WO2008037279A1 - Method for extending telecommunication services, and associated telecommunication system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for extending telecommunication services and to an associated telecommunication system, where a voicemail server (VM-S) records messages (VI) for at least one telecommunication terminal (TE), and a network address book server (NAB-S) provides supplementary information (ZI) for respective source addresses. In this context, the voicemail server (VM-S) ascertains a predetermined source address (RN) for a recorded message (VI), asks the network address book server (NAB-S) for associated supplementary information (ZI) on the basis of the ascertained source address (RN), and provides the associated supplementary information (ZI) together with the recorded message (VI) in the network (N).

Description

Method for expanding telecommunications services and related telecommunications system

The present invention relates to a telecommunication service extension method and related telecommunication system, and more particularly to a method of extending network based voice messaging and multimedia telecommunication services.

Telecommunication systems allow a message recipient to listen to a voice or audio message via his telecommunications terminal, such as a telephone or other audio terminal. If a particular message is accessed in so-called voice mail systems, the voice mail system usually presents the time of receipt of the message and an associated source address or the identity of the sender, if known, and plays for the recipient of a recorded message. The recipient may navigate using the telephone keypad or voice input through the recorded message, such as skipping, rewinding, pausing, or the like.

Although such voice mail systems are usually stored locally in a terminal and are known, for example, as answering machines, they are increasingly also being implemented in a centralized manner in a network as so-called voice mail services. Furthermore, voice mail services are known, for example, receive an e-mail text message as an input message and send out an audio or voice message as an output message, wherein using a text-to-speech processing, the content of the e-mail Text message is converted into a spoken text. Furthermore, so-called network address book services (NAB, Network Address Book) are known, which store in a network centrally accessible from any location typical address information such as names, phone numbers, e-mail addresses and postal addresses and respective To provide to users.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a method for expanding telecommunications services and an associated telecommunications system, which greatly improves user comfort.

This object is achieved with regard to the method by the measures of patent claim 1 and with regard to the telecommunication system by the features of claim 9.

According to the invention, it is therefore checked whether messages recorded in a voice mail service are available for a predetermined telecommunication terminal, and whether an associated originating address exists for a particular message. Furthermore, a check is made as to whether there is additional information in a network address book service for the associated source address, this additional information being processed if corresponding additional information is present, and the processed additional information together with the recorded message to a requestor of the Telecommunications terminal are transmitted. The combination according to the invention of the voice mail service with the network address book service allows a user to obtain far-reaching information about the caller, wherein minimal resources such as memory space are to be provided in the terminal.

For example, network information for a subscriber in the network can also be determined in the case of a network information discovery service on the basis of the associated source address and the additional information can be added to the network address information network. Information to be expanded. For example, the network information represents current presence information of a subscriber within the network, which is determined based on a mobile number associated with the originating address. This allows the voice message additional information to be appended by the caller, such as whether the caller at the time of the mailbox query in the network is present or not, so that a callback would be useful.

Preferably, data exchange is performed between the telecommunication terminal, the voice mail service, the network address book service and / or the network information discovery service based on the IP multimedia subsystem architecture. This unified telecommunications standard enables a very effective service extension especially for packet-switched networks with VoIP terminals.

A telecommunication system for implementing enhanced telecommunication services thus has a voice mail server for recording messages for at least one telecommunication terminal, a network address book server for providing additional information for respective original jump addresses and a network for realizing a data exchange between the two connected servers and the at least one telecommunication terminal, wherein the voicemail server determines a predetermined source address to a recorded message, the network address book server on the basis of the determined source address requests associated additional information and the associated additional information together with the recorded message.

In the subclaims further advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized. The invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment with reference to the drawings.

Show it:

FIG. 1 shows a simplified representation of a telecommunication system for the realization of extended telecommunication services;

Figure 2 is a simplified state diagram illustrating essential states in the respective units of the telecommunication system; and

FIG. 3 shows a simplified flowchart for illustrating essential method steps for the extension of telecommunications services according to the invention.

The present invention will be described below with reference to an IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) architecture. The IP Multimedia Subsystem is a standardized Next Generation Network (NGN) architecture for telecom operators wishing to provide mobile and non-mobile multimedia services. The IMS uses Voice over IP (VoIP) implementation, which is based on a 3GPP standardized implementation of Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and runs over the standard Internet Protocol (IP). Both already existing packet-switching and circuit-switched networks can be supported.

