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EP1016262A1 - Procede et appareil de connexion d'un appel entrant a un systeme informatique deja occupe dans une session de communication - Google Patents

Procede et appareil de connexion d'un appel entrant a un systeme informatique deja occupe dans une session de communication

Info

Publication number
EP1016262A1
EP1016262A1 EP98904748A EP98904748A EP1016262A1 EP 1016262 A1 EP1016262 A1 EP 1016262A1 EP 98904748 A EP98904748 A EP 98904748A EP 98904748 A EP98904748 A EP 98904748A EP 1016262 A1 EP1016262 A1 EP 1016262A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
client computer
server
call
incoming call
pstn
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98904748A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1016262A4 (fr
Inventor
Mojtaba Mirashrafi
George L. Taylor
Keith A. Pirkl
Ajit B. Pendse
Kenneth L. Keeler
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ITXC Inc
Original Assignee
EFusion Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by EFusion Inc filed Critical EFusion Inc
Publication of EP1016262A1 publication Critical patent/EP1016262A1/fr
Publication of EP1016262A4 publication Critical patent/EP1016262A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
    • H04M3/42229—Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
    • H04M3/428—Arrangements for placing incoming calls on hold
    • H04M3/4281—Arrangements for placing incoming calls on hold when the called subscriber is connected to a data network using his telephone line, e.g. dial-up connection, Internet browsing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
    • H04M3/436—Arrangements for screening incoming calls, i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
    • H04M3/50—Centralised arrangements for answering calls; Centralised arrangements for recording messages for absent or busy subscribers ; Centralised arrangements for recording messages
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q3/00—Selecting arrangements
    • H04Q3/0016—Arrangements providing connection between exchanges
    • H04Q3/0029—Provisions for intelligent networking
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/57—Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2203/00—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M2203/15—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges related to dial plan and call routing
    • H04M2203/156—On-line status dependent routing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2203/00—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M2203/20—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges related to features of supplementary services
    • H04M2203/2011—Service processing based on information specified by a party before or during a call, e.g. information, tone or routing selection
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2203/00—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M2203/20—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges related to features of supplementary services
    • H04M2203/2066—Call type detection of indication, e.g. voice or fax, mobile of fixed, PSTN or IP
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2242/00—Special services or facilities
    • H04M2242/22—Automatic class or number identification arrangements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
    • H04M3/42025—Calling or Called party identification service
    • H04M3/42034—Calling party identification service
    • H04M3/42042—Notifying the called party of information on the calling party
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
    • H04M3/50—Centralised arrangements for answering calls; Centralised arrangements for recording messages for absent or busy subscribers ; Centralised arrangements for recording messages
    • H04M3/53—Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages, i.e. mailbox systems
    • H04M3/533—Voice mail systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
    • H04M3/54—Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M7/00—Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres
    • H04M7/0024—Services and arrangements where telephone services are combined with data services
    • H04M7/0033—Notification or handling of incoming calls by a computer
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M7/00—Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres
    • H04M7/12—Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M7/00—Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres
    • H04M7/12—Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
    • H04M7/1205—Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal where the types of switching equipement comprises PSTN/ISDN equipment and switching equipment of networks other than PSTN/ISDN, e.g. Internet Protocol networks
    • H04M7/126—Interworking of session control protocols
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M7/00—Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres
    • H04M7/12—Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
    • H04M7/1205—Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal where the types of switching equipement comprises PSTN/ISDN equipment and switching equipment of networks other than PSTN/ISDN, e.g. Internet Protocol networks
    • H04M7/129—Details of providing call progress tones or announcements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M7/00—Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres
    • H04M7/12—Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
    • H04M7/1205—Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal where the types of switching equipement comprises PSTN/ISDN equipment and switching equipment of networks other than PSTN/ISDN, e.g. Internet Protocol networks
    • H04M7/1295—Details of dual tone multiple frequency signalling

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of telecommunications and, in particular, to a method and apparatus for connecting an incoming call to a computer system that is already engaged in a communication session, such as an Internet session.
