(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0184346 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Dec. 5, 2002
`Mani
`
`US 20020184346A1
`
`(54)
`
`(76)
`
`(21)
`(22)
`
`(51)
`(52)
`
`EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION AND
`OVERRIDE SERVICE IN A
`MULTIMEDIA-CAPABLE NETWORK
`
`Inventor: Babu V. Mani, Plano, TX (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`ALCATEL USA
`INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
`1000 COIT ROAD, MS LEGL2
`PLANO, TX 75075 (US)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`09/871,515
`
`Filed:
`
`May 31, 2001
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`Int. Cl.7 ..................................................... .. G06F 7/00
`US. Cl. ............................................................ .. 709/220
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An emergency message noti?cation and override system and
`method for use in a multimedia-capable network for effec
`tuating a subscriber-selectable noti?cation scheme With
`respect to an incoming emergency message directed to a
`subscriber from an authorized entity. Upon receiving the
`incoming emergency message at a network node serving the
`subscriber, a multimedia session engine is invoked to launch
`a call treatment application for the subscriber. Based on at
`least a portion of the parametric information relating to the
`incoming emergency message, an emergency noti?cation
`pro?le associated With the subscriber is queried to determine
`a particular emergency alert scheme to be provided. A
`multimedia-capable interface operable With the subscriber
`terminal is actuated thereafter Without interrupting the cur
`rent session in order to effectuate the selected emergency
`alert scheme With respect to the incoming emergency mes
`sage.
`
`106
`SERVICES, APPLICATIONS
`AND FEATURES (MANAGEMENT, /
`PROVISION/N6 AND BACK
`OFFICE)
`
`OPEN PROTOCOLS
`AND APIS
`
`CALL/CONNECTION
`ADMISSION/SESSION
`CONTROL
`
`/104
`
`OPEN PROTOCOLS
`AND APIS
`
`100
`
`ACCESS/TRANSPORT
`HARDWARE
`
`[702
`
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 1 0f 9
`
`US 2002/0184346 A1
`
`SERVICES, APPLICATIONS
`[106
`AND FEATURES (MANA CEMENT,
`PROV/SIGNING AND BACK
`OFFICE)
`
`OPEN PROTOCOLS
`AND APIS
`
`CALL/ C ONNEC T/ON
`ADMISSION/SESSION
`CONTROL
`
`[104
`
`OPEN PROTOCOLS
`AND APIS
`
`100
`
`ACCESS/TRANSPORT
`HARDWARE
`
`FIG. 1
`
`302x
`CALL/CONNECTION
`SESSION
`CONTROL ENGINE
`
`—
`
`[304
`APPLICATION
`ENGINE
`
`~
`
`\ /
`[306
`
`ACCESS
`ENGINE
`
`A ‘T
`
`300
`
`FIG. 3
`
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`Patent Application Publication
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`US 2002/0184346 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 3 0f 9
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 5 0f 9
`
`US 2002/0184346 A1
`
`614
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`VIDEO
`CAMERA
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`6/18
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 6 0f 9
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`US 2002/0184346 Al
`
`7/18
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`DOJ EX. 1014
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`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 7 0f 9
`
`US 2002/0184346 A1
`
`RECEIVING AN EMERGENCY [802
`MESSAGE ATA NUDE
`SERVING A SUBSCRIBER
`
`IN VOKING A MULTIMEDIA
`CALL/SESSION ENGINE TO /-804
`LAUNCH A CALL
`TREATMENT APPLICATION
`FOR THE SUBSCRIBER
`
`.
