WO2002063413A2

WO2002063413A2 - Method and system for providing service

Info

Publication number: WO2002063413A2
Application number: PCT/US2001/004047
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ofer Shem Tov; Erez Yaary; Shai Gilad; Moshe Vegh
Original assignee: Vocaltec Communications Ltd.; Vocaltec Communications, Inc.
Priority date: 2001-02-08
Filing date: 2001-02-08
Publication date: 2002-08-15
Also published as: WO2002063413A3; AU2001271234A1

Abstract

A system and a method for providing a service of a telecommunication network, having a telephone device and at least one service server (7), to at least one subscriber (10, 12) of a Internet Telephony network (ITN) (5). The ITN includes at least one terminal (3, 4) and at least one bridge (6) for connecting between the telecommunication network to the ITN. The method of providing service calls the service server and request a service, notifies of a request for the service to a subscriber of the ITN (220); transmits for providing the service to the subscriber and operating the service by the subscriber using the transmitter (230).

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING SERVICE FIELD OF INVENTION

A method and a system for providing service of a telecommunication network to a subscriber of Internet Telephony network (ITN), in particular, a service of a public switch telephony network to a subscriber of the Internet telephony service.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A telecommunication network such as a public switch telephony network (PSTN) provides to their subscribers various types of services. Examples of such services are a voice mail, a calling card service, a call waiting service, 1-800 for free call, a follow me service, etc.

Another type of a telecommunication network is an Internet telephony network. The Internet telephony network provides telephony services over the Internet. Typically, the Intent telephony network employs an Internet Protocol (IP) for communication between subscribers. Typically, bridge devices connect between PSTN to the Internet telephony network. Those bridges are known in the art as telephony gateways. The telephony gateways are controlled by a controller which is known in the art as a gatekeeper. In order to benefit from the above maintained PSTN services, the subscriber typically calls the service provider server to retrieve the service. For example, In a voice mail service, a special signal is used to notify the subscriber about a message waiting in his mailbox. However, a subscriber of Internet telephony service will be not notified about a voice mail message of PSTN voice mail service.

Another example is when a subscriber is surfing the Internet and wants to use a calling card service of the PSTN with an Internet Telephony application. The subscriber is requested by the service to enter parameters such as phone number user ID and others parameters. Typically, pressing on the keypad of the telephone device enters the parameters. Furthermore, pressing on a button of the keypad generates dual tone multiple frequency (DTMF) signals. The signals are received by the service server for providing the service.

In the growing field of Internet Telephony there is a need to provide means for a subscriber to use PSTN services from the Internet telephony network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the conventional art by providing a method for retrieving services provided on PSTN by using Internet Telephony applications. As a result, of the present invention, an Internet Telephony subscriber can use services such as voice mail and calling card of PSTN.

In the first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for providing a service of a telecommunication network. The telecommunication network includes a telephone device and at least one service server, to at least one subscriber of an Internet Telephony network (ITN) in which said ITN has at least one terminal and at least one bridge for connecting between said telecommunication network to the said ITN. The method comprising the steps of: calling to said service server for requesting a service, notifying of a request for said service to a subscriber of said ITN, transmitting means for providing said service to the said subscriber and operating said service by said subscriber using said means.

In the second aspect of the invention, a system for providing a service of a telecommunication network to at least one subscriber of an ITN (ITN) is provided. The ITN includes at least one bridge for connecting between said telecommunication network to the said ITN. The system includes at least one service server for providing said service, a notifier for notifying of a request for service to said subscriber, means for providing said service to the said subscriber and at least one terminal operably coupled to the ITN for operating said service by said subscriber using said means. In the third aspect of the present invention there is provided a service gateway for locating and notifying a subscriber of an Internet telephony network (ITN) of a service of a telecommunication network. The locator includes an application server providing the application for retrieving said service and an addressing server for locating said subscriber address on the ITN.

In the fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for providing a voice mail service of a telecommunication network to a subscriber of an ITN . The method comprising the steps of providing an Internet telephony application to an electronic mail (E-mail) massage for notifying said subscriber of said voice mail message, activating said Internet telephony application by said subscriber for accessing said voice mail service and retrieving said voice mail massage.

In the fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for providing a calling card service of a telecommunication network to a subscriber of an Internet Telephony network (ITN). The method includes the steps of dialing to said calling card service from said ITN using an Internet telephony application and transferring calling plan parameters using a script program operating from a Web page, wherein said script adds a delay period between each of said calling plan parameters.

The last aspect of the invention, the invention also includes a Web page which has at least one script program for calling to at least one service of the PSTN and a plug-in Internet telephony application. At least one script program is configured to operate said Internet telephony application for operation with said service.

At least one preferred embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example only, with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a telecommunication system according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for providing service in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an Internet telephony system for retrieving voice mail service according to an one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for retrieving a voice mail service;

FIG. 5 is an example of an E-mail message in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a calling card system; and FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method for providing service according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring first to Fig. 1, a system 1 for providing a telecommunication service of a public switch telephony network (PSTN) 2 to subscribers D and C of an Internet Telephony Network (ITN) 5 is shown. The system 1 includes the ITN 5, the PSTN 2, telephones 10 and 12, a service server 7 and a locator 9. The ITN 5 includes Internet telephony terminals 3,4, for example, personal computers 3 and 4, a bridge 6, for example a gateway, a service gateway 8 and the Internet 11. The service gateway 8 includes an addressing server, for example a gatekeeper 14, an application server 16 and a notifier 18, for example, an electronic mail (E-mail) server.

An example of at least one service will be described below. Subscriber A of telephone 12 calls subscriber B of telephone 10. Subscriber B is not available for receiving the call. The call, for example, is transferred to the service server 7. The service server 7 requests the locator 9 to locate subscriber B on ITN 5. Typically, the locator 9 includes a list of subscribers and the subscriber parameters for locating the subscribers on ITN 5. An example for such parameters is IP address, electronic mail address, Chat group participant number, etc.

The locator 9 locates the service gateway 8,which is operably connected to subscriber B domain on ITN 5. The locator 9 transfers to service server 8 an information on the requested service. The gatekeeper 14 resolves subscriber B Internet Protocol (IP) address and a preferred notifier application. The notifier device 18 for example, a chat application such as ICQ™ of ICQ Inc., USA, contact the application server 16 and compose a message which includes a link to a virtual place on the Internet from where the application, typically an Internet telephony application, can be downloaded. The typical term in the art of the Internet for such a link is URL. When subscriber B login to the Internet the ICQ application will notify about the URL and the number of the service. Subscriber B then, opens the URL, downloads the Internet telephony application to his computer and dial to the service. The Internet telephony application transfers using TCP/ IP protocols the telephone number and the call parameters to the gateway 6. The gateway 6 translates the number to DTMF signals when analog connection to the PSTN is in use or to a digital presentation of protocol messages of ISDN/BRI or ISDN/PRI. The gateway 6 further translates the digital information to voice and transfers the call to the PSTN 2 for retrieving the service from the service server 7.

Referring now to FIG.2 a method for retrieving a service of a PSTN 2 by a subscriber of ITN 5 is shown. In Step 200 Subscriber B of PSTN 2 calls the service server 7 and leaves a voice mail message to subscriber D of ITN 5. The locator 9 locates subscriber D address on the Internet 11 has is shown in step 210. Subscriber D address is for example, an E-mail address or an IP address or Internet messaging service number. The next step, step 220, the service bridge 8 notified subscriber D of a request for service. Step 230, the service gateway 8 transmits means for retrieving the service. An example of such means is an Internet telephony application. The last step, step 240 subscriber D retrieves the service by using the means which were transmitted by the service gateway 8.

The above example is a general example of retrieving a service from PSTN 2 by using Internet telephony application.

Two specific services will be described using the general structure of the system 1. VOICE MAIL SERVICE

The voice mail service will now be described with reference to FIG. 3. Subscriber A of telephone 310 calls subscriber B of Internet Telephony Network (ITN) 300 which is included in the Internet 330. Subscriber B of terminal 320 is not available for receiving the call. The call, for example, is transferred to the service server which is in the present example, a voice mail service 340. The voice mail service 340 requests the locator 350 to locate subscriber B on ITN 300. The locator 350 locates the notifier gateway that is an E-mail server 360. The locator 350 transfers to the E-mail service a command for sending E-mail message to subscriber B. Typically, the E-mail massage includes a text message and an attachment of Internet telephony application for retrieving the voice mail message. The Internet telephony application is for example Surf&Call^® of VocalTec® Communications Ltd., Herzelia Israel. The Surf&Call is plug-in software which software operates from a Web page. The E-mail message further includes for example, the telephone number of the voice service or URL to a web page which includes a script program operative to connect the subscriber to the service. When subscriber B reads the E-mail message the operating system launches the Internet telephony application and the web page. The subscriber enables the script program for dialing the voice mail service 340. The Surf&Call connects to a Gatekeeper 360. The gatekeeper 360 resolves a gateway 380 address and transfers the call parameters which includes the telephone number of the voice mail service, to the gateway 380. The gateway 380 transfers the call to the PSTN and establishes a call between subscriber B and the voice mail service 340. Subscriber B can retrieve the service and listen to the voice mail message.

