CA2167215A1 - Method to provide voice call notification and control messaging over a data path - Google Patents

Method to provide voice call notification and control messaging over a data path

Info

Publication number
CA2167215A1
CA2167215A1 CA002167215A CA2167215A CA2167215A1 CA 2167215 A1 CA2167215 A1 CA 2167215A1 CA 002167215 A CA002167215 A CA 002167215A CA 2167215 A CA2167215 A CA 2167215A CA 2167215 A1 CA2167215 A1 CA 2167215A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
subscriber
caller
data communications
control point
telephone
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002167215A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Bill Mcmullin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Interactive Telecom Inc
Original Assignee
Interactive Telecom Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Interactive Telecom Inc filed Critical Interactive Telecom Inc
Priority to CA002167215A priority Critical patent/CA2167215A1/en
Priority to CA 2218231 priority patent/CA2218231C/en
Priority to DK97900163T priority patent/DK0875110T3/en
Priority to PT97900163T priority patent/PT875110E/en
Priority to PCT/CA1997/000013 priority patent/WO1997026749A1/en
Priority to ES97900163T priority patent/ES2183124T3/en
Priority to AU13623/97A priority patent/AU708959B2/en
Priority to SI9730388T priority patent/SI0875110T1/en
Priority to JP09525545A priority patent/JP3101768B2/en
Priority to DE69715594T priority patent/DE69715594T2/en
Priority to EP97900163A priority patent/EP0875110B1/en
Priority to EP02078916A priority patent/EP1309163A3/en
Priority to AT97900163T priority patent/ATE224621T1/en
Publication of CA2167215A1 publication Critical patent/CA2167215A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M3/00Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M3/42Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
    • H04M3/54Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L9/00Cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols
    • H04L9/40Network security protocols
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M3/00Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M3/42Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
    • H04M3/428Arrangements for placing incoming calls on hold
    • H04M3/4281Arrangements for placing incoming calls on hold when the called subscriber is connected to a data network using his telephone line, e.g. dial-up connection, Internet browsing
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M7/00Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres
    • H04M7/0024Services and arrangements where telephone services are combined with data services
    • H04M7/0057Services where the data services network provides a telephone service in addition or as an alternative, e.g. for backup purposes, to the telephone service provided by the telephone services network
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M7/00Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres
    • H04M7/12Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
    • H04M7/1205Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal where the types of switching equipement comprises PSTN/ISDN equipment and switching equipment of networks other than PSTN/ISDN, e.g. Internet Protocol networks
    • H04M7/121Details of network access arrangements or protocols
    • H04M7/122Details of network access arrangements or protocols where the PSTN/ISDN access is used as an access to networks other than PSTN/ISDN
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2203/00Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M2203/15Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges related to dial plan and call routing
    • H04M2203/156On-line status dependent routing
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M3/00Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M3/42Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
    • H04M3/436Arrangements for screening incoming calls, i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M3/00Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M3/42Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
    • H04M3/487Arrangements for providing information services, e.g. recorded voice services or time announcements
    • H04M3/493Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals

Abstract

A subscriber connected through a dial up connection to a data communications service is permitted, in accordance with the present invention, to receive notification and control of incoming voice telephone calls attempted to the same subscriber telephone line being utilized in the dial up connection. A Message Transfer Point (MTP), connected to both the the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and the data communications network of the data communications service (DCS), interfaces to both the calling and called parties. The MTP
controls the processing of incoming voice telephone calls from the caller and transfers information between the voice caller and the data communications subscriber. The MTP accepts input from the caller in the form of touch-tone entries and audio messages in addition to accepting messages in the form of computer input from the data communications subscriber.
The MTP interfaces the voice caller to the data communications subscriber by answering and processing calls intended for the data communications subscriber while the telephone line of the data communications subscriber's telephone line is in an off-hook state.

