RU2595935C2 - System and method of communication between user devices taking into account individual settings of incoming connections - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: communication.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to communication engineering and, in particular, to means of establishing individual parameters of reception of incoming connections. In the system the first user device generates and sends a call signal to the second user device via a communication node, which comprises a communication operator module configured to route the call signal from the first user device, as well as a logic module connected to the communication operator module. Logic module stores a database containing multiple identifiers of the user devices, including the second user device identifier, and multiple sets of parameters for the incoming connection, herewith one of the parameters of the incoming connection corresponds to the second user device identifier and contains at least one of the parameters of the incoming connection set by the user. Logic module extracts from the database the said parameter of the incoming connection, and the communication operator module implements the required configuration of the incoming connection.

EFFECT: technical result is expansion of functional capabilities of the communication system due to providing selection of parameters for configuring incoming connections.

19 cl, 2 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of communication technology and, in particular, to a method and system that allows one subscriber of telecommunication networks to set individual parameters for receiving incoming connections from other subscribers and to communicate with them in accordance with the established parameters.

State of the art

In traditional communication systems, such as mobile or cellular communication systems, telecom operators provide subscribers with pre-formed sets of various services, the so-called tariff plans, for receiving, processing, transmitting and delivering call signals, text or voice messages. Connection parameters within the framework of such tariff plans of a telecom operator are hard-coded by the telecom operator and cannot be modified either by the subscriber initiating the communication session or by the subscriber responding to the communication session. In particular, subscribers receiving incoming connections usually do not have the opportunity to independently determine the cost of incoming calls from subscribers of the same telecom operator or from subscribers of other telecom operators and telecommunication networks, as well as the ability to set various types of individual schedules and periods for allowing or barring incoming calls coming from subscribers of other telecom operators, groups or individual subscribers.

An analogue closest to the present invention can be considered a method known from the prior art for automatically filtering calls based on user-selected parameters [1]. According to this method, telephone users set the parameters that will be used to filter incoming calls arriving at their devices. It is planned to set both standard parameters, for example, determining the cost of a call or roaming for a mobile telephone device, as well as individual parameters that allow users to control the cost and improve the efficiency of incoming calls, especially when using mobile phones outside their home network and / or in another time zone. These call filtering options are used to activate the call filtering method. The user can select parameters that determine the cost of a telephone call and their location according to the time zone as threshold parameters. When these parameters are exceeded, individual user parameters are applied that determine how to handle or where to divert incoming calls. The method may use dynamic parameters (i.e. cost) and / or static parameters (i.e. time of day) as activation parameters. In addition, the disclosed filtering method can be activated automatically using special triggering schemes or manually by the user at any time. [1] also discloses an appropriate system for performing the described filtering method.

A disadvantage of the solution known from [1] is that it is only applicable in situations when a mobile telephone device is in roaming, i.e. outside your home network or outside your time zone. Only in this case, user-set parameters that activate the filtering method come into force. In addition, the list of user-settable parameters is very limited, which reduces the functionality of the communication system. Also, it is not possible to carry out simultaneous charging of calls determined by the telecom operator and a modified charging of incoming calls determined by the user of a mobile telephone device.

A known method of filtering unwanted calls in cellular networks [2]. This method is used in telecommunication systems and allows a subscriber who creates a list of numbers of unwanted subscribers to reduce the number of calls from these numbers to his number. The method for filtering unwanted calls in cellular networks is based on the subscriber choosing filtering criteria by code, code word, waiting period, either by selecting a criteria for a group of people from the address book, or by choosing phone number codes. When making an outgoing call to a communication subscriber’s number from another communication user, filtering is performed based on the filtering criterion activated and generated by the subscriber.

A disadvantage of the method known from [2] is the limited nature of the settings for incoming call parameters provided to the user. In fact, this method only provides a ban on incoming calls from certain phone numbers. In addition, the possibility of implementing a ban on incoming calls during certain periods of the day or week is not provided.

There is also known a system that allows a telephone subscriber to selectively block incoming calls during selected time periods or during programmable time intervals [3]. The subscriber can pre-program the time interval in minutes or the time period (start time and end time) during which some or all incoming calls must be blocked. The called party may indicate the numbers of the calling parties or personal identification numbers at one of a plurality of access levels. The called party can configure the call blocking system for the selected access levels. An access level for emergency calls that will not be blocked by the system can also be provided.

A disadvantage of the system known from [3] is the limited parameters provided to the user for configuring incoming calls.

