GB2347048A

GB2347048A - Notification of message receipt using CLI

Info

Publication number: GB2347048A
Application number: GB0014261A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robin Coates
Original assignee: Inventec Malaysia Corp UK Ltd
Current assignee: Inventec Malaysia Corp UK Ltd
Priority date: 1999-07-10
Filing date: 2000-06-13
Publication date: 2000-08-23
Anticipated expiration: 2020-06-13
Also published as: GB2347048B; GB2346505B; GB0014261D0; GB0014265D0; GB2346505A

Abstract

A notification method including receiving an incoming telephone call and decoding calling line identity (CLI) information, comparing the incoming CLI with stored CLI and taking action if the comparing step produces a match. In some embodiments, the user is notified that a match has occurred, to represent that, for example, e-mail awaits delivery from a server. In other embodiments, action is taken automatically such as making an outgoing call to collect the waiting e-mail messages. Optionally, the ringing circuit of the telephone line is suppressed such that other customer equipment coupled to the telephone line do not ring when a notifying call is received.

Description

2347048 REMOTE NOTIFICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS The present invention

relates in general to the field of telephone apparatus, and in particular but not

exclusively to the field of computer apparatus communicating by telephony.

In modern PSTN systems (or equivalent) call related information is provided as part of the process of io establishing a call connection. The call related information may include, amongst other things, c9lled directory number (CDN) giving the number called by the calling party, and calling line identity (CLI) information identifying the calling party. The CLI information typically includes the telephone number and area code of the calling party, and optionally includes other information such as name information associated with the calling party. In some countries, such as the United Kingdom, the PSTN supplies call related information prior to sending the first ring signal in the call connection sequence. In other countries, such as the United States, call related information is supplied between the first and second ring signals. other call connection sequences are also known.

It is common for a single exchange line of a PSTN to be used for a number of different functions. For example, the line may be used to make and receive voice calls, fax calls, and other computer related telephony such as connection to the internet via an internet service provider (ISP).

2 more recently, it is known to combine different functions in a single apparatus. For example, a combined voice telephone and fax apparatus is well known. Another combined apparatus is an e-mail telephone which combines the functions of a data message system with a normal voice telephone system. Typically, the data message system connects with an ISP (or equivalent) to send and receive e-mail format messages, comprising text and ideally text and graphics.

A problem arises in that the user must connect t6--the ISP to check whether any incoming messages (such as e-mails) have been received and are waiting delivery to the user. Normally, the user can decide whether or not to download the waiting e-mails. However, if the user checks and no e-mails are waiting then the call is wasted. This is inefficient from the point of view of the user.

Another problem has been identified in that incoming calls to a user apparatus coupled to a PSTN or equivalent will include a ringing signal. Therefore, any apparatus coupled to the telephone line will ring in response to the incoming call, such as a handset for normal voice commun-ications. Typically, each piece of user apparatus is designed to operate independently, coupled in parallel to the telephone line. However, where the incoming call is intended to perform a data messaging function such as, for example, a fax call or a call to deliver text messages, in at least some preferred embodiment of the present invention it is desired to process the incoming call without causing any other piece of user apparatus to ring.

3 It is an aim of the invention to address the problems of the prior art described above, or otherwise. An aim is provide a simple, convenient and cost effective notification method and apparatus, and preferably to minimise disturbance for the user. one preferred aim is to provide such a method for notifying a user that data messages such as email await collection from a remote server, and another aim is to provide a method for the delivery or collection of the waiting messages.

According to the present invention there is provicT!d a method for remotely notifying a user apparatus from a server, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving an incoming call and detecting calling line identity (CLI) information; (b) comparing the incoming CLI with at least one predetermined CLI; and (c) if the comparing step (b) produces a match then determining that the incoming call is a notifying call from the server.

The method preferably comprises the step (d) of alerting a user that a notifying call has occurred.

Preferably, user is alerted by any suitable means. For example, the user apparatus may include a visual indicator such as an LED. Preferably, where the user apparatus includes a display screen, for example where the user apparatus comprises a data message system, the user is alerted by means of a message displayed on the screen. In other embodiments, the user is alerted by an audible signal.

