Telecommunications – Transmitter and receiver at separate stations
Reexamination Certificate
1997-09-30
2001-02-20
Bost, Dwayne D. (Department: 2744)
Telecommunications
Transmitter and receiver at separate stations
C455S415000, C340S870030
Reexamination Certificate
active
06192218
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a method and system for identifying and transmitting customer identification information as part of a messaging signal.
BACKGROUND ART
Most messaging systems require a user to send a message by transmitting a message signal which includes a numeric or alpha-numeric message for receipt and display on a called party's personal communication system device. In most cases, including E-mail, voice-mail, etc., limited information is provided to the called party regarding the source of the message. Typical paging systems, for example, require a user to send a page by dialing a telephone number and inputting a numeric message via the telephone keypad, whereupon the numeric message is transmitted to the designated paging device and displayed on the device's display. Presumably, the numeric message is a telephone number for the recipient to call. No information is provided regarding the identity of the user or, for that matter, the identity of the person or business associated with the displayed telephone number. The current generation of one-way paging devices contain a liquid crystal display (LCD) which allows the user of the device to receive and display short alpha-numeric messages.
Paging services offer several methods of sending messages to the pagers of their subscribers. Such methods of sending messages include telephone keypad input, E-mail, or through dictation to a paging service operator. The predominant method used to input a numeric message is via a telephone keypad. Using this method, a caller sends a message to a paging device by dialing its telephone number, waiting for a prompt, and inputting a numeric message via the telephone keypad. As a result, the numeric message is transmitted to the designated paging device and displayed on the device's LCD. Note that for some paging services, the number dialed designates the paging device, while for others additional input on the telephone keypad is required to identify the paging device. Presumably, the numeric message is a telephone number for the recipient to call.
As noted above, it is possible, however, that the recipient of the numeric message may not be able to associate the telephone number sent to him with an owner. Under this circumstance, the recipient may refuse to respond to a page because he cannot identify the telephone number. Alternatively, the recipient may respond to the page and be exposed to fraudulent telephone charges or violations of privacy.
According to studies, in 1995 there were more than 50 million pagers in use worldwide, with over 25 million of those in North America. The user base worldwide is expected to grow to over 130 million by the year 2000.
Consequently, a need has developed for an identification service for the users of messaging systems including, but not limited to, alpha-numeric paging devices. This service should attempt to identify the source of the message input by the sender and append this information to the message before it is sent to the subscriber's personal communication system device. This will allow the subscriber/recipient to better judge the validity of the message and act accordingly.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a method and system for receiving primary and secondary sources of information in a message and annotating the message.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and system for identifying and transmitting calling party information as part of a messaging signal such as, for example, a paging signal.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and system of identifying and transmitting calling party information as part of a messaging signal, wherein the calling party information is part of a stored profile for each calling party.
Yet still further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system of identifying specific messaging requests which are to be transmitted or, alternatively, undesired messaging requests for which a warning is transmitted as part of a messaging signal or the message is blocked.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided a method of identifying and transmitting predetermined calling party information as part of a messaging signal. The method is specifically directed for use in a communications network, such as, for example, a paging service having a messaging processor serving at least one messaging device. As part of the method, at least one database is provided in communication with the messaging processor. The database includes a stored list of calling party information and corresponding calling party names. In a preferred embodiment, the calling party information comprises calling party telephone numbers. It is anticipated, however, that any other suitable numeric or alphanumeric information may be stored.
In keeping with the invention, the method further includes receiving at the messaging processor a message request signal having a data field including a message generated by a calling party. The message is thereafter parsed to extract possible calling party information. Again, in a preferred embodiment, the calling party information sought to be extracted is a possible calling party telephone number. Thereafter, the extracted calling party information, typically, but not necessarily, the calling party telephone number, is compared to the stored list of calling party information to identify the name of the calling party. A paging signal is then generated for receipt by at the least one messaging device. The messaging signal has a data field including the determined calling party name.
In a preferred embodiment, the communications network is further provided in communication with the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), the Internet, or private Internet. The message generated by the calling party, typically a telephone number, may be generated by Automatic Number Identification (ANI) service equipment. As indicated above, the message generated by the calling party may be a numeric message, i.e., a telephone number. Alternatively, the message may be in voice or text format. In keeping with the invention, the page request signal may also be generated by a calling party via a Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) telephone keypad or any other suitable means, such as, for example, an E-mail message to an Internet gateway.
In an alternative embodiment, the at least one database provided as part of the present invention may include a profile stored for each calling party. The profile will include the calling party's telephone number, a list of predetermined messages, and corresponding calling party information. As such, each calling party will have its own stored set of predetermined messages and assigned calling party information which can be identified and included as part of a data field in the ultimate messaging signal generated for receipt by the messaging device.
In carrying out the above method, there is further provided a system for identifying and transmitting predetermined calling party information as part of a messaging signal. As in the above-described method, the system is specifically directed for use in a communications network having a messaging processor serving at least one messaging device. The system includes at least one database in communication with the paging processor. The database includes a list of predetermined calling party messages and corresponding calling party names. As in the above-described method, the list of predetermined messages typically, but not necessarily, comprises calling party telephone numbers. The system further comprises receiving means in communication with the messaging processor operative to receive a message request signal having a data field including a message generated by a calling party. Parsing means are further provided in communication with the messaging processor to extract possible calling party telephone numbers. Still further, comparing means is provided in communication w
Laufmann Steven C.
McIver, Jr. William J.
Bost Dwayne D.
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
Gary Erika A.
Qwest Communications International Inc.
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