Disclosure of invention

An object of the present invention is to remedy the above-mentioned disadvantages inherent in prior art solutions.

This problem is solved by the method and system, which are described in the independent claims. Additional embodiments of the present invention are presented in the dependent claims.

The technical result achieved by using the present invention is to provide the user with the ability to accept incoming connections.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for communicating between user devices, taking into account individual settings of incoming connections, in which a call signal is generated and sent from a first user device to a second user device via a communication node. Moreover, the method differs in that in the communication node additionally:

- accessing a database containing a plurality of user device identifiers including a second user device identifier and a plurality of incoming connection parameter sets, one of a plurality of incoming connection parameter sets corresponding to the second user device identifier and containing at least one of the following parameters of the incoming connection previously set by the user of the second user device:

Incoming connection cost parameters

incoming connection length parameters and

incoming connection control parameters;

- retrieving from the database the mentioned one of the many sets of parameters of the incoming connection corresponding to the said identifier of the second user device; and

- configure the incoming connection in accordance with the extracted set of parameters of the incoming connection.

According to one embodiment, before setting up the incoming connection in accordance with the extracted set of incoming connection parameters, a voice or text message is additionally sent from the said communication node to the first user device about the extracted set of incoming connection parameters.

In another embodiment, a consent signal is generated on the first user device with respect to the extracted set of incoming connection parameters, and then the generated consent signal is sent from the first user device to the said communication node to initiate the configuration of the incoming connection in the said communication node in accordance with the extracted parameter set incoming connection.

In yet another embodiment, the generation of the consent signal is performed by pressing one or more buttons on the first user device or by entering one or more voice commands on the first user device.

In another embodiment, the preset of the incoming connection parameter set is performed by sending a message from the second user device to said communication node containing the selected incoming connection parameters using the unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) service or the short message service (SMS).

In one embodiment, the pre-installation of the inbound connection parameter set is performed from the second user device via the Internet.

According to another embodiment, funds are automatically debited from the personal account of the user of the first user device during the incoming connection based on the extracted set of incoming connection parameters.

According to yet another embodiment, after setting up an incoming connection, a timer is started at said communication node, fixing the duration of the incoming connection. After the end of the incoming connection, funds are automatically debited from the personal account of the user of the first user device based on the duration of the incoming connection fixed by the timer.

In another embodiment, a voice or text message is sent to the first user device stating that the incoming connection will be completed after a period of time corresponding to a predetermined minimum amount of money in the personal account of the user of the first user device.

Said inbound connection cost parameters include one or more of the following:

cost per minute of incoming connection,

the cost of the entire incoming connection and

cost of an arbitrary interval of the incoming connection.

Mentioned parameters of the length of the incoming connection include one or more of the following:

the length of the charged inbound connection,

chargeable intervals during an incoming call and

guaranteed length of incoming connection.

Said incoming connection control parameters include one or more of the following:

chargeable period of day for an incoming connection,

non-tariff period of the day for the incoming connection,

Incoming connection barring period

prohibition of incoming connection for certain user devices and

Allow non-chargeable inbound connections for specific user devices.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for communicating between user devices based on individual settings of incoming connections. The proposed system comprises a first user device, a second user device and a communication node, wherein the first user device is configured to generate and send a call signal to the second user device through said communication node. Said communication unit comprises:

- a communication operator module, configured to route a call signal sent from a first user device; and

- a logic module connected to a module of a communication operator and configured to:

storing a database containing a plurality of user device identifiers including a second user device identifier and a plurality of incoming connection parameter sets, wherein one of a plurality of incoming connection parameter sets corresponds to said second user device identifier and contains at least one of the following incoming connection parameters pre-installed by the user of the second user device:

Incoming connection cost parameters

incoming connection length parameters and

incoming connection control parameters;

retrieving from the database the said one of the many sets of parameters of the incoming connection corresponding to the said identifier of the second user device, and

instructing the operator’s module to configure the incoming connection in accordance with the extracted set of incoming connection parameters.

In one embodiment, the first user device and the second user device are landline phones.

In another embodiment, the first user device and the second user device are mobile phones.

In yet another embodiment, the first user device is a landline telephone, and the second user device is a mobile phone.

According to one embodiment, the first user device is a mobile phone, and the second user device is a landline phone.

According to another embodiment, one or both of the first user device and the second user device are stationary computers, laptop computers, or tablet computers configured to generate, send, and receive a call signal through software installed on them.

