APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GENERATION OF A DATASTRUCTURE COMPRISING INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH AN ID OF A TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and a system for generating a data structure on a data processing device adapted to communicate with a first wireless telecommunication device, the data structure comprising information associated with an ID of a second telecommunication device. In particular the present invention relates to searching an external database for information relating to the ID.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known in the art to utilise the ID of caller in connection with telecommunication. One such example is known from US 2002/0061096 which discloses a method of identifying the call of a subscriber calling, via a telecommunication network. When the destination terminal receives identification data within a calling setup signalling message, it outputs this or, if applicable, outputs data generated from it, as acoustic and/or visual and/or mechanical call signals instead of an acoustic call tone selected by the destination telecommunication device.
Another method is known from US 2002/0168964, which discloses a method and a terminal for handling caller information. Upon detection of an incoming call, a processor analyses whether caller information is present in the phonebook database and stores at least a part of the caller information in said phonebook upon request from the user.
Furthermore US 2002/0176379 discloses a method for call control by a called terminal device receiving a call via a communication network. Upon receipt of the incoming call, the called terminal is triggered to issue a request via the network to the calling station to provide some information regarding the calling station. The provided information may reside in the terminal's identity (e.g. expressed by the calling terminal line number or telephone number, respectively), or some billing information to be presumably charged to the called terminal.
Known systems are based solely on the telecommunication network. Thus as information relating to a caller may be available from other sources, it is an object of a preferred embodiment that the user is presented with information relating to the ID, which is available from other sources. Such other sources may be databases on a personal computer or the financial system of an enterprise or an internet based telephone book.
Furthermore, the data processing capacity, data storing capacity and the data transfer capacity of a wireless telecommunication device is limited in relation to a data processing device. Accordingly, it is an object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide a method and a system wherein the processing, storing and transfer capacity of a data processing device is utilised to retrieve, analyse and present information relating to an ID of another telecommunication device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to overcome the abovementioned objectives the present invention in a first aspect relates to a method for generating a data structure on a data processing device, the device being adapted to communicate with a first telecommunication device, the first telecommunication device comprising communication means for wireless telecommunication, the method comprising the steps of:
- identifying an interaction between the first and a second telecommunication device,
- retrieving on the first telecommunication device an ID associated with the second telecommunication device,
- transmitting the ID from the first telecommunication device to the data processing device,
- connecting the data processing device to at least one external database,
- retrieving information associated with the ID, from the external database, and - generating the data structure comprising the ID and at least a part of the information associated with the ID.
One advantage of the present invention is that normally at least one of the data storage capacity, the data processing capacity and the data transfer capacity of the data processing device is larger than the similar capacity(s) of the first telecommunication device. Thus, the data processing device may retrieve or process the additional information faster than if it had to be done on the first telecommunication device. This is clearly desirable for the user of the first telecommunication device as he will be able to answer an incoming call significantly faster based on the knowledge of the additional information, than if the additional information was retrieved by the first telecommunication device. Furthermore, it is also desirable for the user of the second telecommunication device, as he will not have to wait too long until his call is answered.
As an example the data processing device may be connected to the internet via a 2 Mbit internet connection, e.g. an ADSL-connection, which has a significantly higher data transfer
capacity than a wireless telecommunication connection to the internet of the first telecommunication device.
Furthermore, as not all wireless telecommunication devices are able to communicate via two telecommunication lines (virtual or real) at the same time, the present invention provides the possibility of retrieving information via the data processing device while the sole telecommunication line of a telecommunication device is occupied by an communication activity. Such a communication activity may be an incoming call or an outgoing call or messaging session such as a chat session or a SMS-session.
A further advantage of the present invention is that the data processing device may in other situations also be used for other applications e.g. financial systems or customer data bases, and thus it is possible to present relevant information relating to the client, when said client calls the owner of the first telecommunication device. As an example it is possible to present a summery of last three emails, the bills sent with in the last month and basic information relating to a customer.
The data structure may be a record in a database or a file in a word processing system, a spread sheet. Alternatively, the data structure may be an ACSII-file or an internet page.