`
`‘I
`
`BASED ON PARAMETRIC
`INFORMATION RELATING TO 806
`THE EMERGENCYMESSAGE, /_
`OUERYING SUBSCRIBER'S
`EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION
`PROFILE DATABASE
`
`DETERMINING APPROPRIATE
`EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION W808
`MODE/DEVICE/SCHEDULING
`oPIIoIv
`
`YES
`
`OVERRIDE
`OPTIONS EFFECTIVE
`7
`
`APPLY OVERRIDE OPTIONS
`AND PROVIDE DELIVERY OF f814
`EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION
`ACCORDINGLY
`
`812
`DELIVER EMERGENCY
`NOTIFICATION ACCORDING /_
`TO SELECTED MODE/DEVICE/
`SCHEDULING OPTION
`
`FIG. 8
`
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 8 0f 9
`
`US 2002/0184346 A1
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`VERIFYING THE SUBSCRIBER
`OR PARTYATTEMPTING TO
`GENERATE AN EMERGENCY
`MESSAGE TO THE
`SUBSCRIBER‘S TERMINAL
`
`GENERATING THE
`EMERGENCY
`MESSAGE UPON
`SUCCESSFUL
`usER VERIFICATION
`
`902
`
`904
`
`INTERCEPTIN G THE
`SUBSCRIBER‘S CONNECTION
`WITHOUT DISRUPTING THE
`CURRENT CALL, IF ANY
`
`906
`
`DELIVERING THE EMERGENCY
`MESSAGE IN ACCORDANCE
`WITH THE SUBSCRIBER'S
`EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION
`PROFILE
`
`908
`
`FIG. 9
`
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 9 0f 9
`
`US 2002/0184346 A1
`
`GENERATING A PUBLIC
`EMERGENCY MESSAGE BY
`AN AUTHORIZED AGENCY
`
`I002
`
`I004
`
`I006
`
`Y
`BROADCASTING THE
`MESSAGE OVER A
`PARTICULAR
`AREA SERVED BY THE
`SERVICE NETWORK
`
`DELIVERING THE PUBLIC
`EMERGENCY MESSAGE TO
`THE SERVED SUBS CRIBERS
`IN ACCORDANCE WITH
`EACH SUBSCRIBER‘S
`NOTIFICATION OPTIONS
`
`FIG. 10
`
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`US 2002/0184346 A1
`
`Dec. 5, 2002
`
`EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION AND OVERRIDE
`SERVICE IN A MULTIMEDIA-CAPABLE
`NETWORK
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION(S)
`[0001] This application discloses subject matter related to
`the subject matter disclosed in the following commonly
`oWned co-pending patent application(s):
`“User Veri?ca
`tion Service In A Multimedia-Capable Network,”
`?led
`, Ser. No.:
`(Attorney Docket Number
`1285-0047US), in the name(s) of: Babu V. Mani; (ii) “Dis
`tinctive Call Noti?cation,” ?led
`, Ser. No.:
`(Attorney Docket Number 1285 -0045US), in the name(s) of:
`Babu V. Mani; (iii) “Call Party Pro?le Presentation Service
`In A Multimedia-Capable NetWork,” ?led
`, Ser.
`No.:
`(Attorney Docket Number 1285-0048US), in
`the name(s) of: Babu V. Mani; (iv) “Direct Connect Service
`In A Multimedia-Capable NetWork,” ?led
`, Ser.
`No.:
`(Attorney Docket Number 1285-0044US), in
`the name(s) of: Babu V. Mani; and (v) “Call Waiting Service
`In A Multimedia-Capable NetWork,” ?led
`, Ser.
`No.:
`(Attorney Docket Number 1285-0043US), in
`the name(s) of: Babu V. Mani, Which are hereby incorpo
`rated by reference for all purposes.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] 1. Technical Field of the Invention
`[0003] The present invention generally relates to telecom
`munication and data communication services. More particu
`larly, and not by Way of any limitation, the present invention
`is directed to an emergency noti?cation and override service
`in a multimedia-capable next-generation netWork.
`
`[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
`
`[0005] Over the last tWo decades or so, telecommunication
`services have evolved rapidly from simple telephone calls
`and faX communications to a host of advanced services such
`as multi-party conferences, voice mail, call forWarding,
`caller ID, call Waiting, et cetera. This rapid evolution has
`been made possible primarily due to the successful deploy
`ment of the Intelligent NetWork (IN) and Advanced IN
`(AIN) architecture using Signaling System No. 7 (SS7) as
`the out-of-band signaling protocol infrastructure. Similarly,
`data services have also folloWed a signi?cant transformation
`from basic teXt messaging in the 1980s to the World Wide
`Web and Internet of today, Where transporting diverse media
`has become commonplace. For eXample, bandWidth-inten
`sive services such as desktop video conferencing, video on
`demand, telemedicine, real-time audio, and many other
`applications are driving the demand for simultaneous sup
`port of different types of services on the same public
`netWork.
