Method and apparatus for using DTMF for controlling context calls, and mutual context information exchange during mobile communication

摘要

A method for operating a wireless communication system includes steps of setting a context-sensitive facility in one of a mobile station or in a wireless network; informing a caller of the setting; and overriding the setting by sending a signal from the caller to the context-sensitive facility. The context-sensitive facility can be implemented as an answering service, the signal can be a DTMF signal generated in response to an input from the caller, and in this case the step of overriding forces the call through to a called parties' mobile station when the setting is to not allow calls to be made to the called parties' mobile station. The same method includes steps of specifying context information at a calling parties' mobile station; transmitting signaling during a call origination phase to selectively exchange context information between the calling party and a called party, the context information being in the form of at least one of graphical icons, text, or information codes specifying graphical icons; and displaying the context information to at least one of the calling party or the called party prior to establishing a voice call. <IMAGE>