  • Each of these products offers internet based voice communications with a telephone motif, between two users each using the same (or compatible) product on either end of the internet connection. That is, the internet provides the "switching" architecture for the system,
  • PSTN public switched telephone network
  • PSTN public switched telephone network
  • ISP internet service provider
  • the internet is a packet switched network. That is to say, communication over the internet is accomplished by "breaking" the
  • the delay required to retransmit even one data packet may
  • PSTN telephone network
  • the PSTN assigns a dedicated communication line to a user with which to complete the telephone call, wherein
  • the user can utilize the assigned resource of the PSTN in any way they choose, with the
  • IP internet protocol
  • ISP Internet service provider
  • the ISP assigns the user an IP address associated with the port they are currently occupying. Thus, unless a user happens to log into the same port each time, an option generally not within the discretion of the user, the user will not be assigned the same IP address.
  • a server is configured to connect an incoming call to a client computer, wherein a call generated by a telephone handset destined for a local PSTN extension that is already in use by the client computer communicating with the server for another purpose, is connected to the client computer.
  • the server comprises a storage medium having stored therein a plurality of programming instructions for implementing communication services for facilitating the connection of the incoming call to the client computer, and an execution unit coupled to the storage medium for executing the programming instructions.
  • the communication services include services for answering the incoming phone call on behalf of the client computer and interleavingly delivering incoming call signals to the client computer, as well as accepting interleaved outbound call signals from the client computer and transmitting outbound call signals on behalf of the client computer to the telephone handset.
  • a user of a client computer may still receive incoming telephone calls even though the local PSTN extension is already in use by the client computer for another communication purpose.
  • different embodiments of the present invention may also beneficially include services for providing the user with supplemental information associated with the inbound call, and for providing the user of the client computer a number of alternate routing options.
  • the present invention anticipates providing the user of client computer the ability to dynamically route the inbound call to a voice mail system, resident locally or within the PSTN, or to route the call to an alternative PSTN extension.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary communication system incorporating the teachings of the present invention
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 are flow charts illustrating a method for connecting a phone call to a client computer already engaged in another communication session, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG 4 is a block diagram illustrating an adjunct processor incorporating the teachings of the present invention suitable for incorporation in the exemplary communication system of Figure 1; s
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the key software components of the adjunct processor of Figure 4, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of a communication system incorporating the teachings of the present invention.
  • Figure 7 is a flow chart illustrating the method steps for connecting a phone call to a client computer already engaged in another communication session, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 a block diagram is presented illustrating an exemplary communication system 100 incorporating the teachings of the present invention for connecting an incoming call to a computer system that is already engaged in a communication session.
  • communication system 100 is shown comprising Adjunct Processor (AP) 112 and Internet Service Provider (ISP) 120 incorporated with the teachings of the present invention, internet telephony enabled client computer 102 and handset 140.
  • AP Adjunct Processor
  • ISP Internet Service Provider
  • AP 112 and ISP 120 facilitate access by client computer 102 to one or more co ⁇ orate presence servers (CPS) such as, for example CPS 155, 156, 157 and 159, via Internet 150 and Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 170 inco ⁇ orated with the teachings of the present invention.
  • CPS co ⁇ orate presence servers
  • PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network
  • ISP 120 and AP 112 make it possible for handset 140 to call internet telephony enabled client computer 102, allowing a user of handset 140 and a user of client computer 102 to converse with each other, while client computer 102 remains connected to Internet 150, and without requiring an additional communication line besides communication line 106.
  • PSTN 170 is shown comprising Service Switching Points (SSP) 108 and 136, Signal Transfer Points (STP) 126 and 130, Signal Control Point (SCP) 134, Adjunct Processor (AP) 112 and Internet Service Provider (ISP) 120 inco ⁇ orated with the teachings of the present invention, coupled together as shown.
