US 20120083257A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2012/0083257 A1 Gentry et al. (43) Pub. Date: Apr. 5, 2012

(54) ENABLING MID-CALL SERVICES TO BE Publication Classification ADDED TO A COMMUNICATION SESSION (51) Int. Cl. BY AWIRELESS DEVICE H04W 4/6 (2009.01) (52) U.S. Cl...... 455/417:455/414.1 (76) Inventors: William Gentry, Raleigh, NC (US); David Tubb, Reading (GB); (57) ABSTRACT Raheel Yuhanna, Dallas, TX (US) Mid-call services may be added to a communication session Such as a telephone call (call session) by a wireless device on a mobile telephone network by causing the wireless device (21) Appl. No.: 13/315,036 associated with the communication session to invoke a sec ond call session directed to a vertical service code. The sec (22) Filed: Dec. 8, 2011 ond call session is established on the wireless communication network and terminated on the PSTN to an application server associated with the vertical service code. The application Related U.S. Application Data server on the PSTN instantiates the service and matches the (63) Continuation of application No. 12/556,992, filed on service associated with the vertical service code on the second Sep. 10, 2009, now Pat. No. 8,107,932. call session with the first call session. The application server then applies the mid-call service associated with the vertical service code to the first call session to thus enable mid-call (60) Provisional application No. 61/095,657, filed on Sep. services to be applied to the first call session by the wireless 10, 2008. device.

Application Server 20

Server Logic 22

PSTN/SIP Gateway 24

Media Server 26

Patent Application Publication Apr. 5, 2012 Sheet 1 of 3 US 2012/0083257 A1

Figure 1 PSTN/SIP Server

Cellular Mobile 3CCGSS MSC 14 SCP 16 Class 5 Device 10 Network 20 20 Switch 18

12 Application Media Server LEGEND Server 20 26 MSC: Mobile Service Center SCP. Service COntrol Point

Figure 2

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Server Logic 22

PSTN/SIP Gateway 24

Media Server 26 Patent Application Publication Apr. 5, 2012 Sheet 2 of 3 US 2012/0083257 A1

Figure 3 NetWork Application PSTN to SIP Media Class 5 End Mobile MSC Server Gateway Server Office Line 1

300

322 324 326

w w w w wo - - - 334 - - - TT - - - - - 338 - - - 340 342

- - - 354 ------Patent Application Publication Apr. 5, 2012 Sheet 3 of 3 US 2012/0083257 A1

Figure 4 Network Application PSTN to SIP Media Class 5 End Mobile MSC Server Gateway Server Office Line 1

430

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442 444 US 2012/0083257 A1 Apr. 5, 2012

