Unified message system and method
A unified messaging system, method and user interface is provided for a handheld mobile communication device. The method may include the following steps: (a) receiving a notification signal at the wireless device via the wireless data channel indicating that the unified messaging system received and stored a voice mail message intended for a user of the wireless device; (b) transmitting a command signal from the wireless device to the unified messaging system via the wireless data channel, the command signal including a message retrieval command; (c) receiving via the wireless voice channel a voice call initiated by a voice mail system component of the unified messaging system in response to the message retrieval command transmitted from the wireless device; and (d) receiving the voice mail message from the unified messaging system via the wireless voice channel.
This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. Pat. No. 11/857,560 filed on Sep. 19, 2007, which in turn is a continuation of and claims priority to US 10/051,697, filed on Jan. 18, 2002, which in turn claims priority from United States Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/262,575 filed on Jan. 18, 2001. All of these prior filed applications are hereby incorporated by reference into this application.
FIELDThe present invention is directed toward remote control of a host system with a dual-mode mobile communications device (mobile device). Specifically a method is disclosed for seamlessly integrating PBX services, including voice mail services, into a mobile device for control by the user.
BACKGROUNDThere are very few systems that allow remote control of host systems from mobile devices. There are no known solutions that use a dual-mode mobile device to remotely control PBX and voice mail systems. In the area of related art the closest solution known to the author uses a browser-like method for controlling file viewing, file printing and file re-routing like to a fax machine. Some of these solutions can also act like a terminal emulator and thus allow the user to login to the company network and act like any other terminal user. These types of solutions are very far from what is described in this patent. In the field of phone technology there are also methods to call a service provider and turn call forwarding on or off, and change the call forwarding number. In this area an individual home phone, office phone, or cell phone can adjust some of the operating parameters but this has no multi-discipline effect on both voice and data information.
It is naturally possible to use two devices to perform some of the actions described in this patent, but these solutions have lots of problems and are prone to errors. For example one device is inevitably turned off, or has out of battery, or is out of reach in a suitcase or a travel bag. The elegance of having full control over the PBX and voice system is the ideal solution. There is also the problem of costs for all these devices to solve problems of data and voice notifications. By adding costs and requiring multiple devices to solve simple problems the number of users will to purchase such a solution goes down very quickly. Finally, there is a complete lack of elegance when two devices are required to deal with both voice and data to proper control over the host system. The mobile user expects simplicity and ease of use when deal with notifications, and acting upon notifications.
Therefore, there remains an important area of remote control of a host system, from a dual-mode mobile communication device, that has not been satisfied.
SUMMARYA unified messaging system, method and user interface is provided for a handheld mobile communication device. The method may include the following steps: (a) receiving a notification signal at the wireless device via the wireless data channel indicating that the unified messaging system received and stored a voice mail message intended for a user of the wireless device; (b) transmitting a command signal from the wireless device to the unified messaging system via the wireless data channel, the command signal including a message retrieval command; (c) receiving via the wireless voice channel a voice call initiated by a voice mail system component of the unified messaging system in response to the message retrieval command transmitted from the wireless device; and (d) receiving the voice mail message from the unified messaging system via the wireless voice channel.
With reference to
Turning now to
The components that make up a unified messaging solution can vary, depending on the sophistication of the unified messaging service and the goal of the service provider. Generally all services are protected by a firewall environment, this is especially important as most services are accessible through the Internet 135. Unified messaging services 115 can include but is not limited to e-mail support, web site access and phone/voice-mail services. By leveraging the data component of the unified messaging service 115, the phone services component can provide notification and other types of features. Where necessary the unified messaging service 115 uses the Internet to exchange information with the worldwide web, and with mobile devices 100. Within most corporate locations (A) the availability of phone services is standard. The corporation often has PBX access to allow the corporate phone system access to a certain capacity of phone circuits from the phone company. Many companies also purchase additional services with their PBX system. Such additional service include Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems to provide call routing, call services and voice-mail. When calls arrive into the corporate user, the system is programmed to ring the desktop phone of the user for a certain number of rings before sending the call to voice-mail. As shown in detail in
Both the corporate location (A) and the ISP/ASP (B) have links to the Internet 135 for exchanging information with mobile devices 100, and for general Internet 135 access for information and content. This physical connection 130 would use a range of existing data communication technologies including but not limited to Ethernet, Cable Modem, DSL, ISDN, Frame Relay over any number of physical cables like Ti or fiber. These connections will not be discussed with other diagrams, as they are very well known by those skilled in the art.