The IP multimedia subsystem gives network operators and service providers the ability to control and charge for their services. Users have the advantage of being able to access their services from both the home network and foreign networks via so-called roaming. With the IMS architecture, it is also possible to merge IP-based networks, and in particular the Internet, with cellular networks, such as mobile radio networks, whereby the access possibilities are almost eliminated. are too unlimited. With regard to the further standardized features of IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem), particular reference is made to the standard TS23.228, which defines the level 2 of IMS.

FIG. 1 shows a simplified representation of a telecommunication system for realizing extended telecommunication services according to the invention, wherein, for example, the aforementioned IMS architecture can be used.

According to FIG. 1, a voice mail server VM-S for realizing a voice mail service and in particular for network-based recording of messages VI for at least one telecommunication terminal TE is provided on a network N. The

For example, messages VI represent audio or voice messages, but may also include video messages or other messages. The network N may represent, for example, a circuit-switched network or a packet-switched network or a combination thereof. In particular, cellular or mobile networks within the network N may be present.

If, for example, a subscriber of the telecommunications system with his telecommunication terminal TE is not available (for example a mobile phone switched off) or an incoming call is not accepted, then the voice mail server VM-S can request the caller to send a message for the person who can not be reached To leave participants. The caller can then leave a voice message or a video message which is stored on a storage device, not shown, of the voice mail server VM-S. If the caller is identifiable with his origin address, this origin address is usually assigned to the recorded message and also stored in the memory. The originating address can in this case include various subscriber numbers, IP addresses or also e-mail addresses. and can clearly identify the caller in the telecommunications network.

With regard to the subscriber numbers, mention should be made in particular of the conventional telephone numbers known from a conventional circuit-switched network, such as private or business telephone numbers. In the same way, however, these can also be mobile numbers, as they are assigned by a mobile network. Furthermore, such originating addresses can also represent IP addresses, reference being made in particular to realization of so-called VoIP systems (Voice over IP) to corresponding SIP addresses (Session Initiation Protocol) or IP addresses under the further format H.323. Also, e-mail addresses may also represent such an originating address when, for example, a text-to-speech conversion is taking place and a text message is converted to a voice message.

Accordingly, according to FIG. 1, a multiplicity of recorded messages VI1, VI2,... With their associated source addresses or originating telephone numbers RN1, RN2,... Can be stored. According to FIG. 1, a network address book server NAB-S (Network Address Book) is furthermore provided for implementing a network address book service and for providing additional information for respective originating addresses RN. More specifically, in the network address book server NAB-S, a plurality of address data may be stored in an arbitrary manner and provided centrally in the network N by a respective user or subscriber of the telecommunication system.

1, such additional information ZI has, for example, a first name, last name and / or nickname under the heading "name." A private, business or mobile telephone number PRN, BRN and MRN may also be stored under the heading "telephone numbers". Furthermore, under the heading "E-Mail" the most diverse e-mail addresses and under the heading "postal address", for example, a PO box address and / or a visitor's address. Furthermore, image data such as a photo of the associated person or audio information for playback of personal music or other audio information may be stored.

According to the present invention, the voicemail server VM-S now transmits to a recorded message VIx a predetermined originating call number RNx of the caller leaving the message and, for example, requests the IP multimedia subsystem architecture on the basis the determined source address RNx the network address book server NAB-S the associated additional information ZI. For example, if a caller has left a message for an unavailable or unreachable subscriber from his private telephone number PRN, the voice mail server VM-S requests a PRN from the network address book server using this private telephone number associated record or additional information ZI. In this case, the relevant call numbers of the most diverse data sets are compared with the originating address or, for example, the private call number PRN of the caller and, if the caller agrees, the corresponding data record or the associated additional information ZI is output. This data record or the supplementary information ZI matching the originating address is now transmitted to the voice mail server VM-S, where it in turn is assigned or stored to the recorded message and the associated source address. In this way, in the voice mail server VM-S, a data set extended by ZI is obtained for realizing an expanded telecommunications service. The additional information ZI can hereby be prepared and further structured in accordance with the specifications of a user or a service provider, whereby, for example, only a name and a picture are assigned to the recorded message VIx. Of course, the additional information ZI can be prepared in any manner and assigned to the recorded message VIx. The voice mail server VM-S thus provides not only the recorded message, but about it In addition, more or less processed additional information ZI transmitted by the network address book server NAB-S ready.

As soon as a respective subscriber retrieves via his telecommunication terminal TE his messages VIx recorded in the voice mail server VM-S, these are transmitted together with the processed additional information ZI via the network N and reproduced at the telecommunication terminal TE. Thus, the receiver receives not only the recorded message VIx, but at the same time also further information about the caller, such as a name, an image, an audio file, etc. User comfort is thereby substantially increased, the resources in the telecommunication terminal TE being substantially spared. In particular, in mobile telecommunications terminals with only small resources, such as a storage capacity, therefore very large amounts of information can be displayed or output.

