CA2239302A1 - System and method for telephony service card processing - Google Patents
System and method for telephony service card processing Download PDFInfo
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- CA2239302A1 CA2239302A1 CA 2239302 CA2239302A CA2239302A1 CA 2239302 A1 CA2239302 A1 CA 2239302A1 CA 2239302 CA2239302 CA 2239302 CA 2239302 A CA2239302 A CA 2239302A CA 2239302 A1 CA2239302 A1 CA 2239302A1
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- card
- telephony
- service
- user
- card user
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/38—Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections
- H04M3/387—Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections using subscriber identification cards
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/42229—Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location
- H04M3/42263—Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location where the same subscriber uses different terminals, i.e. nomadism
- H04M3/42272—Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location where the same subscriber uses different terminals, i.e. nomadism whereby the subscriber registers to the terminals for personalised service provision
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/38—Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections
- H04M3/382—Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections using authorisation codes or passwords
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/42136—Administration or customisation of services
- H04M3/42153—Administration or customisation of services by subscriber
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/44—Additional connecting arrangements for providing access to frequently-wanted subscribers, e.g. abbreviated dialling
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/50—Centralised arrangements for answering calls; Centralised arrangements for recording messages for absent or busy subscribers ; Centralised arrangements for recording messages
- H04M3/53—Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages, i.e. mailbox systems
- H04M3/537—Arrangements for indicating the presence of a recorded message, whereby the presence information might include a preview or summary of the message
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)
Abstract
A telephony service card processing system that integrates a wide range of telephony services is disclosed. This telephony service card processing system provides substantial flexibility in allowing a user to automatically and in real time (re)configure his/her telephony services that are accessible through his/her telephony service card. Moreover, the service card processing system provides high speed digital communications through a network of service card processing nodes wherein each node is capable of handling substantially all telephony service card requests received locally at that node without communicating with a centralized telephony service card validation processing system.
Description
W O 97/20422 PCT~US96/I9056 SYSTE~M ~iND METHOD FOR TEL~ONY SERVICE CA~D PROCESSING
FIELD OF THE lNv~NllON
The present invention relates to a distributed telephony card services ~Loceosing system and, in particular, to such a system wherein each included ~ distributed processing site provides high speed digital processing without requiring a real time remote access to a centralized processing site to process a p~n~ing telephony service request.
BACKGRO ~ D OF THE lNV~N'l'lON
Systems for providing telephony services to subscribers have typically associated the telephony services with a telephone number so that the services are provided only when a subscriber accesses the services from a 1telephony station associated with the tele~hore n h~l-, More recently, subscribers have been provided with telephony service cards similar to credit cards so that, by using such a service card, telephony services available at, for instance, a subscribers home telephone, may be accessed by the subscriber at other locations. However, there may be various restrictions encountered by card subscribers and potential card subscribers both in ob~in;ng a telephony sexvice card and in using such cards for cost effectively accessing telephony services.
~ It is not uncommon for telephony service card processing systems to issue cards wherein for each subscriber, each card issued has an identification number identical to a conventional telephone number already provided to the subscriber and for which the subscriber is financially responsible. Thus, in such circums~Ances it may be necessary for an individual desiring a telephony service card to also subscribe to additional telephony services such as conventional telephone service. Since service card processing technology and the culture relating to the use of such cards is so prevalent, requirements for such additional telephony services, prior to the issuance of a telephony service card, may prevent many individuals from having access to telephony services. That is, such individuals may be able to, ~or example, occasionally prepay for certain telephony card services wherein the services can be accefi~ via public telephones, but such individuals may not be able to afford continuous conventional telephone service.
It is also not uncommon for the processing of telephony service card requests to be inefficient and therefore costly for subscribers. In particular, since some telephony service card processing systems store the information related to service card subscribers at only a small number of centralized service processing sites, a card user in a remote location making a local call using his/her telephony service card may incur a long distance charge because the telephony service card provider must make a long distance call to obtain the necessary user information to complete the user's local call.
Additionally, telephony service card processing systems may not be able to provide flexibility in allowing WO 97~2a422 PCT/US96/19OS6 a card user to automatically activate and/or change his/her telephony services related to a service card. For example, a card user may desire to change the language used by the telephony service card processing system in communicating with the card user.
Thus, it would be advantageous to have a telephony service card processing system that addresses the above mentioned difficulties. Further, it would be advantageous if such a telephony service card processing system could be accessible at a reasonable cost from substantially any telephone.
SUMMARY OF THE lNv~NllON
The present invention is directed to a telephony service card processing system for providing a plurality of telephony card users with cost effective telephony services. The present invention integrates a wide range of telephony services so that these services are provided to each card user substantially wherever there is telephony service. Further, the present invention provides substantial flexibility in allowing a card user to automatically and in real time (re~configure his/her telephony services accessible through his/her telephony service card. For example, a card user may configure the ~ 25 services for his/her card so that other users having an ID
number associated with his/her card number may enter the ID
number and the present invention will automatically place a call to the telephony station designated by the card W O 97/20422 PCT~US96/19056 user. Additionally, the card user may, for example, change languages used by the present invention in communicating with the card user.
The present invention provides the above mentioned advantages, as well as other advantages, using a novel combination of telephony service card processing features.
In particular, the present invention maintains a distributed network of service card processing nodes wherein most of these nodes are intended to be "local"
nodes, with each such local node servicing card users within a region ~UL ~ ding the local node. That is, each such local node is connected to a local telephony service provider so that card users within the local area may dial a predetermined telephone number and access the telephony ~5 services of the present invention. Further, each such local node maintains data on card users locally to facilitater immediate access in fulfilling a local card user's re~uest.
Additionally, the present invention includes, within each such local node, hardware, software and data for processing user requests at the local node. Thus, each local node is able to interact with a user by providing a menu driven interface to the user and automatically initiating user telephony service requests without the delay and expense of communicating with a remote central processing node.
Accordingly, each local node includes the control logic for configuring in real time both a telephony service control processor and a related plurality of slave digital signal
FIELD OF THE lNv~NllON
The present invention relates to a distributed telephony card services ~Loceosing system and, in particular, to such a system wherein each included ~ distributed processing site provides high speed digital processing without requiring a real time remote access to a centralized processing site to process a p~n~ing telephony service request.
BACKGRO ~ D OF THE lNV~N'l'lON
Systems for providing telephony services to subscribers have typically associated the telephony services with a telephone number so that the services are provided only when a subscriber accesses the services from a 1telephony station associated with the tele~hore n h~l-, More recently, subscribers have been provided with telephony service cards similar to credit cards so that, by using such a service card, telephony services available at, for instance, a subscribers home telephone, may be accessed by the subscriber at other locations. However, there may be various restrictions encountered by card subscribers and potential card subscribers both in ob~in;ng a telephony sexvice card and in using such cards for cost effectively accessing telephony services.
~ It is not uncommon for telephony service card processing systems to issue cards wherein for each subscriber, each card issued has an identification number identical to a conventional telephone number already provided to the subscriber and for which the subscriber is financially responsible. Thus, in such circums~Ances it may be necessary for an individual desiring a telephony service card to also subscribe to additional telephony services such as conventional telephone service. Since service card processing technology and the culture relating to the use of such cards is so prevalent, requirements for such additional telephony services, prior to the issuance of a telephony service card, may prevent many individuals from having access to telephony services. That is, such individuals may be able to, ~or example, occasionally prepay for certain telephony card services wherein the services can be accefi~ via public telephones, but such individuals may not be able to afford continuous conventional telephone service.
It is also not uncommon for the processing of telephony service card requests to be inefficient and therefore costly for subscribers. In particular, since some telephony service card processing systems store the information related to service card subscribers at only a small number of centralized service processing sites, a card user in a remote location making a local call using his/her telephony service card may incur a long distance charge because the telephony service card provider must make a long distance call to obtain the necessary user information to complete the user's local call.
Additionally, telephony service card processing systems may not be able to provide flexibility in allowing WO 97~2a422 PCT/US96/19OS6 a card user to automatically activate and/or change his/her telephony services related to a service card. For example, a card user may desire to change the language used by the telephony service card processing system in communicating with the card user.
Thus, it would be advantageous to have a telephony service card processing system that addresses the above mentioned difficulties. Further, it would be advantageous if such a telephony service card processing system could be accessible at a reasonable cost from substantially any telephone.
SUMMARY OF THE lNv~NllON
The present invention is directed to a telephony service card processing system for providing a plurality of telephony card users with cost effective telephony services. The present invention integrates a wide range of telephony services so that these services are provided to each card user substantially wherever there is telephony service. Further, the present invention provides substantial flexibility in allowing a card user to automatically and in real time (re~configure his/her telephony services accessible through his/her telephony service card. For example, a card user may configure the ~ 25 services for his/her card so that other users having an ID
number associated with his/her card number may enter the ID
number and the present invention will automatically place a call to the telephony station designated by the card W O 97/20422 PCT~US96/19056 user. Additionally, the card user may, for example, change languages used by the present invention in communicating with the card user.
The present invention provides the above mentioned advantages, as well as other advantages, using a novel combination of telephony service card processing features.
In particular, the present invention maintains a distributed network of service card processing nodes wherein most of these nodes are intended to be "local"
nodes, with each such local node servicing card users within a region ~UL ~ ding the local node. That is, each such local node is connected to a local telephony service provider so that card users within the local area may dial a predetermined telephone number and access the telephony ~5 services of the present invention. Further, each such local node maintains data on card users locally to facilitater immediate access in fulfilling a local card user's re~uest.
Additionally, the present invention includes, within each such local node, hardware, software and data for processing user requests at the local node. Thus, each local node is able to interact with a user by providing a menu driven interface to the user and automatically initiating user telephony service requests without the delay and expense of communicating with a remote central processing node.
Accordingly, each local node includes the control logic for configuring in real time both a telephony service control processor and a related plurality of slave digital signal
2 PCT/~JS96~19056 processors for interacting with an on-line user and performing the user's request(s).
Other features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description with the ~ 5 acco _anying figures contained hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. ~ presents a high level or global perspective of the distributed telephony service card processing system of the presen~ invention;
Figs. 2A and 2B present an overall view of the functionality of the present invention by illustrating the menu choices available to user's of the present invention;
Fig. 3 presents a high level schematic o~ a telephony 15service card processing unit 304 provided at a node 104, wherein such nodes have a plurality of such service processing units 304;
Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the communications between the components of a service processing unit 304 wherein greater detail is provided, in particular regarding CPIJ 308;
Fig. 5 presents a block diagram showing the internal components of one of the supervisory boards 328.
25DETATT~n DESCRIPTION
Fig. 1 illustrates the telephony service card processing system of the present invention from a global perspective. As shown, the present invention includes a globally distributed set of telephony service card processing sites or nodes 104 and 106 with digital telephony communication links or channels between the nodes. Each node 104 services substantially "local" users who have telephony service cards for accessing the present invention. That is, when such a user (hereinafter denoted a card user) uses his/her telephony service card to request a telephony service, the service request is typically routed to a node 104 that is relatively close to where the user is when ~king the service request. Note that each node 104 is configured, controlled and maintA i n~ through communications received from one of the central or hub nodes 106. However, substantially all telephony card service requests to a node 104 can be processed without requiring a real time remote access to a hub node 106.
