WO2006018854A1

WO2006018854A1 - International calling system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2006018854A1
Application number: PCT/IN2004/000251
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hari Das Gupta
Original assignee: Hari Das Gupta
Priority date: 2004-08-18
Filing date: 2004-08-18
Publication date: 2006-02-23

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system and method for effecting international calls in a roaming mode. It utilizes the IDD Code system for making international calls by integrating as an additional feature in the Settings of a mobile device (100). The User selects IDD Code option in the mobile device for processing various requests (120). The selected IDD Code is incorporated and is read in place of '+' symbol for routing all the calls and SMS originating from the User's mobile device (140).

Description

INTERNATIONAL CALLING SYSTEM AND METHOD

BACKGROUND

Field of the invention The invention relates generally to features in a mobile phone unit.

More particularly the invention relates to providing a system and method for effecting international calls in a roaming mode.

Description of the related Art

A mobile phone is the most common device that people around the world are carrying today. It is a very useful and convenient device for the traveling community. While traveling, the users of the mobile phones keep- in-touch with others and can do their normal business from anywhere in the world. A roaming facility in the mobile phones enables a user to make calls internationally from any place in the world.

To place an international call, different countries use different codes, called IDD. These codes can be in the form of 00, 001 , 002, 019, 091 , etc. Even within the same country there can be multiple codes, say in Singapore it is 001 , 002, 00δ] 018 and 019 with different features being provided from same or different operators, but with significant cost differences and advantages. There exist a variety of choices to a user in terms of features and cost involved.

Difficulty arises when the user want to make an international call while roaming. User selects the IDD of the operator and pre-fixes the same to the telephone number. The problem is more so when a user travels to other country, User is unaware of the dialing codes generally and has to try a few random combinations. Moreover the address book is not pre- configured for the new country and therefore for each telephone number the user intends to dial, it has to prefix the code. The user either have to edit the number in the address book or have to enter two telephone numbers for same person in two different names which may be constrained by the limited memory space in the mobile. The task is very difficult when there are multiple numbers to be edited. This is a very inconvenient way of communicating over the mobile phone while traveling.

At present there is no such way where a user can configure IDD dialing or number calling systems in the mobile phones. Our prior art search has revealed some efforts of effecting international calls automatically in a roaming mode by the use of "+" sign to dial IDD code. In this case the main IDD code of that country operator is selected. For example, in Singapore if "+" is selected then the network uses 001 and not 019, 008 or 018. Though it may save configuring time but a user is unable to exercise any choice with respect to features or cost involved. The user may add manually the code 019. In this case user would be unable to send

SMS as the SMS code is different generally and only "+" can be used for sending SMS. Some of the efforts in this direction are described herein below.

US Patent No. 6,751 ,481 issued to Inventec Appliances Corp is titled as DIALING METHOD FOR EFFECTING INTERNATIONAL CALL IN INTELLIGENT CELLULAR PHONE. In this invention, a dialing method for effecting international call utilizes a conversion table for storing system codes of a plurality of network companies worldwide. The mobile phone stores international access codes and a phone book for storing a plurality of telephone numbers having international access codes respectively of different called parties in the database. The cellular phone is able to determine current location area while calling in international roaming and find the correct international access code from conversion table in accordance with system code received from an approximate network company for replacing international access code in telephone number searched from phone book.

US Patent No. 6,259,914 is issued to BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation is titled as METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPLEMENTING INTERNATIONAL WIRELESS ROAMING. The invention discloses a method and apparatus for implementing international wireless roaming allows an international "roamer" to enter a visited system in a foreign country and originate calls. Upon entering the visited region, the roamer's mobile station initiates a registration request containing the mobile station's mobile identification number to the mobile switching center in the visited region. The mobile switching center initiates a message to an appropriate home location register. The home location register compares the mobile station's mobile identification number to a set of stored values. If an agreement is in place between the home location register provider and the roamer's home service provider, the home location register will return an appropriately formatted North American Numbering Plan mobile directory number to the mobile switching center. When the roamer initiates a call, the mobile switching center uses the mobile directory number in signaling call related information, specifically in populating parameters such as the Calling Party Number. Recognizing a NANP-formatted number, the public switch telephone network will process the call as normal.