In yet another embodiment, each of these modules is made using a general purpose processor, a digital signal processing processor (DSP), a specialized integrated circuit (ASIC), a user programmable gate array (FPGA), or any combination thereof.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after reading the following detailed description and viewing the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The essence of the present invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 is a block diagram of a communication system between user devices, taking into account individual settings of incoming connections in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

2 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of steps of a method for communicating between user devices, taking into account individual settings of incoming connections in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The block diagrams shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are for illustrative purposes only and are not limited in any way.

The implementation of the invention

Various embodiments of the present invention are described in further detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. However, the present invention can be embodied in many other forms and should not be construed as being limited by any particular structure or function presented in the following description. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided so that the description of the present invention is thorough and complete. Based on the present description, a person skilled in the art will understand that the scope of legal protection of the present invention covers any embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein, regardless of whether it is implemented independently or in combination with any other embodiment of the present invention. For example, a system may be implemented or the method may be practiced using any number of embodiments set forth herein. In addition, it should be understood that any embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein may be embodied using one or more of the claims.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example or illustration”. Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” need not be construed as being preferred or taking precedence over other embodiments.

In addition, the term “identifier” referred to herein means a specific alphanumeric or alphanumeric number of a user device connected to a communication network, such as a mobile or cellular communication network, knowing which it is possible to communicate with this user device. Such an identifier may be any sequence of numeric and / or alphabetic characters. For example, it can be a phone number, a network login, or another type of identifier used in traditional communication systems.

It should also be noted that in this document the terms “subscriber” and “user” and derivatives of these words are used interchangeably. The same is true for the terms “incoming call” and “incoming connection”.

The present invention implements a new improved number service, by which communication subscribers, individuals and legal entities, are able to configure incoming connections with their numbers without violating the established relationship between subscribers and communication operators and the requirements of current legislation. For example, the proposed improved number service allows the owner of a mobile or cellular number to make a profit by assigning an additional cost to incoming calls. Superior rooms are provided for use by both legal entities and individuals. The profit of the owner of the improved room is calculated in accordance with the duration of the call, or one-time, in accordance with the additional tariffs set by him. Connection of the improved number service is carried out by means of standard means provided in communication networks for connecting additional services, and occurs using any subscriber identifier in the communication network.

Figure 1 presents a block diagram of a system 1 for communication between user devices, taking into account individual settings of incoming connections in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the system 1 comprises a first user device 2, a second user device 3, and a communication node 4.

Mentioned in this document, the first user device and the second user device are any devices configured to generate, transmit and receive call signals from each other. In one embodiment, the first and second user devices may be landline phones or mobile phones, or the first user device may be a landline telephone, and the second user device may be a mobile phone, or vice versa. In another embodiment, at least one of the first user device and the second user device may be a desktop, laptop, or tablet computer, the generation, transmission and reception of ringing signals being carried out through specialized software installed on the computer. Examples of such programs that provide voice communication services between two or more user devices can be Skype, Viber, Mail @ Agent or other programs known to specialists in this field of technology.

According to this embodiment, the first user device 2 is configured to generate and send a ring signal to the second user device 3 through the communication node 4. In other words, the first user device 2 acts as the called device, and the second user device 3 acts as the called device. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that in another embodiment, the relationships between devices 2 and 3 may be directly opposite, i.e. the second user device 3 can generate and transmit a call signal to the first user device 2 through the communication node 4. Such an embodiment is included within the scope of legal protection of the present invention.

The communication node referred to in this document is a combination of technical means providing the provision of communication services and connecting to a public network, such as a mobile or cellular communication network. As is known to those skilled in the art, the particular design of a communication node depends on the type of communication network in which it is planned to be used. For example, stationary or mobile communication nodes can be used.

In this embodiment, the communication node 4 comprises a communication operator module 5 and a logic module 6 connected to the communication operator module 5.

