Method for modifying the operating mode of a technical communications group platform (TCGPL) of a telecommunications network (TC network)

• US 20070245301A1
• Filed: 02/05/2007
• Published: 10/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sigram Schindler Beteiligungsgesellschaft Mbh (Sigram Schindler, PhD)
• Original Assignee: Teles Ag Informationstechnologien (TELES AG)
• Inventors: Schindler, Sigram, Schulze, Jurgen, Schonberg, Dorte
• Granted Patent: US 7,873,720 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/108
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/00 Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0893 Assignment of logical groups to network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4217 Managing service interactions
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13053 Priority levels
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13056 Routines, finite state machines
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13256 Call screening
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0041 involving techniques for avoiding interaction of call service features

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for modifying the operating mode of a technical communications group platform (TCGPL) of a telecommunications network (TC network) for at least one driving object 1 which is controlled by a subscriber object (SUBC), by modifying by means of at least one modifying object 2 the operating mode of at least one object 3 which is to be modified or has been modified, and a telecommunications group platform (TCGPL) for producing technical communications group processes (TCGPs). The invention further relates to a method for managing technical communications group processes (TCGPs) with the steps: provision of a driving object which defines at least one further object to be provided; making available of at least one modifying object for the provision of the further object defined by the driving object; generation of an algorithm from the modifying object; and provision of the further object by execution of the algorithm.

Claims

1. A method for modifying the operating mode of a technical communications group platform (TCGPL) of a telecommunications network (TC network) for at least one driving object 1 which is controlled by a subscriber object (SUBC) by modifying, by means of at least one modifying object 2, the operating mode of at least one object 3 to be modified or which has been modified,

whereby all considered objects of categories 1/2/3, i.e. driving/modifying/to be modified/modified, belong to the TCGPL and are executable but only need to exist as an instance of a considered object—

and this applies also for the considered TCGPL—

when they are used in an application of the TCGPL and/or this modification process,

with the steps;

I. Identifying and/or defining in the TCGPL, whereby this can include its extension;

Of these three not necessarily different objects of the categories 1/2/3, whereby the driving object 1 determines the modification which produces from the object 3 to be modified the modified object 3 in an automated way, and

This determination by object 1 which is the specification for the step II. derivation of the modifying object 2 in a representation executable by the TCGPL, contains

a. A time at which and/or from which

b. The modified object 3 in future undergoes/carries out which modification of the execution effect in relation to the execution effect of the object 3 to be modified, whereby, moreover, the operating mode of the TC network and the

TCGPL is unmodified insofar as the latter is not modified by this TCGPL modification determined by object 1 and related to object 3, and

c. The TCGPL can derive in an automated way the executability both of the identified/defined modifying object 2 and also of its object 3 modified by its execution.

II. Automated derivation by the TCGPL according to I.c. of such a representation executable by it for the modifying object 2 identified/defined according to I. a./b. and execution of its modification on the object 3 to be modified.

III. Substitution by the TCGPL of the object 3 to be modified in the TGCPL by the object 3 modified according to II.—

the automated derivation of its executable representation by the TCGPL, according to I.c., can take place before or after this substitution—

whereby all in all the modification according to the method in the operating mode of the considered TCGL is effected.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the object 1, the object 2 and the object 3 are identical at least in pairs.

3. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the driving object 1 is a subscriber object (SUBC object), a technical communications group process object (TCGP object), an attribute object (ATT object) and/or a telecommunications function object (TCF object).

4. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the modifying object 2 is a SUBC object, a TCGP object, an ATT object and/or a TCF object.

5. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the object 3 which is to be modified/has been modified is a SUBC object, a TCGP object, an ATT object and/or a TCF object.

6. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the object 1, the object 2 or the object 3 can only act in the sense of a TCGPL originator or TCGPL initiator.

7. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the derivation of the modifying object takes place virtually in real-time.

8. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the driving object 1 represents a subscriber of the TCGPL which is connected to a TCGP facilitated by the TCGPL.

9. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that a piece of information concerning the modifying object 2 is stored.

10. Method according to claim 1, characterised by at least a first object 3 to be modified which belongs to a first TCGPL and a second object 3 to be modified which belongs to a second TCGPL which is different from the first TCGPL.

11. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one object belongs to the TCGPL which cannot be defined, specified or modified.

12. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the steps I-III are realised using a global variable which each object of the TCGPL can access.

13. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the object 1, in the determination of the modification on the object 3 to be modified, can access information of an information source external to the TCGPL.

14. Method according to claim 13, characterised in that the accessing of the external information source of the object 1 is controlled by an ATT object and/or a TCF object.

15. Method according to claim 14, characterised in that the ATT object or the TCF object determines whether the access to the external source should take place.

16. Method according to claim 14 or 15, characterised in that the ATT object or the TCF object 5 determines which information the object 1 accesses.

17. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the TCGPL provides information concerning a technical communications group process (TCGP) which is managed by the TCGPL for a related object of the TCGP.

18. Method according to claim 17, characterised in that a subscriber of the TCGPL can determine at any time whether information concerning a TCGP related to it should be provided and, if so, what type of information it should be.

19. Method according to claim 18, characterised in that the information relates to an unauthorized access to the TCGPL.

20. Method according to claim 19, characterised in that the information comprises data which are provided in a standardised form.

21. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the TCGPL provides, for at least one TCGP which is managed by the TCGPL, information concerning all related objects of the TCGP.

22. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the TCGPL provides information concerning the driving object 1, the modifying object 2 and/or the object 3 to be modified.

23. Method according to claim 21, characterised in that the information represents a call data record which can be used to calculate the costs of the TCGP or the modification of the object 3 to be modified.

24. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the TCGPL is instanced on one or more servers.

25. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that a TCF object and/or a TCGP object of the TCGPL accesses at least one global variable and also at least one local variable which other objects of the TCGPL cannot access.

26. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the TCGPL is connected to a plurality of telecommunications networks.

27. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the object 3 to be modified is a TCGP object which represents a TCGP, and a subscriber of the TCGPL related to the TCGP or a subscriber object related to the TCGP is entitled to control the driving object 1.

28. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the object 3 to be modified is a TCGP object which represents a TCGP, and a representative of a subscriber of the TCGPL related to the TCGP is entitled to control the driving object 1.

29. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that solely an administrator of the TCGPL is entitled to control the driving object 1.

30. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that features of an object of the TCGPL are determined by means of a self-attribute object.

31. Method according to claim 30, characterised in that the self-attribute object is managed by the object whose features are determined by the self-attribute object.

32. Method according to claim 31, characterised in that the object is a subscriber object of the TCGPL.

33. Method according to claim 31, characterised in that the self-attribute object is managed by another object of the TCGPL.

34. Method according to claim 33, characterised in that the management of the self-attribute object is transferred by the object whose features are determined by the self-attribute object to the other object.

35. Method according to claim 33, characterised in that the other object is a subscriber object of the TCGPL.

36. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the object 3 to be modified is a TCGP object which represents a TCGP which is realised within one TCGPL or between a plurality of TCGPLs.

37. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the object 3 to be modified is a TCGP object which represents a TCGP which is realised within one TC network or between a plurality of TC networks.

38. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the object 3 to be modified is a TCGP object which represents a TCGP which is realised outside of a TC network.

39. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the object 3 to be modified is a TCGP object which represents a TCGP which has been initiated by a TCF.

40. Method according to claim 39, characterised in that the TCF is controlled by a subscriber of the TCGPL or an information source external to the TCGPL.

41. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the object 3 to be modified is a TCGP object which represents a TCGP which terminates with at least one subscriber of the TCGPL and/or at least one external data source.

42. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the object 3 to be modified is a TCGP object which represents a TCGP which does not terminate.

