U.S. patent application number 12/951863 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-17 for advanced features on a real-time exchange system.
This patent application is currently assigned to KODIAK NETWORKS, INC.. Invention is credited to Ravi Ayyasamy, Giridhar K. Boray, Gorachand Kundu, Krishnakant M. Patel.
Application Number | 20110065481 12/951863 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38648193 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110065481 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Patel; Krishnakant M. ; et
al. |
March 17, 2011 |
ADVANCED FEATURES ON A REAL-TIME EXCHANGE SYSTEM
Abstract
A real-time exchange (RTX) interfaces to a wireless
communications system to provide enhanced features for advanced
voice services (AVS), which include Voice Activated Floor
Management, Voice Short Message Services (SMS) and Address Book
Backup.
Inventors: |
Patel; Krishnakant M.;
(Richardson, TX) ; Boray; Giridhar K.; (Plano,
TX) ; Ayyasamy; Ravi; (Richardson, TX) ;
Kundu; Gorachand; (Bangalore, IN) |
Assignee: |
KODIAK NETWORKS, INC.
San Ramon
CA
|
Family ID: |
38648193 |
Appl. No.: |
12/951863 |
Filed: |
November 22, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11740805 |
Apr 26, 2007 |
7853279 |
|
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12951863 |
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60795090 |
Apr 26, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/566 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/12 20130101; H04W
4/10 20130101; H04W 88/18 20130101; H04W 76/45 20180201 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/566 |
International
Class: |
H04W 4/14 20090101
H04W004/14 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for providing enhanced features for advanced voice
services in a wireless communications network, comprising: a
wireless communications network for making calls to and from mobile
units, wherein the calls are initiated by call setup and in-band
signaling within the wireless communications network and voice
frames for the calls are switched between the mobile units across
bearer paths in the wireless communications network; and a
real-time exchange that interfaces to the wireless communications
network to provide a Voice Short Message Service (SMS) message that
comprises a short voice message, wherein a user sends the Voice SMS
message to at least one contact, in a manner similar to sending a
short text message, using their mobile unit.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user initiates a call to a
Voice SMS number associated with the contact, the real-time
exchange provides an indication to the user to start speaking the
Voice SMS message, the real-time provides for the storage of the
Voice SMS message, and then the user then ends the call after
completing the Voice SMS message.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the contact receives a text
SMS message on their mobile unit indicating that the Voice SMS
message has been sent, the contact dials a callback number for the
Voice SMS, and then the contact listens to the Voice SMS
message.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the real-time exchange deletes
the Voice SMS message after a configured retention period or in
response to a user command.
5. A method of providing enhanced features for advanced voice
services in a wireless communications network, comprising: making
calls to and from mobile units in a wireless communications
network, wherein the calls are initiated by call setup and in-band
signaling within the wireless communications network and voice
frames for the calls are switched between the mobile units across
bearer paths in the wireless communications network; and providing
a Voice Short Message Service (SMS) message that comprises a short
voice message using a real-time exchange that interfaces to the
wireless communications network, wherein a user sends the Voice SMS
message to at least one contact, in a manner similar to sending a
short text message, using their mobile unit.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the user initiates a call to a
Voice SMS number associated with the contact, the real-time
exchange provides an indication to the user to start speaking the
Voice SMS message, the real-time provides for the storage of the
Voice SMS message, and then the user then ends the call after
completing the Voice SMS message.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the contact receives a text SMS
message on their mobile unit indicating that the Voice SMS message
has been sent, the contact dials a callback number for the Voice
SMS, and then the contact listens to the Voice SMS message.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the real-time exchange deletes
the Voice SMS message after a configured retention period or in
response to a user command.
9. An apparatus for providing enhanced features for advanced voice
services in a wireless communications network, comprising: a
wireless communications network for making calls to and from mobile
units, wherein the calls are initiated by call setup and in-band
signaling within the wireless communications network and voice
frames for the calls are switched between the mobile units across
bearer paths in the wireless communications network; and a
real-time exchange that interfaces to the wireless communications
network to perform a backup of an address book stored on a mobile
unit via the wireless communications network for subsequent storage
in a network server separate from the mobile unit.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a client application on the
mobile unit detects a change to the address book stored on the
mobile unit and automatically uploads the address book to the
real-time exchange.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a client application on the
mobile unit performs a periodic backup of the address book stored
on the mobile unit by uploading the address book to the real-time
exchange.
12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the address book stored by
the real-time exchange on the network server that is available via
Internet access, such that any changes made to the address book
stored on the network server are downloaded by the real-time
exchange to the mobile unit via the wireless communications
network.