In some embodiments the data processing device may be adapted to continue retrieval of the additional information during the telephone/messaging correspondence. As an example the user of the first telecommunication device may choose to answer the call when a first set of basic information is presented on the data processing device and then while talking to the calling party further information may be retrieved e.g. an overview of recent news articles or stock rates relating to the calling party.
The data processing device may be any kind of computer such as a stationary or a portable personal computer. Alternatively, the data processing device may be a personal digital assistant, which may be connected directly to the internet or to another data processing device which is connected to the internet. Such another data processing device may be a personal computer. Furthermore, the data processing device may be a server which a plurality of users may be connected to.
In the context of the present invention the term personal computer is defined as a computer specifically designed for use by one person at a time and thus in some embodiments the personal computer is equipped with its own CPU, memory, OS, keyboard and display and is able to run applications independent from other computers while in other embodiments the
personal computer is a client which must be connected to a server in order to be able to run applications.
In the context of the present invention the term personal digital assistant (PDA) is defined as a small mobile hand-held device that provides computing and information storage and retrieval capabilities.
The telecommunication device may be adapted to communicate via a public or private cellular telecommunication system. The cellular system may be based on analogue or digital technology. Examples of such systems are NMT, GSM, UMTS, AMPS, CDMA and DECT.
The ID may be a telephone number and/or an URL address and/or an IP-address and/or URI address such as an email address, etc.
In one embodiment the steps of the method according to the first aspect is performed in the following order:
1. identifying an interaction between the first and a second telecommunication device,
2. retrieving on the first telecommunication device an ID associated with the second telecommunication device, 3. transmitting the ID from the first telecommunication device to the data processing device,
4. connecting the data processing device to at least one external database,
5. retrieving information associated with ID, from the external database, and
6. generating the data structure comprising the ID and at least a part of the information associated with the ID.
In another embodiment the generation of the data structure is performed in several steps/versions; a first version of the data structure is generated upon receipt of the ID and a second version is generated upon receipt of the information associated with the ID. The first version may be based on immediately accessible data located on the data processing device and the second version may further comprise information retrieved via the internet. As the latter information may not be accessible immediately, the second version may be presented to the user when the needed information is retrieved from the internet. This provides the advantage that the user needs not to wait until all information is ready to be presented before answering the call. On the contrary, the user may answer the communication request right away, based on the immediately accessible information.
The step of connecting to the database may comprise the steps of forwarding a request for access to the database and answering a request from the database for a user-ID and a pass- phrase.
The step of retrieving may comprise the steps of
- forwarding the ID to the database, requesting information relating to the ID, and
- receiving the information.
The step of generating the data structure may comprise the steps of
- collecting additional information
- selecting specific information using a predetermined criterion, and
- generating the data structure comprising the selected information.
In some embodiments the user may be prompted to select the relevant information from the additional information. As an example, if a plurality of users is registered in connection with the same ID the user may need to select a specific user. As an example this may be done during the telephone calls i.e. at a time it can be determined which of the registered users are actually calling.
The information associated with the ID may be displayed on a display of the data processing device and thus after the step of generating the data structure a step of displaying at least a part of the data structure in a display of the data processing device is performed. An advantage of presenting the information on the display of the data processing device is that the display of a telecommunication device normally is relatively smaller than the display of a data processing device and thus it is possible to present more information to the user on the data processing device - and in a more intelligible way.
Alternatively, the information associated with the ID may be displayed on the display of the first telecommunication device and thus after the data processing device has performed the step of generating the data structure, the data processing device transmits at least a part of the data structure to the first telecommunication device and displays at least a part of it on the display of the telecommunication device. An advantage of the latter is that the user needs not to be in front of the data processing device in order to see the additional information.
In one embodiment the data processing device and the first telecommunication device are connected via a wire connection, e.g. such that the first telecommunication device is placed in a cradle connected to the data processing device. Alternatively, the data processing device
and the first telecommunication device are adapted to communicate via a wireless connection and the step of transmitting comprises the step of transmitting the ID from the first telecommunication device to the data processing device via the wireless connection.
In the present invention distinction is made between public and non-public databases and between internal and external databases:
- The term public database comprises any database publicly available with or without a payment of a fee, subscription or any other remuneration. One example of a public database is a telephone directory which is free of charge. Another example is public pay per view financial database.
