I 1111111111111111 11111 111111111111111 IIIII 1111111111 111111111111111 IIII IIII
`US008340702B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Bychkov et al.
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,340, 702 B2
`Dec. 25, 2012
`
`(54) UNSUCCESSFUL CALL ALERT
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Eyal Bychkov, Hod Hasharon (IL); Uri
`Ron, Tel Aviv (IL)
`
`(73) Assignee: Google Inc., Mountain View, CA (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/324,957
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Dec. 13, 2011
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2012/0083254 Al
`
`Apr. 5, 2012
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`6,680,935 Bl *
`6,690,947 Bl
`6,799,017 Bl
`6,898,283 B2
`7,085,542 B2
`7,194,285 B2
`2002/0090980 Al
`2002/0159572 Al
`2002/0181672 Al
`2004/0057561 Al
`2004/0209605 Al
`2004/0233930 Al
`2004/0267884 Al *
`2005/0070225 Al
`2005/0159184 Al
`2006/0105722 Al
`2006/0140200 Al
`2006/0241353 Al
`2006/0246877 Al
`2007/0004450 Al
`2007/0018957 Al
`
`................... 370/352
`
`1/2004 Kung et al.
`2/2004 Tom
`9/2004 Kregel
`5/2005 Wycherley et al.
`8/2006 Dietrich et al.
`3/2007 Tom
`7/2002 Wilcox et al.
`10/2002 Fostick
`12/2002 Cannell et al.
`3/2004 Gilbert
`10/2004 Urban et al.
`11/2004 Colby, Jr.
`12/2004 Sar-Shalom .................. 709/206
`3/2005 Lee
`7 /2005 Kerner et al.
`5/2006 Kumar
`6/2006 Black et al.
`10/2006 Makino et al.
`11/2006 Kashanian et al.
`1/2007 Parikh
`1/2007 Seo
`(Continued)
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 11/983,444, filed on
`Nov. 9, 2007, now Pat. No. 8,078,204.
`
`EP
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0913982 A2
`5/1999
`(Continued)
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2009.01)
`H04W 4100
`(52) U.S. Cl. ..................... 455/466; 455/412.1; 455/418;
`455/415; 455/413; 455/414.1
`(58) Field of Classification Search .................. 455/466,
`455/412.1, 418,415, 413, 414.1
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,628,055 A
`5/1997 Stein
`4/1999 Reele eta!.
`5,893,037 A
`6,201,867 Bl
`3/2001 Koike
`6,243,578 Bl
`6/2001 Koike
`6,529,737 Bl
`3/2003 Skinner et al.
`6,640,113 Bl
`10/2003 Shin et al.
`
`Primary Examiner - Kwasi Karikari
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Soquel Group LLC
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A method for a mobile phone to provide an unsuccessful call
`alert, including monitoring an outgoing call from a caller to a
`callee to determine if the callee is available; if the callee is not
`available, then automatically actuating a message editor,
`automatically displaying a pre-defined call alert message,
`including an identifier of the caller and contact information
`for the caller, enabling the caller to edit the pre-defined call
`alert message, and sending the call alert message to the callee.
`A system is also described and claimed.
`
`10 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`310
`
`CALLER INITIATES AN
`OUTGOING PHONE CALL
`TOA CALLEE
`
`NO
`
`IS THE CALLEE
`AVAILABLE?
`
`YES
`
`340
`
`MESSAGE EDITOR IS
`ACTIVATED AND DISPLAYS
`A PRE-DEFINED MESSAGE
`
`350
`
`CALLER OPTIONALLY
`MODIFIES MESSAGE AND
`SENDS IT TO CALLEE
`
`330
`
`COMPLETE THE PHONE
`CALL
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1051, Page 1 of 12
`
`

