Method and apparatus for sending voice message in mobile network

• US 7,890,086 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2005
• Issued: 02/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TI Square Technology Limited
• Original Assignee: TI Square Technology Limited
• Inventors: Jin-soo, Shin, Lee, Gil-soo
• Primary Examiner(s): Addy; Anthony S.
• Application Number:
  US11/571,495
• Publication Number:
  US 20080062938A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,148 Days
• Field of Search: 455/412.1, 455/412.2, 455/413, 455/414.1, 455/414.2, 455/414.4, 455415-417, 455/445, 455/517, 455/566, 455/567, 455/403, 455/418, 455/426.1, 455/433, 455/439, 455/461, 455/462, 455/465, 455/466, 455/563, 379/219, 379/221.01, 379/273, 379/274, 379/15.02, 379/15.03, 379/67.1, 379/88.04, 379/88.16, 379/88.18, 379/88.22, 379/88.23, 379/114.28, 379/114.29, 379/133, 379/221.08, 379/221.09, 370351-357, 370/328, 370/338
• US Class Current: 455/413
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2016 Call initiation by network rather than by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53366 Message disposing or creating aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup

Abstract

To use the supplementary services of a conventional mobile communication service, such as Short Message Service (SMS) and Voice Mail System (VMS) service, there are problems in that an access method to each service must be known and several steps must be undergone. The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for sending voice messages in a mobile communication network and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus that gain access to the service providing page of the wireless Internet in such a way as to input the telephone number of a counterpart and a wireless Internet access key, and send a voice message to the counterpart.

Claims

1. A method of providing voice message call service in a service providing apparatus that is connected to a calling terminal, a Mobile Switching Center (MSC)/Personal Communication eXchange (PCX), a Home Location Register (HLR), a Service Control Point (SCP) and a called terminal through a mobile communication network, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a first Seize Resource (SR) signal from the SCP, wherein the first Seize Resource (SR) signal corresponds to an Analyzed Information (AI) signal, which is sent to the SCP in response to a featreq signal received in response to a Feature Request (FEATREQ) signal, the MSC/PCX receiving a first call set-up request signal from the calling terminal and sending the FEATREQ signal to the HLR;

sending a first seize resource (sr) signal to the SCP in response to the first Seize Resource (SR) signal, wherein the SCP sends a first Connect Resource signal to the MSC/PCX in response to the first seize resource (sr) signal;

receiving a first call access request signal from the MSC/PCX, wherein the first call access request signal is generated based on the first Connect Resource signal;

sending a first call access response signal to the MSC/PCX in response to the first call access request signal, wherein the MSC/PCX sends a first call set-up response signal to the calling terminal in response to the first call access response signal;

sending a first Instruction Request (IR) signal to the SCP;

receiving a first Specialized Resource Function Directive (SRFD) signal from the SCP in response to the first Instruction Request (IR) signal;

receiving a voice message, which will be transferred to the called terminal, from the calling terminal through a first call path, which is established with the calling terminal, in accordance with the first call access response signal and the first call set-up response signal;

sending a first specialized resource function directive (srfd) signal indicating that the process of the Specialized Resource Function Directive (SRFD) signal has been completed to the SCP;

receiving a first instruction request (ir) signal indicating that the process of a corresponding call has been completed from the SCP in response to the first Specialized Resource Function Directive (SRFD) signal;

terminating the first call path;

sending a voice message call request signal to the SCP for call connection to the called terminal, wherein the SCP sends a first outbound call request signal to the MSC/PCX, and the MSC/PCX sends a second call set-up request signal to the called terminal, receives a second call set-up response signal, and sends a first outbound call response signal to the SCP in response to the second call set-up response signal;

receiving a second Seize Resource (SR) signal from the SCP in response to the first outbound call response signal;

sending a second seize resource (sr) signal to the SCP in response to the second Seize Resource (SR) signal, wherein the SCP sends a second Connect Resource signal to the MSC/PCX in response to the second seize resource (sr) signal;

receiving a second call access request signal from the MSC/PCX, wherein the second call access request signal is generated based on the second Connect Resource signal;

