Customised playback telephony services

Field of the Invention

0001This invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing customised media playback telephony services. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to the provision of prior-to-answer media playback services such as customised ringback tones, engaged tones and other content such as pre-recorded announcements played before a call is answered. The invention also relates to in-call telephony services, providing customised media playback after a call has been answered, for example customised call holding and call transfer tones.

Background of the Invention

0002Prior-to-answer telephony services provide information to a telephony service user before a call is answered. This information may come in the form of a ringback tone, an engaged tone, or a pre-recorded announcement which all serve to indicate to a calling party that the call is being processed. However, the information provided is typically the same to all users of the telephony services. Further, such services do not allow a called party to have any influence on how their individual prior-to-answer telephony services will be presented to calling parties.

0003International patent application <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="WO03071820A"><text>WO A 03/071820</text></patcit> relates to a method and apparatus for providing a sound chosen by a called subscriber instead of ringback tone to a calling subscriber. If a call is received, a terminating exchange requests a trunk connection to a sound database server based on the first information on whether or not to replace a ringback tone and the second information on a route to the sound database server that are received from a home location register (HLR), and provides a called subscriber identification for the sound database server. Then, the sound database server searches its database for a sound specified by the called subscriber, and provides the found sound for the calling subscriber instead of a conventional ringback tone via the terminating exchange connected through a trunk. Through this sequential procedure of network elements, a calling subscriber can hear a sound specified by a called subscriber instead of a standard ringback tone. However, operating a sound database server can be a significant additional cost to the network provider. Further, the selection of ringback tones stored in the sound database server is limited.

0004International patent application <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="WO03005686A1"><text>WO Al 03/005686</text></patcit> describes a system for providing personal audio alert messages (PAAM) to a called party and a calling party during a call connection. In response to a call origination by the calling party, a PAAM database may be queried. One or more PAAM strings may be received from a database in response to the query and used to provide PAAM messages to the called and/or calling parties. In the case of prior-to-answer, the system requires specific network-based prior-to-answer apparatus in order to provide PAAM messages back to a calling party.

0005United States patent application <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="US2004081304A1"><text>US Al 2004/081304</text></patcit> relates to a method of generating and transmitting a ring back tone and a system thereof. The method of generating a ring back tone in a first terminal based on an internet protocol comprises identifying a type of a network to which a second terminal requesting a call setup belongs, generating ring back tone data to be transmitted to the second terminal according to the type of the network, inserting the ring back tone data into a response message to the call setup, and transmitting the inserted response message to the second terminal.

0006United States patent application <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="US6385308B1"><text>US B1 6385308</text></patcit> describes a telephone system for providing personalised announcements to calling parties in support of branded products and services of the system and others during call processing to called parties. A processor coupled to the system includes a database of designated calling parties receiving personal announcements. Record means stored in the processor for each designated calling party define the parameters for each personalised announcement. Call processing means responsive to the processor initiate a call from the calling party to a called party according to the parameters for the calling party defined in the record means. In one form, audio means under control of the processor play the personalised announcement to the calling party during the pre-answer period of the call or until the call is abandoned or the line is busy.

0007It would be desirable to provide an improved method and apparatus for providing customised prior-to-answer telephony services.

Summary of the Invention

0008According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing customised media playback services in a telephony service using a first subscriber device located at a subscriber location, the telephony service involving a second subscriber device located at said subscriber location, said second subscriber device including telephone functionality allowing said second subscriber device to conduct a telephone call, the second subscriber device having call states controlled by a network-based telephony switching node, said method comprising the steps of receiving signalling information from said network-based telephony switching node at the first subscriber device, said signalling information indicating a call state at said second subscriber device, and in response to receiving said signalling information, initiating playback of an item of media content, wherein said item of media content is stored in a media store associated with said first subscriber device and said playback is initiated from said first subscriber device.

0009Hence, the present invention provides telephony services that can be customised by a subscriber using media content stored on subscriber equipment local to the subscriber. A subscriber may customise their telephony services such that different items of media content can be played back for different call states.

0010Preferably, if said indicated call state is a ringing state, said playback comprises ringback tone content. Hence if the second subscriber device is in a ringing state, the calling party can be played back customised ringback tone content.

0011Preferably, if said indicated call state is an engaged state, said playback comprises engaged tone content. Hence if the second subscriber device is in an engaged state, the calling party can be played back customised engaged tone content.

0012Preferably, if said indicated call state is an engaged (with call waiting being indicated) state, said playback comprises engaged (with call waiting being indicated) tone content. Hence if the second subscriber device is in an engaged (with call waiting being indicated) state, the calling party can be played back customised engaged (with call waiting being indicated) tone content.

0013Preferably, if said indicated call state is a call holding state, said playback comprises call holding tone content. Hence if the second subscriber device is in a call holding state, the calling party can be played back customised call holding tone content.

0014Preferably, if said indicated call state is a call transfer state, said playback comprises transfer tone content. Hence if the second subscriber device is in a call transfer state, the calling party can be played back customised call transfer tone content.

0015According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided subscriber equipment for use in providing customised media playback services in a telephony service using a first subscriber device, the telephony service involving a second subscriber device comprising a telephony device having call states controlled by a network-based telephony switching node, said subscriber equipment being adapted to store an item of media content in a media store associated with said first subscriber device, receive signalling information from said network-based telephony switching node at the first subscriber device, said signalling information indicating a call state at said telephony device, and in response to said reception of signalling information, initiate playback of an item of media content.

0016According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided computer software for use in providing customised media playback services in a telephony service using a first subscriber device, the telephony service involving a second subscriber device, said second subscriber device including telephone functionality allowing said second subscriber device to conduct a telephone call, the second subscriber device having call states controlled by a network-based telephony switching node, said computer software being adapted to receive signalling information from said network-based telephony switching node at the first subscriber device, said signalling information indicating a call state at said second subscriber device, and in response to said reception of signalling information, initiate playback of an item of media content, wherein said item of media content is stored in a media store associated with said first subscriber device and said playback is initiated from said first subscriber device.

0017According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing customised prior-to-answer services in a telephony service using the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP),, said method comprising the steps of receiving SIP signalling information relating to a first incoming call directed to a subscriber from a calling party; transmitting a SIP signalling message indicating that media content is to be transmitted to said calling party prior to the incoming call being answered; and beginning playback of an item of media content to said calling party whilst the call is in a prior-to-answer signalling state, wherein said item of media content is stored in subscriber equipment associated with said subscriber, and said playback is originated from said subscriber equipment.

0018Hence the present invention provides prior-to-answer telephony services that can be customised by a subscriber using content stored on their own equipment. This allows a subscriber to give their prior-to-answer telephony services a personal touch as the subscriber can choose an item of media content for playback to a calling party. As the media content is stored on subscriber equipment local to the subscriber, no additional network resources such as data storage and data processing facilities are required. The only limit to the number and variety of items of media content that the subscriber can use to customise their prior-to-answer telephony services is determined by the amount of data storage the subscriber has locally at their disposal. This avoids network operators having to provide such resources, which will mean that such services can be provided at a lower cost than if all subscribers were to store their items of media content centrally in the network. Administration of these prior-to-answer telephony services will thus be much simplified on the part of the network operator.

0019It is noted that various types of subscriber equipment such as voicemail systems, interactive voice response (IVR) systems etc., which are typically tightly coupled to the call terminating equipment, have the capability to play back recorded media content, such as voice messages. However, these prior art devices are only designed to play back after an incoming call has been answered, and not prior-to-answer.

0020Preferably, the received signalling information comprises an incoming call request, said method comprising the steps of transmitting an incoming call request onward from said subscriber equipment, receiving a ringing indication at said subscriber equipment in response to the transmission, and beginning said playback in response to receiving said ringing indication.

0021Preferably, the method comprises the steps of receiving signalling information relating to a further incoming call to be directed to said subscriber from a further calling party, beginning playback of a further item of media content to said further calling party before said further incoming call is answered, wherein said further item of media content is stored in said subscriber equipment, and said playback of said further item of media content is originated from said subscriber equipment. Therefore, a subscriber can choose different items of media content to be played back to different calling parties.

0022Preferably, the method comprises the step of selecting an item of media content to play back to a calling party, said selection being dependent on a context related to an incoming call. A subscriber can thus customise a prior-to-answer telephony service such that which item of media content is played back to which calling party may depend on the context of the call. This context may for example involve one or more of the identity of the calling party, the time at which the incoming call occurs, the location of the subscriber, and/or the location of the calling party.

0023Preferably, the method comprises the step of terminating the playback of an item of media content when said subscriber answers an incoming call. Hence when the call is answered by the subscriber, the prior-to-answer service is terminated and a two-way telephone call can be conducted in the usual manner.

0024Preferably, the subscriber equipment comprises a first subscriber device and a second subscriber device, wherein said first subscriber device stores said item or items of media content and said second subscriber device is used to answer an incoming call. Preferably said second subscriber device comprises a telephone connected to said telephony service network, wherein said telephone is for example an analogue telephone or a packet-switched telephone. Preferably said first subscriber device comprises one of a personal computer, a laptop, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant and/or an audio playback device such as a portable music player.

0025Preferably the playback of an item of media content comprises ringback tone content. If the subscriber is already conducting a telephone call when another call is incoming, engaged tone content may be played back to the calling party.

0026The tone content may include audio music content and/or voice announcement content. Hence the items of media content played back to the calling party before the incoming call is answered may include audio music content and/or include a predetermined voice announcement message.

0027Preferably, the method comprises the steps of receiving input from said calling party, in response to said received input, selecting another item of media content, and beginning playback of said another item of media content, wherein said another item of media content is stored in said subscriber equipment and said playback is originated from said subscriber equipment. Hence selection of played back media content may be interactive, depending on input from a calling party. Preferably said first subscriber device comprises a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for managing the items of media content to be played back to calling parties. Hence, management of items of media content can be facilitated by a subscriber operated GUI.

0028Preferably, playback of an item of media content involves streaming the item of media content, for example according to the Real-time Transfer Protocol (RTP).

0029There is further provided apparatus and computer software adapted to perform the method of the present invention.

0030Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

0031<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref> is an overall system diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 2</figref> is a diagram showing the media and signalling flows involved in the provision of network-originated prior-to-answer telephony services according to an embodiment of the invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Figure 3</figref> is a diagram showing the media and signalling flows involved in the provision of subscriber equipment-originated customised prior-to-answer telephony services according to an embodiment of the invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Figure 4</figref> is an example GUI screen showing default settings for a customisable media playback service according to an embodiment of the invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Figure 5</figref> is an example GUI screen showing customisation of a default ringback tone setting for a media playback service according to an embodiment of the invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0006">Figure 6</figref> is an example GUI screen showing a contacts entry according to an embodiment of the invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0007">Figure 7</figref> is an example GUI screen showing customised tone settings for a contacts entry according to an embodiment of the invention.</li></ul>

Detailed Description of the Invention

0032An overall system diagram according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref>.

0033A subscriber having access to the present invention has two items of subscriber equipment located at his physical location 10, namely a first subscriber device and a second subscriber device. The first subscriber device 12 comprises a data processing device, which in this embodiment is a personal computer (PC). The first subscriber device 12 has an associated media store having data storage capabilities, for example in the form of a hard-disk, and also graphical output capabilities, for example via a monitor. The first subscriber device also runs a software application or applet which is involved in the processing of telephone calls to and from the subscriber. The software also allows the subscriber to manage and customise their telephony service, preferably using a Graphical User Interface (GUI). This software will be referred to herein as a "desktop assistant," although it should be understood that the software can be embodied in various different forms, and may even form part of the operating system of the device in which it operates.

0034The second subscriber device 14 comprises a telephone, for example an analogue telephone (also known as a 'black phone'). The second subscriber device 14 could alternatively comprise a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone or any other type of telephone. The former analogue telephone case is assumed for further discussion below, but it should be appreciated that the present invention can be applied in other scenarios.

0035The first subscriber device 12 is connected to a packet-based data network such as the Internet 16. The second subscriber device 14 is connected to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 18. The PSTN is connected to the Internet via a media gateway entity (not shown) which converts between the different protocols of each network. The media gateway is responsible for handling the media data for calls, the media data being the data packets which contain the payload of the call (e.g. voice data) as opposed to the signalling data packets used for controlling the call. The media gateway typically includes communications switch equipment and operates between a packet-based part of the telecommunications network and the PSTN

0036The telephone company of the subscriber is responsible for operating a Softswitch 20 which is connected to the Internet 16 and the PSTN 18. The Softswitch 20 is responsible for routeing calls to and from the subscriber both from the Internet 16 and the PSTN 18. Softswitches are entities or clusters of entities, also known as Media Gateway Controllers (MGCs) and call agents. Softswitches provide the intelligence that controls packet-based telephony services, including the ability to select processes that can be applied to a call, routeing for a call within the network based on signalling and subscriber database information, the ability to transfer control of the call to another network element and management functions such as provisioning, fault detection and billing. Softswitches also provide the architecture for enabling conversion between signalling protocols such as the Signalling System #7 (SS7) and the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).

0037The International Telecommunications Union standards for telecommunications (ITU-T) body specifies the Signalling System #7 (SS7) protocol for digital exchanges with integrated services. The SS7 protocol provides international data network and signalling protocols that control calls passing through a PSTN. The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Signalling Transport working group has developed the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) which can be employed to address the transport of packet-based signalling for VoIP calls.

0038A calling party has an analogue telephone 22 connected to the PSTN 18 with which a telephone call may be made to the subscriber. Alternatively, this telephone 22 may be any other type of telephone, for example an Internet Protocol (IP) telephone in which case it can be connected directly to the Internet 16 and corresponding Softswitch (not shown). The former analogue telephone case is assumed for further discussion below.

0039In this embodiment of the invention, a subscriber is able to set up customised subscriber equipment-originated prior-to-answer telephony services, which will be described below in relation to <figref idref="f0003">Figure 3</figref>. Before such services are set up, the prior-to-answer telephony service is provided as a network-originated service, which will be described below in relation to <figref idref="f0002">Figure 2</figref>.

0040Note that, in <figref idref="f0002">Figures 2</figref> and <figref idref="f0003">3</figref> to be described below, solid arrows are used to indicate signalling flows whereas dashed arrows are used to indicate media flows.

0041Provision of network-originated prior-to-answer telephony services is now explained for the example of a call initiated by a calling party to a subscriber, with reference to <figref idref="f0002">Figure 2</figref> showing the media and signalling flows involved.

0042A call request begins 'f' when the calling party picks up their telephone 'a' and dials the telephone dialling number associated with the second subscriber device 'e' i.e. the subscriber's telephone. A call request 'g' is sent from the calling party's telephone 'a' to the hardware 'b' of the telephone company responsible for their calls. This hardware may be located in or connected to the PSTN and/or the Internet, depending on the type of telephony service the calling party has access to.

0043The hardware 'b' of the calling party's telephone company then uses an appropriate lookup service in order to find out where to route the call to. A lookup service allows mapping of a telephone number to the telephony hardware or domain name associated with the telephone service of the called party (in this case the subscriber).

0044Using the information provided by the lookup service, the call request from the calling party is routed 'h' to the telephone company hardware of the subscriber. In this case the subscriber's telephone company hardware comprises a softswitch 'c' and the switch signalling protocol employed is SIP. Signalling flows between the softswitch 'c' and the first subscriber device are in the form of SIP messages. The signalling protocol employed could alternatively be the Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP) or other suitable signalling protocols.

0045In this example, signalling flows between the softswitch 'c' and the hardware 'b' of the calling party's telephone company may not be by SIP messages, but in SS7 or another suitable protocol. Information relating to SIP messaging may be translated or encapsulated into the SS7 signals for billing purposes or otherwise, where knowledge of signalling across the network is required.

0046A trying signal 'i' is sent by the softswitch 'c' back to the telephone hardware 'b' of the calling party to indicate that an attempt is being made to establish the call. The softswitch 'c' sends a call request on to the subscriber's first subscriber device 'd' in the form of an invite request message 'j.' The invite request message 'j' contains details of the calling party and the second subscriber device 'e.' In SIP, an invite request message such as this is known as a "100 Invite" message.

0047The Session Description Protocol (SDP) is used to convey information including the type of media involved in the session (here a telephone call) and any addressing required to receive the media, for example an IP address. SDP is a format for session description and is intended for use with different transport protocols as appropriate. In this example, SDP information is conveyed using the SIP transport protocol.

0048When the desktop assistant in the first subscriber device receives the invite request, it sends an invite message 'k' back to the softswitch 'c.' This invite message 'k' contains the same information as the invite message 'j,' so that the SDP information in invite message 'j' has effectively been passed back to the softswitch unaltered. In this way the desktop assistant remains in the signalling path without becoming involved with the media path.

0049The softswitch then sends an incoming call notification signal '1' direct to the second subscriber device 'e' using these identification details. When the second subscriber device 'e' receives the notification signal it starts to ring and sends a ringing signal 'm' back to the softswitch 'c.' The softswitch conveys this information to the desktop assistant in the first subscriber device 'd' in a ringing message 'n,' which acknowledges receipt of this information by sending a ringing message 'o' back to the softswitch 'c.' In SIP, a ringing message such as this is known as a "180 Ringing" message.

0050The desktop assistant in the first subscriber device 'd' then updates the status of the second subscriber device 'e' accordingly. This may result in a visual change on the screen of the first subscriber device informing the subscriber that there is an incoming call. A further ringing tone may also be produced by a sound module on the first subscriber equipment 'd,' which is in addition to the ringing tone emitted from the second subscriber device 'e.'

0051Once the softswitch 'c' receives the ringing message 'o,' it proceeds to transmit media content data 'p' to the calling party telephone hardware 'b' which is then sent on 'p' to the calling party telephone 'a.' This transmitted (played back) media content may for example be the well-known telephone "ringing" sound, which when received by the telephone 'a' of calling party indicates to the calling party that the second subscriber device 'e' is ringing, but has not yet been answered. This played back media content is known as a ringback tone since it indicates that the called party telephone is currently ringing.

0052When the subscriber answers the call 'w,' the second subscriber device 'e' sends an answer signal 'q' to the softswitch 'c.' The softswitch 'c' then sends an OK message 'r' to the desktop assistant in the first subscriber device 'd' informing it that the subscriber has answered the call. In SIP, an OK message such as this is known as a "200 OK" message.

0053The desktop assistant in the first subscriber device then acknowledges this in an OK message 's' back to the softswitch 'c.' This OK message will include new SDP information indicating that the softswitch 'c' can now accept media content on behalf of the second subscriber device and also includes addressing information for where the media content should be sent to i.e. an address of the softswitch which is allocated to the call. The status of the second subscriber device 'e' is updated in the desktop assistant accordingly. This may result in a further visual change on the screen of the first subscriber device showing that the call has been answered. The further ringing tone which may be produced by the sound module on the first subscriber equipment 'd,' will also be terminated.

0054In this example, the signalling path therefore runs from the calling party telephone 'a' to softswitch 'c' via the calling party telephone company hardware 'b' (in this example located in the PSTN), then to the desktop assistant in the first subscriber device 'd' and back to the softswitch 'c' via the Internet and then to the second subscriber device 'e' via the PSTN and back again to the softswitch 'c.' This doubling back of the signalling path is known as tromboning.

0055The softswitch now knows that media content in the form of voice data for the call can now be routed directly to and from the second subscriber device 'e.' The softswitch 'c' sends 't' this information on to the hardware 'b' of the calling party's telephone company. Two-way exchange of media content then occurs 'x' as voice media content flows from the calling party to the subscriber and vice versa 'u.'

0056During the two-way flow of voice media content, the first subscriber device is not in the media path, but does remain in the signalling path.

0057In an alternative scenario, the subscriber may already be using the second subscriber device 'e' to conduct a telephone call with somebody else when calling party 'a' attempts to call the subscriber. In this case the second subscriber device 'e' will send back an engaged signal to the softswitch 'c' instead of a ringing signal. The media content sent back to the calling party by the softswitch will be in the form of the well-known "engaged" sound, which when received by the calling party indicates that the subscriber's telephone is currently being used for another call i.e. the subscriber's telephone is engaged. This played back media content is known as an engaged tone since it indicates that the called party telephone is currently engaged.

0058The above description involves a softswitch located in the network providing standard engaged and ringback tones to calling parties prior to the call being answered. The media content relating to the standard engaged and ringback tones is stored in the network, for example in memory provided in the softswitch itself.

0059Provision of customised subscriber equipment-originated prior-to-answer telephony services is now described for the example of a telephone call initiated by a calling party to a subscriber, with reference to <figref idref="f0003">Figure 3</figref> showing the media and signalling flows involved.

0060Here the media content is stored in memory local to the subscriber in the first subscriber device, for example on the hard-disk of a PC. The stored media content could be stored for example in the Motion Pictures Expert Group Layer 3 format (*.mp3). When the media content is to be played back it is converted by the desktop assistant into a data format suitable for streaming, for example according to the Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP).

0061The subscriber can therefore customise their prior-to-answer telephony services and allocate media content to be played back when people call. When a particular calling party calls and before the subscriber answers, the calling party will be played back media content previously allocated to them by the subscriber. Different media content may be played back according to the context of the call, depending for example on calling party identity, time of day etc. The media content may even be different for ringback and engaged scenarios for the same calling party.

0062The media content may be downloaded via the internet by the subscriber, the only limit on the media content available to the subscriber for the customisation being the amount of local storage space on the subscriber PC hard-disk. Downloading and organisation of the media content can be carried out using the desktop assistant in the first subscriber device, with a GUI facilitating the process.

0063The process begins in a similar manner as for the provision of non-customised network-originated prior-to answer services described above. A call requests begins 'f' when the calling party picks up their telephone 'a' and dials the telephone dialling number associated with the subscriber i.e. that of the second subscriber device 'e.' A call request 'g' is sent from the calling party's telephone 'a' to the hardware 'b' of the telephone company responsible for their calls.

0064As before, a lookup service is employed to find out where to route the call to. Using the information provided by the lookup service, the call request from the calling party is routed 'h' to the softswitch controlled by the subscriber's telephone company. The softswitch 'c' sends the call request on to the desktop assistant in the first subscriber device 'd' in the form of an invite request 'j.' A trying signal 'i' is sent by the softswitch 'c' back to the telephone company hardware 'b' of the calling party to indicate that an attempt is being made to establish the call.

0065When the desktop assistant in the first subscriber device receives the invite request, it sends an invite message 'k' back to the softswitch 'c.' This invite message 'k' contains the same information as the invite message 'j,' so that the SDP information in invite message 'j' has effectively been passed back to the softswitch unaltered. This invite message 'k' also indicates, using the Session Description Protocol (SDP), that the softswitch should not be sending any media content to the desktop assistant in the first subscriber device.

0066The softswitch then sends an incoming call notification signal '1' direct to the second subscriber device 'e' using these identification details. When the second subscriber device 'e' receives the notification signal it rings and sends a ringing signal 'm' back to the softswitch 'c.' The Softswitch 'c' then conveys this information to the desktop assistant in the first subscriber device 'd' in a ringing message 'n.' The desktop assistant in the first subscriber device 'd' then updates the status of the second subscriber device accordingly. As above, this may result in a visual change on the screen of the first subscriber device informing the subscriber that there is an incoming call. Similarly, a further ringing tone may also be produced by a sound module on the first subscriber device 'd,' which is in addition to the ringing tone emitted from the second subscriber device 'e.' As above, the signalling path has doubled back between the softswitch and first and second subscriber devices, using a tromboning signalling path.

0067Instead of the desktop assistant in the first subscriber device 'd' routeing a ringing message back to the softswitch 'c' as above though, the desktop assistant in the first subscriber device 'd' routes an early media message 'o*' back to the softswitch 'c.' In SIP, an early media message such as this is known as a "183 Early Media" message.

0068The early media message 'o*' indicates to the softswitch that the subscriber's telephone has not yet been answered 'v' by the subscriber. The early media message also indicates using SDP, that the softswitch should not be sending media content to the desktop assistant in the first subscriber device. The early media message 'o*' further indicates to the softswitch that the desktop assistant in the first subscriber device 'd' itself will be sending media content that should be forwarded on to the telephone 'a' of the calling party. The first subscriber device 'd' then proceeds to transmit media content 'p*' back to the telephone of the calling party 'a', via the softswitch 'c' and calling party telephone hardware 'b.'

0069Instead of this transmitted (played back) media content data being in the form of the well-known telephone "ringing" sound, however, the media content data 'p*' has been customised by the subscriber for that particular calling party and originates from the desktop assistant in the first subscriber device 'd.' This played back media content data is a customised ringback tone and can be dependent on the calling context.

0070When the subscriber answers the call 'w,' the second subscriber device 'e' sends an answer signal 'q' to the softswitch 'c.' The softswitch 'c' then sends an OK message 'r' to the desktop assistant in the first subscriber device 'd' informing it that the subscriber has answered the call. In SIP, this is a "200 OK" message.

0071The desktop assistant in the first subscriber device then acknowledges this in an OK message 's' back to the softswitch 'c.' This OK message will include new SDP information indicating that the softswitch 'c' can now accept media content on behalf of the second subscriber device and also includes addressing information for where the media content should be sent to i.e. an address of the softswitch which is allocated to the call.

0072The status of the second subscriber device 'e' is updated in the application software running on the first subscriber device 'd' accordingly. This may result in a further visual change on the screen of the first subscriber device showing that the call has been answered. The further ringing tone produced by the sound module on the first subscriber device 'd,' will also be terminated. The softswitch 'c' sends an OK signal 't' on to the hardware 'b' of the calling party's telephone company. Two-way exchange of media content 'x' then occurs as voice media content flows from the calling party to the subscriber and vice versa 'u.'

0073The played back media content may include voice announcement content in the form of a pre-recorded voice message. The voice announcement functionality is also customisable by the subscriber and may be combined with ringback or engaged tone content, for example using rules created by the subscriber. This voice announcement content may for example be an out of office message, a do not disturb message or a message saying that the call will now be diverted to the subscriber's mobile telephone. The voice announcement content may be interactive, such that the calling party could for example press 'key 1' to leave a message, press 'key 2' to hear a ringback tone while they wait for the call to be answered or press 'key 3' to hear a different ringback tone whilst waiting.

0074The played back media content could also be changed according to the date and/or time context of the call, for example offering more relaxed ringback tones late at night.

0075To avoid the need for a microphone on the first subscriber device for recording voice announcement content, the first and second subscriber devices could be used in conjunction. The desktop assistant in the first subscriber device could be employed to 'call' the second subscriber device via the softswitch, making it ring. The subscriber could then answer the 'call' and record an announcement by speaking into the second subscriber device, which has a built-in microphone. This voice message is then transmitted via the softswitch to the first subscriber device where it is recorded and stored by the desktop assistant for use as a voice announcement. If the softswitch cannot contact the second subscriber device for some reason, either because the second subscriber device is turned off or the data network is down, the customised media content could fall back to a network-originated prior-to-answer service. This could, for example be the provision of the standard ringback and/or engaged tones or providing a limited set of customised tones from the softswitch itself.

0076The above description has focussed on customised prior-to-answer telephony services. The invention also provides other customised media playback services where the played back media is dependent on a call state of the second subscriber device. Thus, these customised media playback services may be provided in prior- or post-answer call states.

0077The softswitch knows the call state of the second subscriber device as all signalling to and from the second subscriber device passes via the softswitch. The softswitch is thus able to pass this call state information on to the first subscriber device. The first subscriber device can then initiate playback of customised media content depending on the call state.

0078If the second subscriber device is ringing i.e. the subscriber has yet to answer the call, the call state is a ringing state and the first subscriber device receives signalling information indicating that state. Here the calling party can be played back customised ringback tone content to indicate to the calling party that the second subscriber device is ringing.

0079If the second subscriber device is currently being used for a call, i.e. it is engaged, the call state is an engaged state and the first subscriber device receives signalling information indicating that state. Here the calling party can be played back customised engaged tone content to indicate to the calling party that the second subscriber device is engaged.

0080If the second subscriber device is currently being used for a call and another calling party calls, if the called subscriber has a call waiting service active, the call state is an engaged (with call waiting being indicated) state and the first subscriber device receives signalling information indicating that state. Here the calling party can be played back customised engaged (with call waiting being indicated) content to indicate to the calling party that the second subscriber device is engaged, but that the subscriber (or whoever is using the second subscriber device to conduct a call) is being alerted that another call is incoming.

0081If the second subscriber device is currently being used for a call, another calling party calls and the subscriber chooses to put one of the parties on hold, the call state is a call holding state and the first subscriber device receives signalling information indicating that state. Here the party on hold can be played back customised call holding content to indicate to the party on hold that the second subscriber device is being used to conduct another call and that they are on hold.

0082If the second subscriber device is currently being used for a call and the subscriber chooses to transfer the call, the call state is a call transfer state and the first subscriber device receives signalling information indicating that state. Here the calling party can be played back customised call transfer content to indicate to the calling party that they are being transferred.

0083A subscriber may customise their telephony services such that different items of media content can be played back for different call states. This customisation may be different for different calling parties.

0084<figref idref="f0004">Figure 4</figref> is an example GUI screen showing default settings 40 for a customisable media playback service according to the invention. These are the settings that would be applied before a subscriber has customised their services.

0085The ringback tone 42 default setting can be seen to be the standard network tone 52. The engaged tone 44 default setting can be seen to be the standard network engaged tone 54. The engaged (with call waiting being indicated) tone 46 default setting can be seen to be the standard network engaged (with call waiting being indicated) tone 56. The call holding tone 48 default setting can be seen to be the standard network call holding tone 58. The call transfer tone 50 default setting can be seen to be the standard network tone 60. These tones are all originated from the softswitch in response to receiving signalling information from the second subscriber device.

0086<figref idref="f0005">Figure 5</figref> is an example GUI screen showing customisation of the default ringback tone setting 42 for a media playback service according to the invention. Many of the elements in <figref idref="f0005">Figure 5</figref> are in common with <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4</figref>. However, upon clicking on box 52, with a mouse or other such input device, which relates to the default ringback tone, a drop down menu 52* appears. The drop down menu 52* gives a choice of several alternatives that the subscriber can scroll down and click on to set their ringback tone, for example ring.mp3, ring1.wav etc., or browse 52** to other locations on the subscriber equipment. Once the subscriber has set a customised tone up, the desktop assistant initiates the playback of the appropriate media content, including converting the stored data format to the playback data format, on receiving the appropriate signalling information.

0087<figref idref="f0006">Figure 6</figref> is an example GUI screen showing a contacts entry 70 according to the invention. This shows some example details that the subscriber may keep for each of their contacts. In this case the contact's name 72 is "John Smith" 80, his address 74 is "123, A Road, Somewhere" 82 and his telephone number 76 is "01234 456789" 84. The subscriber is able to view the customised tones for John Smith by clicking on the "View customisations" button 78.

0088<figref idref="f0007">Figure 7</figref> is an example GUI screen showing customised tone settings for contacts entry John Smith 100 according to the invention. These settings will override the default and customised settings as described above, if John Smith is the calling party.

0089The customised ringback tone 102 for John Smith can be seen to be "ring.mp3" 112. The customised engaged tone 104 for John Smith can be seen to be "busy.wav" 114. The customised engaged (with call waiting being indicated) tone 106 for John Smith can be seen to be "waiting.ra" 116. The call holding tone 108 for John Smith can be seen to be "holding.flac" 118. The call transfer tone 110 for John Smith can be seen to be "transferring.wma" 120. To edit a customised tone, the subscriber can click on one of buttons 112, 114, 116, 118 or 120 upon which they can browse (not shown) to the relevant file stored in their own subscriber equipment, select and save the desired settings. The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples of the invent ion. Further embodiments of the invention are envisaged.

0090It is envisaged that the present invention could be applied to the area of mobile telephony, so instead of the second subscriber device being a fixed-line telephone the subscriber may have a mobile station. The telephony services could then be provided via a cellular radio mobile network.

0091The first and second subscriber devices could be combined into a single endpoint. The subscriber equipment could then comprise a VoIP telephone associated with a desktop assistant running on a PC. Alternatively, the subscriber equipment could be integrated into one device, for example a mobile phone with an integrated 'mobile assistant.'

0092The data network could for example be accessed via a wireless local area network (WLAN) or integrated into the telephone signalling network itself.

0093The above discussion describes the present invention using the SIP signalling protocol. The present invention is equally applicable to other packet based protocols such as the popular H.323 protocol administered by the ITU-T, or the Skype^™ system. As protocols for the Internet are constantly evolving, it is envisaged that the present invention would be compatible with the next and beyond generations of such protocols.

0094The played back media content should not be limited to audio data, as the present invention could be used to provide customised video playback to callers making calls from telephones with video functionality.

0095The data formats for stored items of media content may include one or more of the following formats, or variants thereof: <ul id="ul0002" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>RealAudio^™ (*.ra , *.ram), Waveform Audio (*.wav), Motion Pictures Expert Group (*.mpeg, *. mp3), Free Lossless Audio Codec (*.flac), Data Transformation Services (*.dts), Windows Media Audio File (*.wma), Advanced Audio coding, (*.aac), Audio Video Interleave file (*.avi), Quick Time Movie File Extension (*.mov), Advanced Streaming Format (*.asf).</li></ul>

0096Protocols for played back media content may include one or more of the following, or variants thereof: <ul id="ul0003" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB), Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP), Video stream for transport using RTP (H.261), Bitstream in the RTP (H.263), RTP Control protocol (RTCP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP).</li></ul>

0097It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of the embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.