`

`US 8,340,702 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2007/0161404 Al
`7/2007 Yasujima et al.
`2008/0032687 Al
`2/2008 Mathewson et al.
`2008/0140886 Al
`6/2008 Izutsu
`
`EP
`GB
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1871075 Al
`12/2007
`2445669 Al
`7 /2008
`
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`
`0059247 Al
`0186922 Al
`03079657 Al
`03103174 Al
`03103262 Al
`2007127139 Al
`
`10/2000
`11/2001
`9/2003
`12/2003
`12/2003
`11/2007
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1051, Page 2 of 12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 25, 2012
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 8,340,702 B2
`
`100
`
`-----110
`
`JOHN SMITH TRIED TO
`REACH YOU AT 16:05,
`SEPTEMBER 01, 2007.
`PLEASE CALL BACK AT
`TELEPHONE NUMBER 123-
`456-7890.
`
`□ DD
`□ DD
`□ DD
`□ DD
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1051, Page 3 of 12
`
`

`

`~ = ~ = N = N
`
`00 w
`rJl.
`d
`
`0 ....
`N
`.....
`rJ'1 =(cid:173)
`
`('D
`('D
`
`O'I
`
`N
`~Ul
`N
`~
`
`0 ....
`
`N
`
`c ('D
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~
`~
`•
`00
`~
`
`ANTENNA
`
`,,.,,225
`
`.,~"'
`
`'-~---~--"
`..
`/:
`!
`A
`1---------'";
`
`SIM
`
`290
`
`MODEM
`
`·• ••••.......... , ..
`
`220
`
`270
`
`FIG. 2
`
`DISPLAY
`
`KEYBOARD
`
`250
`
`240
`
`230
`
`ALERTER
`
`CALL
`
`INTERFACE
`
`RF
`
`210
`
`SUBSYSTEM
`
`260 • SUBSYSTEM
`
`280
`
`CPU CONTROLLER
`
`1 ___________ !
`I
`I
`1◄ ~!
`I
`l
`: STORAGE
`i
`I
`r-L~------~
`
`I
`I
`
`·,,,,,,
`
`AUDIO
`
`POWER
`
`/
`
`/.,.,---200
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1051, Page 4 of 12
`
`

`

`~ = ~ = N = N
`
`00 w
`d r.,;_
`
`FIG. 3
`
`~
`
`('D
`('D
`
`O'I
`
`0 .....
`.....
`rJJ =(cid:173)
`
`N
`~Ul
`N
`~
`
`0 ....
`
`N
`
`c ('D
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~
`~
`•
`00
`~
`
`CALL
`
`COMPLETE THE PHONE
`
`330
`
`SENDS IT TO CALLEE
`
`MODIFIES MESSAGE AND
`
`CALLER OPTIONALLY
`
`350
`
`A PRE-DEFINED MESSAGE
`ACTIVATED AND DISPLAYS
`
`MESSAGE EDITOR IS
`
`YES
`
`340
`
`NO
`
`TOA CALLEE
`
`OUTGOING PHONE CALL
`
`CALLER INITIATES AN
`
`310
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1051, Page 5 of 12
`
`

`

`~ = ~ = N = N
`
`00 w
`d r.,;_
`
`O'I
`
`0 ....
`.....
`rJJ =(cid:173)
`
`.i;...
`
`('D
`('D
`
`N
`~Ul
`N
`~
`
`0 ....
`
`N
`
`FIG. 4
`
`450
`
`GMSC
`
`445
`
`430
`
`(EIR)
`AUC
`HLR
`
`435
`
`425
`
`GGSN
`
`420
`
`200
`
`~ s::
`~
`~
`~ r-
`
`c ('D
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~
`~
`•
`00
`~
`
`SERVICE CENTER
`I SHORT MESSAGING
`
`455
`
`I
`
`415
`
`CENTER
`
`MOBILE SWITCHING
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`STATION
`
`BASE
`
`440
`
`10
`
`400
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1051, Page 6 of 12
`
`