43. Method according to claim 41, characterised in that the TCGP object represents a TCGP which has been modified by an ATT object or by a TCF object.

44. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that a subscriber object of the TCGPL which controls the driving object 1 represents a TC end device.

45. Method according to claim 44, characterised in that the TC end device is a telephone, a fax device, a computer, an answering facility and/or a mobile telephone.

46. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that a subscriber object of the TCGPL controls the driving object 1 on the basis of information of an external information source.

47. Method according to claim 46, characterised in that the external information source is an electronic measuring device, a camera, a microphone, an electronic data source and/or an electronic output or recording system.

48. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the object 3 to be modified is a TCGP object which represents a TCGP whereby the modification of the TCGP object takes place before or during the TCGP.

49. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the object 3 to be modified is a TCGP object which represents a TCGP, whereby the modification of the TCGP object takes place after the termination of the TCGP.

50. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the driving object 1 is a subscriber object which is related to a TCGP of the TCGPL.

51. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the driving object 1 is an object of the TCGPL which is selected by a subscriber object related to a TCGP of the TCGPL.

52. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the driving object 1 is a TCF object which is related to a TCGP of the TCGPL.

53. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that at least two of the objects object 1, object 2, object 3 belong to different TCGPLs.

54. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that at least a first object of the group object 1, object 2, object 3 belongs to a first TCGPL and at least a second object of the group object 1, object 2, object 3 belongs to a second TCGPL.

55. Method according to claim 54, characterised in that the object 1, the object 2 and the object 3 respectively belong to only one TCGPL.

56. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the object 3 to be modified is a TCGP object of a first TCGPL and represents a TCGP which is managed by a second TCGPL which is different from the first TCGPL.

57. Method according to claim 56, characterised in that the TCGP is managed by the first and the second TCGPL.

58. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the object 1 to be modified belongs to a first TCGPL and the subscriber which controls the driving object 1 belongs to a second TCGPL which is different from the first TCGPL.

59. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the TCGPL provides an ATT object, whereby the provision is realised in dependence upon an authentication by an information source external to the TCGPL.

60. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the driving object 1 is controlled by a subscriber of the TCGPL via at least one interface of the TCGPL in relation to its environment.

61. Method according to claim 60, characterised in that the controlling of the driving object 1 by a subscriber of the TCGPL takes place by means of a coded and/or authenticated data connection.

62. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the object 3 to be modified is exclusively an ATT object.

63. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the object 3 to be modified is exclusively a TCF object.

64. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the TCGPL comprises ATT objects and TCF objects which cannot be modified.

65. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that a subscriber of the TCGPL adds, modifies or deletes ATT objects and/or TCF objects to/from the TCGPL.

66. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that ATT objects and/or TCF objects of the TCGPL which are assigned to a first subscriber of the TCGPL are made available to a second subscriber of the TCGPL.

67. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the TCGPL signals to a subscriber that a TCGP exists which relates to it.

68. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that a subscriber of the TCGPL defines a self-attribute object in the TCGPL.

69. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the object 2 is selected from objects existing in the TCGPL.

70. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that information is provided and stored in relation to all TCFs triggered by subscribers of the TCGPL.

71. Method according to claim 70, characterised in that an alarm signal is triggered in dependence upon the information provided.

72. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the TCGPL facilitates the execution of a TCF in dependence upon an ATT object.

73. Method according to claim 72, characterised in that the TCGPL provides and stores information concerning the execution of the TCF.

74. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that attribute objects of the TCGPL are automatically updated/evaluated.

75. Method for managing technical communications group processes (TCGPs) with the steps:

a) Provision of a driving object which defines the at least one further object to be provided;

b) Making available of at least one modifying object for the provision of the further object defined by the driving object;

c) Generation of an algorithm from the modifying object;

d) Provision of the further object by execution of the algorithm.

