WO2000076192A1

WO2000076192A1 - Method and system for accessing, via a computerised communication network such as internet, a multimedia voice server

Info

Publication number: WO2000076192A1
Application number: PCT/FR2000/001553
Authority: WO
Inventors: Henry Tebeka
Original assignee: Aplio, Societe Anonyme
Priority date: 1999-06-08
Filing date: 2000-06-07
Publication date: 2000-12-14
Also published as: EP1188300A1; FR2794924B1; AU5688100A; FR2794924A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a method enabling at least one user to access, via a computerised communication network (14), in particular of the Internet-type, at least a multimedia voice server, each user being provided, for example, with a local interface device (30i). It consists in setting up a link between the interface device and the related multimedia voice servers (V1, V2, V3, V4), via an operating Internet server (27); activating the interface device so as to connect the interface (30i) to the operating server (27); broadcasting, via the established link, a menu proposing to the user the options of affiliated multimedia voice servers; and setting up a link with the selected voice servers.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ACCESSING, THROUGH AN INTERNET COMPUTER COMMUNICATION NETWORK, TO A VOICE SERVER --y-R-π-αT-Dl-EDIA

The invention relates to a device for accessing multimedia voice servers via a computer network, in particular of the Internet type. It also relates to a method and a system enabling at least one user to access a voice server via a computer communication network.

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

Thus, the use of the Internet is attractive for long distance telephone communications and also, for specialized communications having high rates per time unit. This is particularly the case for voice servers communicating specialized information.

To allow the subscriber of a telephone network to communicate with other subscribers through the network

Internet without using expensive equipment such as a computer, in the international patent application published under No. W098 / 13986, an interface device has been proposed or which is associated with a telephone handset and which allows the user of the telephone network to be connected to the Internet. This device makes it possible to telephone another user equipped with a device of the same kind via the Internet network instead of using telephone 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 telephone network, and signals to his interface device that he wishes a communication via the network. Internet . The caller and called party interface devices thus communicate via the telephone network and exchange the information necessary to find themselves, then, on the Internet, automatically or semi-automatically.

The invention aims to facilitate access to multimedia voice servers via Internet type networks, in particular by using the interface device of the type described in the international patent application mentioned above.

Thus, the invention relates to a method for accessing at least one multimedia voice server via a computer communication network, in particular of the Internet type, which is characterized in that each user is provided with either a local interface device associated with a telephone handset, or a telephone apparatus connected, via a local loop of the telephone network, in particular switched, to an interface device located in a remote telephone center managed by a telecommunications operator with which the user has take out a subscription, and in that a connection is established between the interface device and the multimedia server (s) concerned (s) via a service server of the computer communication network, so that the data transmitted by the multimedia voice servers, representing the sounds and / or the images, located via the Internet, are received by the interface device and transmitted to the user, the interface device is activated in order to establish the link between this device and the service server, by activating: either an associated control member at the local interface, in particular a key of this device, such as a key on a keyboard, or a control member associated with the telephone apparatus connected to a remote interface device, this control member being, for example, a key on the keyboard of the telephone apparatus, a menu is proposed, via the link thus established between the service server and the interface device and / or the telephone apparatus, offering the user the options of the multimedia voice servers affiliates, so that the user receives for example the following messages: "Welcome to the service server, to access:

- to the multimedia voice server concerning new discs: type 1,

- to the multimedia voice server concerning the news of the day: type 2, - to the multimedia voice server concerning the weather: type 3, etc. ", we select, by actuating the control unit, the options selected from the options of the broadcast menu, and we establish the connections with the multimedia voice server (s) thus selected, so that , for example, the user, by pressing the key 3 on the keyboard of his telephone device or the keyboard of his interface device, will receive the information concerning the weather. In the case where an interface device is provided located in a remote telephone center, it will be appreciated that the user does not need to have an interface device but that he only has to subscribe to the telephone service by Internet and that for the operator the cost can be moderate because the interface devices can be shared between a plurality of subscribers.

It should be noted that, in the foregoing and in the following, the expression "voice server" or "multimedia voice server" must be understood as a source making it possible to generate sounds and / or images (in the broad sense, that is to say also comprising symbols, in particular graphics, and text).

It will be appreciated that the method according to the invention makes it possible, thanks to the service server and the control member associated with the local interface device or the telephone apparatus, to easily select voice servers. For example, the user will receive the menu in the form of a message indicating the number of the key (of the interface device or of the telephone apparatus) on which he must press to access the available voice servers.