- The term non-public database is understood as databases comprising confidential or sensitive data which can only be accessed by an authorised group of members. Accordingly, the non-public database may not be accessed by any member of the public, not even if this member of the public is willing to pay for access. One example of such a non-public database is a database comprising sensitive health care information about a group of people. Another example is a corporate database only accessible by members of the corporate organisation.
- The term internal database relates to a database located on the data processing device whereas the term external database relates to a database which is located externally to the data processing device. The external databases may be local or remote. By local is meant that the database is located on a non-public network e.g. a company's internal network and by remote is meant that the database is located on a public network e.g. the internet.
In the context of the present invention a non-public database may be both internal and external, in some cases even at the same time. Analogously, a public database may be both internal and external.
The step of connecting to at least one external database may comprise the step of connecting to a non-public database and the step of retrieving may comprise the step of retrieving information associated with the ID from said non-public database. Such a non-public database may be a local database e.g. used in connection with a company's email system. Another example of a non-public database is a customer database e.g. implemented in a financial system or a case management system. By searching such a database the recent information relating to the recent interactions may be retrieved and presented to the user.
Moreover, the step of connecting to at least one external database may comprise the step of connecting to a public database and the step of retrieving may comprise the step of retrieving information associated with the ID from said public database. One example of such a public database is a remote database such as an internet based telephone directory or a site comprising financial information.
In systems adapted to search both non-public and public databases, the steps of connecting to and retrieving from the non-public database may be performed prior to the step of connecting to and retrieving from the public database. The non-public database may be a local database connected to the data processing device via an non-public network which normally has larger data transfer capacity than a public network and, thus, it may be possible to retrieve information faster via the non-public network.
However, instead of postponing search via the public network until a result from a search conducted via the non-public network is available the searching and retrieval of information may be performed both via the non-public and the public network at the same time. One advantage of the tatter is that if the search on the non-public network is negative, the search on the public network is already being performed.
The data processing device may comprise an internal database, and the method may further comprise the step of connecting to the internal database and the step of retrieving information associated with the ID. Such an internal database may be contacts database in an email application.
Moreover, the step of connecting to and retrieving from the internal database may performed prior to or concurrently with the step of connecting to the at least one external database.
In one embodiment the databases may be searched in the following order
1. internal database(s), 2. non-public database(s), and
3. public database(s).
In another embodiment the order the databases are searched in, is not determined on the type of database, but by the data transfer capacity to and from the database and thus databases are searched in the following order:
1. internal database(s),
2. local database(s), i.e. databases connected to non-public network(s), and
3. remote database(s), i.e. databases connected to public network(s).
Upon a call a small notice may be displayed in the display of the data processing device. The user may then choose to reject the call or to receive the additional information and/or answer the call. This may be done by choosing a virtual button on the screen or by pushing an actual button on the keyboard of the data processing device. As an example a special version of the keyboard may be used in connection with the present invention. The special keyboard may comprise the following additional buttons:
Reject call - whereby the call in terminated.
Silence call - whereby the phone continues to ring but the ringing sound is turned off.
Present additional information - whereby the retrieved information is presented on the screen, in the way set up by the user.
- Answer call - whereby the call in answered.
The method may furthermore comprise the step of analysing the ID, so as to derive a first sub-ID from a range of first sub-IDs, and so as to derive a second sub-ID. In one embodiment the first sub-ID is a country code of a telephone number and the second sub-ID is the telephone number as it may be dialled within said country. E.g. the ID may be the German telephone number 49-89/2399-4465, wherein the l49' is the national telephone code for Germany, '89' is the area code for Munich and '2399-4465' is a telephone number in the Munich area. Thus, when the step of analysing is performed '49' maybe identified as the first sub-ID and '89/2399-4465' may be identified as the second sub-ID.
Furthermore, the step of connecting to an external database may comprises the step of determining an external database relating to IDs comprising the first sub-ID and connecting to said external first sub-ID database and the step of retrieving information associated with the ID may comprise the step of searching the external first sub-ID database so as to determine an ID comprising at least the second sub-ID. In the aforementioned example the first sub-ID is identified as the German national code '49' and the second sub-ID is identified as the German telephone number '89/2399-4465'. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the method the search for the telephone number may be limited to a database containing German telephone numbers.
