FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and system of call management.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In last few decades there is tremendous growth of in the field of
communication technology. With the advancement of the technology in the
communication field the mode of communication changed in many ways.
The use of the processor technology in the communication sector
improved the communication management. In early days the telephone
was enabled for calling and receiving functions only. However with some
advancement there has been wide variety for managing communication.
One system of managing communication is Voicemail. The voicemail is
provided by a network service provider to deliver a message from a caller
to a receiver. The voicemail providers are providing the voicemail service
using different platforms and network design. Generally the network
consists of a server at remote location to store the message and
processing the message to deliver at receiver end.
The network service provider’s provide different kind of voicemails
depending on the need of the customer. For example the voicemail may
be different which is provided to offices and to the home voicemail
services.
The cost of servers for offering voicemail service impact the economic
model of the network service provider due to which the cost of subscription
to the voicemail service increases. Also the voicemail service needs to be
active for managing the communication and is network dependent.
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With the inclusion of software, programs in the modern arena of telephone
system the voicemail system become flexible and powerful; however there
is still need of at least one remote server to process the voicemail service.
The voicemail service becomes more popular by implementing in mobile
phones and now smart phones are capable of processing some
complicated applications also.
The capability of smart phones makes the user available on both voice
and data network and available most of the time.
Still there is no improvement of the voicemail service, which a mobile
phone can process without involvement of the network service provider’s
voicemail service.
Several references discuss about voice messaging system as mentioned
herein below:
In a prior art a system and techniques for communication is disclosed by
receiving data and instructions from a sender, the instructions including at
least a delivery time of a scheduled voicemail message intended for a
recipient and contact information associated with the recipient; generating
a scheduled voicemail message according to the data and instructions
received from the sender; storing the scheduled voicemail message; and
processing the scheduled voicemail message according to the data and
instructions received from the sender.
In another prior art a voicemail management system is disclosed for
mobile phone voicemail VM includes management operations for deleting
a VM stored in a VM database of a VM recipient (M2) or a server in
communication with it, upon the occurrence of a selectable time including
prior to its listening or opening of VM by M2; and for forwarding a VM
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message stored in a user (M1) database of a mobile phone or from a
server in communication with it, to the VM of M2.
In yet another prior art an automated methods and systems is discussed
for determining and setting router QoS adjustments to control the service
level of VoIP voice communications in a packet switching network
supporting both voice and data communications. Network topology and
service level requirements are processed to determine QoS settings for
each of the routers. The QoS settings are transmitted to the routers, for
example in the form of a router configuration file, to set the QoS
adjustments to achieve the desired VoIP service level. The invention is
applicable to packet switching networks comprising routers or equivalent
electronic switches providing electronically adjustable QoS settings.
In majority of prior arts discussed, the sender has to bear the Cognitive
load of remembering to communicate critical emotional tasks, further when
a call is unable to get through; user has to keep trying to call back
manually. Some calls audio message from a caller device to a receiver
device, wherein the caller device defining the scheduled time for sending
the recorded audio message to the intended receiver device wherein the
receiver device prompting the caller device to record a message on the
receiver device on an event of the receiver being busy or not reachable.
Many times a caller forgets to call to the intended receiver due to some
time bound limitations and also there may be some instances in which the
caller device is not active or not in network area. The user also has to
incur the additional charges of sending recorded audio messages over a
data channel, wherein the receiver will receive the message only if he/she
has the internet connection available else the message will not be
delivered.
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Currently the user can only inform that he is busy, and not take a message
from the caller, unless he has voice mail. Voice mail needs to have a
service provider support and has additional cost involved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses a method and system of call management
over a communication channel.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a database unit is provided
in a calling device and in called device for managing a communication of a
media that coordinates the recording, scheduling and transmitting the
media from the calling device to a called device.
The database unit includes a scheduler unit, a data storage area, a call
processing unit and a media unit. The media unit records and plays a
media to be sent by the calling device to the called device. The scheduler
unit invokes the call processing unit to transmit the media on occurrence of
a scheduled event. The call processing unit on receiving the schedule from
the scheduler unit starts transmitting the media to the called device.