The communication operator module 5 is a combination of standard communication operator tools used to receive, process, and transmit call signals. As shown in FIG. 1, the carrier module 5 comprises a switching component 7 configured to route voice calls and text messages (i.e., SMS). In particular, the switching component 7 is configured to receive a call signal sent from the first user device 2 and forward it to the second user device 3 (see bold dashed lines in FIG. 1). In one embodiment, the switching component 7 may be a mobile switching center (MSC) in a global mobile communication system (GSM). With the switching component 7, a communication operator business process support component 8 (which, for example, can be implemented as a BSS system) is connected. In particular, component 8 includes application software for supporting business processes of a telecommunication enterprise, primarily billing (support for settlements with subscribers, analysis). According to this embodiment, component 8 consists of billing subcomponent 9 and billing subcomponent 10. Billing subcomponent 9 is configured to collect information on the use of telecommunication services, billing subscribers, and processing payments. The subcomponent 10 of the charging is made with the possibility of charging the services consumed by the subscriber. A memory component 11 is connected to the component 8 for supporting the business processes of the communication operator, in which information about the subscribers of the communication network is stored. For example, the memory component 11 may contain information about which communication services are connected to a particular subscriber, subscriber numbers, etc. The telecom operator module 5 also contains a money management component 12, which is configured to replenish funds on the subscriber’s personal account, write them off, for example, for using certain services, etc. In addition, the component 5 of the carrier also contains the components 13 and 14 of the processing of USSD commands and SMS commands that are connected to the second user device 3 (the purpose of components 13 and 14 will be explained later).

Logic module 6 contains an executive component 15 configured to manage and execute the enhanced number service connected to the personal identifier of the second user device 3. The executive component 15 is also configured to charge a subscriber who is connected to the advanced number service by interacting with subcomponent 10 of component 8 in module 5 of the carrier. Executive component 15 may support protocols such as INAP / CAP and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the actuating component 15 is also connected to the switching component 7, for example, via the SIGTRAN protocol or using the digital stream E1.

The execution component 15 is also connected to the specialized resource component 16, which is configured to inform the user of the first user device 2 about the parameters of the incoming connection (for example, play audio files indicating the cost of the connection) and simultaneously accept user input from the first user device 2 through the switching component 7 (user input is performed, for example, by pressing a certain combination of buttons on the first user construction 2). The component 16 of specialized resources is connected to the switching component 7 via the E1 digital stream or via SIGTRAN protocol for ISUP interaction or IP for SIP / RTP interaction. Accordingly, the specialized resource component 16 supports the ISUP and SIP protocols.

The logic module 6 also comprises a memory component 17 connected to the executive component 15. The memory component 17 is configured to store data about the enhanced number service. In particular, the memory component 17 may contain a database 18, which stores information about all subscribers who are connected to the aforementioned advanced number service, which provides the ability to independently configure the parameters of incoming connections. For example, the database 18 may comprise a plurality of user device identifiers to which the aforementioned enhanced number service is connected, including the identifier of the second user device 3, and a plurality of sets of incoming connection parameters. Each set of incoming connection parameters is pre-configured by a user of a specific user device to which the aforementioned advanced number service is connected (in this embodiment, such a device is a second user device 3). In this regard, each set of parameters of the incoming connection corresponds to a certain identifier of the user device in the database 18.

Configurable parameters of the incoming connection may include the parameters of the cost of the incoming connection, the length of the incoming connection and the control parameters of the incoming connection. Mentioned parameters of the cost of the incoming connection may include the cost per minute of the incoming connection, the cost of the entire incoming connection and / or the cost of an arbitrary interval of the incoming connection. The mentioned parameters of the length of the incoming connection may include the length of the charged incoming connection, charged intervals during the incoming connection and / or the guaranteed length of the incoming connection. Mentioned parameters for monitoring an incoming connection may include a chargeable period of day for an incoming connection, a non-tariff period of a day for an incoming connection, a period of barring an incoming connection, a ban on an incoming connection for certain user devices and / or permission for a non-tariffing incoming connection for certain user devices. Using the above parameters and any combination of them provides the possibility of individual flexible configuration of incoming connections. For example, the subscriber of the called device (hereinafter referred to as the user of the second user device 3) may perform one or more of the following:

- setting the cost of a minute of an incoming connection (per-minute billing);

- setting the cost of a full communication session (one-time charging);

- setting the cost and duration of the incoming connection (one-time charging with a guaranteed connection time, and if the communication session is cut off, the proposed system will not charge a renewed communication session until the guaranteed time expires);

- setting tariffication using intervals of a certain length (tariffication on a schedule - for example, the first minute is charged at 5 rubles, and all subsequent minutes at 10 rubles for 5 minutes of connection);

- a ban on the charging of incoming calls in a certain period of time of the day or days of the week;

- permission to charge incoming calls in a certain period of time of the day or days of the week;

- a ban on charging incoming calls from certain subscribers (the “white list”) (for example, if the caller or, according to this embodiment, the user of the first user device 2 is a relative or close friend of the user of the second user device 3, the latter may prohibit in this case, additional charging of incoming calls); and

- a ban on receiving calls from certain subscribers (for example, if the user of the first user device 2 is constantly bored with his calls).