13. A method of providing enhanced features for advanced voice
services in a wireless communications network, comprising: making
calls to and from mobile units in a wireless communications
network, wherein the calls are initiated by call setup and in-band
signaling within the wireless communications network and voice
frames for the calls are switched between the mobile units across
bearer paths in the wireless communications network; and performing
a backup of an address book stored on a mobile unit via the
wireless communications network for subsequent storage in a network
server separate from the mobile unit using a real-time exchange
that interfaces to the wireless communications.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein a client application on the
mobile unit detects a change to the address book stored on the
mobile unit and automatically uploads the address book to the
real-time exchange.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein a client application on the
mobile unit performs a periodic backup of the address book stored
on the mobile unit by uploading the address book to the real-time
exchange.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the address book stored by the
real-time exchange on the network server that is available via
Internet access, such that any changes made to the address book
stored on the network server are downloaded by the real-time
exchange to the mobile unit via the wireless communications
network.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional under 35 U.S.C. Section 121
of co-pending and commonly-assigned U.S. Utility patent application
Ser. No. 11/740,805, filed on Apr. 26, 2007, by Krishnakant M.
Patel, Giridhar K. Boray, Ravi Ayyasamy, and Gorachand Kundu,
entitled "ADVANCED FEATURES ON A REAL-TIME EXCHANGE SYSTEM,"
attorneys' docket number 154.26-US-U1, which application claims the
benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of co-pending and
commonly-assigned U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/795,090, filed on Apr. 26, 2006, by Krishnakant M. Patel,
Giridhar K. Boray, Ravi Ayyasamy, and Gorachand Kundu, entitled
"ADVANCED FEATURES ON A REAL-TIME EXCHANGE SYSTEM," attorneys'
docket number 154.26-US-P1, both of which applications are
incorporated by reference herein.
[0002] This application is related to the following co-pending and
commonly-assigned patent applications:
[0003] U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 10/515,556, filed Nov. 23,
2004, by Gorachand Kundu, Ravi Ayyasamy and Krishnakant Patel,
entitled "DISPATCH SERVICE ARCHITECTURE FRAMEWORK," attorney docket
number G&C 154.4-US-WO, which application claims the benefit
under 35 U.S.C. Section 365 of P.C.T. International Patent
Application Serial Number PCT/US03/16386 (154.4-WO-U1), which
application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 60/382,981
(154.3-US-P1), 60/383,179 (154.4-US-P1) and 60/407,168
(154.5-US-P1);
[0004] U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 10/564,903, filed Jan. 17,
2006, by F. Craig Farrill, Bruce D. Lawler and Krishnakant M.
Patel, entitled "PREMIUM VOICE SERVICES FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
SYSTEMS," attorney docket number G&C 154.7-US-WO, which
application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 365 of
P.C.T. International Patent Application Ser. No. PCT/USO4/23038
(154.7-WO-U1), which application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
Section 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos.
60/488,638 (154.7-US-P1), 60/492,650 (154.8-US-P1) and 60/576,094
(154.14-US-P1) and which application is a continuation-in-part and
claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Sections 119, 120 and/or 365 of
P.C.T. International Patent Application Serial Number
PCT/US03/16386 (154.4-WO-U1);
[0005] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/126,587, filed May 11,
2005, by Ravi Ayyasamy and Krishnakant M. Patel, entitled
"ARCHITECTURE, CLIENT SPECIFICATION AND APPLICATION PROGRAMMING
INTERFACE (API) FOR SUPPORTING ADVANCED VOICE SERVICES (AVS)
INCLUDING PUSH TO TALK ON WIRELESS MS 120 AND NETWORKS," attorney
docket number 154.9-US-U1, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,738,892, issued Jun.
15, 2010, which application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
Section 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos.
60/569,953 (154.9-US-P1) and 60/579,309 (154.15-US-P1), and which
application is a continuation-in-part and claims the benefit under
35 U.S.C. Sections 119, 120 and/or 365 of U.S. Utility patent
application Ser. No. 10/515,556 (154.4-US-WO) and P.C.T.
International Patent Application Ser. No. PCT/USO4/23038
(154.7-WO-U1);
[0006] U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/129,268, filed
May 13, 2005, by Krishnakant M. Patel, Gorachand Kundu, Ravi
Ayyasamy and Basem Ardah, entitled
[0007] "ROAMING GATEWAY FOR SUPPORT OF ADVANCED VOICE SERVICES
WHILE ROAMING IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS," attorney docket
number 154.10-US-U1, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,403,775, issued Jul. 22,
2008, which application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section
119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/571,075
(154.10-US-P1), and which application is a continuation-in-part and
claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Sections 119, 120 and/or 365 of
U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 10/515,556 (154.4-US-WO)
and P.C.T. International Patent Application Ser. No. PCT/USO4/23038
(154.7-WO-U1);
[0008] U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/134,883, filed
May 23, 2005, by Krishnakant Patel, Vyankatesh V. Shanbhag, Ravi
Ayyasamy, Stephen R. Horton and Shan-Jen Chiou, entitled "ADVANCED
VOICE SERVICES ARCHITECTURE FRAMEWORK," attorney docket number
154.11-US-U1, now U.S. Patent No. 7,764,950, issued Jul. 27, 2010,
which application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e)
of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 60/573,059
(154.11-US-P1) and 60/576,092 (154.12-US-P1), and which application
is a continuation-in-part and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
Sections 119, 120 and/or 365 of U.S. Utility patent application
Ser. No. 10/515,556 (154.4-US-W0), P.C.T. International Patent
Application Ser. No. PCT/USO4/23038 (154.7-WO-U1), U.S. Utility
patent application Ser. No. 11/126,587 (154.9-US-U1), and U.S.
Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/129,268 (154.10-US-U1);
[0009] U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/136,233, filed
May 24, 2005, by Krishnakant M. Patel, Vyankatesh Vasant Shanbhag,
and Anand Narayanan, entitled "SUBSCRIBER INFORMATION MODULE (SIM)
ENABLING ADVANCED VOICE SERVICES (AVS) INCLUDING PUSH TO TALK ON
WIRELESS MS 120 AND NETWORKS," attorney docket number 154.13-US-U1,
now U.S. Pat. No. 7,738,896, issued Jun. 15, 2010, which
application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/573,780
(154.13-US-P1), and which application is a continuation-in-part and
claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Sections 119, 120 and/or 365 of
U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 10/515,556 (154.4-US-WO),
P.C.T. International Patent Application Serial Number
PCT/USO4/23038 (154.7-WO-U1), U.S. Utility patent application Ser.
No. 11/126,587 (154.9-US-U1), and U.S. Utility patent application
Ser. No. 11/134,883 (154.11-US-U1);
[0010] U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/158,527, filed
Jun. 22, 2005, by F. Craig Farrill, entitled "PRESS-TO-CONNECT FOR
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS," attorney docket number
154.16-US-U1, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,529,557, issued May 5, 2009,
which application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e)
of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/581,954
(154.16-US-P1), and which application is a continuation-in-part and
claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Sections 119, 120 and/or 365 of
U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 10/515,556 (154.4-US-WO)
and P.C.T. International Patent Application Serial Number
PCT/USO4/23038 (154.7-WO-U1); U.S. Utility patent application Ser.
No. 11/183,516, filed Jul. 18, 2005, by Deepankar Biswaas, entitled
"VIRTUAL PUSH TO TALK (PTT) AND PUSH TO SHARE (PTS) FOR WIRELESS
COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS," attorney docket number 154.17-US-U1, which
application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/588,464
(154.17-US-P1); U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No.
11/356,775, filed Feb. 17, 2006, by Krishnakant M. Patel, Bruce D.
Lawler, Giridhar K. Boray, and Brahmananda R. Vempati, entitled
"ENHANCED FEATURES IN AN ADVANCED VOICE SERVICES (AVS) FRAMEWORK
FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS," attorney docket number
154.18-US-U1, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,813,722, issued Oct. 12, 2010,
which application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e)
of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/654,271(154.18-US-P1);
[0011] P.C.T. International Patent Application Serial Number
PCT/US2006/011628, filed Mar. 30, 2006, by Krishnakant M. Patel,
Gorachand Kundu, Sameer Dharangaonkar, Giridhar K. Boray, and
Deepankar Biswas, entitled "TECHNIQUE FOR IMPLEMENTING ADVANCED
VOICE SERVICES USING AN UNSTRUCTURED SUPPLEMENTARY SERVICE DATA
(USSD) INTERFACE," attorney docket number 154.19-WO-U1, which
application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/666,424
(154.19-US-P1);
[0012] U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/462,332, filed
Aug. 3, 2006, by Deepankar Biswas, Krishnakant M. Patel, Giridhar
K. Boray, and Gorachand Kundu, entitled "ARCHITECTURE AND
IMPLEMENTATION OF CLOSED USER GROUP AND LIMITING MOBILITY IN
WIRELESS NETWORKS," attorney docket number 154.20-US-U1, now U.S.
Pat. No. 7,689,238, issued Mar. 30, 2010, which application claims
the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/705,115 (154.20-US-P1);
[0013] U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/463,186 , filed
Aug. 8, 2006, by Ravi Ayyasamy and Krishnakant M. Patel, entitled
"ADVANCED VOICE SERVICES CLIENT FOR BREW PLATFORM," attorney docket
number 154.21-US-U1, which application claims the benefit under 35
U.S.C. Section 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
No. 60/706,265 (154.21-US-P1);
[0014] U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/567,098, filed
Dec. 5, 2006, by Ravi Ayyasamy, Bruce D. Lawler, Krishnakant M.