ENABLING MID-CALL SERVICES TO BE tones. In that scenario, the media path of the active call would ADDED TO A COMMUNICATION SESSION be monitored so that any tones applied by the user to activate BY AWIRELESS DEVICE a mid-call service could be detected and reported to the Mobile Service Center. Although the term “call” will fre CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED quently be used herein to refer to a Voice communication APPLICATIONS session, the term “call is intended to be interpreted in a 0001. This application is a continuation of U.S. patent broader sense to refer to other types of communication ses application Ser. No. 12/556,992, filed Sep. 10, 2009, and also sions as well. For example, the term "call also encompasses claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Video telephony, streaming media, and other types of com Application No. 61/095,657, filed Sep. 10, 2008, entitled munication sessions that may be established by a mobile Application of Mid-Call Services to a Mobile Device via device on a communication network. Independent Call Sessions”, the content of each of which is 0007. With the advent of fixed mobile convergence, there hereby incorporated herein by reference. is a strong desire in the marketplace to be able to deliver a converged set of services to both wireless and wireline TECHNICAL FIELD devices. This will serve to extend additional services to the mobile user, and do so in Such a way that is backwards 0002 The present invention relates to communication net compatible to existing 2G mobile devices. This allows addi works and, more particularly, to a method of enabling mid tional centrex business services to be extended to mobile call services to be added to a communication session by a devices, and increases the set of mid-call services that are wireless device. possible to invoke on an existing Voice session. However, the traditional mechanisms for invoking mid-call services (noted BACKGROUND above) can impose limitations on the solution when used with 0003 Communication services such as voice calls have these new business services. For example, the new service traditionally been provided via circuit switched (CS) net may not be integrated into the service set supported by USSD, works, such as the Public Switched Telephone Network or the media resources needed to monitor for in-band DTMF (PSTN) or cellular wireless networks. In addition to estab tones may be cost-prohibitive. As the potential set of services lishing a circuit for the Voice call, network elements on the grows with new business services in Fixed to Mobile conver communication network may provide particular services on gence solutions, it would be advantageous to provide a pro the call to enable different functions to be implemented on the cess of enabling mid-call services to be added to a call on a call. For example, a user may wish to block caller ID so that, mobile telephone network. when the call is dialed through to the intended recipient, the user's caller ID may not be viewed. Likewise, a person may SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION wish to have privacy on the call to prevent other third parties 0008. The following summary is included only to intro from interrupting the call. Many types of services have been duce Some concepts discussed in the Detailed Description developed, and are typically accessed by having the person below. This Summary is not comprehensive and is not dial a “vertical service code” when first initiating the tele intended to delineate the scope of protectable subject matter phone call on the network. In the US, vertical service codes which is set forth by the claims presented below. are typically invoked by dialing “*” and then a service code 0009 Mid-call services may be added to a communication number before dialing the telephone number. In other juris session Such as a telephone call (call session) by a wireless dictions, Vertical service codes may require the user to use a device on a mobile telephone network by causing the wireless different symbol, such as the “if” symbol, or require the user device associated with the communication session to invoke a to dial a particular series of digits such as “11”. second call session directed to a vertical service code. The 0004. In addition to invoking services before the call is second call session is established on the wireless communi initiated, other services may be invoked while the call is cation network and terminated on the PSTN to an application underway. These services are commonly referred to as “mid server associated with the vertical service code. The applica call services'. For example, a person on a telephone call may tion server on the PSTN instantiates the service and matches wish to add additional parties to the telephone call. Rather the service associated with the vertical service code on the than terminate the first call, the person may seek to add the second call session with the first call session. The application additional parties to the call by invoking a mid-call service server then applies the mid-call service associated with the (conference call service) on the existing connection. vertical service code to the first call session to thus enable 0005 Traditionally, services extended to second genera mid-call services to be applied to the first call session by the tion (2G) wireless devices are provided directly by the wire wireless device. less access network, e.g. by the Mobile Service Center, Home Location Register, and possibly the Service Control Point. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Conventionally, mid-call services on a 2G wireless network could be invoked in one of two ways. In the first case, the 0010 Aspects of the present invention are pointed out with mid-call service could be invoked using a menu from the particularity in the appended claims. The present invention is phone, such as Unstructured Supplementary Service Data illustrated by way of example in the following drawings in (USSD) techniques within Global System for Mobile com which like references indicate similar elements. The follow munications (GSM) networks. USSD provides a data mes ing drawings disclose various embodiments of the present saging capability similar to text messaging that is built into invention for purposes of illustration only and are not the GSM standard. intended to limit the scope of the invention. For purposes of 0006. The second way that mid-call services could be clarity, not every component may be labeled in every figure. invoked in a 2G mobile network was using in-band DTMF In the figures: US 2012/0083257 A1 Apr. 5, 2012

