Telephone call processing method and apparatus

A method for providing customized media playback services in a telephony service using a first subscriber device located at a subscriber location, the telephony service further including a second subscriber device located at the subscriber location, the second subscriber device having telephone functionality allowing the second subscriber device to conduct a telephone call, the second subscriber device also having call states controlled by a network-based telephony switching node, the method comprising:

• receiving signaling information from the network-based telephony switching node at the first subscriber device, the signaling information indicative of a call state at the second subscriber device;
• and
• in response to receiving the signaling information, initiating playback of an item of media content,
• wherein the item of media content is stored in a media store associated with the first subscriber device and the playback is initiated from the first subscriber device.

Subscriber equipment for use in providing customized prior-to-answer services in a telephony service using the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), the subscriber equipment being configured to:

• store an item of media content;
• receive SIP signaling information relating to a first incoming call directed to a subscriber from a calling party;
• transmit a SIP signaling message indicating that media content is to be transmitted to the calling party prior to the incoming call being answered;
• and
• begin playback of the item of media content to the calling party while the call is in a prior-to-answer signaling state,
• wherein the playback is originated from the subscriber equipment.

A computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium having computer readable instructions recorded thereon for use in providing customized prior-to-answer services in a telephony service using the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), the computer readable instructions being operative, when performed by a computerized device, to cause the computerized device to;

• receive SIP signaling information relating to a first incoming call directed to a subscriber from a calling party;
• transmit a SIP signaling message indicating that media content is to be transmitted to the calling party prior to the incoming call being answered;
• and
• begin playback of an item of media content to the calling party whilst the call is in a prior-to-answer signaling state,
• wherein the item of media content is stored in subscriber equipment associated with the subscriber, and the playback is originated from the subscriber equipment.

Subscriber equipment for use in providing customized media playback services in a telephony service, the telephony service involving a telephony device having call states controlled by a network-based telephony switching node, the subscriber equipment being configured to:

• store an item of media content in a media store associated with the first subscriber device;
• receive signaling information from the network-based telephony switching node at the first subscriber device, the signaling information indicating a call state at the telephony device;
• and
• in response to the reception of signaling information, initiate playback of an item of media content.

A computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium having computer readable instructions recorded thereon for use in providing customized media playback services in a telephony service using a first subscriber device, the telephony service involving a second subscriber device, the second subscriber device including telephone functionality allowing the second subscriber device to conduct a telephone call, the second subscriber device having call states controlled by a network-based telephony switching node, the computer readable instructions being operative, when performed by a computerized device, to cause the computerized device to:

• receive signaling information from the network-based telephony switching node at the first subscriber device, the signaling information indicating a call state at the second subscriber device;
• and
• in response to the reception of signaling information, initiate playback of an item of media content,
• wherein the item of media content is stored in a media store associated with the first subscriber device and the playback is initiated from the first subscriber device.