  • client computer 102 communicates via PSTN 170 with a modulation/demodulation (MODEM) device coupled to PSTN extension 104, as is well known in the art.
  • PSTN extension 104 is coupled to SSP 108 with communication line 106.
  • SSP 108 may well be coupled to other handsets such as handset 142 via communication line 143.
  • SSP 108 is also coupled to STP 126 via trunk line 124, and to AP 112 and ISP 120 via trunk lines 110 and 122, respectively.
  • STP 126 is coupled to STP 130 via trunk line 128, while STP 130 is coupled to SCP 134 and SSP 136 with control line 132 and trunk line 135, respectively.
  • SSP 136 is depicted as supporting a plurality of telephone handsets such as handset 140 and 144 via communication lines 138 and 145, respectively.
  • handset 140 is intended to represent a broad category of conventional handsets known in the art. No special features are required of telephone handset 140 for it to call and be "connected" to client computer 102. Additionally, in the embodiment of Figure 1 communication line 138 connecting handset 140 to SSP 136 may simply be a plain old telephone service (POTS) communication line, although other types of communication lines may be used.
  • POTS plain old telephone service
  • Client computer 102 is also intended to represent a broad category of internet telephony enabled computer systems known in the art.
  • An example of such a computer system is a desktop computer system equipped with a high performance microprocessor, such as the Pentium® processor manufactured by Intel Co ⁇ oration of Santa Clara, CA, a number of audio input and output peripherals/interface for inputting, digitizing and compressing outbound audio, and for decompressing and rendering inbound audio, a communication interface for sending and receiving various data packets (including audio data packets) in accordance with certain standard communication protocol, such as a V.42bis compliant modem, a windows-based operating system, such as WindowsTM 95 developed by Microsoft Co ⁇ oration of Redmond, WA, a web communications tool such as NavigatorTM, developed by Netscape Communications of Mountain View, CA, and an internet telephony application, such as the above described IPhone developed by Intel Co ⁇ oration.
  • communication line 106 connecting client computer 102 to PSTN 170 may also be simply a POTS line, although
  • ISP 120 is further coupled to SSP 108 via a plurality of other communication lines 123.
  • Communication line 122 typically is of the same type as communication line 106, e.g., POTS or integrated services / I digital network (ISDN) lines.
  • Communication lines 123 are intended to represent communication lines of various types, such as Tl (1.533 Mbps) trunk lines, or El (2.0488
  • trunk lines which may be configured to serve client computers with higher data rate requirements, or to service a number of individual communication lines.
  • PSTN 170 is significantly more complex than what is depicted in Figure 1.
  • each SSP services thousands of extensions, and there are numerous SSPs, STPs and SCPs.
  • Figure 1 does capture a number of the more relevant components of PSTN 170 necessary to illustrate the interrelationship between PSTN 170, client computer 102, handset 104 and ISP 108, such that one skilled in the art may practice the present invention.
  • the functions performed by SSP 108 and 136, STP 126 and 130 and SCP 134, as well as their constitutions are well known. Accordingly, PSTN 170 will not be further described.
  • the method begins at step 204 when a user of telephone handset 140 initiates a telephone call by dialing PSTN extension 104.
  • the call is established via communication line 138 through SSP 136, STPs 130 and 126 to SSP 108.
  • SSP 136 will encode Automatic Number ID (ANI) information associated with telephone handset 140 and Destination Number ID Service (DNIS) information associated with the call destination (i.e., PSTN extension 104) in the prompt signal from SSP 136 to SSP 108, in an attempt to initiate the telephone call.
  • ANI Automatic Number ID
  • DNIS Destination Number ID Service
  • SSP 108 detects the inbound call destined for PSTN extension 104 from telephone handset 140 via SSP 136, and determines that PSTN extension 104 is currently in use. Accordingly, in step 208, SSP 108 queries AP 112 via trunk line 110 to determine the calling features associated with PSTN extension 104 to determine possible alternate call routing options for the inbound call. To determine the calling features associated with PSTN extension 104, AP 112 accesses database 114 which maintains a list of calling features associated with all PSTN extensions serviced by SSP 108.
