4. DESCRIPTION
l.The invention relates to a method and system for providing background environment in a mobile communication network. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and system that allows user configured background music or sounds to be selectively played in a telecommunication network.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
2. In the application, unless otherwise specified the term 'subscriber' is used to mean a subscriber to
a telephone service and generally refers to the party calling. The term 'called number' is used to designate a party called by the subscriber.
3. With the advent of the telecommunications era, and particularly mobile communications, most
people are connected to at least one, if not many telephone services. With widespread deployment and use of telecommunication services, particularly cellular services, a subscriber can now always be contactable, and consequently the cellular phone has emerged as the preferred mode of communication. More importantly, the cellular phone has with time become a form of identity with subscribers customizing their cellular phone by means of caller tunes and ring tones etc.
4.1n view of this widespread use of cellular phones, there has been an increasing demand for value added services that enhance the overall experience of a communication via a cellular phone.
S.It has been found that a large number of users prefer to simulate a certain environment during their conversations. This environment could be in the form of background music that is played during a call at all times. However, it is desired that the background music be user configurable and selectively operable. The background music may be used to express the user's emotions or may be used to block out other external noises. It is desirable that such a system allow the user to select, program and switch the background music both before and during a call.
6. There is therefore a need for a user configurable and selectively operable system for playing background music during a call in a mobile communication network.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
7. The invention provides for a telecommunication system comprising a plurality of subscribers and call environment system connected to the telecommunication system, said call environment system comprising a call environment database for selectively storing subscriber information and environment instructions of a subscriber, such that the call environment system is configurable by the subscriber; and a background environment playing means for playing background music or sounds as per instructions stored in the call environment database or as per subscriber commands.
8.The invention also provides for A method of playing a background environment in a telecommunication network comprising a plurality of subscribers comprising the steps of configuring a call environment system as per subscriber requirements, the call environment system comprising of a call environment database for storing subscriber information and environment instructions of a subscriber and a background environment playing means comprising a database of prerecorded music or sounds; activating the call environment system as per user instructions stored in call environment database or as per user commands, such that the call environment system instructs background environment playing means to play background music or sounds during a call between a subscriber and a called number.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
9. The accompanying drawing illustrates the preferred embodiments of the invention and together
with the following detailed description serves to explain the principles of the invention.
10. Figure 1 depicts the normal call landing scenario on IVR of a call.
11. Figure 2 depicts the call patching to B-party with BGM when A - party dials to the IVR and call
of A - party is answered before calling B-party.
12. Figure 3 depicts the call patching to B-party with BGM when A - party dials to the IVR and call
of A - party is answered after calling B-party and B - party accepts the call.
13. For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will
now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used
to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the
invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated
system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein
being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention
relates.
14. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the
following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not
intended to be restrictive thereof.
15. The invention provides for a call environment system that allows a subscriber to selectively
create an environment during a call. The environment may be background music or sounds and
may be predefined by the subscriber or may be selected both before and during the call. The
invention also provides for a call environment system that allows the subscriber to predefine
background music for a specific caller or a group of callers.
16. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention the playing of background music in addition
to special sounds is provided. These sounds may be characteristic sounds such as horn, laugher,
crying, kiss, scream etc. Alternatively, the background music or sounds may be user recorded
such as the singing of a song or any other sound that the subscriber wishes to selectively play
during his call.
17. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the subscriber may stop, pause, restart or
play again the call environment in the form of background music or sound as per his choice. In
addition the subscriber may also increase or decrease the volume of the background music or
sound.
18. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the subscriber dials a prefix before dialing
a desired number to activate the call environment system. The call environment system is
activated after call is connected.

19. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the subscriber first connects with the call
environment system and is guided by the interactive voice recorder to dial a number.
20. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention the subscriber can activate the call
environment on the basis of date and/or time. Furthermore, a subscriber can pre-program the
call environment to be played based on the date and/or time of call.
21. In accordance with an embodiment the MSC transfers calls to the call environment system if the
subscriber is registered for the background environment service as provided for by the
invention.
22. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the call environment system has de
centralized databases for each circle with a central content management server.
23. In accordance with an embodiment, the invention provides for a method of providing
background environment during a call. A subscriber has the option of first reaching the call
environment system, configuring his background environment and then calling a number or
prefixing a called number with a code for the background environment to be activated.
24. In the first instance, the subscriber dials a short code say '123' and the call on reaching the
mobile switching center (MSC) of the subscriber is transferred to the call environment system.
The subscriber can then configure his background environment as per his requirements. For
example, the subscriber may select a series of songs or sounds and assign them a number,
entering which during a call would play the said selection as background environment. It is also
possible for the subscriber to create his list of background music or sounds from the available
list on the call environment system. Alternatively, the subscriber may record music and sounds
and assign them a number or store them in the call environment system.
25. Furthermore, the subscriber may also select and program certain background environments to be
played at pre-determined times or dates. For example, the subscriber may configure the call
environment system to play a certain song on a birthday, anniversary or other important days for
the subscriber. Alternatively, the subscriber may also configure certain songs for certain callers
such that on receiving calls from a specified number, the call environment system will
automatically play a specified background environment.