Advantageously, a call originating from a remote source is used to notify a user. In one preferred embodiment the remote source is the server of an internet 4 service provider (or similar) and an incoming call is used to notify a user that e-mail messages are waiting delivery, or have been delivered. Preferably, the call from the server is initiated when at least one message is waiting delivery. Preferably, the server collects a predetermined number of messages before initiating a call to the user. However, any desired condition may be used to initiate the notifying call to the user. In other preferred embodiments, the notifying call is used to notify the user that, for example, shopping is ready for collection, or is an automatic reminder that library 1:56-oks are due for return. In the preferred embodiment concerning the delivery of e-mail messages, the method suitably further includes the step of initiating a call is from the user apparatus to the remote source to deliver the waiting messages. Preferably, the user manually initiates the call from the user apparatus in response to the notification signal.

Advantageously, the notifying call from the server to the user apparatus is relatively short, for example of the order of five seconds. Thus, calling time requirements and call charges for the server are minimised. The user may arrange for delivery of waiting messages at a time convenient to the user and this delivery call, which usually takes much longer than the notifying call, is arranged and paid for by the user.

Preferably, the method comprises the step of taking action automatically at the user apparatus in response to the notifying call. In one group of preferred embodiments the notifying call is used to control the user apparatus or a related device. For example, the notifying call is used to trigger the user apparatus to make an outgoing call to automatically collect waiting messages.

Preferably, any data messages prepared offline by the user are sent from the user apparatus to the server during the outgoing collection call to the remote server.

In other preferred embodiments, the notifying call may be used to control the user apparatus, such as to turn on or to turn off or to implement any other suitable control parameter. Further still, the notifying call may be used to control related devices, for example to switch &n a video cassette recorder or a domestic appliance such as a washing machine or a cooker. If desired, the incoming call may be answered and dealt with as appropriate by a user apparatus. For example, an incoming fax call can be answered and a fax transmission received. In another embodiment the incoming call may be used to deliver text messages such as an email or a SMS message. The principles of the present invention will find practical application in many different embodiments.

In the preferred embodiment, the incoming call is provided via a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and is received at the user apparatus via a telephone line of the PSTN. The incoming call is initiated at the remote server, suitably in response to a predetermined condition including any one or more of (1) at least one data message (such as an email or SMS message) awaits delivery from the server to the user apparatus; (2) a predetermined number of data messages awaits delivery from the server to the user apparatus; (3) a predetermined quantity of data awaits delivery from the server to the user apparatus; (4) an announcement from the server to all users or to a group 6 of users, including general information and/or advertising information; (5) programming of the user apparatus requires updating. Preferably the predetermined condition is set on the server appropriate to each user apparatus and/or each user account held by the user apparatus, in response to data uploaded from the user apparatus.

Preferably, the remote server terminates the incoming call after a predetermined time period and before a call io connection sequence is completed. The time period is suitably of the order of 5 seconds af ter a ringing sf#al is sent by the PSTN to the user apparatus. In this way, at least the step (a) is performed without completing a call connection sequence for the incoming call, and ideally the steps (a), (b) and (c) are all performed during and prior to completing a call connection sequence for the incoming call. If the comparing step (c) does not produce a match, then the call connection sequence is continued as normal.

Preferably, the incoming call is received even if the telephone line is in use, where the telephone network supports call waiting features (also known as caller display type 2 in the United Kingdom).

The calling line identity (CLI) of the incoming call preferably includes calling party number information and/or calling party name information, which is compared with predetermined calling party number information and/or name information, respectively.

The predetermined CLI information is suitably stored on the user apparatus at the time of manufacture or of installation of the apparatus, or may be input by the user 7 for storage on the user apparatus. The method may include downloading the predetermined CLI information from a remote source for storage on the user apparatus.

Preferably, the user apparatus supports a plurality of users. Suitably the apparatus is arranged to selectively alert one or more users amongst the plurality of users.

Ideally the user apparatus determines the user or the group of users to alert based on a comparison of the lo calling line identity information. Ideally the CLI information contains information for selecting the us6-k or group of users, and suitably the incoming CLI is compared with each of a plurality of predetermined CLI. Also, the method may be used to receive incoming calls from a plurality of different servers, which may belong to different commercial entities to provide a competitive marketplace. Preferably, a plurality of predetermined CLI information are stored on the user apparatus representing the plurality of different servers, and preferably appropriate action is taken in response to a call from that party.

Also according to the present invention there is provided a method for notifying that a data message is waiting delivery via a PSTN from a server to a user apparatus, comprising the steps of: (a) initiating a telephone call from the server to the user apparatus via the PSTN, the call including calling line identity information; (b) receiving the call at the user apparatus; (c) comparing the calling line identity information of the received call with at least one predetermined calling line identity; and (d) if the 8 comparing step (c) produces a match, then notifying the user that a message on the server awaits delivery.

Preferably, the method further includes the step (e) of, if the comparing step (c) does not produce a match, then continuing a call connection sequence. Preferably, the method further includes the step of suppressing a ringing circuit when the comparing step (c) produces a match.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for delivering a data message via a PSTN f rom a server to a user apparatus, comprising the steps of: (a) initiating a telephone call from the server to the user apparatus via the PSTN, the call including calling line identity information; (b) receiving the call at the user apparatus; (c) comparing the calling line identity information of the received call with at least one predetermined calling line identity; and (d) if the comparing step (c) produces a match, then continuing a call connection sequence for delivery of the text message.

Preferably, the method further includes the step of, when the comparing step (c) produces a match, then answering the incoming call in a mode appropriate for the delivery of a data message from a remote server. Preferably the user is notified that a message has arrived. The data message is suitably an email message. However, this aspect of the present invention is particularly useful in relation to the delivery of relatively short data messages, and in particular SMS (short message service) type data messages which typically comprise a free text data field of the order of 160

9 characters. Preferably, the SMS data packet is delivered direct from the server to the user apparatus substantially immediately after receipt of the SMS data packet at the remote server.

Any of the methods defined herein may include the step of suppressing a ringing circuit of the telephone line, particularly when the comparing step produces a match with the incoming CLI. Preferably, a ring suppression circuit is coupled across the ringing circuit of a telephone line, in parallel with audible output elements such as a -loud speaker circuit tone caller or bell of this or other pieces of user apparatus. The ring suppression circuit preferably comprises a switch and a low impedance. In use, the switch is driven to couple the low impedance across the ringing circuit, such that the audible output elements do not operate. Suitably, the switch is an electronic switch such as a photorelay or a transistor.

Preferably, the ringing circuit is suppressed in a standby state and is only released if the comparing step does not produce a match. Advantageously, this embodiment is suited for use in countries where the PSTN sends a ringing signal prior to the call related information.

Also according to the present invention there is provided a user apparatus comprising: means for receiving an incoming call and detecting calling line identity information; means for comparing the incoming calling line identity with at least one predetermined calling line identity; and means for notifying a user that a data message awaits delivery from a server, and/or that a new data message has been delivered from a server.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a user apparatus comprising: a CLI recognition unit for receiving an incoming call, detecting calling line identity information and for comparing the incoming calling line identity with at least one predetermined calling line identity; and a notifying unit for notifying a user, the notifying unit being responsive to the CLI recognition unit.

Preferably, the CLI recognition unit comprises- a memory for storing the or each predetermined calling line identity, and preferably the noti ying unit provides an alerting message on a display screen of the user apparatus and/or provides an audible signal. Preferably the apparatus comprises a ring suppression unit for suppressing a ringing signal of the incoming call. P-referably the user apparatus is an email telephone.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing user apparatus coupled to a telephone line; Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a remote server and user apparatus coupled by a PSTN network; Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram of a user apparatus; 11 Figure 4 is a schematic circuit diagram of a first preferred ring suppression circuit; and Figure 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of a second 5 preferred ring suppression circuit.

The preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the example of a method and apparatus for use with a public switched telephone network (PSTN) Other embodiments work with other forms of telephone network, such as a private branch exchange (PBX). Ref erence -to a telephone line is generally intended to mean transmission along a set of physical wires, but where is context is appropriate can also include transmission by other means such as wireless transmission using radio signals, light signals or other sianals.

Figure 1 shows three sets of user apparatus 31, 32 and 33 coupled to a user telephone line 30. For example, a first user apparatus 31 might be an e-mail telephone, while other apparatus (in this case the second and third apparatus 32 and 33) might be an ordinary voice telephone, an answering machine, a fax machine or a computer apparatus. In most environments, including a domestic or small office (SoHo) environment the telephone line 30 is the responsibility of the user, and is coupled to a local telephone line of the PSTN through a connection box 40.