Thus, in particular, each node 106 is capable of on-site real time validation of a user's identity and of the user's access to a requested service without requiring an Acc~fi to a hub node 106 during the processing of the user's request for service. For example, a card user in the area 108 may access the telephony card services of the present invention via node 104c without this node 104c requiring an immediate remote access of, for example, node 106a.
Further, if this same card user traveled to, for example, a location in area 112, then this card user is provided with substantially identical telephony card services via node 104i, also without requiring an immediate access of a node 106, when such a telephony service is requested.
WO 97/21~422 PCT/~JS96/19056 Figs. 2A-B present an overall view of the functionality of the integrated telephony service ~ystem as provided at each node of the present invention. In particular, Figs. 2A-B describe the integrated combination of services provided: (a) to a user having a telephony card providing access to the services of the present invention;
and also (b) to some callers seeking to contact a card user. Each block in Figs. 2A-B corresponds to an action or prccess associated with the present invention for fulfilling a telephony card service. Commencing the description with the caller identification block 100, this process performs, for example, the activities related to detecting a user on a telephony line (equivalently channel) and subsequently re~uesting information from the user for verification of the services of the present invention that the user i~ allowed to perform. In particular, a card user (i.e., a user having a card number plus a personal identification number (PIN) for identifying himself/herself tv the integrated telephony service system of the present invention), may access the followin~ services:
(1.1) ~oice and fax mail status information 108 wherein a card user may be alerted to any voice and fax ~ail left for the card user;
(1O2) A process for presenting the main menu ~12 to a ~ard user so as to provide the card user with options for telephony services that may be requested by the card user. In the present embodiment of the invention, the menu 112 W O 97/20422 PCT~US96/19056 includes nine menu options from which the card user may select by pressing the appropriately corresponding number on a telephony station from which a card holder is calling. These options are:
(1.2.1) The card user presses a zero (but all h~s used throughout can alternatively be any designated key) on the telephony station from which he/she is c~l 1 ing, to make a domestic call in the country from which the card user is calling;
(1.2.2) The card user presses a one for placing an international call;
(1.2.3) The card user presses a two to redial the ; ~~iately previously dialed number;
(1.2.4) The card user presses a three for indicating that a ring back capability is desired wherein the present invention automatically periodically redials a card user supplied telephone number that is busy until a connection is made, and, upon making the connection, the card user is automatically alerted at the telephony station to which the card user has access;
(1.2.5) The card user presses a five to speed dial a telephone number the card user has previously entered;
WO 97/2(1422 PCT/US96~190~6 _g_ (1.2.6) The card user presses a seven for allocating funds to prepay an amount on a telephony calling card for which the card user may be responsible;
~1.2.7) The card u er presses an eight for special services including, for example, the services corresponding to the options of the special services menu 118 (described below);
(1.2.8) The card user presses a nine to access a user configuration menu for modifying the telephony services to which the user has access via the present invention.
Note that the control flow arrows proc~e~;ng outwardly from the main menu 112 are labeled with digits indicating which control flow arrow should be followed when a given number is pressed by the card user in response to a presentation of the menu 112. Thus, for example, a process 122 for ~-k;ng an outbound call is performed when any one of the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3 and 5 is pressed ~y the card user. Similarly, process 126 for activating a menu related to prepaying a calling card is activated when the card user presses a seven. Additionally, when a user presses a nine, a process is activated wherein a user configuration menu 130 of the telephony services to which the card user may request access.
Regarding this special services option, when the card user accesses the special services menu 118, the following options are available:
W O 97/20422 PCTnUS96/19056 (2.1) The card user presses a zero to request help, for example, with determining a telephone nu~ber for a person or organization. The help desk process 134 accesses a dat~hARe associated with the "local" node of the present invention relatively close to the telephony station on which the card user is calling. This database provides sufficient information relating to the card user so that for personalized services, such as directory assistance for a particular area or in a particular language, the present invention automatically routes the card user's call to a telephony site that can be responsive to the card user's inquiries.
15 (2.2) The card user presses a one for user-to-user telephony services. That is, for a first card user to contact a second card user, the first card user may input an identification (ID) number for identifying the second card user. That is, if the first card user receives an important ~essage from the second card user, then the first card user is able to ; -~;ately contact the second card user without disconnecting from the card service processing sys~em of the present invention.
(2.3) The card user presses a two to access his/her voice mail as is also discussed further herein below.
WO 9?~042~ PCTAUS96~19056 (2.4) ~he card user presses a three for ~cc~scing fax mail services as is also be described further herein below;
(2.5) The card user presses a four for accessing an - 5 information services menu 144 such as services that charge an additional amount or premium for access. For example, "900" services for the most recent sporting event scores or the weather. Note that such premium services have typically been accessible only in the country of origin since bilateral billing agreements between international telephone service providers have ~ot been established. However, with the network of local nodes of the present invention, a card user can use a node of the present invention that is local to him/her to route a call to another node of the present invention that is local to a remote area of interest. Thus, the card user can gain access to the premium services of the remote area.
(2.6) The card user presses a five to activate conference calling services via options on a conference menu 146 (not shown).
(2.7) The card user presses a six to access virtual private network (VPN) services wherein a card user may automatically obtain access to a private telephony network to which the card user has previously been given access permission. Note that to provide this service, the present invention stores, at one or more of the distributed nodes of the pre~ent invention, a correspondence between the card of the card user and a routing description providing access to the private telephony network.
(2.8) The card user presses a seven to access modem services via modem menu 160 options. Note that there are two additional aspects of the present invention that are particularly useful in providing this menu option. These aspects are:
(a) a Global Private Nu~ber Plan (GPNP) for associating a single n h~ with both identifying the destination of a call and also for identifying how the call i5 to be xouted; and (b) a least cost routing capability for dynamically deteL i ni ng the least cost route for a call. By combining the use of aspects (a) and (b) above with the activation of the present menu option, assume a card user is in a foreign country and requests a call be placed to an associate in his/her home country wherein the call is to be routed via a VPN. By the card user entering a single GP~P number previously established, the present invention identifies a telephone number for the associate and identifies the VPN over which the call is to be routed. Further, by activating the least cost routing capabilities of -WO 97J2~422 PCT~US96/190~6 the present invention, a cost effective call route will be used to connect the card user' 8 call to the VPN.
(209) The card user presses an eight to access - 5 information regarding billing codes that the card user may request to be established so that, for example, the card user may enter such a billing code when placing a call and thereby have the charge for the call listed as correspo~;ng to the entered billing code. Note that the card user is provided with a number of options for establ; ~h;ng billing codes. In a first option, the card user enters a billing code whenever the present invention is called. Alternatively, in a second option, in order to provide a billing code the card user must activate the billing code menu option here. Note that it is an aspect of the present invention that billing codes may be changed and/or not used without the card user disconnecting from the integrated telephony service system of the present invention. For example, to change billing codes between calls initiated during a single on-line session with the present invention, the card user terminates - 25 a first call by pressing the star-key.
Subsequently, the card user activates the present menu option for changing the billing code, and then places a new call.
W O 97/20422 PCT~US96/19056 A voice mail menu 168 and a fax mail menu 172 are also accessible by the card user pressing the telephony station digits 2 and 3, respectively, for accessing an integrated voice and fax mail system 176. Note that each of the menus 5 168 and 172 allow the card user to perform a delivery of voice or fax mail, a retrieval of voice or fax mail, or a (re)configuration of voice or fax services.
Re~erring now to ~ig. 2B, further detail is provided regarding the user configuration menu 130. In particular, the following menu items are available to the card user:
(3.1) The card user presses a one to change his/her personal identification number (PIN) that is input to verify the identity of the card user;
~3.2) The card user presses a two to access the setup speed dial menu 180 for allowing quick dialing of frequently called numbers;
(3.3) The card user presses a three to select the language in which the present invention communicates with the card user (e.g., system prompts and instructions for the card user). For example, the card user may select any of fifty languages presently supported for communication with the present invention. Note that it is an aspect of the present invention that the card user may request and/or change the language in which the present invention responds using this menu option. Further, note that the present invention recognizes certain predetermined ~ WO 97/20422 PCT/US96~19056 language phrases that the card user may speak in requesting certain telephony services. Thus, the language selected here also applies to voice ~ ~llnication by the card user to the present - 5 invention. For example, instead of pressing certain digits at the card user's telephony station, the card user can also request a particular menu option by vocalizing the number corresponding to the desired menu option.
10 (3.4) The card user presses a four to program the ring back service provided in option three of menu 112. In particular, the following ring back configurations are available via ring back menu 184:
(3.4.1) The card user presses a zero to access services for inputting the length of time the ring back service is to be activated for a given telephone nl h~l- that the card user calls and receives no answer. For example, the card user may request that the ring back service be activated for no more than one hour from the time of the original call by the card user.
(3.4.2) The card user presses a one to terminate the ring back service that is currently active for a telephone number the card user has previously called using the ring back option of the main menu 112.
WO 97/20422 PCT~US96/19056 (3.4.3) The card user presses a two to access services for programming or setting certain predete~ ;ne~ parameters of the ring back service. For example, the card user may specify the frequency that the ring back service is to use in attempting to contact a person at the number called by the card user via the ring back option of main menu 112;
(3.4.4) The card user presses a nine to return to the main menu 112 to access additional telephony services of the present invention.
Note that, as is illustrated in both Figs.
2A and 2B, substantially all telephony services provided from the main menu 112 also allow the card user upon termination of a requested service to return to the main menu 112 for accessing additional services.
(3.5) The card user presses a five to ~loy r am various features of the follow-me service. This service allows a card user to be contacted by a caller(s) at substantially any telephony station that the card user has designated. In one embodiment, this service is provided for each caller to which the card user has given an ID number (and, optionally, a PIN) that has been assigned to the card user so that the caller can enter the number(s) for contacting the card user using the , CA 02239302 l998-06-02 W O 97~a42~ PCTAUS96/19DS6 follow-me service. Thus, the card user may provide a first group of such ID numbers to family members, a second group of such ID numbers to business associates, and one or more ID
numbers in a third group may be distributed substantially publicly. Accordingly, when one of these ID ~,~ hers (and, optionally, a corresponding personal identification number) is input by a caller and the card user's follow-me service is active, then the caller' 5 call activates telephony network element capabilities of the present invention wherein the telephony station designated to be contacted via the follow-me service is alerted. Subsequently, if the card user activates this telephony station 60 that it is off-hook, then the present invention may automatically provide the card user with an identification of the caller (e.g., by providing the card user with the ID number of the caller in the card user's preferred language), thereby allowing the card user to determine whether he/she desires immediate contact with the cal~er or whether the caller should be redirected to, for example, the card user's voice mail. Thus, the card user may travel from one city to another city and, using the present invention, input a telephony station number where the card user can be contacted so that when the present invention W O 97/20422 PCTnUS96119056 -}8-receives a call from a caller requesting contact with the card user, the call will be redirected to the telephony station whose telephone number the card user has most recently input into the present invention as the telephony number to be used in contacting the card user. Note that menu 188 and submenu 192 may be accessed by the card user for setting and clearing options of the follow-me service~ In particular, the following options are available to the card user from menu 188:
(3.5.1) The card user presses a zero to ~ccess follow-me service parameters related to how long a duration this service should be active and/or inactive;
(3.5.2) The card user presses a one to clear or terminate the follow-me service. Note that since the card user is provided with, for example, ten ID numbers (and, optionally, corresponding personal identification numbers) the card user may distribute, among callers to which the card user prefers, the ability of these callers to be able to contact the card user at the most recently designated telephone number provided by the card user. Thus, the card user may terminate the follow-me service for one or more ID
W O 97no422 PCT~US96n9~6 numbers without effecting the follow-me service for other ID -- hers.