Preferably, the telecommunication system according to FIG. 1 can also have a network information discovery server PR-S for determining network information PI for the network N, wherein the voice mail server VM-S or the network address book server NAB-S on the Based on the originating address RN can request the network information PI and then provide. To illustrate this functionality, it is assumed, for example, that the network information discovery server PR-S for implementing a network information discovery service is a so-called network information discovery server PR-S

Presence server, which detects a current presence information of a subscriber within the network N and output as network information PI (Presence Information). In particular in mobile radio networks, such presence information can be determined, for example, on a mobile telephone number MRN associated with the originating address. In the example, based on the private telephone number, PRN can therefore be used as the source address via the additional telephone number. Information ZI the associated mobile number MRN are determined and a request for this mobile number MRN network information PI in the network information discovery server PR-S are requested. If the subscriber with this mobile number MRN is available in the network N or in a mobile radio network, ie has switched on his mobile phone, this current presence information can be displayed as network information PI to the network address book server NAB-S and / or the voice - ce mail server VM-S transmitted and added to the additional information ZI. As a result, the subscriber retrieving the recorded messages VIx can not only be notified of the caller's name or appearance, but also receive current presence information PI indicating whether the caller is at the time of interrogation of recorded short messages, for example takes place, is present in the network, so that a recall would be useful.

In the same way, such network information PI could also represent location information indicating, for example, at which location a particular subscriber or mobile user is currently located. A respective subscriber could therefore also receive geographical information, e.g. at the time of the recorded message for the caller. Again, in this case too, a data exchange between the telecommunication terminal TE, the voice mail server VM-S, the network address book server NAB-S and / or the network information discovery server PR-S can take place on the basis of the IMS architecture ,

FIG. 2 shows a simplified representation of a status diagram for illustrating the states according to the invention in the respective units of the telecommunication system, wherein the same reference numerals denote the same units as in FIG. 1, for which reason a repeated description will be dispensed with below. According to FIG. 2, a called subscriber first requests the recorded messages VIx from his telecommunication terminal TE at the mailbox or the voicemail server VM-S. Now, a processing of a first message VIl can be carried out in the voice mail server VM-S, whereby the network address book server NAB-S is asked whether additional information ZI is available for the recorded message VIl or for its origin address , The network address book server NAB-S is now queried for a suitable data record or for suitable additional information

ZI. Furthermore, a preparation of this additional information can be carried out according to certain criteria, according to which, for example, only an image with last name is provided or transmitted.

Further, the network address book server NAB-S may request up-to-date network information PI such as current presence information at the network information discovery server PR-S Address of the associated subscriber is accessible on his mobile phone, so this is notified to the network address book server NAB-S as network information PI Subsequently, the current callback number of the mobile or the mobile phone number MRN and a picture of the caller and his name as additional information to the voice mail server VM-S are transmitted, which in turn then this additional information together with the recorded message VIl the participant in the telecommunication terminal TE for output over-mittein can.

FIG. 3 shows a simplified flow chart for illustrating essential steps of the method according to the invention for expanding telecommunications services.

After a start in step SO, a query is first of all made as to whether messages VIx recorded in the voice mail server VM-S or its realized voice mail service have been recorded. are available or available. If no recorded messages are available or present, a branch is made to a step S9 at which the method ends.

Otherwise, it is checked in step S2 whether an originating address or call number RN of the caller for the recorded message is present. If this is not the case because, for example, there is a call number suppression, or a call has been made from an analog network, a branch is made to a step S8 in which the recorded message VI is transmitted to the telecommunication terminal without additional information (ZI = 0).

If, however, an originating address is available during the check in step S2, a branch is made to a query S3 in which the availability of additional information ZI to the originating address or call number RN of the caller is checked. In this step, a request is made to the network address book server NAB-S stating the originating address or the caller number of the caller, wherein for suitable records or additional information ZI is requested. If there is no such additional information ZI for the specified origin address or telephone number RN of the caller, then the process branches off again to step S8 and the recorded message VI without additional information ZI (ZI = 0) is transmitted to the interrogating telecommunication terminal TE.

However, if additional information can be ascertained in the network address book server NAB-S for the specified originating address or call number RN of the caller, then this takes place in one

Step S4 a preparation of this additional information. Preferably, this processing is already performed in the network address book server, but alternatively it can also be performed in the voice mail server VM-S. A typical preparation consists, for example, in that only one part, for example a picture and an associated name, is selected from the plurality of additional information ZI and provided as additional information. This processed additional information ZI is then transmitted in a step S8 together with the recorded message VI to the interrogating telecommunication terminal TE, after which the method ends in step S9.

