Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
  • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
  • H04M3/42314—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers in private branch exchanges
  • H04M3/4234—Remote access to features of PBX or home telephone systems-teleworking in a PBX
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M9/00—Arrangements for interconnection not involving centralised switching
  • H04M9/002—Arrangements for interconnection not involving centralised switching with subscriber controlled access to a line, i.e. key telephone systems
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q3/00—Selecting arrangements
  • H04Q3/58—Arrangements providing connection between main exchange and sub-exchange or satellite
  • H04Q3/62—Arrangements providing connection between main exchange and sub-exchange or satellite for connecting to private branch exchanges
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
  • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
  • H04M3/42314—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers in private branch exchanges
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M7/00—Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres
  • H04M7/006—Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13003—Constructional details of switching devices
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13093—Personal computer, PC
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13096—Digital apparatus individually associated with a subscriber line, digital line circuits
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13106—Microprocessor, CPU
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13176—Common channel signaling, CCS7
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13204—Protocols
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13205—Primary rate access, PRI
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13209—ISDN
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/1322—PBX
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13224—Off-net subscriber, dial in to/out from network, teleworking
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13298—Local loop systems, access network
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13299—Bus
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13334—Key telephone systems
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13389—LAN, internet

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a communication system for a home office and, in particular, to a home office communication system which makes a key telephone set in the home a part of the workplace PBX, and a workstation in the home part of the workplace LAN.
• PBX private branch exchanges
• key telephone sets are programmed to provide services in addition to the traditional transfer of voice messages, including providing a number of internal phone lines, indicating by means of LED's which lines are in use, conference calls, putting calls on hold, and so on.
• Two separate types of channels typically are required to connect a PBX and each key telephone set or other "smart" interface, one for control signals, generally known as a D channel, and another type for voice, known as B channels.
• D channel a D channel
• B channels another type for voice
• CTI Computer Telephony Integration
• Ethernet card or other LAN gateway, is added to the switch to provide a gateway or interface from the PBX to an organization LAN in the organization workplace.
• VoIP Voice over Internet Protocol
• a communication system including a private branch exchange (PBX), a public switch telephone network (PSTN), a remote workplace including a workstation;- a remote key telephone set (KTS); an interface between the public switch telephone network and the remote key telephone set; and a KTS server coupled to the remote workstation over the public switch telephone network, and coupled to the PBX, to allow the remote KTS to function as part of the PBX.
• PBX private branch exchange
• PSTN public switch telephone network
• KTS remote key telephone set
• KTS remote key telephone set
• an interface for connecting a remote key telephone set (KTS) to a private branch exchange (PBX) through a public switch telephone network (PSTN), so that the KTS operates as part of the PBX.
• KTS remote key telephone set
• PBX private branch exchange
• PSTN public switch telephone network
• a method of connecting a remote key telephone set to a private branch exchange including the steps of: coupling a remote key telephone set (KTS) to a remote workstation; coupling the remote workstation to a KTS server via a public switch telephone network (PSTN) and coupling the KTS server and the PBX for exchange of control signals; and coupling the workstation and the PBX via the public switch telephone network for exchange of voice information.
• KTS remote key telephone set
• PSTN public switch telephone network
• a method of exchanging information between a private branch exchange (PBX) and a remote key telephone set (KTS) including the steps of: establishing a LAN protocol stack link between a remote workstation coupled to the KTS and a KTS server coupled to the PBX via public switch telephone network; establishing a virtual link over the LAN protocol stack link between the remote workstation and the KTS server which is equivalent to physically connecting the KTS and the PBX; exchanging control signals over the virtual link; and exchanging voice between the KTS and the PBX over the public switch telephone network.
• PBX private branch exchange
• KTS remote key telephone set
• a method of connecting a remote key telephone set to a private branch exchange including the step of coupling an interface between the remote key telephone set (KTS) and a private branch exchange (PBX) through a public switch telephone network (PSTN), so that the KTS operates as part of the PBX.
• KTS remote key telephone set
• PBX private branch exchange
• PSTN public switch telephone network
• Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a communication system constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the invention
• Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a PC card according to one embodiment of the invention.