Patel, Vyankatesh V. Shanbhag, Brahmananda R. Vempati, and Ravi
Shankar Kumar, entitled "INSTANT MESSAGING INTERWORKING IN AN
ADVANCED VOICE SERVICES (AVS) FRAMEWORK FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
SYSTEMS," attorney docket number 154.23-US-U1, which application
claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/795,090
(154.23-US-P1);
[0015] all of which applications are incorporated by reference
herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0016] 1. Field of the Invention
[0017] This invention relates in general to wireless communications
systems, and more specifically, to enhanced features for advanced
voice services wireless communications systems.
[0018] 2. Description of Related Art
[0019] Advanced voice services (AVS), such as two-way half-duplex
voice calls within a group, also known as Push-to-Talk (PTT) or
Press-to-Talk (P2T), as well as other AVS functions, such as
Push-to-Conference (P2C) or Instant Conferencing, Upgrade to
Conference, Push-to-Message (P2M), etc., are described in the
co-pending and commonly-assigned patent applications
cross-referenced above and incorporated by reference herein. These
AVS functions have enormous revenue earnings potential for wireless
communications systems, such as cellular networks and personal
communications systems (PCS) networks.
[0020] Currently, there are three major approaches employed in
providing advanced voice services in wireless communications
systems. One approach requires the installation of a dedicated
private network, parallel to the wireless communications system, to
support the group-based voice services. NEXTEL uses such a system,
based on a solution developed by MOTOROLA known as IDEN. However, a
dedicated private network is costly to install and maintain and is
employed by a few public wireless carriers. Also, the IDEN system
is non-standard, and hence cannot be used in standard wireless
communications networks, such as those based on GSM (Global System
for Mobile Communications) and CDMA (Code Division Multiple
Access).
[0021] Another approach is based on Voice over IP (VoIP)
technologies. While this approach promises compliance with newer
and emerging standards, such as GPRS (General Packet Radio
Service), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), etc.,
it does not provide a solution for carriers employing wireless
communications systems based on existing standards, such as GSM,
CDMA, etc. However, even for the newer standards, solutions based
on VoIP have serious drawbacks, including slower call setup,
significant overhead, increased susceptibility to packet losses,
low bit rate voice coders, and significant modifications to the
mobile handset. There is a need, instead, for solutions that
require only minimal upgrades to the handset.
[0022] Still another approach is that defined in the co-pending and
commonly-assigned patent applications cross-referenced above and
incorporated by reference herein. In this approach, advanced voice
services are provided by a dispatch gateway (DG) or real-time
exchange (RTX) that interfaces to the wireless communications
system to provide the advanced voice services therein, wherein both
the dispatch gateway and mobiles that use the advanced voice
services communicate with each other using call setup and in-band
signaling within the wireless communications system.
[0023] Notwithstanding these innovations, there is a need in the
art for other advanced voice services that comply with existing and
emerging wireless standards and provide superior user experiences.
The present invention aims to satisfy this need by providing
enhanced features in advanced voice services for wireless
communications systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0024] To overcome the limitations in the prior art described
above, and to overcome other limitations that will become apparent
upon reading and understanding the present specification, the
present invention discloses enhanced features for advanced voice
services for wireless communications systems. A real-time exchange
(RTX) interfaces to the wireless communications system to provide
these enhanced features for the advanced voice services, which
include Voice Activated Floor Management, Voice Short Message
Services (SMS) and Address Book Backup.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] Referring now to the drawings in which like reference
numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary
embodiment of the dispatch services architecture framework
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates the architecture
of the real-time exchange according to the preferred embodiment of
the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates the architecture used by the present
invention in leveraging the underlying voice recognition systems of
a wireless communications network; FIG. 4 is a state diagram that
illustrates the operation of a Push-to-Talk (PTT) call according to
a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates a system architecture for the Voice Short
Message System (SMS) service according to the preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] In the following description of the preferred embodiment,
reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part
hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration the specific
embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be
understood that other embodiments may be utilized as structural
changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0031] Overview
[0032] The present invention describes a wireless communications
network that is used for making calls to and from mobile units,
wherein the calls are initiated by call setup and in-band signaling
within the wireless communications network and voice frames for the
calls are switched between the mobile units across bearer paths in
the wireless communications network. A real-time exchange
interfaces to the wireless communications network to provide an
advanced features for use with advanced voice service (AVS) for the
wireless communications network. Specifically, the advanced
features for AVS comprises Voice Activated Floor Management, Voice
Short Message Services (SMS) and Address Book Backup.
[0033] Network Architecture
[0034] FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary
embodiment of a wireless communications network 100 according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention for making calls to
and from mobile units.