Figure 2 shows a server 11 coupled via a local telephone line 10 to a telephone network such as a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 20 allowing a call to be routed through to a called number corresponding to a particular user telephone line 30 having a user apparatus 12 31 coupled thereto. In this example the user apparatus is an e-mail telephone. An e-mail telephone 31 is an apparatus for making and receiving normal voice calls using the telephone line 30, and also for sending and s receiving data typically in the form of text messages in a format suitable for e-mail transmissions. To send and receive e-mail messages the user apparatus 31 is coupled through the PSTN 20 to the server 11 of an internet service provider or equivalent. Messages prepared off lo line at the e-mail telephone 31 are then transmitted to the server 11 for forwarding across data communication networks as appropriate including the PSTN 20 or otherwise. Messages intended for the user(s) of the e-mail telephone 31 are received at the server 11 and wait at the server ready for delivery to the e-mail telephone 31 (or other apparatus) at the request of the user across the PSTN 20. The user apparatus 31 initiates a call to the server 11 in order to send and receive e-mail messages.

Normally, the user apparatus 31 must initiate a call to see if mail is waiting on the server 11 ready for delivery. If no mail is waiting then potentially this call is wasted. It is desired to provide a fast, efficient and simple method of notifying the user apparatus 31 that a message is waiting on the server 11 ready for delivery.

In the preferred embodiment, the server 11 initiates an outgoing call to the user apparatus 31 across the PSTN 20 in response to a predetermined condition. Ideally the condition is that at least one e-mail message is waiting at the server 11 for delivery to the user. However, other conditions can be used such as waiting for a predetermined number of messages or a predetermined quantity of data before initiating the outgoing call. These conditions can be set by the ISP operating the server 11, or optionally can be set by the user such as by dialling into the server 11 using the user apparatus 31. Other conditions include, for example, important announcements that the ISP wishes to transmit to all users or a selected group of users. This may include information concerning services available on the server 11 and may include advertising information.

Further, the outgoing call may be initiated in order to update information stored on the user apparatus 31.

The notifying call initiated by the server 11 is routed by the PSTN 20 to the user's telephone line 30.

The call connection sequence includes the transmission of a ringing signal received in common by the or each user apparatus 31 coupled to the telephone line 30. In the example arrangement shown in Figure 1, the ringing signal from the PSTN is received by each of the user apparatus 31, 32 and 33 coupled to the user telephone line 30.

Normally the ringing signal will continue until one piece of user apparatus 31, 32 and 33 answers the call such that the call connection sequence is continued and completed to establish the call connection with the calling party. At that point, the PSTN 20 will monitor the status of the call and record billing information. Usually, calls are charged to the calling party from the point of connection.

OV4 It is desired to pr -Lde a notifying call from one piece of apparatus such as the server 11 to another piece of apparatus such as the user apparatus 31 without requiring the call connection sequence to be completed. This keeps call time and network usage to a minimum, and 14 economises billing by the PSTN 20 or equivalent. In the example situation described above, the PSTN 20 generates call related information including a calling line identifier information for identifying the calling party which is transmitted to the called party, in this case the user apparatus 31.

Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram of the user apparatus 31. The user apparatus includes a number lo recognition unit 311, a notifying unit 312, and a ring suppression unit 313. In use the number recognition -init 311 is coupled to the user telephone line 30 and receives the call related information transmitted from the PSTN 20 when trying to connect a new call.

The user apparatus includes a memory, suitably part of the number recognition unit 311, for storing one or more predetermined calling line identifiers, ideally the calling party number or name information. In use the number identifier unit 311 decodes the call related information and extracts the calling line identity (CLI) information. The CLI information is compared with the stored CLI information to determine whether the incoming caller is a recognised caller. If the incoming caller is -recognised as the server 11 (or other equivalent source) then the incoming call is determined as, for example, a notifying call intended to show that e-mail messages (or similar) are waiting for delivery at the server 11. The user apparatus 31 then provides appropriate notification to the user via the user notification unit 312. In other preferred embodiments the notification unit 312 takes action automatically in response to a notifying call from a recognised caller. For example, in the preferred embodiment where the user apparatus is an e-mail telephone, the user apparatus may automatically make an outgoing call in order to provide for delivery of waiting e-mail messages. In other preferred embodiments other action may be taken as appropriate in response to the notifying call. For example, the user apparatus may arrange for that apparatus or another connected apparatus to switch on or off or be programmed as appropriate. For example, the notifying call in one embodiment might be lo used to turn on a video cassette recorder or a domestic appliance such as a washing machine or cooker.

