the ring back message is received, the selected prestored ring back signal is selected and the selected prestored ring back signal is sent after network resources for the call are reserved.

8. A method for simulating a ring back for connecting a call between a calling party and a called party, comprising:

receiving at the called party a ring message for a call from the calling party, the calling party being associated with a first network, the called party being associated with a second network;

sending a ring back message from the called party to the calling party,

a prestored ring back signal being selected from a plurality of prestored ring back signals based on at least one from the ring back message and a called number for the call, the selected prestored ring back signal being associated with the second network and being different from a ring back signal associated with the first network, and

sending the selected prestored ring back signal to the calling party.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the ring back message includes an indicator indicating at least one from;

(1) the second network, (2) a terminating interface unit, and (3) a state of the terminating interface unit,

the selected prestored ring back signal is selected based on the indicator included in the ring back message.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the calling party is located within a first country, the called party is located within a second country, the selected prestored ring back signal is associated with the second country and not associated with the first country.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the ring message is received at a terminating interface unit,

the ring back message is sent from the terminating interface unit to an originating interface unit,

the selected prestored ring back signal is selected at the originating interface unit, the plurality of prestored ring back signals being stored in the originating interface unit.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the ring back message is sent from a terminating interface unit to the originating interface unit without being routed through a gate controller.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the ring message is received and the ring back message is received before the call is connected.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the ring back message is received, the selected prestored ring back signal is selected and the selected prestored ring back signal is sent after network resources for the call are reserved.

15. A method for simulating a ring back for connecting a call between a calling party and a called party, comprising:

receiving a ring back message associated with the call, the calling party being associated with a first network, the called party being associated with a second network;

selecting a prestored ring back signal from a plurality of prestored ring back signals based on at least one of (1) the ring back message and (2) a called number for the call, the selected prestored ring back signal being associated with at least one from an identity of a first terminating interface unit and a state of the first terminating interface unit, the first terminating interface unit being associated with the called party within the second network, the selected ring back signal being different from a ring back signal associated with a second terminating interface unit and a state of the second terminating interface unit; and

sending the selected prestored ring back signal to the calling party.