[0035] Within the network 100, an RTX (Real-Time Exchange) 102,
previously known as a Dispatch Gateway (DG), communicates with a
MSC (Mobile Switching Center) 104 and PSTN (Public Switched
Telephone Network) 106 using SS7-ISUP/WIN/CAMEL (Signaling System
7--Integrated Services Digital Network User Part/Wireless
Intelligent Network/Customized Applications for Mobile Enhanced
Logic) messages at a signaling plane 108.
[0036] A bearer path 110 implements a TDM (Time Division
Multiplexing) interface carrying PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) or TFO
(Tandem Free Operation) voice frames. Support for TFO in this path
110 is negotiated between a BSC (Base Station Controller) 112 and
the RTX 102 for each originating and terminating leg of an AVS
call. The use of TFO ensures high voice quality (as voice vocoder
conversion is avoided) between mobile-to-mobile calls.
[0037] When a subscriber originates an AVS call, the MSC 104 routes
the call to the RTX 102. The MSC 104 also requests the BSC 112 via
116 to establish a radio traffic path 118 with a mobile station
(MS) 120 (also known as a handset or mobile unit) via the BTS
(Base
[0038] Transceiver Station) 122 (as it does for a normal cellular
call). At this time, the BSC 112 tries to negotiate TFO (if it is
supported) on a TDM link with the far end (in this case, the RTX
102).
[0039] At the same time (after the MSC 104 terminates the group
call request to the RTX 102), the RTX 102 identifies the
terminating group users and their MS-ISDN (Mobile
Station--Integrated Services Digital Network) numbers. It sends an
ISUP call origination request for each terminating MS 120. It may
send requests directly to the MSC 104, PSTN 106 or IP network 124
via a PDSN (Public Data Switched Network) 126, Router 128, and/or
Internet/Intranet 130, depending on the routing table configuration
for terminating MS-ISDN numbers.
[0040] Once the bearer path 110 is established, the RTX 102 begins
a negotiation with the far end (in this case, the terminating BSC
112) for each terminating leg to an MS 120.
[0041] Once bearer paths 110 are established for originating and
terminating legs for an AVS call, the RTX 102 switches (or
duplicates) voice frames from the originating MS 120 to all
terminating MS's 120.
[0042] The RTX 102 may use an IP network 124 or the
Internet/Intranet 130 for two different purposes. The IP network
124 or the Internet/Intranet 130 can be used in a toll bypass mode
where two RTXs 102 can exchange voice traffic bypassing the PSTN
106. However, each RTX 102 is responsible for terminating traffic
to its closest MSC 104. In this case, the IP network 124 or the
Internet/Intranet 130 is used as a backbone transport of voice
traffic between two RTXs 102.
[0043] The IP network 124 or the Internet/Intranet 130 can also be
used for a registration and presence application. Since the MSC 104
will not direct a registration request from an MS 120 to the RTX
102 (because it would require changes in the MSC 104), the latter
does not have any information of the registered MS 120. To
circumvent this issue, a registration and presence application runs
over an IP stack in the MS 120. After the MS 120 registers for a
data interface (i.e., obtaining an IP address) with the PDSN 126
(or Serving GSM Service Nodes (SGSN) in the case of GSM networks),
the registration and presence application in the MS 120 registers
with the RTX 102 using its IP address. The RTX 102 also uses this
IP interface to update the presence information of other group
members to an MS 120.
[0044] An alternative embodiment would use the SMS (Short Message
Service) transport to carry presence messages over a data channel.
The RTX 102 interacts with the MS 120 using predefined presence
application related messages that are transported as SMS messages.
The same messages can be transported via the PDSN 126 interface, if
group users have data service.
[0045] Real Time Exchange
[0046] FIG. 2 illustrates a proposed architecture for the RTX 102
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0047] The architecture includes a Call Processing system 200,
Presence Server 202, Real-Time Event Processing system 204, one or
more Media Managers 206, and an SMPP (Short Message Peer-to-Peer)
Transport 208, as well as modules for various SS7 protocols, such
as MTP-1 (Message Transfer Part Level 1) 210, MTP-2 (Message
Transfer Part Level 2) 212, MTP-3 (Message Transfer Part Level 3)
214, ISUP (Integrated Services Digital Network User Part) 216, SCCP
(Signaling Connection Control Part) 218, and TCAP (Transactions
Capabilities Application Part) 220 protocols.
[0048] The Call Processing system 200, Presence Server 202, Media
Managers 204, SMPP Transport 206, and other modules communicate
across an IP network 222. The Real-Time Event Processing system 204
communicates directly with the Call Processing system 200, Presence
Server 202, and the modules for various SS7 protocols. The modules
for various SS7 protocols communicate with other entities via a SS7
Signaling Link 224. The SMPP Transport 206 communicates with a SMSC
(Short Message Service Center) gateway using the SMPP protocol 226.
The Media Managers 204 communicate among themselves using the H.110
protocol 228 (or some other protocol, such TCP/IP).