The logic module 6 also contains a user interaction component 19, which enables the activation of the advanced number service through the USSD command and SMS command processing components 13 and 14. In addition, component 19 is additionally connected to the billing subcomponent 9 and the money management component 12 in the communication operator module 5 for transferring the money charged and in accordance with the settings of the subscriber (i.e., in this case, the user of the second user device 3) the user of the second user device 3.

The logic module 6 also contains a statistics component 20, which is connected to the user interaction component 19 and the memory component 17. In particular, the statistics component 20 is adapted to receive data on connecting the advanced access service, its charging, and the like from component 19 and constructing statistical reports based on the received data. The constructed static reports can then be stored in the memory component 17 (for example, in said database 18 or any other database that can be stored in the memory component 17).

In yet another embodiment, system 1 may further comprise various third-party components, which for convenience are combined in FIG. 1 into one application component 21. In particular, the application component 21 may provide the user of the second user device 3 with Internet sites or applications for managing the enhanced number service. For example, through one of these sites, the user of the second user device 3 can establish an advanced number service connection (instead of sending USSD and / or SMS messages with the corresponding connection request through components 13 and 14). In addition, through the application component 21, the user of the second user device 3 can also set incoming connection settings. In other words, the application component 21 provides additional interaction between the user device 3 and the user interaction component 19.

Specialists in the art should understand that, as necessary, the number of structural elements or components of the system 1 may vary. For example, a plurality of communication nodes can be used by means of which communication is provided between the first user device 2 and the second user device 3, wherein said communication operator module 5 and logic module 6 are installed in one of the many communication nodes.

In addition, those skilled in the art should understand that the arrangement of modules of system 1 shown, including components and subcomponents in modules 5 and 6, is exemplary and, as necessary, can be changed to achieve greater efficiency in a particular application. It is assumed that the scope of protection of the present invention covers all possible various locations of the above structural elements of the system 1.

The connections of each of the first and second user devices 2 and 3 with the communication node 4 and the connection of modules and components and / or subcomponents in the communication node 4 can be wired or wireless. Examples of wired and wireless connections are known in the art, and therefore, a description thereof will be omitted.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, a method for communicating between user devices in accordance with individual settings of incoming connections in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the method includes steps S1-S8 described below.

Step S1: The second user device 3 sends a message to the user interaction component 19 requesting to activate the enhanced number service. Sending such a message may be via the USSD command processing component 13 or the SMS command processing component 14, and then the request message is a USSD message or SMS message. For example, when using the USSD command processing component 13 to activate the enhanced number service, the user of the second user device 3 can compose and send the following USSD message: “* Connect the service XXX #”, where “XXX” means the ID of the advanced number service. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above type of USSD message, and any combination of alphanumeric, alphanumeric or alphanumeric characters in an SMS or USSD message can be used. In addition, the connection of the enhanced room service can also be carried out through the application component 21 using certain Internet sites.

Step S2: After connecting the enhanced number service, the user of the second user device 3 can send through any of the components 13, 14 or 21 an additional message indicating the set of parameters of the incoming connection, which should be taken into account when connecting between the first user device 2 and the second user device 3 In one embodiment, step S2 may be combined with step S1, and then the connection request message may also immediately contain parameters that which was set by the user of the second user device 3. The mentioned set of parameters may contain any one or more of the previously described parameters of the incoming connection.

Step S3: The user interaction component 19 stores information about connecting the enhanced number service to the second user device 3 in the database 18. In this case, the user interaction component 19 can directly instruct the memory component 17 to save the mentioned information (with a set of incoming connection parameters and the identifier of the second user device 3) or to transfer this information to the memory component 17 through the statistics component 20.

Step S4: The switching component 7 receives a call signal generated and sent from the first user device 2.

Step S5: After receiving the call signal, the switching component 7 instructs the actuating component 15 to select a set of incoming connection parameters for connecting between the first user device 2 and the second user device 3. To this end, the actuating component 15 accesses and extracts the database 18 a set of parameters corresponding to the identifier of the second user device 3. It should be noted that the identifier information is initially contained in the call signal, and that identifier is communicated to the execution component 15 by the switching component 7.