Description

BACKGPOUND TO THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to telecommunications systems which provide incoming telephone call notification, identification and call handling features. More specifically, this invention relates to a computer telephone interface and methods which provides notification, identification and control of incoming telephone calls to a computer peripheral operated by a subscriber which is connected to the Internet or commercial online data service via a dial up connection using an analog telephone line over the public switched telephone network (PSTN).
The Internet is a network of computers around the world which has become increasingly popular over the last few years. Commercial online data services such as Compuserve and America Online are private data communications networks which have also become very popular over the last few years. There are numerous methods which consumers and businesses utilize to connect to these data communications services. The two most popular methods are via a temporary dial up modem connection over the PSTN, or via a dedicated connection either through the PSTN or through a private telephone connection. In either case, the user must connect to a data communications service (DCS) in order to access the Internet. Once connected to the DCS, the user's computer has access to the resources of the DCS and the user's computer literally becomes part of the DCS provider's network.
Should the user be connected via a temporary dial up modem connection over the PSTN, the telephone line which is used to make this connection, between the user's computer and the telephone company, is held in an off hook state, typically for an extended period of time. Unlike a conventional voice telephone call between two phones, a modem connection between two modems over the PSTN cannot be interrupted or put in a held state while one of the party's accepts a second incoming call through a feature known as "call waitingn. Doing so would abort the connection between the two computers as the protocol of commun ion between modems in a dialup connection does not support any extended absence of end to end communications.
Such a system suffers the significant drawback that the dialup data communications user puts their telephone line in a busy or off hook state, typically for an extended period of time, making it difficult or impossible to notify them of an incoming telephone call. The vast majority of persons connecting to a DCS do so through a temporary dialup connection from their residence.
Also, the vast majority of residences are equipped with a single telephone line and when this line is used to dial up to the DCS, the residence becomes unreachable via a second incoming telephone call. Persons allt:",pli"g to reach such a residence during a dialup session to the DCS
will receive a busy signal, typically for an extended period of time. Furthermore, a plurality of people, while accessing the DCS from within an apartment complex, are unable to receive n.~ti~ication of persons awaiting entry through the main entrance as many apartment complexes utilize the PSTN as a notification system between the main entrance and each individual apartment unit.
A significant negative result of the above drawback is that people become unreachable in emergencies and important situations unless there is intervention by the telephone company.
Additionally, the telephone network is put under load by persons making many call attempts to reach the party who's telephone line is busy in an off hook state while connected to the DCS.
To date there has been no response to specifically addless these drawbacks. There are, however, -a number of systems which have been developed to notify a called party during an existing voice telephone call of a second i"co",i"g call attempted on that same telephone iine. One such system is commonly known as "call waiting~ and this system notifies the called party via a series of tones delivered to the telephone handset. The called party, if they wish to accept the second incoming call, and put the first on hold, must communicate a switch hook signal to the telephone c~l"pany switch. This system can only be used during a voice telephone call. A second system is a variation of call waiting which in addition to providing a series of tones, delivers the calling party's telephone number to the telephone display. This service is commonly known as enhanced call waiting and requires the called party to have special telephone equipment capable of receiving the calling party telephone number.
The above systems all suffer the drawback that they cannot be used while the telephone line is busy on a dialup connection to a DCS, as they are designed for use on a voice telephone connection only.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved telephone call notification, caller identification and control system which allows persons connected to a DCS through a dialup connection over the PSTN to receive visual and or audio notification, in real-time, of the call and to respond to the caller by making selections using computer input peripherals. This method provides advantages to subscribers over the current situation where no caller identification or call control is available by eliminating busy signals to the calling party and providing instantaneous notification to the called party even while the called party's telephone line is in an off-hook state connect~d to a DCS.
In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a subscriber receives from a Message Transfer Point (MTP) incoming call notification to their computer screen while the dialup connection to the DCS is maintained. The subscriber will receive information about the calling party to their computer screen such as the calling party's telephone number, the calling party's name, and messages selected or input by the calling party through an interactive voice response system (IVRS) at the MTP. The method provides the called party the ability to provide notification to the calling party, through the MTP, that the called party's telephone line is busy on a dialup connection to the DCS. The subscriber can, if so chosen, acknowledge and control the incoming call through computer interaction with the MTP, via input and or output peripherals signifying to the calling party that the call has been acknowledged. Audio mess~ges can be delivered to the calling party by way of subscriber interaction with the MTP which is connected to the IVRS. The subscriber can accept the incoming call after terminating the dialup connection, redirect the incoming call to a voice mail system, or redirect the incoming call to another telephone number on the PSTN.
A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and drawings.