`[0006] Coupled With the phenomenal popularity of the
`Internet, recently there has been a tremendous interest in
`using the packet-sWitched netWork (PSN) infrastructure
`employed in the data netWorks (e.g., those based on Internet
`Protocol (IP) addressing) as a replacement for, and/or as an
`adjunct to, the eXisting circuit-sWitched netWork (CSN)
`infrastructure deployed in today’s voice netWorks. Several
`advantages are eXpected to be realiZed due to such integra
`tion. From netWork operators’ vieWpoint, the inherent traf?c
`
`aggregation in PSN alloWs for a reduction in the cost of
`transmission and the infrastructure cost per end-user. Ulti
`mately, such cost reductions enable the netWork operators to
`pass on the savings to subscribers or, more generally, users.
`Also, operators of a neW breed of service-centric netWorks
`(referred to as neXt-generation netWorks, distinct from the
`eXisting voice-centric and data-centric netWorks) can offer
`enhanced services With integrated voice/data/video to users
`Who Will be using endpoints of diverse multimedia capa
`bilities.
`
`[0007] As alluded to hereinabove, several advances have
`taken place in both data and voice services. HoWever, the
`current data-centric and voice-centric services do not pro
`vide the gamut of enhancements that are possible With the
`use of multimedia capabilities in a next-generation netWork.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`[0008] Accordingly, the present invention advantageously
`provides an enhanced emergency message noti?cation and
`override service in a multimedia-capable netWork Wherein a
`select emergency alert scheme is effectuated With respect to
`an incoming emergency message. Preferably, the multime
`dia-capable netWork is provisioned as a next-generation
`netWork having a decoupled service architecture that is
`facilitated by the use of multimedia softsWitch technology.
`
`[0009] In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an
`emergency message noti?cation system and method in a
`multimedia-capable netWork for effectuating a subscriber
`selectable noti?cation scheme With respect to an incoming
`emergency message directed to the subscriber from an
`authoriZed entity. In certain eXemplary embodiments, an
`emergency override feature is also implemented Wherein
`any restrictions to noti?cation delivery may be superseded.
`Upon receiving the incoming emergency message at a
`netWork node serving the subscriber, a multimedia session
`engine is invoked to launch a call treatment application for
`the subscriber. Based on at least a portion of the parametric
`information relating to the incoming emergency message, an
`emergency noti?cation pro?le associated With the subscriber
`is queried to determine a particular emergency alert scheme
`to be provided. Preferably, a subscriber-selectable device is
`actuated thereafter in order to effectuate the selected emer
`gency alert scheme With respect to the incoming emergency
`message. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the sub
`scriber-selectable device comprises a multimedia-capable
`interface operable With the subscriber terminal, Wherein the
`alert scheme is effectuated Without interrupting the current
`session or sessions in Which the terminal may be engaged.
`
`[0010] Depending on hoW the service architecture is
`implemented, the call treatment application may be provi
`sioned as a service application hosted on a third-party server
`platform coupled to a public packet-sWitched netWork (e.g.,
`the Internet), as a telecom-hardened, carrier-class service
`application hosted on dedicated IN/AIN-compliant nodes
`such as multimedia Service Control Points (SCPs) and
`application servers, or as a centraliZed service With service
`logic embedded in SS7 nodes (e.g., Service SWitching
`Points or SSPs) and multimedia softsWtich elements.