  • One such feature is feature indicating that a particular PSTN extension is internet telephony enabled. Accordingly, in step 210, a determination is made by AP 112 as to whether PSTN extension 104 is an internet telephony enabled PSTN extension.
  • step 210 it is determined that PSTN extension 104 is not an internet telephony enabled extension, AP 112 continues down the calling feature hierarchy associated with PSTN extension 104, in step 212, to determine how to best route the call. Examples of such alternative calling features may include call waiting, or voice mail, to name but a few.
  • step 214 based on input from AP 112, SSP 108 routes the inbound call in accordance with the calling features associated with PSTN extension 104, as appropriate, and the method ends in step 216. / 3
  • step 210 If, however, in step 210, it is determined that PSTN extension 104 is, in fact, internet telephony enabled, SSP 108 queries ISP 120 to determine if ISP 120 has the capacity available to accept and route the inbound call to PSTN extension 104.
  • step 220 a determination is made by ISP 120 as to whether ISP 120 can route the call to PSTN extension 104.
  • ISP 120 first determines whether it is currently engaged in a data communication session with client computer 102 via PSTN extension 104, and also whether there are available communication ports with which to accept the incoming call. If, in step 220, it is determined that ISP 120 cannot accept and route the inbound call, then the method continues with step 212, wherein AP 112 continues down the calling feature hierarchy associated with PSTN extension 104 to determine how to route the call.
  • ISP 120 instructs SSP 108 to forward the inbound call to ISP 120 via an available communication line 123, in step 302.
  • ISP 120 signals client computer 102 via communication line 122, SSP 108 and communication line 106 supporting the data communication session with Internet 150, of the inbound call and providing additional information associated with the origin (ANI), format and any toll charges associated with accepting and completing the inbound call, and queries the user of client computer 102 whether or not to accept the inbound call.
  • step 306 the user of client computer 102 responds to ISP 120 via the data communication session with Internet 150 (i.e., supported by communication line 106, SSP 108 and communication line 122). If, in step 306, the user of client computer 102 chooses not to accept the inbound call, or if the prompt from ISP 120 goes unanswered for a predetermined period of time, the method continues with step 211, wherein one embodiment control transfers back from ISP 120 to AP 112, which continues down the calling feature hierarchy associated with PSTN extension 104 to determine how best to route the inbound call. ⁇
  • ISP 120 completes a communication connection between communication line 123 and communication line 122 acting as a "bridge" between handset 140 and internet telephony enabled client computer 102, in step 308.
  • ISP 120 digitizes and compresses inbound call signals received from handset 140 on communication line 123 and interleavingly delivers the encoded call signals to client computer 102 via communication line 122, SSP 108 and communication line 106, or, in other words, via the previously established data connection.
  • the compressed inbound call signals will be decompressed by the communication interface of client computer 102 and rendered by the internet telephony application.
  • outbound call signals emanating from client computer 102 will be digitized by the audio interface and compressed by the communication interface of client computer 102 and interleavingly delivered to ISP 120 wherein they will be decompressed and rendered for the benefit of the user of telephone handset 140.
  • ISP 120 converts the voice information between PSTN and IP protocols and interleaving delivers call signals to/from telephone handset 140 and client computer 102 until call completion, and the method ends in step 310.
  • step 702 the user of client computer 102, in anticipation of beginning an internet data communication session via PSTN extension 104, actively enables a call forwarding feature with the switch of SSP 108 by entering a feature_enable key sequence (e.g., *71) using the keypad of the telephone connected to PSTN extension 104.
  • a feature_enable key sequence e.g., *71
  • the switch of SSP 108 prompts the user of PSTN extension 104 to enter the telephone number to which calls are to be forwarded, wherein the user enters an access number corresponding to ISP 120 using the telephone keypad, for example.
  • the feature_enable key sequence and entry of the access number for ISP 120 may be performed automatically, as part of a modem initialization script at the onset of a data communications session.
  • the user of client computer 102 then dials ISP 120 to establish a data connection with a server (e.g., CPS 156) through Internet 150.
  • a server e.g., CPS 1566
  • PSTN extension 104 is now enabled to receive inbound calls via ISP 120.
  • a user of telephone handset 140 initiates a telephone call by dialing PSTN extension 104.
  • the call is established via communication line 138 through SSP 136, STPs 130 and 126 to SSP 108.
  • SSP 136 will encode Automatic Number ID (ANI) information associated with telephone handset 140 and Destination Number ID Service (DNIS) information associated with the call destination (i.e., PSTN extension 104) in the prompt signal from SSP 136 to SSP 108, in an attempt to initiate the telephone call.
  • ANI Automatic Number ID
  • DNIS Destination Number ID Service
  • SSP 108 receives the incoming call request from SSP 136, determines that PSTN extension 104 denoted by DNIS has forwarded all incoming calls to an access number corresponding to ISP 120. Accordingly, SSP 108 attempts to forward the call to ISP 120.
  • the original DNIS corresponding to PSTN extension 104 becomes the ANI for the forwarded call, while the access number corresponding to ISP 120 becomes the new DNIS for the forwarded call.
  • all three numbers i.e., the original ANI, the original DNIS, and the access number corresponding to ISP 120 may be retained.
  • ISP 120 If, in step 708, it is determined that ISP 120 does not have the necessary resources (or, capacity) available to route the incoming call to PSTN extension 104, ISP 120 rejects the incoming call from SSP 108, and SSP 108 continues down the calling feature hierarchy associated with PSTN extension 104 to route the call, or simply generates a "busy" tone, in step 710. If, however, in step 708 it is determined that ISP 120 has the resources available to accept and route the incoming call to PSTN extension 104, ISP 120 determines that the ANI information received corresponds to a particular client computer (e.g., client computer 102), using one of a number of methods known in the art (e.g., caller ID services), and signals client computer 102 of the incoming call.
  • client computer e.g., client computer 102
  • ISP 120 prompts the user of client computer 102 with associated call information and queries the user whether to accept the incoming call, in step 714. If, in step 716, the user denies the incoming call, ISP 120 rejects the incoming call from SSP 108, and SSP 108 continues down the calling feature hierarchy associated with PSTN extension 104 to route the call, or simply generates a "busy" tone, in step 710.
  • ISP 120 completes a communication connection between communication line 123 and communication line 122 acting as a "bridge" between handset 140 and internet telephony enabled client computer 102, in step 718.
  • ISP 120 digitizes and compresses inbound call signals received from handset 140 on communication line 123 and interleavingly delivers the encoded call signals to client computer 102 via communication line 122, SSP 108 and communication line 106, or, in other words, via the previously established data connection.
  • the compressed inbound call signals will be decompressed by the communication interface of client computer 102 and rendered by the internet telephony application.
  • outbound call signals emanating from client computer 102 will be digitized by the audio interface and compressed by the communication interface of client computer 102 and interleavingly delivered to ISP 120 wherein they will be decompressed and rendered for the benefit of the user of telephone handset 140. That is to say, ISP 120 converts the voice information between PSTN and IP protocols and interleaving delivers call signals to/from telephone handset 140 and client computer 102 until call completion, and the method ends in step 720.
  • the user of client computer 102 enters a feature_disable key sequence (e.g., *72) using the telephone handset connected to PSTN extension 104 disabling the call forwarding feature at the switch of SSP 108, thereby enabling PSTN extension 104 to receive telephone calls as normal.
  • a feature_disable key sequence e.g., *72
  • the feature_disable key sequence may also be implemented as part of a modem disconnection sequence, thereby relieving the user of client computer 102 with having to remember to disable the call forwarding feature.
