FR2787272A1 - Process for enabling intercommunication between two devices like telephone call boxes connected to a computer network like the Internet uses direct call addresses for signal channels between the devices and a computer network. - Google Patents

Abstract

Two calling (1) and called (2) information transmission devices have direct call addresses to access signal channels between the devices and are able to access a computer network (3) by respective computer addresses, one having called the other via a signalling channel by transferring its computer address to it. It is then called in turn by the other device via the computer network at the computer address it transferred.

Description

Method for connecting two pieces of equipment connected to a network

  The present invention relates to communications on computer networks for the transmission of data of the INTERNET type, and more particularly communications in telephone mode, for the

  voice or data transmission.

  The INTERNET allows PC type terminals to access data servers permanently connected to the INTERNET and to which

  has been assigned a permanent IP address.

  PCs which are never called do not need a permanent IP address. To call a server, the PC user calls, via the switched telephone network, first his INTERNET access service provider and the latter provides a temporary IP address, valid only for communication with the server which will be

  established. The server can thus send back the requested data.

  Such exploitation avoids wasting addresses. However, it is unsuitable for communications to simple terminal equipment such as PC, telephone sets, fax machines or others, without permanent IP address. The caller cannot warn

  the called party of his call so that the latter "joins" him on the INTERNET.

  The present invention aims to put in communication, through a computer network for data transmission of the Internet type, of equipment for transmitting information calling with homologous equipment called without permanent address.

in this network.

  To this end, the invention relates to a method of putting in communication, through a computer network of the INTERNET type, of two pieces of information transmission equipment, calling and called, of a direct communication network, with their direct call addresses to access signaling channels between devices on the direct network

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  and being able to access the computer network by respective computer addresses, process characterized in that: one of the two pieces of information transmission equipment, calling and called, having called the other by a signaling channel of the direct network in it transmitting his computer address, he is in turn called by the said other equipment but by the computer network at the address

computer transmitted.

  Thus, the two networks are functionally integrated in order to complete the computer network by the signaling channels of the direct network of

  communication and thus constitute a telephone type network, that is

  say in which any equipment can be directly reached. The communication via the computer network requires only the prior use of the signaling channels of the direct communication network, without implying the establishment of a communication through it, if

  although possible taxation will only represent a limited cost.

  We can thus get rid of any appointment server and any prior agreement as to an appointment time, since the

  communications are established in real time.

  The invention will be better understood using the following description of a

  preferred mode of implementation of the method of the invention, with reference to the appended drawing, in which: FIG. 1 schematically represents two telephone sets of the GSM cellular radiotelephony network, connected to the INTERNET, and FIG. 2, formed of FIGS. 2A and 2B, is a diagram of

  path illustrating the process steps.

  The information transmission equipment to be put in communication are, in this example, two telephone sets 1 and 2 connected to a direct communication network 4. The word "direct" indicates that one can reach immediately, independently, any extension on the network, that is to say without the help of another network or without an appointment. In this example, it is the GSM cellular radio network, I T

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  to which mobile stations 1 and 2 are connected by radio links

respectively 14 and 24.

  Station 1 is also connected to a computer network for data transmission, here the INTERNET 3. As, in this example, equipment 1 is a terminal and not a server, it is not permanently connected to INTERNET 3 and therefore has no permanent IP address. Station 1 is in fact connected by a connector to a line 13 of the switched telephone network allowing it to reach a supplier 31 of Internet access services 3. PSTN line circuits and data exchange with 1 'INTERNET 3 are here integrated into the station 1. As a variant, they could be integrated into a box connecting the station 1 to the line 13. The station 1 could also, as a variant, be connected to the line 13 by a wireless link , for example through a radio base of the home automation network conforming to the DECT standard. Likewise, the equipment 1 could be connected by radio to the supplier 31, preferably here by the GSM network, then replacing the line 13. If the supplier 31 was only connected to the PSTN network, and not to the GSM network , an interworking center could then be reached by radio through the GSM network from station 1, to convert the GSM signals transmitted by it into signals of

  modem compatible with the PSTN network, to reach the supplier 31.

  Station 2 will be called initially and it does not have a permanent IP address in INTERNET 3. Station 2 is likewise connected, by a line 23, to an access service provider 32, the connection variants exposed for station 1 being likewise conceivable for

post 2.

  The link 33 schematizes the fact that the two suppliers 31 and 32 can

  call by F'INTERNET 3, to connect stations 1 and 2.

  The GSM 4 network includes signaling channels allowing stations 1 and 2 to exchange information without establishing communication through a voice channel, which would be chargeable. In particular, they have the Short Message Service for this purpose, allowing them to exchange

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  short packets of data or messages, called SMS, for a limited cost. In their classic use, SMS messages are displayed on the called station. These SMS messages are used here to reach the station called 2 from the calling station 1, in order to: - inform it of the identity (call address) of the calling station 1 and - order it to connect to the INTERNET 3, and - to call back the calling station 1 by one of the two networks 3, 4,

  using the identity received from calling station 1.