The term wireless network 150 has been used in two contexts (1) the data-centric wireless network 150a and (2) the voice-centric wireless network 150b. For one skilled in the art, it has been stated that these two networks can be merged into one single network that can support both voice and data communications over the same physical network. The newest of these combined networks include, but are not limited to (1) the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network , (2) the Groupe Special Mobile or the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) both developed by the standards committee of CEPT, and (3) the future third-generation (3G) networks like EDGE and UMTS. GPRS is a data overlay on-top of the very popular GSM wireless network. Some older examples of data-centric network include, but are not limited to: (1) the Mobitex Radio Network (“Mobitex”), which has been developed by Eritel and Ericsson of Sweden, and is operated by Cingular in the United States, and (2) the DataTAC Radio Network (“DataTAC”), which has been developed by Motorola and is operated by American Mobile Satellite Corporation (AMSC) now called Motient, in the United States.
The network carrier location (C) 105c preferably includes the necessary infrastructure that makes up the wireless network 150, and other supporting computers. For one skilled in the art the components within the wireless network 150 are well known and include base stations, and routing nodes like SGSN and GGSN nodes in a GSM/GPRS network. As network carriers are trying to differentiate their services, and acquire greater revenue from the wireless user, they are installing value-added services 145. These include unified messaging services 115c, Internet services like portals 145b and phone services 145c. A phone service, to support basic calls to cell phones, has been part of cellular networks since their creation. Some of services include, but are not limited to: voice-mail support, call forwarding, call holding, call waiting and advanced 411-call dialing. Network carriers 105c are also installing advanced services that support inter-connection between services. This allows for voice-mail systems to inform mobile device 100 users when voice-mail messages have been deposited into their voice-mailbox. This invention then allows these same users to take the next step and act upon that notification seamlessly from their mobile device.
With reference to
Turning now to
In this first embodiment, the first step (1) is the arrival of incoming phone calls for a given user, that is out of the office. These phone calls 230 can be coming from the outside world, over a T1 line or some other truck line, or coming from other phones 125 within the company PBX system 120. The company's PBX system 120 gets no answer at the user's desktop and performs step (2) by sending the call to the voice-mail system 225. This voice-mail system may be a direct part of the existing PBX, or an added solution, i.e. a separate physical computer system. The PBX and voice-mail system 120 will place the call in the user's voice-mail mailbox 225 until it is played, forwarded, deleted or accessed in some other action by the user. Naturally, the voice-mail solution 120 stores a large number of voice mail messages, and each voice message is given an identifier or reference number so the user can proceed through them in an orderly fashion. Interfacing to the voice-mail system is a voice-mail interface 210c, which uses an Application Program Interface (API) to interact with the voice-mail system and the PBX system. This is similar to the API used to access mail 210b, previously referenced as POP3 or IMAP4. Additionally, a web interface might exist 210a for access Internet content and web pages.
At step (3) the voice-mail interface 210c detects the arrival of a new voice-mail message saved in the message store 225. If there is a mobile device 100 configured for that voice-mail mailbox, then the unified messaging system 115 sends a notification message of the call to the mobile device 100. Configuration information for the unified messaging system is preferably kept within a database for all mobile device 100 users 215. In one embodiment, this database might have both configuration information and actual messages being delivered to mobile devices 100. These messages serve as references for the user in case they want to perform additional functions, like getting more data of an e-mail message. The notification message is sent to the mobile device 100 through the Internet via the wireless network; except if the unified messaging server 115 resides in the network carrier's infrastructure domain, then it can send directly to the mobile device 100 via the wireless network. The notification message preferably includes one or more of the following pieces of information:
-
- message waiting indicator—this is an indicator or flag in the header of a the notification message. Where a SMS message means is used as the notification message, the message waiting indicator indicates it is a voice mail notification type of SMS message.
- Voice-mail message reference identification—this uniquely identifies the message within the user's voice mailbox at the user's voice mailbox.
- Voice-mail access telephone number—for calling back into the voice mail system.
- Caller ID—calling line identity of the caller who left the voice mail message, if available.
- Date and time of call
The summary message preferably contains information like the caller id, message call length, message reference number, time it was received and any other information it can get from the caller information. In an alterative embodiment, the unified messaging component is fully integrated into the PBX and voice-mail system 120. In this embodiment, there is only one piece of software that performs both these functions.