76. Method according to claim 75, wherein the management of technical communications group processes (TCGPs) takes place through a technical communications group platform (TCGPL).

77. Method according to claim 76, wherein

The provision of the driving object takes place through the TCGPL,

The at least one further object is provided through the TCGPL,

The making available of the at least one modifying object takes place through the TCGPL,

and

The algorithm generated can be executed by the TCGPL and is executed by it.

78. Method according to claim 76, characterised in that the provision of the further object takes place on the basis of an object existing in the TCGPL, whereby the existing object is modified by the execution of the algorithm.

79. Method according to claim 78, characterised in that the object on which the further object is based is replaced by the further object.

80. Method according to claim 75, characterised in that a new object is generated by the execution of the algorithm and is provided as a further object.

81. Method according to claim 76, characterised in that by the execution of the algorithm the provision of the further object is realised by the selection of at least one object already existing in the TCGPL.

82. Method according to claim 76, characterised in that the driving object is controlled by a subscriber of the TCGPL.

83. Method according to claim 82, characterised in that the driving object defines the further object in dependence upon specifications which the subscriber determines.

84. Method according to claim 83, characterised in that the subscriber transmits the specifications to the TCGPL.

85. Method according to claim 83, characterised in that the subscriber is a TC end device.

86. Method according to claim 85, characterised in that the TC end device is a telephone, a fax device, a computer, an answering facility and/or a mobile telephone.

87. Method according to claim 76, characterised in that a first object of the group driving object, modifying object and further object belongs to a first TCGPL and a second object of the group driving object, modifying object and further object belongs to a second TCGPL.

88. Method according to claim 76, characterised in that the provision of the driving object is realized by the selection of an object existing in the TCGPL.

89. Method according to claim 76, characterised in that the provision of the driving object is realized by the generation of a new object in the TCGPL.

90. Method according to claim 76, characterised in that the provision of the driving object is realized by the modifying of an object existing in the TCGPL.

91. Method according to claim 76, characterised in that the making available of the modifying object is realised by the selection of an object existing in the TCGPL.

92. Method according to claim 76, characterised in that the making available of the modifying object is realised by the generation of a new object in the TCGPL.

93. Method according to claim 75, characterised in that the generation of the algorithm is realized in an automated and virtually real-time way.

94. Method according to claim 76, characterised in that the TCGPL generates from the further object an algorithm assigned to the further object which can be executed by the TCGPL.

95. Method according to claim 94, characterised in that the TCGPL executes the algorithm assigned to the further object.

96. Method according to claim 75, characterised in that the driving object determines a time for the provision of the further object.

97. Method according to claim 94, characterised in that the driving object determines a time for the execution of the algorithm assigned to the further object.

98. Method according to claim 76, characterised in that the driving object is a subscriber object, i.e. represents a subscriber of the TCGPL, is a TCGP object, i.e. represents a TCGP, is an attribute object, i.e. determines attributes, and/or is a TCF object, i.e. represents a telecommunications function (TCF).

99. Method according to claim 76, characterised in that the modifying object is a subscriber object, i.e. represents a subscriber of the TCGPL, is a TCGP object, i.e. represents a TCGP, is an attribute object, i.e. determines attributes, and/or is a TCF object, i.e. represents a telecommunications function (TCF).

100. Method according to claim 76, characterised in that the further object is a subscriber object, i.e. represents a subscriber of the TCGPL, is a TCGP object, i.e. represents a TCGP, is an attribute object, i.e. determines attributes, and/or is a TCF object, i.e. represents a telecommunications function (TCF).

101. Method according to claim 75, characterised in that the driving object, the modifying object and/or the further object are information-carrying data structures.

102. Method according to claim 75, characterised in that an item of information concerning the modifying object is stored.

103. Method according to claim 75, characterised in that the definition of the further object contains a condition and the further object is only provided when the condition is fulfilled.