[0049] The operation of these various components are described in
more detail below, as well as in the co-pending and
commonly-assigned patent applications cross-referenced above and
incorporated by reference herein.
[0050] The originating MS 120 signals the RTX 102 via the wireless
network 100, e.g., by transmitting one or more configured DTMF
(Dual Tone Multi Frequency) digits or other signals to the RTX 102.
The Media Manager systems 206 receive the DTMF digits or other
signals, and pass the DTMF digits or other signals to the Call
Processing system 200. The Call Processing (CP) system 200
determines whether the originating MS 120 has subscribed to the AVS
feature before originating the AVS session. Upon confirmation, the
Call Processing system 200 initiates a new AVS session. The Call
Processing system 200 interacts with the Presence Server 202 and
Real-Time Event Processing system 204 to cause the wireless network
100 to perform session setup for the AVS session, and thereafter to
manage the AVS session.
[0051] During the AVS session, for example, the Call Processing
system 200 interacts with the Media Manager systems 206 to maintain
the H.110 channels 227 and assign any additional H.110 channels 228
required for the AVS session, which may span across multiple Media
Manager systems 206. Moreover, the Media Manager systems 206 of the
RTX 102 may be used, for example, to mix audio streams between the
originating MS 120 and the terminating MS 120, and then deliver
these mixed audio streams to the originating MS 120 and the
terminating MS 120. The H.110 channels 228 are used for passing
mixed and unmixed audio streams voice between the Media Manager
systems 200 as required.
[0052] Voice Portal Integration
[0053] In one embodiment, the enhanced features comprise voice
recognition services for enhancing the calls to and from the MS
120. These features are provided using a voice portal. Voice
portals provide telephone users with a natural language interface
to access and retrieve network 100 services. Typically, voice
portals are based on speaker-independent speech recognition
technologies. Hence, this solution also applies equally well to
AVS-enabled handsets and non-AVS-enabled handsets, including
landline phones.
[0054] For example, voice portals have been extensively used for
1-800 directory enquiry, flight information, etc., and have matured
over the years with improved speech recognition accuracy. In
addition, the advent of standard voice scripting language, such as
VoiceXML, has fueled growth of voice portal services just as HTML
did for web services.
[0055] Additional information concerning voice portals can be found
in U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/356,775, filed Feb.
17, 2006, by Krishnakant M. Patel, Bruce D. Lawler, Giridhar K.
Boray, and Brahmananda R. Vempati, entitled "ENHANCED FEATURES IN
AN ADVANCED VOICE SERVICES (AVS) FRAMEWORK FOR WIRELESS
COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS," attorney docket number 154.18-US-U1, which
application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Number
60/654,271(154.18-US-P1), which applications are incorporated by
reference herein.
[0056] FIG. 3 illustrates the architecture used by the present
invention in leveraging the underlying voice recognition systems of
a wireless communications network 100. In this embodiment, the RTX
102 interfaces to one or more Voice Portals (VPs) 300, as well as
an Integrated Local and Transit (ILT) switch 302. The ILT 302 also
interfaces to the VP 400 via a Media Gateway (MG) 404. In addition,
the RTX 102 interfaces to the MSC 104 through the ILT 402 (or
interfaces directly to the MSC 104 as shown in FIG. 1) to control
call signaling, as well as voice frame buffering and
duplication.
[0057] The integration of the RTX 102 with a standard VP 300 opens
up unlimited possibilities to expand the reach of AVS. Moreover,
the integration of the RTX 102 with the VP 300 eliminates the need
for a client in the MS 120.
[0058] Consider the example where the voice recognition services
are used to invoke PTT services within a group of MS 120 identified
in the RTX 102. The typical scenario comprises the following:
[0059] the user dials a pre-determined code on the MS 120 to access
the VP 300, [0060] the MS 120 receives a confirmation tone from the
VP 300, [0061] the user inputs a voice command on the MS 120 (for
example, by saying "call friends") to invoke a PTT call with a
group identified as "friends" in the RTX 102, [0062] the VP 300
performs speech recognition and sends the decoded message to the
RTX 102, and [0063] the RTX 102 places the PTT call to the chosen
group.
[0064] Voice Activated Floor Management
[0065] In the present invention, the RTX 102 interfaces to the
wireless communications network 100 to provide a half-duplex
Push-to-Talk (PTT) session between an initiator and two or more
other participants, wherein both the TX 102 and MS 120
participating in the PTT session communicate with each other using
call setup and in-band signaling within the wireless communications
network 100. The other participants comprise one or more contacts,
one or more groups of contacts, or a subset of a group of
contacts.
[0066] In other embodiments, for example as described in the
cross-referenced applications set forth above, PTT is a
command-and-control service that requires every participant in a
multi-party call to have purpose-built handsets with a designated
PTT button and a speaker. The PTT button aids in acquisition and
release of floor in half-duplex, multi-party conversations.