(3.5.3) The card user presses a two to ~oyl~m the follow-me service according to the follow-me - 5 menu 192. Referring now to the menu 192, the following options are available to the card userU
(3.5.3.1) The card user presses a zero to configure the present invention so that no system message is played. In particular, this option allows the card user to configure the follow-me service so that (a) the caller does not receive a system message indicating to the caller that the follow-me service is activated, and (b~ the card user is co~nected directly to the caller without a system message intervening to, for example, identify the caller 2~ and/or verify that the card user is the person on the line.
(3.5.3.2) The card user presses a one to configure connect message features of the follow-me service wherein: (a) at 2S least a first recorded message is provided for one or more of the callers using a follow-me ID number for contacting the card user ; and/or (b) W O 97/204Z2 PCT~US96/19056 one or more messages may be provided for presentation to the card user when a corresponding f o 1 1 o w - m e identification number is provided by a caller attempting to contact the card user.
(3.5.3.3) The card user presses a two to configure the follow-me service of the present invention so that a further telephone extension number is automatically dialed by the present invention in order to properly route the follow-me caller's call.
(3.5.3.4~ The card user presses a three to configure the present invention so that when the telephony station designated by the card user as the follow-me destination goes off-hook, a message is automatically played by the present invention to the person at the destination station for reguesting that the call, in turn, be transferred to an extension also provided in the message.
Note that this feature of the follow-me service is particularly useful when the card user cannot be called directly but, instead, any incoming calls to the card user are intercepted by an operator such as at a hotel or hospital. Thus, when a swit~-hhoA~d operator receives such a follow-me call, the present invention ~ 5 automatically presents the operator with a message requesting that the operator transfer the follow-me call to an extension or room number as provided previously by the card user via the present follow-me menu configuration option.
~3.5.3.5) The card user presses a four for configuring the present invention to automatically dial, once the follow-me designated telephony station goes off-hook, an additional extension set previously by the card user in the present follow-me menu option.
(3.5.3.6) The card user presses a nine to return to the main menu 112.
(3.5.4) Continuing now with the last option of menu 188, the card user presses a nine to return to the main menu 112;
(3.6) Continuing now with the sixth option of menu 130, - 25 the card user presses a six to programmatically set personal identification numbers for one or more of the follow-me ID numbers using the ID
security code menu controller 196. Referring now W O 97/20422 PCT~US96/19Q56 to the menu controller ~96, there are two service configuration options available:
~3.6.1) ~he card user presses a zero to set a personal identification number (PIN) for one or more of the follow-me ID numbers provided to callers.
(3.6.2) The card user presses a one to verify the personal identification numbers for any of the follow-me ID numbers to which the card user has set a personal identification nu~her .
A caller attemptin~ to access a card user subscribing to the services of the present invention may contact the card user using an assigned conventional public telephone network telephone number for the geographic area or country the card user desires. Thus, this assigned telephone number i5 the number to which callers are routed as a default if no follow-me telephone number has been designated for contacting the card user. Alternatively, as indicated in the discussion of the follow-me service above, some callers may use a follow-me identification l h.~.~ as input to the present invention in order to contact the card user corresponding to the follow-me identification n~ h.~.~
entered by the caller. Regardless of the manner in which the caller attempts to contact the card user via the present invention, if the card user is unavailable, then the caller may have access to the options provided by the W~ 97f2~4Z2 PCT~VS~6~90~6 mail delivery menu 200. ~eferring to the mail delivery menu 200, t:he following options are available to a caller:
~4.1) ~he caller presses a zero to activate the process 204 wherein the caller may make an outbound call and have it billed to the card user. Note that ~his option is only available to callers to which the card user has provided an ID number that allows access to this service.
(4.2) The caller presses a two to request that a following facsimile mail message be delivered to the card user.
(4.3) The caller may be provided with a delivery status ~elated to the delivery of a voice mail or a fax mail. This menu option may be available only to callers having an ID number correspo~;ng to the user's card and wherein the ID number has been selected by the card user to have access to this menu option.
Note that, at least on options one and two for the mail delivery menu controller 200, voice and fax mail system 176 is access~ for delivering the mail messages input by the caller.
In addition to the above services, the present invention offers significant flexibility and advantages related to the storage and use of information describing the telephony services provided to a telephony card user.
In particular, the present invention provides the card user with increased flexibility in terms of defining the CA 02239302 l998-06-02 W O 97~0422 PCTnUS96/19056 services accessible by a telephony service card. Further, this increased flexibility is provided without a corresponding increase in database storage regarding the number and size of database records. That is, the database schemes used for storing and retrieving card user telephony service information are very parsimonious regarding their utilization of secondary storage such as hard disk space.
Note that such conservation is particularly important in the present invention, since there may be duplicate copies lo of card user data, distributed among various system nodes of the present invention, for describing the telephony services available to a card user.
In one implementation of the present invention, telephony card services or functions provided to a card user are stored within the present invention using object oriented t~chniques. That is, an object oriented schema is provided for the storage of telephony service information related to each telephony service card provided to a card user. Such an object oriented database structure allows the factoring out of identical data fields across a large nll~her of, for example, telephony service card description records by using object oriented data and function inheritance t~chn; ques related to hierarchically organized object classifications (i.e. object classes~. Further, the present invention also provides for the overriding or replacement of record values and functions that would otherwise be inherited from object oriented inheritance classes.
WO 97/20422 PCT/~JS96~19056 Thus, an object oriented telephony service class hierarchy is provided for representing typical card user collections of services. Accordingly, it is common to provide a ranges of telephony service card numbers with a given default set of telephony services. Thus, the data descriptions for many fields of these cards are identical.
For example, one particular range of card numbers may be targeted for potential card users in Germany. Since it is likely that most users of such cards prefer system lo responses in German, as well as their bills itemized in denominations of German marks, at least these two fields can be factored out of most card user description records (i.e. objects3 and stored in a commonly accessible area.
In conjunction with the object oriented datAhA~
schemes, the present invention provides substantial flexibility for customizing a card user's services in a cost effective manner. In particular, the present invention provides the following t~r-hn; ques for modifying and securing the telephony services associated with a telephony service card wherein the card has certain default services and attributes automatically attached to it:
(5.1) Black list: In this t~ch~;que, some of the standard or default services provided to a card user, due to the card range within which the card user's card number is contA; ne~, are marked so that these services remain inactive. Thus, in this t~r-hn;que, for each card, the card data and functionality that is different from the default services is stored in a card services description object specific to the card.
(5.2) Positive list: In this te~hn;~ue, a card user may request that his/her card be capable of accessing services beyond those services that are provided as st~n~d services for the card number range in which the user's card number is contained. Thus, for each card, the card services description object specific to the card is stored in the database(s) of the present invention for describing the services accessible by the card user that are in addition to the default services.
(5.3) Crypto: This t~chn;~ue provides an added measure of security in that any personal identification numberfi (PINs~ related to a telephony card for accessing the services of the present invention are stored in da~h~c~c for the present invention (e.g., databases residing on hard disks 348 of Fig. 4 described hereinbelow) in an encrypted form, thereby inhibiting the theft of such PINs.
Thus, each encrypted PIN related to a card for the present invention is decrypted in real time at a local node. The decrypted PIN is then compared with a PIN entered by a user as part of a user identification and validation process.
(5.4) Full Custom: This t~ch~;~ue allows for a fully customized telephony service card to be created WO 97/20422 PCT~US~6/1905 i for a user. Such a custom card is described by a card services description object having ~nco~;n~s that both override the default services descriptions for the card range within which the users card is contained as well as provide descriptions of additional services.
A feature of the present invention that is related to the flexibility of the assigning or associating telephony services with a service card is the Open Language lo Assignment capability of the present invention. This feature allows a telephony service card to be issued to a user without a preferred user language being specified.
When this occurs, during the first activation of telephony services using such a card, the present invention requests the user to choose a preferred language that is to be used in all further system reSponC~e. Note that this feature is particularly useful for third party telephony service card providers that transition to using the present invention with an existing clientele of telephony card users. That is, if the card users from this existing clientele include speakers of a ~,~ her of languages, then il.L~o.luctory greetings on first activation of the present invention by each of these card users may be in each of these languages, requesting that the card user indicate the language of choice for subsequent system responses. Note that since this is an automatic procedure involving only the card users, there is a substantial cost savings over other language data gathering tPchn~ques wherein there are one or CA 02239302 l998-06-02 W O 97/20422 PCT~US96/19056 more manual operations, such as mailing user reguest forms and/or manually updating system datAhA~c.
The present invention may also provide other services that are substantially defined upon activation of a telephony service card for the present invention. In particular, the present invention supports a "call me"
service wherein a card user purchases or becomes financially obligated for a telephony service card and the card is programmed 80 that, for example, only certain lo telephone numbers can be dialed using the card. Thus, once the card purchaser or user has specified the one or more telephone numbers accessible with the telephony service card, the card may be given to another person so that this other person can freely call the pre~G~Lammed telephone numbers accessible with the service card. For example, such a card may be purchased by a parent and ~ G~L ammed with his/her own telephone nll~h~ so that when the card is given to their child, the child may use the card to call the parent without the parent being concerned about incurring substantial billing costs for calls other than to the parent.
In the present embodiment, three variations of the "call me" service are provided:
(6.1) Single predefined call forwarding number: This aspect of the "call me" service allows a card user (e.g. card purchaser) to purchase a telephony service card that is pre-~LGyLammed with a single telephone number so that the speed ~ CA 02239302 1998-06-02 W O 97no422 PCT~US96/19056 dialling of this number is substantially the only cervice available to the card user.
(6.2) Multi predefined forwarding numbers: This aspect of the call me service is similar to the capability of (6.1) except that a plurality of telephone numbers are pre-programmed for the card.
(6.3) User defined "call me" forwarding number(s): This aspect of the call me service allows a card user ~r purchaser to program the service card. For example, upon initial activation of the card using the present invention, the card user may define a single telephone number which will be speed dialed upon subsequent activations of the card's telephony services. In a Feco~
embodiment, the card may be ~oylammed to speed dial a telephone number related to a menu of telephone numbers input, for example, by the card purch~s~r. That is, upon initial activation of the card, the card user enters the telephone numbers desired to be accessible with the card.
Note that to provide this capability, upon initial activation, the card user te.g.
purchaser) must not only supply the plurality of telephone numbers to be subsequently accessible with the card, but also the card user supplies a description or indication of whom it is that is being contacted at each of the plurality of W O 97/20422 PCT~US96/19056 telephone numbers accessible by the card. Note ~hat such descriptions are recorded by the present invention automatically. Subsequently, when the card is used to dial one of these numbers, a menu of the recorded options is provided to a card user, thereby allowing the card user to select any of the menu options for speed dialing.
In addition to the parent-child ~nArio dis~cff~A
above, such "call me" telephony service cards may be particularly useful for companies for providing certain customers or potential customers with A Cc~S5 to certain r p~ny capabilities without explicitly providing the company telephone number(s) being called. Further, since such cards can be prepaid providing a fixed amount of ~ervice call time, such cards can be included in various product packages 80 that the purc~ e~ of such a package may freely call, for example, a product service representative a predetermined of times or for a predetermined total length of time.