`

`~ = ~ = N = N
`
`00 w
`d r.,;_
`
`FIG. 5
`
`0 ....
`Ul
`.....
`rJJ =(cid:173)
`
`('D
`('D
`
`O'I
`
`N
`~Ul
`N
`~
`
`0 ....
`
`N
`
`c ('D
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~
`~
`•
`00
`~
`
`450
`
`J
`
`GMSC I
`
`IWF
`
`445
`
`430
`
`530
`
`SERVICE CENTER
`MOBILE SWITCHING t--~ SHORT MESSAGING
`
`CENTER
`
`455
`
`415
`
`440
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`STATION
`
`BASE
`
`(EIR)
`AUC
`HLR
`
`10
`
`435
`
`200
`
`3:
`rri
`~
`~
`~
`~ r
`
`STATION
`
`TRANSCEIVER
`
`BASE
`
`405
`
`500
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1051, Page 7 of 12
`
`

`

`N
`~Ul
`N
`~
`
`0 ....
`
`N
`
`c ('D
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~
`~
`•
`00
`~
`
`$ME
`
`TERMINATING
`
`~ -
`
`--
`
`I
`
`610. ACCESS REQUEST AND AUTHENTICATION
`
`I
`I
`
`FIG. 6
`
`880. STATUS REPORT
`
`670. DELIVERY REPORT
`
`660. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT (OPTIONAL)
`
`650. SUBMIT SHORT MESSAGE
`
`I
`
`640. FORWARD SHORT MESSAGE
`
`630. SEND INFORMATION FOR SHORT MESSAGE
`
`620. MESSAGE TRANSFER
`
`VLR
`
`SMSC
`
`HLR
`
`MSC
`
`MS
`
`ORIGINATING
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1051, Page 8 of 12
`
`