  • ISP 120 enables a user of handset 140 to call the user of client computer 102 by dialing the telephone number for extension 104, and converse with the user of client computer 102, even when user of client computer 102 is already using extension 104 to support a data connection with Internet 150.
  • ISP 120 may also inco ⁇ orate a number of additional value added features such as voice mail, caller identification (via ANI) and the ability to recognize and display the originator of the incoming call (e.g., from within a PBX system) as well as the call type (i.e., voice, fax, video, etc.) with the ability to route the call to an alternate location that is best-suited to handle the incoming call.
  • additional value added features such as voice mail, caller identification (via ANI) and the ability to recognize and display the originator of the incoming call (e.g., from within a PBX system) as well as the call type (i.e., voice, fax, video, etc.) with the ability to route the call to an alternate location that is best-suited to handle the incoming call.
  • client computer 102 In addition, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the number of calls received by the user of client computer 102 is limited only by the number of extensions connected to communication lines 123, and the bandwidth available on the communication connection between client computer 102 and ISP 120. Therefore, if client computer 102 employs a 28.8 kbps modem to support the data connection to ISP 120, and a full duplex voice connection typically consumes between 5 and 10 kbps, it is possible to support multiple voice connections within the 28.8 kbps bandwidth constraint imposed by the modem, for example.
  • ISP 120 may support several simultaneous (e.g., conferencing) voice connections to the user of client computer 102 within the bandwidth constraint of the modem, wherein the user of client computer 102 may simultaneously communicate with all of the callers (provided that the internet telephony application resident on client computer 102 supports such a conferencing feature).
  • ISP 120 may receive and support multiple calls to the user of client computer 102, where the user of client computer 102 must selectively communicate with individual calls by placing the other(s) on hold.
  • exemplary computer server 400 is comprised of multiple processors 402a - 402n and memory subsystem 408 coupled to processor bus 404 as depicted. Additionally, computer server 400 is comprised of a second bus 412 and a third bus 410.
  • bus 412 is a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus 412
  • bus 410 is an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus 410.
  • PCI bus 412 and ISA bus 410 are bridged to processor bus 404 by I O controller 406.
  • ISA bus 410 Coupled to ISA bus 410 are display 414, keyboard and cursor control device 424 and mass storage device 422 (e.g., hard drive). Additionally, exemplary computer server 400 is shown comprising PSTN interface 416 and Signaling System 7 (SS7) Interface 418.
  • PSTN interface 416 and Signaling System 7 (SS7) Interface 418.
  • SS7 Signaling System 7
  • PSTN interface 416 provides the necessary hardware to interface exemplary computer server 400 to a plurality of PSTN communication lines (e.g., l c ⁇
  • PSTN interface 416 provides advanced DSP-based voice, dual-tone multiple frequency (DTMF) and call progress functionality, which allows for downloadable DSP protocol and voice processing algorithms, thereby providing CODEC support locally on the interface.
  • GSM Global System for Mobile Communications
  • ITU-T G.723.1 protocol codecs the specification for which are commonly available from the GSM consortium and the International Telecommunications Union, respectively.
  • PSTN interface 418 provides the hardware necessary to interface exemplary computer server 400 with PSTN trunk lines (e.g., ISDN) supporting the out-of-band communication protocol (e.g., Signaling System 7 (SS7)) used between PSTN network elements (i.e., SSP-SSP, SSP-STP, STP-SCP, etc.).
  • PSTN interface 416 is preferably an AG-T1TM (for U.S. implementations, while an AG-E1 may be seamlessly substituted for European implementations)
  • SS7 interface 418 is preferably the TX3000TM, both of which, along with their accompanying software drivers, are manufactured by and commonly available from Natural MicroSystems of Natick, Massachusetts. Otherwise, all other elements, processors 402, memory system 408 and so forth perform their conventional functions known in the art. Insofar as their constitutions are generally well known to those skilled in the art, they need not be further described.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates the software elements of exemplary computer server 400.