Step S6: After retrieving the parameter set corresponding to the identifier of the second user device 3, the execution component 15 instructs the specialized resource component 16 to inform the user of the first user device 2 of the extracted parameter set according to which the connection will be made. Informing can be done by sending the appropriate text or voice messages through the switching component 7. For example, if the parameters set by the user of the second user device 3 represent the cost and duration of the entire incoming connection, then the specialized resource component 16 can be instructed by the executive component 15 to send a text message of the following form to the first user device 2: “You are billed for xxx rubles for yyy minutes. To pay, press *, to cancel - # ".

If the user of the first user device 2 agrees with the selected set of incoming connection parameters (i.e., the cost and duration of the connection in the above example), then he can generate a consent signal by pressing a specific button or a combination of certain buttons on the first user device 2 (for example, by pressing the “*” button) or by entering a voice command or certain voice commands (for example, entered through a microphone installed on the first user device 2) (step S7). The generated consent signal is then sent to the dedicated resource component 16 through the switching component 7. The dedicated resource component 16 sends a consent signal to the execution component 15 and the user interaction component 19. The execution component 15 instructs the switching component 7 to forward the received call signal to the second user device 3 to make the connection in accordance with the extracted set of incoming connection parameters (step S8). At the same time, the executive component 15 and the user interaction component 19 instruct the telecom operator business process support component 8 to charge for the incoming connection in accordance with the extracted set of incoming connection parameters.

If the user of the first user device 2 does not agree with the selected set of parameters for the incoming connection (i.e., the cost and duration of the connection in the above example), he can generate a signal of disagreement by pressing a certain button or a combination of certain buttons on the first user device 2 (for example by pressing the “#” button) or by entering a voice command or certain voice commands (for example, entered through a microphone installed on the first user Property 2). The first user device 2 then transmits the generated disagreement signal to the dedicated resource component 16 through the switching component 7. The dedicated resource component 16 forwards the received disagreement signal to the actuation component 15. Based on the disagreement signal, the actuation component 15 instructs the switching component 7 not to make a connection between the first user device 2 and the second user device 3. In other words, generating a disagreement signal on the first user device 2 implies refusing to connect to the second user device.

In another embodiment, the enhanced user number service may not be connected to the second user device 3. In this case, the execution component 15 detects that there is no record of the second user device in the database 18 (i.e., the database 18 does not have the identifier of the second user device 3 and, accordingly, the set of parameters for connecting to the second user device 3). In this case, the switching component 7 is instructed by the executive component 15 to connect to the second user device 3 in accordance with the standard tariff plan of the communication operator, which is stored, for example, in the memory component 11. Using such a tariff plan, component 8 of the support for business processes of the telecom operator carries out the corresponding tariffing assigned by the telecom operator.

Another embodiment provides a situation where the enhanced number service is connected to the second user device 3, but the identifier of the first user device 2 is indicated in the “black list” (i.e., the user of the first user device 2 is identified as an “unwanted” subscriber). In this case, the execution component 15 instructs the switching component 7 to terminate the connection (i.e., not send a ring signal to the second user device 3).

According to another embodiment, the enhanced number service is connected to the second user device 3, but the identifier of the first user device 2 is indicated in the “white list” (i.e., the user of the first user device 2 is identified as the subscriber with whom the user of the second user device 3 wants to connect only in accordance with the tariff plan of the service provider). In this case, the switching component 7 transmits a call signal to the second user device 3, and at the same time, the executive component 15 and the user interaction component 19 instruct the communication operator business process support component 8 to charge according to the tariff plan of the communication operator.

The proposed method is not limited to the above steps and may contain other steps.

For example, the proposed method may further comprise the step of using the execution component 15, the business process support component 8 and the money management component 12 to automatically debit the funds from the personal account of the user of the first user device 2 during an incoming connection in accordance with the extracted a set of incoming connection parameters.

In yet another embodiment, the proposed method may comprise the steps of: as soon as an incoming connection is established, a timer is started by means of an actuation component 15 (which can be additionally set in logic module 6), fixing the duration of the incoming connection; and after the end of the incoming connection, money is automatically debited using the executive component 15, the business process support component 8 and the money management component 12 from the personal account of the user of the first user device 2, based on the duration of the incoming connection fixed by the timer.

In addition, if the amount of money in the personal account of the user of the first user device 2 falls below a predetermined minimum value, the method may further comprise an actuation component 15 instructs the specialized resource component 16 to notify the user of the first user device 2 that the connection will be completed after a period of time corresponding to said predetermined minimum value.

