WO2008098215A2 - Systèmes et procédés pour fournir des services téléphoniques améliorés - Google Patents

Systèmes et procédés pour fournir des services téléphoniques améliorés Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008098215A2
WO2008098215A2 PCT/US2008/053492 US2008053492W WO2008098215A2 WO 2008098215 A2 WO2008098215 A2 WO 2008098215A2 US 2008053492 W US2008053492 W US 2008053492W WO 2008098215 A2 WO2008098215 A2 WO 2008098215A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
telephone
telephone line
challenge
circuit
line
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2008/053492
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English (en)
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WO2008098215A3 (fr
Inventor
Ted Vagelos
Original Assignee
Citizens Communications Company
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US11/673,528 external-priority patent/US20080192655A1/en
Application filed by Citizens Communications Company filed Critical Citizens Communications Company
Priority to CA002678148A priority Critical patent/CA2678148A1/fr
Publication of WO2008098215A2 publication Critical patent/WO2008098215A2/fr
Publication of WO2008098215A3 publication Critical patent/WO2008098215A3/fr

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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
    • H04M3/436—Arrangements for screening incoming calls, i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it
    • 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
    • H04M3/42229—Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location
    • H04M3/42263—Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location where the same subscriber uses different terminals, i.e. nomadism
    • 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
    • H04M3/54—Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2203/00—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M2203/20—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges related to features of supplementary services
    • H04M2203/2011—Service processing based on information specified by a party before or during a call, e.g. information, tone or routing selection