However, the requirement of having every user with special purpose
handsets severely restricts the reach of this service, and thus
there is a need for a solution that would apply to all terminal
devices.
[0067] The present invention provides a solution for PTT floor
management based on voice activity detection (VAD) in the RTX 102,
with or without the voice recognition services of the VP 300.
Specifically, the voice activity detection aids in acquisition and
release of the floor of the PTT session, wherein the voice activity
detection is based on detecting a level of voice activity from the
initiator or other participants.
[0068] Floor management of the PTT session performed using voice
activity detection obviates the need for purpose-built PTT
handsets. In addition, the use of voice activity detection to
perform floor management is also a natural way of controlling the
floor.
[0069] There are a number of user benefits to this approach. For
example, there is no need to purchase a purpose-built PTT handset.
Moreover, there is no need to press and hold a PTT button while
speaking.
[0070] There are also a number of network operator benefits to this
approach. For example, the present invention expands the reach of
RTX 102 enabled AVS by allowing users to experience PTT without the
need of purpose-built PTT handsets. Moreover, the present invention
allows PTT users from multiple networks to be part of a group
call.
[0071] FIG. 4 is a state diagram that illustrates the operation of
a PTT call according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0072] State 400 represents an MS 120 in a NULL state, i.e., the
start of the logic. A transition out of this state is triggered by
a user making a request to originate a PTT call, or by a request
being made to terminate a PTT call at the MS 120. A request to
originate a PTT call is normally made by pressing a PTT button, but
may be initiated in this embodiment by dialing some sequence of one
or more numbers on the MS 120 that are interpreted by the RTX 102,
by pressing one or more other keys on the MS 120 that are
interpreted by the RTX 102, by speaking one or more commands that
are interpreted by the VP 400, or by some other means.
[0073] State 402 represents an MS 120 in an active group call
state. In this state, the user receives a chirp tone that indicates
that the user may start talking The user responds by talking on the
MS 120. The MS 120 uses the reverse traffic channel to send voice
frames to the RTX 102, and the RTX 102 switches voice frames only
in one direction, i.e., from talker to one or more listeners, which
ensures the half-duplex operation required for a PTT call.
[0074] State 404 represents the group "floor" being available to
all members of the group. When the talking user signals that the
floor is released, the floor is available to all group members. The
signal to release the floor is normally made by releasing the PTT
button, but may be performed in this embodiment by voice activity
detection, e.g., by not speaking for some time period (which is
interpreted by RTX 102 as a release command). All members of the
group receive a "free floor" tone on their MS 120. A user who
requests the floor first (in the "free-floor" state), for example,
is assigned the floor, wherein the network 100 sends a chirp tone
to the successful user. The signal to request the floor is normally
made by pressing the PTT button, but may be performed in this
embodiment by voice activity detection, e.g., by speaking for some
time period (which is interpreted by RTX 102 as a request
command).
[0075] State 406 represents an MS 120 being in an active group call
state. In this state, the user is listening to the group call. If a
non-talking user requests the floor in the active group call state,
the user does not receive any response from the network 100 and
remains in the same functional state. As noted above, the signal to
request the floor is normally made by pressing the PTT button, but
may be performed in this embodiment by voice activity detection,
e.g., by speaking for some time period (which is interpreted by RTX
102 as a request command).
[0076] State 408 represents a user receiving an "unsuccessful
bidding" tone on his MS 120, after the user has requested the
floor, but was not granted the floor, of the group call. The user
subsequently listens to the voice message of the talking user.
[0077] Non-talking users (including the talking user who must
release the floor to make it available for others) can request the
network 100 to end their respective call legs explicitly.
[0078] State 410 represents a terminating leg being released from
the call after the user ends the call.
[0079] State 412 also represents a terminating leg being released
from the call after the user ends the call.
[0080] State 414 represents all terminating legs being released
from the call when no user makes a request for the within a
specified time period, or after all users have ended their
respective call legs.
[0081] Voice Short Message Service (SMS)
[0082] In the present invention, the RTX 102 interfaces to the
wireless communications network 100 to provide a Voice Short
Message Service (SMS) message that comprises a short voice message,
wherein a user sends the Voice SMS message to at least one contact,
in a manner similar to sending a short text message, using their
mobile unit. The Voice Short Message Service (SMS) is a value-added
feature that allows a user to send short voice messages to one or
more contacts, in a manner similar to the sending of short text
messages, using the click of a button, on the MS 120.
[0083] In one embodiment, the user initiates a call to a Voice SMS
number associated with the contact, the RTX 102 provides an
indication to the user to start speaking the Voice SMS message, the
RTX 102 provides for the storage of the Voice SMS message, and then
the user then ends the call after completing the Voice SMS message.