  If the return call is made via INTERNET 3, communication is therefore established. If, on the other hand, it is done by SMS, it is then used to transmit the provisional IP2 address, assigned to the called station (2) when it has connected to the INTERNET 3, and the calling station (1) can then use this to establish the desired communication through

îNET INTERNET 3.

  Thus, for the communication of the two stations 1, 2 through the INTERNET 3, one of the two stations, calling 1 and called 2, having called the other by an SMS signaling channel of the direct network 4 in it transmitting its computer address IP1, IP2 in the INTERNET network 3, it is in turn called by the other extension 2, 1 but by the

  INTERNET 3 network to the transmitted computer address IP1, IP2.

  The flow diagram in Figure 2 illustrates the various cases

  possible to establish communication through the INTERNET 3.

  Station calling 1, steps 41 to 54 In step 41, two call numbers N1 and N2 are obtained for the respective stations 1 and 2 in the GSM 4 network. Station 1, calling, possibly has a permanent INTERNET IP1 address and extension 2 called does not have one. The latter, and, if applicable, item 1, may be

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  obtain a provisional IP2 address (IP1) from its supplier 32 (31), which also provides the physical connection to connect the set 1, 2

considered on the INTERNET 3.

  In a step 42, it is determined whether the calling station 1 has a permanent IP1 address and, if not, the supplier 31 is called from it by the line 13 in a step 43 so to a step 44, connect or connect the station 1 to the INTERNET 3 (physical connection) and

  receive the required temporary IP1 address (logical connection).

  Furthermore, in a step 52, an SMS signaling channel is taken from the calling station 1 and, by sending the call number N2 in the GSM network 4 in a step 53, it is transmitted, by the channel, to the called station 2, in a step 54, a message - specifying that the station 2 must connect to the INTERNET 3, - providing an identifier of the station 1 in at least one of the networks 3 and 4. This identifier can be the number or address call N1 (which exists in all cases) or the IP1 address, which is permanent (affirmative answer in step 42) or which calling station 1 will have obtained if steps 42-44 were carried out before step 54. The addresses N1 and IP1 can both be transmitted, in the same message or in two separate messages, in order to choose the response network, in step 72,

in the station called 2.

  Station called 2, steps 61 to 78 At steps 61 and 62, which follow step 54, and are counterparts of steps 43, 44, station called 2 calls its supplier 32, step 61, to

  connect to INTERNET 3 and receive a temporary IP2 address.

  Furthermore, after step 54, it is determined, in a step 71, whether the station called 2 has received a single identifier (Ni, IP1) from the calling station 1. If not, having therefore received N1 and IP1, it is determined , in step 72, if one decides to choose the GSM 4 network to answer the calling station 1. This choice may depend on the way which is planned to manage the 1T7I [

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  communication, for operational reasons (taxation or other). In the negative, the station called 2, having the IP1 address of the station calling 1, a response message is transmitted in step 73 on the INTERNET 3, from station 2, comprising, in addition to an indication that it is a response to the call, the IP1 address. Step 73 follows step 62 of connection to the INTERNET 3. The message thus can reach the calling station 1 and therefore establish the desired communication, at a step 74. An equipment (2) thus called can for example transmit to the calling equipment (1) predetermined files, for example an update io of a database of the calling equipment: PUSH function. In practice, as the communication is bidirectional here, the response message also includes the IP2 address, which will allow the calling station

  1, to also send useful data or voice messages.

  If so in step 71, a single identifier Ni or IP1 having been received, it is determined, in step 75, whether it is N1. In the negative, IP1 having therefore been received, we go to steps 73-74 of setting up communication via the INTERNET 3. If so, step 72 (choice of GSM network 4) or 75 (reception of NI), an SMS channel is taken from station 2 in step 76, transmits N1 there to reach calling station 1, at

  a step 77, and transmits to it the IP2 address obtained in step 62.

  Station calling 1. steps 81 to 92 After step 78, the station called calling 1 receives the provisional address IP2 at a step 81 and, at a step 82, it is determined there, for reasons similar to those of the step 72, if it is the GSM network 4 which is going to be chosen to call back the called station 2. In the negative, the IP2 address is transmitted on the INTERNET network 3, at a step 83, which establishes the desired communication, at a step 84. If it is desired, as in this example, to establish a two-way communication, the steps 42-44 will, if necessary, have been previously executed. In particular, the affirmative branch of step 82 here has an optional loopback 85 allowing for example to wait for the end of step 44, to have the IP1 address and then go to steps 83-84 of the establishment. of the desired communication over the INTERNET 3. Otherwise, step 85 is

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  continues with a step 86 of taking an SMS channel to reach the station called 2, by sending its address N2, in order to transmit to it

  the IP1 address, permanent or acquired in step 44.