In yet another embodiment the method furthermore comprises the step of deriving a third sub-ID. Accordingly, in the abovementioned example the German telephone number '89/2399-4465' may be identified as relating to a second sub-ID '89' and to a third sub-ID '2399-4465'. As the second sub-ID relates to a an area code, in this case the area code for Munich, it is possible to limit the search to a database comprising telephone numbers relating to the Munich area.
In one embodiment the search for additional information in an external database is initially limited to databases or parts of databases relating to one or two of: the first sub-ID, the second sub-ID and the third sub-ID. If the initial search is unsuccessful the search for additional information may additionally be conducted in other databases.
In a second aspect the present invention relates to a system for generating a data structure on a data processing device, the system being adapted to initiate the generation on the basis of an interaction between a first and a second telecommunication device, said first telecommunication device comprising communication means for wireless telecommunication, the system being adapted to generate the data structure on the basis of an ID associated with the second telecommunication device, the data processing device and the first telecommunication device being adapted to communicate with each other so as to enable transfer of the ID from the first telecommunication device to the data processing device, the data processing device being connected to an external database and being adapted to retrieve data associated with the ID from the external database and wherein the data processing device has one of:
- a larger data storing capacity,
- a larger data processing capacity and
- a larger data transfer capacity,
relative to the first telecommunication device.
The data processing device may comprise a display and the data processing device may be adapted to display at least a part of the data structure on said display. As described above, the information associated with the ID may be displayed on a display of the data processing device and/or the first telecommunication device.
The data processing device and the first telecommunication device may each comprise a wireless communication device and wherein the first telecommunication device is adapted to communicate the ID to the data processing device via the wireless communication devices. The aforementioned description relating to the wireless connection according to the first aspect also apply to the second aspect of the invention and e.g. the wireless connection may be used to transmit the ID from the first telecommunication device to the data processing device.
The system may comprise a non-public database and the data processing device may be adapted to connect to the non-public database and the data processing device may be adapted to retrieve information associated with the ID from said non-public database.
Furthermore the system may comprise a public database and the data processing device may be adapted to connect to the public database and wherein the data processing device is adapted to retrieve information associated with the ID from said public database.
The data processing device may be adapted to connect to and retrieve from the non-public database prior to connecting to and retrieving from the public database.
The system may comprise a local database and the data processing device may be adapted to connect to the local database and the data processing device may be adapted to retrieve information associated with the ID from said local database.
The system may comprise a remote database and the data processing device may be adapted to connect to the remote database and the data processing device may be adapted to retrieve information associated with the ID from said remote database.
The data processing device may be adapted to connect to and retrieve from the local database prior to connecting to and retrieving from the remote database.
The data processing device may comprise an internal database, and the data processing device may be adapted to connect to the internal database and to retrieve information associated with the ID from said internal database.
The data processing device may be adapted to connect and retrieve from the internal database prior to connecting to and retrieving from the external database.
The description under the first aspect relating to connection to, retrieving from and searching internal and external databases also applies to the second aspect of the invention.
The data storing capacity of the data processing device may be 100 times larger the data storing capacity of the first telecommunication device, such as 500 times larger, such as 1000 times larger, such as 5000 times larger.
The data processing capacity of the data processing device may be 100 times larger the data processing capacity of the first telecommunication device, such as 500 times larger, such as 1000 times larger, such as 5000 times larger.
The data transfer capacity between the data processing device and the external database(s) may be 2 times larger than the data transfer capacity between the first telecommunication
device and the data processing device, such as 5 times larger, such as 10 times larger, such as 50 times larger.
As the first and the second aspect of the invention relates to the same invention - claimed as a method and a system, any feature or element of the first aspect of the invention may be combined with any feature or element of the second aspect of the invention.
In a third aspect the present invention relates to a method for generating a data structure on a data processing device, the device being adapted to communicate with a first telecommunication device, the method comprising the steps of:
- identifying a request for an interaction between the first and a second telecommunication device,
- determining whether the request for interaction relate to an interaction between the second telecommunication device and a third telecommunication device,
- sending a request to the second telecommunication device for an ID relating to the third telecommunication device, - retrieving on the data processing device the ID provided by the second telecommunication device,
- connecting the data processing device to at least one external database,
- retrieving information associated with ID, from the external database, and
- generating the data structure comprising the ID and at least a part of the information associated with the ID.