Optionally, in a step S5, for example, a mobile number or mobile number MRN can be determined from the additional information ZI. On the basis of this determined mobile number MRN can then in a

Step S6, a network information PI and in particular a current presence information from a network information discovery server and in particular a presence server PR-S are determined. In this case, it is determined, for example, whether a respective subscriber of a mobile terminal is located within the mobile radio network and would therefore be reachable. If this is the case, a corresponding network information or current presence information PI is determined, and the possibly already processed additional information ZI is determined by the network information PI in one step

S7 extended. Accordingly, in step S8, the recorded message VI can be sent to the telecommunication terminal TE together with the thus prepared and expanded additional information ZI, whereby a subscriber not only receives the recorded message with e.g. a name and a picture of the caller receives, but is also informed whether and under what number the caller is currently reachable in the network N.

The invention has been described above on the basis of an IMS architecture. However, it is not limited to this and, in the same way, also encompasses alternative architectures of telecommunication systems. Furthermore, the invention has been described with reference to a current presence information as network information. However, it is not limited thereto and equally includes alternative network information such as location information about a particular caller. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

TE telecommunications terminal

N network VM-S voice mail server

NAB-S network address book server

PR-S Network Information Discovery Server

PI network information

ZI Additional Information VI recorded message

RN origin address

SO to S9 process steps

Claims

claims A method of extending telecommunications services comprising the steps of: checking (S1) whether messages (VI) recorded in a voice mail service (VM-S) are for a predetermined telecommunications terminal (TE); Checking (S2) whether there is an associated originating address (RN) for a respective message (VI); Checking (S3) whether there is additional information (ZI) in a network address book service (NAB-S) for the associated originating address (RN); Processing (S4) the additional information (ZI) if corresponding additional information (ZI) is available; and transmitting (S8) the edited additional information (ZI) and the recorded message (VI) to a requesting telecommunication terminal (TE). 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the requesting telecommunication terminal and the predetermined telecommunication terminal have identical communication addresses. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the recorded messages (VI) represent audio or video messages. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the additional information (ZI) names, phone numbers, pictures, e-mail addresses and / or postal addresses represent. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the further steps: determining (S6) network information (PI) for a network (N) in a network information discovery service (PR-S) based on the associated source address (RN); and Extending (S7) the additional information (ZI) by the network information (PI). 6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the network information (PI) represents a current presence information for a subscriber within the network (N), which determines on the basis of a source address (RN) associated mobile phone number (MRN) becomes. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a data exchange between the telecommunication terminal (TE), the voice mail service (VM-S), the network address book service (NAB-S) and / or the Network Information Discovery Service (PR-S) based on the IP Multimedia Subsystem architecture. 8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the source address (RN) represents a subscriber number, an IP address or an e-mail address. 9. Telecommunication system for implementing advanced telecommunications services with a voice mail server (VM-S) for recording messages (VI) for at least one telecommunication terminal (TE); a network address book server (NAB-S) for providing additional information (ZI) for respective originating addresses (RN); and a network (N) for realizing a data exchange between the connected servers (VM-S / NAB-S) and the at least one telecommunication terminal (TE), wherein the voice mail server (VM-S) has a predetermined source address ( RN) to a recorded message (VI), the network address book server (NAB-S) on the basis of the determined source address (RN) requests the associated additional information (ZI), and provides the associated additional information (ZI) together with the recorded message (VI). 10. Telecommunication system according to claim 9, characterized by a network information Discovery server (PR-S) for determining network information (PI) for the network (N), the voice mail server (VM-S) or the network address book server (NAB-S) being based on the originating network. Address (RN) requests and provides the network information (PI). 11. Telecommunication system according to claim 10, characterized in that the network information (PI) represents a current presence information for a subscriber within the network (N), which on the basis of an originating address (RN) associated mobile telephone number (MRN ) is determined. 12. Telecommunication system according to one of the claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the recorded messages (VI) represent audio or video messages. 13. Telecommunication system according to one of the claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the additional information (ZI) names, phone numbers, pictures, e-mail addresses and / or postal addresses represent. 14. Telecommunication system according to one of the claims 9 to 13, characterized in that a data exchange between the telecommunication terminal (TE), the voice mail server (VM-S), the network address book server (NAB-S) and / or the network information discovery server (PR-S) based on the IP multimedia subsystem architecture. 15. Telecommunication system according to one of the claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the originating address (RN) represents a subscriber number, an IP address or an e-mail address.