The services provided by the present invention and as described in Figs. 2A and 2B are performed substantially by service processing units 304 as shown in Fig. 3. More precisely a node 104 of the present invention includes a plurality of local networked service processing units 304 provided within a common rack or frame. In one embodiment of the present invention, a rack for eight service processing units 304 are stacked and connected together.
WO 97/20422 PCT~US96~19056 Further, the racks of these service processing units 304 are distributed so that substantially all service requests by a card user or a caller to a card user are provided by a rack of service processing units 304 residing in the territory of and connected directly to the local public telephony service provider to which the card user has access. For example, such a rack may reside as a module within a telephony service provider central office. Thus, the present invention provides a networked telephony card service system. Also, there may be one or more centralized nodes within this card service system for administrative purposes and system monitoring as well as fault diagnosis.
~owever, i1: is an aspect of the present invention that most calling card services are handled exclusively by one or more service processing units 304 within racks distributed among local telephony service providers. That is, the centralized calling card service ad~inistrative nodes are typically not ar~ by the distributed service processing units 304 residing at, for example, sites of local telephony service providers when calling card services such as those illustrated in Figs. 2A and 2B are performed.
Referring now to the hardware components of service processing unit 304 as schematically presented in Fig. 3, the service processing unit includes a CPU 308 upon which the high level control processes of the service processing unit 304 execute. Connected to CPU 308 via PCI-bus 312 is a multiple~ing input-output unit 316 which communicates via an RS232 communication chAn~el with a potentially remotely located processing system (not shown) for monitoring and hAn~ling, for example, alarms. Note, that the remotely located processing system may be at one of the centralized nodes discussed above. In this case the communications are provided using the X.25 protocol.
Note that there is a plurality of hardware units is connected by an ISA-bus 320 to the CPU 308, in particular, hardware units 324, 328, 336, 340 and 344. A first set of lo the hardware units connected by the ISA-bus 320 to the CPU
308 are the digital network interface devices 324, labeled in Fig. 3 as E1/Tl ISDN. Note that each one of these devices may be a single card inserted within a common rack (not shown). Further note that each of t~e other hardware units as shown in Fig. 3 may also be cards inserted into the same rack as these digital network interface devices.
Eaah digital network interface card 324 is able to simultaneously process a plurality of digital telephony signal channel~ (equivalently lines) wherein each such line 2~ is allocated to communicate telephony signals for a single conversation. Each of the digital network interface devices 324 has two El connections 322 to the telephony network of, ~or example, the local telephony service provider. Note that each connection 322 may simultaneously carry 30 lines.
Thus, since there are four network interface devices 324 per service processing unit 324, a total of 240 simultaneous lines (equaling the capacity of 120 card users having non-blocking service) may be processed by the WO 97/20422 PCT~596~19056 network interface devices. Note that the digital network interface devices 324 are commercially available through, for example, ACULAB, Ltd., Aculab House, Old Road, Leighton Buzzard, Beds, ~U7 TRG Bedforshire, UK.
- 5 The ISA-bus 320 iS also connected to a plurality of supervisory boards 328 for interacting with a user according to the menus and functions of Figs. 2 and additionally initiating the performance of any service requests specified. In one embodiment of the present invention there are eight supervisory boards 328. Each such supervisory board 328 fits into a slot of the rack mentioned above for the present invention. Further, each of the supervisory boards 328 includes a plurality of processing units (i.e., CPUs) for controlling and performing the telephony card services of Figs. 2A and 2B.
For example, each such board is capable of simultaneously processing communications on 64 (half duplex or 32 full duplex) lines. Furthermore, each of the supervisory boards 328 dynamically loads and unloads in real time programs and data required to perform the telephony card services of Figs. 2. Thus, the local processing of the digital telephony signals in performing the telephony card services provides a significant user response advantage over systems providing card services where a large proportion of the card services are performed at a remote central site. Also note that the supervisory boards 328 and the digital network interface devices 324 c ul~icate service request information with one another through digital signal W O 97/20422 PCT~US96/19056 processing channels on the MVIP bus 332. Note that the MVIP bus 332 is used in communications between various other hardware units also. It is important to note that since the present invention is designed to be ~ n~;-hle fox providing both higher capacity (i.e., capable of servicing a greater number of service requests), and also for providing additional services as the need for such additional services becomes apparent. Thus, it is an important aspect of the present invention that the lo communication between the hardware units is substantially compatible. Accordingly, the DSP c~nn~ls on the MVIP bus 332 and their interfaces to the hardware units communicate in a telephony stAn~Ardized protocol su~po,Led by a large number of telephony system vendors. In particular, the DSP
channels transmit data between the hardware units using the Multiple Vendor Interface Protocol (MVIP). Further note that providing such a st~n~A~dized protocol for communication assists in providing an open systems approach to the architecture of the present invention wherein, for example, additional telephony card services may be straightforwardly integrated into the present invention by third parties such as value added resellers.
Additional hardware units connected to both the ISA-bus 320 and the MVIP bus 332 may be also included in the present invention. For example, a conference bridge card may be included for supplying simultaneous communications between three or more users having access to the te~ephony card services of the present invention. Further, a digital WO 97/20422 PCTAUS96~190~6 signal processing compression card 340 may be supplied for co~pressing telephony signals. Note that such compression i8 particularly cost effective when the signals are to be transferred over a long distance connection and ~ignal - 5 traffic is near or above capacity of the connection.
Further, a multichassis card 344 may be supplied to switch service re~uests service processing units 304 within the sane rack thereby, for example, hAlAncing signal traffic loads between the unit 304 within the rack. Returning now to connections of the PCI-bus 312, note that a data storage device 348, denoted in Fig. 3 as a hard disk, is attached to the PCI-bus 312 for storing and supplying both data and telephony card service programs to the CPU 308 as well as the hardware units connected to the CPU 308 by the ISA-bus 15 320. In particular, the hard disk 348 is acces~ed by these hardware units substantially under the control of CPU 308.
The PCI-bus 312 also connects to a local area network (LAN) 352. The LAN 352 provides local area networking capabilities for connecting, for example, a plurality of rac~s of the service processing unit 304.
Referring now to Fig. 4, this figure provides further det:ail regarding the procecs~C and servers that execute on CPU 308. That is, Fig. 4 illustrates how these servers c_ ln;cate with one another in CPU 308 and how they c_ ;cate with other components previously described in Fi~. 3. In particular, there are four software systems executing on CPU 308 and represented as circles wherein arrows connecting the circles and connecting to buses 312 and 320 illustrate the major commu~ication paths and directions that occur during operation.
When a new card service request is received by a digital network interface device 324 on a connection 322, the digital network interface device alerts the network call control server 408 via ISA-bus 320. The network call control server 408 determines the resources needed to process the request and sends a request to the resource manager 416 for allocation of the needed resources to perform the request. In particular, a request i5 made that the resource manager 416 allocate a DSP channel on the MVIP
bus 332 for communication of service request information between, for example, the digital network interface device 324 and one of the supervisory boards 328. Thus, the resource manager 416 schedules an allocation of processing capacities on a supervisory board 328, and a DSP channel on the MVIP bus 332 between the digit network interface device 324 and the allocated supervisory board 328. Subsequently, the resource manager 416 communicates these allocations on the ISA-bus 320 so that both the network interface device 324 and the allocated supervisory board 328 are provided with the allocations. More precisely, the resource manager 416 sends one or more allocation messages to the file server 420 and the file server 420 outputs these messages to the ISA-bus 320 for delivery to digital network interface device 324 and the supervisory board 328 to be used in processing the service request.
It is also important to note that the downloading and storing of information related to telephony card service re~uests is substantially provided by c~ n; cations through the UNIX operating system 424 and the file server 420. That is, substantially all communications for downloadi~g information from the hard disk 348 to a supervisory board 328, and uploading information from a supervisory board 328 to the hard disk 348 is accomplished by transferring the information between the UNIX operating system 424 and the file server 420.
Fig. 5 presents a block diagram showing the internals of one of the supervisory boards 328. The block diagram of this figure further includes the primary data and program flows between components within the supervisory board 328.
However, it should be noted that in order to present some of the flows more clearly, the dual port interface component (DP) 508 has been duplicated three times to more clearly illustrate its involvement in various co n; cations within the supervisory boards 328. Further note that the dual port 508 serves as an interface component between both other components of the s~pervisory ard 328 as well as being an interface to the ISA-bus 320.
The dual port 508 ç- ln;cates with the 186/EC CPU
516. The CPU 516 determines the destinations of programs a~d data obtained from a database residing on the hard disk 348. Accordingly, 186/EC CPU 516 executes programs for routing information to and from the hard disk 348. Thus, the CPU 516 is provided with resident programs that, for WO 97/20422 PCT~US96/19056 example, may request programs and data for other components of the supervisory board 328 when the supervisory board is bootstrapped into operation.
The CPU 516 communicates with (7810) CPU 520. The CPU
S2Q performs much of the menu control and user interaction functionalit~ described in relation to Figs. 2A and 2B.
That is, CPU 520 may be considered an application processor for processing telephony card service requests. Thus, CPU
520 determines the menus to be presented to a user of the present invention as well as configuring or instructing other components of the supervisory board to output and/or detect telephony signals related to a service reguest being processed.
The CPU 516 also communicates through the dual port 508 to four digital signal processors (DSP) 524. The DSPs 524 process the telephony digital signals received by the E1/Tl ISDN components 324. The DSPs 524 receive the digital signals from lines of the MVIP bus 332 via a MVIP interface 532 and a switch matrix 528 described herein below.
Further, DSPs 524 also output responsive telephony digital signals substantially according to the direction of the CPU
520. Note that such o~L~uL digital signals are supplied to lines of the MV~P bus 332 via first the switch matrix 528 and then the MVIP interface 532.
The programs and data used by each of the DSPs 524 is downloaded as needed in real time from the database residing on the hard disk 348. Thus, programs and data are downloaded for the following tasks:
WO 97/20422 PCTJIJS96~1 9l)56 (7.1) Detecting telephony signal frequencies indicative of various modes of operation such as on-hook and off-hoo~;
(7.2) Detecting and decoding digits entered by a user;
- 5 (7.3) c~n~;~g data to the CPU 520 via the dual port 508 and the CPU 516.
In general, each DSP 524 is capable of detecting and translating telephony digital signal data into more conventional data processing formats such as ASCII.
Further, it is worthwhile to mention that each DSP 524 can simultaneously process (i.e., detect and/or output) information communicated on 16 lines from connections 322 via lines of the MVIP bus 332.
The CPU 516 also cn~m~ln;cates with a switch matrix 528. The switch matrix 528 i8 provided with switching information from the resource manager 416 via CPU 516. The switching information provided determines which lines from the MVIP bus 332 are to be in signal communication with a particular DSP 524. Note that there are 512 half duplex lines (i.e., channels), or, equivalently 256 full duplex lines entering the switch matrix 528 from a MVIP interface 532 that, in turn, interfaces with the same number of corresponding lines in the MVIP-bus 332. Thus, the switch matrix 528 determines the lines that are in signal co- ~;cation with each DSP 524.