Referring now to FIG. 4 a method of retrieving a voice mail service is shown.

In the first step, step 400 subscriber A calls subscriber B of ITN 400. If subscriber B is answering the call in Step 410, the call ends at step 420. If subscriber B is not answering the call, the call is transferred to the voice mail service 340 in step 430. In step 440, subscriber A leaves a voice mail message to subscriber B. The voice mail service 340 calls the locator 350, in step 450. Typically, the voice mail service 340 is connected to the locator and calls the locator through a protocol. The voice mail service 340 transfers to the locator 350 parameters of subscriber B which helps the locator 350 to locate the subscriber B E-mail address as is shown in step 460. Typically, the locator 350 is a database of E-mail addresses that employ a search engine. An example of such search directory is "E-mail Lookup" which is provided by www.hotmail.com. The locator 350 sends the E-mail address to the E-mail server 360. Typically, the E-mail comprises a software application that composes an E-mail message which includes S&C application. An example of such E-mail message will be described later with reference to FIG. 5. The next step, step 470 is sending the above-described message to subscriber B. Subscriber B opens the E-mail message, launches the S&C application, calls the voice mail service 340 and listens to the voice mail, step 480.

An example of the above describer E-mail message will be describe now with reference to FIG. 5. The E-mail message 500 includes a text message 510 and Internet Telephony application 520 such as S&C.exe. The text message further includes the telephone number of the voice mail service 340 or URL 350. CALLING CARD SERVICE

The calling card service will now be described with reference to FIG. 6. The Internet Telephony network (ITN) 600 includes the Internet 610, Internet telephony terminal (ITT) 620, a gatekeeper 630 and a gateway 640. The PSTN 650 includes telephone device 660 and a calling card service 680.

In operation, subscriber B of ITT 620 calls subscriber A of telephone 660 using a calling card service 680 of PSTN 650. Subscriber B for example, uses an Internet telephony application to call subscriber B. Typically, the Internet telephony application is a plug-in of a Web page. The Web page typically includes a script program to connect to the calling card service.

Typically, the calling card service 680 includes Interactive Voice Replay (IVR) server for educating a subscriber to which and when to enter the parameters which enable the call. Typically, a delay is required between the entrance of each parameter.

Subscriber B enters to the script program the calling card parameters. An example to such parameters is destination telephone number, user identification (ID) number and a pin number. The Internet telephony application establishes a call through the gatekeeper 630 and the gateway 640 to the calling card service 680. The script program provides the parameters to the calling card service and enters a delay between each parameter. The gateway generates DTMF signals for entering the calling plan parameters to the calling card service 680. The calling card received the parameters, authorizing, authenticating and billing subscriber B, and establishes the call between subscriber A to subscriber B. Subscribers can create plurality of scripts on the same Web page wherein each one of the scripts is directed to a different destination number. Furthermore, a subscriber can launch different Web pages which includes a script for different destinations or services.

Referring now to FIG. 7 a method for providing a calling card service is shown. In the first step, step 700, subscriber B dials to the calling card service 680 using Internet Telephony (IT) application. The IT application is a plug-in application operative from a Web page which includes a script program. Typically, subscriber B enters calling plan parameters to the script program which launch the IT application, step 710. The script program calls the calling card service 680 by using IT application to transfer the parameters, step 720. The calling card service 730 receives the parameters, in step 730, and for authorizing, authenticating and billing subscriber B and connects between subscriber A and subscriber B, step 740.

Another example of a calling card service will be described below. The calling card system typically includes a PSTN based calling card system that includes some billing solution. Subscribers that use the calling card system typically use a regular phone call, an access number, listen to IVR instructions, type ID and enter password and destination phone numbers by using DTMF keypad. The caller is then connected to the destination number. The system further includes an IP Terminal that can be one of the following clients: PC software client or embedded client, Client with a Web interface such as plug-in PC software client, or a Screen phone which is a telephone with a Web interface.

When the client is a PC Software client or embedded client the method of calling to the service includes the following steps: 1. User is subscriber to calling card service and has ID and password

2. Client is configured with gatekeeper address, access number, ID and optionally the password for the calling card

3. User selects to call using the calling card option 4. User enters a destination number

5. Client resolves calling card access number using gatekeeper and gets gateway to call. Typically, the client does not have to be known to gatekeeper because billing is done using ID on the calling card platform

6. Client calls gateway which in turn dials the access number

7. When calling card IVR system answers the client, then after predetermined configured time, the client automatically sends the user ID by using DTMF signals. 8. After a first configured time, the client automatically sends user's password using DTMF. If user selected not to save password within client then client asks user to enter password and then sends it. 9. After a second configured time, the client automatically sends destination number using DTMF. 10. The client now signals to the user that it should follow up and continue the call with the destination number or hear any progress tones or errors. 11. The user account is charged according to destination number and number of minutes on the calling card billing system according to user ID and password. When the client is a Web based client the method of calling the service includes the following steps:

1. A script (for example JavaScript) on the Web page can control the client, using client application programming interface (API).

2. The user subscribes to the calling card service and receives an ID and a password

3. The user selects to use calling card and launches a calling card Web page.

4. The user identifies on the page with ID and password. Optionally the user can select to save ID and password on his machine for automatic identification when he enters the same page

5. The user enters destination number on page. User can also select the destination from pre-defined numbers on the Web page. The numbers can be from user personal address book on the personalized page or from any other directory service displayed on the web page.

6. The user clicks a button that starts a script program that exists on the Web page.

7. The script contains the gatekeeper address and calling card access number.

8. The script causes the client to make a call to the access number using the gatekeeper address.

9. The client resolves the calling card access number using gatekeeper.

10. The client calls in to call the gateway which in turn dials the access number.

11. When calling card IVR system answers, the script causes the client to send user's ID using DTMF with a delay period configured in the script.

12. After a first delay period, the script causes the client to send user's password using DTMF. 13. After a second delay period, the script causes the client to send the destination number using DTMF

14. The script now signals to the user that it should follow up and continue the call with the destination

The methods and apparatus disclosed herein have been described by way of example only. Rather, the methods and apparatus have been described in a manner sufficient to enable persons of ordinary skill in the art to readily adapt commercially available hardware and software as may be needed to reduce any of the embodiments of the present invention to practice without undue experimentation and using conventional techniques.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A method for providing a service of a telecommunication network, having a telephone device and at least one service server, to at least one subscriber of a Internet Telephony network (ITN) which said ITN having at least one terminal and at least one bridge for connecting between said telecommunication network to the said ITN, wherein the method comprising the steps of: calling to said service server for requesting a service; notifying of a request for said service to a subscriber of said ITN; transmitting means for providing said service to the said subscriber; and operating said service by said subscriber using said means.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the telecommunication network is a public switched telephony network (PSTN).

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the ITN comprises the Internet.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said service is a voice mail service and said service server is a voice mail server.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said means comprises an electronic mail massage; and an Internet telephony application for retrieving said voice mail message.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said PSTN further comprise a locator operably coupled to said voice mail server and to an electronic mail server, and said application server comprises: a list of electronic mail addresses; and at least one type of Internet telephony application.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of transmitting further comprises the steps of: locating said subscriber electronic mail address; generating an electronic mail message which comprises an Internet telephony application and said voice mail server number; and transmitting said electronic mail massage to said subscriber.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of operating further comprises the steps of. activating said Internet telephony application for accessing said voice mail service; and retrieving said voice mail massage.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein said service is a calling card service and said service server is for authorizing, authenticating and billing said subscriber which is using said service.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of calling further comprises the steps of: dialing to said service server from said ITN using an Internet telephony application; and transferring a calling plan parameters to said service server.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the means comprises; dual tone multiple frequencies (DTMF) signals; delay parameters of the service server; and a script program for activating said Internet telephony application for transferring said calling plan parameters in accordance with said delay parameters between each parameter of said calling plan.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of operating further comprises the steps of: operating said script program for operating said telephony application from the Internet; transmitting DTMF signals for each parameter; and establishing a call between said terminal to said telephone device.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said Internet telephony application is a computer program.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said Internet telephony application is a plug-in application which is operating from a Web page.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said calling plan parameters are a destination number, an user identification number and authorization number.

16. A system for providing a service of a telecommunication network to at least one subscriber of an Internet telephony network (ITN) which said ITN having at least one bridge for connecting between said telecommunication network to the said computer network, wherein the system comprising: at least one service server for providing said service; a notifier for notifying of a request for service to said subscriber; means for providing said service to the said subscriber; and at least one terminal operably coupled to the ITN for operating said service by said subscriber using said means.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the telecommunication network is a public switched telephony network (PSTN).

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the ITN is the Internet.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said service is a voice mail and said service server is a voice mail server.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said means comprises an electronic mail massage; and an Internet telephony application for retrieving said voice mail .

21. The system of claim 21, wherein said notifier is an electronic mail server operably coupled to the Internet.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said PSTN further comprise a locator for locating said subscriber alternative location, wherein said locator comprises: a list of electronic mail addresses; and a list of addresses of at least one type of Internet telephony application to be send to said subscriber by said electronic mail server.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein said means comprises: an electronic mail message which comprises an Internet telephony application; and a URL to a web page which web page comprises said voice mail server telephone number for transmitting to said subscriber.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the at least one terminal comprises: an electronic mail application for opening said electronic mail message; and an operating system launching said Internet telephony application for dialing to said voice mail and retrieving said voice mail massage.

25. The system of claim 18, wherein said service is a calling card service.

26. The system of claim 16, wherein the means comprises: an Internet telephony application for dialing to said service server from said ITN; and providing a calling plan for transferring parameters to said service server.

27. The system of claim 27, wherein the means further comprises; a dual tone multiple frequencies (DTMF) generator for generating DTMF signals', delay parameters of the service server; and at least one web page which includes at least one script program for transferring said calling plan parameters with accordance to said delay parameters between each parameter of said calling plan.

28. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least one terminal comprises: an operating system for operating said script program which operates said telephony application; a network communication device for transmitting DTMF signals for each parameter; and said telephony application for establishing a call between said terminal to said telephone device.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein said Internet telephony application is a computer program.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein said Internet telephony application is a plug-in application which operates from a Web page.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein said calling plan parameters are a destination number, a user identification number and authorization number.

32. A service gateway for locating and notifying a subscriber of an Internet telephony network (ITN) of a service of a telecommunication network, wherein the locator comprising: an application server providing application for retrieving said service; and an addressing server for locating said subscriber address on the ITN.

33. The service gateway of claim 32, wherein said service server is a voice mail server.

34. The service gateway of claim 32, wherein said service server is a calling card server.

35. The service gateway of claim 32 wherein said subscriber is updating said addresses.

36. A method for providing a voice mail service of a telecommunication network to a subscriber of an Internet telephony network (ITN), wherein the method comprising the steps of: providing an Internet telephony application to an electronic mail (E- mail) massage for notifying said subscriber of said voice mail message ; activating said Internet telephony application by said subscriber for accessing said voice mail service; and retrieving said voice mail massage.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said telecommunication network is a public switch telephony network (PSTN)

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the ITN comprises: the Internet; at least one gatekeeper; and at least one gateway.

39. The method of claim wherein the Internet telephony application is a plug-in software which software operates from a web page.

40. A method for providing a calling card service of a telecommunication network to a subscriber of an Internet Telephony network (ITN), wherein the method comprising the steps of: dialing to said calling card service from said ITN using an Internet telephony application; and transferring a calling plan parameters using a script program operating from web page, wherein said script adds a delay period between each of said calling plan parameters.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein said Internet telephony application is a plug-in application which is operating by said script program operative from a Web page.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein said calling plan parameters are a destination number, an user identification number and authorization number.

43. A Web page comprising: at least one script program for calling to at least one service of PSTN; a plug-in Internet telephony application; and wherein the at least one script program configured to operate said Internet telephony application for operative with said service.

44. A Web page as claimed in claim 43, wherein said script program is a Java script.

45. A Web page as claimed in claim 43, wherein said script program is a Java applet.

46. A Web page as claimed in claim 43, wherein said script program comprises a parameters for enabling the use of said service by a subscriber and said script program is configured to transfer said parameters to said Internet telephony application.