Communication system for a closed-user group

Claims

We claim:

1. A method for configuring a membership of a group of users of a telecommunications network comprising the steps of:

receiving from a network end-user data indicative of a time frame within which the group will be in existence and entering said data onto a storage device accessible to a node of the network;

receiving enrollment information from one or more network end users who desire to become members of the group; and

storing said enrollment information to facilitate the node in providing a mnemonic dialing service among members of the group.

2. The method of configuring a node as claimed in claim 1 wherein said enrollment information is received at an enrollment unit coupled to said node, the enrollment unit being configured to automatically detect an identification number of a telephone, and to issue programming signals to the node to enroll the telephone into the mnemonic dialing group.

3. A method for automatic conference calling comprising the steps of:

storing a configuration of a group of users of a telecommunications network in a memory of a node internal to the network, the node's stored group configuration of the group of users being accessible to members of the group of users and persisting beyond a single telephone call connected among the members of the group of users;

at the node, receiving a signal from an end-user device of an initiating member of the group of users;

without human supervision, sending from said node a supervisory signal to appropriate end-user devices of the remaining members of the group of users, and establishing a communication path to two or more of said devices of said remaining members of the group of users when said devices respond to said supervisory signals.

4. A method for establishing a conference call, comprising the steps of:

on detecting initiation of a telephone call, referencing a database to determine whether the initiating telephone line is a member of a closed-user group, the closed user group including at least three telephone lines of a telecommunications system; and

automatically, and without further human intervention, establishing a conference call among the initiating telephone line and one or more members of the closed-user group by issuing supervisory signals directed to other member lines of the closed-user group as selected by the reference to the database and establishing a communication path interconnecting member devices of the closed-user group that respond to said supervisory signals.

5. A method of operating a communications network, comprising:

detecting a signal from a wireless telephone set, the detected signal including an identification number of the wireless telephone set;

determining a pre-defined group network into which the identification number is to be enrolled as a member;

transmitting the identification number to the communications network to enroll the identification number into said predefined group network, said group network being a group of telephone sets having reciprocal mnemonic dialing access to each other.

6. A telecommunication network, comprising:

a node configured for use in said telecommunications network, the node being programmable to provide a mnemonic dialing service among members of a group; and

an enrollment unit configured to automatically detect an identification number of a telephone, and to issue programming signals to the node to enroll the telephone into the mnemonic dialing group.

7. The telecommunication network of claim 6, the enrollment unit further comprising a clock, and being configured to consult said clock to determine one out of a plurality of such mnemonic dialing groups into which to enroll the detected telephone unit.

8. The telecommunication network of claim 6, the enrollment unit being configured to establish a connection between the enrollment unit, a local cellular switch, and a database node to collect and process information to enroll the telephone into the mnemonic dialing group.

9. A method for connecting a telephone call, comprising:

consulting a group membership database to determine group membership of an initiator of the call, the group membership as stored in the group membership database having been configured by a member subscriber of the group via a subscriber-accessible interface, the group membership database being available to members of the group to identify the group's member lines; and

connecting the call between the line at which the call is initiated and one or more member lines of the group.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein two member lines of the group reside on different local exchange carriers.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the call is connected between the initiating telephone line and a single member of the group selected from among all members of the group, the selecting being made by the initiating member's dialing or keypressing a small number of digits mnemonically indicating the single member.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said small number of digits is configured by a member through the subscriber-accessible interface.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the call is connected between the initiating telephone line and a single member of the group selected from among all members of the group, the selecting being made by the initiating member's indication of a mnemonic designation of the single member.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said mnemonic designation consists of a small number of digits dialed or keypressed.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said small number of digits is configured by a member through the subscriber-accessible interface.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said mnemonic designation consists of a voiced utterance.

17. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

establishing a conference call among the initiating telephone line and members of the user group, by issuing supervisory signals to two or more other member lines of the user group, and establishing a communication path interconnecting member devices of the user group that respond to said supervisory signals.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of:

obtaining from the initiating telephone line an indication that the conference call is desired before initiating said supervisory signals.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the indication is a voice utterance.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of:

initiating the conference call supervisory signals, without human intervention, immediately upon determining that the initiating telephone line is a member of said user group.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of:

another member automatically joining a conference call already in progress.

22. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

obtaining from the initiating telephone line one of two indications,

on obtaining a first of said two indications, establishing a conference call among the initiating telephone line and members of the user group, by issuing supervisory signals to two or more other member lines of the user group, and establishing a communication path interconnecting member devices of the user group that respond to said supervisory signals; or, alternatively,

on obtaining a second of said two indications, connecting the call between the initiating telephone line and a single member of the group selected from among all members of the group, the selecting being made by the initiating member's indication of a mnemonic designation of the single member.

23. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

consulting the group membership database to determine a time frame within which the group is to be in existence, the time frame having been configured via the subscriber-accessible interface.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the group membership database stores an expiration time for the group.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the group membership database stores an origination time for the group.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the group membership database stores an expiration event for the group.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the group membership database stores an origination event for the group.

28. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of:

receiving from a group member via the subscriber-accessible interface, an instruction to reconfigure the existence time frame for the group.

29. The method of claim 9, wherein the telephone network between members of the group includes lines of at least two of a wireless carrier, a local exchange carrier, and an interexchange carrier.

30. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

connecting a call to a network subscriber not a member of the group.

31. The method of claim 9, wherein group membership of the initiating line is determined by reference to the ANI (automatic number identification) of the initiating line.

32. The method of claim 9, wherein group membership of the initiating line is determined by reference to the MIN (mobile identification number) or ESN (electronic serial number) of a mobile communications unit.

33. The method of claim 9, wherein group membership of the initiating line is determined by a telephone number dialed by the initiating caller.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein:

the initiating caller can originate the call from essentially any telephone of the network.

35. The method of claim 9, wherein group membership of the initiating line is determined by a password indicated by the initiating line, after the initiating line is connected to a server node serving two or more reciprocal communication groups.

36. The method of claim 9, wherein a recipient of the call receives a distinctive ring indicating a call originated by a group member.

37. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

reconfiguring the group membership by a group member subscriber via the subscriber-accessible interface.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the reconfiguring group member is a different member subscriber than the configuring member subscriber.

39. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

reconfiguring, by a group member subscriber via the subscriber-accessible interface, a telephone number associated with a group member.

40. The method of claim 9, wherein

the group membership is replicated in databases at two nodes of the communications network, the two nodes being connected over the lines of an interexchange carrier.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the two membership storage nodes are associated with two respective cellular switches, the two cellular switches being connected over the lines of an interexchange carrier.

42. The method of claim 9, wherein:

the configuration of the membership of each group is stored, respectively, at a single node of the communications network.

43. The method of claim 9, wherein

the group membership database is stored at a network node associated with a local exchange carrier.

44. The method of claim 9, wherein

the group membership database is stored at a network node associated with an interexchange carrier.

45. The method of claim 9, wherein

the group membership database is stored at a network node associated with a mobile carrier.

46. The method of claim 9, wherein:

the subscriber-accessible interface is implemented, at least in part, by an enrollment device configured to automatically detect an identification number of a telephone unit and, in response, to request reconfiguration of the group membership database to enroll the detected telephone unit.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein:

said enrollment device comprises a clock, and is configured to consult said clock to determine one out of a plurality of such user groups into which to enroll the detected telephone unit.

48. The method of claim 46, further comprising the step of:

establishing a connection between the enrollment device, a local cellular switch, and a database node to collect and process information for said reconfiguration of the group membership database.

49. The method of claim 46, wherein

said enrollment device comprises a visual display for configuring the group membership database.

50. A node of a telephone network, comprising:

a subscriber-accessible user interface to a database, the interface enabling a subscriber to configure the membership attributes of a group, a group membership database reflecting the membership of the group being generally accessible to members of the group for reciprocal use;

a call connector, for activation on recognition of a call initiated by a member of the group, and configured to receive a mnemonic indication of a group member and to connect the call between the initiator of the call and the indicated member based on the indication.

