FR2794925A1 - COMMUNICATION METHOD AND SYSTEM THROUGH AN INTERNET-TYPE COMPUTER NETWORK - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of communication 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 (26 i, 26 j) with a telephone network (12), each telephone device being connected, via a local loop (161, 162, ..., 16n) of the telephone network, to a telephone center (181, 182, ..., 18n) managed by an operator This method comprises the steps of establishing a link, via said network (14) of the internet type, between said telephone centers and establishing a communication, via the telephone network (12), between the two users. The users can then decide to ask the telephone centers to switch the communication over to said internet type network.

Description

COMMUNICATION METHOD AND SYSTEM VIA A COMPUTER NETWORK

INTERNET TYPE

  The invention relates to a method and a system.

  communication via a computer network such as the internet.

  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 through

  diary of an internet type network is particularly low. In

  effect, unlike conventional telephone communications

  ques, pricing is independent of distance and, in

  general, also independent of the duration of the call.

  However, internet-type networks are rarely used for telephony (or video telephony) because the costs of equipment enabling telephony (or video telephony) by

  this network are dissuasive. In addition, the assembly of these teams-

  and their use is 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

  allows you to call another user equipped with a

  similar in nature via the internet instead of

  to use the telephone lines. To this end, the subscriber

  places the telephone number of

  the called party, so as to reach them via the telephone network

  transferred, and signals to its interface device that it wishes a

  communication via the internet. Inter-

  face of the caller and the called party thus communicate by the

  telephone network and exchange the information necessary to find themselves, 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 W098 / 13986.

  Long distance communication with a

  such a device implies, for the appellant and the called party, the acquisition

  tion of such a device. The cost of communication properly

  said is, for the appellant, the sum of the minimum cost of establishing

  ment of a long distance telephone call, the cost of a local telephone call and a fraction of the cost of its internet subscription. For the called party, the cost is that of a local telephone call, to which is added

  also a fraction of his internet subscription.

  The invention aims to significantly reduce the cost of

  internet telephony (or videophone).

  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 has a telephone network telephone

  phonic, especially from the switched network, and each device 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

take out a subscription.

  This process is characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting in,

  on the one hand, establish a connection, via the communication network

  computer communication, in particular of the internet type, between the telephone centers, and, on the other hand, establishing communication, via the telephone network, between the two users who can then

  decide whether to continue communication on the TV network

  or ask the call centers to switch

  communication, via said link, on the communication network

computer information.

  So when users choose the second option, that is to switch communication over the 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 the Internet, which

  they will be billed by telecommunication operators.

  With such a process, users will usually have-

  Lely interest to make their communication on the telephone network when the call will be of the local type. On the other hand, for most long distance calls, they will have interest

  to switch communication over the computer network.

  It will also be noted that this process does not require any particular equipment for the users. However,

  local loop operators must be equipped with

  devices allowing switching on the computer network. Such a device is, for example, of the type described in international application WO98 / 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 communication

  between these devices.

  The connection of the centers to the computer network can also be permanent. We can also establish a connection

  permanent IT between the various centers.

  To allow each user to easily request the computer connection via the telephone center to which he is attached, it is provided in a preferred embodiment, that the user's telephone (handset) comprises at least one key for control the switching of communication from the telephone network to the

computer link.

  The connection to the Internet network of each telephone center in a local loop can be shared between several

  subscribers, each subscriber having, for example, an identity code

  tification, by which he is recognized as having the right to use switching to the Internet. This code can

  just be his phone number.

  It should be noted that, in the foregoing, and in the following, the telephone (or videophone) connection must be

  understood in a general sense as encompassing, on the one hand, a link

  its wired telephone, and on the other hand, a radio link

  (for example of the 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

  fitted with a telephone network telephone device, in particular

  a switched network, which is connected, via a local loop,

  to a telephone center managed by a telecommunications operator

  tion 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 telephone network

  transferred, between the two users, and means of control (or

  command) allowing users to either continue the com-

  munication on the switched network, either to activate, or to make

  actuate the switching devices to switch the com-

  munication, via the computer link, on the communication network

  IT information, especially internet type.