Thereafter, the contact receives the text SMS message on their MS
120 indicating that the Voice SMS message has been sent, the
contact dials a callback number for the Voice SMS, and then the
contact listens to the Voice SMS message. Finally, the RTX 102
deletes the Voice SMS message after a configured retention period
or in response to a user command.
[0084] The benefits to the user of this invention are that it
provides a fast and easy messaging mechanism. Moreover, it does
away with the typing of messages. In addition, there is inherent
multiple language support
[0085] The benefits to the network operator of this invention is
that it provides a new feature for a large group of users that my
not be used to typing SMS messages. Moreover, the attractiveness of
voice as a messaging medium enhances network usage. In addition, it
grows average revenue per user (ARPU) for the operator. Finally,
the invention only requires the existing network infrastructure to
deploy the service.
[0086] Note that, because the information being shared is
communicated by SMS, it may comprise any number of different types
of data other than just voice. For example, Voice SMS messages may
comprise multimedia SMS messages (e.g., audio, video, images, data,
etc.).
[0087] In one embodiment, the Voice SMS feature may use the
functionality of the Press-to-Message (P2M) service described in
co-pending and commonly-assigned P.C.T. International Patent
Application Number PCT/USO4/23038, filed Jul. 16, 2004, by F. Craig
Farrill, Bruce D. Lawler and Krishnakant M. Patel, entitled
"PREMIUM VOICE SERVICES FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS,"
attorney docket number 154.7-WO-U1, which application is set forth
above, and incorporated by reference herein. The P2M service uses
the MMS (Multi Media Services) protocol as the transport medium.
The P2M service delivers multimedia messages (e.g., audio, video,
images, data, etc.), known hereafter as P2M messages from an
originator to one or more recipients.
[0088] FIG. 5 illustrates a system architecture for the Voice SMS
feature according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention. The system architecture includes one or more RTXs 102
coupled to a P2M server 500, which is (optionally) coupled to a
Voice Mail Server 502, wherein the RTX 102 and the P2M Server 500
work together to deliver Voice SMS messages in a non-real time
manner from an originator to one or more recipients, without
establishing voice paths between the originator and recipients.
Recipients may comprise one or more contacts, one or more groups of
contacts, or a subset of a group of contacts.
[0089] The P2M Server 500 provides a message storage facility for
Voice SMS messages, or may interface to the Voice Mail Server 502
to provide a message storage facility for the Voice SMS messages.
The user can store Voice SMS messages, retrieve Voice SMS messages,
reply to Voice SMS messages, or forward Voice SMS messages to other
subscribers. The P2M Server 500 supports the sending of Voice SMS
messages to one or more contacts, one or more groups of contacts,
or a subset of a group of contacts.
[0090] Address Book Backup
[0091] In the present invention, the RTX 102 interfaces to the
wireless communications network 100 to perform an "over-the-air"
backup of an address book stored on an MS 120 via the wireless
communications network 100 for subsequent storage in a network
server separate from the MS 120, wherein the network server may be
the RTX 102 it self, or the P2M Server 500, or another storage
system.
[0092] In one embodiment, a client application on the MS 120
detects a change to the address book stored on the MS 120 unit and
automatically uploads the address book to the RTX 102. In another
embodiment, a client application on the MS 120 performs a periodic
backup of the address book stored on the MS 120 by uploading the
address book to the RTX 102. In both embodiments, the address book
is stored by the RTX 102 on the network server, which may be
available to the user via Internet access, such that any changes
made to the address book stored on the network server can be
downloaded by the RTX 102 to the MS 120 via the wireless
communications network 100.
[0093] Note that such functionality may integrated with the
techniques described in U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No.
11/183,516, filed Jul. 18, 2005, by Deepankar Biswaas, entitled
"VIRTUAL PUSH TO TALK (PTT) AND PUSH TO SHARE (PTS) FOR WIRELESS
COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS," attorney docket number 154.17-US-U1, which
application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/588,464
(154.17-US-P1), which applications are incorporated by reference
herein. Those techniques include a common data store for sharing
information with members of a group, including a phone book or
address book, where the entries or contact lists may be shared
among group members or a master phone book can be maintained.
[0094] The present invention provides a number of user benefits,
including the safeguarding of address book information against
theft, loss or phone damage. Moreover, the present invention
eliminates the need to manually transfer address books when the
user changes phones. In addition, users can view and edit the
address book online, wherein changes made online are synchronized
with the MS 120.
[0095] The present invention provides a number of network operator
benefits as well. For example, the present invention reassures
customers by protecting valuable information, namely their address
books. It also has the potential to reduce customer churn.
CONCLUSION
[0096] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the
invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and
variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is
intended that the scope of the invention be limited not with this
detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *