WO2006129296A1

WO2006129296A1 - Method, system and circuit for suggesting alternative voip destinations to a called number

Info

Publication number: WO2006129296A1
Application number: PCT/IL2005/000562
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yakkov Merlin
Original assignee: Tvngo Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-05-31
Filing date: 2005-05-31
Publication date: 2006-12-07
Also published as: CN1874382A; TW200642354A

Abstract

Method and device (100) for enabling alternative telephony connections, wherein a connection controller (110) coupled to a PSTN device (150) is adapted to receive information corresponding to a called number to which a PSTN device is intending to connect. Upon receiving the information, the connection controller is adapted to automatically search a database for an alternative VOIP destination associated with the called number.

Description

METHOD, SYSTEM AND CIRCUIT FOR SUGGESTING ALTERNATIVE VOIP DESTINATIONS TO A CALLED NUMBER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention generally relates to the field of telephony communications. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system, method and circuit for suggesting alternative VOIP destinations to a called number.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] VOIP is widely considered to be the telephony (and video telephony) technology of the future. However, despite the fact that traditional Circuit-Switched networks are generally considered to be less efficient than packet-switched networks (mainly because the circuit remains reserved even when no data is being transferred), as of the year 2005, VOIP communications constitute only a small fraction of global telephony traffic, and thus far, have been adopted mostly by businessmen and technology savvy users only.

[003] If Internet telephony technology is to become more popular amongst the wider public, it must compete with the simplicity of operation offered by traditional telephony technology, and with the ubiquity of PSTN devices which can be found anywhere.

[004] In addition, so long as PSTN and VOIP technologies coexist, it would be desirable to provide a communication device that is capable of receiving a dialed-in number, either an IP address or a PSTN telephone number, and in response thereto provide VOIP and/or PSTN connection alternatives associated with the number dialed- in, and to establish a telephony connection with either the original destination or with one of the alternative connections in a manner that is substantially transparent to the user. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[005] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a system, a method and a device adapted to search for VOIP and/or PSTN alternative destinations associated with a dialed-in number, and being further adapted to select one of the alternative destinations or the original destination and to establish a connection with the selected destination.

[006] Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a system, method and circuit for enabling alternative telephony connections. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a device for enabling alternative telephony connections. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the alternative connections device may include a connection controller couplable to a circuit switched telephony device. The connection controller may be adapted to receive information corresponding to a called number to which the circuit switched telephony device wishes to connect. In this context, it will be understood that according to the invention, the PSTN device may dial one number but actually may, in some cases, as will be discussed below, be connected by the alternative connections device to a different destination than the one corresponding to the dialed number. Accordingly, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the PSTN device may be connected to another destination than the one it intended to dial. Upon receiving the information corresponding to the called number to which the circuit switched telephony device wishes to connect, the connection controller may be adapted to automatically search a database for an alternative packet switched network destination associated with the called number. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the database may include a remote database. [007] In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, in case that the search returned one or more alternative packet switched network destinations which are associated with the called number, the connection controller may be adapted to select one of the alternative packet switched network destinations and to automatically initiate a communication session with the selected alternative packet switched network destination.

[008] Further embodiments of the present invention relate to a system, method and circuit for enabling alternative VOIP connections. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a device for enabling alternative Internet telephony connections may include a connection controller couplable to a PSTN device. The connection controller may be adapted to receive information corresponding to a called number to which the PSTN device wishes to connect. Upon receiving the information corresponding to the called number to which the PSTN device wishes to connect, the connection controller may be adapted to automatically search least a database for an alternative VOIP destination associated with the called number. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the database may include a remote database. [009] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, in case that the search returned one or more alternative VOIP destinations which are associated with the called number, the connection controller may be adapted to select one of the alternative VOIP destinations and to automatically initiate a communication session with the selected alternative VOIP destination. [010] In accordance with yet further embodiments of the present invention, the device for enabling alternative telephony connections may further include a local database. The local database may include a plurality of entries, and each entry may correspond to a certain number to which the PSTN device may call and may be associated with one or more alternative VOIP destinations. [011] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, upon receiving the information corresponding to the called number to which the PSTN device wishes to connect, in addition to searching the remote database, the connection controller may be adapted to search the local database for an alternative VOIP destination associated with the called number. [012] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, in case that the remote and/or local database search returned an alternative VOIP destination which is associated with the called number, the connection controller may be adapted to automatically establish a communication session with the returned alternative VOIP destination. In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, in case that the search returned more than one alternative VOIP destinations which are associated with the called number, the connection controller may be adapted to select one of the alternative VOIP destinations and to automatically establish a communication session with the selected alternative VOIP destination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [013] In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, a preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustration of a device for enabling alternative VOIP connections, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention; [015] FIG. 2 A is a flowchart illustration of a method of enabling alternative telephony connections, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

[016] FIG. 2B is a flowchart illustration of a method of enabling alternative telephony connections, in accordance with further embodiments of the present invention; and

[017] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustration of an alternative connections device implemented in a set top box (STB), in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[018] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[019] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

[020] Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as "processing", "computing", "calculating", "determining", "generating", "assigning" or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities within the computing system's registers and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computing system's memories, registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.

[021] Embodiments of the present invention may include apparatuses for performing the operations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the desired purposes, or it may comprise a general purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as, but not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs) electrically programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), electrically erasable and programmable read only memories (EEPROMs), magnetic or optical cards, or any other type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, and capable of being coupled to a computer system bus.

[022] The processes and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general purpose systems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct a more specialized apparatus to perform the desired method. The desired structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the description below, hi addition, embodiments of the present invention are not described with reference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the inventions as described herein.

[023] Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a system, method and circuit for enabling alternative telephony connections. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a device for enabling alternative telephony connections, hi accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the alternative connections device may include a connection controller couplable to a circuit switched telephony device. The connection controller may be adapted to receive information corresponding to a called number to which the circuit switched telephony device is intending to connect. Upon receiving the information corresponding to the called number to which the circuit switched telephony device wishes to connect, the connection controller may be adapted to automatically search at least a remote database for an alternative packet switched network destination associated with the called number.

[024] In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, in case that the search returned one or more alternative packet switched network destinations which are associated with the called number, the connection controller may be adapted to select one of the alternative packet switched network destinations and to automatically establish a communication session with the selected alternative packet switched network destination.

[025] It should be noted that throughout the specification the description of some embodiments of the present invention may be provided, for convenience of explanation, with reference to a particular kind of circuit switched communication network, i.e.

PSTN communication networks. However, it should be noted that the present invention is not intended to be limited in this respect and the terms "PSTN" or "PSTN network(s)" or the like may be interchanged with the term "circuit switched network(s)" or the like. Similarly, it should be noted that throughout the specification, the description of further embodiments of the present invention may be provided, for convenience of explanation, with reference to particular kinds of packet switched networks and telephony, i.e. Internet and Internet telephony or VOIP, respectively. However, it should be noted that the present invention is not intended to be limited in this respect and the terms "Internet" and "Internet telephony" or "VOIP" or the like may be interchanged with the terms "packet switched network(s)" or "packet switched telephony" or the like.

[026] Reference is now made to FIG. 1 , which is a block diagram illustration of an alternative connections device 100 for enabling alternative VOIP connections, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the alternative connections device 100 may be couplable to a PSTN communication device 150, such as a PSTN telephone. In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention the alternative connections device 100 may include a PSTN interface shown as PSTN IF 120. The PSTN IF 120 may be used to operatively couple the PSTN device 150 and the alternative connections device 150 and to connect the alternative connections device 100 to the PSTN network. For example, the PSTN IF 120 may be operatively coupled to a local exchange 160, through which the alternative connections device 100 may be adapted to communicate over the PSTN network.

[027] In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, the alternative connections device 100 may be connected to the PSTN device 150, such that it is in the PSTN device's 150 communication path. Thus, the PSTN device 150 may be connected to the PSTN network through the alternative connections device 100 and the PSTN IF 120 included therein. Accordingly, whenever a number is called on the PSTN device 150, data corresponding to the called number may initially be received at the alternative connections device 100. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the alternative connections device 100 may eventually decide to connect the PSTN device 150 with the called number or with an alternative VOIP destination 196, and may connect to the PSTN network or to the Internet in order to connect to the selected destination.

[028] In accordance with some 'embodiments of the present invention, the PSTN interface 120 may be adapted to translate communications from the alternative connections device 100 (either communications which are generated by the alternative connections device 100 or communications which arrive at the alternative connections device 100 from the outside) which are directed towards the PSTN communication device 150 to a format which may be processed by the PSTN device 150 and translated to the intended content (audio, video and/or textual content, for example). Various PSTN interfaces are known in the art. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the use of any one particular PSTN interface, and rather, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, any suitable, presently known or yet to be devised in the future PSTN interface may be used to couple the alternative connections device and the PSTN communication device.

[029] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the PSTN communication device 150 may be utilized to communicate with various communication devices which are connected to the PSTN network or which are connected to various other communication networks (e.g., cellular communication networks) which are interconnected with the PSTN network. Whenever the PSTN communication device is utilized to communicate with a certain communication device connected directly or indirectly to the PSTN network, the PSTN communication device may be input with a number which is associated with the communication device to which the PSTN device wishes to connect. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, there may be input to the PSTN communication device 150 the telephone number of a PSTN telephone 192 or the telephone number of a cellular telephone 194. [030] Reference is now additionally made to FIG. 2 A, which is a flowchart illustration of a method of enabling alternative telephony connections, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, whenever some number of an intended destination is input to the PSTN device 150, the PSTN device 150 may generate, for example, digital information, or an analogue signal, such as DTMF signals, corresponding to the called number. The alternative connections device 100 which, as mentioned above, may be positioned along the PSTN device's 150 communication path, may receive the data corresponding to the called number (block 210). In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, whenever the PSTN device 150 is input with the number of an intended destination, the PSTN interface 120 may be adapted to receive from the PSTN communication device 150 data corresponding to the called number to which the PSTN device 150 is intending to connect, for example, the PSTN interface 120 may receive from the PSTN device 150 the DTMF tones which correspond to the called number to which the PSTN device 150 wishes to connect. In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, the alternative connections device 100 may include a caller identification module 122, and may utilize the caller identification module 122 to translate the data corresponding to the called number to a format which may be used by the connections controller 110.

[031] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the alternative connections device may include a connection controller 110. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, whenever a called number (to which the PSTN device is intending to connect) is received at the alternative connections device 100, data corresponding to the called number may be forwarded to the connection controller 110 (whether translated or not). In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, when the data corresponding to the called number is received at the connection controller 110, the connection controller 110 may be adapted to automatically initiate a search on at least a remote database 170 for one or more alternative VOIP destinations (such as Internet telephone 196, for example) associated with the called number (block 220).

[032] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the alternative connections device 100 may include an Internet interface 130 operatively connected to the Internet network. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the Internet interface 130 may be utilized to connect the alternative connections device 100 to the Internet. The Internet interface may be configured to enable the alternative connections device 100 to communicate over the Internet with a variety of communication devices which are also connected to the Internet, such as the remote database 170 and the Internet telephone 196, for example, and may be adapted to utilize a variety of Internet protocols, VOIP protocols and/or wireless communication protocols, as well as other protocols, in order to enable such communications. In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, the Internet interface 130 together with the PSTN interface 120 and other components of the alternative connections device 100 may be used to connect the PSTN communication device 150 to the Internet, and in particular to a specific alternative VOIP destination, such as VOIP telephone 196, as will be discussed in greater detail below. [033] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the connection controller 110 may be operatively connected to the Internet interface 130, and may be adapted to utilize the Internet interface 130 to communicate over the Internet with remote Internet communication devices, including the remote database 170. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the connection controller 110 may utilize the Internet interface 130 in order to search on at least the remote database 170 for one or more alternative VOIP destinations associated with the called number.

[034] As part of some embodiments of the present invention, the remote database 170 may be any searchable database which may be configured to return VOIP destination(s) when provided with data corresponding to a certain number dialed on a PSTN device. As part of further embodiments of the present invention, in the remote database 170, VOIP destination(s) may be associated with certain numbers which may be dialed on a PSTN device, and when searched for alternative VOIP destination(s) to a certain number which was dialed on a PSTN device, the remote database 170 may be adapted to return the VOIP destination(s) which are associated with the dialed or called number. The remote database 170 may accessible through the Internet and may be adapted to receive queries over the Internet and to transmit responses back over the Internet. [035] Various Internet interface are known in the art. It should be noted that in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, any presently known or yet to be devised in the future Internet interface may be used to connect the alternative connection device 100, and the connection controller 120 in particular, to the Internet.

[036] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, in case that the search for the alternative VOIP destinations returned one or more result(s) (block

230) corresponding to one or more alterative VOIP destinations which are associated with the called number to which the PSTN communication device 150 is seeking to connect, the connection controller 110 may be configured to determine whether the alternative VOIP destination(s) is available to receive a call (block 240). For example, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, as part of determining whether the alternative VOIP destination(s) is available to receive a call, the connection controller 110 may determine whether the returned alternative VOIP destination associated with the called number, for example, a VOIP telephone 196, is connected to the Internet; whether the status indicator (busy, away, do-not-disturb, etc.) of the alterative VOIP destination is in a mode which indicates that the VOIP destination is interested or able to receive calls; and/or whether the returned alternative VOIP destination is actually responding to the VOIP call, etc.

[037] For example, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, as part of determining whether the returned alternative VOIP destination is available to receive a call, the connection controller 110 may send a request to the alternative VOIP destination 196 to authorize or to acknowledge the redirection of the call, and only in the case that an authorization or an acknowledgement is returned by the alternative VOIP destination will the connection controller 110 determine that the alternative VOIP destination is available to receive the call.

[038] In accordance with an optional embodiment of the present invention, the connection controller 110 may also be adapted to search a local or an internal database 140 for alternative VOIP destinations associated with the called number (optional block 225). The local database 140 may be implemented as part of the alternative connections device 100, for example, on a storage device included therein. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the local database search may be carried out before or after the remote database 170 is searched or substantially simultaneously with the remote database search. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the local database 140 search may precede the remote database 170 search. In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, the connection controller 110 may be adapted to search the remote database 170 for alternative VOIP destinations only after searching the local database 140, and only if the local database search did not return alternative VOIP destination(s) or if an alternative VOIP destination(s) was returned but was determined to be unavailable to receive calls. The availability of the alternative VOIP destination(s) returned as a result of the local database search may be determined in similar manner to the manner described above with reference to block 240. [039] The local database 140 may be similar in organization to the remote database 170, as described in greater detail above. However, it should be noted that the local database 140 may include entries not found in the remote database 170 and vice versa. For example, certain VOIP subscribers may choose not to publicly identify a certain VOIP destination with a certain PSTN number (for example), but may provide such information privately to the operator of the alternative connections device 100.

[040] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, if at block 230 it was determined that the search (of the remote database and/or the local database) returned no alternative VOIP destination, or if at block 240 it was determined that none of the returned alternative VOIP destinations is available to receive the call, the connection controller 110 may decide to connect the PSTN communication device 150 to the original destination 192 or 194 to which the PSTN device 150 originally intended to connect (block 250). In this case, the connection controller 100 may instruct the PSTN interface 120 to connect to the local exchange 160 with which the PSTN device 150 is associated. Connecting a PSTN communication device to a destination communication device associated with a called number is well known in the art. It should be noted that in accordance with some embodiments of the present, the destination communication device may be a PSTN communication device, such as telephone 192, a cellular communication device, such as cellular phone 194, or any other device which may be connected to directly or indirectly through a PSTN network. Furthermore, the destination communication device may be connected to the same local exchange as the PSTN device 150, or it may not be directly connected to the same local exchange as the PSTN communication device 150 and may require the use of a long distance carrier or some other intermediary infrastructure or communication medium to enable the connection with the PSTN communication device.

[041] However, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, if at block 230 it was determined that the search returned at least one alternative VOIP destination, for example, the VOIP telephone 196, and if it was determined at block 240 that at least one of the returned alternative VOIP destination(s) is available to receive the call, the connection controller 110 may connect the PSTN communication device 150 to the alternative VOIP destination (block 260). In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, in the case that the search returned more than one alternative VOIP destination, the connection controller 110 may be adapted to select a preferred alternative VOIP destination and to automatically establish a communication session with the preferred alternative VOIP destination. However, in accordance with further embodiments of the present invention other techniques for determining the priority of the alternative VOIP destination may be used in case the search returned more than one alternative VOIP destination associated with the called number.

[042] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, in order to connect the PSTN device 150 to the alternative VOIP destination, for example, to the VOIP telephone 196, the connection controller 110 may instruct the Internet interface 130 to establish a VOIP communication session with the alternative VOIP destination 196 over the Internet.

[043] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, once the VOIP communication session is established between the alternative connections device 100 (through the Internet interface 130) and the alternative VOIP destination, the PSTN interface 120 may be used to receive communications arriving from the PSTN communication device 150. Such communications may be translated to a format which is compatible with the PSTN communication device 150 and forwarded to the PSTN communication device 150. The Internet interface 130 may be used to receive communications arriving from the alternative VOIP destination, for example from the VOIP telephone 196, and to translate communications received from the PSTN communication device 150 to a format which is compatible with the alternative VOIP destination (for example, to TCP/IP protocol). As part of some embodiments of the present invention, upon receiving the signal from the PSTN interface 120, the PSTN communication device 150 may generate appropriate audio, video and/or textual output. As part of further embodiments of the present invention, upon receiving the translated signal from the Internet interface 130, the alternative VOIP destination may generate appropriate audio, video and/or textual output. [044] It should be noted that while in the description of FIG. 1 reference was made to specific circuit switched telephony technology, namely to PSTN technology, some embodiments of the present invention may not be limited to any one particular circuit switched telephony technology. In addition, it should be noted that while in the description of FIG. 1 reference was made to specific packet switched telephony technology, namely to Internet telephony technology or more particularly to VOIP technology, some embodiments of the present invention may not be limited to any one particular packet switched telephony technology. [045] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, if the search returned no alternative VOIP destination(s) associated with the called number (block 230) or if alternative VOIP destination(s) were returned but none has been determined to be available to receive the PSTN device's call (block 240), the alternative connections device 100 may be configured to connect the PSTN device 150 to the called number, e.g. PSTN telephone 192 or cellular telephone 194 (block 250), rather than to the alternative VOIP destination.

[046] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the connection controller 110 may be adapted to select a preferred connection alternative to be used for connecting the PSTN device 150 to the destination associated with the called number. The connection controller 110 may be configured to select the preferred connection alternative based upon one or more call characteristics. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the connection controller 110 may be adapted to determine which is the preferred connection to the called number in accordance with predefined rules associated with various call characteristics. The call characteristics may be associated with called number, for example, whether the called number corresponds to a local call, a long distance call or an international call. However, the call characteristics may be associated with other parameters associated with the call such as the time the call is made, for example. The connection controller 110 may include the necessary data and logic to enable the connection controller to distinguish the various predefined call characteristics and to select the preferred connection alternative in accordance with the call characteristics, hi addition, the connection controller may include any necessary data which may be required in order to connect the PSTN device 150 to the called number through the selected connected alternative.

[047] Reference is now made to FIG. 2B, which is a flowchart illustration of a method of enabling alternative telephony connections, in accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, hi accordance with the embodiments of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 2B, if the search returned no alternative VOIP destination(s) associated with the called number (block 230) or if none of the alternative VOIP destination(s) which were returned has been determined to be available to receive the PSTN device's call (block 240) and the alternative connections device 100 decides to connect the PSTN device to the original called number (block 250), the connection controller may be adapted to determine whether the called number corresponds, for example, to a long distance or an international call (block 252).

[048] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, in case it is determined that the called number corresponds to a long distance or an international call, the connection controller 110 may connect the PSTN device 150 to the called number via a VOIP-out or a similar calling card service (block 256). As part of connecting the PSTN device 150 to the called number via a VOP-out service, the connection controller 110 may utilize the Internet interface 130 to connect, for example, to the local exchange 180 through which the communication device(s) which is associated with the called number is communicating with the PSTN network. hi accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the connection controller 110 may include or may be adapted to obtain any necessary data which may be required in order to enable the connection to the called number via the VOIP-out service, including but not limited to, a calling card number, a password, etc.

[049] VOIP-out and other calling card services are well known in the art, VOIP-out in particular is known to be used to connect VOIP compatible devices, such as the alternative connections device 100, to communication devices which are connected, directly or indirectly to the PSTN network. In the case of the present invention, the alternative connections device 100 may utilize the VOIP-out service to connect the PSTN device 150, through the alternative connections device 100, to the called number. In order to enable the connection of the PSTN device to the called number using the VOIP service, the VOIP capabilities of the alternative connections device 100 may be utilized. In addition, the alternative connections device 100 may be adapted to convert the incoming VOIP communications to a format which may be translated by the PSTN communication device 150 to the desired content as well as to convert the outgoing PSTN communication to the appropriate VOIP protocol which may be provided to the VOIP-out service provider, as is required in most VOIP-out services.

[050] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, in case it is determined that the called number does not correspond to a long distance or an international call, the connection controller 110 may connect the PSTN device 150 to the called number the PSTN network (block 254). As part of this connection option, the alternative connections device 100 may establish a connection with the called number through the PSTN network in the traditional manner.

[051] It should be noted that although in the description and illustration of FIG. 2B, reference was made to a specific characteristic, in accordance with which there is associated a specific connection alternative, the present invention is not limited in this respect and various connection alternatives may be selected in accordance with a variety of characteristics and combinations of characteristics.

[052] Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is a block diagram illustration of an alternative connections device implemented in a set top box (STB), in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the alternative connections device 100 may be implemented as part of a STB 400. The STB 400, and the alternative connections device 100 implemented therein, may be connected, for example, to the PSTN device 150 and to a television device 420. m accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, the alternative connections device 100 may contain some of the resources of the STB, such as memory and storage resources, processing resources, sound and image processing resource etc. For example, the alternative connections device 100 may be adapted to make use of one or more of the STB' s 400 components, such as for example, a tuner 412 (optional), D/ A & AfD converters 414, an audio processor 416 and a video processor 418. However, it should be noted that the combination of the alternative connections device and the STB shown in FIG. 3 is exemplary in nature and that the present invention is not limited to any particular implementation of the STB. For example, the tuner 412 shown in FIG. 3 may be omitted from the combination of the STB and the alternative connections device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[053] In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, the integration into the STB 400 of the alternative connections device 100 may enable to utilize the STB's 400 resources and the television display 420 in order to provide an enhanced and greatly improved graphic user interface (GUI), as well as to enhance communication capabilities beyond currently available communication solutions including solution based on PSTN or VOIP technologies. [054] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A device for enabling alternative telephony connections, the device comprising: a connection controller couplable to a PSTN device and adapted to receive information corresponding to a called number to which a PSTN device is intending to connect, wherein upon receiving the information, said connection controller is adapted to automatically search a database for an alternative VOIP destination associated with the called number.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said database includes at least a remote database .

3. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein said database includes a local database.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said connection controller is adapted to search either said remote database or said remote database or both said remote and said local database for an alternative VOIP destination associated with the called number.

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said connection controller is adapted to check the availability of any alternative VOIP connection returned by said remote and/or local searched database.

6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said connection controller is adapted to initiate a communication session with an alternative VOIP destination only in case the alternative VOIP destination was determined to be available to receive calls.

7. The device according to any one of claims 5-6, wherein said connection controller is adapted to initially search said remote database for one or more alternative VOIP destinations associated with the called number, and wherein said connection controller is adapted to search said local database only in case no available alternative VOIP destinations are returned as a result of searching said remote database.

8. The device according to any one of claims 5-6, wherein said connection controller is adapted to initially search said local database for one or more alternative VOIP destinations associated with the called number, and wherein said connection controller is adapted to search said remote database only in case no available alternative VOIP destinations are returned as a result of searching said local database

9. The device according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein said connection controller is responsive to an alternative VOIP destination returned by said remote and/or local database search for automatically initiating a communication session with the alternative VOIP destination.

10. The device according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein said connection controller is responsive to more than one alternative VOIP destinations returned by said remote and/or local database search for selecting a preferred alternative VOIP destination and for automatically initiating a communication session with the preferred alternative VOIP destination.

11. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising an Internet interface to enable said connection controller to communicate over the Internet.

12. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a PSTN interface to enable said connection controller to communicate over the PSTN network.

13. The device according to claim 10, wherein said connection controller is adapted to connect via the Internet interface to said database and/or to an alternative VOIP destination.

14. The device according to claim 12, wherein said connection controller is adapted to connect via the Internet interface to the available alternative VOIP destination, and to translate communications between the alternative VOIP destination and said device for enabling alternative telephony connections.

15. The device according to claim 12, wherein said connection controller is adapted to communicate via the PSTN interface to said PSTN device and to translate communications between the PSTN device and said device for enabling alternative telephony connections.

16. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein in case it is determined that there is no alternative VOIP destination to the called number or that there is no alternative VOIP destination to the called number which is available to receive calls, said connection controller is adapted to initiate a communication session with the called number.

17. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein in case it is 5 determined that there is no alternative VOIP destination to the called number or that there is no alternative VOIP destination to the called number which is available to receive calls, said connection controller is adapted to initiate a communication session with the called number through the PSTN network.

18. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein in case it is 10 determined that there is no alternative VOIP destination to the called number or that there is no alternative VOIP destination to the called number which is available to receive calls, said connection controller is adapted to utilize a calling card service to establish a connection with the called number.

19. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein in case it is 15 determined that there is no alternative VOIP destination to the called number or that there is no alternative VOIP destination to the called number which is available to receive calls, said connection controller is adapted to utilize a VOIP -out calling service to establish a connection with the called number.

20. A device for enabling alternative telephony connections, the device comprising:

20 a connection controller couplable to a circuit switched network device and adapted to receive information corresponding to a called number to which a circuit switched network device is intending to connect, wherein upon receiving the information said connection controller is adapted to automatically search a database for an alternative packet switched telephony destination 25 associated with the called number.

21. The device according to claim 20, wherein said connection controller is responsive to an alternative packet switched telephony destination for automatically initiating a communication session with the alternative packet switched telephony destination.

30 22. The device according to claim 21, wherein said connection controller is responsive to more than one alternative packet switched telephony destinations returned by said search for selecting a preferred alternative packet switched telephony destination and for automatically initiating a communication session with the preferred alternative packet switched telephony destination.

23. The device according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein in case it is determined that there is no alternative packet switched telephony destination to the called number or that there is no alternative packet switched telephony destination to the called number which is available to receive calls, said connection controller is adapted to initiate a communication session with the called number.

24. A method of enabling alternative telephony connections, the method comprising: receiving information corresponding to a called number to which a PSTN device is intending to connect; automatically searching at least one database for one or more alternative VOIP destinations associated with the called number; and automatically initiating a communication session with an alternative VOIP destination obtained by searching said at least one database.

25. The method according to claim 24, further including initiating a communication session with the called number if it is determined that there is no alternative VOIP destination to the called number or that there is no alternative VOIP destination to the called number which is available to receive calls.

26. A computer program comprising computer program code means for performing the method of claim 24 or 25 when said program is run on a computer.

27. A computer program as claimed in claim 26 embodied on a computer readable medium.