26. In the second instance, the subscriber prefixes a called number with a short code say '123'. The
mobile switching center (MSC) of the subscriber recognizes the code prefixed to the number
and the call is transferred to the call environment system. The call environment system checks
the subscriber's number with the call environment database and reads instructions stored for the
subscriber. The subscriber is then connected to the MSC of the called number and on receiving
connection confirmation the subscriber is patched to the called number and a background
environment playing means is activated, that plays background music or sound as per the
subscriber's instructions.
27. In accordance with an embodiment the invention provides for a call environment system that is
user configurable to selectively play background environment music or sounds. The call
environment system comprises of a call environment database that stores details of subscribers
and their corresponding instructions and a background environment playing means for playing
the background environment as per instructions stored in the call environment database.
28. With reference to the accompanying figures and initially to figure 1, when a subscriber (101)
dials the prefix code the master switch center (10001) transfers this call to the call environment
system (10003). The call environment system then guides the subscriber in configuring
background music or environment as per his requirements by means of an interactive voice
response system (501). The user configuration is stored by the call environment system in the
call environment database (501).
29. With reference to the accompanying figures figure 2, when a subscriber (501) dials a prefix
code before dialing the called number, the call is transferred by the master switch center (10001)
of the subscriber to the call environment system (10003). The call environment system of the
subscriber connects the call with the called number MSC (10001) and on receiving connection
confirmation the subscriber is patched through to the called number and the call environment
system activates the background environment playing means as per instructions stored in the
call environment database.
30. The subscriber then has the option of stopping, replaying, pause or changing the music or sound
played by the background environment playing means. The subscriber commands may be
entered by entering pre-determined numbers on the subscriber's handset.

31. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention as illustrated by figure 3, the call
environment system is localized for each circle. Thus each circle has its own call environment
system that is connected to a central call environment system (10003). The central call
environment system acts as a content aggregator for content deployed at each individual circle.
By de-centralizing the call environment systems inter mobile switching center loads is reduced
and optimal use of resources is possible. Moreover, a localized call environment system allows
regional content to be added.
32. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention as illustrated by figure 4, the subscriber
(100) initiates a call to called party (101). This call of the subscriber is transferred the master
switch center (10001) which transfers the call to the call environment system (10003). The call
environment system (10003) then verifies if the subscriber is registered in the database (501) to
the background music environment. If the subscriber is (100) is registered the call is connected
to called party (101) with back ground music through the call environment system (10003).

5. CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A telecommunication system comprising a plurality of subscribers and call environment system
connected to the telecommunication system, said call environment system comprising:
a. a call environment database for selectively storing subscriber information and
environment instructions of a subscriber, such that the call environment system is
configurable by the subscriber; and
b. a background environment playing means for playing background music or sounds as
per instructions stored in the call environment database or as per subscriber commands.
2. A telecommunication system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the background environment
playing means comprises a database of prerecorded music or sounds.
3. A telecommunication system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the call environment system is
deployed individually for a network circle.
4. A telecommunication system as claimed in claim 3 comprising a central call management
system to which individual call management systems of a network circle are connected.
5. A method of playing a background environment in a telecommunication network comprising a
plurality of subscribers comprising the steps of:
a. configuring a call environment system as per subscriber requirements, the call
environment system comprising of a call environment database for storing subscriber
information and environment instructions of a subscriber and a background environment
playing means comprising a database of prerecorded music or sounds;
b. activating the call environment system as per user instructions stored in call environment
database or as per user commands, such that the call environment system instructs
background environment playing means to play background music or sounds during a
call between a subscriber and a called number.
6. DATE AND SIGNATURE
6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein a subscriber can start or stop or replay or pause the
background music or sound during a call.
7. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein configuring the call environment system includes
recording subscriber music or sound inputs and storing the same on the background
environment playing means.
8. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein configuring the call environment system includes
configuring the call environment system to activate on a specified date and/or time.
9. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein configuring the call environment system includes
storing list of callers for which a specified background environment is to be activated.
10. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the background environment playing means plays
music or sounds only after the subscriber is connected to the called number.
11. A system substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the
accompanying drawings.
12. A method substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the
accompanying drawings.