Any feature or element of the first, second and fourth aspect of the present invention may be combined with any feature or element of the third aspect of the invention.
The first telecommunication device may be a telecommunication device for wired or wireless telecommunication e.g. based on standards such as PSTN, ISDN, GSM, DECT.
The second telecommunication device may be adapted to establish one or more telecommunication lines. In one embodiment the device is adapted to establish at least two lines and thus the call between the first and the second telecommunication device may be established on one line while the call between the second and the third telecommunication device is established on a second line.
The step of determining may comprise the step of sending a request to second telecommunication device for an ID relating to an interaction between the second
telecommunication device and a possible third telecommunication device and determining whether the received ID relates to the ID of second telecommunication device. If the ID relates to the ID of the second telecommunication device it may indicate that the call from the second telecommunication device is not a call which is being transferred from the third telecommunication device.
The step of sending a request may comprise the step of sending a request from the data processing device via the first telecommunication device and/or a data connection for an ID relating to the third telecommunication device. An example of a data connection is an intranet connection. The data connection may be one of a wireless or a wired data connection, such as LAN, WLAN, Ethernet, IP.
In a fourth aspect the present invention relates to a system for generating a data structure on a data processing device connected to a first telecommunication via a first data connection, the data processing device furthermore being connected to a second telecommunication device via a second data connection, the data processing device being adapted to identify a request for an interaction between the first and a second telecommunication device, and being adapted to determine whether the request for interaction relate to an interaction between the second telecommunication device and a third telecommunication device, the data processing device further being adapted to send a request to the second telecommunication device for an ID relating to the third telecommunication device, the data processing device being adapted to retrieve the ID provided by the second telecommunication device, the data processing device being adapted to connect to at least one external database and to retrieve information associated with ID, from said external database, and the data processing device furthermore being adapted to generate the data structure comprising the ID and at least a part of the information associated with the ID.
Any feature or element of the first, second and third aspect of the present invention may be combined with any feature or element of the fourth aspect of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system according to the present invention,
Fig. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a subscriber ID modification and analysing process, and
Fig. 3a-3c illustrate a method of transferring a call via a switchboard according to the third aspect of the invention.
Fig. 1 illustrates a first telecommunication device/mobile terminal (A) connected to a data processing device in the form of a Personal Computer (B) by means of a local wireless, or cable connection (Bl). The Personal Computer (B) comprises one or more internal databases (D), e.g. in the form of address books, and is, by means of wired or wireless connection (El & Fl), connected to one or more local databases/directories (E) and/or to one or more remote databases/directories (F). The first telecommunication device (A) is connected to a Public Land Mobile Radio Network (PLMN) such as GSM (Global System for Mobile communication), CDMA (Code-Division Multiple Access), W-CDMA (Wideband Code-Division Multiple Access), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service), TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) or a non-public network such as WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) or DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telephony) or similar.
In the following different embodiments of the present invention is described in further detail
Embodiment 1
In a first embodiment the ID is obtained prior to responding to a communication request. The ID is known as CLI (Caller Line Identification). Upon a request from a second telecommunication device to the first telecommunication device, the first telecommunication device analyses information contained in the request. If the information comprises an ID, the ID is retrieved. If no ID is present a request for the ID is sent to the PLMN network and an ID is retrieved from the answer from the network. The retrieved ID is afterwards transmitted to the data processing device (the personal computer B). If no ID can be retrieved, the first telecommunication device sends a message to the data processing device, that no ID is available.
The communication between the data processing device (personal computer B) and the first telecommunication device (mobile terminal A) is based on standardised and/or proprietary communication protocol and is initiated by a polling or event driven mechanism.
A software application (C) of the Personal Computer (B) uses the CLI data string in either original and/or modified format, to search one or more internal databases (D) e.g. address books, and/or one or more local databases/directories (E) and/or to one or more remote databases/directories (F), for information associated with the ID. Such additional information may be subscriber details of the calling party. On the basis of the ID and the additional information a data string is generated on the personal computer.
Hereafter at least a part of the data string is presented on the display of the Personal Computer (B) and/or displayed on a display of the Mobile Terminal (A) after having been transferred to it.
