DE102006043233A1 - Method of offering Centrex features in a peer-to-peer network - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for offering Centrex features in a peer-to-peer network. In this case, a special identification is inserted in an identifier or an address of a subscriber in a peer-to-peer network. This identification then identifies the participant as a Centrex participant. In the peer-to-peer network is then, for example, in a call setup of the participants of a search algorithm such. B. recognized a Chord algorithm using this identification as a Centrex participants. This will allow the subscriber to use Centrex features such as B. Rufum- or forwarding, call pickup, etc. in the peer-to-peer network to use. A realization of the Centrex features as well as the call setup can in the peer-to-peer network, for example, based on the Session Initiation Protocol SIP, which by the Internet Engineering Task Force IETF in Requests for Comments RFCs such. B. RFC 3261 has been defined. The entry of an identification by means of which a subscriber is identified in the peer-to-peer network as a Centrex subscriber into an identifier or an address (eg e-mail address, etc.) of the subscriber can be done in a simple manner and without additional, costly central system a Centrex subscriber group are formed. This Centrex subscriber group can then easily be offered SIP-based Centrex features in the peer-to-peer network.

Description

Technical area

The This invention relates to a method of offering Centrex performance features in a peer-to-peer network.

State of the art

In Telecommunications technology is called Centrex (Central Office Exchange) generally offload functionality private branch exchange (Private Branch Exchange PBX) in the public Telephone network understood. A telephone company or a Centrex service provider provides the functionality a PBX on the platform of a public Switching node or a so-called Centrex server of a group by so-called Centrex participants (e.g., employees of a company or a company with home workstations, etc.).

The Centrex attendees - one mostly closed service area (e.g., company, company with multiple locations or home workplaces, etc.) as part of it Group - as so-called Centrex Group - considered. For example, different company locations become a Centrex Group united, they get their own company-wide numbering plan - one so-called Centrex numbering plan. Conversations from a company location to another can e.g. reduced be calculated or in-house calls e.g. also free of charge be.

at Such a virtual private branch exchange is carried out operational management, implementation and maintenance of the switching software usually centrally. in principle become common with the use of Centrex by for example a company all in connection with the private branch exchange occurring tasks (e.g., maintenance, installation of new hardware and software components, etc.) awarded to the telephone company or the Centrex service provider.

By Centrex will be available to Centrex members of a Centrex group on subscribers' service or features available placed, which so far only within private branch exchanges were usable. In the context of Centrex, these features can also as Centrex performance features be designated. For example, through the Centrex features facilitates and simplifies the operation of a subscriber line or the communication option extended. Such Centrex features For example, call forwarding, call forwarding, call pickup within a particular Centrex subscriber group, call queue, Etc.

nowadays become common in many companies IP-based communication networks used. These communication networks can For example, be designed as a so-called peer-to-peer network. Peer-to-peer networks are particularly well-suited for so-called Home networks, for usually smaller company networks or applications in the business sector.

Of the Term peer-to-peer, abbreviated P2P or P-to-P, commonly referred to an equal relationship of units involved in a communication (e.g., peer-to-peer terminal, computer, Computer, etc.), which are also referred to as peer and which of Participants are used for communication. Peer-to-peer will therefore also as a synonymous designation for a communication under Same thing.

Peer-to-peer networks are therefore networks without central access control, in which e.g. all Computers are equal or all participants are equal act. In a peer-to-peer network, therefore, each peer can use both Services or data, as well as others Participants services or data will be provided. The peers (e.g. Computer, computer, peer-to-peer terminal, etc.) can be used by the participants as workstations, but also take over tasks in the network.

The Contrary to the peer-to-peer network is the so-called client-server system, where on the one hand there is a so-called server, from which Services are offered, and on the other hand so-called clients, from which the offered services are used. In the peer-to-peer network is this role distribution for the suspended peers. Unlike a client-server system There is a connection in a peer-to-peer network directly between two peers or the computers of two participants without interposition a network server.

Peer-to-peer networks can be used for a variety of purposes. They are used in particular for the exchange of information and / or data such as file sharing for music or video files, games, etc. However, peer-to-peer networks are also used for services such as instant messaging, in which subscribers can communicate (chat) in real time with other subscribers via short text messages. Beyond that Peer-to-peer networks also for so-called grid computing - as it is often used in biotechnology or computer technology organizations used. Grid computing can also be referred to as "distributed computing" where unused CPU power and / or free space of other computers is used in the peer-to-peer network when computer-intensive computer processes are required.

since Recently, peer-to-peer networks are also used for so-called IP telephony or Voice-over-IP, including phoning over one Computer network according to Internet standards. In the peer-to-peer network This allows calls from peer to peer, for example independently from servers such as so-called proxy servers or security programs (e.g., so-called firewalls in routers) can.

The Peer-to-peer network forms e.g. when exchanging information or when using IP telephony, a so-called "closed" communication network. This means that only currently active participants in the peer-to-peer network exchange are involved in information or can use IP telephony. One Participant is then considered active when in peer-to-peer network is logged in. Each participant in the peer-to-peer network will be assigned resources such as IP address, Identifier, e-mail address, etc., these resources for example can also be summarized in a so-called user profile.

at The resources can be between so-called dynamic and so-called static resources. Dynamic resources such as. the IP addresses are only in the peer-to-peer network available, if the respective participant is actually registered. static Resources such as Identifier or e-mail address are always for the peer-to-peer network available, even if the corresponding subscriber is not logged in or e.g. his computer is switched off.

nowadays become common in many companies IP-based communication networks, these networks being e.g. also for IP telephony can be used and, for example, as peer-to-peer networks accomplished could be. there it is interesting to the subscriber for the IP telephony Centrex features such as. Call forwarding, call forwarding, call pickup, etc. in IP-based Communication network available to deliver.

So For example, there is the possibility that the Participants over a Voice over IP or Multimedia over IP standard (for example via H.323, SIP or MGCP) with the service server of which the Centrex features in the communications network (e.g., the peer-to-peer network) to network and become a Centrex participant. In this so-called IP-Centrex are the Centrex features usually by software on one or more central servers realized. As with the conventional Centrex, IP Centrex will also be responsible for Centrex features and services the management of the Centrex subscribers centrally by e.g. a Centrex service provider.

at the integration of such an IP Centrex service server, of which the Centrex features provided to the participants However, being in a peer-to-peer network has proved detrimental proved that this service server is a central system, in which all Centrex participants must be administered. The means every change (e.g., setup, change or delete a Centrex subscriber profile, unlock or lock one Centrex feature, etc.) can only through this central service server be made. In addition, appropriate Devices (e.g., service servers, etc.) in the peer-to-peer network be offered and operated. This creates for the operator of the peer-to-peer network e.g. additional costs as well as larger installation and administration expenses.

Presentation of the invention

Of the The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a method with the Centrex features in a peer-to-peer network without the involvement of one realized central system and provided to participants can be.

The solution This object is achieved by a method of the aforementioned Art, by which in an identifier or an address of a participant an identification is inserted in a peer-to-peer network, by which the participant is designated as a Centrex participant, then by a search algorithm based on this identification the participant is recognized as a Centrex participant, and which then the subscriber to use Centrex features in the peer-to-peer network allows becomes.

The main aspect of the solution proposed by the invention is to easily provide peer-to-peer participants Centrex features without the use of one or more centralized service servers in the peer-to-peer network. In the method according to the invention already existing computers and systems are used in an advantageous manner and there are thus no - often costly - additional facilities (eg service server, etc.) necessary, which must be provided by the provider and / or operated. An expensive central administration of the Centrex participants is also not necessary. The entry of the identification, on the basis of which a subscriber is recognizable as a Centrex subscriber, in an identifier or an address (eg e-mail address, etc.) of the subscriber can already during the registration of this subscriber in the peer-to-peer network be carried out in a simple manner so-called Centrex groups. Another potential lies in the fact that the inventive method - combination on peer-to-peer network and Centrex features - easily in an environment with today common office software (eg Microsoft Office products such as Microsoft Outlook) can be integrated.

It is advantageous if as a search algorithm in the peer-to-peer network, a so-called chord algorithm is used.

The Chord algorithm was developed as a peer-to-peer search algorithm as part of the so-called Chord project at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (see "The Chord Project" with Laboratory for Computer Science; http://pdos.csail.mit.edu/chord ). This algorithm enables peers to be efficiently determined based on a given key, such as a centrex subscriber identification.

It is appropriate if for one Call setup and / or realization of Centrex features in the peer-to-peer network the so-called Session Initiation Protocol SIP is used, because SIP is one of the Internet Engineering Task Force IETF in one so-called Requests for Comments RFC, defined in RFC 3261 Signaling protocol for Voice over IP or IP telephony represents.

A appropriate training the method according to the invention provides that the Centrex feature call forwarding (Call Forwarding) is offered on the basis of SIP in the peer-to-peer network. There different cases for call forwarding already for SIP solved and have been defined this advantageous for the implementation of SIP in the peer-to-peer network this Centrex feature.

A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the Centrex feature call diversion (Call Transfer) based on SIP offered in peer-to-peer network becomes. For Call diversion has been defined as different scenarios for SIP. These can at Use of SIP in peer-to-peer network in a simple way for the realization of the Centrex feature Call forwarding can be used.

It is very cheap, if the Centrex feature call pickup in the peer-to-peer network is offered. It is also useful if in the peer-to-peer network a call pickup group is defined, with an entry for the call pickup group local to the Peer stored by a legitimate centrex subscriber and then the other Centrex participants of the call pickup group becomes. Then, on an incoming call, the peer of the called Centrex subscriber the call pickup group a message to all other Centrex participants in the call pickup group sent this message to the other Centrex participants Call Pickup Group displayed. This can be done locally in a peer-to-peer network for a group by Centrex participants (for example, employees working on the same project or work in the same room, etc.) the feature "call pickup" will be set up. An entry for a call pickup group, which the centrex participant belongs, is locally, e.g. as a resource for registered this participant in the peer-to-peer network and the other Participants then notified an authorization of this participant for the call pickup group.

In Certain cases It can also be beneficial if the Centrex feature Call queuing locally in the peer-to-peer network is realized on the basis of SIP. In this way, the Centrex feature Call Queue implemented locally on the peer-to-peer network become.

For this purpose, it is furthermore advantageous if a first incoming call to a Centrex subscriber is put through. However, further incoming calls to this Centrex subscriber will then be locally connected to an announcement, replicating a so-called Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP) stream for each incoming call. RTP is a protocol for continuous transmission of audiovisual data (= stream) over IP-based networks. Since the announcement from the respective peer, which usually also has a so-called SIP client for IP telephony, is made available locally, no zen for the realization of this feature trale system - eg for the announcements - necessary. Calls waiting in the call queue can be displayed to the Centrex subscriber in a simple manner, for example on a peer-associated output device. Only when a call is taken from the call queue, on the one hand, the corresponding RTP stream is disabled again and on the other hand, the waiting call, for example, using the so-called SIP Redirect method again converted into a normal call. It is also advantageous if an upper limit is defined for a number of calls held in the call queue.

Brief description of the drawing

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figure. It shows 1 schematically the flow of the inventive method for offering Centrex features in a peer-to-peer network.

Embodiment of the invention

The exemplary embodiment invention is based on a combination of the so-called chord algorithm, which as part of the Chord project at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was developed as a search algorithm in the peer-to-peer network and the Session Initiation Protocol SIP for a call setup in Voice-over-IP or the IP telephony. Due to an application of SIP, e.g. Peer-to-peer capable terminals (e.g. Subscriber computer, workstation, etc.) additionally equipped with software for SIP - so-called SIP clients be. The inventive method is also for other search algorithms or other protocols for Voce-over-IP such. H.323, MGCP, etc. applicable.

The process starts with a start step 1 , In a second process step 2 an identification is set for Centrex participants. This identification can be designed, for example, as a string (string) and may be, for example, "centrex1".

In a third process step 3 The identification - eg the string "centrex1" - is then inserted into an identifier or address of a subscriber in the peer-to-peer network, which should also be a Centrex subscriber of a Centrex subscriber group Registration of a participant in the peer-to-peer network, for example, in an identifier or address such as "alice.wonderland@somenet.com" of the participant are inserted such that the identifier or address, for example, on "alice.wonderland.centrex1@somenet. com "is extended. The use of such a designed, extended identifier or address offers the advantage, in particular when using SIP for call setup, that this identifier or address including the inserted identification corresponds to the format of the so-called SIP Uniform Resource Indicator (SIP-URI), as defined in RFC 3261 Of course, other formats are also conceivable for an extension of the identifier or address of the subscriber with the identification for Centrex.

In a fourth process step 4 then the participant is marked as a Centrex participant by inserting the identification - such as the string "centrex1" in the peer-to-peer network, whereby the participant becomes not only a Centrex participant by the identification (eg "centrex1") but also as a member of a special Centrex participant group. A Centrex participant group is characterized by the use of the same identification (eg "centrex1") in all group participants, ie that eg the string "centrex1" is inserted into identifiers or addresses of all participants who should also be members of this Centrex participant group ,

In a fifth process step 5 Centrex subscribers belonging to a particular Centrex subscriber group are then determined by a search algorithm such as the Chord algorithm. The search result - ie all those identifiers or addresses of subscribers or peers in the peer-to-peer network which have the identification (eg "centrex1") can be used as the search key then, for example, the peers or respectively associated SIP clients belonging to this Centrex subscriber group to be communicated.

In a sixth process step 6 Centrex subscribers are then provided with Centrex features such as call forwarding, call forwarding, call pickup, call queue, etc. in the peer-to-peer network, and it is possible to define what Centrex features are available for the Centrex subscriber group the group participants should be available or be used by the group participants. An embodiment of the Centrex performance features - as exemplified below for call forwarding, call diversion, call pickup or call queue - can be done, for example, based on SIP.

For the realization Centrex performance features such as Call forwarding and call forwarding can in the peer-to-peer network when using SIP already for SIP defined solutions be used.

For the realization the Centrex Call Pickup feature gets one first called call pickup group defined, for example, by an additional entry in the resources (e.g., user profile) or e.g. locally in the SIP client on the peer one Participant who is both a Centrex participant and a member of a particular Pickup group should be. This information will then be shared with all other SIP clients those peers or Centrex participants, which also this call pickup group belong. Now becomes a Centrex member of a specific call pickup group called, so will over This incoming call a notification to all members or to the corresponding peers or the SIP clients running on them in the call pickup group sent. This notification can then be sent by these peers respective participants are displayed. The call can then be from a participant of the call pickup group be accepted. For the realization of this feature - in particular when using SIP - can e.g. RFC 3891 of the IETF.

The For example, Centrex's Call Queue feature implemented locally on corresponding peers or the associated SIP clients become. A first incoming call to a Centrex subscriber in the peer-to-peer network is accepted by this participant. Each further, incoming Call, which the participant during the first call is answered by this call is connected locally by the peer with an announcement.

For the announcement For example, a so-called real-time transport protocol stream or RTP stream can be used. RTP is a protocol for continuous transmission audiovisual data (= stream) over IP-based networks. For each Incoming call is then replicated to the RTP stream. In addition, can Also, an upper limit will be defined, as will many incoming calls in the call queue. In the call queue waiting calls can for example, on a peer output device (e.g. Screen, display, etc.).

Becomes a call is taken from the call queue, then it will be first the corresponding RTP stream is deactivated. The call is then sent e.g. using an existing method, e.g. the SIP redirect method from the peer or its associated SIP client connected to the subscriber.

Claims (10)

Method for offering Centrex features in a peer-to-peer network, characterized in that an identification is inserted in an identifier or an address of a subscriber in a peer-to-peer network, by means of which the subscriber is assigned as a centrex Subscriber is characterized in that then recognized by a search algorithm based on this identification in the identifier or address of the subscriber as a Centrex subscriber, and that the subscriber is a use of Centrex features in peer-to-peer network is enabled. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that as a search algorithm in the peer-to-peer network a so-called Chord algorithm is used. Method according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized that for a call setup and / or a realization of Centrex features in the peer-to-peer network the so-called Session Initiation Protocol SIP is used. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized that the Centrex feature call forwarding (Call Forwarding) is offered on the basis of SIP in the peer-to-peer network. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized that the Centrex feature call transfer on Basis of SIP in the peer-to-peer network is offered. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized that the Centrex feature call pickup in the peer-to-peer network is offered. Method according to Claim 6, characterized that a call pickup group is defined in the peer-to-peer network, that an entry for the call pickup group locally stored a peer of a legitimate centrex subscriber and then the other Centrex participants the call pickup group it is announced that when an incoming call from the peer of the called centrex subscriber of the call pickup group sent to all other Centrex participants in the call pickup group, and then that message to the other Centrex participants Call pickup group becomes. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the Centrex Leis feature call queue (call queuing) is implemented locally in the peer-to-peer network based on SIP. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that that a first incoming call to a Centrex subscriber is put through will that other incoming calls to this Centrex subscriber be connected locally with an announcement, whereby a so-called RTP stream for each incoming call is replicated, and that then when a call is out the call queue is taken, the corresponding RTP stream is deactivated again. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that that is an upper limit for a number of queued calls is defined.