The notification unit 312 may take any suitable form depending oft the nature of the user apparatus 31. For example, where the user apparatus is an e-mail telephone, the user notification unit 312 generates a message for display on a screen of the e-mail telephone indicating that new mail awaits delivery. The user apparatus 31 may support more than one user, such as different e-mail accounts within a single e-mail telephone. Suitably, the user notification unit 312 provides notification selectively to the or each user. In the preferred embodiment the number recognition unit 311 determines the user or users amongst the plurality of users to notify based on information contained in the CLI information. For example, the CLI information may use a different calling line identity appropriate to each user.

Even though the notifying call from the server 11 is relatively short, preferably of the order of five seconds, it may be inconvenient for the user to hear the incoming call due to the ringing signal reaching other user apparatus such as the apparatus 32 or 33 of Figure 1.

16 Further, where such other apparatus, is, for example, an answering machine, then the call may be answered where this is not desired. Therefore, the user apparatus 31 preferably further includes a ring suppression circuit 5 313.

Figure 4 shows a first preferred ring suppression circuit in more detail. The ring suppression circuit 313 is coupled across the signal wires of the user telephone line 30 carrying the ringing signal, in parallel with sound output units such as a tone caller 320. The -ting suppression circuit 313 suitably comprises a switch, ideally an electronic switch such as a transistor or a photo relay SI, in series with a low impedance such as a resistor R1. The low impedance is selected such that when the switch S1 is turned on and current flows through the low impedance R1, the majority of the current on the ringing circuit of the user telephone line 30 flows through the low impedance R1 and does not reach any audible output units such as the loud speaker 320.

On three wire telephone systems the ring suppression circuit 313 is applied directly across the ring circuit, as shown in Figure 4. Figure 5 shows a second preferred ring suppression circuit for use on two wire telephone systems applied directly across the two wire connection together with a DC block, in this example a capacitor C1, to prevent auto answering of the call.

Referring again to Figure 3, when the number recognition unit 311 recognises the identity of the calling party, the ring suppression circuit 313 is operated to suppress ringing on the user telephone line 17 30. Where the call related information is sent prior to the ringing signal, then suitably the ring suppression circuit 313 is engaged to suppress ringing prior to the first ringing signal if the calling party is recognised by the number identification unit 311. However, in other situations the ring suppression unit 313 is normally engaged in a standby mode such that initially ringing tone on the ring circuit of the user telephone line 30 is always suppressed. only when the number recognition unit 311 determines that the incoming call is not from a recognised calling party is the ringing circuit relCased for normal operation and the call connection sequence continues. Further still, the ring suppression circuit 313 can be optionally engaged, under the control of the user apparatus 31 or under control of the user.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is desired to provide a convenient method for delivery of data messages and in particular short message service (SMS) type data packets from a remote server to the user apparatus. Here, it is desirable that the user apparatus receives the incoming call and recognises the CLI as described above. If the incoming call is determined as coming from an SMS message server, the call is answered (with ring suppression if desired) to enable data packets to be delivered from the SMS server to the user apparatus. Here, the SMS server makes an outgoing call which is received by the user apparatus and a call connection sequence is desirably completed. However, the SMS data packet is relatively short with messages typically having a free text user data field of only 160 characters, such that the delivery call is of relatively short duration.

18 In each of the preferred embodiments, an incoming call may be received and processed by the user apparatus 31 even when the user telephone line 30 is in use. Ideally, the telephone network 20 supports a call waiting feature such that a second (or further) call can be supplied to the user telephone line 30. Ideally the user apparatus 31 determines whether the telephone line 20 is already in use, and if so then applies CLI recognition to determine io whether the new incoming call is from a recognised caller and determines whether ring suppression is required.