  In one embodiment, the control means allow

  both users to activate the switching devices of the telephone centers include at least one key, in particular the keyboard, the telephone set, and means generating a signal associated with this key. Preferably the connection of telephone centers via

  the computer network is permanent.

  The switching device making it possible to establish 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 provision of the invention, which can

  be used independently of those defined above, the invention

  tion 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: means of exchange to communicate its IP address to at least one other telephone center and / or to receive the IP address of another telephone center, this communication and / or reception can be carried out either directly, for example via

  the telephone network, in particular the switched network, ie

  rectly, for example via a specific server, and a switching device for establishing a link with another telephone center, via a computer network, in particular of the internet type, at the IP address of this other telephone center. Such a telephone center is an element of

  base allowing, by a particularly simple means, to realize

  be a network combining the advantages of telephone and computer networks and allowing communications to pass

  over the internet or ana-

  log. Preferably, the telephone center includes

  means for its connection to the Internet to be

  manente. 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, from the

  keyboard, telephone device.

  Advantageously, the telephone center is such that the

  switching device is shared among several subscribers.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention

  will appear with the description of some of its modes of

  realization, this one being carried out with reference to the figure

  unique 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

internet type.

  The telephone network 10 comprises, in a standard manner

  sique, a set of nodes, or local loops, 161, 162, 16n,

  constituting access nodes of subscribers to this network 10.

  Each loop 16i comprises a telephone center 18i 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, at each center 18i is

  associated with a 20i switching (or interface) device

  putting to connect the loop, to the internet network 14. This link

  sound is carried out, for example, through suppliers

access 22i.

  In this embodiment, the switching device

  20i is permanently connected to network 14.

  Each of these devices 20i comprises an IP address so that the corresponding telephone center (and therefore the local loop) can be connected in a simple manner to the other interface devices (or switching) of the same nature of the

network.

  This IP address of each interface device can be transmitted directly, by the telephone network 10, to

  switching devices for other telephone centers.

  As a variant, the connection between the communication devices

  mutation takes place through a specific server

  24 of network 14 which contains all the IP addresses of the devices

  telephone center switching devices. 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, 16i, the switching device 20i makes it possible to transfer to the internet network 14

  communications established by the telephone network 10.

  The switching of a telephone call to the internet network 14 is carried out, on the calling side, by means of a

  control signal from extension 26i of this subscriber calling

  lant. For this purpose, the subscriber set includes a special key.

  specific (not shown). Alternatively, it is a combination of

  keys which emits the control signal from the

  tation. On the called side, switching to network 14

  of the corresponding telephone center switching device

  dant, is carried out under the command of a specific signal received

  via the internet network 14. As a variant, this switching takes place

  performed by pressing a button, or several buttons,

  26i telephone handset of the called party.

  In the foregoing, it has been assumed that each device

  tif switching 20i is associated with all the subscribers of the corresponding local loop 16i. Alternatively, loop 16i has a plurality of switching devices, a number

  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 communication device

  corresponding 20i can only be activated if the user

  has subscribed. In this example the device for

  mutation recognizes that the user has subscribed

  appropriate, either by the fact that it contains in memory the numbers

  ros of authorized subscribers, either because the control signal

  issued by the 26i handset contains a specific authorization code

  Internet access station 14. The operation is as follows:

  When a subscriber of the telephone network 10 having

  writes a subscription to switching to the internet 14 wants to call a remote subscriber who has also subscribed to the same type

  subscription, he dials on his extension 26i the telephone number

  phone from the phone 26j, which communicates

  tion call centers 181 and 18n through the

  network 10. If he does not press the special key (or keys)

  specific (s) mentioned above, the conversation is carried out via the telephone network 10. On the other hand if he presses the corresponding key (s), the

  switching 201 is activated and establishes a connection via the

  internet network 14, with the corresponding 20n device

  laying of the loop 16n. As indicated above, the switching device 20n of the telephone center 18n (loop 16n) is activated either automatically by the signal sent via the network

  internet, either by pressing a corresponding button on the

bine 26i of the called party.

  The switching devices being permanently connected

  nence on network 14, there is no waiting time to establish

Communication.

  In addition, telephone communications as well

  can be particularly inexpensive to use.

  sator. Indeed, the latter does not have to acquire a special device.

  specific associated with its telephone handset. In addition, he does not have to have a personal subscription to the

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 significantly lower than the individual subscription

  network operator 10 has its own subscription

  that it shares between users. For the telephone network operator, the investment is moderate. Indeed, the cost of the device (s) of com-

  mutation represents only a small fraction of the cost of the telephone center.

Claims (12)

  1. Communication method between at least two users   sators, via a computer communication network (14), in particular   internet type, each user being provided with an app   telephone line (26i, 26d) of a telephone network (12), each telephone device being connected, via a local loop (161, 162, ..., 16n) of the telephone network, to a center   telephone (181, 182, ..., 18n) managed by a telephone operator   communications with which the user has taken out a subscription, said method being characterized in that it comprises the steps: - of establishing a connection, via said computer communication network (14), in particular of the internet type, between said telephone centers , - to establish a communication, via the telephone network (12), between the two users, said users then being able to decide by mutual agreement: * either to continue 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 event that the users chosen-   feels this second option the cost of the communication is equal: - to the cost of the local call plus - the fraction of the cost of the subscription to the computer communication network, particularly of the internet type, than their   bill telecommunications operators.   2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that   that, to ask the telephone centers to switch the   munication, via said link, on said computer communication network, in particular of the internet type, - each user uses at least one key of the   telephone device keypad.   3. Method according to any one of claims 1   or 2, characterized in that said connection is established permanently with said computer communication network, especially internet type.   4. Method according to any one of claims 1   to 3, characterized in that said connection to the communication network   IT is shared among 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 apparatus of the telephone network (12), each apparatus   telephone line being connected, via a local loop (161, 162, ..., 16n) of the telephone network, to a telephone center (181, 182, ... 18n) managed by a telecommunications operator with which the user has takes out a subscription, said system being characterized in that each of said telephone centers comprises: - a switching device (201, 202, ..., 20n) for establishing a link to the other telephone center, via said computer communication network in particular of the internet type, said system further comprising:   - means of communication to establish communication   communication, via the telephone network, between the two users teurs,   - means of control allowing said users to   teurs: * either to continue communication on the telephone network,   * either to activate said communication devices   tation to switch communication, via said link, on said computer communication network, in particular of the internet type,   so that, in the event that the users chosen-   under this second option, the cost of the communication is equal: - to the cost of the local call plus - the fraction of the cost of the subscription to the computer communication network, in particular of the internet type, which their   bill telecommunication 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 the 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 connection is established so   permanent 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 the implementation of   method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or   system according to any one of claims 5 to 8;   said telephone center (181, 182, ..., 18n) has   health of at least one IP address on a communication network (14)   computer science, particularly 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 that, or   * indirectly, in particular via a specific server   fique (24), and - a switching device (201, 202, ..., 20n) for establishing a link with another telephone center, via a computer communication network (14) in particular of the type   internet, to the IP address of this other telephone center.   10. Telephone center according to claim 9 charac-   in that said connection is established permanently with the computer network.   11. Telephone center according to any one of   claims 8 or 10 characterized in that said devices   can be operated remotely by users   ters by means of at least one key on the telephone keypad and the signal associated with said key, so that users can, by operating   said switching devices, toggle a communication   tion of the telephone network on an informative communication network internet type material.   12. Telephone center according to any one of   claims 8 to 11 characterized in that said device   switching is shared among multiple subscribers.