To commence processing telephony card service requests, the CPU 516 provides a request for programs and data to boot up the CPU 520 and each DSP 524. Each request W O 97/20422 PCT~US96/19OS6 from the CPU 516 is routed via ISA-bus 320 to the file server 420 and subsequently to the UNIX operating system 424 wherein a request is made via PCI-bus 312 to the hard disk 348 for the boot ~ GyLams and data. Subsequently, the data from the hard disk 348 flows in a reverse direction through the UNIX operating system 424 and subsequently the file server 420 for eventual receipt by the CPU 516 that, in turn, downloads the appropriate portions of this information into the CPU 520 and each DSP 524.
Subsequently, the CPU 520 and each DSP 524 returns status information to the CPU 516 that is thereby communicated to the resource manager 416. Upon receipt by the resource manager 416 of status information indicating the currently active CPUs 520 and DSPs 524, the resource manager commences to schedule service requests received from the network call control 408 so that these requests are processed by a CPU 520 and an DSP 524 on the same supervisory board 328.
In operation, note that the processing performed by each of the supervisory boards 328 is data driven via data from the datAhA~ on hard disk 348. That is, the executable program elements loaded into CPUs 520 from the hard disk 348 are substantially generic in that this same generic program can be used for directing the user interactions related to substantially unlimited service request on sixteen channels. Thus, for example, when a CPU
520 receives a menu response from a DSP 524, the CPU 520 accesses a corresponding resident data table entry and depending on the entry may:
(8O1~ Provide this DSP 524 with data to transmit to the user (e.g., further menu options);
(8.2) Instruct this DSP 524 or another DSP 524 to route the user's request to another node of the integrated telephony service system of the present invention;
(8.3) Request information from the user;
(8. 4) Request a DSP 524 to dial out on another line for obt~;~;ng user requested information; and (8.5) Request a DSP 524 to enter a "record" mode wherein received information, via MVIP bus 332, is ouL~uL (e.g., card user information) to the hard dis3c 348 via CPU 516, DP 508, ISA 320 and the CPU 308.
Note, however, that in some instances before the CPU 520 determines the next step to perform according to the data in a resident data table, the CPU 520 may require further data tables to be loaded from the hard disk 348. In such a case, the CPU 520 provides a request to the CPU 516 for the additional data and the data is requested and retrieved from the hard disk 348 as herein above discussed.
For each of the above outputs from the CPU 520 for directing the processing of a service request, the CPU 520 may also request program elements and/or data tables to be downloaded from the hard disk 348 to a DSP 524 SO that the next step in processing the service request can be W O 97~0422 PCT~US96/19056 performed by this DSP 524. It is an aspect of the present invention that for substantially all service request processing done by a DSP 524 that there are generic program elements loaded at boot time that can continue processing the service request for subsequent steps by providing the DSP S24 with different data from the hard disk 348. That is, each DSP 524 i8 substantially data driven. However, for certain service requests, new ~r Oyr ~ elements may be downloaded from the hard disk 348 to one or more DSP 524.
In particular, there is a service request requiring the transfer of modem generated data, a set of different program elements are downloaded from the hard disk 348.
The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description.
Further, the description is not int~n~ to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variation and modification ~ e~curate with the above teachings, within the skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiment described her~inAhove is further int~e~ to explain the best mode presently known of practicing the invention and to enable other skilled in the art to utilize the invention as such, or other embodiments, and with the various modifications required by their particular application or uses of the invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.
Other features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description with the ~ 5 acco _anying figures contained hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. ~ presents a high level or global perspective of the distributed telephony service card processing system of the presen~ invention;
Figs. 2A and 2B present an overall view of the functionality of the present invention by illustrating the menu choices available to user's of the present invention;
Fig. 3 presents a high level schematic o~ a telephony 15service card processing unit 304 provided at a node 104, wherein such nodes have a plurality of such service processing units 304;
Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the communications between the components of a service processing unit 304 wherein greater detail is provided, in particular regarding CPIJ 308;
Fig. 5 presents a block diagram showing the internal components of one of the supervisory boards 328.
25DETATT~n DESCRIPTION
Fig. 1 illustrates the telephony service card processing system of the present invention from a global perspective. As shown, the present invention includes a globally distributed set of telephony service card processing sites or nodes 104 and 106 with digital telephony communication links or channels between the nodes. Each node 104 services substantially "local" users who have telephony service cards for accessing the present invention. That is, when such a user (hereinafter denoted a card user) uses his/her telephony service card to request a telephony service, the service request is typically routed to a node 104 that is relatively close to where the user is when ~king the service request. Note that each node 104 is configured, controlled and maintA i n~ through communications received from one of the central or hub nodes 106. However, substantially all telephony card service requests to a node 104 can be processed without requiring a real time remote access to a hub node 106.
Thus, in particular, each node 106 is capable of on-site real time validation of a user's identity and of the user's access to a requested service without requiring an Acc~fi to a hub node 106 during the processing of the user's request for service. For example, a card user in the area 108 may access the telephony card services of the present invention via node 104c without this node 104c requiring an immediate remote access of, for example, node 106a.
Further, if this same card user traveled to, for example, a location in area 112, then this card user is provided with substantially identical telephony card services via node 104i, also without requiring an immediate access of a node 106, when such a telephony service is requested.
WO 97/21~422 PCT/~JS96/19056 Figs. 2A-B present an overall view of the functionality of the integrated telephony service ~ystem as provided at each node of the present invention. In particular, Figs. 2A-B describe the integrated combination of services provided: (a) to a user having a telephony card providing access to the services of the present invention;
and also (b) to some callers seeking to contact a card user. Each block in Figs. 2A-B corresponds to an action or prccess associated with the present invention for fulfilling a telephony card service. Commencing the description with the caller identification block 100, this process performs, for example, the activities related to detecting a user on a telephony line (equivalently channel) and subsequently re~uesting information from the user for verification of the services of the present invention that the user i~ allowed to perform. In particular, a card user (i.e., a user having a card number plus a personal identification number (PIN) for identifying himself/herself tv the integrated telephony service system of the present invention), may access the followin~ services:
(1.1) ~oice and fax mail status information 108 wherein a card user may be alerted to any voice and fax ~ail left for the card user;
(1O2) A process for presenting the main menu ~12 to a ~ard user so as to provide the card user with options for telephony services that may be requested by the card user. In the present embodiment of the invention, the menu 112 W O 97/20422 PCT~US96/19056 includes nine menu options from which the card user may select by pressing the appropriately corresponding number on a telephony station from which a card holder is calling. These options are:
(1.2.1) The card user presses a zero (but all h~s used throughout can alternatively be any designated key) on the telephony station from which he/she is c~l 1 ing, to make a domestic call in the country from which the card user is calling;
(1.2.2) The card user presses a one for placing an international call;
(1.2.3) The card user presses a two to redial the ; ~~iately previously dialed number;
(1.2.4) The card user presses a three for indicating that a ring back capability is desired wherein the present invention automatically periodically redials a card user supplied telephone number that is busy until a connection is made, and, upon making the connection, the card user is automatically alerted at the telephony station to which the card user has access;
(1.2.5) The card user presses a five to speed dial a telephone number the card user has previously entered;
WO 97/2(1422 PCT/US96~190~6 _g_ (1.2.6) The card user presses a seven for allocating funds to prepay an amount on a telephony calling card for which the card user may be responsible;
~1.2.7) The card u er presses an eight for special services including, for example, the services corresponding to the options of the special services menu 118 (described below);
(1.2.8) The card user presses a nine to access a user configuration menu for modifying the telephony services to which the user has access via the present invention.
Note that the control flow arrows proc~e~;ng outwardly from the main menu 112 are labeled with digits indicating which control flow arrow should be followed when a given number is pressed by the card user in response to a presentation of the menu 112. Thus, for example, a process 122 for ~-k;ng an outbound call is performed when any one of the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3 and 5 is pressed ~y the card user. Similarly, process 126 for activating a menu related to prepaying a calling card is activated when the card user presses a seven. Additionally, when a user presses a nine, a process is activated wherein a user configuration menu 130 of the telephony services to which the card user may request access.
Regarding this special services option, when the card user accesses the special services menu 118, the following options are available:
W O 97/20422 PCTnUS96/19056 (2.1) The card user presses a zero to request help, for example, with determining a telephone nu~ber for a person or organization. The help desk process 134 accesses a dat~hARe associated with the "local" node of the present invention relatively close to the telephony station on which the card user is calling. This database provides sufficient information relating to the card user so that for personalized services, such as directory assistance for a particular area or in a particular language, the present invention automatically routes the card user's call to a telephony site that can be responsive to the card user's inquiries.
15 (2.2) The card user presses a one for user-to-user telephony services. That is, for a first card user to contact a second card user, the first card user may input an identification (ID) number for identifying the second card user. That is, if the first card user receives an important ~essage from the second card user, then the first card user is able to ; -~;ately contact the second card user without disconnecting from the card service processing sys~em of the present invention.
(2.3) The card user presses a two to access his/her voice mail as is also discussed further herein below.
WO 9?~042~ PCTAUS96~19056 (2.4) ~he card user presses a three for ~cc~scing fax mail services as is also be described further herein below;
(2.5) The card user presses a four for accessing an - 5 information services menu 144 such as services that charge an additional amount or premium for access. For example, "900" services for the most recent sporting event scores or the weather. Note that such premium services have typically been accessible only in the country of origin since bilateral billing agreements between international telephone service providers have ~ot been established. However, with the network of local nodes of the present invention, a card user can use a node of the present invention that is local to him/her to route a call to another node of the present invention that is local to a remote area of interest. Thus, the card user can gain access to the premium services of the remote area.
(2.6) The card user presses a five to activate conference calling services via options on a conference menu 146 (not shown).
(2.7) The card user presses a six to access virtual private network (VPN) services wherein a card user may automatically obtain access to a private telephony network to which the card user has previously been given access permission. Note that to provide this service, the present invention stores, at one or more of the distributed nodes of the pre~ent invention, a correspondence between the card of the card user and a routing description providing access to the private telephony network.
(2.8) The card user presses a seven to access modem services via modem menu 160 options. Note that there are two additional aspects of the present invention that are particularly useful in providing this menu option. These aspects are:
(a) a Global Private Nu~ber Plan (GPNP) for associating a single n h~ with both identifying the destination of a call and also for identifying how the call i5 to be xouted; and (b) a least cost routing capability for dynamically deteL i ni ng the least cost route for a call. By combining the use of aspects (a) and (b) above with the activation of the present menu option, assume a card user is in a foreign country and requests a call be placed to an associate in his/her home country wherein the call is to be routed via a VPN. By the card user entering a single GP~P number previously established, the present invention identifies a telephone number for the associate and identifies the VPN over which the call is to be routed. Further, by activating the least cost routing capabilities of -WO 97J2~422 PCT~US96/190~6 the present invention, a cost effective call route will be used to connect the card user' 8 call to the VPN.
(209) The card user presses an eight to access - 5 information regarding billing codes that the card user may request to be established so that, for example, the card user may enter such a billing code when placing a call and thereby have the charge for the call listed as correspo~;ng to the entered billing code. Note that the card user is provided with a number of options for establ; ~h;ng billing codes. In a first option, the card user enters a billing code whenever the present invention is called. Alternatively, in a second option, in order to provide a billing code the card user must activate the billing code menu option here. Note that it is an aspect of the present invention that billing codes may be changed and/or not used without the card user disconnecting from the integrated telephony service system of the present invention. For example, to change billing codes between calls initiated during a single on-line session with the present invention, the card user terminates - 25 a first call by pressing the star-key.