21672i5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The illuslld~ion in Fig 1 is a block diagram illustrating the components and telecommunications network which are required to support the methods and processes of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 illustrates a telecommunications system including local exchange central offices 3 0 and 42 connected by communications channel 20. The central offices 30 and 42 support a plurality of telephone subscribers associated with telephones 34A, 34B, 44A, 44B, and modem 33. The central offices 30 and 42 also support dedicated communications channels such as 16 and 54. Central offices 30 and 42 supports these channels and may consist of a telecommunications switch such as a Northern Telecom DMS-100 or AT&T 5ESS switch.
Speech system (IVRS) 14 is coupled to central office switch 30 through communications channel 10. The speech system includes audio playback and record capabilities permitting recorded voice messages to be delivered to a caller 44A and to collect and store touch-tone entries made by callers.
In the illustrative embodiment, the switch 30 is conected to the IVRS 14 by communications channel 10 and signalling channel 1 OA. The switch 30 is also is also connected to the Data Host 16 by communications channel 1 8. The switch 30 is also connected to the Data Communications Service tDCS) by communications channel 50. The switch 42 is alsoconnected to the DCS by communications channel 54.
The Message Transfer Point 12 is directly connected to the IVRS 14 and the DH 16 and functions as an intermediary by translating and transfering messages between the DH 16 and the IVRS 14. The MTP 12 contains subscriber records which indicate which subscribers are authorized to use the service in addition to subscriber information relating to the status of communications channels, such as 36. Each subscriber requires a record to be stored in the MTP 12 so in the event a message or call is received the MTP 12 can process the message or call according to the status of the subscriber communication channel 36 .
The DH 16 is computer host with a dedicated link to the DCS 50 through the switch 30 which is coupled to the switch 42 which has a dedicated link 54 to the DCS. The dedicated link allows the DH and the DCS to communicate by providing a continuous communications path.
The DCS, through a channel such as 52 allows subscribers such as 31 to establish temporary dial up data connections to the DCS 50, over the PSTN.
The embodiment of the present invention is especially, but not exclusively, suited for permitting subscribers to a service, such as the Internet or other commercial online service, to be notified of, and have call handling control over, incoming telephone calls to the same subscriber telephone being utilized to connect to the service. For example, a subscriber while connected to a DCS will normally put their telephone line in an off-hook state making it impossible or difficult for the subscriber to be notified of an incoming call on that same line.
Persons attempting to dial the telephone line will receive a busy signal for an extended period of 21 672~ 5 time, potentially causing significant frustration and problems if it was important that the phone call be ansJ~ered by a person at the intended destination.
The emobiment of the present invention would permit the subscriber of the DCS to be notified of the incoming call on their computer while still maintaining an active connection to the DCS. The present invention provides the method to deliver the call notification and control messaging over the same communications path being utilized by the subscriber to connect to the DCS.
Furthermore, the caller attempting to reach the subscriber would not receive a busy signal and the caller would be able to optionally deliver a message to the subscriber by way of the service.
It will be apparent that additional call notication and control features can be accessed through the service. For example, incoming calls can receive different processing based on the originating number.
Table 1 is a flow listing which provides an overview of the steps associated with providing incoming call notification and control options in accordance with the present invention. The steps of Table 1 should be considered in view of Figure 1 in order to maintain a visual perspective of the elements and the steps.