Once the user has received the summary message of the voice mail message on the mobile device 100 they are notified using several methods. The device might begin to vibrate, it might give an audible tone or a combination of both. The user then has the option of responding to the message by opening it and performing the next action. The user might also choose to ignore the message and it will reside in the unified event listing 250 that shows all voice and data events in a single event listing. The unified event listing is preferably a reflection of the events that occurred in the unified messaging server 115 (such as, but not limited to incoming email messages received at the user's account at the user's office, faxes received at a fax number associated with the user, voice mail messages) and within the mobile device 100 by the user (such as, but not limited to outgoing email messages generated at the mobile device, telephone call logs). This list can be sorted by the user to show all chronological events, only outgoing e-mail events, only outgoing phone events, incoming phone events or any other category of event available on the mobile device 100. A summary message or summary descriptor preferably comprises of one or more information elements. In a preferred embodiment, the one or more information elements includes one or more of the following: an graphical icon, a time stamp of when the event was received on or transmitted from the mobile, subject line and sender's name.
In this embodiment, the next step occurs when the user of the mobile device 100 opens the voice-mail summary message to listen to the message. A summary of one type of visual display used on the mobile device 100 is shown in
Once the user selects the Play/Connect action, the mobile device 100 takes step 4 shown on
Turning now to
In step 5 the voice-mail interface 210c uses preferably the PBX/voice-mail API calls to provide an outgoing voice circuit where a call is made preferably to the configured number for that user or the mobile device. The user is able to override this number by configuring another number in the mobile device 100 that will accompany the data command. Otherwise if the override number is absent, the default number will be used. There are several advantages to this method. First, the method provides greater security for both systems. The PBX/voice-mail system knows which mobile device number to call, and an incoming connection cannot be impersonated. This security can be further improved by removing the option within the mobile device 100 to override the default cell phone number. Secondly, in some wireless cellular networks the costs of accepting an incoming cell phone call is less then making an outgoing cell phone call.
When the PBX/voice-mail system 120 calls the mobile device, the mobile device may be configured to recognize the caller Id of the PBX/voice-mail system 120. This ability to recognize the incoming call is from the PBX/voice-mail system preferably allows the incoming call to be automatically accepted by the mobile device without the need for user input or user intervention (i.e., press the “talk” or “pick up” button to accept the incoming). In a preferred embodiment, the mobile device suppresses the ring tones or other notification of incoming calls (i.e., vibration) associated with such incoming call. In one embodiment, the user of the mobile device is not prompted for voice mail system passwords, etc. In this manner, the retrieval of voice mail messages is seamless and transparent to the mobile device user. This seamless integration is possible because of the coordinated design between the two systems (the voice mail system and the mobile device). Similarly in
Turning now to
Where the device 100 is enabled for two-way communications, the device will incorporate a communication subsystem 311, including a receiver 312, a transmitter 314, and associated components such as one or more, preferably embedded or internal, antenna elements 316 and 318, local oscillators (LOs) 313, and a processing module such as a digital signal processor (DSP) 320. As will be apparent to those skilled in the field of communications, the particular design of the communication subsystem 311 will be dependent upon the communication network in which the device is intended to operate. For example, a mobile device 100 destined for a North American market may include a communication subsystem 311 designed to operate within the Mobitex™ mobile communication system or DataTAC™ mobile communication system, whereas a mobile device 100 intended for use in Europe may incorporate a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) communication subsystem 311.
Network access requirements will also vary depending upon the type of network 319. For example, in the Mobitex and DataTAC networks, mobile devices such as 100 are registered on the network using a unique personal identification number or PIN associated with each device. In GPRS networks however, network access is associated with a subscriber or user of a device 100. A GPRS device therefore requires a subscriber identity module (not shown), commonly referred to as a SIM card, in order to operate on a GPRS network. Without a SIM card, a GPRS device will not be fully functional. Local or non-network communication functions (if any) may be operable, but the mobile device 100 will be unable to carry out any functions involving communications over network 319. When required network registration or activation procedures have been completed, a mobile device 100 may send and receive communication signals over the network 319. Signals received by the antenna 316 through a communication network 319 are input to the receiver 312, which may perform such common receiver functions as signal amplification, frequency down conversion, filtering, channel selection and the like, and in the example system shown in
The DSP 320 not only processes communication signals, but also provides for receiver and transmitter control. For example, the gains applied to communication signals in the receiver 312 and transmitter 314 may be adaptively controlled through automatic gain control algorithms implemented in the DSP 320.
The mobile device 100 preferably includes a microprocessor 338 which controls the overall operation of the device. Communication functions, including at least data and voice communications, are performed through the communication subsystem 311. The microprocessor 338 also interacts with further device subsystems such as the display 322, flash memory 324, random access memory (RAM) 326, auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystems 328, serial port 330, keyboard 332, speaker 334, microphone 336, a short-range communications subsystem 340 and any other device subsystems generally designated as 342.