US Patent No. 5,475,743 issued to Microsoft Corporation is titled as SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING TELEPHONE NUMBERS.

The invention reveals a system and method using canonical telephone numbers that allows automatic calling with any location in the world independent of the caller's location. The caller canonical telephone number and a plurality of caller prefixes are stored within the system. A telephone directory stores a plurality of callee canonical telephone numbers for locations throughout the world. The caller manually enters a callee telephone number or selects a callee telephone number from the telephone directory. The system determines if the callee telephone number is a canonical telephone number. The system expands non-canonical telephone numbers to canonical form using known telephone numbering rules for various countries. The system uses the callee canonical telephone number and the caller canonical telephone number to determine which digits of the callee canonical telephone number must be placed on the telephone line to complete the call. The system then adds the appropriate prefix for international, long distance, or local telephone calls to generate a final callee telephone number.

Published patent application no. 20030100334 by General Motors Corporation is titled as DIALING PROGRAMMED NUMBERS FROM A MOBILE COMMUNICATION UNIT WHILE INTERNATIONALLY ROAMING. This invention discusses that the dialing numbers from a mobile communication unit (MCU) operating in an international roaming mode is accomplished by using the SID code of a base station communicating with the MCU for determining the necessary prefixes to be appended to a number to be. A mobile communication unit initiates communication between the MCU and a base station having an SID code by dialing a number to be called by the MCU, and receiving the SID code at the MCU. Once the MCU has received the SID code, necessary calling prefixes, if any, are determined for placing a call from the MCU to the number to be called via the base station having the 'received SID code. Any necessary calling prefixes are appended to the number to be called, and a communication link is established between the MCU and the number to be called, via the base station having the SID code. The MCU may utilize a database of dialing prefixes required to dial the number to be called from base stations having SID codes, and determining the necessary calling prefixes by searching the database for the received SID code by searching the database for either or both of the received SID code or a range of SID codes including the received SID code.

International Patent Publication Number WO 98/12858 issued to SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT is titled as METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR CONVERTING DIALLING INFORMATION. The invention concerns a method of converting stored canonical and non- canonical dialing information into dialing information which can be used to establish a connection, the initialization call number portion for an international telephone call and further number portions being present for the subscriber line for which the dialing information is emitted. The emitted stored canonical and non-canonical dialing information is compared with the call number portions of the subscriber line. If first characters of the stored canonical and non-canonical dialing information match one or a plurality of first call number portions of the subscriber line, the matching call number portions reduce the dialing information. If necessary, an initializing call number portion required in addition to the remaining dialing information is added.

Our common law search on various search engines on the Internet did not reveal any significant prior art that requires mentioning. Collectively the above-mentioned inventions have one or the other drawback as stated below. The prior art revealed do not collectively provide for a system and method of selecting a desired operator while at the same time not disturbing the address book of the mobile device. The inventions discussed above have a draw back that the user is made to select the IDD several times for each call made. There is no provision for selecting the IDD code only once at one place. Moreover, these inventions have a drawback of not switching over to the appropriate operator code when the user wants to send an SMS. Further, these inventions do not rely on a database that is created for all the IDD code for all the countries and that could prompt the user to use the lowest tariff in making international calls. In short the prior art revealed so far has the following shortcomings:

• Most of the suggested methods involve creating a database of all base stations. Further a different type (analog, digital, E-10 etc) and different brands (Ericsson, Nokia, etc.) and with their respective models (GSM, CDMA, 3G), which may run into millions of base, stations worldwide. Creating such global database is a difficult task for any organization.