sending a second call access response signal to the MSC/PCX in response to the second call access request signal;

sending a second Instruction Request (IR) signal to the SCP;

receiving a second Specialized Resource Function Directive (SRFD) signal from the SCP in response to the second Instruction Request (IR) signal; and

sending the voice message from the service providing apparatus to the called terminal using a second call path, which is established between the service providing apparatus and the called terminal, in accordance with the second call access response signal and the second call set-up response signal.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a wireless Internet access request signal from the calling terminal, wherein the wireless Internet access request signal is generated by inputting a telephone number of the called terminal and pressing a wireless Internet access button in the calling terminal;

sending a supplementary service integration screen, including a supplementary service list, to the calling terminal;

receiving a voice message call request signal from the calling terminal; and

terminating a wireless Internet connection to the calling terminal.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the calling terminal sends the first call set-up request signal to the MSC/PCX using connection number of the service providing apparatus included in a Wireless Markup Language (WML) or Wireless Internet browser page from the service providing apparatus output from the service providing apparatus, if connection between the service providing apparatus and the wireless Internet is terminated.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the voice message call request signal is generated using a group directory of a wireless Internet, and the service providing apparatus concurrently sends the voice message to a plurality of called parties registered in the group directory.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first call set-up request signal includes a voice message call feature code and an identifier of the called terminal.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first call set-up request signal is sent from the calling terminal to the MSC/PCX using at least one of a method using a dedicated key, a method using a mailbox menu and a method using a telephone directory menu.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

sending a guidance message for reply to the called terminal;

receiving a response message, which will be sent to the calling terminal, from the called terminal;

terminating the second call path;

sending a second outbound call request signal to the MSC/PCX for call connection to the calling terminal, wherein the MSC/PCX sends a third call set-up request signal to the calling terminal in response to the second outbound call request signal, and receives a third call set-up response signal in response to the third call set-up request signal;

receiving a second outbound call response signal from the MSC/PCX in response to the third call set-up response signal; and

sending the response message to the called terminal through a third call path, which is established with the called terminal, in accordance with the third call set-up response signal and the second outbound call response signal.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein if reply calling party charge release is previously set by the user of the called terminal, fees for response message transmission are borne by the called terminal.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a calling party immediate connection request signal from the called terminal;

sending a second outbound call request signal to the MSC/PCX for call connection to the calling terminal, wherein the MSC/PCX sends a third call set-up request signal to the calling terminal in response to the second outbound call request signal and receives a third call set-up response signal in response to the third call set-up request signal; and

receiving a second outbound call response signal from the MSC/PCX in response to the third call set-up response signal,

wherein the calling terminal and the called terminal communicate with each other through the second call path and a third call path, which is established with the called terminal, in accordance with the third call set-up response signal and the second outbound call response signal.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a calling party call request signal from the called terminal;

terminating the second call path;

sending a second outbound call request signal to the MSC/PCX for call connection to the calling terminal, wherein the MSC/PCX sends a third call set-up request signal to the calling terminal in response to the second outbound call request signal and receives a third call set-up response signal in response to the third call set-up request signal;

receiving a second outbound call response signal from the MSC/PCX in response to the third call set-up response signal, and establishing a third call path with the calling terminal;

sending a third outbound call request signal to the MSC/PCX for call connection to the called terminal, wherein the MSC/PCX sends a fourth call set-up request signal to the called terminal in response to the third outbound call request signal and receives a fourth call set-up response signal in response to the fourth call set-up request signal; and

receiving a third outbound call response signal from the MSC/PCX in response to the fourth call set-up response signal, and establishing a fourth call path with the called terminal,

wherein the calling terminal and the called terminal communicate with each other through the third call path and the fourth call path.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

send a called subscriber state request signal for querying the status of the called terminal to the HLR;

receiving a called subscriber state response signal from the HLR;

sending a called subscriber state registration request signal to the HLR if the called terminal is determined not to be in an idle state based on the received called subscriber state response signal; and

receiving a called subscriber state report signal from the HLR, wherein the called subscriber state report signal is generated by registering into the HLR when the called terminal enters the idle state.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second call set-up response signal and the first outbound call response signal are an Address Complete Message (ACM) and an Answer Message (ANM), and the ACM includes a backward call indicator indicating status information of the called terminal.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second call set-up response signal and the first outbound call response signal are an Address Complete Message (ACM), a Call Progress (CPG) and an Answer Message (ANM), and the service providing apparatus determines that the called terminal is not in an idle state if the CPG is received.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein, when sending the voice message to the called terminal, the service providing apparatus outputs a nickname or a real name for the user of the calling terminal to the called terminal through a Text To Speech (TTS) server.

16. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the user of the calling terminal gains access to the service providing apparatus using any one of a wireless Internet, a wired Internet and voice call and queries a history of the voice messages sent to the called terminal.

17. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the steps of:

sending a second specialized resource function directive (srfd) signal to the SCP;

receiving a second instruction request (ir) signal from the SCP in response to the second specialized resource function directive (srfd) signal; and

terminating the second call path.

2. A method of providing voice message call service in a service providing apparatus that is connected to a calling terminal, a Mobile Switching Center (MSC)/Personal Communication eXchange (PCX), a Home Location Register (HLR), a Service Control Point (SCP) and a called terminal through a mobile communication network, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving an Seize Resource (SR) signal from the SCP, wherein the first Seize Resource (SR) signal corresponds to a first Analyzed Information (AI) signal, which is sent to the SCP in response to a featreq signal received in response to a FEATREQ, the MSC/PCX receiving a first call set-up request signal from the calling terminal and sending the FEATREQ signal to the HLR;

sending a first seize resource (sr) signal to the SCP in response to the first Seize Resource (SR) signal, wherein the SCP sends a first Connect Resource signal to the MSC/PCX in response to the first seize resource (sr) signal;

receiving a first call access request signal from the MSC/PCX, wherein the first call access request signal is generated based on the first Connect Resource signal;

sending a first call access response signal to the MSC/PCX in response to the first call access request signal, wherein the MSC/PCX sends a first call set-up response signal to the calling terminal in response to the first call access response signal;

sending a first Instruction Request (IR) signal to the SCP;

receiving a first Specialized Resource Function Directive (SRFD) signal from the SCP in response to the first Instruction Request (IR) signal;

receiving a voice message, which will be transferred to the called terminal from the calling terminal through a first call path, which is established with the calling terminal, in accordance with the first call access response signal and the first call set-up response signal;

sending a first specialized resource function directive (srfd) signal indicating that the process of the Specialized Resource Function Directive (SRFD) signal has been completed to the SCP;

receiving a first instruction request (ir) signal indicating that the process of a corresponding call has been completed from the SCP in response to the first Specialized Resource Function Directive (SRFD) signal;

terminating the first call path;

sending a callback short message to the called terminal, wherein the called terminal sends a second call set-up request signal to the MSC/PCX for call connection to the service providing apparatus using the callback short message;

receiving a second Seize Resource (SR) signal from the SCP, wherein the second Seize Resource (SR) signal corresponds to a second Analyzed Information (AI) signal that is sent to the SCP by the MSC/PCX in response to the second call set-up request signal;

sending a second seize resource (sr) signal to the SCP in response to the second Seize Resource (SR) signal, wherein the SCP sends a second Connect Resource signal to the MSC/PCX in response to the second seize resource (sr) signal;

receiving a second call access request signal from the MSC/PCX, wherein the second call access request signal is generated based on the second Connect Resource signal;

sending a second call access response signal to the MSC/PCX in response to the second call access request signal, wherein the MSC/PCX sends a second call set-up response signal to the called terminal in response to the second call access response signal;

sending a second Instruction Request (IR) signal to the SCP;

receiving a second Specialized Resource Function Directive (SRFD) signal from the SCP in response to the second Instruction Request (IR) signal; and

sending the voice message to the called terminal using a second call path, which is established with the called terminal, in accordance with the second call access response signal and the second call set-up response signal.

18. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the steps of:

sending a guidance message for reply to the called terminal;

receiving a response message, which will be sent to the calling terminal, from the called terminal;

terminating the second call path;

sending a outbound call request signal to the MSC/PCX for call connection to the calling terminal, wherein the MSC/PCX sends a third call set-up request signal to the calling terminal in response to the outbound call request signal, and receives a third call set-up response signal in response to the third call set-up request signal;

receiving a second outbound call response signal from the MSC/PCX in response to the third call set-up response signal; and

sending the response message to the called terminal through a third call path, which is established with called terminal, in accordance with the third call set-up response signal and the second outbound call response signal.

19. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a calling party immediate connection request signal from the called terminal;

sending the outbound call request signal to the MSC/PCX for call connection to the calling terminal, wherein the MSC/PCX sends a third call set-up request signal to the calling terminal in response to the outbound call request signal and receives a third call set-up response signal in response the third call set-up request signal; and

receiving a outbound call response signal from the MSC/PCX in response to the third call set-up response signal;

wherein the calling terminal and the called terminal communicate with each other through the second call path and a third call path, which is established with the called terminal, in accordance with the third call set-up response signal and the outbound call response signal.

20. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a calling party call request signal from the called terminal;

terminating the second call path;

sending a first outbound call request signal to the MSC/PCX for call connection to the calling terminal, wherein the MSC/PCX sends a third call set-up request signal to the calling terminal in response to the first outbound call request signal and receives a third call set-up response signal in response to the third call set-up request signal;

receiving a first outbound call response signal from the MSC/PCX in response to the third call set-up response signal, and establishing a third call path with the calling terminal;

sending a second outbound call request signal to the MSC/PCX for call connection to the called terminal, wherein the MSC/PCX sends a fourth call set-up request signal to the called terminal in response to the second outbound call request signal and receives a fourth call set-up response signal in response to the fourth call set-up request signal; and

receiving a second outbound call response signal from the MSC/PCX in response to the fourth call set-up response signal, and establishing a fourth call path with the called terminal,

wherein the calling terminal and the called terminal communicate with each other through the third call path and the fourth call path.

21. A service providing apparatus for providing voice message call service, the service providing apparatus being connected to a calling terminal, an a Mobile Switching Center (MSC)/Personal Communication eXchange (PCX), a Home Location Register (HLR), a Service Control Point (SCP) and a called terminal through a mobile communication network, comprising:

a memory having a program stored therein; and

a processor for executing the program in conjunction with the memory;

wherein the processor, using the program, receives a first Seize Resource (SR) signal from the SCP, wherein the first Seize Resource (SR) signal corresponds to an Analyzed Information (AI) signal, which is sent to the SCP in response to a featreq signal received in response to a Feature Request (FEATREQ) signal, the MSC/PCX receiving a first call set-up request signal from the calling terminal and sending the FEATREQ signal to the HLR;

sends a first seize resource (sr) signal to the SCP in response to the first Seize Resource (SR) signal, wherein the SCP sends a first Connect Resource signal to the MSC/PCX in response to the first seize resource (sr) signal;

receives a first call access request signal from the MSC/PCX, wherein the first call access request signal is generated based on the first Connect Resource signal;

sends first call access response signal to the MSC/PCX in response to the first call access request signal, wherein the MSC/PCX sends a first call set-up response signal to the calling terminal in response to the first call access response signal;

sends a first Instruction Request (IR) signal to the SCP;

receives a first Specialized Resource Function Directive (SRFD) signal from the SCP in accordance with the first Instruction Request (IR) signal;

receives a voice message, which will be transferred to the called terminal, from the calling terminal through a first call path, which is established with the calling terminal, in accordance with the first call access response signal and the first call set-up response signal;

sends a first specialized resource function directive (srfd) signal indicating that the process of the Specialized Resource Function Directive (SRFD) signal has been completed to the SCP;

receives a first instruction request (ir) signal indicating that the process of a corresponding call has been completed from the SCP in response to the first Specialized Resource Function Directive (SRFD) signal;

terminates the first call path;

sends a voice message call request signal to the SCP for call connection to the called terminal, wherein the SCP sends a first outbound call request signal to the MSC/PCX, and the MSC/PCX sends a second call set-up request signal to the called terminal, receives a second call set-up response signal, and sends a first outbound call response signal to the SCP in response to the second call set-up response signal;

receives a second Seize Resource (SR) signal from the SCP in response to the first outbound call response signal;

sends a second seize resource (sr) signal to the SCP in response to the second Seize Resource (SR) signal, wherein the SCP sends a second Connect Resource signal to the MSC/PCX in response to the second seize resource (sr) signal;

receives a second call access request signal from the MSC/PCX, wherein the second call access request signal is generated based on the second Connect Resource signal;

sends a second call access response signal to the MSC/PCX in response to the second call access request signal;

sends a second Instruction Request (IR) signal to the SCP;

receives a second Specialized Resource Function Directive (SRFD) signal from the SCP in response to the second Instruction Request (IR) signal; and

sends the voice message to the called terminal using a second call path, which is established with the called terminal, in accordance with the second call access response signal and the second call set-up response signal.

22. A service providing apparatus for providing voice message call service, the service providing apparatus being connected to a calling terminal, a Mobile Switching Center (MSC)/Personal Communication eXchange (PCX), a Home Location Register (HLR), a Service Control Point (SCP) and a called terminal through a mobile communication network, comprising:

a memory having a program stored therein; and

a processor for executing the program in conjunction with the memory;

wherein the processor, using the program, receives an SR signal from the SCP, wherein the processor, using the program, receives an Seize Resource (SR) signal from the SCP, wherein the first Seize Resource (SR) signal corresponds to an Analyzed Information (AI) signal, which is sent to the SCP in response to a featreq signal received in response to a FEATREQ, the MSC/PCX receiving a first call set-up request signal from the calling terminal and sending the FEATREQ signal to the HLR;

sends a first seize resource (sr) signal to the SCP in response to the first Seize Resource (SR) signal, wherein the SCP sends a first Connect Resource signal to the MSC/PCX in response to the first seize resource (sr) signal;

receives a first call access request signal from the MSC/PCX, wherein the first call access request signal is generated based on the first Connect Resource signal;

sends a first call access response signal to the MSC/PCX in response to the first call access request signal, wherein the MSC/PCX sends a first call set-up response signal to the calling terminal in response to the first call access response signal;

sends a first Instruction Request (IR) signal to the SCP;

receives a first Specialized Resource Function Directive (SRFD) signal from the SCP in response to the first Instruction Request (IR) signal;

receives a voice message, which will be transferred to the called terminal, from the calling terminal through a first call path, which is established with the calling terminal, in accordance with the first call access response signal and the first call set-up response signal;

sends a first specialized resource function directive (srfd) signal indicating that the process of the Specialized Resource Function Directive (SRFD) signal has been completed from the service providing apparatus to the SCP;

receives a first instruction request (ir) signal indicating that the process of a corresponding call has been completed from the SCP in response to the first Specialized Resource Function Directive (SRFD) signal;

terminates the first call path;

sends a callback short message to the called terminal, wherein the called terminal sends a second call set-up request signal to the MSC/PCX for call connection to the service providing apparatus using the callback short message;

receives a second Seize Resource (SR) signal from the SCP, wherein the second Seize Resource (SR) signal corresponds to a second Analyzed Information (AI) signal that is sent to the SCP by the MSC/PCX in response to the second call set-up request signal;

sends a second seize resource (sr) signal to the SCP in response to the second Seize Resource (SR) signal, wherein the SCP sends a second Connect Resource signal to the MSC/PCX in response to the second seize resource (sr) signal;

receives a second call access request signal from the MSC/PCX, wherein the second call access request signal is generated based on the second Connect Resource signal;

sends a second call access response signal to the MSC/PCX in response to the second call access request signal, wherein the MSC/PCX sends a second call set-up response signal to the called terminal in response to the second call access response signal;

sends a second Instruction Request (IR) signal to the SCP;

receiving a second Specialized Resource Function Directive (SRFD) signal from the SCP in response to the second Instruction Request (IR) signal; and

sends the voice message to the called terminal using a second call path, which is established with the called terminal, in accordance with the second call access response signal and the second call set-up response signal.