Some of the subsystems shown in
Operating system software used by the microprocessor 338 is preferably stored in a persistent store such as flash memory 324, which may instead be a read only memory (ROM) or similar storage element (not shown). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the operating system, specific device applications, or parts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store such as RAM 326. It is contemplated that received communication signals may also be stored to RAM 326. As shown the flash memory can be segregated into different areas for both computer programs 358, and program data storage 350, 352, 354 and 356. These different PIM storage types indicate that each program can allocate a portion of flash memory 324 for their own database requirements. Also shown as part of flash memory are sample memory elements 350. This might include but are not limited to configuration information, either entered by the user or part of the manufacturing process, device state information, like the current radio network and region being used, address book information and other PIM information like calendar, tasks and to do lists.
The microprocessor 338, in addition to its operating system functions, preferably enables execution of software applications on the device. A predetermined set of applications that control basic device operations, including at least data and voice communication applications for example, will normally be installed on the mobile device 100 during manufacture. A preferred application that may be loaded onto the device may be a personal information manager (PIM) application having the ability to organize and manage data items relating to the device user such as, but not limited to e-mail, calendar events, voice mails, appointments, and task items. Naturally, one or more memory stores would be available on the device to facilitate storage of PIM data items on the device. Such PIM application would preferably have the ability to send and receive data items, via the wireless network. In a preferred embodiment, the PIM data items are seamlessly integrated, synchronized and updated, via the wireless network, with the device user's corresponding data items stored or associated with a host computer system. Further applications may also be loaded onto the mobile device 100 through the network 319, an auxiliary I/O subsystem 328, serial port 330, short-range communications subsystem 340 or any other suitable subsystem 342, and installed by a user in the RAM 326 or preferably a non-volatile store (not shown) for execution by the microprocessor 338. Such flexibility in application installation and/or remote voice-mail system configuration increases the functionality of the device and may provide enhanced on-device functions, communication-related functions, or both. For example, secure communication applications may enable electronic commerce functions and other such financial transactions to be performed using the mobile device 100.
In a data communication mode, a received signal such as a text message or web page download will be processed by the communication subsystem 311 and input to the microprocessor 338, which will preferably further process the received signal for output to the display 322, or alternatively to an auxiliary I/O device 328. A user of mobile device 100 may also compose data items such as email messages for example, using the keyboard 332, which is preferably a complete alphanumeric keyboard or telephone-type keypad, in conjunction with the display 322 and possibly an auxiliary I/O device 328. Such composed items may then be transmitted over a communication network through the communication subsystem 311.
For voice communications, overall operation of the mobile device 100 is substantially similar, except that received signals would preferably be output to a speaker 334 and signals for transmission would be generated by a microphone 336. Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems such as a voice message recording subsystem may also be implemented on the mobile device 100. Although voice or audio signal output is preferably accomplished primarily through the speaker 334, the display 322 may also be used to provide an indication of the identity of a calling party, the duration of a voice call, or other voice call related information for example.
The serial port 330 in
A short-range communications subsystem 340 is a further optional component which may provide for communication between the mobile device 100 and different systems or devices, which need not necessarily be similar devices. For example, the subsystem 340 may include an infrared device and associated circuits and components or a Bluetooth™ communication module to provide for communication with similarly-enabled systems and devices.
D. Remote Control Over PBX SystemAnother aspect of the invention is a direct remote control over the office PBX system 120. The illustration shown in
Turning now to
Step (2) now takes places as the PBX and voice-mail interface 210c uses the applicable API to request resources from the PBX component 120. For our example this command is a request to set up a multiple-person conference call using the telephone numbers provided by the user in the original command. Preferably, the PBX system 120 sets up a voice call to the mobile device 100 since the mobile device is the requestor of the conference call and must be present. In step (3) the PBX system 120 then makes all necessary phone calls using phone circuits to call the other parties 270 specified by the user. In our example there are three calls shown, this could be reduced or increased depending on the system. As user's pick up the call they could be played a canned message, like ‘You are joining an electronically established conference call’. The organizer of the conference call might hear a beep or a signal each time a new caller is connected. Alternatively, as each new conference is successfully contacted by the PBX (a new voice call connection is established), the voice call connection may be promptly connected to the mobile device to establish the conference call. Step (3) completes when at least one call is established and the call proceeds. During the call the user that initiated the conference may ‘suspend the call’ or ‘end the call’. These actions would also be sent using commands back through the wireless network data channel to the unified messaging server 115. Alternatively, the mobile device, through user input, could play DTMF tones to the PBX system 120 to change the state of the conference call.
