System and method for routing a call using a communications network

• US 6,405,033 B1
• Filed: 07/29/1998
• Issued: 06/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vehicle IP, LLC (Vehicle Safety & Compliance LLC)
• Original Assignee: @Track Communications Incorporated
• Inventors: Kennedy, William C. III, Russell, Thomas D., Beasley, Dale E., Saunders, William C., Parker, Terry S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bost, Dwayne
• Assistant Examiner(s): CONTEE, JOY KIMBERLY
• Application Number:
  US09/126,041
• Time in Patent Office: 1,413 Days
• Field of Search: 455/445, 455/466, 455/422, 455/560, 455/524, 455/525, 455/556, 455/557, 455/426, 455/456, 455/459, 455/567, 455/414, 340/988, 340/426
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/51 Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention , e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup

Abstract

A communication system includes mobile units, a network switching center, and service centers to provide a variety of traditional and enhanced services to the mobile units. Using a user interface, an operator of a mobile unit issues a request for services from one or more service centers. The network switching center receives the request for services and, in response, accesses a profile table to select an appropriate service center to establish a communication session with the mobile unit. The selected service center provides enhanced services to the mobile unit to satisfy the service request.

Claims

1. A system for routing a call from a mobile unit to a selected one of a plurality of service centers, comprising:

a mobile unit coupled to a voice network and a global computer network that is independently accessible from the voice network, the mobile unit comprising;

a computing device operable to establish a first communication session with a particular service center using the global computer network; and

a platform operable to communicate a service message in a call using the voice network; and

a network switching center coupled to the voice network, the network switching center operable to receive the service message communicated by the mobile unit and in response to the service message, to establish a second communication session between the mobile unit and the particular service center using the voice network.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile unit is associated with a vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile unit further comprises a user interface coupled to the platform, the user interface having a display and a plurality of buttons, wherein the platform communicates the service message in response to the activation of a service button.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile unit further comprises a plurality of sensors coupled to the platform, wherein the platform communicates the service message in response to information generated by a sensor.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile unit further comprises an interactive voice response unit coupled to the platform, the interactive voice response unit operable to process verbal commands using voice recognition techniques, wherein the platform communicates the service message in response to the issuance of a verbal command.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the platform comprises a transceiver that includes a traditional services number assignment module and an enhanced services number assignment module, and wherein the transceiver initiates registration with the voice network using the enhanced services number assignment module.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the network switching center further comprises a profile table that stores information relating the mobile unit to the particular service center.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the network switching center further comprises a profile table that stores information relating the mobile unit to the particular service center based on a call type specified in the service message.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the call type indicates a request for emergency services, roadside assistance, or information services.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the network switching center further comprises a profile table that stores information relating the mobile unit to the particular service center based on location information specified in the service message.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the service message specifies a status of the mobile unit, the status comprising a selected one of a priority status or a non-priority status; and

the network switching center selects the service center based upon the status of the mobile unit.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the network switching center comprises a switch operable to receive the call initiated by the mobile unit and to initiate a second call to the selected service center using the voice network, the network switching center further comprising a router operable to communicate a data message to the selected service center using a data network, wherein the second call and the data message specify an identifier of the mobile unit; and

the selected service center is operable to receive the second call and the data message, and further operable to associate the second call and the data message using the identifier of the mobile unit.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the service center is operable to provide voice services to the mobile unit using the voice network and to provide data services to the mobile unit using the global computer network.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the service center is operable to provide data services to the mobile unit using the voice network.

15. The system of claim 3, wherein portions of the user interface are embodied in a rearview mirror of a vehicle.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the first communication session comprises a data session and the second communication session comprises a voice session.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the first communication session comprises a voice session and the second communication session comprises a data session.