• The prior art also involves sending a particular signal or code to mobile unit that may need programming and/or upgrading to existing base station. This may involve a massive programming effort and may involve disruption of services during upgrading. To practically upgrade all base stations is near to impossible;

• Creating a database into MCU may require a lot of memory, computing and processing power that present mobile systems may not have;

• Also in most of the suggested methods base station need to be involved, while a system is required which is independent of a base- station;

• None of suggested system has addressed the problem of sending

SMS;

• None of suggested system has utilized the existing '+' convention;

• The prior art suggested does not use '+' symbol in a dual mode. It does not describe a wherein the use of "+" symbol is different in telephone dialing mode, and different in SMS mode;

• None of the system is user configurable at end user level • None of suggested system can give user instant information about the features associated with each operator across the countries.

• None of the system is provides for distinct cost advantage to end users in real practice.

Thus, there is an urgent need for improved processes to enable users to select IDD while they do not disturb their existing address books. What is needed is a system and method that enables the users to select their the desired IDD operator only once at a given place. Further, what is needed is a system and method that relies on a database stored in the memory of the mobile device that could enable a user to select the operator based on tariff structure in making international calls.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for effecting international calls in a roaming mode.

Another object of the present invention is to utilize the existing "+" symbol in a dual mode. The present inventions uses "+" symbol in a dual mode, wherein the symbol is used differently in telephone dialing mode, and differently in SMS mode;

One more object of the present invention is to solve the problem of sending SMS while in a roaming mode by utilizing "+" mode.

A further object of the present invention is to enable users to select an IDD code while they do not disturb their existing address books.

Yet another object of the present invention is to give user instant information on the charges of different operators across the countries. The present invention is an international calling system that utilizes the IDD Code system for making international calls by integrating as an additional feature in a mobile device. The User selects IDD Code option in the mobile device for processing various requests. The selected IDD Code is incorporated and is read in place of "+" symbol for routing all the calls and SMS originating from the User's mobile device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, wherein like designations denote like elements, and in which:

Fig 1 is a flow chart that illustrates an overview of the process of the present invention;

Fig 2 is a flow chart that illustrates the process when the user chooses the IDD option;

Fig 3 is a flow chart that illustrates the process of finding out the lowest IDD rate code;

Fig 4 is a flow chart that illustrates the process of finding out the lowest IDD rate code by sending an international SMS;

Fig 5 is a flow chart that illustrates the process of finding out the lowest IDD rate code by connecting through an Internet.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to a system and method for effecting international calls in a roaming mode. The invention enables a user to utilize the existing "+" symbol in a dual mode, wherein the symbol is used differently in telephone dialing mode, and differently in SMS mode. The present invention also gives the user instant information on the charges of different operators.

In the present invention 'user' may be referred to 'he' or 'she' interchangeably, 'operator' is referred to network/ network operator/ IDD service provider, and 'IDD' is referred to ISD/long distance calling/overseas calling mode.

FIG 1 is a flow chart that illustrates an overview of the system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is an additional feature in the mobile unit of a User. The mobile unit of the User already contains the feature 'settings' in its menu (100). Within this feature of the mobile unit, an additional feature of selecting an IDD code options (110) is made available to the User. Various options form the part of the IDD code, whereby IDD codes can be added, viewed, selected, deleted and lowest rates can be sited (120). The Users request is thereafter processed for various options (130). Accordingly, the appropriate IDD code as desired is set up for the User (140). The appropriated selected IDD Code is read in place of the "+" symbol and is now used for routing all the calls and SMS, when the user is traveling across various countries or service providers.

Fig 2 is a flow chart that illustrates the process when the user selects and processes the options. When the User selects the first option, i.e., Add IDD Code, the User is prompted to enter the IDD Code manually (210). While traveling, if the user is aware of the IDD Code of that country, User can enter the IDD Code manually. Thereafter, the user selects the set IDD Code option that changes the settings of the mobile unit. Now whenever the User makes an international call, the changed settings in the mobile unit takes the user call through the new IDD Code. When the User selects the second option, i.e., View IDD Code, the User is able to view the current IDD Code as well as those that are available for that particular region/ country (220). In case the User intends to change the current IDD Code, the User can do so by selecting the other IDD Codes that are shown in this Menu. In case the User decides not to change the current IDD Code, the User can exit this menu without saving.