`
`[0011] In another aspect, the present invention is directed
`to a computer-accessible medium operable With at least a
`netWork element disposed in a multimedia-capable neXt
`generation netWork. The computer-accessible medium is
`
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`
`further operable to carry a sequence of instructions Which,
`When executed by at least one processing entity associated
`With the network, causes to be performed at least a portion
`of the steps of the multimedia-capable emergency message
`noti?cation method set forth hereinabove.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0012] A more complete understanding of the present
`invention may be had by reference to the folloWing Detailed
`Description When taken in conjunction With the accompa
`nying draWings Wherein:
`[0013] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary high-level architec
`tural scheme of a next-generation, multimedia-capable net
`Work employed for practicing the teachings of the present
`invention;
`[0014] FIG. 2 depicts a functional block diagram associ
`ated With the exemplary high-level architectural scheme
`shoWn in FIG. 1;
`
`[0015] FIG. 3 depicts a functional block diagram of a
`multimedia call/session engine operable in accordance With
`the teachings of the present invention;
`[0016] FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary next-generation net
`Work capable of multimedia services;
`[0017] FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary service netWork
`Which employs a multimedia-based emergency noti?cation
`system and method in accordance With the teachings of the
`present invention;
`[0018] FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary multimedia interface
`With broWser navigation for effectuating multimedia calls
`and subscriber-selectable emergency noti?cation alerts in
`accordance With the teachings of the present invention;
`
`[0019] FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a
`subscriber’s emergency noti?cation pro?le;
`
`[0020] FIG. 8 is a How chart of the steps involved in an
`exemplary emergency noti?cation method of the present
`invention;
`[0021] FIG. 9 is a How chart of the steps involved in an
`exemplary methodology for directing an emergency mes
`sage toWards a subscriber by an authoriZed individual; and
`
`[0022] FIG. 10 is a How chart of the steps involved in an
`exemplary methodology for directing an emergency mes
`sage toWards a subscriber by an entity.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0023] In the draWings, like or similar elements are des
`ignated With identical reference numerals throughout the
`several vieWs thereof, and the various elements depicted are
`not necessarily draWn to scale. Referring noW to FIG. 1,
`depicted therein is an exemplary high-level architectural
`scheme 100 of a next-generation netWork that is capable of
`effectuating multimedia communications. In the context of
`the present patent application, the term “multimedia”
`broadly refers to visual information, aural information, and
`other information. Visual information is generally divided
`into tWo categories:
`still pictures and graphics, and (ii)
`full-motion video or animation. Aural information includes
`both speech and non-speech categories. Other information
`categories can include text, computer data, etc. Multimedia
`
`communication involves, accordingly, integrated presenta
`tion of text, graphics, video, animation, sound, and the like,
`using different media and multiple information elements in
`a single application or session.
`[0024] The exemplary architectural scheme 100 of the
`next-generation netWork is preferably effectuated by imple
`menting What is knoWn as softsWitch technology. Essen
`tially, the softsWitch functionality is operable to separate the
`call control functions of a call (or, “session control” func
`tions in the context of a multimedia communication session)
`from the media gateWays (i.e., transport layer(s)) that carry
`it. Call control features can vary, but call routing, admission
`control, connection control (such as creating and tearing
`doWn sessions), and signaling interWorking—such as from
`SS7 to Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)—are usually
`included. These functionalities may collectively be referred
`to as session control. The softsWitch functionality can also
`include:
`the ability to route a call based on customer
`database information, (ii) the ability to transfer control of the
`call to a node disposed in another netWork, and (iii) support
`of management functions such as provisioning, billing, etc.
`[0025] Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, the architectural
`scheme 100 accordingly includes an access/transport level
`102 Which interacts With a session control level 104 via a
`plurality of open-standard protocols and application pro
`gramming interfaces (APIs). The session control level 104 is
`operable, in turn, to interface With an application services/
`features level 106 via a second set of open-standard proto
`cols and APIs. As Will be described in greater detail here
`inbeloW, various multimedia services, applications, and
`features may be provided as part of this services level 106.
`Also, some of the back of?ce management and provisioning
`functionality can be included hereWith.
`[0026] Those skilled in the art should readily appreciate
`that several protocols and APIs are available for effectuating
`the architectural scheme 100 set forth hereinabove, Which
`effectively decouples the session control layer from the
`underlying access/transport layer as Well as the service
`application layer. For example, these protocols—Which
`effectuate media control APIs, signaling APIs, and service
`APIs—include: SIP, H.323, Call Processing Language
`(CPL), Media GateWay Controller Protocol (MGCP), Inter
`net Protocol Device Control (IPDC), H.248, MEGACO,
`Real-Time Protocol (RTP), J avaTM APIs for Integrated Net
`Works (JAIN), Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP), Par
`lay, LightWeight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP),
`Markup Languages such as Extensible Markup Language
`(XML), Multi Protocol Label SWitching (MPLS), and the
`like. Additionally, access to the existing IN/AIN service
`architecture is also available via suitable SS7 or IP-based
`interfaces.
`[0027] The softsWitch functionality is realiZed essentially
`as a softWare implementation that can reside on a single
`netWork element, or be distributed across multiple nodes.
`Also, different levels of decoupling and interfacing may be
`provided in an actual softsWitch implementation. For
`example, SS7 functionality may be embedded Within a
`softsWitch element or kept separate. In other implementa
`tions, the softsWitch functionality may sit on top of a media
`gateWay (MGW), instead of being physically distinct, as
`long as transport and control planes are decoupled.