0011 FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of example the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) whereas SIP reference network showing an example set of functions that is commonly used to enable Voice over Internet Protocol may be used to establish a mid-call services on a call from a (VoIP) communication sessions to be established. In the mobile device operating on a wireless network; example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, it has been assumed that the 0012 FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an example application server utilizes SIP signaling whereas the call application server that may be used to implement an embodi setup messages between components of the network utilize ment; and SS7 signaling. 0013 FIGS. 3-4 are signaling diagrams showing the flow 0019. The reference network shown in FIG. 1 also of messages between components of the reference network of includes a media server 26. A media server is useful where it FIG. 1 in connection with establishing mid-call services on a is desirable to play media or collect information from estab call from a mobile device operating on a wireless network. lished media channels. The media server may be used, for example, to provide audible information to the user Such as to DETAILED DESCRIPTION provide audio prompts. The media server may also be used, 0014 FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of example for example, to collect DTMF (Dual Tone Multi-Frequency) reference network showing an example set of functions that tones or Voice responses on an established media channel. For may be used to establish a mid-call services on a call from a example, if additional information is required from the user, mobile device operating on a wireless network. As shown in the user may be prompted to input information during the FIG. 1, a mobile device 10 operating on a cellular access communication session by pressing keys on their handset network 12 may establish one or more communication ses keypad. The media server may listen for these tones to detect sions over the cellular access network to receive cellular the input from the user. The media server may be used in many telephone service on the cellular access network. Cellular contexts as would be known to persons skilled in the art. telephone networks are well known in the art, and my be 0020. In the example network shown in FIG. 1, an appli implemented using any number of wireless communication cation server 20 is provided to enable mid-call services to be standards. Several example types of cellular access networks applied to communication sessions implemented on the cel include Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), lular access network. The application server may be a stand General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Code Division Mul alone server containing server logic 22 (see FIG. 2) or may be tiple Access (CDMA), Evolution-Data Optimized (ED-VO), implemented in one of the other network elements on the Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), 3GSM, network. For example, application server may be imple Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), mented as part of the MSC 14 or part of the SCP16. Likewise, Digital AMPS (IS-136/TDMA) and Integrated Digital as shown in FIG. 2, the application server may include func Enhanced Network (iDEN). Although an example will be tional modules to implement the PSTN/SIP gateway 24 and/ described in connection with a GSM cellular access network, or media server 26. Thus, the several functions performed by the invention is not limited in this regard as the Solution application server 20, PSTN/SIP server 24, and Media Server described herein may be extended to operate in one or more of 26 described in connection with FIGS. 3-4 may be imple these or another type of cellular access network. mented by separate devices or, alternatively, may be imple 00.15 Mobile device 10 is a cellular telephone, personal mented by one server on the network. Likewise, as shown in data assistant, or computer implementing a telephony client, FIG. 1, all of these functions may be implemented in a stand or another type of electronic appliance configured to commu alone application server or may be implemented in the MSC, nicate on the cellular access network. Cellular telephones and SCP or in another network element on the communication PDAs having cellular telephone functionality are commonly network. used to implement Voice communication sessions (voice 0021 Most mobile devices and cellular access networks calls) on cellular access networks, but the invention is not are capable of establishing more than one simultaneous com limited to an implementation of this nature. munication session on the cellular access network. Although 0016. When a cellular call is placed by a mobile device 10 the manner in which a call or other communication session on a cellular access network 12, the call will be connected may be established on a cellular wireless communication through a Mobile Services Center (MSC) 14. The mobile network is well know, FIG.3 and the following Table I have service centeracts as a gateway between the cellular network been provided to show an example way of establishing an and wired networks. initial communication session on a cellular access network. 0017. The MSC in the illustrated network is connected to FIG. 4 and the following Table II then show how mid-call a Service Control Point 16. A Service Control Point (SCP) is services may be added to this established call. As explained in a standard component of an Intelligent Network (IN) tele greater detail below, according to an embodiment of the phone system which is used to control the provision of Ser invention, when the user wants to invoke mid-call services on vices on the network and is frequently involved in routing an established communication session, the user will use the calls on the network. The SCP enables calls to be routed to mobile device's capability to establish multiple simultaneous various class 5 switches to enable calls to be established on communication channels on the wireless network to place a the network. second call (communication session) to a vertical service 0018. As shown in FIG. 1, depending on how the network code within the wired network. This enables the wireless is configured, additional components or functions may be device to utilize the capabilities inherent in the wired network deployed on the network to handle various aspects of the so that the services available on the wired network and made provision of services on the network. For example, if both available by the application server 20 may be extended into Signaling System Seven (SS7) and Session Initiation Proto the wireless cellular access network. col (SIP) signaling are to be used on the network, then a 0022 FIGS. 3-4 are signaling diagrams showing the flow PSTN/SIP server 24 may be provided to translate between of messages between components of the reference network of these different signaling formats. SS7 is commonly used on FIG. 1 in connection with enabling a particular mid-call ser US 2012/0083257 A1 Apr. 5, 2012