  Station called 2, steps 91 and 92 After step 88, station called 2 receives the IP1 address by an SMS channel, in step 91, and it then transmits it on the INTERNET 3, which establishes the

  communication sought through the INTERNET 3, at a step 92.

  It will be understood that the diagram in FIG. 2 aims to present all the possible cases and that it can, in operation, be simplified. In particular, the result of step 42 (permanent address or not) is invariable for a determined calling station and therefore only one of the two branches which

flow is traveled.

  Thus, for example again, it can be assumed that the calling station 1 does not have a permanent IP1 address and that steps 71 and 75 always provide an affirmative response and therefore become irrelevant: we pass

  directly to step 76 and steps 72 to 74 are never performed.

  Likewise, step 82 can systematically provide a negative response and make steps 86 to 92 irrelevant. Among the three steps 74, 84, 92 of setting up communication via the Internet 3, only one then remains

step 84.

  In practice, each station 1, 2 includes a microprocessor for automatically managing the above protocol and for, once the communication has been established through the INTERNET 3, warns the user in question. To this end, the final steps 74, 84, 92 are followed by a step of controlling a buzzer for the stations 1 and 2, possibly with a message on a display of the station 1, 2, inviting the user of the station to "pick up" his set 1, 2 to take the call and establish the transmission of voice or data through the INTERNET link 3 thus established. Thus, the communication of the stations 1, 2 by the computer network 3 is preferably carried out automatically by the

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  microprocessors thereof and then each station 1, 2 activates an alarm to invite the user of the station 1, 2 considered to take the call. Therefore, the time during which the above communication establishment protocol takes place is masked and the user is thus not disturbed during the above exchanges of

signals between stations 1 and 2.

  It is understood that any other network, wired or wireless, can be substituted for the GSM 4 network, insofar as it offers a path to reach equipment directly from any other, in order to remotely control the equipment (or inform its user) to that it connects to the computer network 3. It is thus possible, for example, to think preferably of various telephone networks, with integration of services such as ISDN, cellular or satellite networks, which have the advantage of avoiding billing because they include signaling channels allowing transmission of remote control data. These channels transmit information packets or datagrams which are sent and received independently of the occupation of the associated telephone channel and can therefore be used even when it is occupied by a

classic communication.

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Claims (10)

  1.- Method of setting up communication, through a computer network of the INTERNET type (3), of two pieces of information transmission equipment, calling (1) and called (2), of a direct communication network (4), with their direct call addresses (Ni, N2) to access signaling channels (SMS) between equipment (1, 2) of the direct network (4) and which can access the computer network (3) by respective computer addresses (IP1, IP2), method characterized in that: one of the two pieces of equipment (1, 2) for transmitting information, calling (1) and called (2), having called the other (2 , 1) by a signaling channel (SMS) of the direct network (4) by transmitting to it (54, 88; 78) its computer address (IP1, IP2), it is in turn called (73, 91; 83) by said other equipment (2, 1) but by the computer network (3) to the address transmitted IT (IP1, IP2).   2.- Method according to claim 1, wherein the calling equipment (1) first transmits (54) to the called equipment (2), by a signaling channel (SMS), at least one of its addresses, direct (NI) and computer IP1, so that the latter (2) connects (61) to the computer network (3) in order to obtain (62) a temporary computer address   (IP2) and calls the address (N1, IP1) of the calling equipment (1).   3.- Method according to claim 2, wherein the called equipment (2) calls (77) the direct address (Ni) of the calling equipment (1) and it   transmits (78) its computer address (IP2).   4.- Method according to claim 3, wherein the calling equipment (1) calls (83) the equipment called (2) by the computer network (3) from   that it receives the computer address (I1P2) of the equipment called (2).   5.- Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, in the absence   permanent address (IP1), the calling equipment (1) obtains (44) a temporary address (IP1) by connecting (43) to the computer network (3) to 2787272   then transmit it (54), via a signaling channel (SMS), to the equipment called (2).   6.- Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein,   the called equipment (2) calls (73) the calling equipment (1) via the computer network (3) as soon as it receives (72, 75) the computer address   (IPl) of the calling equipment (1).   7.- Method according to claim 3, wherein, after reception (81) of the computer address (IP2) of the equipment called (2) by the calling equipment (1), the latter transmits (88) its address IT (IP1) to the equipment called (2).   8.- Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the implementation   communication of the equipment (1, 2) by the computer network (3) is carried out automatically by them and, then, each equipment (1, 2) activates an alarm to invite a user of the equipment   considered (1, 2) to take the call.   9.- Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein one uses   signaling channels (SMS) of the direct radiotelephony network GSM cell (4).   10. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the INTERNET computer network (3).