Subsequently, the card user activates the present menu option for changing the billing code, and then places a new call.
W O 97/20422 PCT~US96/19056 A voice mail menu 168 and a fax mail menu 172 are also accessible by the card user pressing the telephony station digits 2 and 3, respectively, for accessing an integrated voice and fax mail system 176. Note that each of the menus 5 168 and 172 allow the card user to perform a delivery of voice or fax mail, a retrieval of voice or fax mail, or a (re)configuration of voice or fax services.
Re~erring now to ~ig. 2B, further detail is provided regarding the user configuration menu 130. In particular, the following menu items are available to the card user:
(3.1) The card user presses a one to change his/her personal identification number (PIN) that is input to verify the identity of the card user;
~3.2) The card user presses a two to access the setup speed dial menu 180 for allowing quick dialing of frequently called numbers;
(3.3) The card user presses a three to select the language in which the present invention communicates with the card user (e.g., system prompts and instructions for the card user). For example, the card user may select any of fifty languages presently supported for communication with the present invention. Note that it is an aspect of the present invention that the card user may request and/or change the language in which the present invention responds using this menu option. Further, note that the present invention recognizes certain predetermined ~ WO 97/20422 PCT/US96~19056 language phrases that the card user may speak in requesting certain telephony services. Thus, the language selected here also applies to voice ~ ~llnication by the card user to the present - 5 invention. For example, instead of pressing certain digits at the card user's telephony station, the card user can also request a particular menu option by vocalizing the number corresponding to the desired menu option.
10 (3.4) The card user presses a four to program the ring back service provided in option three of menu 112. In particular, the following ring back configurations are available via ring back menu 184:
(3.4.1) The card user presses a zero to access services for inputting the length of time the ring back service is to be activated for a given telephone nl h~l- that the card user calls and receives no answer. For example, the card user may request that the ring back service be activated for no more than one hour from the time of the original call by the card user.
(3.4.2) The card user presses a one to terminate the ring back service that is currently active for a telephone number the card user has previously called using the ring back option of the main menu 112.
WO 97/20422 PCT~US96/19056 (3.4.3) The card user presses a two to access services for programming or setting certain predete~ ;ne~ parameters of the ring back service. For example, the card user may specify the frequency that the ring back service is to use in attempting to contact a person at the number called by the card user via the ring back option of main menu 112;
(3.4.4) The card user presses a nine to return to the main menu 112 to access additional telephony services of the present invention.
Note that, as is illustrated in both Figs.
2A and 2B, substantially all telephony services provided from the main menu 112 also allow the card user upon termination of a requested service to return to the main menu 112 for accessing additional services.
(3.5) The card user presses a five to ~loy r am various features of the follow-me service. This service allows a card user to be contacted by a caller(s) at substantially any telephony station that the card user has designated. In one embodiment, this service is provided for each caller to which the card user has given an ID number (and, optionally, a PIN) that has been assigned to the card user so that the caller can enter the number(s) for contacting the card user using the , CA 02239302 l998-06-02 W O 97~a42~ PCTAUS96/19DS6 follow-me service. Thus, the card user may provide a first group of such ID numbers to family members, a second group of such ID numbers to business associates, and one or more ID
numbers in a third group may be distributed substantially publicly. Accordingly, when one of these ID ~,~ hers (and, optionally, a corresponding personal identification number) is input by a caller and the card user's follow-me service is active, then the caller' 5 call activates telephony network element capabilities of the present invention wherein the telephony station designated to be contacted via the follow-me service is alerted. Subsequently, if the card user activates this telephony station 60 that it is off-hook, then the present invention may automatically provide the card user with an identification of the caller (e.g., by providing the card user with the ID number of the caller in the card user's preferred language), thereby allowing the card user to determine whether he/she desires immediate contact with the cal~er or whether the caller should be redirected to, for example, the card user's voice mail. Thus, the card user may travel from one city to another city and, using the present invention, input a telephony station number where the card user can be contacted so that when the present invention W O 97/20422 PCTnUS96119056 -}8-receives a call from a caller requesting contact with the card user, the call will be redirected to the telephony station whose telephone number the card user has most recently input into the present invention as the telephony number to be used in contacting the card user. Note that menu 188 and submenu 192 may be accessed by the card user for setting and clearing options of the follow-me service~ In particular, the following options are available to the card user from menu 188:
(3.5.1) The card user presses a zero to ~ccess follow-me service parameters related to how long a duration this service should be active and/or inactive;
(3.5.2) The card user presses a one to clear or terminate the follow-me service. Note that since the card user is provided with, for example, ten ID numbers (and, optionally, corresponding personal identification numbers) the card user may distribute, among callers to which the card user prefers, the ability of these callers to be able to contact the card user at the most recently designated telephone number provided by the card user. Thus, the card user may terminate the follow-me service for one or more ID
W O 97no422 PCT~US96n9~6 numbers without effecting the follow-me service for other ID -- hers.
(3.5.3) The card user presses a two to ~oyl~m the follow-me service according to the follow-me - 5 menu 192. Referring now to the menu 192, the following options are available to the card userU
(3.5.3.1) The card user presses a zero to configure the present invention so that no system message is played. In particular, this option allows the card user to configure the follow-me service so that (a) the caller does not receive a system message indicating to the caller that the follow-me service is activated, and (b~ the card user is co~nected directly to the caller without a system message intervening to, for example, identify the caller 2~ and/or verify that the card user is the person on the line.
(3.5.3.2) The card user presses a one to configure connect message features of the follow-me service wherein: (a) at 2S least a first recorded message is provided for one or more of the callers using a follow-me ID number for contacting the card user ; and/or (b) W O 97/204Z2 PCT~US96/19056 one or more messages may be provided for presentation to the card user when a corresponding f o 1 1 o w - m e identification number is provided by a caller attempting to contact the card user.
(3.5.3.3) The card user presses a two to configure the follow-me service of the present invention so that a further telephone extension number is automatically dialed by the present invention in order to properly route the follow-me caller's call.
(3.5.3.4~ The card user presses a three to configure the present invention so that when the telephony station designated by the card user as the follow-me destination goes off-hook, a message is automatically played by the present invention to the person at the destination station for reguesting that the call, in turn, be transferred to an extension also provided in the message.
Note that this feature of the follow-me service is particularly useful when the card user cannot be called directly but, instead, any incoming calls to the card user are intercepted by an operator such as at a hotel or hospital. Thus, when a swit~-hhoA~d operator receives such a follow-me call, the present invention ~ 5 automatically presents the operator with a message requesting that the operator transfer the follow-me call to an extension or room number as provided previously by the card user via the present follow-me menu configuration option.
~3.5.3.5) The card user presses a four for configuring the present invention to automatically dial, once the follow-me designated telephony station goes off-hook, an additional extension set previously by the card user in the present follow-me menu option.
(3.5.3.6) The card user presses a nine to return to the main menu 112.
(3.5.4) Continuing now with the last option of menu 188, the card user presses a nine to return to the main menu 112;
(3.6) Continuing now with the sixth option of menu 130, - 25 the card user presses a six to programmatically set personal identification numbers for one or more of the follow-me ID numbers using the ID
security code menu controller 196. Referring now W O 97/20422 PCT~US96/19Q56 to the menu controller ~96, there are two service configuration options available:
~3.6.1) ~he card user presses a zero to set a personal identification number (PIN) for one or more of the follow-me ID numbers provided to callers.
(3.6.2) The card user presses a one to verify the personal identification numbers for any of the follow-me ID numbers to which the card user has set a personal identification nu~her .
A caller attemptin~ to access a card user subscribing to the services of the present invention may contact the card user using an assigned conventional public telephone network telephone number for the geographic area or country the card user desires. Thus, this assigned telephone number i5 the number to which callers are routed as a default if no follow-me telephone number has been designated for contacting the card user. Alternatively, as indicated in the discussion of the follow-me service above, some callers may use a follow-me identification l h.~.~ as input to the present invention in order to contact the card user corresponding to the follow-me identification n~ h.~.~
entered by the caller. Regardless of the manner in which the caller attempts to contact the card user via the present invention, if the card user is unavailable, then the caller may have access to the options provided by the W~ 97f2~4Z2 PCT~VS~6~90~6 mail delivery menu 200. ~eferring to the mail delivery menu 200, t:he following options are available to a caller:
~4.1) ~he caller presses a zero to activate the process 204 wherein the caller may make an outbound call and have it billed to the card user. Note that ~his option is only available to callers to which the card user has provided an ID number that allows access to this service.
(4.2) The caller presses a two to request that a following facsimile mail message be delivered to the card user.
(4.3) The caller may be provided with a delivery status ~elated to the delivery of a voice mail or a fax mail. This menu option may be available only to callers having an ID number correspo~;ng to the user's card and wherein the ID number has been selected by the card user to have access to this menu option.
Note that, at least on options one and two for the mail delivery menu controller 200, voice and fax mail system 176 is access~ for delivering the mail messages input by the caller.
In addition to the above services, the present invention offers significant flexibility and advantages related to the storage and use of information describing the telephony services provided to a telephony card user.
In particular, the present invention provides the card user with increased flexibility in terms of defining the CA 02239302 l998-06-02 W O 97~0422 PCTnUS96/19056 services accessible by a telephony service card. Further, this increased flexibility is provided without a corresponding increase in database storage regarding the number and size of database records. That is, the database schemes used for storing and retrieving card user telephony service information are very parsimonious regarding their utilization of secondary storage such as hard disk space.
Note that such conservation is particularly important in the present invention, since there may be duplicate copies lo of card user data, distributed among various system nodes of the present invention, for describing the telephony services available to a card user.
In one implementation of the present invention, telephony card services or functions provided to a card user are stored within the present invention using object oriented t~chniques. That is, an object oriented schema is provided for the storage of telephony service information related to each telephony service card provided to a card user. Such an object oriented database structure allows the factoring out of identical data fields across a large nll~her of, for example, telephony service card description records by using object oriented data and function inheritance t~chn; ques related to hierarchically organized object classifications (i.e. object classes~. Further, the present invention also provides for the overriding or replacement of record values and functions that would otherwise be inherited from object oriented inheritance classes.
WO 97/20422 PCT/~JS96~19056 Thus, an object oriented telephony service class hierarchy is provided for representing typical card user collections of services. Accordingly, it is common to provide a ranges of telephony service card numbers with a given default set of telephony services. Thus, the data descriptions for many fields of these cards are identical.
For example, one particular range of card numbers may be targeted for potential card users in Germany. Since it is likely that most users of such cards prefer system lo responses in German, as well as their bills itemized in denominations of German marks, at least these two fields can be factored out of most card user description records (i.e. objects3 and stored in a commonly accessible area.
In conjunction with the object oriented datAhA~
schemes, the present invention provides substantial flexibility for customizing a card user's services in a cost effective manner. In particular, the present invention provides the following t~r-hn; ques for modifying and securing the telephony services associated with a telephony service card wherein the card has certain default services and attributes automatically attached to it:
(5.1) Black list: In this t~ch~;que, some of the standard or default services provided to a card user, due to the card range within which the card user's card number is contA; ne~, are marked so that these services remain inactive. Thus, in this t~r-hn;que, for each card, the card data and functionality that is different from the default services is stored in a card services description object specific to the card.