  • exemplary computer server 400 is shown comprising an application layer consisting of Hop-on driver 502 and interapplication manager (Management Driver) 504.
  • Hop-on driver 502 and Management Driver 504 implements the method steps of Figures 2 and 3 as well as Figure 7 that are the responsibility of ISP 120 using services abstracted through SAL 506.
  • the Service Abstraction Layer (SAL) 506 is shown comprising Signaling System 7 (SS7) Services 508, Telephony Services 510, Streaming Services 512, Connection Services 514 and Data Services 516.
  • the interface layer is shown comprising Telephony Application Programming Interface (API) 520, PSTN Data interface 522 and Connection/Compatibility Interface 524.
  • the driver layer is shown comprising SS7 driver 518, PSTN driver 526 and Winsock/2 standard drivers (e.g., TCP/IP, etc.) 528, all of which exchange information in the fashion depicted in Figure 5.
  • API Telephony Application Programming Interface
  • one pu ⁇ ose of SAL 506 is to provide and Application Programming Interface (API) for all the available services in exemplary computer server 400.
  • the API will abstract out the actual modules used for providing services such as connection establishment (514), streaming and data exchange services (512, 516).
  • SAL 506 provides the common operation tools such as queue management, statistics management, state management and the necessary interface between the plug-in services (i.e., drivers in the driver layer).
  • SAL 506 is also responsible for loading and unloading the appropriate drivers as appropriate.
  • Streaming service 512 is responsible for interfacing with the components that provide the real-time streaming functionality for the multimedia data. Once the connection has been established between the connection points (i.e., PSTN, H.323 or Wave files), streaming service 512 will take over the management and streaming of data between the two connected parties, until the connection is terminated.
  • data service layer 516 is responsible for providing non real-time peer to peer (i.e., computer-computer) messaging and data exchange between exemplary computer server 400 and other Internet and perhaps PSTN based applications. Sending messages to exemplary to computer server end-points (i.e., other similarly equipped ISPs on the Internet) or other servers within the PSTN is accomplished via data service layer 516.
  • Connection service 514 works in conjunction with streaming services 512 and data services 516.
  • connection service 514 includes a connection establishment and tear-down mechanism facilitating the interconnection to the PSTN.
  • connection service 514 employs connection and compatibility services 524 which facilitate interoperation between communication equipment that support industry standards, thereby allowing a variety of communication equipment manufactured by different vendors to be benefited from the present invention.
  • Connection and compatibility services 524 include, in particular, services for supporting standard video telephony, such as ITU-T's H.323 video telephony, and standard data communication, such as ITU-T's T.120 data communication protocol. Examples of the connection establishment and tear-down mechanisms supported by connection service layer 514 include opening and starting PSTN ports, call control, DTMF collection, and tone generation, to name but a few.
  • SS7 driver 518 and PSTN driver 526 serve to integrate SS7 interface 418 and PSTN interface 416 with the other features and functions of exemplary computer server 400.
  • SS7 driver 518 communicates with SS7 service layer 508, while PSTN driver 526 communicates with telephony API 520 and PSTN data API 522.
  • Telephony services 510 service all communications with client computers, such as client computer 102 using telephony API 520 and PSTN driver 526.
  • Telephony services 510 include in particular services for handling computer telephony 506, and automatic call distribution (ACD) necessary for Private Branch Exchange (PBX) based systems.
  • PSTN driver 526 is equipped to facilitate the above described compression and transmission of inbound call signals from handset 140 as well as decompression and transmission of outbound call signals from client computer 102.
  • PSTN driver 526 supports these functions with the necessary interfaces to accommodate both trunk line and POTS communication line interfaces common to SSP 108. Implementation of these services, as described above, is well within the ability of those skilled in the art of, for example, telecommunications.
  • AP 112 and ISP 120 are both, essentially, computer servers and may, in one embodiment be the same computer server.
  • communication line 118 represents a communication bus internal to the combined AP/ISP server.