A first aspect of the invention provides a method of call management
between a calling device and a called device. A calling device when calling
a called device over a communication channel a communication session is
established. In the communication session the calling device may get a
signal indication that either the called device is available or not available.
The signal indication of availability of the called device is by playing
recorded greeting to the calling device. On identifying that the called
device is not available the called device further plays a greeting message
so that the calling device will be able to record a media on the called
device. The recorded greetings are stored in the called device itself. On
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listening recorded greetings played by the called device the calling device
can optionally either record a media or terminate the communication
session with the called device. However if the calling device starts
recording the media the media gets recorded in the called device and in
the calling device through the current communication session. After
recording the media the calling device can terminate the communication
session.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of call management
between a calling device and a called device. A calling device is recording
and storing a media to be delivered to the called device in a data storage
area of a database unit of the calling device. After recording and storing
the media the calling device provides delivery information to the scheduler
unit of the calling device for the delivery of the recorded media. The
scheduler unit of the calling device is also storing the events to be
completed as per the schedule provided by the calling device. The
scheduler unit assigns a scheduler ID for each event to be completed. The
scheduler ID is unique for each event to be completed. On the occurrence
of the event stored by the calling device the scheduler unit communicates
with the call processing unit for starting the delivery of the recorded media.
The call processing unit of the calling device starts to establish a
communication session with the called device over a communication
channel.
A further aspect of the present invention provides a system for managing
an incoming call at a called device and from a calling device, the system
comprising receiving an incoming call through a calling device over a
communication channel. On receiving an incoming call on the called
device the calling device identifies that the called device is not available or
busy. The identification is done by listening a greeting played by the called
device. The called device further plays a greeting to the calling device
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instructing to record a media on the called device. The media gets
recorded and stored in a data storage area of a database unit of both the
called and calling devices.
A further aspect of the present invention provides a method of call
management between users of a calling device and called device. A user
of the calling device initiating a voice call to the user of the called device
on a voice communication channel for establishing a communication
session. The user of the calling device identifies that the user of the called
device is not available to speak. The identification is done by playing a
pre-recorded greeting sent by the user of the called device. The user of
the called device further requests to the user of the calling device to leave
a voice message on the called device. The request is done through
playing a further pre-recorded greeting by the called device to the calling
device. On listening the pre-recorded message the calling device starts to
stores the voice message at the calling device and simultaneously
transmitted and stored in the called device through the communication
channel without any involvement of voice mail server and data connection.
A further aspect of the invention provides the delivery of the media from a
calling device to a called device at a schedule event. At the schedule
event the call processing unit of the calling device is activated through a
scheduler unit of the calling device. When the call processing unit
activated by the scheduler unit the call processing unit starts to establish a
communication channel with the called device over a communication
channel. Once the communication session is established with the called
device the call processing unit starts retrieving the media from a media
unit and delivers the media to the called device. However if the called
device is not available or the communication session is not established the
call processing unit informs the scheduler unit of the calling device that the
delivery of the media is not completed. The delivery of the media is done
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by playing the recorded voice which gives the user of called device a feel
of voice communication.
The scheduler unit checks the number of retry attempts, if any. The
scheduler unit calculates and updates the next retry schedule if any retry
attempt remains. For another retry attempt the scheduler unit generates a
new schedule event for delivery of the media. On occurrence of the new
event the call processing unit activated by the scheduler unit to start the
delivery of the media to the called device. If there is not retry attempt
remain in the scheduler unit, the scheduler unit will notify the calling device
the delivery as a failed message. The delivery of the media is done by
playing the recorded voice which gives the user of called device a feel of
voice communication.
The call processing unit while delivering the recorded media from calling
device to the called device on a scheduled event bars the audio input of
the calling unit so that the original media can be delivered to the called
device.
The communication channel through which the communication session is
established is voice communication channel and the calling and called
device are portable devices such as but not limited to mobile phone,
tablets, phablets, PDA, Handheld devices, etc..
One advantage of the call management system is that it provides for
media storage, scheduling and delivery without the need of data channel
and voice mail server/subscription.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows a flow diagram of an aspect of a sequence.