Embodiment 2
In a second embodiment the ID is obtained after responding to or initiating a communication request. The ID is known as COL (Connected Line Identification), which may be obtained when a call has been established. Accordingly, it is irrelevant whether the first telecommunication device (Mobile A) is the calling party or the called party.
During a communication between the first telecommunication device and a second telecommunication device, the data processing device send a request for the ID relating to the second telecommunication device to the first telecommunication device. If the first telecommunication device has not been able to retrieve the ID from the request using the method described under embodiment 1, the first telecommunication device sends a request for the ID (COL) to the PLMN network through which the communication is transmitted. When the ID (COL) is received by the first telecommunication device, the device transmits the ID to the data processing device using either a standardised or a proprietary communication protocol and initiated by a polling or event driven mechanism
The ID is used in search and is displayed, as described under embodiment 1.
Embodiment 3
The first and the second embodiment relates to mobile terminals comprising a communication protocol for communication between the first telecommunication device and the data processing device which enables remote retrieval of the ID from the data processing device via the first telecommunication device. However, some wireless telecommunication devices do not comprise such protocols and thus a software application must be loaded into the telecommunication device in order to make it possible for the data processing device to retrieve the ID.
Accordingly, in the third embodiment a software application is loaded into first telecommunication device. The software application is adapted to obtaining the ID (CLI or COL) from the PLMN. This is done using an API (Application Program Interface) to the protocol of the PLMN (Public Land Mobile Radio Network) and/or the native protocol of the PLMN (Public Land Mobile Radio Network).
In case of a Symbian™ based telecommunication device the software application may be transferred to the telecommunication device from the data processing devices using a local wired or wireless connection such as a Bluetooth™ connection, alternatively the software application may be downloaded to the telecommunications device from an Internet WEB site.
The software application may be started manually by the user of the telecommunication devices or the telecommunication device may be configured to launch the software application automatically during the power on process.
In case of a Symbian™ based telecommunication device the software application may utilise the ETeI Symbian telephony server API to obtain CLI and/or COL ID. The obtained ID may be transferred to the data processing device, using a local wired or wireless connection, by means of a polling or event driven mechanism, based on a standardised or proprietary communication protocol.
Embodiment 4
In the previous three embodiments, the ID (CLI or COL) is typically of a numeric type (i.e. a telephone number). However, the ID may also be based on characters such as letters, special symbols etc.
Accordingly, in a third embodiment the ID is based on IP address (Internet Protocol), or various Session Initiating Protocols, including SIP (Session Initiating Protocols), or URI's
(Uniform Resource Identifier). Examples of such ID are web-addresses such as www.epo.org or email addresses such as info@epo.org.
Analogously, these IDs are subjected to searches and display in order to present at least a part of additional information associated with the ID.
Embodiment 5
In a fifth embodiment the obtained ID (e.g. CLI or COL), and/or additional information associated with the ID is used to at least one of:
- Creating a communication log,
- Generating a file/data string used in connection with another software application adapted to be executed on the data processing. The file/data string comprising at least a
part of the ID and/or at least a part of the additional information. E.g. invoice is generated or a letter is generated,
- Creating, Updating, merging, or deleting a file/data string used in connection with another software application. E.g. generating diary entry in electronic calendar, or updating a file used in connection with statistical processing or updating data in a local non-public database with information obtained from a external public or non-public database,
- executing a further software application, e.g. a software application used in connection with Statistical processing, or generating and transmitting message to third party including an ID and additional information associated with the ID,
Providing the ID (e.g. CLI or CLO) to upper layer CTI (Computer Telephony Interface) applications on the Personal Computer (B), or connected network resource, using a standardised and/or proprietary CTI interface, including TAPI (Telephony Application Program Interface), and JTAPI (Java Telephony Application Programming Interface). - Automatically rejecting, holding, parking, rerouting, diverting, transferring or accepting communication request, based on an ID and/or information associated with the ID,
- Automatically initiating data or voice recording, tracking, etc., based on the ID and/or information associated with the ID,
- Automatically enabling, disabling or changing default alerting/ringing signal and/or other means of visual or audio signalling, based on the ID and/or information associated with the ID.