Vice to be applied to an existing communication session with a mobile device 10. In particular, the signaling diagram of TABLE I-continued FIGS. 3-4 show how a call park service can be added to an existing call from a mobile device while that mobile device is Message currently participating on an existing call on the wireless Number Message Message Description network. The following table (Table I) summarizes one 330 183 Session Progress Application server responds with example set of messages that may be used to establish an (SDPb) SIP 183 message 332 ACM PSTN/SIP gateway issues ISUP initial call. The messages contained in Table I are shown Address complete message to diagrammatically in FIG.3, and shows how an initial call may Mobile Services Center be established between a mobile device and a line associated 334 TDM media channel Other types of media channels established may be established as well. with a first dialed number (DN 1). The functions of these Audible ring-back tone presented messages will be understandable to a person of ordinary skill to user of mobile device to in the art. The invention is not limited to this particular indicate that call is ringing embodiment as other signaling flows may be used to establish through to DN 1 a call as well, and some of the messages Such as the alerting 336 PSTN/SIP gateway establishes messages may be optional in particular situations. However, VoIP Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) Media path for clarity, a brief description of the functions performed by 338 Alerting Message from Line 1 to class 5 groups of messages will also be set forth below. Switch that alerting has begun on handset TABLE I 340 TDM media (audible ringback) 342 Answer Handset on line 1 taken off-hook Message 344 ANM Class 5 switch issues ISUP Number Message Message Description Answer Message (ANM) to PSTN/SIP gateway 300 Setup (DN1) call setup message from mobile 346 200 OK (SDPb) SIP 200 OK message passed to device to Dialed Number (DN) 1 application server 3O2 MSC uses Intelligent Network 348 200 OK (SDPb) Application server responds with (IN) signaling to notify SIP 200 OK message application server 3SO ANM PSTN/SIP gateway issues ISUP 304 ORREQ (DN1) Origination Request to Dialed Answer Message (ANM) to MSC Number 1 352 Answer MSC notifies mobile that the call 306 Application server caches DN1 has been answered 3O8 Application server generates a 3S4 TDM media path for first call Temporary Location Directory established from Mobile device Number (TLDN) for Mobile to PSTN/SIP gateway Service Center (MSC) routing 356 VoIP RTP media path 310 orreq (TLDN) Origination request response established at PSTN/SIP gateway message from application server 358 TDM media path for first call O MSC established from PSTNSIP 312 MSC translates and routes TLDN gateway through class 5 switch 314 IAM (TLDN) SUP (ISDN User Part-standard to line 1 associated with DN 1 PSTN trunking protocol). Initial Address Message (IAM) identifying the mobile device as he calling party and the TLDN 0023. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the user would of as the called party the mobile phone would like to initiate a communication 316 INVITE (TLDN, SDPa) PSTNSIP server translates ISUP session with Directory Number (DN)1 associated with line 1. AM to Session Initiation The Directory Number could be a public number or a private Protocol (SIP) 100 INVITE message and passes INVITE extension. Public numbers generally conform to the public message to application server. dialing plan for the geographic area where the service is being (NVITE message identifies provided (e.g. 10 digit numbers in North America). Private TLDN and includes Session Description Parameters (SDP) extensions could be of varying length depending on the size describing proposed session of the enterprise (e.g. 4 digit dialing to another user within the 3.18 Application Server translates and enterprise, or dialing 9 plus a public number to dial outside of routes DN1 the enterprise). Thus, the dialed number may have a larger 320 INVITE (TLDN, SDPa) Application Server replies with SIPINVITE number of digits. However, to simplify discussion the direc 322 LAM(DN1) PSTNSIP server converts tory number of the telephone call is simply referred to herein NVITE 320 into ISUP Initial as DN1. Address Message (IAM) and passes IAM to Class 5 switch of 0024. To place a call, the mobile issues a call setup mes end office associated with DN1 sage (300). The initial call setup message is received by the 324 Setup Class 5 switch issues Setup MSC and is signaled through to the called line 1 (messages message to line 1 associated with DN 1 302-324). When the setup message is issued on the called 326 ACM Class 5 switch issues ISUP line, acknowledgment messages are returned (messages 326 Address complete message to 332) and a media path is set up with the mobile device (334 PSTN/SIP gateway 336). Alerting is then initiated on the called line (338) and, 328 183 Session Progress PSTN/SIP gateway generates SIP when the other personanswers the call by taking their handset (SDPb) 83 message indicating that the session is in progress, and off-hook (342), associated answer messages are exchanged carrying Session Description (messages 344-352). This enables the media path to be Protocol Parameters b. extended to the class 5 switch and, hence, to the called line 1 (354-358). Establishment of calls in this manner from a wire US 2012/0083257 A1 Apr. 5, 2012