`[0028] By creating separate planes for control and sWitch
`ing and leveraging softWare’s programmability, service pro
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`
`viders can combine transport services and control protocols
`freely in order to facilitate seamless migration from one
`service to another. Best-in-class solutions and products from
`multiple vendors can be advantageously deployed in the
`next-generation netWork because of open standards and
`APIs. Further, open APIs to the service layer (including a
`suitable service creation environment (SCE)), along With
`service creation, service mediation and service brokering
`standards, enable creation of numerous advanced, multime
`dia-enhanced services With faster service rollout.
`
`[0029] FIG. 2 depicts a functional block diagram associ
`ated With the exemplary architectural scheme shoWn in FIG.
`1. Three layers corresponding to the three decoupled levels
`of the architectural scheme are particularly illustrated. An
`access/transport layer 202 is exempli?ed With a plurality of
`multimedia-capable H.323 terminals 208, GWs 210 (includ
`ing MGWs and Access GateWays or AGWs) for providing
`access to one or more Integrated Access Devices (IADs) (not
`shoWn) and other communication appliances, and multime
`dia-capable SIP terminals 212. For purposes of the present
`invention, all such multimedia-capable access devices
`(including multimedia-capable phones, computers, game
`stations, television sets, etc.) may be referred to as multi
`media appliances and are preferably provided With one or
`more man/machine interfaces (e.g., video/still cameras,
`microphones, display screens, keyboards, pointing devices,
`joy sticks, track balls, voice recorders, audio-to-text or
`text-to-audio converters, and the like) for accepting or
`capturing multimedia responses or inputs associated With a
`user. Also, in some exemplary implementations, the multi
`media appliances may be equipped With suitable biometric
`ID readers and sensors, e.g., ?ngerprint readers, retinal
`scanners, voice recognition systems, etc.
`
`[0030] Continuing to refer to FIG. 2, control layer 204 of
`the decoupled architectural scheme illustrates the function
`ality of an exemplary multimedia call/session engine imple
`mented as part of a multimedia softsWitch in a netWork. A
`call/session and connection control block 226 is provided
`With a plurality of access and transport interfaces 214 to
`couple to the underlying access/transport layer 202. As
`alluded to hereinabove, these interfaces include, e.g., SIP
`interfaces 216, H.323 interfaces 218, SS7 interfaces 220,
`SigTran interfaces 222 (for SS7-over-IP) and H.248 inter
`faces 224. The functionality of the call/session and connec
`tion control block 226 is associated With a plurality of
`modules such as, for instance, a resource management
`module 228, a traf?c metering/measurement module 230, an
`event log module 232, a screening module 234, alarms 236,
`a billing module 238, a bandWidth management module 240,
`a routing module 242, a Quality of Service (QoS) module
`244, feature interactions module 246, a provisioning module
`248, and a translation module 250.
`
`[0031] A plurality of application interfaces 252 are avail
`able to the multimedia session engine for interacting With an
`application layer 206. A Parlay interface 254 and a SIP
`interface 256 are exempli?ed herein. Reference numerals
`258-1 through 258-N refer to a plurality of application
`servers (ASs) that are operable to host various services,
`features and management policies. One or more legacy
`service nodes (e.g., a Service Control Point or SCP) may
`also be provided as part of the application layer 206 in the
`form of one or several AS nodes, e.g., AS 260. Preferably,
`interfaces to third-party AS nodes 262 are also included.
`
`[0032] Application layering in the decoupled architectural
`scheme can be architected in three Ways. Custom applica
`tions such as e-commerce, e-business, e-residence (home
`appliance control, residential security, etc.), e-health, and the
`like, may reside on the Internet as applications hosted on
`third-party platforms. SpecialiZed services such as Virtual
`Private NetWorks (VPNs), prepaid services, etc., and mul
`timedia applications for business and residential use may be
`provided as distributed applications hosted on dedicated
`telecom-hardened platforms. Carrier-class AS nodes, multi
`media-capable SCPs, etc. typically comprise such platforms.
`Aselect group of legacy service offerings, for commercial as
`Well as residential applications, may be provided as central
`iZed applications that are based on SS7 platforms (such as
`signal sWitching points (SSPs)) and softsWitch nodes.