104. Method according to claim 103, characterised in that the definition of the further object by the driving object contains as a condition that the further object is only to be provided when in the TCGPL a TCGP is realised with a property determined by the driving object.

105. Method according to claim 104, characterised in that the condition relates to a TCGP with a certain subscriber, a certain transmission quality and/or certain transmitted data.

106. Method according to claim 76, characterised in that at least two further objects are provided,

whereby a first further object belongs to a first TCGPL and a second further object belongs to a second TCGPL which is different from the first TCGPL.

107. Method according to claim 75, characterised in that the provision of the driving object, the modifying object and/or the further object is realised using a procedure which comprises a global variable.

108. Method according to claim 76, characterised in that the TCGPL provides information concerning a TCGP which is managed by the TCGPL for a related object of the TCGP.

109. Method according to claim 76, characterised in that the TCGPL is realised on one or more servers.

110. Method according to claim 76, characterised in that a TCF object and/or a TCGP object of the TCGPL relate/s to a procedure which comprises at least one local variable, whereby access to the local variable is not possible for other procedures.

111. Method according to claim 76, characterised in that a subscriber of the TCGPL which controls the driving object is a TC end device.

112. Method according to claim 111, characterised in that the TC end device is a telephone, a fax device, a computer, an answering facility and/or a mobile telephone.

113. Method according to claim 76, characterised in that the further object is a TCGP object of a first TCGPL and represents a TCGP which is managed by a second TCGPL which is different from the first TCGPL.

114. Method according to claim 113, characterised in that the TCGP is managed by the first and the second TCGPL.

115. Method according to claim 75, characterised in that

A plurality of automatically acting procedures are provided which each have procedure local variables which other procedures do not access,

The driving object is a SUBC object which defines the further object in that it attributes an actually realised or potential TCGP,

The making available of the modifying object and the generation of the executable algorithm are realised by the selection of at least one of the automatically acting procedures according to the attribution,

The further object is provided in that the at least one procedure is applied to the attributed TCGP.

116. Method for secure management of attributable technical communications group processes (TCGPs) by objects related to them, with the steps:

Provision of a plurality of telecommunications functions (TCFs) which comprise procedure-local variables which other TCFs do not access;

Attribution of an actually defined or potential TCGP by a TC subscriber for its own purposes; and

Application of at least one of the TCFs to the TCGP corresponding to the attribution realised.

117. Method for controlling the handling of the calls meant for a called telecommunications (TC) subscriber, with the steps:

Provision of a plurality of TCFs which can respectively execute a defined call handling of a TCGP, in a TC network;

Storage in each of the TCFs, as a reaction to the input by the called subscriber, of attributes concerning those calling subscribers whose TCGPs should undergo the call handling defined in the respective TCF;

Carrying out of a caller identification for a TCGP;

In each of the TCFs, deciding by reference to the caller identification and the stored attributes whether the TCGP should undergo the call handling defined in the respective TCF;

In this case, carrying out of the call handling through the respective TCF.

118. Method according to claim 117, characterised in that the TCFs are provided in a TC network which is pre-selected by the calling subscriber or by the called subscriber.

119. Method according to claim 117, characterised in that the provision of the TCFs is realised by a service switching point of the pre-selected network, whereby the TCGP is established via the service switching point of the pre-selected network to the called subscriber.

120. Method according to claim 117, characterised in that the TCGP is an incoming call and the TCFs ascertain whether the considered TCGP in the form of the incoming call should undergo the call handling defined in the respective TCF, or not, before a termination of the incoming call to the called subscriber.

121. Method according to claim 117, characterised in that the step of the storage of attributes as a reaction to the input by the called subscriber is realised using a graphic user interface on a computer connected to the called subscriber line.

122. Method according to claim 117, characterised in that a modification in the attributes which are assigned to a TCF always only takes place and has effect for the considered TCF.

123. Method according to claim 117, characterised in that the caller identification for a TCGP includes an automatic calling number identification.