`

`US 8,340,702 B2
`
`1
`UNSUCCESSFUL CALL ALERT
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The field of the present invention is phone call notification. 5
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`The present invention overcomes drawbacks of prior art
`notification methods. By using SMS messages, MMS mes(cid:173)
`sages, or e-mail messages (referred to henceforth collectively
`as "messages"), instead of voice mail, the present invention
`overcomes failures when B's voice mail is full. Messages
`may be sent to B when B's mobile phone is busy. In case of
`emergency, Bis able to receive A's message while Bis speak(cid:173)
`ing to someone else on his mobile phone, and thus be alerted
`right away. Messages may be sent to B when B's mobile
`10 phone is turned off, and B will receive the messages when he
`turns his mobile phone on. Moreover, by enabling caller A to
`edit the message, A may leave his blocked or unlisted phone
`number for B to return the call or, if A prefers not to disclose
`his blocked or unlisted number, he may leave an alternate
`return call phone number or provide other contact informa(cid:173)
`tion such as an e-mail address.
`There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment
`of the present invention a method for a mobile phone to
`provide an unsuccessful call alert, including monitoring an
`20 outgoing call from a caller to a callee to determine if the callee
`is available, if the callee is not available, then automatically
`activating a message editor, automatically displaying a pre(cid:173)
`defined call alert message, including an identifier of the caller
`and contact information for the caller, enabling the caller to
`25 edit the pre-defined call alert message, and sending the call
`alert message to the callee.
`
`15
`
`Today's mobile phones have various ways of notifying
`mobile phone users that someone called them but was unable
`to reach them. Three such prior art notification methods and
`their respective drawbacks are described below.
`Notification Method:
`If a caller, A, calls a callee, B, but is unable to reach B then, in
`certain circumstances, A may leave a message on B's voice
`mail service.
`Drawbacks:
`If B's voice mail is full then A is generally unable to leave a
`voice message.
`Caller A may not wish to leave a voice message.
`Notification Method:
`If a caller, A, calls a callee, B, and is unable to reach B, then
`in certain circumstances B's mobile phone will record an
`identifier of the caller and the date & time of the call in a
`"Missed Calls" log.
`Drawbacks:
`The Missed Calls log is only able to log calls that were made
`to B when B was located within a cell coverage area and
`B's mobile phone was turned on. Calls made to B when B 30
`was located in an area without cell coverage, or when B's
`mobile phone was turned off, are generally not recorded.
`If A has a blocked or an unlisted phone number, then A is not
`identified in B's Missed Calls log, making it impossible for B
`to return the call.
`If A has a listed un-blocked phone number, but B does not
`recognize it, then B may decide to discard the notification and
`not return the call.
`Notification Method:
`If a caller, A, calls a callee, B, and is unable to reach B, then 40
`in certain circumstances, A's cellular service provider
`sends an SMS message to B's mobile phone with informa(cid:173)
`tion about the missed call, including an identifier of the
`caller, and the date & time of the call.
`Drawbacks:
`If A has a blocked or an unlisted phone number, then A is not
`identified in B's Missed Calls log, making it impossible for
`B to return the call.
`If A has a listed un-blocked phone number, but B does not
`recognize it, then B may decide to discard the notification and 50
`not return the call.
`There is thus a need for alerting a callee, B, that a caller, A,
`called him but was unable to reach him, in a way that over(cid:173)
`comes the above drawbacks, and without sacrificing A's
`security and B's privacy.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The present invention will be more fully understood and
`appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in
`conjunction with the drawings in which:
`FIG.1 is an illustration of an unsuccessful call alert, to alert
`a callee that a caller called him but was unable to reach him,
`35 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an unsuccessful call
`alert system, for alerting a callee that a caller called him but
`was unable to reach him, in accordance with an embodiment
`of the present invention;
`FIG. 3 is a simplified flow chart of a method for alerting a
`callee that a caller called him but was unable to reach him, in
`accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a simplified illustration of an exemplary GSM
`communication network including an unsuccessful call alert
`45 system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 5 is a simplified illustration of an exemplary CDMA
`communication network including an unsuccessful call alert
`system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`invention; and
`FIG. 6 is a simplified flowchart of how a mobile-originated
`short message with an unsuccessful call alert is transferred
`over a GSM network, in accordance with an embodiment of
`the present invention.
`
`55
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION
`
`Aspects of the present invention concern a method and
`system for unsuccessful call alert, that automatically activates
`an SMS text message editor, an MMS message editor, an
`e-mail editor, or a plurality of such editors, when an unsuc(cid:173)
`cessful call is detected. The SMS, MMS, or e-mail editor
`automatically prepares a message, according to a prescribed
`message format, and sends the message from a caller, A, to a
`callee, B. Additionally, A can modify the message prior to its
`being sent to B.
`
`Aspects of the present invention relate to automatically
`notifying a mo bile phone user that a caller called him but was
`60 unable to reach him. When the caller, A, tries to call a callee,
`B, and is unable to reach him, caller A's mobile phone auto(cid:173)
`matically activates a message editor, such as an SMS message
`editor, an MMS message editor, or an e-mail message editor,
`or a plurality of such editors (referred to henceforth collec-
`65 tively as "message editors"), and initializes a pre-designated
`message to send to B. Caller A may (i) send the pre-desig(cid:173)
`nated message as is, (ii) edit the pre-designated message and
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1051, Page 9 of 12
`
`

`

`US 8,340,702 B2
`
`3
`then send the edited message, or (iii) not send a message. In
`cases (i) and (ii), the message will be delivered to B in order
`that B be aware of the call he missed.
`Reference is now made to FIG.1, which is an illustration of
`an unsuccessful call alert, to alert a callee that a caller called
`him but was unable to reach him, in accordance with an
`embodiment of the present invention. Shown in FIG. 1 is the
`callee's mobile phone 100, displaying an SMS message 110
`indicating that the callee missed a call. Message 110 is pre(cid:173)
`designated to be of the form "C tried to reach you at T, D.
`Please call back to telephone number N". The parameters C,
`T, D and N are respectively, the caller's name, the time, the
`date and the caller's telephone number. The text strings for
`these parameters are evaluated in real-time when message
`110 is initialized. If the date and time have not been set in the 15
`caller's mobile phone 100, then message 110 is instead gen(cid:173)
`erated in an abridged form "C tried to reach you. Please call
`back to telephone number N". The caller may edit the
`abridged message to add the date and time, prior to sending
`the message.
`In one embodiment of the present invention, when caller
`A's call is not answered by callee B, caller A's mobile phone
`automatically offers the choice of which type of message to
`send: an SMS message, an MMS message, or an e-mail mes(cid:173)
`sage. Based on caller A's choice, the appropriate message
`editor is automatically activated, and the pre-designated mes(cid:173)
`sage is initialized.
`Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is a simplified
`block diagram of an unsuccessful call alert system 200, for
`alerting a callee that a caller called him but was unable to
`reach him, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`invention. As shown in FIG. 2, call alert system 200 includes
`three primary components; namely, a CPU controller 210, a
`modem 220, and a call alerter 230. Modem 220 includes an
`RF interface 225 connected to an antenna. Operation of call
`alerter 230 is described hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 3.
`System 200 also includes a keyboard 240 for input, a dis(cid:173)
`play 250 for output, a power subsystem 260, and an audio
`subsystem 270. Optionally, system 200 may also include a
`storage memory 280 and a SIM card 290.
`Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is a flow chart of
`a method, performed by call alerter 230 of FIG. 2, for alerting
`a callee that a caller called him but was unable to reach him,
`in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
`At step 310, a caller places an outgoing call on his mobile 45
`phone to a callee. At step 320, a determination is made
`whether or not the callee is available. A callee may not be
`available for a variety ofreasons. The callee's phone may be
`turned off. The callee's phone may be busy. The callee may
`not wish to answer the call. The callee's phone may forward 50
`to a voice mailbox, but the caller does not want to leave a
`voice message. Generally, the determination at step 320 may
`be based on call duration; e.g., a duration shorter than 10
`seconds may be used as an indicator that the callee is not
`available.
`If it is determined at step 320 that the callee is available,
`then the call is completed at step 330, and the method ends at
`step 360. Otherwise, if it is determined at step 320 that the
`callee is unavailable, then at step 340 a message editor on the
`caller's mobile phone is activated. The message editor dis(cid:173)
`plays a pre-defined message, with text string parameters that
`are evaluated at run-time. An example of such a pre-defined
`message is message 110 of FIG. 1.
`Activation of the message editor at step 340 may be auto(cid:173)
`matically performed by the caller's mobile phone, or manu- 65
`ally performed by the caller. Manual activation may be trig(cid:173)
`gered by the caller pressing an "End" button during the phone
`
`4
`call. Alternatively, or additionally, a dedicated button may be
`used for activating the message editor. Some Nokia cell
`phones, for example, such as the Nokia 6100 model series,
`include an "Options" button that a caller may press in order to
`5 disconnect a call, or perform other functions with his cell
`phone. Such an "Options" button may be used for activating
`the message editor at step 340, in accordance with an embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present invention.
`At step 350 the caller is able to edit the pre-defined mes-
`10 sage. For example, if the caller's mobile phone number is
`blocked or unlisted, then the caller may substitute a different
`phone number for the return call, or may provide other contact
`information such as an e-mail address. The caller sends the
`message to the callee, and the method then ends at step 360.
`It will thus be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
`present invention provides a robust method and system for
`unsuccessful call alert that overcomes drawbacks of prior art
`methods and systems. By using messages instead of voice
`mail, the present invention overcomes failures when B's
`20 voice mail is full or when B is outside of a cell coverage area.
`Messages may be sent to B when B's mobile phone is busy.
`In case of emergency, B is able to receive A's message while
`Bis speaking to someone else on his mobile phone. B can then
`terminate his call, at B's discretion, and contact A immedi-
`25 ately.
`Messages may be sent to B when B's mobile phone is
`turned off, and B will receive the messages when he turns his
`mobile phone on.
`By enabling caller A to edit the message, A may leave his
`30 blocked or unlisted phone number for B to return the call or,
`if A prefers not to disclose his blocked or unlisted number, he
`may leave an alternate return call phone number or provide
`other contact information such as an e-mail address.
`The call alert system of the present invention may be imple-
`35 mented within a variety of wireless communication networks,
`including inter alia GSM and CDMA. These exemplary net(cid:173)
`works are respectively illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 hereinbe(cid:173)
`low.
`Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a simplified
`40 illustration of an exemplary GSM communication network
`400, within which call alert system 200 is operative, in accor(cid:173)
`dance with an embodiment of the present invention.
`Communication network 400 is a General Packet Radio
`Service (GPRS) network. GPRS is a packet-switched service
`for the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM),
`similar to the Internet. GPRS provides packet radio access for
`mobile GSM users. GPRS also supports Wireless Application
`Protocol (WAP) services.
`Call alert system 200 communicates with a base trans(cid:173)
`ceiver station (BTS) 405 via an over-the-air interface. Base
`transceiver stations are components of communication net(cid:173)
`work 400 that terminate the over-the-air interface, over which
`subscriber traffic is communicated to and from call alert sys(cid:173)
`tem 200. Communication network 400 also includes a base
`55 station controller (BSC) 410. Base station controllers are
`switching modules that provide handoff functions and power
`level control in base transceiver stations.
`BSC 410 is controlled by a mobile switching center (MSC)
`415. MSC 415 performs functions of a landline network
`60 switching node, including search, signal path switching, and
`processing of supplementary services. When a request is
`made for connecting to a subscriber in a landline network, the
`request is forwarded by MSC 415 to the landline network over
`a switching path.
`BSC 410 controls the interface between MSC 415 and BTS
`405, and, as such, controls BTS 405 in call set-up, signaling,
`and use ofradio channels. BSC 410 also controls the interface
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1051, Page 10 of 12
`
`

`

`US 8,340,702 B2
`
`5
`
`5
`between a serving GPRS support node (SGSN) 420 and BTS
`405. While GSM forms the underlying technology, SGSN
`420 is a network element introduced through GPRS technol(cid:173)
`ogy. Another network element introduced in the GPRS con(cid:173)
`text is the gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) 425, which
`acts as a gateway to Internet 430.
`SGSN 420 services call alert system 200 by sending or
`receiving packets via a base station subsystem, and more
`specifically via BSC 410, in the context of GSM systems.
`SGSN 420 is responsible for delivery of data packets to and
`from call alert system 200, within a service area. SGSN 420
`also performs packet routing and transfer, mobility manage(cid:173)
`ment, local link management, authentication and charging
`functions.
`In order to accommodate a multitude of services, a pro(cid:173)
`vider of communication network 400 stores various types of
`data. The provider must know which subscribers are using
`communication network 400, and which services the sub(cid:173)
`scribers use. Subscriber profiles, such as the International
`Mobile Subscriber Identify Number (IMSI), of GPRS sub- 20
`scribers registered with SGSN 420, are stored in a home
`location registry (HLR) 435. The owner of call alert system
`200 is such a GPRS subscriber.
`To determine whether a subscriber is entitled to use com-
`munication network 400, the network provider maintains an 25
`authentication center (AUC) 435. Generally, AUC 435
`includes algorithms and subscriber-related encryption keys,
`which are used for authentication. AUC 435 determines, inter
`alia, whether a subscriber has a valid service contract.
`The provider of communication network 400 may option- 30
`ally maintain an equipment identity registry (EIR) 435, which
`includes details of mobile transceivers permitted on the net(cid:173)
`work. Generally, EIR 435 stores a "white list", a "grey list"
`and a "black list". The white list includes mobile phones that
`function reliably, the grey list includes mobile phones that 35
`may be defective, and the black list includes mobile phones
`which are either faulty or have been reported missing or
`stolen.
`In order to establish a connection to a subscriber's mobile
`phone, the network provider must determine where the sub(cid:173)
`scriber is located and whether his mobile phone is turned on.
`Such information is stored in a visitor location registry (VLR)
`440.
`MSC 415 is in communication with a gateway MSC
`(GMSC) 445, which acts as a gateway to a public-switched
`telephone network (PSTN) 450.
`MSC 415 is also in communication with a short messaging
`service center (SMSC) 455. A short messaging service center
`stores and forwards SMS messages to and from mobile sta(cid:173)
`tions via MSC 415. When SMSC 455 receives a short mes- 50
`sage for transmission to a mobile station, SMSC 455 interro(cid:173)
`gates the current position of the mobile station from HLR
`435.
`Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is a simplified
`illustration of an exemplary Code Division Multiple Access
`(CDMA) communication network 500, within which call
`alert system 200 transmits unsuccessful call alerts, in accor(cid:173)
`dance with an embodiment of the present invention. The
`specific communication network shown in FIG. 5 conforms
`to the CDMA2000 IX standard. Communication network 60
`500 includes several components of FIG. 4; namely, call alert
`system 200, base station transceiver 405, base station control(cid:173)
`ler 410, mobile switching center 415, Internet 430, HLR/
`AUC/EIR 435, VLR 440, GMSC 445, PSTN 450 and SMSC
`455.
`In communication network 500, BSC 410 is in communi(cid:173)
`cation with a packet control function (PCF) 505. In turn, PCF
`
`6
`505 is in communication with a packet data serving node
`(PDSN) 510, which is part of a packet core network (PCN)
`515. A packet core network generally includes a succession of
`interconnected routers, or such other communication nodes,
`that carry Internet protocol (IP) data traffic.
`PDSN 510 provides both mobility management functions,
`similar to SGSN 420, and packet routing functions, similar to
`GGSN 450. PDSN 510 serves as a connection point between
`a radio access network and an IP network, and manages
`10 point-to-point sessions between a mobile phone and an IP
`address.
`PCF 505 provides a relay from PDSN 510 to a mobile
`phone. PCF 505 tracks registration expiration, and ensures
`that sessions are renewed as necessary. PCF 505 also controls
`15 available radio resources, and buffers data received from
`PDSN 510 when radio resources are not available. PCF 505
`also controls dormancy.
`PCN 515 also includes a home agent (HA) 520. Generally,
`HA 520 manages roaming and handoff of mobile data. HA
`520 is used for registration of a mobile IP (MIP), and transfer
`of mobile packet data in PDSN 510. Through tunneling, HA
`520 transfers MIP data from a home network to PDSN 510,
`and from PDSN 510 to the home network through a reverse
`tunnel.
`PCN 515 also includes an authentication, authorization
`and accounting (AAA) server 525. Generally, AAA server
`525 is responsible for access control. AAA server 525 pro(cid:173)
`cesses user requests for access to computer resources and, for
`enterprises, provides authentication, authorization and
`accounting services. Authentication is used to identify sub(cid:173)
`scribers. Authorization is used to manage policies and service
`profiles that govern which resources and services a subscriber
`may access, and to manage and distribute security keys.
`Accounting services track usage of time and data resources,
`and manage billing. AAA server 525 interacts with network
`access and gateway servers, and with databases and directo-
`ries containing user information.
`In communication network 500, MSC 415 is in communi(cid:173)
`cation with an interworking function (IWF) 530. An inter-
`40 working function provides an interface between wireless data
`networks and data packet networks such as Internet 430 or
`corporate intranets, and also between wireless data networks
`and wireline networks such as PSTN 450. The interworking
`function converts and sends data to a data packet network or
`45 a wireline network, based on the data type. Generally, IWF
`530 includes modems or data terminal adapters, or both, to
`convert data transmitted over a wireless network to a format
`suitable for recognition and carrying by a public telecommu(cid:173)
`nications network.
`Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a simplified
`flowchart of how a mobile-originated short message with an
`unsuccessful call alert is transferred over a GSM network,
`such as network 400, in accordance with an embodiment of
`the present invention. At step 610 call alert system 200 is
`55 powered on and its messaging service, referred to as the
`"originating messaging service (MS)", is registered with net(cid:173)
`work 400. Access request and authentication are exchanged
`between the originating messaging service and a visitor loca-
`tion registry (VLR), such as VLR 440.
`At step 620 the originating messaging service transfers a
`call alert short message, in accordance with the present inven(cid:173)
`tion, to a mobile switching center (MSC), such as MSC 415.
`At step 630 the MSC interrogates the VLR to verify that short
`message transfer does not violate restrictions of revoked ser-
`65 vices of the owner of call alert system 200.
`If verification is confirmed, then at step 640 the MSC sends
`the short message to a short messaging service center
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1051, Page 11 of 12
`
`