According to one embodiment, in order to find out how much money is left in the personal account of the user of the first user device 2, the executive component 15 or any other additional component of the logic module 6, or any other module of the communication node 4, can be configured to request a communication operator of the user of the first notify the user device 2 when the amount of money in the personal account of the user of the first user device 2 is below a certain min mal value.

According to another embodiment, the money to pay for the cost of the call can be debited from the bank account or user card of the first user device 2. In this implementation, when generating a consent signal to connect to the second user device 3 in accordance with the selected set of parameters, the user of the first user device 2 may indicate his bank card number and card security code, which will subsequently allow automatic debit of funds for the cost of connection.

The system and method described above for communicating between user devices, taking into account the individual settings of incoming connections, will be especially useful for subscribers who provide paid services through voice communication. For example, such subscribers can be tutors, lawyers, IT consultants, car commissioners who are ready to provide consulting services by phone or computer and are able to generate useful mobile content.

Various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and components described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or implemented using a general purpose processor, digital signal processing processor (DSP), custom integrated circuit (ASIC), user programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete component circuitry or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof tion, operable to perform as described herein functions.

Each of the processors mentioned above may be a microprocessor or, alternatively, may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. Each processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in combination with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

It should be understood that many different logical blocks, modules, components, and method steps described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination thereof. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various exemplary components, blocks, modules, components, and steps have been described above, typically based on their functionality. The choice of implementing such functionality in the form of hardware or software depends on the particular application and design limitations imposed on the entire system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be construed as falling outside the scope of the present invention. In addition, information and signals may be provided using any variety of different technologies or techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, and symbols that are referred to herein may be provided in the form or by means of voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, sound waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof .

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. Being implemented in software, said functions may be stored on or transmitted in the form of one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Machine-readable media includes any storage medium that enables the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. The storage medium may be any available medium that is accessed by a computer. By way of example, but not limitation, such computer-readable media can be RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk drive, magnetic disk drive or other magnetic storage devices, or any other storage medium that can be used for transferring or storing the required program code in the form of instructions or data structures and which can be accessed using a computer. In addition, if the software is transferred from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or using wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, such wired and wireless means fall within the definition of media. The term disc used in this document includes compact disc (CD), laser discs, optical discs, universal digital discs (DVDs), floppy discs and blu-ray discs. Combinations of the above-mentioned storage media should also fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Although exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the present description, it should be understood that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention defined by the attached claims. The functions, steps, and / or actions referred to in the claims characterizing the method in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention described herein need not be performed in any particular order unless otherwise noted or specified. Moreover, the mention of elements of the system in the singular does not exclude the set of such elements, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

List of information used

1. US 2008146200 A1.

2. WO 2011014104 A1.

3. US 5467388 A.

Claims (19)