(1) A subscriber 31 desires to a make data connection to a data communications service (DCS) 50, such as that provided by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or commercial online service (COS).
(2) The subscriber 31, using a, computer 35, modem 33 and a telephone line 36 connected to the PSTN, wishes to connect to the DCS 50 which is connected to the CO 30, by dialing a predetermined directory number (DN), while still mainntaining the ability to receiv nvti~icalion, and control of, incoming calls attempted to the same line 36 being utilized by the subscriber.
(3) The subscriber 31 initiates a modem 33 call to the DCS 50 by instructing the computer 35 to dial a predetermined DN.
(4) The subscriber's local central office (CO) 30 routes the call to the DN of the DCS 50 service point over one a telephone line 52 which connects the DCS 50 to the CO 30.
(5) The DCS 50 responds by accepting the call and going in an off hook state.
(6) The modem 33 and computer 35 of the subscriber 31 and the DCS 50 negotiate aconnection, protocol, and speed over a circuit 53 which bridges the subscriber telephone line 36 and a telephone line of the DCS 52, through the CO 30 (7) Upon successful establishment of the circuit 53, the subscriber 31 is requested to enter user identification and password information into the computer 35.
(8) Upon entry of such information, the DCS 50 authenticates the subscriber computer 35 and if successful, the subscriber computer 35 is granted access to the DCS 50.
(9) Immediately upon authentication, the subscriber connection is assigned either an Internet Protocol (IP) address or other type of alphanumeric address identifier as so chosen by the DCS
50. A numerical address identifier of either form is necessary to achieve successful routing of information between the subscriber equipment and the DCS 50.
(10) The DCS 50 host by way of the DCS network 54, transmits a message to the Data Host (DH) 16 located at the MTP 12, indicating that the subscriber computer 35 has successfully initiated a connection. The message contains a subscriber identifier as so chosen by the DCS in addition to the subscriber's network address.
(11) The DH 16 in turn transmits a message to the MTP 12 where it is authenticated against an existing customer record file. If the subscriber identifier is found in the customer record file at the MTP 12, a message is transmitted back to the DCS 50 indicating that subscriber information was received and authenticated successfully.
(12) Then, in the event a telephone call is attempted to the DN of the telephone line 36 of the subscriber, the CO 30 serving that DN prepares to forward the call to the IVRS 14 by way of the PSTN.
(13) The CO 30 delivers, during call setup, by way of the Integrated Services Digital Network signaling channel 10A, information about the original destination of the call through a service known as Dialed Number Identification Service (DNIS). The CO 30 also delivers information identifying the origin of the call through a service known as Automatic Number Identification (ANI). Both DNIS and ANI are well known and will not be desclibed here.
(14) Upon reception of DNIS and ANI information, and prior to the IVRS 14 accepting the call, the DNIS information is validated against the subscriber records located on the MTP 12 to ensure that the subscriber DN is a valid subscriber DN authorized to use the service. The DN is also used to validate the existence of an active modem connection between the subscriber computer 35 and the DCA 50.
(15) If the DNIS infur",alion is validated, the IVRS 14 transmits a message over the signaling channel 10A to the CO 30 ack"oJ~ledging and accepting the call.
(16) If the existence of an active modem connection on circuit 53 was established, concurrent with acceptance of the call, the IVRS 14 delivers to the MTP 12 notification that a call has been established with the caller 44A in addition to delivering the ANI of the caller 44A.
(17) The MTP 14, once again, val d~t s the existence of a modem connection on circuit 5 3 between the subscriber and the DCS 50.
(18) If circuit 53 is still established, the MTP 12 sends a message by way of the DH 16 to the subscriber computer 35 over the dedicated network circuit bridging telephone lines 18 and 54 through one CO 30 or by way of a plurality of COs such as CO 30 and CO 42 which are coupled together by trunk 20 by identifying the caller 44A with their ANI.
(19) Upon acceplance of the call, a voice channel 10 is opened between the caller 44A and the IVRS 14.
(20) The IVRS 14, immediately upon acceptance of the call, delivers an audio message to the caller 44A, which can optionally be prerecorded by the subscriber.
(21) In the event the ANI information was not delivered from the CO 30, or is not available, the IVRS 14 can request the caller 44A to input their originating telephone number using a touch-tone phone. The caller entry will replace the previously absent ANI information.
(22) Upon delivery of the notification message to the subscriber computer 35, the subscriber software residing on the subscriber's computer 35, notifies the subscriber 31 by way of visual and or audio notification. The audio notification could include a tone signal while the visual not;ricat;on will include presentation of the ANI information as captured and delivered by the IVRS 14.
(23) Upon presentation of the caller information, the subscriber 31 can utilize a computer input device to select or input a response to be delivered to the caller 44A. The input device used by the subscriber 31, in conjunction with the subscriber software, can select a number of predefined options. Each option directly correlates to a specific identifier which is delivered to 2 1 6 72 i 5 the DH 16.
(24) Upon successful receipt of the identifier by the DH 16, the DH 16 delivers the identifier to the MTP 12. The MTP 12 validates the identifier and determines whether the identifier correlates to an audio message or to a call handling instruction.
(25) In the event the identifier correlates to an audio message, a signal is transmitted to the IVRS 14 from the MTP 12, which executes the delivery of a specific audio file over the voice path to the caller which is a bridging of lines 10 and 41 through CO 42 and 30 connected by trunk 20.
(26) If the identifier correlates to a call handling instruction, a signal is transmitted to the IVRS 14 which redirects the voice path to a voice mail system at the IVRS 14 or to another destination number on the PSTN.
(27) In the event the call handling instruction requires the voice path be redirected to the same directory number DN of the subscriber line 36 currently being utilized by the subscriber computer 35 and modem 33, the voice path between the caller 44A and the IVRS 14 is delayed from being redirected until the DCS 50 transmits a message to the DH 16 indicating that the subscriber modem 33 has disconnected from the DCS 50.