• Fig. 3 is a flow chart of the operation of the client workplace KTS according to one embodiment of the invention
• Fig. 4 is a flow chart of the link establishing process in the KTS server
• Fig. 5 is a flow chart of the operation of the KTS server according to one embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a communication system constructed and operative in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention
• Fig. 7 is a schematic illustration of a PC card according to one embodiment of the invention for use in the communication system of Fig. 6;
• Fig. 8 is a schematic illustration of a PC card according to another embodiment of the invention for use in the communication system of Fig. 6;
• Fig. 9 is a schematic illustration of a communication system constructed and operative in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention.
• the present invention relates to a communication system which permits coupling of a Key Telephone Set (KTS) at a remote client workplace to the private branch exchange (PBX) of an organization workplace, to provide a full featured KTS over the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN).
• the invention permits coupling of a client workstation at the location remote from the organization workplace to connect with the workplace Local Area Network (LAN) over the PSTN for data transfer, and permits coupling of a Key Telephone Set (KTS) connected to the client workstation at the remote client workplace to the private branch exchange (PBX) of the organization workplace, to provide a full featured KTS over the PSTN. This is accomplished by connecting the KTS or the client workstation to the PBX via a KTS server.
• KTS Key Telephone Set
• PBX Public Switch Telephone Network
• LAN connection and link establishment uses a TCP/IP protocol stack, since today it is the most popular means of connection.
• PBX private branch exchange
• PBX 12 is coupled to LAN 10 via a LAN gateway (not shown), such as a conventional Ethernet card, and includes ISDN interfaces 38 (PRI and/or BRI) for connection to the public telephone network (PSTN) 30.
• the LAN gateway is preferably a PC card, which serves as the PBX gateway to the Ethernet/TCP/IP organization's LAN. While ISDN connections are preferred, it will be appreciated that any other suitable connection can be utilized, including any PSTN lines.
• LAN 10 includes a network server 16 and a plurality of organization workstations 18 and so forth, as known.
• the workplace also includes a plurality of key telephone sets (not shown) coupled to PBX 12.
• POTS Peer Old Telephone Set
• a client workplace 20 is located at a remote location, such as the client's home.
• Client workplace 20 includes a workstation 22, which is preferably a personal computer, such as IBM PC, MAC, Sun Workstation, and so forth, and a key telephone set (KTS) 24.
• KTS 24 can be identical to those key telephone sets in the organization workplace.
• a cable 26 from KTS 24 is plugged into a KTS interface 50 in workstation 22, as described in detail below, instead of into a telephone plug in the wall.
• the client workplace is coupled to the organization LAN and PBX over the public telephone network (PSTN) 30 via ISDN lines 32,34 and a KTS server 36.
• KTS server 36 is a server computer connected to the organization LAN 10. It is a particular feature of this server that its architecture and its hardware, including ISDN interfaces for PRI and BRI lines, are similar to the architecture in the servers of conventional Internet Service Providers (ISP).
• ISP Internet Service Providers
• a software application is provided to permit it to function as a server for a remote KTS, as described below.
• the organization PBX 12 is coupled to the PSTN 30 by ISDN line 38.
• Workstation 22 is coupled to the PSTN 30 by BRI line 32.
• the client workstation 22 includes an interface card for interfacing with PSTN 30 and with KTS 24.
• One example of a suitable interface card, in the form of a PC card, is shown in Fig. 2.
• PC card 40 includes a BRI (Basic Rate ISDN) interface 42, for coupling the workstation via BRI 32 to PSTN 30, a KTS interface 50, for coupling to KTS 24, and an interface 60 to the workstation 22 bus (e.g., ISA/EISA) to allow control of the BRI and KTS interfaces.
• BRI Basic Rate ISDN
• BRI interface 42 is like a standard BRI interface card in relation to the PSTN and the operating system, permitting use of two B channels 44, 46, and one D channel 48. With this card, the user can connect, for example, to his Internet service provider and connect to the Internet from his private workstation. From the KTS perspective, the card is the interface to send and receive messages to PBX 12. While, for ease of discussion, the invention is described herein with regard to ISDN
• PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network
• PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network
• the interface 42 will be an analog modem card that supports two analog line interfaces to PSTN 30.
• ISDN line 34 can be a plurality of analog lines, instead of ISDN lines.
• KTS interface 50 includes two B channels 52, 54, and one D channel 56.
• the D channel 56 of KTS interface 50 is coupled to B channel 46 of BRI interface 42 to permit passage of control messages from KTS 24 over PSTN 30 via one B channel 46 of BRI interface 42.
• One B channel 52 of KTS interface 50 is coupled to B channel 44 of BRI interface 42 to permit passage of voice information from KTS 24 over PSTN 30 via the other B channel 44 of BRI interface 42.
• the second B channel 54 which is a voice channel, cannot be used.
• Client workstation 22 runs application software, which is able to read and write to the channels in the KTS and the BRI interfaces, and also to switch between their B channels.
• the KTS control messages (the KTS's D channel messages) are passed over the public network PSTN 30, as TCP/IP messages, via one of the B channels of the BRI line, and the second B channel is used to convey voice.
• the first B channel from the client workstation (the channel which will pass the control messages) is connected to the KTS server 36 in the same way that home Internet users connect to their Internet service providers.
• the control messages will then arrive at PBX 12 as TCP/IP messages via the LAN gateway.
• a Link Establish screen is displayed (block 62)
• the user starts establishing the remote station connection. He requests to establish the link (block 64) and the application running in the client workstation runs the establish link process (block 66).
• the user can establish the link by running his regular software connection to the Internet, but instead of dialing the phone number of his Internet service provider, he dials the phone number of KTS server 36, and types his username and password.
• Server 36 has a protocol stack and operates like the Internet service provider's server to provide protocol conversion, as needed.
• the remote computer actually becomes a computer in the organization LAN 10, with all the data capabilities of a local computer 18 (block 66).
• the Remote KTS-Client will open a session with the KTS-Server application over the TCP/IP channel that has been established, in order to establish a Virtual Link with the PBX (block 68).
• the connection established between the sides is functionally equivalent to physically connecting the KTS and the PBX, i.e., connecting the KTS cable to the wall in the organization workplace.
• the KTS server 36 reports to PBX 12 the establishment of a new active remote station. PBX 12 registers this fact in the database.
• PBX 12 registers this fact in the database.
• the steady state has the following characteristics:
• One B channel at client workstation 22 is used for a TCP/IP connection with the organization KTS server 36.
• Client workstation 22 is actually a station in the organization LAN 10 for all data purposes.
• a special virtual link over a TCP/IP connection exists between the client workstation 22 and the server 36. This virtual link will carry the control messages to KTS 24 over the public network PSTN 30 to PBX 12 and back.
• the second B channel in the remote workstation is ready to accept voice calls from PBX 12.
• this channel is switched to one of the KTS B channels to establish a voice call.
• Client workstation 22 now awaits receipt of messages, either from KTS server 36 or from KTS 24 (block 70). If treatment is necessary (block 72), workstation 22 processes the message (block 74). The message is then sent to its destination (block 76).
• the KTS server 36 has the following functionality: 1. Establishing a TCP/IP connection via the LAN gateway for passing messages with PBX 12.
• KTS server 36 serves as an interface to the organization LAN 10 for data purposes, and as distributor/concentrator of control messages to and from a plurality of client workplaces 20 to the PBX. Operation of the KTS-Server 36 will now be described with reference to Figs. 4 and
• Fig. 4 is a flow chart of the KTS server Link Establishment process.
• server 36 When a request is received, server 36 establishes the link and updates the relevant data structure (block 86).
• the Remote KTS-server application is now ready to accept requests to establish a virtual link with the remote KTS-client application, as set forth in the flow chart in Fig. 5.
• the application's data structure is initialized (block 90), and the server waits (block
• the KTS server validates the user name and password of the remote user, sends to the PBX a message that a virtual link has been established, and sends an acknowledgement message to the client workstation (block 96).
• the KTS server If a signaling message is received from a remote key telephone set, which is already logged in, to be sent to the PBX (block 98), the KTS server reads the message, processes it, if necessary, and sends it to the PBX (block 100). If a signaling message is received from the PBX for a remote key telephone set which is logged in (block 102), the KTS server reads the message, processes it, if necessary, and sends it to the appropriate key telephone set (block 104).
• a new internal KTS port type is defined, and a new driver provided for this port.
• the driver is a combination of KTS and ISDN drivers.
• the new driver sends all the remote KTS control messages through the LAN gateway, and establishes voice calls with the remote KTS 24, using an ISDN port through a peripheral cards controller.
• the signals are routed through LAN 10 to KTS server 36 and, from there, over the ISDN line 38 to client workstation 20.
• PBX 12 An example of the message flow in the communication system according to the embodiment of Fig. 1 will now be described with relation to the situation where the user at a client workplace 20 has taken the KTS 24 receiver off the hook.
• the remote KTS-Client application will get an offhook message from KTS 24, and the application will send it as a TCP/IP message across the public network 30 to PBX 12 through the KTS server.
• the KTS driver in PBX 12 will get this message, and will send back, along the same route, messages to turn on the Speaker LED and update the display in KTS 24.
• the driver will choose an ISDN port and through the peripheral cards controller will send to PSTN 30 a setup message to establish a call with the second B channel at the far extension.
• PBX 12 will then send a DialTone to the ISDN port.
• PBX 12 can be connected directly, by a point-to-point connection, to KTS server 36 for voice only connection.
• the PBX 12 need not be connected to the organization LAN, and the remote workstation will have only voice capabilities, and will not have the capability of data connection to the organization LAN.
• Fig. 6 there is shown a schematic illustration of a communication system constructed and operative in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention.
• This embodiment is substantially similar to that in Fig. 1, except with regard to implementation of the voice passing portion.
• Like elements have like reference numerals.
• VoIP Voice over IP
• an organization LAN 10 is coupled to an associated private branch exchange (PBX) 12 via a LAN gateway.
• LAN 10 includes a network server 16 and a plurality of organization workstations 18, each including an associated key telephone (not shown) coupled to PBX 12, all as described above.
• a client workplace 20 is located at a remote location, such as the client's home.
• Client workplace 20 includes a workstation 22 and a remote key telephone set (KTS) 24.
• KTS 24 may be any key telephone, or the same key telephone in use in the organization workplace.
• a KTS interface 26 couples KTS 24 with workstation 22.
• the client workstation is coupled to the organization LAN and
• PSTN public telephony network
• PBX 12 In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6, the organization PBX 12 is not coupled directly to PSTN 30 for purposes of transmitting voice, and this connection, therefore, is not shown in Fig. 6, although it remains for other conventional purposes. Rather, for purposes of voice transmission, PBX 12 is coupled by line 38' to KTS server 36, which is connected to PSTN 30 by ISDN line 34. The same 64 Kbps (B channel) used for the TCP/IP data and control signaling will now be used also to pass voice.
• Workstation 22 is coupled to the PSTN 30 by BRI line 32.
• Client workstation 22 includes an interface card for interfacing with BRI 32 and with KTS 24.
• PC card 1 10 includes a BRI interface 1 12, for coupling BRI 32 to PSTN 30, a KTS interface 120, for coupling to KTS 24, and an interface 130 to the workstation 22 bus (e.g., ISA/EISA) to allow control of the BRI and KTS interfaces.
• BRI interface 1 12 is similar to BRI interface 42 of Fig. 2, permitting use of two B channels 116, 118, and one D channel 114. However, in this configuration, workstation 22 is connected to the KTS server 36 using one B channel 1 18 in BRI interface 1 12.
• KTS interface 120 includes two B channels 122, 124, and one D channel 126.
• the B channel 118 of BRI interface 112 is coupled to D channel 126, B channel 122, and B channel 124 of KTS interface 120 to permit passage of control messages, as well as voice.
• both B channels 1 16' and 1 18' are connected to KTS server 36 and to the two B and one D channels of KTS interface 120.
• the client workstation can select which option, 64 Kbps or 128 Kbps (the configuration of Fig. 7 or Fig. 8) that he wishes to use.
• the interface card and client workstation could be combined as a separate unit, or the functions thereof could be combined into the remote KTS, thereby eliminating the need for a separate client workstation.
• Fig. 9 there is shown a schematic illustration of a communication system constructed and operative in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the invention.
• This embodiment is substantially similar to that in Fig. 1, except with regard to the client workplace.
• the client workplace 20' does not include a workstation, but merely a remote key telephone set 24.
• KTS 24 may be any key telephone, or the same key telephone in use in the organization workplace.
• the KTS interface 26' couples KTS 24 to the organization LAN and PBX over the public telephony network (PSTN) 30 via ISDN lines 32, 34, 38, and a
• PSTN public telephony network
• KTS server 36 for transmission of voice and KTS control messages.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Astronomy & Astrophysics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Sub-Exchange Stations And Push- Button Telephones (AREA)
• Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

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• 1998
  • 1998-04-09 IL IL12403398A patent/IL124033A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
• 1999
  • 1999-04-09 WO PCT/IL1999/000194 patent/WO1999053717A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1999-04-09 EP EP99914731A patent/EP1062794A2/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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