1. A method of communicating between user devices, taking into account the individual settings of incoming connections, comprising the steps of:
generate and send a call signal from the first user device to the second user device through the communication node, while the call signal contains the identifiers of the first and second user devices,
characterized in that it further comprises stages in which:
pre-sent from the second user device to the communication node a request to connect the enhanced number service to the second user device, wherein the enhanced number service is a service by which users can configure incoming connection parameters, the request further comprising a set of incoming connection parameters to the second user device and indication of whether to include the identifier of the first user device black or white list, wherein said set of incoming connection parameter comprises at least one of the following compounds included:
- cost parameters of the incoming connection,
- parameters of the length of the incoming connection and
- control parameters of the incoming connection, and
wherein the black list contains identifiers of user devices, call signals from which should be blocked, and the white list contains identifiers of user devices, call signals from which should be processed in accordance with the tariff plan of the telecom operator, without using the mentioned set of incoming connection parameters;
storing in the database contained in the communication node, the identifiers of the first and second user devices, the said set of parameters of the incoming connection, and the said indication of whether or not the identifier of the first user device is included in the black or white list;
receiving said call signal sent from the first user device in the communication node;
accessing said database and determining whether the identifier of the first user device is contained in a black or white list;
if the identifier of the first user device is blacklisted, the call signal is blocked;
if the identifier of the first user device is contained in the white list, an incoming connection with the second user device is configured in accordance with the said tariff plan of the communication operator; and
if the identifier of the first user device is neither in the white nor in the black list, the incoming connection is configured with the second user device in accordance with the mentioned set of parameters of the incoming connection. 2. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that it further comprises the step of, before setting up the incoming connection in accordance with the said set of parameters of the incoming connection, send from the said communication node to the first user device a voice or text message about the said set of parameters incoming connection. 3. The method according to p. 2, characterized in that it further comprises stages in which:
generating a consent signal for said set of parameters of the incoming connection on the first user device; and
sending the generated consent signal from the first user device to said communication node in order to initiate configuration of an incoming connection in said communication node in accordance with said set of incoming connection parameters. 4. The method according to p. 3, characterized in that the step of generating a consent signal is performed
by pressing one or more buttons on the first user device, or
by entering one or more voice commands on the first user device. 5. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that the said step of pre-sending a request from the second user device to the communication center is carried out using the service of transmitting unstructured additional service data (USSD) or the service of transmitting short messages (SMS). 6. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that the said step of pre-sending the request from the second user device to the communication node is carried out via the Internet. 7. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that it further comprises a stage in which:
money is automatically debited from the personal account of the user of the first user device during the incoming connection based on the mentioned set of parameters of the incoming connection. 8. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that it further comprises stages in which:
after the step of setting up the incoming connection in accordance with the above-mentioned set of parameters, a timer is started, fixing the duration of the incoming connection; and
after the end of the incoming connection, funds are automatically debited from the personal account of the user of the first user device based on the duration of the incoming connection fixed by the timer. 9. The method according to p. 7 or 8, characterized in that it further comprises a step in which:
send a voice or text message to the first user device that the incoming connection will be completed after a period of time corresponding to the specified minimum amount of money in the personal account of the user of the first user device. 10. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that the said cost parameters of the incoming connection include one or more of the following:
cost per minute of incoming connection,
the cost of the entire incoming connection and
cost of an arbitrary interval of the incoming connection. 11. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that the said parameters of the length of the incoming connection include one or more of the following:
the length of the charged inbound connection,
chargeable intervals during an incoming call and
guaranteed length of incoming connection. 12. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that the said control parameters of the incoming connection include one or more of the following:
chargeable period of day for an incoming connection,
non-tariff period of the day for the incoming connection,
inbound barring period. 13. A communication system between user devices, taking into account individual settings of incoming connections, comprising:
first user device
second user device and
communication center;
wherein the first user device is configured to generate and send a call signal from the first user device to the second user device through said communication node, wherein the call signal contains identifiers of the first and second user devices; and
said communication node comprises a communication operator module configured to route a call signal sent from a first user device,
characterized in that said communication node further comprises a logic module connected to a communication operator module and configured to:
first receiving from the second user device a request to connect the enhanced number service to the second user device, wherein the enhanced number service is a service by which users can configure incoming connection parameters, the request further comprising a set of incoming connection parameters with the second user device and an indication of whether to include the identifier of the first user device in black or b ly list, wherein said set of incoming connection parameter comprises at least one of the following compounds included:
- cost parameters of the incoming connection,
- parameters of the length of the incoming connection and
- control parameters of the incoming connection, and
wherein the black list contains identifiers of user devices, call signals from which should be blocked, and the white list contains identifiers of user devices, call signals from which should be processed in accordance with the tariff plan of the telecom operator, without using the mentioned set of incoming connection parameters;
storing the identifiers of the first and second user devices, the said set of parameters of the incoming connection and the said instructions on whether or not to include the identifier of the first user device in the black or white list;
receiving from the communication operator module said call signal sent from the first user device;
determining whether the identifier of the first user device is blacklisted or whitelisted;
if the identifier of the first user device is blacklisted, blocking the ringing tone;
if the identifier of the first user device is contained in the white list, configuring the incoming connection with the second user device in accordance with the said tariff plan of the telecommunications operator; and
if the identifier of the first user device is neither in the white nor in the black list, setting up an incoming connection with the second user device in accordance with said set of parameters of the incoming connection. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first user device and the second user device are landline phones. 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the first user device and the second user device are mobile phones. 16. The system of claim 13, wherein the first user device is a landline telephone, and the second user device is a mobile phone. 17. The system of claim 13, wherein the first user device is a mobile phone, and the second user device is a landline phone. 18. The system of claim 13, wherein one or both of the first user device and the second user device are stationary computers, laptop computers, or tablet computers configured to generate, send, and receive a call signal using software installed on them . 19. The system according to p. 13, characterized in that each of these modules is made using a general purpose processor, a digital signal processing processor (DSP), a specialized integrated circuit (ASIC), a user programmable gate array (FPGA), or any combination thereof.

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