less device to a land line supported by a class 5 switch is well known in the art and the invention is not limited to a commu TABLE I-continued nication session established by the example provided in con nection with FIG.3 and Table I. Message Number Message Message Description 0025. The following table (Table II) summarizes the mes sages used in the signaling diagram of FIG. 4 and shows how 430 ACM ISUP Address Complete Message sent to MSC a mid-call service may be added to an established call with a 432 TDM media channel established mobile device, such as the call established and described between Mobile and PSTNSIP above in connection with FIG. 3 and Table I. In particular, Gateway. Other types of media channels may be established as FIG. 4 shows how a call park mid-call service may be added well. to the existing communication session. The functions of these 434 VoIP RTP media channel messages will be understandable to a person of ordinary skill established in the art. However, for clarity, a brief description of the 436 Additional digits collected in functions performed by groups of messages will also be set band on media channel by media server from mobile device: forth below. additional digits passed to application server to identify call TABLE I park destination 438 Application server identifies and Message parks initial call leg Number Message Message Description 440 re-INVITE(HOLD, assigned Message from Network to parking lot) Application Server to PSTN/SIP 400 Mobile device invokes Vertical gateway Service Code by dialing Vertical 442 Media path for line 1 placed on Service Code (VSC) on keypad hold: Class 5 switch notified that of mobile device call is on hold 402 Mobile initiates second 444 Media path for line 1 placed on communication session on hold wireless network 446 2OOOK SIP 200 OK message 404 Setup (VSC) call setup message from mobile acknowledging that media path is device to Vertical Service Code on Hold placed on wireless network and 448 Application Server applies received by MSC confirmation treatment to mobile 406 Intelligent Network signaling over existing media path used to notify application server 450 Application Server releases call 408 ORREQ(*VSC) Origination Request to Dialed legs to mobile (release messages Wertical Service Code *VSC follow normal release sequence) 410 Application server caches the vertical Service code *VSC 412 Application server generates a Temporary Location Directory 0026. As noted above, the mobile user may want to add Number (TLDN) for Mobile services to an existing communication session. For example, Service Center (MSC) routing the user may want to park the communication session and 414 orreq (TLDN) Origination request response message from application server later retrieve the communication session. Call park is a fea O MSC ture that enables the call to be put on hold for a period of time 416 IAM (TLDN) SUP Initial Address Message and later re-connect to the communication session. Re-con (IAM) identifying the mobile nection may be initiated by the mobile device or may be device as the calling party and initiated by the application server. For example, it is not he TLDN of the vertical service code as the called party uncommon for a user to be placed on hold for an extended 418 INVITE (TLDN, SDPa) PSTNSIP server translates ISUP period of time when the user is required to speak to a company AM to Session Initiation representative in a call center. Call park may be used in this Protocol (SIP) 100 INVITE message and passes INVITE instance to enable the call to be parked until the customer message to application server. service representative is actually on the line. Once the cus NVITE message identifies tomer service representative at the call center answers the TLDN of Vertical Service Code call, the mobile user may be notified to re-connect to the and includes Session Description communication session. In this example, the application Parameters (SDP) describing proposed session server may initiate re-connect so that the mobile device user 420 Application server retrieves may be re-connected to the parked communication session. Vertical Service Code and begins execution of services 0027. In other scenarios the mobile user may wish to park 422 Application Server allocates a communication session and re-join the communication ses SeWe SOCCS sion at a later time. For example, if the user is on a normal 424 Allocate (SDPa) Application Server sends telephone call or a telephone conference call the user may Allocate message including Session Description Parameters want to step off the call for a short period of time and then to Media Server re-join. The user may park the initial communication session 426 SDPms Media Server responds with and then later initiate re-joining of the initial communication Session Description Parameters session. This enables the user to temporarily exit the initial 428 183 Session Progress Network Application Server sends SIP 183 message communication session and then later re-join the same ses indicating that the session is in sion without terminating the initial communication session. progress to PSTN/SIP server 0028. Although FIG. 4 and Table II show an example application of a call park mid-call service to an existing US 2012/0083257 A1 Apr. 5, 2012