51. The node of claim 50, wherein member lines of the mnemonic dialing group reside on at least two different local exchange carriers.

52. The node of claim 50, wherein the call is connected between the initiating telephone line and a single member of the mnemonic dialing group selected from among all members of the mnemonic dialing group, the selecting being made by the initiating member's dialing or keypressing a small number of digits mnemonically indicating the single member.

53. The node of claim 50, wherein the call is connected between the initiating telephone line and a single member of the mnemonic dialing group selected from among all members of the mnemonic dialing group, the selecting being made by the initiating member's uttering a mnemonic voiced utterance designating the single member.

54. The node of claim 50, the call connector being further configured to:

establish a conference call among the initiating telephone line and members of the mnemonic dialing group, by issuing supervisory signals to two or more other member lines of the user mnemonic dialing group, and establishing a communication path interconnecting member devices of the user mnemonic dialing group that respond to said supervisory signals.

55. The node of claim 54, the call connector being further configured to:

initiate said conference call supervisory signals, without human intervention, immediately upon determining that the initiating telephone line is a member of said user mnemonic dialing group.

56. The node of claim 54, the call connector being further configured to:

automatically connect another group member to a conference call already in progress.

57. The node of claim 50, the node being further configured to:

obtain from the initiating telephone line one of two indications,

on obtaining a first of said two indications, establish a conference call among the initiating telephone line and members of the user mnemonic dialing group, by issuing supervisory signals to two or more other member lines of the user mnemonic dialing group, and establishing a communication path interconnecting member devices of the user mnemonic dialing group that respond to said supervisory signals; or, alternatively,

on obtaining a second of said two indications, connect the call between the initiating telephone line and a single member of the mnemonic dialing group selected from among all members of the mnemonic dialing group, the selecting being made by the initiating member's indication of a mnemonic designation of the single member.

58. The node of claim 50, being further configured to:

consult the group membership database to determine a time frame within which the mnemonic dialing group is to be in existence, the time frame having been configured via the subscriber-accessible interface.

59. The node of claim 50, wherein the telephone network between members of the mnemonic dialing group includes lines of at least two of a wireless carrier, a local exchange carrier, and an interexchange carrier.

60. The node of claim 50, being further configured to:

reconfigure the group membership at the request of a group member subscriber via the subscriber-accessible interface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to telecommunication systems and more particularly to a system and method for providing simplified, or mnemonic dialing within a group of subscribers of a telecommunication network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In conventional telephone networks, every telephone line is assigned a unique telephone number. In the United States, the unique number is generally ten digits long; even though only seven of these digits need to be dialed to place a local call. Some telephone lines have additional "alias" telephone numbers. For example, a telephone line may have both, its conventional ten-digit number and an "800" toll-free number. Some of these aliases may be quite short. For example, only three digits, namely, "911" need to be dialed from a telephone set to reach local emergency services.

Taking advantage of the abbreviated dialing system mentioned above, some communications carriers provide a service called Software Defined Network ("SDN"). SDN allows subscriber lines within a defined group of such lines to have short alias telephone numbers by which they can be connected to one another. Thus, one SDN subscriber within a group of subscribers can reach another subscriber within the same group by dialing fewer than the seven digits needed for conventional local calls, or fewer than ten digits needed for conventional long distance calls. This SDN feature is implemented by mapping in a routing table of the communications carrier the alias number of a subscriber with the conventional telephone number of that subscriber.

Some communications carriers also provide a service called "Centrex.RTM." that allows fewer than seven or ten digits to be dialed for a call. The Centrex.RTM. service affords subscribers within a defined group various communications features including abbreviated dialing, conference calling, intercom calling to name a few. When a Centrex.RTM. user wishes to call someone outside of the group, a code must first be dialed to signal the switch that the call is a conventional call. Centrex.RTM. service may be provided by using the telephone switch of, for example, a Local Exchange Carrier ("LEC").

The prior art methods of defining groups of telephone users may have some disadvantages, especially when a group is to be established only on a temporary basis, and for a relatively short duration. There is a need for creating short duration temporary groups. For example, telephone subscribers who meet other subscribers at certain functions but who do not normally call each other on a regular basis, do not usually know each other's telephone numbers. It is also unlikely that such subscribers would be able to memorize each others' telephone numbers immediately. Examples of groups that may use such temporary services include:

(1) telephone subscribers from different companies attempting to meet a deadline for a common project;

(2) wireless communications subscribers representing a company for a day at a trade show;

(3) respective friends and relatives of a bride and groom trying to make final plans for a wedding; or

(4) acquaintances, friends and relatives of a deceased person attempting to make arrangements for his/her funeral.

These exemplary groups may not be able to benefit from prior art abbreviated dialing systems, especially when the duration of the group network would only last, for example, a few hours or a few days.

Conventional systems, such as those mentioned above, are generally utilized for far more permanent or long term groups of persons, such as the employees of an established business. The resources needed, overhead incurred, and set-up time required for such systems would not warrant their use on a temporary basis. Thus, there is a need for a method and apparatus that allows users of communications networks to establish temporary group networks. Such a system may also be applicable to wireless communications users. Finally, there is a need to provide for automatic conference calling among the members of a temporary group network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a method and a system for using a node that is configurable via an end-user accessible interface to provide abbreviated dialing service to members of a closed-user group who wish to communicate with each other via a communications network. The node may also be configured to automatically establish conference calls among members of the closed-user group upon receiving a signal from a communications device of one of the members of the group. An enrollment unit may be used to establish membership in a closed-user group.

The invention may provide one or more of the following advantages. A temporary group network according to the present invention allows a group of users to have easily-dialed, easily-remembered "nickname" telephone numbers to reach each other. The users may select their own nickname numbers within their respective group. A user may select an utterance that, when spoken by any speaker in the group, will initiate a call to another member of the group. The configuration of a group (its membership, billing arrangement, and the nickname numbers for group members) may be selected and managed by members of the group, without the assistance of an operator, or a system administrator of the communications carrier providing the service. Finally, the system may provide for automatic conference calling among the group members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communications network arranged in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 are flowcharts, showing respectively use, set-up, and configuration of a system designed to implement the principles of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a device designed to allow wireless telephone sets to enroll into a temporary group network of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of use for the device of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A temporary group network ("TGN") according to the present invention allows a group (or groups) of users to have easily-dialed, easily-remembered "nickname" telephone numbers to reach each other through a telecommunications network. A specially-programmed node ("TGN node") is installed in a telephone network. The TGN node is programmable to allow subscribers to call one another using short "nickname" telephone numbers, thereby allowing individual subscribers to configure the membership of the group and the mnemonic nicknames by which subscribers may reach each other. This allows for mnemonic dialing, which is dialing using anything that assists, or is designed to assist, the user in remembering the number to be dialed. This can be accomplished using "nickname" telephone numbers or using spoken words to dial.

Referring to FIG. 1, a TGN node, either 100 or 102, would typically be connected to one of the switches interior to a telephone network. The TGN node might be connected to one of the wire-line network switches 110, 112, 114 used by a LEC 116, 118 to provide local service, or it might be connected to a switch 120 of a long-distance carrier (an inter-exchange carrier, "IXC") 122. In either case, each TGN node 100, 102 references a database 124, 126 for storing information, for example, describing TGN groups, the members of the groups, the telephone numbers of the members, and billing information. The database may also store the duration of each TGN.

The telephone network of FIG. 1 is essentially a conventional network, with the addition of a TGN node (either 100 or 102) and some additional programming at some of the network nodes. Ordinary telephones 130, 132 are connected to the network in a conventional manner via equipment of a LEC 116, 118. Telephones 130, 132 are typically connected to an IXC network 122 through a series of switches 110, 112, 114. Though only one switch 110 is shown for LEC network 116, it may be typical to have several in the path between telephone 130 and IXC network 122. For example, telephone 132 has switches 112 and 114 in its path to the IXC network 122. Wire-line network switches 110, 122, 114 can be any of a number of conventional network switches, for example, the 5ESS.RTM. switch available from Lucent Technologies, Inc. Switches 120, 230, 232 in the IXC 122 may also be any of a number of conventional switches, for example, the 4ESS.RTM. switch available from Lucent Technologies, Inc.

Each telephone 130, 132, has a respective "home switch" 110, 114, which is the first switch in the network most closely connected to that telephone. The home switches 110, 114 have an ANI ("automatic number identification") trigger table 134, 136 attached. An "ANI" is a unique identifier for each telephone in a system and allows various functions such as caller identification to be performed. An ANI trigger table 134, 136 contains a list of ANI's for subscribers who participate in various special services offered by the LEC 116. It should be understood that other types of databases, including a database separate from or incorporated into the switch 110, 114 may be used in place of the ANI trigger table 134, 136.

Cellular telephones 150 may also be connected to the IXC network 122 through a cellular switch 152. To get to the IXC 122, the cellular switch 152 may have to first go through the LEC 116, including switches 110, 160 within the LEC. Alternatively, the cellular switch 156 may be connected to the IXC 122. The cellular switches used herein may be any of a number of conventional switches, such as the Autoplex.RTM. switch available from Lucent Technologies, Inc.

Network control points (NCP's) 161, 162 are used to direct telephone calls through the network by translating an 800 number into the canonical area code, exchange, and number.

In a preferred embodiment, TGN node 100, 102 may be implemented using a Conversant.RTM. which is commercially available from Lucent Technologies, Inc. A Conversant.RTM. is an audio response system or a voice response unit ("VRU"). A caller may be connected from a switch to the Conversant.RTM. so that the caller is able to interact with the Conversant.RTM. by using touch tone digits or voice commands. The Conversant.RTM. also includes switching capabilities that allow conferencing, re-directing calls in the system, and many other switching features. It may be able to route calls, join calls, record voice prompts, and give voice prompts that a user may respond to. Although TGN nodes 100, 102 appear in FIG. 1 as devices distinct from the network switches 110, 120, it should be understood that the invention is not so limited. TGN nodes 100, 102 may also be implemented as part of a telephone switch, for instance by adding the appropriate software and/or hardware to an existing switch. Alternatively, TGN node 100, 102 may be located remotely from the telephone switch or it may be located in a private branch exchange ("PBX").

The Conversant.RTM. voice response unit is further described in the book, Conversant VIS System Description, published by AT&T Corporation and now available from Lucent Technologies, Inc., which is incorporated herein by reference.

Databases 124, 126 of respective TGN node 100, 102 each contains information relating to the TGN with which it is associated. For example, the databases 124, 126 may contain the starting and ending times, and/or duration for various events associated with TGN groups. The duration of a TGN may be specified by a starting and ending time and/or a date. The duration may also be specified by an overall time period (two hours for example). The starting point for the time period may be the occurrence of a specified event or condition, including a system condition. In addition, the duration of the TGN could correspond to the duration of a given event, for example a trade show. As another example, during a natural disaster (an earthquake or fire) a TGN may be established between pre-defined emergency services. This would readily provide communication between these services during an emergency situation. In these situations, the TGN may be established by a signal from a system operator or a monitoring device.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a subscriber at telephone 130 who is a member of a TGN may contact another member (for instance at telephone 132) of the TGN using the more-efficient method 200 provided by the invention. (For the present, assume that all set-up steps have already been performed, set-up of a TGN will be discussed below in connection with FIG. 3.) In step 210, as in a normal telephone call, the subscriber would take his telephone off hook. In the embodiment of steps 212 and 214, home switch 110 in step 212 inquires of ANI trigger table 134 whether telephone line 130 is to be given any special handling. When ANI trigger table 134 reports that telephone 130 is a member of a TGN group, switch 110 connects (step 214) telephone line 130 to the appropriate TGN node (100 or 102), as specified by the telephone's entry in ANI trigger table 134. The location of the TGN node (either at 100 or 102) is dependent upon where the node is set up for the desired user base and what company is offering the TGN service. If the IXC is offering the service, the TGN node 102 would be in the IXC 122. If the LEC is offering the service, the TGN node 100 would be in the LEC. Once the telephone 130 is connected to the TGN node 100, 1