18. A method for routing a call from a mobile unit to a selected one of a plurality of service centers, comprising:

generating a service message at a mobile unit;

communicating the service message in a voice call using a voice network;

selecting one of a plurality of service centers in response to the service message;

establishing a first communication session between the mobile unit and the selected service center using the voice network; and

establishing a second communication session between the mobile unit and the selected service center using a global computer network that is independently accessible from the voice network.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the mobile unit is associated with a vehicle.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of generating the service message comprises generating the service message in response to the activation of a button at the mobile unit.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of generating the service message comprises generating the service message in response to the activation of a sensor at the mobile unit.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of generating the service message comprises generating the service message in response to a verbal command received by an interactive voice response unit at the mobile unit.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the mobile unit comprises a transceiver that includes a traditional services number assignment module and an enhanced services number assignment module, and wherein the step of communicating the service message comprises:

initiating registration with the voice network using the enhanced services number assignment module; and

communicating the service message using the voice network.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of selecting comprises selecting the service center in response to information stored in a profile table at a network switching center.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of selecting comprises selecting the service center in response to a call type specified in the service message.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the call type indicates a request for emergency service, roadside services, or information services.

27. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of selecting comprises selecting the service center in response to location information specified in the service message.

28. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of selecting comprises selecting the service center in response to verbal commands received by an interactive voice response unit at a network switching center.

29. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of establishing the first communication session comprises:

initiating a second call to the service center using the voice network, the second call specifying an identifier of the mobile unit; and

communicating a data message to the service center using a data network, the data message comprising the identifier of the mobile unit and data associated with the mobile unit.

30. A system for routing a call from a mobile unit to a selected one of a plurality of service centers, comprising:

a mobile unit coupled to a voice network and a global computer network that is independently accessible from the voice network, the mobile unit comprising;

a computing device; and

a platform operable to communicate a service message in a first call using the voice network; and

a network switching center coupled to the voice network and operable to receive the service message, the network switching center comprising;

a processor operable to select one of a plurality of service centers in response to the service message; and

a switch coupled to the processor and operable to initiate a second call to the selected service center to establish a first communication session;

wherein the computing device is operable to establish a second communication session with the selected service center using the global computer network.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the mobile unit is associated with a vehicle.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein the mobile unit further comprises a user interface coupled to the platform, the user interface having a display and a plurality of buttons, wherein the platform communicates the service message in response to the activation of a button.

33. The system of claim 30, wherein the mobile unit further comprises a plurality of sensors coupled to the platform, wherein the platform communicates the service message in response to the activation of a sensor.

34. The system of claim 30, wherein the mobile unit further comprises an interactive voice response unit coupled to the platform, the interactive voice response unit operable to process verbal commands using voice recognition techniques, wherein the platform communicates the service message in response to the issuance of a verbal command.

35. The system of claim 30, wherein the platform comprises a transceiver that includes a traditional services number assignment module and an enhanced services number assignment module, and wherein the transceiver initiates registration with the voice network using the enhanced services number assignment module.

36. The system of claim 30, wherein the network switching center further comprises a profile table coupled to the processor, the profile table storing information relating the mobile unit to the selected service center.

37. The system of claim 30, wherein the network switching center further comprises a profile table coupled to the processor, the profile table storing information relating the mobile unit to the selected service center based on a call type specified in the service message.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the call type indicates a request for emergency services, roadside assistance, or information services.

39. The system of claim 30, wherein the network switching center further comprises a profile table coupled to the processor, the profile table storing information relating the mobile unit to the selected service center based on location information specified in the service message.

40. The system of claim 30, wherein:

the service message specifies a status of the mobile unit, the status comprising a selected one of a priority status or a non-priority status; and

the network switching center selects the service center based upon the status of the mobile unit.

41. The system of claim 30, wherein the service center is operable to provide voice services to the mobile unit using the voice network and to provide data services to the mobile unit using the global computer network.

42. The system of claim 30, wherein the service center is operable to provide data services to the mobile unit using the voice network.

43. The system of claim 32, wherein portions of the user interface are embodied in a rearview mirror of a vehicle.

44. The system of claim 30, wherein the first communication session comprises a voice session and the second communication session comprises a data session.

45. The system of claim 30, wherein the first communication session comprises a data session and the second communication session comprises a voice session.