Claims (13)

1. In a telecommunications system that provides incoming call notification, caller identification and selectable call handling features, a method permitting subscribers to receive notification and control of incoming voice telephone calls destined for the susbscriber's telephone line via the subscriber's computer peripheral, wherein the same subscriber telephone line is in an off-hook state active in data communication between the subscriber computer peripheral over the public switched telephone network and a data communications network, the method comprising the steps of:
determining the existence of an off-hook telephone line between the first subscriber and the data communications network of the first subscriber's network service provider;
after determining the existence of an off-hook telephone line between the first subscriber and the first subscriber's data communications network service provider, storing the first subscriber's network address identifier and the first subscriber's user identification, as assigned by the first subscriber's data communications service provider, at the first subscribers's data communications service provider's facility;
transmitting notification of an off-hook telephone line between the first subscriber and the first subscriber's data communications network service provider, including the network address identifier and the user identification, to the first control point over the data communications service provider's network;
routing a call from the first caller, destined for a first subscriber, to a first control point in the telecommunications system, the first subscriber receiving from the first control point notification of the existence of the call currently terminated at the first control point, the first subscriber optionally communicating with the first caller and or controlling the destination of the call from the first caller, or delivering audio messages to the first caller by way of the first control point;
identifying and storing at the first control point, the originating telephone number and name associated with the telephone line being utilized by the first caller;
identifying and storing at the first control point, the original destination telephone number as entered by the first caller;
validating the authority of the first subscriber's ability to receive incoming call notification via the first subscriber's data communications peripheral and to control the incoming call from the first caller;
upon validating the said stored data, opening a voice path over the public switched telephone network between the first caller and the voice communication system located at the first control point;
2. A method according to claim 1 of identifying and communicating the existence of an off-hook telephone line to a control point over the data communications network so to provide advance notification to the control point of possible redirected telephone calls originally intended for the first subscriber, comprising the steps of:
upon opening a data communications path between the first subscriber and the first subscriber's data communications network service provider, prompting the first subscriber to enter subscriber identification information including a subscriber password previously assigned to the first subscriber;
comparing the subscriber identification information to a database containing a plurality of subscriber identification information to determine if the subscriber is authorized to use the service;
after successful authorization of the subscriber, transmitting the subscriber identification information, including the subscriber network address, to the control point connected to the data communications network;
3) The method according to claim 1 wherein the voice telephone call of the first caller is redirected by the public switched telephone network to the first control point where a voice path between the first caller and the first control point is opened, to allow the voice system located at the control point to operate as an intermediary between the first subscriber and the first caller.
4) The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of transmitting prerecorded voice instructions to the first caller from the voice system located at the first control point;
5) The method according to claim 1, wherein the originating telephone number and name associated with the telephone line being utilized by the first caller is transmitted to the first subscriber, the method comprising the steps of;
establishing a data communications channel between the first control point and the network address of first subscriber's computer peripheral over the the data communications network while maintaining the voice path between the first caller and the first control point;