There are many advantages to establishing a conference call using this method including, but not limited to: cost savings to the user of the mobile device 100, there is improved reliability in establishing the call, and there is a time savings as conference calls can take a lot of effort to get established on a mobile phone. The increased reliability to the mobile user is realized if the mobile user happens to roam during the call itself. If the mobile phone goes into dead areas, or the call is dropped by the base stations, the circuit will be lost during the conference. If this were to happen the PBX system 120 would be programmed to re-call the user and establish the call again. In this way the PBX system 120 act as a proxy owner of the conference, not the mobile user, thus increasing the reliability and ensuring the conference continues despite bad wireless network coverage situations.
Turning now to
The incoming notification event might cause a dialog box to appear 280, similar to that shown in
Turning now to
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These are four examples of many preferred embodiments of a method and system for remotely controlling a host system from a dual-mode communications device. This invention also makes direct use of the patented invention for pushing information to a mobile data communications device. These two inventions augment each other to produce a dual-mode resulting action on a single device. Another interesting advanced implementation might allow a user of a dual-mode phone to co-ordinate a three-way video-phone call from the mobile device.
It will be appreciated that the above description relates to a preferred embodiment by way of example only. Many variations on the invention will be within the scope of those knowledgeable in the field, and such variations are within the scope of the invention as described and claimed, whether or not expressly described.
Claims
1. A method of multi-party communication using a wireless device, the method comprising:
- transmitting a conference request command over a data network to a unified messaging system;
- receiving a voice call at the wireless device from the unified messaging system, the voice call initiated by the unified messaging system in response to the transmitted conference request command from the wireless device; and
- receiving a voice call connection with a second wireless device and a third wireless device.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving a voice call connection with a second wireless device and a third wireless device comprises:
- receiving a voice connection between the second wireless device and the unified messaging system; and
- receiving a voice connection between the third wireless device and the unified messaging system.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the voice connection between the second wireless device and the unified messaging system was initiated by the unified messaging system and the voice connection between the third wireless device and the unified messaging system was initiated by the unified messaging system.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the conference request command includes a telephone number associated with the wireless device.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the conference request command includes a telephone number associated with the second wireless device and a telephone number associated with a third wireless device.
6. A method of multi-party communication using a unified messaging system, the method comprising:
- receiving a conference request command at the unified messaging center from a wireless device over a data network;
- making a voice call to the wireless device from the unified messaging system, the voice call initiated by the unified messaging system in response to the transmitted conference request command from the wireless device; and
- connecting a second wireless device and a third wireless device to the voice call.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein connecting a second wireless device and a third wireless device to the voice call comprises:
- connecting to the voice call a voice connection between the second wireless device and the unified messaging system; and
- connecting to the voice call a voice connection between the third wireless device and the unified messaging system.
8. The method according to claim 6, wherein connecting a second wireless device and a third wireless device to the voice call comprises:
- making a second voice call to the second wireless device; and
- making a third voice call to the third wireless device.
9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the conference request command includes a telephone number associated with the wireless device.
10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the conference request command includes a telephone number associated with the second wireless device and a telephone number associated with a third wireless device.
11. A method of multi-party communication using a wireless device, the method comprising:
- receiving at a wireless device from a unified messaging system via a data network a voice call notification signal indicating that a voice call is on hold;
- transmitting an instruction command to the unified messaging system via the data network directing the unified messaging system on how to handle the call; and
- receiving the voice call from the unified messaging system when the instruction command requests that the voice call be redirected to the wireless device.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the instruction command can instruct the unified messaging system to send the voice call to voice mail.
13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the instruction command can instruct the unified messaging system to disconnect the voice call.
14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the voice call notification signal includes the caller ID of the caller.
15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the voice call notification signal includes matching name information from a locally stored address book.
16. A method of multi-party communication using a unified messaging system, the method comprising:
- transmitting to a wireless device from a unified messaging system via a data network a voice call notification signal indicating that a voice call is on hold;
- receiving from the wireless device via the data network an instruction command with instructions on how to handle the voice call; and
- redirecting the voice call to the wireless device when the instruction command requests that the voice call be redirected to the wireless device.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the instruction command can instruct the unified messaging system to send the voice call to voice mail.
18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the instruction command can instruct the unified messaging system to disconnect the voice call.
19. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:
- receiving the voice call; and
- placing the voice call on hold.
20. The method accord to claim 19, further comprising:
- playing a message to the calling party while the voice call is on hold.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 26, 2013
Publication Date: Oct 31, 2013
Inventors: William David Castell (Waterloo), Mihal Lazaridis (Waterloo), Gary Phillip Mousseau (N2L 6M5)
Application Number: 13/927,524