In one embodiment, the interface device comprises a display screen and image data from the multimedia voice servers are displayed.

Alternatively, this image data from the voice servers is displayed on a screen of the telephone apparatus.

Thus, one can fully benefit from the telecommunications network since one can access both voice data and image data. In one embodiment, the menu trees of the service server are personalized, for example by means of a configuration server.

In other words, you can, for example using a configuration server, preselect multiple voice servers. timedia to present in a menu and, possibly, determine the order of presentation of these preselected servers.

As an illustration of this achievement: the user will have the choice, and in the order of presentation that follows, between: 1. the weather news, 2. the horoscope, 3. the information of the day (such as the news from France) and new recordings, such as the new records by singer Madonna.

According to one embodiment, the interface device is programmed so that it automatically connects at a predetermined time, and preferably according to the preselected tree structure, to the voice servers concerned via the service server. In this case, it is preferable to store in a memory of the interface device the data received from the voice servers.

For example, the information is retrieved and stored overnight and the user can then consult it in the morning upon waking.

In the case where a remote interface device is provided, located in a telephone center, the connection between the interface device of the telephone center and the service server can be shared between several subscribers, for example identified by a subscriber code. .

The invention also relates to a system making it possible to access, via a computer communication network, in particular of the Internet type, to at least one voice server, this system being characterized in that each user is provided with:

either a telephone apparatus connected, via a local loop of the switched telephone network, to an interface device situated in a remote telephone center managed by a telecommunications operator with which the user has taken out a subscription,

- either of a local interface device associated with a telephone handset, and in that the system comprises: a link between the interface device and the said multimedia voice server or servers concerned, via a service server of the computer communication network, so that the data transmitted by the multimedia voice servers, representing the sounds and / or the images, pass through via the internet, are received by the interface device and transmitted to the user,

activation means for activating the interface device in order to establish the link between the interface device and the service server; these activation means comprising

• either a control unit associated with the local interface device, in particular a key on a keyboard of this interface device, • or a control unit associated with the telephone apparatus connected to the remote interface device, in particular a key on a keyboard of the telephone apparatus, this control member being actuated by the user, - means for diffusing, via the link thus established between the service server and the interface device and / or the telephone apparatus, a menu offering the user the options of the affiliated multimedia voice servers, so that the user receives, for example, the following messages:

"Welcome to the service server, to access:

- to the multimedia voice server concerning new discs: type 1,

- to the multimedia voice server concerning the news of the day: type 2,

- to the multimedia voice server concerning the weather: type 3, etc. ", means for selecting, by actuating the control member, the options selected from the options of the menu displayed,

switching means for establishing the links with the voice server or servers thus selected, and

reception means, in particular a loudspeaker and / or a screen, for receiving information from the selected voice server, so that, for example, the user by pressing the key 3 of the keyboard of his telephone apparatus or from the keyboard of its interface device, will establish the link with the weather server and receive the corresponding information.

In one embodiment, the local interface device or the telephone receiver further comprises a screen for viewing the image data originating from the multimedia voice servers.

Furthermore, it is advantageous for this system to include personalization means, in particular a configuration server, for personalizing the trees of the service server menu, that is to say for preselecting, for each user or group of users. , voice servers with possibly the order of presentation of these servers.

Thus, the user can, for example, choose the tree structure: "1 - Weather",

"2 - Horoscope", "3 - News from France", "4 - New Madonna records".

In one embodiment, the system includes means for programming the interface device so that it automatically connects at a determined time, for example according to a predetermined tree structure, via the service server, to the preselected multimedia voice servers. It is then advantageous to plan to store in a memory, for example in a memory area of the interface device, the data received from the multimedia voice servers.

Thus, for example, the user can get up in the morning to have access to the information which will have been retrieved and stored during the night.

In the case where the interface device is remote, that is to say installed in a telephone center, it is preferable to share this interface device between several subscribers, for example identified by a subscriber code. The invention also relates to an interface device allowing access via a computer communication network, in particular of the Internet type, to at least one multimedia voice server which is characterized in that the communication link being carried out by means of a service server, this interface device includes:

- activation means for activating this interface device in order to establish a link between this interface device and the service server; the activation means comprising a control member, in particular a key on a keyboard of said interface device, operable by the user, either locally or remotely, using a telephone apparatus connected to the interface device, and

reception means for receiving a menu broadcast by the service server, this menu proposing to the user the options of the affiliated multimedia voice servers.

Thus, the user receives, for example, the following messages:

"Welcome to the service server, to access:

- to the multimedia voice server concerning new discs: type 1,

- to the multimedia voice server concerning the news of the day: type 2,

- to the multimedia voice server concerning the weather: type 3, etc. " The interface device comprises, for example, a display screen for viewing the image data coming from the multimedia voice servers.

It can also include personalization means, in particular a control member of a configuration server, for personalizing the trees of the menu of the service server.

Thus, the user can, for example, choose the tree structure: "1 - Weather",

"2 - Horoscope",

"3 - News from France",

"4 - New Madonna Records".

The interface device comprises, in one embodiment, programming means such that this device automatically connects, at a predetermined time, preferably according to a predetermined tree structure, via the service server, to the multimedia voice servers concerned, and means storage for storing in a memory, in particular a memory area, the data received from the multimedia voice servers.

In one embodiment, the reception means of the interface device allow the reception of compressed data and therefore comprise digital compression means and, of course, a digital / analog converter so that the data coming from the server are audible and / or visible to the user. 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 appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system in accordance with the invention, and Figure 2 is a diagram similar to that of Figure 1 for a variant.

The system 10 shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to the case where the interface device is not located at the subscriber's, but in a telephone center.

Thus, the system 10 represented in FIG. 1 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 18 ^ for directing telephone communications, either to a subscriber of the same local loop, or to a subscriber of another local loop. In addition, each center 18j_ is associated with a switching device (or interface) 20j_ making it possible to connect the loop to the Internet network 14. This connection is effected, for example, via access providers 22j_.

In this embodiment, the switching device 20j_ 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 network 14, between telephone centers.

Thus, in each of the loops, 16, 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 call to the Internet 14 is carried out, on the calling side, by means of a control signal coming 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 corresponding telephone center switching device is carried out under the command 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 26j_ 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 16j_. As a variant, the loop 16j_ comprises 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 14 constitutes a non-compulsory option. In this case, the corresponding switching device 20-j_ can only be activated if the user has taken out a subscription. In this example the switching device recognizes that the user has subscribed to the appropriate subscription, either by the fact that it contains in memory the authorized subscriber numbers, or because the control signal sent by the handset 2β contains a specific code for authorizing access to the Internet 14.

According to an important arrangement of the invention, the network 14 further comprises a server 27 called "service server". vice "to which multimedia voice servers V] _, V ₂ , V ₃ , V ₄ are connected.

Each voice server provides information of a specific nature such as weather information, a horoscope, literary, musical information, show programs, etc.

This information is communicated both in voice form and in graphic or image form.

The server 26 broadcasts a menu proposing to the user the options of affiliated multimedia voice servers V _] _, V2, v ₃ , v ₄ .

The operation is as follows:

When a subscriber of the telephone network 10 having subscribed to communications via the Internet 14, wants to call a voice server, he presses a specific key on his extension 26j_ in order to establish a connection with the service server 27. In these conditions, the server 27 returns a menu in voice form indicating the multimedia voice servers ^v l ' ^v 2' ^v 3 < ^v 4 to which it is connected. This menu message indicates for example:

"To access new recordings: type

1, to access information: type 2, to access weather information: type 3, etc. "

This voice information is preferably transmitted in the form of compressed digital packets. In this case, the interface device 20_ located in the local loop 16j_ has decompression and digital / analog conversion means.

When the user presses the number indicated to him, the signal is transmitted by the Internet network 14 to the server 27 which puts the user in communication with the selected multimedia voice server. In the embodiment of the invention which is shown in Figure 2, the interface device 30i is located at the subscriber. It is of the type described in international application 098/13986. This device is associated with the telephone handset 26j_. It is connected to a display device 32j_. The latter can also be integrated into the 30d_ interface.

This device 30j_ makes it possible to establish telephone or videophone communications via the Internet network 14. It also allows, in accordance with the invention, to have access to multimedia voice servers V] _, V2, V3, V4 by via a service server 27 as indicated above in relation to FIG. 1.

As a variant, the interface device 30j_ is a specialized device for access to voice servers.

Whatever the embodiment, to connect the interface device 30j_ to the Internet and to access the server 27, the address of the server 27 is entered using the keyboard of this device. This address can also be sent automatically, this address being initially stored in the memory of the interface device 30d. In the latter case, it is enough to press a single button or even to energize the device 30j_.

Once the connection is established, the operation is the same as in the case described above in relation to FIG. 1. However, if the servers V] _, V2, V3. V send viewable data such as text, graphics, images, these can be received and viewed on the screen of the device 32d. It should also be noted that, in the latter case, the menu can be displayed on the screen of the device 32 _d _ in place of, or in addition to, the voice menu.

The choices made after reception of the menu are activated by keys on the keyboard of the handset 26d or the keyboard of the device 30d. Since the voice and / or image information is generally transmitted by the servers V _] _, V2, V3, V ₄ in the form of compressed digital packets, provision is made in the device 30-j_ for decompression means as well as '' a digital / analog converter.

Of course, the data transmitted from keys of the handset 26_ or of keys of the device 30j_ are formatted so as to be able to be transmitted by the network 14 and to be interpretable by the server 27. In one embodiment, which s 'applies both to the example of Figure 1 and that of Figure 2, it provides a possibility of customization of the menus. This personalization consists of a pre-selection of servers for each subscriber and / or an individualized presentation of the audible and / or viewable menu.

This personalization is, for example, carried out using a configuration means associated with the server 27 which performs the personalized preselection and presentation when it receives a connection request with an identification data item of the subscriber having requested this customization.

Configuration can be done in various ways. It can be requested using a written form or a form sent over the Internet, or by telephone. It is also possible to request this configuration automatically, via the Internet, by commands from the keyboard of the device 30- _L or the keyboard of the telephone handset 26j_.

According to another arrangement of the invention, the device 30- _L includes timing means (not shown), preferably programmable, which allow this device to trigger automatically to connect, also automatically to one (or more ) server (s) preselected (s) and to save in a memory (not shown) the data provided by these servers. In this case, these are configuration means located in the server 27 or associated with the server 27, which will allow the connection to the selected server (s). Of course, in this case, it is not necessary for the server 27 to broadcast the menu.

After receiving the information provided by the server, the device 30j_ disconnects.

The user can then consult, at any time, the data stored in memory without having to connect.

Claims

1. Method allowing at least one user to access, via a computer communication network (14) in particular of the internet type, to at least one multimedia voice server; each user being provided with:

- either of a telephone apparatus connected, via a local loop of the switched telephone network, to an interface device (20 ^) located in a remote telephone center (16] _) managed by a telecommunications operator with which the user has subscribed a subscription ; either a local interface device (30-j_) associated with a telephone handset, said method comprising the steps: of establishing a link between said interface device (20_, 30j_) and the one or more servers (V _] _, V2, V3, V4) multimedia voice concerned, via a service server (27) of said computer communication network, so that the data transmitted by the multimedia voice servers, representing the sounds and / or the images, pass through the internet network , are received by the interface device and transmitted to the user, to activate said interface device in order to establish said connection between said interface device and the service server, by actuating: * either a control member associated with said local interface device , in particular a key on a keyboard of said interface device,

* either a control unit associated with said telephone apparatus connected to said remote interface device, in particular a key on a keyboard of said telephone apparatus,

- broadcast, via the link thus established between the service server and said interface device and / or said telephone set, a menu offering the user the options of the affiliated multimedia voice servers, so that the user receives for example the following messages:

"Welcome to the service server, to access:

- to the multimedia voice server concerning the new discs: type 1,

- to the multimedia voice server concerning the news of the day: type 2,

- to the multimedia voice server concerning the weather: type 3, etc. ",

to select, by actuating said control member, the options selected from the options of the broadcast menu, and

- to establish the links with the multimedia voice server or servers thus selected, so that, for example, the user, by pressing the key 3 of the keyboard of his telephone apparatus or of the keyboard of his interface device, will receive the information concerning weather.

2. Method according to claim 1, as it further comprises the step of

- display, by means of a display screen (32- ^) of the local interface device (30_), the image data coming from the multimedia voice servers.

3. Method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, as it further comprises the step of

- customize the tree structure of the service server menu, in particular by means of a configuration server, so that the user can, for example, choose

1 tree:

"1 - Weather", "2 - Horoscope", "3 - News from France", "4 - New Madonna records".

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, as it further comprises the steps of

- program the interface device so that it automatically connects at a determined time according to a predetermined tree structure, via the service server, to the multimedia voice servers concerned, and store in a memory zone of the interface device, the data received from the servers multimedia voice, so that, for example, the user can, when getting up in the morning, have access to information that will have been retrieved and stored overnight.

5. Method according to claim 1 as it further comprises the step of

- share between several subscribers identified by a subscriber code, said link between the telephone center interface device and the service server.

6. System allowing at least one user to access, via a computer communication network (14), in particular of the internet type, to at least one multimedia voice server (V _{1 #} V ₂ , V ₃ , V ₄ ); said system being such that each user is provided with:

- or a telephone device (26-j_) connected, via a local loop of the switched telephone network, to an interface device (20 ^) located in a remote telephone center (16j_) managed by a telecommunications operator with which the user has taken out a subscription; or a local interface device (30d_) associated with a telephone handset, said system comprising:

a link between said interface device and said multimedia voice server or servers, via a service server (27) of said computer communication network, in particular of the internet type, so that the data transmitted by the multimedia voice servers, representing the sounds and / or the images, transit via the internet network, are received by the interface device and transmitted to the user, - activation means for activating said device interface for establishing said link between said interface device and the service server; said activation means comprising

* either a control unit associated with said local interface device, in particular a key on a keyboard of said interface device,

* either a control device associated with said telephone device connected to said remote interface device, in particular a key on a keyboard of said telephone device, said control device being actuated by the user,

broadcasting means for broadcasting, via the link thus established between the service server and said interface device and / or said telephone apparatus, a menu offering the user the options of the affiliated multimedia voice servers, so that the user receives for example the following messages:

"Welcome to the service server, to access: - the multimedia voice server for new discs: type 1,

- to the multimedia voice server concerning the news of the day: type 2,

- to the multimedia voice server concerning the weather: type 3, etc. ",

selection means for selecting, by actuating said control member, the options selected from the options of the menu displayed, switching means for establishing the links with the multimedia voice server or servers thus selected, and reception means, in particular a loudspeaker, for receiving the information coming from the selected multimedia voice server, so that, for example, the user by pressing the key 3 on the keyboard of his telephone device or the keyboard of his interface device, will establish the connection with the weather server and will receive the corresponding information.

7. The system of claim 6 such that the local interface device further comprises

- a display screen (30 days) for viewing the image data from the multimedia voice servers.

8. System according to any one of claims 6 or 7 as it further comprises

- personalization means, in particular a configuration server, for personalizing the trees of the service server menu, so that the user can, for example, choose

1 tree:

9. System according to any one of claims 6 to 8 such that it further comprises:

programming means for programming the interface device so that it connects automatically at a determined time according to a predetermined tree structure, via the service server, to the multimedia voice servers concerned,

storage means for storing in a memory area of the interface device, the data received from the multimedia voice servers, so that, for example, the user can get up in the morning to have access to the information which will have been retrieved and stored during the night.

10. The system of claim 6 as further comprising

- Addressing means for sharing between several subscribers identified by a subscriber code, said link between the interface device of the telephone center and the service server.

11- Interface device (20χ; 30d allowing at least one user to access, via a service server (27) of a computer communication network (14) in particular of the internet type, to at least one multimedia voice server (V ] _, V2, V3, V ₄ ); said interface device comprising:

- activation means for activating said interface device in order to establish said connection between said interface device and said service server; said activation means comprising a control member, in particular a key on a keyboard of said interface device; said control member being actuated by the user either locally or remotely using a telephone apparatus connected to the interface device, and

- reception means for receiving a menu broadcast by the service server; said menu offering the user the options of the affiliated multimedia voice servers, so that the user receives for example the following messages: "Welcome to the service server, to access:

- to the multimedia voice server concerning new discs: type 1,

- to the multimedia voice server concerning the news of the day: type 2, - to the multimedia voice server concerning the weather: type 3, etc. ",

12. Interface device according to claim 11 such that it further comprises

- a display screen (30-j_) for viewing the image data from the multimedia voice servers.

13. Interface device according to any one of claims 11 or 12 such that it further comprises - personalization means, in particular a control member of a configuration server, for personalizing the trees of the menu of the service server, so that the user can, for example, choose the tree: "1 - Weather",

"2 - Horoscope",

"3 - News from France",

"4 - New Madonna Records".

14. Device according to any one of claims 11 to 13 as it further comprises:

- programming means such that the interface device connects automatically at a determined time according to a predetermined tree structure, via the service server, to the multimedia voice servers concerned, - storage means for storing the data received in a memory area multimedia voice servers, so that, for example, the user can get up in the morning to have access to the information which will have been retrieved and stored during the night.

15. Device according to any one of claims 11 to 14 such that the reception means comprise decompression and digital / analog conversion means, so that the compressed digital information originating from the server is transformed into an audible signal by the user .