124. Method according to claim 117, characterised in that the caller identification for a TCGP includes at least one of the following:

The checking of an access code which represents a group of calling subscribers or an individual calling subscriber;

The checking of an emergency code which represents a group of calling subscribers or an individual calling subscriber and in addition signals a high priority of a TCGP;

Input requests to the calling subscriber to enter attributes.

125. Method according to claim 124, characterised in that the step carried out in each TCF of ascertaining,

with the aid of the caller identification and the stored attributes, whether the TCGP should undergo the call handling defined in the respective TCF, includes the ascertaining of whether the attributes stored in the respective TCF are identical to the data which exist as a result of the call identification or whether these data are to be related to each other.

126. Method according to claim 117, characterised in that one of the TCFs, for the call handling, performs a network conversion.

127. Method according to claim 117, characterised in that one of the TCFs, for the call handling, provides for the forwarding of a call from a first TC network to a second TC network which is connected with the first TC network, whereby the TCGP is terminated via the second TC network or a third TC network connected to the second TC network.

128. Method according to claim 117, characterised in that one of the TCFs, for the call handling, performs a media conversion.

129. Method according to claim 117, characterised in that one of the TCFs, for the call handling, performs call forwarding.

130. Method according to claim 117, characterised in that one of the TCFs, for the call handling, performs an answering function.

131. Method according to claim 117, characterised in that one of the TCFs, for the call handling, performs call waiting.

132. Method according to claim 117, characterised in that one of the TCFs, for the call handling, provides an engaged called subscriber with at least one additional service.

133. Method according to claim 132, characterised in that one of the TCFs, for the call handling, performs a multiplexing of the data of the TCGP with the data of an already existing connection to the called subscriber.

134. Method according to claim 117, characterised in that each TCF automatically accesses a TCGP to the called subscriber and checks whether for this TCGP the call handling defined in the TCF is to be performed.

135. Method according to claim 134, characterised in that each TCF accesses a TCGP in an interrupt-controlled way.

136. Method according to claim 117, characterised in that, each TCF decides, exclusively on the basis of its local attributes, whether it carries out for a TCGP the call handling provided by it, or not, irrespectively of the attributes of other TCFs.

137. Method according to claim 117, characterised in that a ranking is assigned to each TCF and in the event of a plurality of TCFs performing a call handling the TCF is performed first with the highest ranking.

138. Method according to claim 117, characterised in that at least one of the TCFs is an independently acting procedure or an independently acting process.

139. Method according to claim 117, characterised in that a TC subscriber is represented by a subscriber object.

140. Method according to claim 117, characterised in that one of the TCGPs is an incoming call.

141. Method according to claim 117, characterised in that the attributes are identification data.

142. Method according to claim 117, characterised in that the attributes are represented by a self-attribute object, a relationship attribute object, an operation attribute object and/or a report attribute object.

143. Technical communications group platform (TCGPL) for managing technical communications group processes (TCGPs), with

provision means for the provision of a driving object which defines a further object to be provided by the TCGPL, and for the provision of a modifying object for the generation of the further object defined by the driving object;

Algorithm generating means for generating an algorithm which can be executed by the TCGPL from the modifying object, whereby the further object can be provided by the execution of the algorithm.

144. Technical communications group platform according to claim 143, characterised in that the algorithm generating means are formed and provided for generating the algorithm in an automated and virtually real-time way.

145. Technical communications group platform according to claim 143, characterised by means for realising a TCGP to which more than two subscribers subscribe.

146. Technical communications group platform according to claim 143, characterised by control means, by means of which a subscriber of the TCGPL can define which objects and/or services of the TCGPL may be used by another subscriber of the TCGPL.

147. Technical communications group platform according to claim 143, characterised by anonymisation means, by means of which a subscriber of the TCGPL can remain anonymous,

whereby other subscribers of the TCGPL cannot access objects which relate to the anonymous subscriber.