  • AP 112 and ISP 120 may be co-located in a local office of PSTN 170 as part of a common Local Area Network (LAN), where in such an embodiment communication line 118 represents a LAN communication path such as, for example, an Ethernet communication line.
  • LAN Local Area Network
  • AP 112 may be located in a local office (not shown) of PSTN 170, while ISP 120 is remotely located, wherein such instance communication line 118 represents a digital control line to AP 112 allowing for out-of-band signaling communication.
  • An example of such a communication system architecture is illustrated in Figure 6.
  • Figure 6 illustrates a block diagram of an alternative communication system architecture inco ⁇ orating the teachings of the present invention.
  • the elements of communication system 600 are much the same as the architecture depicted in exemplary communication system 100, with the primary distinction arising from the remote placement of ISP 120.
  • ISP 120 and AP 112 are inco ⁇ orated with the teachings of the present invention, however, communication between these network elements must occur via a PSTN trunk line 602.
  • An example of a trunk line suitable for use as trunk line 602 is a primary rate ISDN (PRISDN) line, well known to those skilled in the art. Except for the location of ISP 120 relative to AP 112, the operation of the present invention is much the same as that previously described.
  • PRISDN primary rate ISDN
  • the present invention anticipates that the originator of the telephone call could be call from a cellular telephone; or that the client computer could be coupled to a wireless communications network via a wireless communications modem over a wireless communication channel, in which case, in accordance with the present invention, the telecomputing session would not necessarily prohibit the receipt of incoming cellular calls to the wireless handset.
  • the present invention may be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)
  • Data Exchanges In Wide-Area Networks (AREA)
  • Sub-Exchange Stations And Push- Button Telephones (AREA)
  • Exchange Systems With Centralized Control (AREA)
  • Communication Control (AREA)

Abstract

Un serveur (112) est configuré pour connecter un appel entrant à un ordinateur client (102), dans lequel un appel est généré par un combiné téléphonique (140) et destiné à une ligne RTPC locale (106) déjà utilisée par l'ordinateur client (102) communiquant avec le serveur (112) pour une autre raison. Selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, le serveur (112) comprend un support de stockage et une unité d'exécution. Dans le support de stockage sont stockées une pluralité d'instructions de programmation destinées à mettre en oeuvre des services de communication afin de faciliter la connexion de l'appel entrant au nom de l'ordinateur client (102), d'acheminement, de manière entrelacée, des signaux d'appel entrant dans l'ordinateur client (102), d'acceptation des signaux d'appel entrelacés vers l'extérieur provenant de l'ordinateur client (102) et de transmission des signaux d'appel vers l'extérieur ou non, de l'ordinateur client (102) vers le combiné téléphonique (140). L'unité d'exécution, couplée au support de stockage, est responsable de l'exécution des instructions de programmation.
EP98904748A 1997-02-14 1998-02-03 Procede et appareil de connexion d'un appel entrant a un systeme informatique deja occupe dans une session de communication Withdrawn EP1016262A4 (fr)

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US80169897A 1997-02-14 1997-02-14
US801698 1997-02-14
PCT/US1998/001679 WO1998036551A1 (fr) 1997-02-14 1998-02-03 Procede et appareil de connexion d'un appel entrant a un systeme informatique deja occupe dans une session de communication

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EP1016262A4 EP1016262A4 (fr) 2004-09-22

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EP (1) EP1016262A4 (fr)
AU (1) AU6254598A (fr)
CA (1) CA2281479C (fr)
FI (1) FI19991727A (fr)
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WO (1) WO1998036551A1 (fr)

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SE9902820D0 (sv) 1999-07-30
EP1016262A4 (fr) 2004-09-22
AU6254598A (en) 1998-09-08
CA2281479C (fr) 2002-07-23
CA2281479A1 (fr) 1998-08-20
SE9902820L (sv) 1999-10-13
FI19991727A (fi) 1999-08-13
WO1998036551A1 (fr) 1998-08-20

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