`[0033] Referring noW to FIG. 3, depicted therein is a
`high-level functional block diagram of a call/session engine
`300 of a multimedia softsWitch operable in accordance With
`the teachings of the present invention. As described in detail
`hereinabove, both access/transport interfaces 214 and appli
`cation layer interfaces 252 are available to the call/session
`engine 300 for effectuating its softsWitch functionality. A
`control engine 302 is responsible for call/session control and
`connection control (analogous to the traditional call control
`function or CCF). An application engine 304 is included for
`application triggering and managing feature/policy interac
`tion With respect to a triggered service application. In
`addition, the application engine 304 is preferably operable to
`open suitable APIs for supporting enhanced services. When
`third-party applications are invoked, the application engine
`304 may also provide ?reWall management and subscriber
`access management for service selection and initiation. An
`access engine 306 is operable to effectuate online user
`authentication and authoriZation and validate service usage
`rights. Also, roaming management may be provided by the
`access engine 306 for subscription retrieval, roaming
`retrieval and registration negotiation.
`[0034] FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary next-generation mul
`timedia netWork 400 that is capable of providing a plurality
`of multimedia services in accordance With the teachings of
`the present invention. For purposes of the present invention,
`netWork 400 and its variants and exemplary implementa
`tions Will be referred to as a “service netWork.” One or more
`legacy circuit-sWitched netWorks (CSNs) 402 such as the
`Public SWitched Telephone NetWork (PSTN) for Wireline
`telephony and the Public Land Mobile NetWork (PLMN) for
`Wireless telephony are coupled to one or more packet
`sWitched netWorks (PSNs) 406 such as the IP-based Internet,
`ATM-based packet netWork, etc. Further, the PSN portion
`406 may also encompass such other private IP-based net
`Works as, e.g., corporate intranets, enterprise netWorks,
`home netWorks, and the like. Accordingly, in one embodi
`ment, PSN 406 represents an inter-netWorking netWork of a
`combination of such IP netWorks. A plurality of Trunk
`GateWays (TGWs), e.g., TGW 404A and TGW 404B, are
`disposed betWeen the CSN and PSN portions of the netWork
`400 for effectuating the interfacing therebetWeen. An Access
`GateWay (AGW) node 408 is coupled to the PSN portion
`406 for facilitating access to the netWork from a plurality of
`access devices (ADs) 410-1 through 410-N. One or more
`multimedia-capable SIP terminals 412 and multimedia-ca
`pable H.323 terminals 414 are operable to originate and
`terminate multimedia sessions in conjunction With various
`multimedia services supported by the netWork 400.
`
`13/18
`
`DOJ EX. 1014
`
`

`
`US 2002/0184346 A1
`
`Dec. 5, 2002
`
`[0035] One or more optional multimedia (MM) Service
`Resource Function (SRF) nodes, e.g., MM-SRF 416, are
`coupled to PSN 400 for providing bearer resource function
`ality for converged voice/data services, protocols to request
`these services, and open APIs for programming bearer
`resource-intensive applications as Well as content/announce
`ment ?les. The MM-SRF node 416 does not set up a bearer
`path betWeen tWo parties, hoWever, as there is no such
`dedicated bearer connection in the context of IP netWorking.
`Rather, only a logical connection is established betWeen the
`parties.
`
`[0036] Within the multimedia-based service netWork
`framework, some of the functions of the MM-SRF node 416
`include the folloWing:
`operating in the media access/
`resources plane for bearer services by providing multimedia
`resource services, (ii) providing standard protocols, (iii)
`interfacing to AS nodes through a multimedia softsWitch
`(e.g., softsWitch 418), and (iv) enabling third-party program
`mability of bearer services and content/announcements
`through the open APIs. Those skilled in the art should
`appreciate that some of these functionalities may be embed
`ded Within the multimedia softsWitch 418 or be distributed
`across several MM-capable nodes depending on the inte
`gration level of the softsWitch.
