Mailbox answerphone service for mobile communications
First Claim
1. A system for use in a mobile communications network, the system being adapted to store messages for subsequent retrieval by one of a plurality of subscribers of the mobile communications network, the system comprising:
- a plurality of voice processing entities, each assigned to store and playback messages for an allocated set of the plurality of subscribers of the mobile communications network and each being arranged to collect data relating to a message store of a retrieving subscriber which is other than a member of the allocated set of subscribers, the system being in communication with a subscriber location register, said subscriber location register being arranged to store data relating to each of the plurality of subscribers of the mobile communications network,wherein a first voice processing entity of the plurality of voice processing entities is further configured to identify a first subscriber making a first call to retrieve a message by use of an identification signal automatically forwarded to the system during call establishment, the signal identifying the equipment being used by the first subscriber, and wherein the first voice processing entity is further configured to identify a second subscriber making a second call,wherein, in the event that the second subscriber is identified to be other than a member of the set of subscribers allocated to the first voice processing entity, the first voice processing entity forwards the call to the subscriber location register on the basis of the other information supplied by the second subscriber during the call, for connection of the second subscriber to a second voice processing entity associated therewith.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for use in a mobile communications system is provided. The apparatus is adapted to store messages for subsequent retrieval by a subscriber of the mobile communications system. The apparatus is further adapted to identify a first subscriber making a call to retrieve a message by using an identification signal automatically forwarded to the apparatus during call establishment. The signal may identify the equipment being used by the subscriber. The apparatus may be further adapted to identify a second subscriber, on receipt of a request from the second subscriber during the call, by using information supplied by the second subscriber during the call.
18 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A system for use in a mobile communications network, the system being adapted to store messages for subsequent retrieval by one of a plurality of subscribers of the mobile communications network, the system comprising:
-
a plurality of voice processing entities, each assigned to store and playback messages for an allocated set of the plurality of subscribers of the mobile communications network and each being arranged to collect data relating to a message store of a retrieving subscriber which is other than a member of the allocated set of subscribers, the system being in communication with a subscriber location register, said subscriber location register being arranged to store data relating to each of the plurality of subscribers of the mobile communications network, wherein a first voice processing entity of the plurality of voice processing entities is further configured to identify a first subscriber making a first call to retrieve a message by use of an identification signal automatically forwarded to the system during call establishment, the signal identifying the equipment being used by the first subscriber, and wherein the first voice processing entity is further configured to identify a second subscriber making a second call, wherein, in the event that the second subscriber is identified to be other than a member of the set of subscribers allocated to the first voice processing entity, the first voice processing entity forwards the call to the subscriber location register on the basis of the other information supplied by the second subscriber during the call, for connection of the second subscriber to a second voice processing entity associated therewith. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method of identifying subscribers to a voice processing system in a mobile communications network adapted to store messages for subsequent retrieval by a plurality of subscribers of the mobile communications network, the voice processing system comprising a plurality of voice processing entities, each assigned to store and playback messages for an allocated set of the plurality of subscribers of the mobile communications network and each being arranged to collect data relating to a message store of a retrieving subscriber which is other than a member of the allocated set of subscribers, the system being in communication with a subscriber location register, said subscriber location register being arranged to store data relating each of the plurality of subscribers of the mobile communications network, the method comprising:
-
monitoring for input of a first type from a handset; in the absence of the first type of input, identifying, by a selected one of the voice processing entities, a first subscriber making a first call by use of an identification signal automatically forwarded during call establishment, the identification signal being associated with the handset being used by the subscriber; and in response to receipt of the first type of input, identifying, by the selected one of the voice processing entities, a second subscriber making a second call by way of information supplied by the second subscriber during the second call, wherein, in the event that the second subscriber is identified to be other than a member of the set of subscribers allocated to the voice processing entity, the method further comprises forwarding the call to the subscriber location register on the basis of the other information supplied by the second subscriber during the call for connection of the second subscriber to a voice processing entity associated therewith.
-
-
9. A message retrieval system in a mobile communications network, the message retrieval system comprising:
-
a storage module configured to store messages for subsequent retrieval by each of a plurality of subscribers of the mobile communications network; and a service module configured to; provide a plurality of voice processing entities, each assigned to store and playback messages for an allocated set of the plurality of subscribers of the mobile communications network and each being arranged to collect data relating to a message store of a retrieving subscriber which is other than a member of the allocated set of the plurality of subscribers, the system being in communication with a subscriber location register, said subscriber location register being arranged to store data relating to the retrieving subscriber, wherein a first voice processing entity of the plurality of voice processing entities is configured to identify a first subscriber making a first call to retrieve a message using an identification signal automatically forwarded to the message retrieval system during establishment of the call; and wherein the first voice processing entity is further configured to identify a second subscriber making a second call to retrieve a message, based on additional information provided in a request received from the second subscriber during the second call from the second subscriber, and wherein, in the event that the second subscriber is identified to be other than a member of the set of the plurality of subscribers allocated to said voice processing entity, the service module is further configured to forward the call to the subscriber location register on the basis of the other information supplied by the second subscriber during the call for connection of the second subscriber to a second voice processing entity associated therewith. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification