Method for filtering and routing telephone calls, in particular calls to premium-rate numbers

p0001The invention relates to managing telephone calls, including calls to premium rate numbers.

p0002The starting point of the invention lies in the application of many companies to limit the cost of telephone calls made by their employees, which generate significant expenditure especially in the case of calls to premium rate numbers.

p0003Premium rate numbers both about useful destinations (eg technical assistance numbers, car rental companies, etc.) as recipients having no connection with the company's activity (weather, horoscope, trifecta , etc.).

p0004A similar case involves mnemonic premium numbers specific to a company such as speed dial four digits like "xx xx", for example the call to General Service internal IT support. Often, for convenience, the company that employees prefer to call premium rate number mnemonic rather than "black number" is communicated by the company (local rate number, no surcharge, doubling the premium rate number), giving rise to complex internal billings, thus creating an unnecessary cost.

p0005To discriminate these premium numbers, it is possible to implement selective filtering rules at the branch exchange (PABX). This technique is limited to fixed terminals connected to PABX, thus located on a specific site, and their effectiveness is limited in terms of size of tables listing the prohibited numbers, especially if it is necessary to apply different filtering rules based on users or to certain categories of users, which multiplies all the necessary hardware and software resources. In addition, the implementation of filtering rules in a PABX is a relatively complex and cumbersome to manage solution, particularly for updates, when it is necessary to intervene on multiple switches located on different company sites , etc.

p0006Finally, in any case, this technique does not apply to calls made by employees from mobile phones.

p0007An outright ban on all premium rate numbers (in France type numbers "08 xx xx xx xx" or mnemonics four-digit numbers "xx xx") is not a satisfactory solution either, because it excludes useful destination numbers to the company or to certain categories of employees: technical assistance, car rental companies, etc.

p0008Certainly for those recipients there is often a local rate number, no surcharge, known as "black number" doubling the premium rate number. But very often, it has access to premium numbers, users prefer to use a single number to remember (mnemonic four-digit number, for example) rather than the associated black number, thereby causing an unnecessary cost.

p0009The basic idea of ​​the invention is to solve these problems, to ensure that each user wishing to call a premium rate number (hereafter "target number") necessarily involves a filtering unit and routing, accessible by a unique number.

p0010This unit, which acts as a bridge between the user and the target number, has a database of all authorized users (known by their caller ID) that will grant or deny access to the requested number, depending on the profile and permissions associated with the user.

p0011If the user is authorized, the filter unit and routing automatically puts the user in relation to the target number requested by calling requested premium rate number or, if it exists, the "black number" associated with that number surcharge.

p0012Alternatively or additionally, it can also allow access to terminals whose number is not known to the database, or the number of which is not communicated to the bridge ( "hidden number" ). Access will be conditioned to pass through a login page with access code request. This possibility may also be useful to a person wishing to access from abroad to a French premium rate number (technical assistance, etc.), but can obtain this number from a terminal connected to a foreign network.

p0013In other words, a gateway is open to all the company's call -fixes terminals as well as mobile - which must necessarily pass through this gateway to establish contact with a target number corresponding to a premium rate number.

p0014More specifically, the method of the invention is characterized by the following successive steps:<ol><li>a) by a user, sending a filter unit and routing a call request from a target number, the request comprising a telephone call from a caller to a specific phone number associated with an inbound channel of the filter unit and routing and different from the target number;</li><li>b) by the filter unit and routing, search the caller's number in a database authorized users;</li><li>c) if the calling number is not listed in the database, rejecting the call request;</li><li>d) if the caller is listed in the database:<ul><li>d1) reading a user profile associated with the calling number in the database,</li><li>d2) conditional composition of the target number on an outgoing channel of the filter unit and routing, based on the user profile, and</li><li>d3) linking the incoming channel and of the outgoing channel in order to establish a bidirectional communication between user and target number.</li></ul></li></ol>

p0015According to various forms of implementation advantageous subsidiary work:<ul><li>the method further comprises a step e) recording in the database of caller ID and timestamp information of the call;</li><li>the method further comprises a step f) unconditionally closure of the communication on the channel entering and exiting producing at least one condition: expiration of a predetermined time period; maximum time of daily communication reached; and / or daily maximum allowed number of calls reached;</li><li>unconditionally closure of the communication on the inbound and outbound channels to the expiration of a predetermined time period;</li><li>the user profile is a set of a plurality of different kinds to each corresponding user modes of composition of the target number in step d2) include: <ul><li>a user profile to direct composition, where the composition of the target number in step d2) is a direct composition, by the filter unit and routing, a unique number prerecorded in the database, and /or</li><li>a user profile for automatic composition, where the composition of the target number in step d2) is an indirect composition, by the filter unit and routing a selected number remotely by the user via the incoming channel numbers of a plurality of pre-recorded in the database, and / or</li><li>a user profile to manual dialing, for which the composition of the target number in step d2) is an indirect composition, by the filter unit and routing of a number dialed by the remote user via the inbound channel, the method further comprising a number of the verification step and compound from a list of allowed target numbers, are listed in the database;</li></ul></li><li>the method further comprises transmitting feedback, by the filter unit and routing of audio messages to the user via the inbound channel, the content of these audio messages being dependent on the recognition or not the number of call in the database and the user profile contained therein;</li><li>the user profile in the database is a variable profile depending on the day and time of the call;</li><li>step b) research includes a conditional step identification of the appellant by request passcode, if unknown caller number of the database or withheld number not transmitted to the unit filtering and routing.</li></ul>

p0016will now be described an example of implementation of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings where like reference numerals from one figure to the other identical or functionally similar elements.

p0017The <figref idrefs="f0001">Figure 1</figref> illustrates, in general, the different elements involved in the implementation of the invention.

p0018The <figref idrefs="f0002 f0003 f0004">Figures 2 to 4</figref> are flowcharts explaining the successive stages of implementation of the invention process, with actions in different situations identified during the course of the process.

p0019On the <figref idrefs="f0001">Figure 1</figref>The reference 10 designates a filter unit and routing telephone calls, providing a gateway that will necessarily be used by all users who wish to contact a recipient (identified by "target number"), including a consignee is normally accessible via a premium rate number.

p0020The filter unit and routing 10 is installed in a single location, for example the computer site of the company which are attached various potential users. The unit 10 is accessible from the outside on a channel used EC over the telephone network 12 via a single number dialed by the remote user.

p0021The remote user can access the site from any landline telephone 14 of the company on which it dials (single) call from the filter unit and routing 10, or from a telephone Mobile 1 on which he composed that same number. The call can also be automatically generated by a housing 18, for example an alarm box or remote monitoring system programmed to dial at regular intervals or upon the occurrence of an incident the access number to unity 10.

p0022In all cases, regardless of the user and the calling mode, access to the unit 10 via the inbound channel EC implies the transmission unit of NAP calling number, which will serve to unit 10 means for identifying and discriminating the user.

p0023The filter unit and routing 10 is also connected to the telephone network via an outgoing channel CS, allowing in particular the conditional establishment of the communication to the target number, the called party requested by the user.

p0024The filter unit and routing 10 is interfaced with a database (DB) 20, for example running LDAP <i>(Lightweigth Directory Access Protocol).</i>

p0025This database 20 contains in particular a list of all authorized users (each identified by caller ID NAP) each with a "profile" indicating the mode of access to authorized target numbers and the dialing or prohibited. This notion of "user profile" will be explained below with reference to<figref idrefs="f0002 f0003 f0004">Figures 2 to 4</figref> detailing the various actions undertaken by the unit 10 according to a particular profile.

p0026The database 20 also allows the recording of a newspaper containing the history of different access or access attempts made by calling the unit 10, with a timestamp for each entry and details of the executed actions (or no). It is thus possible to ensure a complete and continuous monitoring of the use of the unit 10.

p0027The unit 10 is also associated with a digital audio message generator 22 to inform the user that accessed the unit 10 different actions decided back by this unit, and possibly to guide it in the different operations is asked to perform.

p0028The various messages produced by the generator 22 will be described below with reference to <figref idrefs="f0002 f0003 f0004">Figures 2 to 4</figref>In their context of use. Note incidentally that messages can be customized according to the user, or group of specific users, eg calls to an airline may be authorized for the whole company, but the message may be specific in if the business within this travel agency.

p0029will be explained in detail, with reference to <figref idrefs="f0002 f0003 f0004">Figures 2 to 4</figref>The actions undertaken by the unit 10 according to the identified user profile.

p0030initially (<figref idrefs="f0002">Figure 2</figref>), The filter unit and routing 10 is waiting for a call on the inbound channel EC from a user (blocks 100, 102). The call by a user (block 104) is for it to call the unit 10 by dialing a single phone number for the incoming channel EC (block 104).

p0031On receiving the call, the unit 10 stores the caller number NAP (block 106) and searches the database DB if this caller is or not a known user (block 108).