A method and apparatus has been described which, advantageously, enables a notification message to be delivered from one piece of apparatus to another, such as from a server of an ISP to a user, ideally to an e-mail telephone. The notifying call is quick, efficient and cost effecti-ve. A method and apparatus has also been described enabling delivery of a data message. Further, the method and apparatus described above advantageouslyallow the notifying call or message delivery call to be received without disturbing the user by optionally suppressing the ringing circuit.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in thisspecification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and 19 drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly io stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a geffe-ric series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extend to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1 A method for remotely notifying a user apparatus from a server, comprising the steps of:

a) receiving an incoming call and detecting calling line identity (CLI) information; b) comparing the incoming CLI with at least one predetermined CLI; and c) if the comparing step (b) produces a match then determining that the incoming call is a notifying call 15 from the server.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising the step (d) of alerting a user that a notifying call has occurred.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 to 2, wherein the step (d) comprises alerting the user that a data message awaits delivery from a server and/or that a new data message has been delivered from a server.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the alerting step comprises providing a message on a display screen of the user apparatus and/or providing an audible signal from the user apparatus.

S. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, comprising the step of (d) taking action automatically at the user apparatus in response to the notifying call.

21 6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the step (d) comprises automatically initiating an outgoing call from the user apparatus to the server to provide for the 5 collection of data messages waiting at the server.

7. A method as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the step (d) comprises answering the incoming call and receiving a data message from the remote server.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the -data message is an email or an SMS message.

9. A method as claimed in any of claims 5 to 8, wherein the step (d) comprises answering the incoming call and receiving a fax message from the remote server.

10. A method as claimed in any of claims 5 to 9, wherein the step (d) comprises automatically arranging for the user apparatus to be turned off, or to be turned on, or to be programmed.

11.- A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, comprising the step of (e) in response to a user command, initiating an outgoing call from the user apparatus to the server to provide for the collection of data messages waiting at the server.

12. A method as claimed in claim 6 or 11, wherein the step (d) or the step (e) comprises sending data messages from the user apparatus to the server during the outgoing collection call to the remote server.

22 13. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12 wherein in the step (a), the incoming call is provided via a public switched telephone network (PSTN).

14. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13 wherein, in the step (a), the incoming call is received at the user apparatus via a telephone line of the PSTN.

is. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, lo wherein the step (c) comprises suppressing a ringing circuit of the telephone line when the comparing step- (b) produces a match.

16. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15, wherein in the step (a), the incoming call is initiated at the remote server.

17. A Tnethod as claimed in claim 16, wherein in the step (a), the incoming call is initiated by the server in response to a predetermined condition including any one or more of:

1) at least one data message (including an email or SMS message) awaits delivery from the server to the user apparatus; 2) a predetermined number of data messages (including email or SMS messages) awaits delivery from the server to the user apparatus; 3) a predetermined quantity of data awaits delivery from the server to the user apparatus; 23 4) an announcement from the server awaits delivery to all users or to a group of users, including general information and/or advertising information; 5) programming of the user apparatus requires updating.

18. A method as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein the predetermined condition is set on the server appropriate to each user apparatus and/or each user account in response to data uploaded from the user apparatus.

19. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 18, comprising at the server, terminating the call after a predetermined time period and before a call connection sequence is completed.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the time period is of the order of 5 seconds after a ringing signal is sent by the PSTN to the user apparatus.

21. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 20, wherein at least the step (a) is performed without completing a call connection sequence for the incoming call.

22. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 21, wherein the steps (a), (b) and (c) are all performed during and prior to completing a call connection sequence for the incoming call.

24 23. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 22, wherein if the comparing step (c) does not produce a match, then continuing a call connection sequence.

24. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 23, wherein the steps (a), (b) and (c) are performed whilst the telephone line to the user apparatus is in use, using a call waiting procedure.

25. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 24, wherein in the step (a), the incoming CLI includes cal-ling party number information and/or calling party name information and, in the step (b), the calling party number information and/or name information is compared with predetermined calling party number information and/or name information, respectively.

26. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 25, wherein in the step (b), the incoming CLI is compared with each of a plurality of predetermined CLI.