Further, when the User selects the third option, i.e., Select IDD

Code, the User is able to view and change the IDD Code that is available in memory of the Mobile Unit (230). In this case too when the User decides not to change the current IDD Code, the User can exit this menu without saving.

When the User selects the fourth option, i.e., find lowest rates, the user is taken to a new menu containing this feature (240).

When the User selects the fifth option, i.e., delete IDD code, the user is prompted to enter the IDD Code sought to be deleted (250). In alternative, the User can also view the IDD Codes from the memory and select the IDD Code that is suppose to be deleted.

Fig 3 is a flow chart that illustrates the process of finding out the lowest IDD rate code. When the User selects the fourth option, i.e. find lowest rates (240), the User is taken to a new menu containing this feature. The User is prompted to select the country calling from (310). After the User selects the calling country, the User is prompted to select the city (or the nearest city) from which the User is calling (320). Again, the User is now prompted to select the country calling to (330). After the User selects the called country, the User is prompted to select the city (or the nearest city) called to (340). Thereafter, the User is prompted to find the lowest rate for a call between the calling country/city and called country/city (350). The User is asked to select the mode of seeking information on the lowest IDD Code (360). The mode of selection can be for example via an SMS or connection through Internet.

Fig 4 is a flow chart that illustrates the process of finding out the lowest IDD rate code by sending an international SMS. When the User selects the SMS mode, an international SMS is send across (410) to the center where huge database of all the operators with their latest rates is updated. The User can get an acknowledgement in the form that the User's request is being processed and that the User will get a reply within a few minutes (420). Within a few minutes the User can get a list of IDD Codes with their respective rates arranged in an ascending order (430). The User can select and store the IDD Code that is most cost-effective and economical for a given destination (440).

Fig 5 is a flow chart that illustrates the process of finding out the lowest IDD rate code by connecting through an Internet. When the User selects the Internet Option, the User's mobile device connects to the website that maintains the huge database of all the operators with their latest updated rates (510). The website takes the values of Calling-City and Called-City, as selected earlier by the User (520). Upon processing the same, the website shows the results in the form of a list of IDD Codes with their respective rates arranged in an ascending order (530). This result is similar to the one that was obtained when the User had sent an international SMS. Thereafter, the User can select and store the IDD Code that is most cost-effective and economical for a given destination (440).

In this way present system enables the User to select the most economical IDD Code that is suitable to its needs. Thus the User only needs to know the calling-city and called-city. Moreover, the User need not now disturb its address book, when traveling internationally. The User is now able to make international call as well as send SMS simultaneously upon selecting the IDD Code as both are now routed through the selected IDD code.

The present invention has been described for a mobile unit. However, as one skilled in the art would appreciate, the present invention can also be used for all kinds of devices such as PDA dialing, smart-phones, Fax machines, dialers, ordinary telephone memories. All these systems/ devices can be configured with the existing database that is maintained to know the lowest IDD codes rates from one country/ city to another country/ city. The present invention is also independent of the channel that is being used for knowing the IDD codes - SMS, POS, telephone, web, fax machines, dialers calling/ dialing software and any other similar equipment.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An international calling system, said system utilizing the IDD Code system for making international calls, said system integrating as an additional features in a mobile device, said system comprising:

a selection module for enabling the User to select IDD Code option in the mobile device; an IDD Code processing module for processing various requests of the User; a setup module for incorporating the IDD Code selected from the

IDD Code processing module, whereby said selected IDD Code is read in place of "+" symbol to route all the calls and SMS originating from the User's mobile device.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the selection module comprises of Settings in the mobile device so as to enable the User to select the IDD Code options.

3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the Settings in the mobile device further comprises of module for selecting IDD Code Options.

4. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the IDD Processing module enables the User to add and store the IDD Code entered by the User.

5. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the IDD Processing module enables the User to view the current IDD Code.

6. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the IDD Processing module enables the User to view the IDD Code that are available for that particular region/ country.

7. The system as recited in claim 5 and 6, wherein the User selects the viewed IDD Code of the choice to rout all the calls and SMS.

8. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the IDD Processing module enables the User to view and change the IDD Code that is available in memory of the Mobile Device.

9. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the IDD Processing module enables the User to find the lowest IDD rates from the calling region to called region.

10. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the User enters the name ^" of the region called from and the region called to in order to know the lowest IDD rate.

11. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the User is able to find the lowest IDD rates by sending an international SMS.

12. The system as recited in claim 11 , further comprising of response of the international SMS from a center having huge database of all the operators with their latest rates.

13. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the said response further comprises of a list of IDD Codes with their respective rates.

14. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the User is able to find the lowest IDD rates by connecting through the Internet.

15. The system as recited in claim 14, wherein the connection through the Internet further comprises of directing the User to go the website having huge database of all the operators with their latest rates.

16. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the said website further ^' gives a list of IDD Codes with their respective rates to the User.

17. The system as recited in claim 12 and 16, enabling the User to select and store the appropriate IDD Code based on the list of IDD

Codes received from the center.

18. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the IDD Processing module enables the User to delete the IDD Code from the memory of mobile device.

19. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the "+" symbol is used in multiple modes for transmitting different calling codes, like for fax, fax over IP, etc.

20. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the said system is integrated as an additional feature for telephone, fax machines, dialers' calling, dialing software, etc.

21.An international calling method, said method utilizing the IDD Code system for making international calls, said method integrating as an additional features in a mobile device, said method comprising steps . of:

selecting the IDD Code option in the mobile device; processing various request in the IDD Code option; incorporating the IDD Code selected from the processing various request, whereby said selected IDD Code is read in place of "+" symbol for routing all the calls and SMS originating from the User's mobile device.

22. The method as recited in claim 21 , wherein the step of selecting the IDD Code is in the Settings in the mobile device.

23. The method as recited in claim 21 , whereby the step of processing various request in the IDD Code option enables the User to add and store the IDD Code entered by the User.

24. The method as recited in claim 21 , whereby the step of processing various request in the IDD Code option enables the User to view the current IDD Code.

25. The method as recited in claim 21 , whereby the step of processing various request in the IDD Code option enables the User to view the IDD Code that are available for that particular region/ country.

26. The method as recited in claim 24 and 25, whereby the User selects the viewed IDD Code of the choice to route all the calls and SMS.

27. The method as recited in claim 21 , whereby the step of processing various request in the IDD Code option enables the User to view and change the IDD Code that is available in memory of the Mobile Device.

28. The method as recited in claim 21 , whereby the step of processing various request in the IDD Code option enables the User to find the lowest IDD rates from the calling region to the called region.

29. The method as recited in claim 26, whereby the step of finding the lowest IDD rates further comprises of the step of User entering the name of the region called from and the region called to.

30. The method as recited in claim 28, whereby the step of finding the lowest IDD rates further comprises of the step of sending an international SMS.

31.The method as recited in claim 30, whereby the step of sending an international SMS further comprises of a response of the said international SMS from a center having huge database of all the operators with their latest rates.

32. The method as recited in claim 31 , whereby the said response from the center is a list of IDD Codes with their respective rates.

33. The method as recited in claim 28, whereby the step of finding the lowest IDD rates further comprises of the step of User connecting through the Internet.

34. The method as recited in claim 33, whereby the step of connecting through the internet further comprises of directing the User to go the website of a center having huge database of all the operators with their latest rates.

35. The method as recited in claim 34, whereby the said center sends a response to the User in the form of a list of IDD Codes with their respective rates.

36. The method as recited in claim 32 and 35, enabling the User to select and store the appropriate IDD Code based on the list of IDD Codes received from the center.

37. The method as recited in claim 21 , whereby the step of processing various request in the IDD Code option enables the User to delete the IDD Code from the memory of mobile device.