communication session, the invention is not limited to this 0032. At (420-426) the application server initiates appli particular example but also extends to other mid-call services. cation of the services to the existing call and allocates media Example mid-call services that may be invoked include call services for the mid-call service. In this example, the appli transfer to cause the call to be re-directed to another user, call cation server will cause an application to be launched or an conferencing to enable the mobile user to dial another person instance of the application to be launched which will correlate and add them to the existing communication session, and call the services invoked via the second call session with the pickup to enable another incoming call to be added to the original call session associated with the mobile user. existing communication session. Additionally, activation or 0033. As noted above, in this case, the services to be deactivation of mid-call services could also be performed, applied are to initiate call park. In connection with providing Such as call forwarding or call screening capabilities. Other this mid-call service it may be desirable or necessary to col types of mid-call services may be applied as well and the lect additional information from the mobile user. Accord invention is not limited to these particular mid-call services or ingly, a media path will be established on the second connec tion (428-434) between the mobile device and a media server. to the particular example shown in connection with FIG. 4 This media path enables the media server to interact with the and Table II. Likewise, although a focus has been provided on user to collect additional input in the form of additional digits activating mid-call services, using a second connection or audio responses from the mobile user. For example, the directed to a vertical service code may also be used to remove media server may include a DTMF module to collect DTMF services from the call mid-call. codes associated with typed input on the user's mobile phone 0029. According to an embodiment of the invention, to dial pad. Likewise the media server may include a Voice invoke mid-call services, the mobile user will establish a new recognition module to enable user's responses to prompts to connection on the wireless network to a vertical service code be recognized. In addition to having an interface accessible that identifies the mid-call service to be applied to the existing over the second communication session, the media server connection. In the example shown in FIG. 4 and Table II, the may also include a web services interface which may be mobile user would like to invoke call park. In the illustrated leveraged between the application server and other clients example the mid-call service is identified by *VSC. Vertical (e.g. client on the mobile phone) to orchestrate the service Service Codes are typically identified using the * key fol behavior. In a call park context, for example, the media server lowed by a particular code. The particular vertical service may provide the user with information about how to retrieve codes used by a network operator may vary. For example, call the call at a later time or may provide the user with an oppor back is commonly identified with vertical service code *69. tunity to indicate how long the call should remain parked However, if a telephone company wished this could be reas before the communication session is terminated. signed to any other selected code. Accordingly, the generic 0034. Once all necessary information has been exchanged vertical service code *VSC has been used herein to specify on the media session associated with the second communica call park mid-call service. The mobile user may invoke other tion session, the initial communication session will be parked mid-call services as well using different vertical service by the application server (438). This will cause the media path codes, and the invention is not limited this particular example. for the initial communication session to be placed on hold 0030 Mobile devices are commonly implemented to (440-446), which will be acknowledged to the mobile device enable a mobile user to set up multiple simultaneous (e.g. (448). Acknowledgement that the mid-call services have been two) connections on the mobile network. For example, in applied to the initial communication session may be provided Some mobile devices the user may press a combination of by audible tones or announcements on either the initial com keys such as the send key, the digits for the intended destina munication session or the second communication session. tion number, and then re-press the send key. By pressing the 0035. When the initial communication session is parked, send key both before and after the dialed digits, the digits are the portion of the communication session extending to the not transmitted in-band on the existing connection as DTMF mobile device will be released (450). If the user later decides signals but are rather stored on the mobile device. When the to re-join the initial communication session the user may do user presses the send key a second time, the mobile device So by initiating yet another communication session on the will send the dialed digits out-of band onto the mobile net cellular access network (via the same mobile device or via a work to initiate a second connection for the mobile device on different mobile device) or may initiate a new communication the wireless network. Other mobile devices may use other session on the wired network. The particular manner in which combinations of keys to instruct the mobile device to estab the user may re-join the original communication session will lish a second communication channel on the cellular access be implementation dependant and is well known in the art. network, rather than sending DTMF tones on the current Accordingly, a detailed discussion of this aspect of imple communication session. menting the call park service has been omitted. 0031 When the mobile service center (MSC) receives the 0036. As illustrated in this example, the application of setup request (404) from the mobile phone, it will recognize network based mid-call services to a GSM or CDMA mobile the setup request as being directed to a vertical service code device is facilitated through the invocation of a second call and will initiate signaling to enable the call to be connected to session from the mobile device. In this scenario, the mobile is an application server. The application server in one embodi involved in an active call session, and wants to invoke a ment is an application server that is implemented on the wired service to apply to that session. The mobile may initiate a new communication network, e.g. on the Public Switched Tele session to a vertical service code that's used to initiate the phone Network, to provide services on the wired communi mid-call service. This code is ultimately delivered to a net cation network. Messages (406-418) shown in FIG. 4 and work-based application server which can correlate the service Table II are associated with forwarding this request for ver request to the active call session, perform any function asso tical services to the application server responsible for provid ciated with the service, and provide feedback to the user ing the requested services. through acknowledgement tones or announcements. US 2012/0083257 A1 Apr. 5, 2012