27. A method as claimed in any of claims I to 26, wherein in the step (b), the incoming CLI is compared with each of a plurality of predetermined CLI, each CLI corresponding to at least one predetermined user account of the user apparatus; in the step (c), determining the incoming call as a notifying call for a selected one of the predetermined user accounts, or a selected group of the predetermined user accounts, depending upon information in the CLI; and the step (d) comprises alerting the selected user or group of users that a notifying call has occurred.

28. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 27, wherein a plurality of predetermined CLI information are stored on the user apparatus, each representing one of a plurality of different servers.

29. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 28, comprising the step of storing the predetermined CLI information on the user apparatus.

:L 0 30. A method as claimed in claim 29, wherein the predetermined CLI information is stored on the -aser apparatus at the time of manufacture or of installation of the apparatus.

31. A method as claimed in claim 29 or 30, comprising the step of user inputting the predetermined CLI information for storage on the user apparatus.

32. A method as claimed in any of claims 29 to 31, comprising the step of downloading the predetermined CLI information from a remote source for storage on the user apparatus.

33. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 32, wherein the user apparatus is an email telephone and the server is an email server.

34. A method for notifying a user apparatus that a data message is waiting delivery via a PSTN from a server, comprising the steps of:

26 (a) initiating a telephone call from the server to the user apparatus via the PSTN, the call including calling line identity information; (b) receiving the call at the user apparatus; (c) comparing the calling line identity information of the received call with at least one predetermined calling line identity; and (d) if the comparing step (c) produces a match, -then notifying the user that a message on the server awaits delivery.

35. A method as claimed in claim 34, comprising the step (e) of, if the comparing step (c) does not produce a match, then continuing a call connection sequence.

36. A method as claimed in claim 34 or 35, comprising the step of, if the comparing step (c) does produce a match, then suppressing a ringing circuit of a telephone line coupled to the user apparatus.

37. A method for delivering a data message via a PSTN from a server to a user apparatus, comprising the steps of:

(a) initiating a telephone call from the server to the user apparatus via the PSTN, the call including calling line identity information; (b) receiving the call at the user apparatus via a telephone line of the PSTN; 27 (c) comparing the calling line identity information of the received call with at least one predetermined calling line identity; and (d) if the comparing step (c) produces a match, then continuing a call connection sequence for delivery of the data message.

38. A method as claimed in claim 37, comprising, if the comparing step (c) produces a match, then answCring the incoming call in a mode appropriate for the delivery of a data message from the server.

39. A method as claimed in claim 37 or 38, comprising alerting a user that a message has arrived.

40. A method as claimed in any of claims 37 to 39, wherein the data message is an email message or an SMS message.

41. A method as claimed in any of claims 37 to 40, comprising the step of suppressing a ringing circuit of the telephone line when the comparing step (c) produces a match.

42. A user apparatus comprising:

means for receiving an incoming call and detecting calling line identity information; means for comparing the incoming calling line identity with at least one predetermined calling line identity; and 28 means for notifying a user that a data message awaits delivery from a server, and/or that a new data messaae has been delivered from a server. 5 43. A user apparatus comprising:

a CLI recognition unit for receiving an incoming call, lo detecting calling line identity information and for comparing the incoming calling line identity with at 15ast one predetermined calling line identity; and a notifying unit for notifying a user, the notifying unit being responsive to the CLI recognition unit.

44. A user apparatus as claimed in claim 43, wherein the CL-I recognition unit comprises a memory for storing the or each predetermined calling line identity.

45. A user apparatus as claimed in claim 43 or claim 44, wherein the notifying unit provides an alerting message on a display screen of the user apparatus and/or provides an audible signal.

46. A user apparatus as claimed in any of claims 43 to 45, comprising a ring suppression unit for suppressing a ringing signal of the incoming call.

47. A user apparatus as claimed in any of claims 43 to 44, wherein the user apparatus is an email telephone.

29 48. A method for remotely notifying a user apparatus from a server, substantially as hereinbefore described.

49. A method for notifying a user apparatus that a data message is waiting delivery via a PSTN from a server, substantially as hereinbefore described.

50. A method for delivering a data message via a PSTN from a server to a user apparatus, substantially as 10 hereinbefore described.

51. A user apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.