Embodiment 6
In connection with use of switchboards it is a common problem that when a telephone call from a second telecommunication device is transferred from the switchboard to a first telecommunication device, the ID transmitted to the first telecommunication device is not the true ID of the second telecommunication device. In some switchboard systems a part of the ID of the second telecommunication device is removed, while in other systems the transferred ID does not comprise any parts of the ID of the second telecommunication device by only information relating to the ID of the switchboard.
Accordingly, it is not possible to derive additional information associated with the second telecommunication device using the ID transmitted by the switchboard. The sixth embodiment provides a solution to this problem, by retrieving the ID from the switchboard relating to the telecommunication device calling the switchboard.
Fig. 3a illustrates the normal process of transferring a call trough a switchboard. A call from a second telecommunication device (A) is received at the switchboard S on the
telecommunication line n. The call is answered by the operator by means of the handset of switchboard S. This is indicated by the terminal B, which is not a separate terminal but a part of the switchboard and may thus be seen as a virtual terminal. When the destination of the call has been identified, the operator makes a call to the destination terminal D using the connection m and the terminal C, which is also a virtual terminal. On the terminal D the incoming call is indicated as being from the switchboard and information relating to the terminal A cannot be seen. The call is transferred from the terminal B to the terminal D by making a connection between the virtual terminals within the switchboard as indicated by the arrow between terminal B and C.
The abovementioned transfer of calls may be (e.g. Explicit Call Transfer, Centrex based, Parlay/OSA or similar technique). The switchboard may be manual or automatic.
Fig. 3b illustrates a process of transferring a call and the ID relating to the caller.
When a call is received at the switchboard by the virtual terminal B and on an incoming telephone line n, the ID of the terminal A is retrieved and stored temporarily. As described above the terminal C is used to establish a call to the destination terminal D. Upon receipt of a call the terminal D analyses the ID of the caller. If the ID belongs to a predetermined group of IDs, the terminal D does not use the ID to retrieve additional information. Instead a request is sent from the data processing device via the terminal D or an internal data connection to the calling party in this case the switchboard, for the ID of terminal A. Upon the request, the switchboard forwards the temporarily stored ID of terminal A to the data processing device via terminal D or a data connection, so as to enable retrieval of additional information associated with the ID of terminal A. Said data connection may be a wired or wireless connection such as WLAN, LAN, Ethernet etc.
In some embodiments a data processing device connected to the switchboard retrieves information associated with the ID of terminal A while the connection is made to the terminal D and when the call is transferred the retrieved information is forwarded to the data processing device connected to the terminal D by means of a data connection such as an intranet connection.
Fig. 3c illustrates an alternative process wherein the ID of terminal C is changes such that the terminal D receives the ID of terminal A and thus a data processing device connected to terminal A may retrieve additional information relating to terminal A
Embodiment 7
The seventh embodiment relates to search for additional information relating to an ID, by determining at least one sub-ID so as to focus the search on databases comprising ID which include said sub-ID. Such a sub-ID could be a country code or a regional identifier. The ID may be retrieved in connection with receiving or initiation a communication request.
Fig. 2 illustrates the steps of the seventh embodiment. In a first step called 'Format ID string function' the ID is analysed so as to identify whether the ID comprises an international ID. Accordingly, the ID may be examined for the presence of international access code character "+" as defined by GSM 04.08 Layer 3 specification, or "00", "001", "011" or other international dial prefix.
If no country code is identified in the ID, the step 'local country code requester' is performed whereby the country code of operation i.e. the country code of the country in which the first telecommunication device is located, is added to the ID. This done based on the assumption that the calling party is located within the same country network as the first telecommuni¬ cation device, and on the assumption that for calls within the country the ID does not comprise country code. Furthermore, if no regional identifier is present in the ID it is assumed that the calling party is located within the same region as the first telecommunication device, and the regional identifier of the first telecommunication device is added to the ID.
In cases wherein the first telecommunication device is a wireless telecommunication device the step 'local country code requester' comprises a step of requesting the country code relating to the first telecommunication device. In connection with GSM telecommunication this is the so called MCC (Mobile Country Code) as defined by GSM 03.03 and ITU recommendation E.212.
Afterwards the step of 'search routing engine' is performed. The step is described in detail further below.