after the establishing step, transmitting to the first subscriber's computer peripheral the identification information of the first caller;
6) The method according to claim 5, wherein the originating telephone number and name associated with the telephone line being utilized by the first caller is provided to the first control point by automatic number identification (ANI).
7) The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of visual and or audio presentation of the first caller's identification information to the computer peripheral of the first subscriber;
8) The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of presenting the first caller's identification information while maintaining the first subscriber's computer peripheral connection to the data communications network;
9) The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of presenting the first caller's identification information while the first subscriber's computer peripheral maintains a plurality of active software programs in addition to the software program which presents the first caller's identification information;
10) The method according to claim 1, wherein the first subscriber desires to communicate with the first caller after notification of the existence of an attempted call to the first subscriber has been made, comprising the steps of;
determining still the presence of an open voice path between the first callers and the first control point so to facilitate end to end communication between the first caller and the first subscriber;
presenting visually, by way of the first subscriber's computer peripheral, a number of user selectable options which can selected by the first subscriber utilizing a computer peripheral input device;
after the presenting step, the first subscriber selecting one of the user selectable options and the previously determined identifier of this option is transmitted to the first control point by way of the data communications network;
validating the identifier of the user selected option at the first control point;
upon successful validation of the user selected option, assigning an audio message;

transmitting the corresponding audio message for the user selected option from the voice system at the first control point, over the public switched telephone network, to the telephone of the first caller;
11) In a telecommunications system that provides incoming call notification, caller identification and selectable call handling features, a method permitting a caller using a touch-tone telephone, connected to the public switched telephone network, to transmit numerical and audio messages to a subscriber computer peripheral, while the subscriber telephone line in an off-hook state engaged in data communications between the subscriber computer peripheral and a data communications service provider, over the public switched telephone network, the method comprising the steps of;
receiving and storing at the first control point, numerical digits or voice messages specifically entered by the first caller using a telephone which are to be delivered to the first subscriber;
determining if the first subscriber's telephone line is in an off-hook state based on data stored at the first control point;
if said determining step validates the off-hook state of the first subscriber, automatically transmitting numerical digits or voice messages from the first control point, over the public switched telephone network which is interconnected to the data communications network currently being utilized by the first subscriber to the the computer peripheral being utilized by the first subscriber;
displaying the numerical information on the screen of the first subscriber s computer peripheral or playing the audio message through the computer peripheral;
receiving a response from the first subscriber which is entered or recorded on an input device of the computer peripheral and transmitted to the first caller;
12) The method according to claim 1 of providing a computer intermediary facility which is connected simultaneously to both the public switched telephone network and a data communications network so to facilitate real time transfer of messages between voice paths of the public switched telephone network and data paths of a data communications network wherein the data subscribers communicate with the data communications network over the public switched telephone network.
13) The method according to claim 12 further comprising the step of transmitting messages received from the data subscribers over data paths while connected to the data communications network to telephones connected via voice paths of the public switched telephone network.
CA002167215A 1996-01-15 1996-01-15 Method to provide voice call notification and control messaging over a data path Abandoned CA2167215A1 (en)