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Figure 2 shows a flow diagram of an aspect of the sequence for a
scheduled media sent by calling device without specifying retry attempts.
Figure 3 shows a flow diagram of an aspect of the sequence along with
retry attempts specified by the calling device in case the called device is
not available at scheduled time
Figure 4 shows a flow diagram of another aspect of the sequence when
called device may not be available due to non-availability of network.
Figure 5 shows a flow diagram for an incoming call at called device.
Figure 6 shows a flow diagram of retry attempts.
Figure 7 shows a diagrammatic representation of the database unit.
Figure 8 shows an architectural representation of the calling and called
device.
Fig 9 shows a flow diagram of another aspect of the sequence for a Multi-
SIM device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to method and system of call management.
The present invention provides better solution to the existing solutions as
the method of operation of the invention requires no data connection. The
invention sending the recorded media directly from the calling device to
the called device without any data and server involvement. The media
which are recorded on the called device in a communication session can
be accessed from a data storage area of the called device. The present
invention ensures the privacy of the user’s media as all the media are
stored on the calling and called device only.
In one of the embodiement the present invention provides a method of call
management between a calling device and a called device. A calling
device when calling a called device over a communication channel a
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communication session is established. In the communication session the
calling device may get a signal indication that either the called device is
available or not available. The signal indication of non availability of the
called device is by playing recorded greeting to the calling device. On
identifying that the called device is not available the called device further
plays a greeting message so that the calling device will be able to record a
media on the called device. The recorded greetings are stored in the
called device itself. On listening recorded greetings played by the called
device the calling device can optionally either record a media or terminate
the communication session with the called device. However if the calling
device starts recording the media the media gets recorded in the called
device and in the calling device through the current communication
session.. After recording the media the calling device terminates the
communication session.
In another embodiement, the present invention provides a method of call
management between a calling device and a called device. A calling
device is recording and storing a media to be delivered to the called
device in a data storage area of a database unit of the calling device. After
recording and storing the media, the calling device provides delivery
information to the scheduler unit of the calling device for the delivery of the
recorded media. The scheduler unit of the calling device is also storing the
events to be completed as per the schedule provided by the calling device.
The scheduler unit assigns a scheduler ID for each event to be completed.
The scheduler ID is unique for each event to be completed. On the
occurrence of the event stored by the calling device the scheduler unit
communicates with the call processing unit for starting the delivery of the
recorded media. The call processing unit of the calling device starts to
establish a communication session with the called device over a
communication channel.
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In a further embodiment the present invention provides a method of call
management between users of a calling device and called device. A user
of the calling device initiating a voice call to the user of the called device
on a voice communication channel for establishing a communication
session. The user of the calling device identifies that the user of the called
device is not available to speak. The identification is done through
listening a pre-recorded greeting played by the called device. The user of
the called device further requests to the user of the calling device to leave
a voice message on the called device. The request is done through
playing a further pre-recorded greeting by the called device to the calling
device. On listening the pre-recorded message the calling device starts to
stores the voice message at the calling device and simultaneously
transmitted and stored in the called device through the communication
channel without any involvement of voice mail server and data connection.
A further aspect of the invention provides the delivery of the media from a
calling device to a called device at a schedule event. At the schedule
event the call processing unit of the calling device is activated through a
scheduler unit of the calling device. When the call processing unit
activated by the scheduler unit the call processing unit starts to establish a
communication channel with the called device over a communication
channel. Once the communication session is established with the called
device the call processing unit starts retrieving the media from a media
unit and delivers the media to the called device. However if the called
device is not available or the communication session is not established the
call processing unit informs the scheduler unit of the calling device that the
delivery of the media is not completed.
The scheduler unit checks the number of retry attempts, if any. The
scheduler unit calculates and updates the next retry schedule if any retry
attempt remains. For another retry attempt the scheduler unit generates a
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new schedule event for delivery of the media. On occurrence of the new
event the call processing unit activated by the scheduler unit to start the
delivery of the media to the called device. If there is not retry attempt
remain in the scheduler unit, the scheduler unit will notify the calling device
the delivery as a failed message. The delivery of the media is done by
playing the recorded voice which gives the user of called device a feel of
voice communication.
Referring to figure 1, (100) representing a flowchart representing
sequence of events which takes place between a calling device and called
device.
The block (101) representing that the calling device initiating a call to the
called device. The call gets connected through a communication channel
shown by the block (102). If the called device is available as shown by the
block (103) the call may continue as till the conversation continued
between the calling device and the called device. As shown by block (104)
when the called device is not available calling device may disconnect the
call as shown by block (105) or the called device may prompt the caller to
leave a media as shown by block (106).The called device prompts the
calling device to record the media by playing a pre-recorded greeting. The
calling device starts recording of the media as shown by the block (107).
Once the recording is completed as shown by block (108) the calling
device disconnects the call as per block (109).
Referring to figure 2, (200) represents a flowchart of sequence for a
scheduled media sent by calling device without specifying retry attempts.
A calling device starts recording of a media for delivery to a called device
as shown in block (201). The calling device specifying the delivery
information as per block (202). At a scheduled time defined by the calling
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device the delivery of the media is started by dialing the called device
number as shown in block (203). As per block (204) the calling device will
wait for the called device response. Either the called device is available or
not available at the time of delivery. If the called device is not available a
notification is displayed at calling device that the recorded media is not
being delivered as shown in block (206). However if the receiver is
available as shown in block (205) the recorded media is delivered to the
called device over a communication session established on a
communication channel. The recorded media once delivered to the called
device is played on the instructions of a user of the called device as shown
in block (207). However if called device wants to record any reply the voice
of the user of the called device is also gets recorded as shown in the block
(208).
In figure 3 (300) shows a flow diagram of an aspect of the sequence along
with retry attempts specified by the calling device in case the called device
is not available at scheduled time.
The calling device starts recording and storing of the media as shown in
block (301). The calling device defines the delivery information as shown
in block (302) which includes the receiver details, time schedule. The retry
attempts (R= user defined threshold or by default device threshold) are
also defined as if media may not be delivered in first attempt as shown in
block (303). On occurrence of scheduled time for delivery the calling
device dials the called device as shown in block (304).The calling device
waits for the response of the called device as shown in block (305). If the
called device is available as shown in block (306) the recorded media is
played by the calling device so that the called device gets the feel of voice
communication as shown in block (308). Further after playing the recorded
media the calling device plays a recorded message to indicate the user of
called device to record the reply. If the user of the called device wants to
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record a reply to the media, the voice of the receiver gets recorded as
shown in block (309). However if the called device is not available at
specified delivery schedule time the calling device calculates the retry
attempts threshold limits and if the retry attempts are less than or equal to
the limits specified (307), the calling device again starts the delivery of the
recorded media by following steps (304) to (306).When the retry attempts
crosses the threshold limit set by the user or the calling device the calling
device stops the retry process.
In figure 4 (400) shows a flow diagram of another aspect of the sequence
when called device may not be available due to non-availability of network.
A calling device initiates a call to the called device as shown in block
(401). If the called device is not available due to network problem or any
other problem such as but not limited to SIM is not provisioned, call rights
withheld by network, etc. as shown in block (402), the calling device
records and stores a media to be delivered to the called device as per
block (403). The block (404) shows the delivery information defined by the
calling device. The retry attempts (R= user defined threshold or by default
device threshold) are also defined as if media may not be delivered in first
attempt as shown in block (405). The retry attempts can be specified by a
user of the calling device or by default by the device itself. On the
scheduled time (406) the calling device dials the called device number
which connects calling device to the communication channel for delivering
the recorded media to the called device. The calling device will wait for the
called device response (407). If the called device network is available as
per block (408) the media will be delivered and played on the called device
as shown in (410). On listening the recorded media called device may
record his voice as a reply to the media sent by the calling device as
shown in block (411). However if the called device is not available the
calling device will retry as shown in block (412) to deliver the media as per
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the defined retry attempts by the calling device. Until the media is
delivered the process is from block (404) to (408) will be followed.
In figure 5 (500) representing a flowchart for an incoming call at a called
device.
When an incoming call (501) is received at the called device and the user
of the called device is not available to speak (502) the calling device will
be notified (503). The notification is by playing a pre-recorded greeting to
the calling device. On receiving the notification from the called device the
calling device either disconnects the call (504) or starts the recording of
the media (505) on being prompted by the called device. The recorded
media is sent and stored in the called device. It is played to the called
device by the calling device (506) and the call gets disconnected by the
caller (507).
In figure 6 (600) shows a flow diagram of retry attempts defined by the
calling device.
While scheduling a recorded media to be sent to the called device, the
calling device defines delivery information which includes called device
detail, delivery time details retry attempts. The retry attempts are defined
as shown in block (601). If the media is delivered (602) in first attempt then
the calling device will not start the retry functionality. However if the media
is not delivered the calling device will retry to deliver the media (603).The
retry attempts which are defined by the calling device is variable and if the
retry attempts remain in the system to deliver the media as shown in block
(604) the process from block (601) to block (604) will be followed until the
media is delivered or end of retry attempts. If there is no pending retry
attempt then the calling device will notify the user that the media is not
being delivered (605) and will be displayed as failed message (606).
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Figure 7 shows a diagrammatic representation of the database unit (7000).
The calling device (700) and the called device (800) are displayed. The
database unit comprises of a data storage area, a scheduler unit, a media
unit and a call processing unit. The data storage area (701) stores the
media to be delivered and received. The data storage area consists of
memory and is a combination of volatile memory (e.g., random access
memory (RAM)) and non-volatile memory (e.g., read only memory (ROM),
FLASH memory, etc.). The scheduler unit of the database unit generates a
unique scheduler ID for each event to be completed by the calling device
(700). On occurrence of a scheduled event the scheduler unit notifies
activates a call processing unit (704). Once the delivery of the media is
started the call processing unit activates a communication channel through
a registered network and the media is delivered to the called device (800).
The media unit of the calling and called device records and plays the
media.
Figure 8 shows an architectural representation of the calling and called
device (9000). The database unit is resided in a processor unit (902) of a
calling or called device.
The media to be sent to the receiver by the caller is recorded through the
audio codec (901) unit which comprises of a microphone and at least one
speaker. The processor unit (902) processes the input received from the
audio codec which is further processed by the database unit (903). The
processor unit (902) is interfaced with a power management unit (904),
memory unit (905) and user interface unit (906). Once the media is ready
for delivery the call processing unit of the database unit (903) transmits the
media via the communication channel with the help of sim unit (907), base
band processor (908) and antenna (909).
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In figure 9 (1000) shows a flow diagram of another aspect of the sequence
of the invention occurring in a Multi-SIM device.
The calling device starts recording and storing of the media as shown in
block (1001). The calling device defines the delivery information as shown
in block (1002) which includes the receiver details, time schedule. The
retry attempts (R= user defined threshold or by default device threshold)
are also defined as if media may not be delivered in first attempt as shown
in block (1003). The retry attempts can be specified by a user of the calling
device or by default by the device itself. On occurrence of scheduled time
for delivery the calling device dials the called device from the preferred
SIM of the device. The preference of the SIM is defined by the user of the
calling device, as shown in block (1004). If the preferred SIM network is
not available during the scheduled delivery time, the called device turns on
alternate SIM for sending the media as shown in block (1006). The calling
device waits for the response of the called device as shown in block
(1007). If the called device is available as shown in block (1008) the
recorded media sent by the calling device gets played on the called device
as shown in block (1010). However if the user of the called device wants to
record a reply to the media received the voice of the receiver gets
recorded as shown in block (1011). However if the called device is not
available at specified delivery schedule time the calling device calculates
the retry attempts threshold limits and if the retry attempts are less than or
equal to the limits specified (1009), the calling device again starts the
delivery of the recorded media by following steps (1003) to (1008). When
the retry attempts crosses the threshold limit set by the user or the calling
device the calling device stops the retry process.
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of
ordinary skills to make and use what is considered presently to be the best
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mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the
existence of variations, combinations and equivalents of the specific
embodiments method and details herein.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described
and illustrated, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made
therein without departing from the scope of the invention.
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We Claim:
1) A method of call management between a calling device and a called
device comprises steps of:
initiating a call to a called device over a communication channel for
establishing a communication session between the calling device and the
called device;
identifying that the user of called device is not available or is busy by
playing a pre-recorded greeting to the calling device;
user of called device prompting the user of calling device to leave a media
on the called device by playing a pre-recorded greeting to the calling
device;
calling device starts the recording of media to be delivered to the called
device;
on completing the recording, the calling device disconnecting the call from
the communication channel;
the recorded media sent by the calling device to called device stored
simultaneously in a data storage area of a database unit of the calling and
called devices.
2) A method of call management between a calling device and a called
device comprises steps of:
recording and storing a media to be delivered to the called device in a data
storage area of a database unit of the calling device through a media unit;
a scheduler unit of the calling device storing delivery information of the
media;
the scheduler unit generating a schedule event for the delivery information
and assigning a scheduler ID for uniquely identifying said delivery
information;
the scheduler unit starts delivery of the media to be delivered to the called
device on occurrence of a schedule event ;
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the scheduler unit activates a call processing unit for enabling the delivery
of the media to the called device by establishing a communication session
with the called device over a communication channel.
3) A method of call management between users of a calling device and
called device comprises the steps of:
initiating a voice call to the user of the called device on a voice
communication channel for establishing a communication session;
identifying that the user of the called device is not available to speak by
playing a pre-recorded greeting to the calling device;
requesting the user of the calling device to leave a voice message by
playing the pre-recorded greeting to the calling device; and
storing the said voice message at the calling device and simultaneously
delivering the media to the called device through the communication
session without any involvement of voice mail server.
4) The method as claimed in claim 2 and claim 3, wherein said step of
delivery of media comprises the steps of:
at said schedule event activating the call processing unit to start delivery of
the media;
the call processing unit initiating a call over a communication channel for
establishing a communication session;
on identifying that the communication session is established, the call
processing unit barring the audio input of the calling device;
the call processing unit starts retrieving the media from the media unit and
delivers the media to the called device when the called device connected
to the communication session;
if the called device is not available or is busy, informing the scheduler unit
of the calling device that the delivery of the media is not completed.
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5) The method as claimed in claim 4, further comprises the steps of:
checking a number of retry attempts in the scheduler unit of the calling
device;
if retry attempts remain for delivery of the media, the scheduler unit
calculates and update the next retry schedule;
generating a new schedule event for delivery of the media;
activating the call processing unit at said retry event to start the delivery of
the media to the called device;
if no retry attempts remain in the scheduler unit, the scheduler unit
notifying the calling device the delivery as a failed message.
6) A method of call management between a calling device and a called
device comprises steps of:
recording and storing a media to be delivered to the called device in a data
storage area the calling device through a media unit;
a scheduler unit of the calling device storing delivery information of the
media;
the scheduler unit generating a schedule event for the delivery information
and assigning a scheduler ID for uniquely identifying said delivery
information;
the scheduler unit starts delivery of the media to be delivered to the called
device on occurrence of a schedule event ;
the scheduler unit activates a call processing unit for enabling the delivery
of the media to the called device by establishing a communication session
with the called device over a communication channel by a preferred sim of
the calling device;
the call processing unit identifying the preferred sim network is not
available and activating alternate sim network for enabling the delivery of
the media to the called device over a communication channel.
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7) The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the communication channel
is a voice communication channel.
8) The method as claimed in claims 1 to 7 wherein, the calling and called
device is a portable device.
9) A call management system for managing a communication between a
calling device and a called device, the system comprising:
a database unit for recording, storing, scheduling and transmitting a
media; wherein the database unit of the calling and called devices further
comprising
a data storage area for storing the media contents;
a scheduler unit for scheduling the delivery of the media;
a media unit for recording and playing of the media; and
a call processing unit for establishing a communication session over a
communication channel.
10) The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein, the portable device is a
multi-sim device.