(5.2) Positive list: In this te~hn;~ue, a card user may request that his/her card be capable of accessing services beyond those services that are provided as st~n~d services for the card number range in which the user's card number is contained. Thus, for each card, the card services description object specific to the card is stored in the database(s) of the present invention for describing the services accessible by the card user that are in addition to the default services.
(5.3) Crypto: This t~chn;~ue provides an added measure of security in that any personal identification numberfi (PINs~ related to a telephony card for accessing the services of the present invention are stored in da~h~c~c for the present invention (e.g., databases residing on hard disks 348 of Fig. 4 described hereinbelow) in an encrypted form, thereby inhibiting the theft of such PINs.
Thus, each encrypted PIN related to a card for the present invention is decrypted in real time at a local node. The decrypted PIN is then compared with a PIN entered by a user as part of a user identification and validation process.
(5.4) Full Custom: This t~ch~;~ue allows for a fully customized telephony service card to be created WO 97/20422 PCT~US~6/1905 i for a user. Such a custom card is described by a card services description object having ~nco~;n~s that both override the default services descriptions for the card range within which the users card is contained as well as provide descriptions of additional services.
A feature of the present invention that is related to the flexibility of the assigning or associating telephony services with a service card is the Open Language lo Assignment capability of the present invention. This feature allows a telephony service card to be issued to a user without a preferred user language being specified.
When this occurs, during the first activation of telephony services using such a card, the present invention requests the user to choose a preferred language that is to be used in all further system reSponC~e. Note that this feature is particularly useful for third party telephony service card providers that transition to using the present invention with an existing clientele of telephony card users. That is, if the card users from this existing clientele include speakers of a ~,~ her of languages, then il.L~o.luctory greetings on first activation of the present invention by each of these card users may be in each of these languages, requesting that the card user indicate the language of choice for subsequent system responses. Note that since this is an automatic procedure involving only the card users, there is a substantial cost savings over other language data gathering tPchn~ques wherein there are one or CA 02239302 l998-06-02 W O 97/20422 PCT~US96/19056 more manual operations, such as mailing user reguest forms and/or manually updating system datAhA~c.
The present invention may also provide other services that are substantially defined upon activation of a telephony service card for the present invention. In particular, the present invention supports a "call me"
service wherein a card user purchases or becomes financially obligated for a telephony service card and the card is programmed 80 that, for example, only certain lo telephone numbers can be dialed using the card. Thus, once the card purchaser or user has specified the one or more telephone numbers accessible with the telephony service card, the card may be given to another person so that this other person can freely call the pre~G~Lammed telephone numbers accessible with the service card. For example, such a card may be purchased by a parent and ~ G~L ammed with his/her own telephone nll~h~ so that when the card is given to their child, the child may use the card to call the parent without the parent being concerned about incurring substantial billing costs for calls other than to the parent.
In the present embodiment, three variations of the "call me" service are provided:
(6.1) Single predefined call forwarding number: This aspect of the "call me" service allows a card user (e.g. card purchaser) to purchase a telephony service card that is pre-~LGyLammed with a single telephone number so that the speed ~ CA 02239302 1998-06-02 W O 97no422 PCT~US96/19056 dialling of this number is substantially the only cervice available to the card user.
(6.2) Multi predefined forwarding numbers: This aspect of the call me service is similar to the capability of (6.1) except that a plurality of telephone numbers are pre-programmed for the card.
(6.3) User defined "call me" forwarding number(s): This aspect of the call me service allows a card user ~r purchaser to program the service card. For example, upon initial activation of the card using the present invention, the card user may define a single telephone number which will be speed dialed upon subsequent activations of the card's telephony services. In a Feco~
embodiment, the card may be ~oylammed to speed dial a telephone number related to a menu of telephone numbers input, for example, by the card purch~s~r. That is, upon initial activation of the card, the card user enters the telephone numbers desired to be accessible with the card.
Note that to provide this capability, upon initial activation, the card user te.g.
purchaser) must not only supply the plurality of telephone numbers to be subsequently accessible with the card, but also the card user supplies a description or indication of whom it is that is being contacted at each of the plurality of W O 97/20422 PCT~US96/19056 telephone numbers accessible by the card. Note ~hat such descriptions are recorded by the present invention automatically. Subsequently, when the card is used to dial one of these numbers, a menu of the recorded options is provided to a card user, thereby allowing the card user to select any of the menu options for speed dialing.
In addition to the parent-child ~nArio dis~cff~A
above, such "call me" telephony service cards may be particularly useful for companies for providing certain customers or potential customers with A Cc~S5 to certain r p~ny capabilities without explicitly providing the company telephone number(s) being called. Further, since such cards can be prepaid providing a fixed amount of ~ervice call time, such cards can be included in various product packages 80 that the purc~ e~ of such a package may freely call, for example, a product service representative a predetermined of times or for a predetermined total length of time.
The services provided by the present invention and as described in Figs. 2A and 2B are performed substantially by service processing units 304 as shown in Fig. 3. More precisely a node 104 of the present invention includes a plurality of local networked service processing units 304 provided within a common rack or frame. In one embodiment of the present invention, a rack for eight service processing units 304 are stacked and connected together.
WO 97/20422 PCT~US96~19056 Further, the racks of these service processing units 304 are distributed so that substantially all service requests by a card user or a caller to a card user are provided by a rack of service processing units 304 residing in the territory of and connected directly to the local public telephony service provider to which the card user has access. For example, such a rack may reside as a module within a telephony service provider central office. Thus, the present invention provides a networked telephony card service system. Also, there may be one or more centralized nodes within this card service system for administrative purposes and system monitoring as well as fault diagnosis.
~owever, i1: is an aspect of the present invention that most calling card services are handled exclusively by one or more service processing units 304 within racks distributed among local telephony service providers. That is, the centralized calling card service ad~inistrative nodes are typically not ar~ by the distributed service processing units 304 residing at, for example, sites of local telephony service providers when calling card services such as those illustrated in Figs. 2A and 2B are performed.
Referring now to the hardware components of service processing unit 304 as schematically presented in Fig. 3, the service processing unit includes a CPU 308 upon which the high level control processes of the service processing unit 304 execute. Connected to CPU 308 via PCI-bus 312 is a multiple~ing input-output unit 316 which communicates via an RS232 communication chAn~el with a potentially remotely located processing system (not shown) for monitoring and hAn~ling, for example, alarms. Note, that the remotely located processing system may be at one of the centralized nodes discussed above. In this case the communications are provided using the X.25 protocol.
Note that there is a plurality of hardware units is connected by an ISA-bus 320 to the CPU 308, in particular, hardware units 324, 328, 336, 340 and 344. A first set of lo the hardware units connected by the ISA-bus 320 to the CPU
308 are the digital network interface devices 324, labeled in Fig. 3 as E1/Tl ISDN. Note that each one of these devices may be a single card inserted within a common rack (not shown). Further note that each of t~e other hardware units as shown in Fig. 3 may also be cards inserted into the same rack as these digital network interface devices.
Eaah digital network interface card 324 is able to simultaneously process a plurality of digital telephony signal channel~ (equivalently lines) wherein each such line 2~ is allocated to communicate telephony signals for a single conversation. Each of the digital network interface devices 324 has two El connections 322 to the telephony network of, ~or example, the local telephony service provider. Note that each connection 322 may simultaneously carry 30 lines.
Thus, since there are four network interface devices 324 per service processing unit 324, a total of 240 simultaneous lines (equaling the capacity of 120 card users having non-blocking service) may be processed by the WO 97/20422 PCT~596~19056 network interface devices. Note that the digital network interface devices 324 are commercially available through, for example, ACULAB, Ltd., Aculab House, Old Road, Leighton Buzzard, Beds, ~U7 TRG Bedforshire, UK.
- 5 The ISA-bus 320 iS also connected to a plurality of supervisory boards 328 for interacting with a user according to the menus and functions of Figs. 2 and additionally initiating the performance of any service requests specified. In one embodiment of the present invention there are eight supervisory boards 328. Each such supervisory board 328 fits into a slot of the rack mentioned above for the present invention. Further, each of the supervisory boards 328 includes a plurality of processing units (i.e., CPUs) for controlling and performing the telephony card services of Figs. 2A and 2B.
For example, each such board is capable of simultaneously processing communications on 64 (half duplex or 32 full duplex) lines. Furthermore, each of the supervisory boards 328 dynamically loads and unloads in real time programs and data required to perform the telephony card services of Figs. 2. Thus, the local processing of the digital telephony signals in performing the telephony card services provides a significant user response advantage over systems providing card services where a large proportion of the card services are performed at a remote central site. Also note that the supervisory boards 328 and the digital network interface devices 324 c ul~icate service request information with one another through digital signal W O 97/20422 PCT~US96/19056 processing channels on the MVIP bus 332. Note that the MVIP bus 332 is used in communications between various other hardware units also. It is important to note that since the present invention is designed to be ~ n~;-hle fox providing both higher capacity (i.e., capable of servicing a greater number of service requests), and also for providing additional services as the need for such additional services becomes apparent. Thus, it is an important aspect of the present invention that the lo communication between the hardware units is substantially compatible. Accordingly, the DSP c~nn~ls on the MVIP bus 332 and their interfaces to the hardware units communicate in a telephony stAn~Ardized protocol su~po,Led by a large number of telephony system vendors. In particular, the DSP
channels transmit data between the hardware units using the Multiple Vendor Interface Protocol (MVIP). Further note that providing such a st~n~A~dized protocol for communication assists in providing an open systems approach to the architecture of the present invention wherein, for example, additional telephony card services may be straightforwardly integrated into the present invention by third parties such as value added resellers.
Additional hardware units connected to both the ISA-bus 320 and the MVIP bus 332 may be also included in the present invention. For example, a conference bridge card may be included for supplying simultaneous communications between three or more users having access to the te~ephony card services of the present invention. Further, a digital WO 97/20422 PCTAUS96~190~6 signal processing compression card 340 may be supplied for co~pressing telephony signals. Note that such compression i8 particularly cost effective when the signals are to be transferred over a long distance connection and ~ignal - 5 traffic is near or above capacity of the connection.
Further, a multichassis card 344 may be supplied to switch service re~uests service processing units 304 within the sane rack thereby, for example, hAlAncing signal traffic loads between the unit 304 within the rack. Returning now to connections of the PCI-bus 312, note that a data storage device 348, denoted in Fig. 3 as a hard disk, is attached to the PCI-bus 312 for storing and supplying both data and telephony card service programs to the CPU 308 as well as the hardware units connected to the CPU 308 by the ISA-bus 15 320. In particular, the hard disk 348 is acces~ed by these hardware units substantially under the control of CPU 308.
The PCI-bus 312 also connects to a local area network (LAN) 352. The LAN 352 provides local area networking capabilities for connecting, for example, a plurality of rac~s of the service processing unit 304.
Referring now to Fig. 4, this figure provides further det:ail regarding the procecs~C and servers that execute on CPU 308. That is, Fig. 4 illustrates how these servers c_ ln;cate with one another in CPU 308 and how they c_ ;cate with other components previously described in Fi~. 3. In particular, there are four software systems executing on CPU 308 and represented as circles wherein arrows connecting the circles and connecting to buses 312 and 320 illustrate the major commu~ication paths and directions that occur during operation.
When a new card service request is received by a digital network interface device 324 on a connection 322, the digital network interface device alerts the network call control server 408 via ISA-bus 320. The network call control server 408 determines the resources needed to process the request and sends a request to the resource manager 416 for allocation of the needed resources to perform the request. In particular, a request i5 made that the resource manager 416 allocate a DSP channel on the MVIP
bus 332 for communication of service request information between, for example, the digital network interface device 324 and one of the supervisory boards 328. Thus, the resource manager 416 schedules an allocation of processing capacities on a supervisory board 328, and a DSP channel on the MVIP bus 332 between the digit network interface device 324 and the allocated supervisory board 328. Subsequently, the resource manager 416 communicates these allocations on the ISA-bus 320 so that both the network interface device 324 and the allocated supervisory board 328 are provided with the allocations. More precisely, the resource manager 416 sends one or more allocation messages to the file server 420 and the file server 420 outputs these messages to the ISA-bus 320 for delivery to digital network interface device 324 and the supervisory board 328 to be used in processing the service request.
It is also important to note that the downloading and storing of information related to telephony card service re~uests is substantially provided by c~ n; cations through the UNIX operating system 424 and the file server 420. That is, substantially all communications for downloadi~g information from the hard disk 348 to a supervisory board 328, and uploading information from a supervisory board 328 to the hard disk 348 is accomplished by transferring the information between the UNIX operating system 424 and the file server 420.
Fig. 5 presents a block diagram showing the internals of one of the supervisory boards 328. The block diagram of this figure further includes the primary data and program flows between components within the supervisory board 328.
However, it should be noted that in order to present some of the flows more clearly, the dual port interface component (DP) 508 has been duplicated three times to more clearly illustrate its involvement in various co n; cations within the supervisory boards 328. Further note that the dual port 508 serves as an interface component between both other components of the s~pervisory ard 328 as well as being an interface to the ISA-bus 320.
The dual port 508 ç- ln;cates with the 186/EC CPU
516. The CPU 516 determines the destinations of programs a~d data obtained from a database residing on the hard disk 348. Accordingly, 186/EC CPU 516 executes programs for routing information to and from the hard disk 348. Thus, the CPU 516 is provided with resident programs that, for WO 97/20422 PCT~US96/19056 example, may request programs and data for other components of the supervisory board 328 when the supervisory board is bootstrapped into operation.
The CPU 516 communicates with (7810) CPU 520. The CPU
S2Q performs much of the menu control and user interaction functionalit~ described in relation to Figs. 2A and 2B.
That is, CPU 520 may be considered an application processor for processing telephony card service requests. Thus, CPU
520 determines the menus to be presented to a user of the present invention as well as configuring or instructing other components of the supervisory board to output and/or detect telephony signals related to a service reguest being processed.
The CPU 516 also communicates through the dual port 508 to four digital signal processors (DSP) 524. The DSPs 524 process the telephony digital signals received by the E1/Tl ISDN components 324. The DSPs 524 receive the digital signals from lines of the MVIP bus 332 via a MVIP interface 532 and a switch matrix 528 described herein below.
Further, DSPs 524 also output responsive telephony digital signals substantially according to the direction of the CPU
520. Note that such o~L~uL digital signals are supplied to lines of the MV~P bus 332 via first the switch matrix 528 and then the MVIP interface 532.
The programs and data used by each of the DSPs 524 is downloaded as needed in real time from the database residing on the hard disk 348. Thus, programs and data are downloaded for the following tasks:
WO 97/20422 PCTJIJS96~1 9l)56 (7.1) Detecting telephony signal frequencies indicative of various modes of operation such as on-hook and off-hoo~;
(7.2) Detecting and decoding digits entered by a user;
- 5 (7.3) c~n~;~g data to the CPU 520 via the dual port 508 and the CPU 516.
In general, each DSP 524 is capable of detecting and translating telephony digital signal data into more conventional data processing formats such as ASCII.
Further, it is worthwhile to mention that each DSP 524 can simultaneously process (i.e., detect and/or output) information communicated on 16 lines from connections 322 via lines of the MVIP bus 332.
The CPU 516 also cn~m~ln;cates with a switch matrix 528. The switch matrix 528 i8 provided with switching information from the resource manager 416 via CPU 516. The switching information provided determines which lines from the MVIP bus 332 are to be in signal communication with a particular DSP 524. Note that there are 512 half duplex lines (i.e., channels), or, equivalently 256 full duplex lines entering the switch matrix 528 from a MVIP interface 532 that, in turn, interfaces with the same number of corresponding lines in the MVIP-bus 332. Thus, the switch matrix 528 determines the lines that are in signal co- ~;cation with each DSP 524.
To commence processing telephony card service requests, the CPU 516 provides a request for programs and data to boot up the CPU 520 and each DSP 524. Each request W O 97/20422 PCT~US96/19OS6 from the CPU 516 is routed via ISA-bus 320 to the file server 420 and subsequently to the UNIX operating system 424 wherein a request is made via PCI-bus 312 to the hard disk 348 for the boot ~ GyLams and data. Subsequently, the data from the hard disk 348 flows in a reverse direction through the UNIX operating system 424 and subsequently the file server 420 for eventual receipt by the CPU 516 that, in turn, downloads the appropriate portions of this information into the CPU 520 and each DSP 524.
Subsequently, the CPU 520 and each DSP 524 returns status information to the CPU 516 that is thereby communicated to the resource manager 416. Upon receipt by the resource manager 416 of status information indicating the currently active CPUs 520 and DSPs 524, the resource manager commences to schedule service requests received from the network call control 408 so that these requests are processed by a CPU 520 and an DSP 524 on the same supervisory board 328.
In operation, note that the processing performed by each of the supervisory boards 328 is data driven via data from the datAhA~ on hard disk 348. That is, the executable program elements loaded into CPUs 520 from the hard disk 348 are substantially generic in that this same generic program can be used for directing the user interactions related to substantially unlimited service request on sixteen channels. Thus, for example, when a CPU
520 receives a menu response from a DSP 524, the CPU 520 accesses a corresponding resident data table entry and depending on the entry may:
(8O1~ Provide this DSP 524 with data to transmit to the user (e.g., further menu options);
(8.2) Instruct this DSP 524 or another DSP 524 to route the user's request to another node of the integrated telephony service system of the present invention;
(8.3) Request information from the user;
(8. 4) Request a DSP 524 to dial out on another line for obt~;~;ng user requested information; and (8.5) Request a DSP 524 to enter a "record" mode wherein received information, via MVIP bus 332, is ouL~uL (e.g., card user information) to the hard dis3c 348 via CPU 516, DP 508, ISA 320 and the CPU 308.
Note, however, that in some instances before the CPU 520 determines the next step to perform according to the data in a resident data table, the CPU 520 may require further data tables to be loaded from the hard disk 348. In such a case, the CPU 520 provides a request to the CPU 516 for the additional data and the data is requested and retrieved from the hard disk 348 as herein above discussed.
For each of the above outputs from the CPU 520 for directing the processing of a service request, the CPU 520 may also request program elements and/or data tables to be downloaded from the hard disk 348 to a DSP 524 SO that the next step in processing the service request can be W O 97~0422 PCT~US96/19056 performed by this DSP 524. It is an aspect of the present invention that for substantially all service request processing done by a DSP 524 that there are generic program elements loaded at boot time that can continue processing the service request for subsequent steps by providing the DSP S24 with different data from the hard disk 348. That is, each DSP 524 i8 substantially data driven. However, for certain service requests, new ~r Oyr ~ elements may be downloaded from the hard disk 348 to one or more DSP 524.
In particular, there is a service request requiring the transfer of modem generated data, a set of different program elements are downloaded from the hard disk 348.
The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description.
Further, the description is not int~n~ to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variation and modification ~ e~curate with the above teachings, within the skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiment described her~inAhove is further int~e~ to explain the best mode presently known of practicing the invention and to enable other skilled in the art to utilize the invention as such, or other embodiments, and with the various modifications required by their particular application or uses of the invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.
Claims
1. A distributed telephony calling card processing system, comprising:
a plurality of communicating telephony calling card processing nodes spaced apart geographically, wherein each said calling card processing node provides telephony calling card services to a calling card user having access to said calling card processing node via a corresponding local telephony service provider providing telephony service to both the calling card user and said calling card processing nodes;
means for identifying the calling card user at any one of said calling card processing nodes, wherein each said calling card processing node has access to data for identifying the calling card user, the data being locally accessible prior to the calling card user telephonically contacting any one of said calling card processing nodes;
and means for providing the calling card user, at any one of said calling card processing nodes, with substantially identical calling card services, said calling card services including some of: a ringback service, a natural language selection service, and a telephony follow me service.
a plurality of communicating telephony calling card processing nodes spaced apart geographically, wherein each said calling card processing node provides telephony calling card services to a calling card user having access to said calling card processing node via a corresponding local telephony service provider providing telephony service to both the calling card user and said calling card processing nodes;
means for identifying the calling card user at any one of said calling card processing nodes, wherein each said calling card processing node has access to data for identifying the calling card user, the data being locally accessible prior to the calling card user telephonically contacting any one of said calling card processing nodes;
and means for providing the calling card user, at any one of said calling card processing nodes, with substantially identical calling card services, said calling card services including some of: a ringback service, a natural language selection service, and a telephony follow me service.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US785795P | 1995-12-01 | 1995-12-01 | |
| US60/007,857 | 1995-12-01 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2239302A1 true CA2239302A1 (en) | 1997-06-05 |
Family
ID=21728471
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2239302 Abandoned CA2239302A1 (en) | 1995-12-01 | 1996-11-27 | System and method for telephony service card processing |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU1275397A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2239302A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1997020422A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE19812125A1 (en) * | 1997-10-10 | 1999-04-15 | Klein Patrick | Access and payment method for purchasing services via telecommunications network using chip card |
| US6038292A (en) * | 1997-11-07 | 2000-03-14 | American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for language registration of prepaid, remote entry customer account |
| DE19812897C2 (en) * | 1998-03-18 | 2000-08-31 | Deutsche Telekom Ag | Process for providing telecommunications-based services |
| DE19946509C2 (en) * | 1999-09-28 | 2002-04-11 | Wolfgang Neumes | Process for the telephone top-up of a call credit with a provider |
| US6819925B2 (en) * | 2000-12-07 | 2004-11-16 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Telecommunications call processing using externally-assigned subscriber characteristics |
| US7154901B2 (en) | 2003-02-07 | 2006-12-26 | Mobile 365, Inc. | Intermediary network system and method for facilitating message exchange between wireless networks |
| TW200525998A (en) * | 2004-01-31 | 2005-08-01 | Kch Hi Tech Sdn Bhd | Method and apparatus for facilitating access to telephone communications |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4899373A (en) * | 1986-11-28 | 1990-02-06 | American Telephone And Telegraph Company At&T Bell Laboratories | Method and apparatus for providing personalized telephone subscriber features at remote locations |
-
1996
- 1996-11-27 CA CA 2239302 patent/CA2239302A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1996-11-27 AU AU12753/97A patent/AU1275397A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1996-11-27 WO PCT/US1996/019056 patent/WO1997020422A1/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1997020422A1 (en) | 1997-06-05 |
| AU1275397A (en) | 1997-06-19 |
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