EP1188301A1

EP1188301A1 - Communication method and system between two telephone handsets via a computerised network such as internet

Info

Publication number: EP1188301A1
Application number: EP00942166A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Henry Tebeka
Original assignee: Aplio SA
Current assignee: Aplio SA
Priority date: 1999-06-08
Filing date: 2000-06-07
Publication date: 2002-03-20
Also published as: AU5688200A; WO2000076193A1; FR2794925B1; FR2794925A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a communication method between at least two users, via a computerised communication network (14), in particular of the Internet type, each user being provided with a telephone (26i, 26j) of a telephone network (12), each telephone being connected, via a local loop (161, 162,...,16n) of the telephone network, to a call centre (181, 182,..., 18n) managed by a telecommunication operator. Said method comprises steps which consist in establishing a link, via said Internet-type telephone network, between said call centres and establishing a communication, via the telephone network (12), between the two users. The users can then decide to request the call centres to switch the communication onto said Internet-type network.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TWO TELEPHONE DEVICES VIA A COMPUTER NETWORK OF THE INTERNET TYPE

The invention relates to a method and a system for communication via a computer network of the internet type.

It also relates to a center, as well as a telephone handset, in particular for the implementation of such a method or for the production of such a system.

The cost of communications made via an internet type network is particularly low. In contrast to conventional telephone communications, the pricing is independent of the distance and, in general, also independent of the duration of the call.

However, internet-type networks are rarely used for telephony (or videophone) because the costs of equipment enabling telephony (or videophone) through this network are dissuasive. In addition, the assembly of these equipments and their use are relatively complex.

Up to now, the most advantageous solution for the subscriber has been to equip himself with an interface or switching device which is associated with his telephone handset and which makes it possible to connect the user of the telephone network to the Internet network. without using a computer. Such a device thus makes it possible to telephone another user equipped with a device. similar positive going through the internet instead of using phone lines. To this end, the subscriber dials the telephone number of the called party on his telephone handset, so as to reach him via the switched telephone network, and signals to his interface device that he wishes a call. via the internet. The 1 interface devices and calling 1 'and called communicate by 1' in ^¬ termédiaire the telephone network and exchange information needed to meet, then, on the Internet, automatically or semi-automatically.

An interface device of this kind is described for example in the international patent application published under the number 098/13986.

A long distance communication carried out with such a device implies, for the calling and called party, the acquisition of such a device. The cost of the call itself is, for the caller, the sum of the minimum cost of establishing a long distance telephone call, the cost of a local telephone call and a fraction of the cost of his internet subscription . For the called party, the cost is that of a local telephone call, to which is also added a fraction of his internet subscription. The invention aims to significantly reduce the cost of telephony (or videophone) over the internet. The invention therefore relates to a method of communication between at least two users via a computer communication network, in particular of the internet type, in which each user is provided with a telephone apparatus of the telephone network, in particular of the switched network, and each apparatus is connected, via a local loop of the telephone network, in particular the switched network, to a telephone center managed by a telecommunications operator with which the user has taken out a subscription.

This process is characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting in, firstly, to establish a connection via the network of com ^¬ munication data such as the Internet, between call centers and, secondly, establishing communication via the telephone network between users who can then decide whether to continue communication on the TV network ^¬ sound or ask the call center switch communication, via said link, the commu nication ^¬ computer network. 7Λso, when users choose the second option, that is to say to switch communication on the computer network, the cost of communication is, for each user, the price of a local call and a fraction of the price of the subscription to the computer network, in particular internet, which will be invoiced to them by the telecommunications operators.

With such a method, users will usually have an interest in communicating over the telephone network when the call is of the local type. On the other hand, for most long distance calls, they will have an interest in switching communication over the computer network.

It will also be noted that this process does not require any particular equipment for the users. On the other hand, the operators of the local loops must be equipped with devices allowing switching on the computer network. Such a device is, for example, of the type described in international application 098/13986 cited above, that is to say making it possible to establish a connection, via the computer network, with another device of the same nature, after a telephone communication between these devices. The connection of the centers to the computer network can also be permanent. It is also possible to establish a permanent computer link between the various centers.

To allow each user to easily request the computer link via the telephone center to which he is attached, provision is made in a preferred embodiment, that the user's telephone (handset) comprises at least one key for controlling the switching of communication from the telephone network to the computer link. The network link internet each remote center ^¬ sound of a local loop may be shared between multiple subscribers, each subscriber having, for example, a code iden tification ^¬, whereby it is recognized as having the right to use of switching to the Internet. This code can simply be his telephone number.

It should be noted that, in the foregoing, and in what follows, the telephone link (or videophone) must be understood in the general sense as encompassing, on the one hand, a wired telephone link, and on the other hand, a radio link (eg GSM type) or the like.

The invention also relates to a communication system between at least two users, via a computer network, in particular of the internet type, in which each user is provided with a telephone apparatus of a telephone network, in particular a switched network, which is connected, via a local loop, to a telephone center managed by a telecommunications operator with which the user has taken out a subscription.

This system is characterized in that, on the one hand, each of the telephone centers comprises a switching device for establishing a link to the other telephone center via the computer network, and, on the other hand, the system also comprises means to establish communications, via the switched telephone network, between the two users, and control (or command) means allowing the users either to continue the communication on the switched network, or to activate, or cause to be activated, the communication devices switching to switch communication, via the computer link, on the computer communication network, in particular of the internet type. In one embodiment, the control means allowing the users to actuate the switching devices of the telephone centers comprise at least one key, in particular of the keyboard, of the telephone apparatus, and means generating a signal associated with this key.

Preferably the connection of the telephone centers via the computer network is permanent.

The switching device for establishing a connection from the telephone center to the computer network is, for example, shared between several subscribers, each of these being, in one embodiment, identified by a code.

According to another arrangement of the invention, which can be used independently of those defined above, the invention relates to a telephone center which is characterized in that it comprises at least one IP address ("Internet Protocol") on a computer communication network, in particular of the internet type, and in that this telephone center comprises: exchange means for communicating its IP address to at least one other telephone center and / or receiving the IP address of another center telephone, this communication and / or reception being able to take place either directly, for example via the telephone network, in particular the switched network, or indirectly, for example via a specific server, and a switching device for establishing a link with another center telephone, via a computer network, in particular of the Internet type, to the IP address of this other telephone center.

Such a telephone center constitutes a basic element making it possible, by a particularly simple means, to create a network combining the advantages of telephone and computer networks and making it possible to pass telephone communications through the Internet or the like. Preferably, the telephone center includes means so that its connection with the internet network is permanent.

In one embodiment, the telephone center is such that the switching device can be actuated remotely by users by means of at least one key, for example, the keyboard, of the telephone apparatus.

Advantageously, the telephone center is such that the switching device is shared between several subscribers. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear with the description of some of its embodiments, this being carried out with reference to the single figure which represents a system according to the invention.

The system 10 shown in the figure comprises, on the one hand, a telephone network 12, such as a switched telephone network, and on the other hand, a computer network 14, for example of the internet type.

The telephone network 10 comprises, in a conventional manner, a set of nodes, or local loops, 16 ^, I62, 16 _n , constituting access nodes of the subscribers to this network 10.

Each loop 16j_ includes a telephone center 18j_ making it possible to direct telephone communications, either to a subscriber of the same local loop, or to a subscriber of another local loop. In addition, each center 18-j_ is associated with a switching device (or interface) 20i making it possible to connect the loop, to the internet network 14. This connection is effected, for example, by means of suppliers of access 22- ^.

In this embodiment, the switching device 20- is permanently connected to the network 14.

Each of these devices 20j_ comprises an IP address so that the corresponding telephone center (and therefore the local loop) can be connected in a simple way to the other interface devices (or switching) of the same kind on the network. This IP address of each interface device can be transmitted directly, by the telephone network 10, to the switching devices of the other telephone centers.

As a variant, the connection between the switching devices takes place via a specific server 24 of the network 14 which contains all the IP addresses of the switching devices of the telephone centers. In other words, the server 24 makes it possible to establish communications, via the network 14 between telephone centers. Thus, in each of the loops, 16-j_, the switching device 20j_ makes it possible to transfer to the internet network 14 the communications established by the telephone network 10.

The switching of a telephone communication to the internet network 14 is carried out, on the calling side, by means of a control signal originating from the station 26j_ of this calling subscriber. For this purpose, the subscriber set has a specific key (not shown). As a variant, it is a combination of keys which makes it possible to transmit the switching control signal. On the called party's side, the switching to the network 14 of the switching device of the corresponding telephone center is carried out under the control of a specific signal received via the internet network 14. As a variant, this switching is carried out by 1 actuation of a key, or several keys, of the telephone handset 26d of the called party.

In the foregoing, it has been assumed that each switching device 20j_ is associated with all of the subscribers of the corresponding local loop 16 ^. Alternatively, the loop 16 ^ includes a plurality of switching devices, a limited number of users being assigned to each of these devices.

In one embodiment, the possibility of making telephone communications via the internet network 14 constitutes a non-compulsory option. In this case, the corresponding switching device 20-L can only be activated if the user has taken out a subscription. In this example the device for mutation recognizes that the user has subscribed to the appropriate subscription, either because it contains the authorized subscriber numbers in memory, or because the control signal sent by the handset 26-j_ contains a specific code for authorization to access the Internet 14.

The operation is as follows:

When a subscriber of the telephone network 10 who has taken out a subscription to switching to the Internet 14 wants to call a remote subscriber who has also taken out the same type of subscription, he dials the telephone number of the telephone apparatus on his station 26j_ 26j, which connects the telephone centers 18η_ and 18 _n via the network 10. If he does not press the specific key (s) mentioned above, the conversation takes place via the telephone network 10. On the other hand, if it presses the corresponding key (s), the switching device 20 _T. ^is activated and establishes a link via the internet network 14, with the corresponding device 20 _n of the loop 16 _n . As indicated above, the switching device 20 _n of the telephone center 18 _n (loop 16 _n ) is actuated either automatically by the signal sent via the internet network, or by pressing a corresponding key on the handset 26-L called him.

The switching devices being permanently connected to the network 14, there is no waiting time to establish the communication.

Furthermore, the telephone calls thus made can be particularly inexpensive for the user. Indeed, the latter does not have to acquire a specific device associated with his telephone handset. In addition, he does not need to have subscribed to a personal internet network.

This subscription to the internet network is billed to it by the network operator 10. But it is clear that the cost for the user can be much lower than the individual subscription. because the network operator 10 has its own subscription which it shares between users.

For the telephone network operator, the investment is moderate. Indeed, the cost of the switching device (s) represents only a small fraction of the cost of the telephone center.

Claims

REVE DICATIONS

1. A method of communication between at least two utili ^¬ sateurs via a network (14) computer communication, in particular ^¬ of internet type, each user being provided with a telephone set (26i, 26j) of a telephone network ( 12), each telephone device being connected, via a local loop (16 _] _, I62, ..., 16 _n ) of the telephone network, to a telephone center (18τ_, I82, •••, 18 _n ) managed by a TV operator ^¬ communications with which the user subscribes to a subscription, said method being characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

- establishing a link, via said computer communication network (14), in particular of the internet type, between said telephone centers, - establishing communication, via the telephone network (12), between the two users, said users being able to then decide by common agreement:

* either to continue the communication on the telephone network, * or to ask the telephone centers to switch communication, via said link, on said computer communication network, in particular of the Internet type, so that in the case where the users choose this second option the cost of the communication is equal: - to the cost of the local call plus

- the fraction of the cost of subscribing to the computer communication network, in particular of the internet type, which they are billed by telecommunications operators.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in order to request the telephone centers to switch communication, via said link, on said computer communication network, in particular of the internet type,

- each user uses at least one key on the keyboard of the telephone apparatus.

3. Method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said link is established permanently with said computer communication network, in particular of the internet type.

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said link to the computer communication network is shared between several subscribers.

5. Communication system (10) between at least two users, via a computer communication network (14), in particular of the internet type, each user being provided with a telephone device from the telephone network (12), each telephone device being connected, via a local loop (16τ_, I62, ..., 16 _n) of the telephone network to a call center _(183., I82, ..., 18 _n) managed by a telecommunications operator to which the user has subscribed a subscription, said system being characterized in that each of said telephone centers comprises:

a switching device (20τ_, 2O2, ... / 20 _n ) for establishing a link to the other telephone center, via said computer communication network, in particular of the internet type, said system further comprising:

communication means for establishing communication, via the telephone network, between the two users,

- means of control allowing said users:

* either to continue communication on the telephone network, * or to activate said switching devices to switch communication, via said link, on said computer communication network, in particular of the internet type, so that, in the case where the users choose this second option, the cost of communication is equal: - at the cost of the local call plus

- the fraction of the cost of subscribing to the computer communication network, in particular of the internet type, billed to them by telecommunications operators.

6. System according to claim 5 characterized in that the control means allowing said users to actuate said switching devices comprise at least one key on the keyboard of one telephone apparatus and means generating a signal associated with this key.

7. System according to any one of claims 5 or 6 characterized in that said link is established permanently with the computer network.

8. System according to any one of claims 5 to 7 characterized in that said switching device is shared between several subscribers.

9. Telephone center for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or the system according to any one of claims 5 to 8; said telephone center (18τ_, I82, ..., 18 _n ) having at least one IP address on a computer communication network (14) in particular of the internet type; said telephone center being characterized in that it comprises:

exchange means for communicating with at least one other telephone center and / or receiving from another telephone center at least one IP address,

* directly, in particular via the telephone network, or

* indirectly, in particular via a specific server (24), and

- a switching device (20τ_, 2O2, ..., 20 _n ) for establishing a link with another telephone center, via a computer communication network (14) in particular of the internet type, at the IP address of this other center telephone.

10. Telephone center according to claim 9 characterized in that said link is established permanently with the computer network.

11. Telephone center according to any one of claims 8 or 10 characterized in that said switching devices can be actuated remotely by users by means of at least one key on the keyboard of the telephone apparatus and the signal associated with said key, so that users can, by actuating said switching devices, switch a communication from the telephone network to a computer communication network of the internet type.

12. Telephone center according to any one of claims 8 to 11 characterized in that said switching device is shared between several subscribers.