`
`[0037] A plurality of hosted applications 420 are co
`located at the multimedia softsWitch node 418. The speci?c
`type of the applications is dependent on the service archi
`tecture implementation and application layering. Some of
`the exemplary applications may include netWork announce
`ments (in conjunction With SRF 416), video conferencing,
`digit collection, uni?ed (multimedia) messaging, media
`streaming and custom announcements, automatic speech
`recognition (ASR), text-to-speech (TTS), user veri?cation
`using multimedia, and various enhanced services such as
`multimedia call Waiting, direct connect services, distinctive
`call noti?cation, emergency override service, presentation of
`call party pro?les based on multimedia, etc. It should be
`recogniZed, in addition, that some of these multimedia
`services may be provisioned as applications hosted on
`carrier AS nodes 422 and third-party AS nodes 424, With
`suitable APIs associated thereWith, respectively.
`
`[0038] Although the exemplary netWork embodiment 400
`shoWn in FIG. 4 does not explicitly illustrate SS7 interfaces
`for effectuating legacy IN/AIN services, those skilled in the
`art should appreciate that various such SS7 interfaces and
`SS7-capable signaling gateWays (SGWs) may also be appro
`priately disposed in the netWork for providing SS7 func
`tionality.
`
`[0039] Referring noW to FIG. 5, depicted therein is an
`exemplary service netWork arrangement 500 Which employs
`an emergency noti?cation system and method in a multi
`media-capable next-generation netWork 502 in accordance
`With the teachings of the present invention. It should be
`appreciated by those skilled in the art upon reference hereto
`that in one embodiment, the netWork 502 may be comprised
`of a combination of various PSN and CSN portions and their
`hybrids, including local and inter-carrier netWork portions. A
`multimedia node or netWork element 504 is operable to
`serve a plurality of subscribers, e.g., subscriber 508A oper
`ating a multimedia IT device 506A for originating and/or
`terminating calls. Similarly, other call parties operating
`
`suitable ITs, e.g., call party 508B With IT 506B and call party
`508C With IT 506C, are also operably coupled to the
`netWork 502.
`
`[0040] A softsWitch 510 having the multimedia call/ses
`sion engine functionality as described hereinabove is dis
`posed in the netWork 502 for call routing and application
`triggering. Although the softsWitch 510 is illustrated as a
`separate node in this embodiment, it should be recogniZed
`that the softsWitch functionality may also be provided as part
`of the serving multimedia node 504. A call treatment server
`512 is provided as an application server node coupled to the
`netWork 502, Wherein suitable multimedia service logic 513
`is provided for querying a subscriber emergency noti?cation
`pro?le database. Again, as alluded to hereinabove, it should
`be apparent that the functionality of the call treatment server
`node 512 may be distributed or embedded, depending upon
`the service architecture and application layering.
`
`[0041] Continuing to refer to FIG. 5, the emergency
`noti?cation system of the present invention includes a
`database environment 514 associated With the call treatment
`server node 512 via a suitable interface. Various emergency
`noti?cation alert modes, options, restrictions and policies,
`other related features such as selective override options, and
`the like are stored in the database environment 514. In a
`presently preferred exemplary embodiment of the present
`invention, the database environment 514 is capable of being
`updated by the subscribers as Well as the netWork operator.
`
`[0042] Reference numeral 509A refers to a call connection
`in the netWork 502 betWeen subscriber 508A being served
`by the multimedia netWork element 504 and a call party
`508B, Who may or may not be a subscriber. As used herein,
`a call party may be a calling party or a called party With
`respect to another party, e.g., subscriber 508A. In similar
`fashion, reference numeral 509B refers to a call connection
`betWeen subscriber 508A and another call party 508C.
`Reference numeral 509C refers to yet another call connec
`tion betWeen subscriber 508A and a non-subscriber call
`party 508D. It should be appreciated that some of the
`terminals operated by the parties, e. g., terminal 505 operated
`by the party 508D, may not be multimedia-compatible.
`Further, the call parties may be located in different geo
`graphic areas and can comprise several types, e.g., family
`members, business acquaintances, et cetera.
`
`[0043] Continuing to refer to FIG. 5, an authoriZed agency
`(e.g., a governmental entity) 511 is operably coupled to
`netWork 502 for generating appropriate emergency mes
`sages as may be Warranted in different situations such as
`public safety, inclement Weather, police action, and the like.
`Further, the emergency messages generated by the agency
`511 may also include information regarding the character
`istics of the various emergency situations, e.g., type, degree
`and severity of an emergency, target area to Which the
`message is to be disseminated, indication as to Whether
`recipients of a message are to respond in a particular manner,
`originating area of the emergency message, override capa
`biliti