`

`US 8,340,702 B2
`
`5
`
`7
`(SMSC), using a forwardShortMessage( ) operation. At step
`650 the SMSC delivers the short message to its destination,
`referred to as the "terminating short message entity (SME)".
`At step 660, the terminating SME sends an acknowledgement
`to the SMSC. Step 660 is optional.
`At step 670 the SMSC sends the MSC an acknowledge(cid:173)
`ment with the successful or unsuccessful outcome of the
`forwardShortMessage( ) operation. Finally, at step 680 the
`MSC returns to the originating MS an acknowledgement of
`whether or not the mobile originated short message was sue- 10
`cessfully delivered.
`In the foregoing specification, the invention has been
`described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments
`thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifica(cid:173)
`tions and changes may be made to the specific exemplary 15
`embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and
`scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
`Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be
`regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method for a mobile phone to provide an unsuccessful
`call alert, comprising:
`monitoring, by a caller's mobile phone, an outgoing call
`from a caller to a callee to determine if the callee is
`available;
`if the callee is not available, then:
`automatically presenting, by the caller's mobile phone,
`the caller with an option of sending an e-mail message
`to the callee; and
`if the caller selects the option, then:
`automatically activating, by the caller's mobile
`phone, an e-mail message editor;
`automatically generating, by the activated e-mail
`message editor, a call alert message; and
`sending, by the caller's mobile phone, the call alert
`message to the callee.
`
`8
`2. The method of claim 1 wherein said automatically gen(cid:173)
`erating comprises generating a date and time in the call alert
`message.
`3. The method of claim 1 further comprising entering, by
`the activated e-mail message generator, a phone number for
`returning the call into the call alert message.
`4. The method of claim 1 further comprising entering, by
`the activated e-mail message generator, an e-mail address for
`the caller.
`5. The method of claim 1 wherein said monitoring deter(cid:173)
`mines if the callee is available based on duration of the call.
`6. A call alert apparatus, comprising:
`a modem for enabling a caller to place an outgoing call to
`a callee, and for sending a call alert message to the
`callee;
`an e-mail message editor, for generating a call alert mes(cid:173)
`sage;
`a call alerter for monitoring the outgoing call from the
`caller to the callee to determine if the callee is available,
`and, if the callee is not available, then automatically
`presenting the caller with an option of sending an e-mail
`message to the callee, and activating said e-mail mes(cid:173)
`sage editor in response to the caller selecting the option.
`7. The call alert apparatus of claim 6 wherein the call alert
`25 message generated by said message editor comprises a date
`and time.
`8. The call alert apparatus of claim 6 wherein said message
`editor enters a phone number for returning the call in the call
`alert message.
`9. The call alert apparatus of claim 6 wherein said message
`editor enters an e-mail address for the caller in the call alert
`message.
`10. The call alert apparatus of claim 6 wherein said call
`alerter determines if the callee is available based on duration
`of the call.
`
`20
`
`30
`
`35
`
`* * * * *
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1051, Page 12 of 12
`
`