If an international country code is identifiable in the ID the step of 'country code digit analysis' is performed, whereby the length of the country code is determined. Accordingly to the ITU E.164 recommendation the country code can be of one to tree digits. The first significant digit indicates the overall global region, and may be used to determinate whether the country code comprises further digits, i.e. more than one digit. Analogously, the second digit may be used to determine whether the country code comprises further digits, i.e. more than two digits. Accordingly, the 'country code digit analysis' comprises the following steps.
1. Determine the value of the first, second and third digit.
2. Determining the region and country using the following criteria
- value of first digit = 1 indicates the North America and Caribbean region. The country code is all ways of 1 digit. The following 3 digits belong to the NANP (The North American Numbering Plan), and indicates country, state, territory or sub region. (In the following known as regional identifier)
- Value of first digit = 2 indicates the African continent. In order to determinate whether the country code is of 2 or 3 digits, the next Significant Digit is examined. If the next Significant Digit is <> 0 or 7 the country code is of 3 digits, otherwise it is of 2 digits. - Value of first digit = 3 indicates the European continent. In order to determinate if the country code is of 2 or 3 digits, the next Significant Digit is examined. If the next Significant Digit is = 5, 7, or 8 the country code is of 3 digits, otherwise of 2 digits.
- Value of first digit = 4 indicates the European continent. In order to determinate if the country code is of 2 or 3 digits, the next Significant Digit is examined. If the next Significant Digit is = 2 the country code is of 3 digits, otherwise of 2 digits.
- Value of first digit = 5 indicates the Central and South America region. In order to determinate if the country code is of 2 or 3 digits, the next Significant Digit is examined. If the next Significant Digit is = 0 or 9 the country code is of 3 digits, otherwise of 2 digits.
- Value of first digit = 6 indicates the Oceania, South Pacific region. In order to determinate if the country code is of 2 or 3 digits, the next Significant Digit is examined. If the next Significant Digit is = 7, 8, or 9 the country code is of 3 digits, otherwise of 2 digits.
- Value of first digit = 7 indicates the former USSR region, and the country code is all ways of one digit. The following 3 digits indicates country, state, territory or sub region. (In the following known as regional identifier)
- Value of first digit = 8 indicates the East Asia region. In order to determinate if the country code is of 2 or 3 digits, the next Significant Digit is examined. If the next Significant Digit is = 0, 5, 7, or 8 the country code is of 3 digits, otherwise of 2 digits.
- Value of first digit = 9 indicates the Middle East, South-West Asia region. In order to determinate if the country code is of 2 or 3 digits, the next Significant Digit is examined. If the next Significant Digit is = 6, 7, or 9 the country code is of 3 digits, otherwise of 2 digits.
When the country code has been established, the step of 'search routing engine' is performed, whereby the database/directory most likely to contain additional information
relating to the ID is determined. This is done by looking up the at least a part of the ID in a table comprising information about ID databases and the IDs each ID database relate to. As an example the data processing device may comprise a table comprising information about telephone number databases from different telecommunication providers within a region. Alternatively, the table may be located in a local database or a remote database. The table may relate to any kind of IDs as described in the preceding sections. As an example if the first three digits are 358 the aforementioned steps may be used to determine that the telephone number relates to a Finnish telephone number and the most likely directories to search for a match is one or more Finnish directories.
Afterwards the step of 'search engine' may be performed based on the result of the 'search routing engine'. The step 'search engine' comprises connecting the most likely directories and searching for additional information as described elsewhere in this document.
Embodiment 8
According to a eight embodiment data string on the data processing device may comprise an ID which may be forwarded by the data processing device to a first telecommunication device via a wireless or a wired connection so as to initiate a call from the first telecommunication device to a second telecommunication device relating to the transferred ID.
As an example a user may upon presentation of a telephone number on the data processing device copy the telephone number by marking the number and in a menu choose the initiate a call to the ID contained in the clipboard. The result is that the data processing device established a connection to the first telecommunication device e.g. a mobile telephone and forwards the telephone number with a request for initiation of a call to the telecommunication device associated with the telephone number.
Any feature and/or element of any embodiment may be combined with any feature and/or element of any embodiment and/or aspect of the invention.