0037 Accordingly, a second parallel call session is created in a computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave, allow which is used to invoke a network-based mid-call Supplemen ing the programmable logic to be transmitted over an inter tary service on the existing call. With this approach, the face Such as a computer bus or communication network. All mobile initiates a new call session, just like it would if it were such embodiments are intended to fall within the scope of the dialing the third party of a three-way conference. However, present invention. instead of dialing the directory number of the third party, it 0041. It should be understood that various changes and dials a vertical service code to invoke the service. This verti modifications of the embodiments shown in the drawings and cal service code is received by the serving MSC, which either described in the specification may be made within the spirit resolves it locally or interacts with an offboard device (such as and Scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended an SCP) to determine how the call should be routed to the that all matter contained in the above description and shown associated application server. The MSC and/or SCP can pre in the accompanying drawings be interpreted in an illustrative fix steering digits to the vertical service code to facilitate and not in a limiting sense. The invention is limited only as routing it to the application server via traditional network defined in the following claims and the equivalents thereto. interconnect trunks or, alternatively, digits within the Vertical What is claimed is: service code may be substituted or removed in order to facili 1-18. (canceled) tate routing over the interconnect trunking network. 19. A method of enabling a mid-call service to be added to 0038. The MSC or offboard device (such as an SCP) then a first communication session established with a wireless interacts directly with the network-based application server device, the method comprising: to provide a response to the service request. Likewise, as enabling the wireless device to establish the first commu shown in FIG. 1, the MSC or SCP may have the relevant logic nication session on a wireless communication network; instantiated as a separate process running within the server enabling the wireless device to establish a second commu providing the MSC/SCP functionality on the network. The nication session on the wireless communication net invention is not limited to the particular manner in which work, wherein the second communication session is these functions are hosted on the network as it is common for associated with a vertical service code identifying the multiple network functions to be hosted in the same server. mid-call service to be added to the first communication Likewise, networks frequently include multiple instances of session; the same function to enable redundancy to be implemented on instantiating the mid-call service identified by the vertical the network. Thus, there may be multiple MSC, SCP, appli service code on the second communications session; and cation servers, etc., on the network, any combination of which applying the identified mid-call service to the first commu may interact to provide the mid-call services as described nication session. above. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein enabling the wireless 0039. The application server, MSC, and SCP can interact device to establish the second communication session com with each other using any protocol appropriate for the func prises establishing the second communication session with a tion, including session based protocols (such as SIP), web Mobile Service Center. based protocols (such as http), or any other transaction-based 21. The method of claim 19, wherein enabling the wireless protocol. When the application server receives a notification device to establish the second communication session com to provide mid-call services, it can either perform the neces prises establishing the second communication session with a sary function directly, or (depending on the nature and com Service Control Point. plexity of the service) respond that the new session should be 22. The method of claim 19, wherein enabling the wireless routed directly to it. Where the new session is to be routed device to establish the second communication session asso directly to the application server, a steering or routing number ciated with the vertical service code causes the vertical ser (much like a TLDN in existing wireless networks) is gener Vice code to be conveyed to an application server. ated and communicated to the serving MSC to route the call. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the application server As the application server is addressing the service request, it applies the identified mid-call service to the first communi will perform operations on the existing active call or record cation session. and communicate information associated with the active call 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the application server session. After this has been completed, an acknowledgement correlates with the first communication session the vertical can be provided to the mobile device on the second session service code associated with the second communication ses (typically through a tone or announcement, but not limited to Sion. that), and the second call session is released. 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the application server 0040. The functions described above may be implemented provides feedback to the wireless device that the mid-call as a set of program instructions that are stored in a computer service has been applied to the first communication session. readable memory and executed on one or more processors on 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the feedback is the computer platform. However, it will be apparent to a audible. skilled artisan that all logic described herein can be embodied 27. The method of claim 25, wherein the feedback is pro using discrete components, integrated circuitry Such as an vided via the first communication session. Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), program 28. The method of claim 25, wherein the feedback is pro mable logic used in conjunction with a programmable logic vided via the second communication session. device such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or 29. A system for enabling a mid-call service to be added to microprocessor, a state machine, or any other device includ a first communication session established with a wireless ing any combination thereof. Programmable logic can be device, the system comprising a mobile services center fixed temporarily or permanently in a tangible medium Such (MSC) operable: as a read-only memory chip, a computer memory, a disk, or to enable the wireless device to establish the first commu other storage medium. Programmable logic can also be fixed nication session on a wireless communication network; US 2012/0083257 A1 Apr. 5, 2012