Priority Applications (13)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002167215A CA2167215A1 (en) 1996-01-15 1996-01-15 Method to provide voice call notification and control messaging over a data path
CA 2218231 CA2218231C (en) 1996-01-15 1997-01-14 Method to provide voice call notification and control messaging over a data path
DK97900163T DK0875110T3 (en) 1996-01-15 1997-01-14 Procedure for providing voice call notification and message management via a data path
PT97900163T PT875110E (en) 1996-01-15 1997-01-14 METHOD FOR PROVIDING NOTIFICATION AND VOICE CALL CONTROL MESSAGES THROUGH A DATA PATH
PCT/CA1997/000013 WO1997026749A1 (en) 1996-01-15 1997-01-14 Method to provide voice call notification and control messaging over a data path
ES97900163T ES2183124T3 (en) 1996-01-15 1997-01-14 PROCEDURE FOR NOTIFICATION OF VOICE CALLS AND MESSAGE CONTROL BY A DATA TRAVEL.
AU13623/97A AU708959B2 (en) 1996-01-15 1997-01-14 Method to provide voice call notification and control messaging over a data path
SI9730388T SI0875110T1 (en) 1996-01-15 1997-01-14 Method to provide voice call notification and control messaging over a data path
JP09525545A JP3101768B2 (en) 1996-01-15 1997-01-14 Voice Call Notification and Message Control by Data Path
DE69715594T DE69715594T2 (en) 1996-01-15 1997-01-14 METHOD FOR PROVIDING VOICE CALL NOTIFICATION AND MESSAGE CONTROL FROM A DATA WAY
EP97900163A EP0875110B1 (en) 1996-01-15 1997-01-14 Method to provide voice call notification and control messaging over a data path
EP02078916A EP1309163A3 (en) 1996-01-15 1997-01-14 Method to provide voice call notification and control messaging over a data path
AT97900163T ATE224621T1 (en) 1996-01-15 1997-01-14 METHOD FOR PROVIDING VOICE CALL NOTIFICATION AND MESSAGE CONTROL OVER A DATA PATH

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002167215A CA2167215A1 (en) 1996-01-15 1996-01-15 Method to provide voice call notification and control messaging over a data path

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2167215A1 true CA2167215A1 (en) 1997-07-16

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002167215A Abandoned CA2167215A1 (en) 1996-01-15 1996-01-15 Method to provide voice call notification and control messaging over a data path

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6212261B1 (en) 1996-08-14 2001-04-03 Nortel Networks Limited Internet-based telephone call manager
US6253249B1 (en) 1998-08-31 2001-06-26 Nortel Networks Limited Method and devices for bridging data and telephone networks
US6393467B1 (en) 1998-08-31 2002-05-21 Nortel Networks Limited Network interconnected computing device, server and notification method
US6393122B1 (en) 1998-08-31 2002-05-21 Nortel Networks Limited Method and device for providing intermediate telephone service with enhanced network reliability
US6801952B2 (en) 1998-08-31 2004-10-05 Nortel Networks Limited Method and devices for providing network services from several servers

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6212261B1 (en) 1996-08-14 2001-04-03 Nortel Networks Limited Internet-based telephone call manager
US6253249B1 (en) 1998-08-31 2001-06-26 Nortel Networks Limited Method and devices for bridging data and telephone networks
US6393467B1 (en) 1998-08-31 2002-05-21 Nortel Networks Limited Network interconnected computing device, server and notification method
US6393122B1 (en) 1998-08-31 2002-05-21 Nortel Networks Limited Method and device for providing intermediate telephone service with enhanced network reliability
US6801952B2 (en) 1998-08-31 2004-10-05 Nortel Networks Limited Method and devices for providing network services from several servers

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