p0032If the user is unknown, the unit 10 sends back an audio message (block 110) indicating that the caller does not have access via the unit 10, proceeded to hang up on the line EC and the incoming channel registered a record in the database with the calling number (unknown), the date and time of the call (block 112).

p0033If, however, the user is known to the database, the unit 10 examines the profile associated with the user (block 114).

p0034The user is first defined a "Primary profile" identifying the corresponding access mode, which is either an access to the target number by direct and automatic composition of this (unique) target number, or an indirect composition, target number in this case being composed by the user himself or selected from a list of several possible target numbers.

p0035If the profile is a direct access from composition (which is typically the case of an alarm box always calling the same target number, ie the number of a remote monitoring station), the unit searches the 10 database the number to call (block 116), and made it after opening the outbound channel CS (block 118). After obtaining the target number, the unit 10 operates the setting bidirectional relationship of the user with the target number (bringing the incoming channel with the CS EC outbound channel), so as to allow to perform the exchange between calling and called (block 120).

p0036This situation continues (block 122) until the end of the call, following a hook by the caller or the callee. The farm unit then the inbound and outbound channels EC and CS and records in the database (block 124) the log information (calling number, date and time, number called).

p0037If, at step 114, the primary user profile corresponds to an indirect access by composition, sequence of operations that illustrated <figref idrefs="f0003">Figure 3</figref>.

p0038The unit 10 examines in this case the secondary user profile (block 200). This secondary profile can define three types of users, depending on the mode of composition:<ul><li>"Manual Dialing": The target number is dialed by the user himself, who will type on his keyboard each digit of that number;</li><li>"Automatic composition": the user selects a target number from several stored in the database, this selection being made by a navigation menu or by pressing a special hot key associated with this issue;</li><li>"Automatic or manual dialing to the user's choice" further action will be necessary in this case to indicate the unit 10 the particular composition mode, automatic or manual. Depending on the secondary profile identified in step 200, the user is guided by a corresponding audio message (blocks 202, 204, 206), indicating the action unit 10 asks him to run.</li></ul>

p0039Thus, in the case of a secondary profile type "manual dialing", he asked the user to press a predetermined key (block 208), including a free number such as "1" (block 210) to confirm and access the manual dialing. A new audio message (block 212) then the prompt for the target number on the telephone keypad (block 214).

p0040The same sequence of operations is followed for a secondary profile type "automatic or manual composition", after the user has chosen, between the two types of composition, automatic dialing by pressing the dedicated key (block 216) in this example the "1" key.

p0041In any case the unit 10 checks whether the target number is entered or not authorized number listed in the database (blocks 218, 220). If not, a refusal message is sent (block 222) and the process returns to step 200.

p0042If the entered target number is allowed, this number is dialed on the outbound channel CS (block 224), then the user and the destination number are put in direct relationship (block 226) until a late call is detected (block 228), in which case the unit closes the inbound and outbound channels EC and CS and records in the database log information (block 230). In the case of a secondary profile type "autodial" or type "automatic or manual composition" after the user has pressed a key of appropriate selection (block 216), eg "2" key ( block 232), a specific audio message is issued (block 234) telling the user how to proceed.

p0043The sequence of operations is then that illustrated <figref idrefs="f0004">Figure 4</figref>.

p0044The user, after being invited by the audio message, navigates in a tree (block 300) where it can move by pressing certain keys in the same way as a voice server, navigation is aided by appropriate messages (block 302). Each key composed is analyzed by unit 10 (block 304), the user can at any time go back in the tree by the key component "#" (block 306).

p0045If the key indicates access to a phone number (block 308), the unit 10 then searches in the database DB matching the target number (block 310) and checks whether or not a authorized number (block 312). If not, a corresponding audio message is delivered in return (block 314) and the process returns to step 200.

p0046If the target number is allowed, this number is dialed on the outbound channel CS (block 316), then the user and the destination number are put in direct relationship (block 318) until a late appeal is detected (block 320), in which case the unit closes the inbound and outbound channels EC and CS and records in the database log information (block 322).

p0047Note that the high profile of the user, including numbers authorized targets or not, can be a variable profile depending on the time and day of appeal. Thus, in particular at step 312, the control authority may involve control over the call time, some numbers are for example only allowed office hours and / or during the week and closed to other periods.

p0048In any case, there is provided an automatic disconnection of the relationship between calling and called: after a configurable time, for example after three minutes to prevent unnecessary extension of the communication; if a maximum time of daily communication has been achieved; and / or if a maximum number of calls allowed is reached. This feature is useful to avoid calls to numbers like "Yellow Pages" which often route the calls from their own lines with billing (after informing the user).