to enable the wireless device to establish a second commu call signaling reception logic operable to receive call sig nication session on the wireless communication net naling from a mobile device associated with a first com work, wherein the second communication session is munication session over a cellular communication net associated with a vertical service code identifying the work; mid-call service to be added to the first communication vertical service code identification logic operable to deter session; mine that the call signaling comprises a vertical service to instantiate the mid-call service identified by the vertical code associated with a mid-call service; and service code on the second communications session; and call signaling direction logic operable to forward call sig to apply the identified mid-call service to the first commu naling information associated with the mid-call service nication session. to an application server. 30. The system of claim 29, wherein the MSC is operable 40. The network server of claim 39, wherein the network to enable the wireless device to establish the second commu server is a mobile services center (MSC). nication session by establishing the second communication 41. The network server of claim 39, wherein the network session with the MSC. server is a service control point (SCP). 31. The system of claim 29, wherein the MSC is operable 42. An application server for providing a mid-call service to enable the wireless device to establish the second commu to a mobile device communicating via a wireless communi nication session by establishing the second communication cation network, the application server comprising: session with a service control point (SCP). call signaling reception logic operable to receive call sig 32. The system of claim 29, wherein the MSC is operable naling associated with a first communication session of to convey the vertical service code to an application server the mobile device, the call signaling comprising infor while enabling the wireless device to establish the second mation associated with the mid-call service; and communication session. mid-call service application logic operable to apply the 33. The system of claim 32, further comprising the appli mid-call service to the first communication session. cation server, the application server being operable to apply 43. The application server of claim 42, wherein the the identified mid-call service to the first communication received call signaling is received via a second communica session. tion session initiated by the mobile device. 34. The system of claim 33, wherein the application server 44. The application server of claim 43, wherein the is operable to correlate with the first communication session received call signaling comprises information indicative of a the vertical service code associated with the second commu Vertical service code associated with the second communica nication session. tion session, and the call signaling reception logic is operable 35. The system of claim 33, wherein the application server to correlate the vertical service code with the first communi is operable to provide feedback to the wireless device on the cation session. first communication session that the mid-call services have 45. The application server of claim 43, further comprising been applied to the first communication session. feedback logic operable to provide feedback to the wireless 36. The system of claim 35, wherein the application server device that the mid-call service has been applied to the first is operable to provide audible feedback. communication session. 37. The system of claim 35, wherein the application server 46. The application server of claim 45, wherein the feed is operable to provide the feedback via the first communica back logic is operable to provide audible feedback. tion session. 47. The application server of claim 45, wherein the feed 38. The system of claim 35, wherein the application server back logic is operable to provide the feedback via the first is operable to provide the feedback via the second communi communication session. cation session. 48. The application server of claim 45, wherein the feed 39. A network server for connection to a wireless commu back logic is operable to provide the feedback via the second nication network to facilitate provision of a mid-call service communication session. to a mobile device communicating via the wireless commu nication network, the network service comprising: c c c c c