Call setup request confirmation

• US 7,450,563 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2003
• Issued: 11/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kersus, Gerald Joseph, Cook, Debra Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah; Melur
• Application Number:
  US10/336,949
• Publication Number:
  US 20040131048A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,136 Days
• Field of Search: 370/352, 370/353, 370/354, 370/355, 370/356, 370/401, 379/207.02, 379/207.04, 379/207.05, 379/207.06, 379/93.05
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways

Abstract

At least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a method comprising receiving a call setup request, and automatically providing an indication that the call setup request is being processed. At least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a method comprising providing a call setup request to a network, and receiving an indication that the call setup request is being processed. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

from a Voice over IP device, receiving a call setup request at an IP PBX, the call setup request an SIP invite;

automatically providing an indication that the call setup request is being processed, the indication provided responsive to a call setup request confirmation received from the IP PBX as an out-of-band signal, the indication comprising an audible announcement of a directory name associated with a called number; and

responsive to a received call setup completed message, providing a ring back message to the IP PBX, the IP PBX adapted to cause the Voice over IP device to provide a ring back as an indicator of call setup completion.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising ceasing the indication when call setup is complete.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising processing the call setup request.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising rendering the indication as a visual representation of a stopwatch.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the call setup request relates to a telephone call.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the call setup request relates to a cellular telephone call.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the call setup request relates to a voice over IP call.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the call setup request is received by a controller.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the call setup request is received by a network gateway.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication is a repetitive audible announcement of the directory name associated with the called number.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication comprises a visual portion of an animated figure of an animal.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication comprises music.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication comprises an animated figure of a runner.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication comprises an advertisement

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication comprises a caller selected slideshow of announcements.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication comprises a caller selectable slideshow of photographs.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication comprises a caller adjustable slideshow of advertisements.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication is provided via a voice over IP signal.

19. A system, comprising

from a Voice over IP device, means for receiving a call setup request at an IP PBX, the call setup request a Media Gateway Control Protocol request;

and

means for automatically providing an indication that the call setup request is being processed, the indication provided responsive to a call setup request confirmation received from the IP PBX as an out-of-band signal, the indication comprising an audible announcement of a directory name associated with a called number, said means adapted to, responsive to a received call setup completed message, provide a ring back message to the IP PBX, the IP PBX adapted to cause the Voice over IP device to a ring back as an indicator of call setup completion.

20. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for activities comprising:

from a Voice over IP device, receiving a call setup request at an IP PBX, the call setup request a MEGACO request;

automatically providing an indication that the call setup request is being processed, the indication provided responsive to a call setup request confirmation received from the IP PBX as an out-of-band signal, the indication comprising an audible announcement of a directory name associated with a called number; and

responsive to a received call setup completed message, providing a ring back message to the IP PBX, the IP PBX adapted to cause the Voice over IP device to provide a ring back as an indicator of call setup completion.

21. A method, comprising:

from a Voice over IP device, providing a call setup request to a TDM PBX, the call setup request a SIP invite;

receiving an indication that the call setup request is being processed, the indication provided responsive to a call setup request confirmation received from the TDM PBX as an out-of-band signal, the indication comprising an audible announcement of a directory name associated with a called number; and

responsive to a received call setup completed message, providing a ring back message to the TDM PBX, the TDM PBX adapted to cause the Voice over IP device to provide a ring back as an indicator of call setup completion.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising receiving a call setup result when call setup is complete.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising rendering the indication, the indication comprising a tone that becomes higher in pitch as a time far call setup becomes longer.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising rendering the indication to a caller, the indication comprising a caller-selectable clicking sound, each sequential click becoming longer as a time for call setup becomes longer.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the call setup request relates to a telephone call.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the call setup request relates to a cellular telephone call.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the call setup request relates to a voice over IP call.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein the call setup request is provided to a controller.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein the call setup request is provided to a network gateway.

30. The method of claim 21, wherein the indication comprises a user-selectable clicking sound, each sequential click becoming shorter as a time for call setup becomes longer.

31. The method of claim 21, wherein the indication comprises a pulsing light.

32. The method of claim 21, wherein the indication comprises music selected by a caller.

33. The method of claim 21, wherein the indication comprises an animated insect.

34. The method of claim 21, wherein the indication comprises an advertisement, the advertisement comprising a caller selected provider of goods.

35. The method of claim 21, wherein the indication comprises an announcement.

36. The method of claim 21, wherein the indication is selectable by a service provider.

37. The method of claim 21, wherein the indication is adjustable by a caller via the Voice over IP device.

38. The method of claim 21, wherein the indication is received via a voice over IP signal.

39. A system, comprising

means for providing a call setup request to a network;

and

means for receiving an indication that the call setup request is being processed, the indication responsive to a confirmation received at an IP PBX from an IP muter, the confirmation an in-band signal, the indication comprising an audible announcement of a directory name associated with a called number, the IP PBX adapted to cause the means for receiving an indication to provide a ring back message as an indicator of call setup completion.

40. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for activities comprising:

providing a call setup request at an IP router from a TDM PBX via a network;

receiving an indication that the call setup request is being processed, the indication responsive to a confirmation signal received at the TDM PBX from the IP router the confirmation signal an out-of-band signal, the indication comprising an audible announcement of a directory name associated with a called number; and

responsive to a received call setup completed message, providing a ring back message to the TDM PBX, the TDM PBX adapted to cause a Voice over IP device to provide a ring bark as an indicator of call setup completion.

41. A graphical user interface providing a visual rendering of a call setup request indication, said visual rendering selected by a caller from a set comprising a spinning beach ball and a progress bar, said visual rendering ceasing upon receipt of a result of a call setup request, the indication comprising an audible announcement of a directory name associated with a called number, the audible announcement heard via a device communicatively coupled to said graphical user interface.

42. A user interface providing an audible rendering of a call setup request indication, said audible rendering comprising a caller selectable tone that becomes louder the longer a call setup takes to be completed, said audible rendering ceasing upon receipt of a result of a call setup request, the audible rendering comprising an audible announcement of a directory name associated with a called number.