System and method for calling name delivery to voicemail systems

• US 6,741,679 B1
• Filed: 07/31/2002
• Issued: 05/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Malik, Dale W.
• Primary Examiner(s): WEAVER, SCOTT LOUIS
• Application Number:
  US10/207,971
• Time in Patent Office: 664 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67.1, 379/88.18, 379/88.19, 379/88.2, 379/88.21, 379/88.25, 379/142.06, 379/201.01, 379/205.01, 379/207.01, 379/207.15, 379/221.08, 379/221.09, 379/221.11
• US Class Current: 379/88.19
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/12 intelligent networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42042 Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53333 Message receiving aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53358 Message preview

Abstract

A system and method for providing calling name delivery to a voicemail service subscriber. The system and method use the features of an advanced intelligent network to provide an interface between a voicemail service and a telephone service provider'"'"'s calling name databases. The present invention advantageously provides this interface using standard call processing techniques without the need to establish a direct data interface between the systems.

Claims

1. In a voice mail system in which a voice mail message including an associated calling number has been left for a voice mail system subscriber, a method of providing calling name information associated with the calling number to the voice mail system subscriber, the method comprising:

(a) capturing the calling number associated with the voice mail message;

(b) identifying a calling name with the calling number by utilizing signaling facilities of the public switched telephone network by employing a customized dialing plan code to trigger a service switching point to perform a function that comprises launching a query to a service control point;

(c) directing a call to a service node based on the calling number; and

(d) conveying the calling name to the voice mail system subscriber.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the service node plays the calling name to the voice mail system subscriber.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the voice mail system subscriber initiates at least one of steps (a)-(d).

4. A method of providing calling name information in a voice mail system, the method comprising:

(a) storing a plurality of calling numbers and associated calling names in a database;

(b) passing one of the calling numbers from a voice mail system via the public switched telephone network to the database and selecting a corresponding calling name; and

(c) passing the corresponding calling name from the database to the voice mail system via the public switched telephone network.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of passing one of the calling numbers comprises utilizing a signaling system of the public switched telephone network.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising establishing a connection among a telephone service switching point, a service control point and a service node.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising establishing a voice channel between a service node and the voice mail system.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising establishing a conference call among a voice mail system subscriber, the voice mail system and the service node.

9. A method of obtaining and announcing a calling name associated with a calling number that has been stored on a voice mail system, the method comprising:

(a) receiving a request for a calling name associated with a calling number that has been stored on a voice mail system;

(b) placing a call to a service switching point (SSP), the call including a customized dialing plan (CDP) code and the calling number;

(c) routing the call to a service node (SN) that is operable to access a database that stores a plurality of calling numbers and corresponding calling names;

(d) selecting a calling name based on the calling number; and

(e) announcing the calling name corresponding to the calling number.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein a voice mail system subscriber initiates the request for the calling name.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of routing the call to a service node (SN) comprises utilizing signaling facilities of the public switched telephone network.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising re-announcing the calling name corresponding to the calling number.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising establishing a conference call among a voice mail system subscriber, the voice mail system and the service node.

14. A method of announcing to a voice mail system subscriber a calling name associated with a calling number that has been recorded on a voice mail system, the method comprising:

(a) establishing a conference call between a voice mail subscriber, a voice mail system and a service node of the public switched telephone network;

(b) passing a calling number from the voice mail system to the service node;

(c) determining a calling name corresponding to the calling number; and

(d) announcing the calling name over the conference call to the voice mail subscriber.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein a customized dialing plan (CDP) code is employed to initiate the conference call.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the voice mail subscriber initiates the method.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising writing the calling number in a calling party field of a call setup message and a telephone access number for the service node in a called party field of the call setup message.