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to methods and systems for routing telephone calls, and more particularly provides for management of multiple telephone lines and services corresponding to a single person, entity, or group and for improving the utility and efficiency of multiple telephone lines in such circumstances.
  • PO I S personal switched telephone service
  • PSTN public switched telephone network
  • VoIP voice over internet protocol
  • WiFi VoIP clients satellite-based telephony
  • Each form of telephone service can require a separate telephone number, line, or both, and the result can be that a caller must attempt calls to several different numbers before reaching the desired person. It is conceivable, for example, that a single person may have one phone number at work, one or more phone numbers at home, a personal mobile phone number, a work mobile phone number, and a phone number corresponding to a VoIP softphone.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating interconnected components of a telephone network 100.
  • the network 100 includes the public switched telephone network ("PSTN' " ) 105, which is the worldwide set of interconnected telephone networks that deliver fixed telephone services to the general public and arc usually accessed by telephones and private branch exchanges ("PBX " ). transmitting voice, other audio, video, and data signals.
  • PSTN' " public switched telephone network
  • PBX private branch exchanges
  • the PSTN 105 comprises a plurality of interconnected switches.
  • the PS fN 105 is formed from the interconnection of. e.g.. third-party switch 106, provider switch 107, and other switches (not pictured) within the PSTN 105.
  • Fast digital links referred to as "trunks" 108, connect switches in most of the PSTN 105, although some older analog equipment remains in use.
  • the PSTN 105 comprises analog phones, which participate in the PS TN 105 via switches. As depicted in Figure I , an analog phone 1 10 connects via a pair of copper wires I I l to the third-party switch 106. Similarly, other analog phones 1 12 connect via pairs of copper wires 1 13 to the provider's switch 107. Because they exist on the edges of the PSTN 105, analog phones may be referred to as "edge devices.”
  • analog phone I 12 is so called because it sends and receives analog electrical signals that represent voice data.
  • the PSl N 105 primarily uses digital switches and digital trunks.
  • a provider's switch 107 converts between the analog data used by the analog phone 1 12a and the digital data used internally by the switch 107 and exchanged within the PSTN 105.
  • switches within the PSTN 105 exist in a hierarchy. At the lowest level of the hierarchy are switches, such as the third-party switch 106 and the provider's switch 107. that connect both to the PSTN 105 and to analog telephones. For historical reasons, these switches, which connect both to edge devices and to other switches, are often called "class 5 switches. " ⁇ single class 5 switch may serve hundreds or thousands of telephone lines.
  • IXC intcr-e.xchange carrier
  • a provider 1 15 of telecommunications services may have its own IXC facilities 121 and may connect to the PSTN 105 directly or. as depicted in Figure 1, through an interface and control system 125.
  • a third-party carrier may also provide an IXC 120. which may connect directly to the PSTN 105.
  • a provider 1 15 of telecommunications services may connect, e.g.. one or more switches . , gateways, or both to the PSTN 105.
  • a provider 1 15 has connected a switch 107 to the PSTN 105.
  • the provider's switch 107 has a connection via a dedicated digital trunk 1 16 to a private branch exchange ("PBX") 121.
  • PBX 121 may provide switching, signaling, and/or analog-to-digital conversion functions for multiple analog phones 122, digital phones 123, or both and typically exists within a large organization with many telephone lines.
  • a PBX 121 may allow calling within the organization to take place without use of any facilities of the PS fN 105.
  • a provider I 15 may use an interlace (or gateway) system 125 to bridge telephony over the PSTN 105 and VoIP transmitted across a packet-switched data network 126.
  • the interface system 125 connects to the IP network 126. e.g., via an Hther ⁇ et cable 127 connected to a router (not pictured).
  • a VoIP client such as, e.g.. a residential analog telephone adapter 128 or a commercial VoIP PBX 129 also connects to the IP network 126. exchanging data packets with the interface system 125.
  • Other VoIP clients may use the network 126. such as a VoIP client 130 that uses WiFi to connect wirelessly to the network 126. or a computer program (called a "soft client " ) that executes on a networked computer 131.
  • the interface system 125 also connects to the PS fN 105 via a trunk 108c.
  • the interface system 125 supports calls among VoIP clients by, e.g., providing directory and/or addressing information.
  • the interface system 125 also enables calls to cross between the PSTN 105 and the IP network 126 by. e.g.. translating data and signaling protocols.
  • PSTN 105 Other services may also be provided through the PS TN 105.
  • a provider of wireless telephone services 135 may also connect to the PSTN 105 through a digital trunk 108e.
  • a telephone call may begin from, e.g., an analog phone 1 12a connected Io the provider's switch 107.
  • the switch 107 detects the dialed number and establishes the call. If the destination of the call is another analog phone 1 12b connected to the provider's switch, the switch routes the call using an internal trunk (not pictured). Otherwise, the switch routes the call through the PSTN 105, e.g.. directly to a third-party ' s switch 106 or via the provider's IXC 121 or a third party's IXC 120.
  • the PS TN 105 is a circuit-switched network, which typically means that it reserves the necessary bandwidth all along the route taken by a call in progress, even when the call does not need all of the reserved bandwidth.
  • Multiplexing techniques which are well known in the art. arc used to send multiple digitized telephone calls simultaneously over the same trunk 108.
  • Switches within the PSTN 105 exchange signaling information used to. e.g.. information used to create, route, terminate, and account for telephone calls (among other functions) over a path that is physically or logically distinct from the data paths, and most commonly do so using the protocol known in the art as Signaling System #7 ("SS7").
  • SS7 Signaling System #7
  • a subscriber to telephone services or a group of subscribers may be reached on multiple telephone lines from a single dial-in number: calls in progress may be transferred seamlessly from one line associated with a subscriber to another; and group calling features may be enhanced.
  • the present invention provides a method comprising establishing a first telephone connection between a first telephone line and a second telephone line via a media gateway; detecting by the media gateway entry of a service code from the second telephone line, the service code indicative of a request to transfer the telephone connection from the second telephone line to a third telephone line, the second telephone line and third telephone line being associated with a single user: calling the third telephone line in response to the detection of the service code; detecting whether the third telephone line has been answered: and establishing a second telephone connection between the first telephone line and the third telephone line, if the third telephone line is answered.
  • the method may further comprise disconnecting the second telephone line from the first telephone connection.
  • the service code includes a predetermined set of telephone tones.
  • the service code may begin with a common prefix indicating to the media gateway that an instruction follows.
  • the common prefix may include a single tone.
  • the method may further comprise delecting by the media gateway entry of an ID code identifying the third telephone line.
  • the ID code may identify a home telephone line, a mobile telephone line, a VOI P line. etc.
  • the second telephone line and the third telephone line may be linked with a common telephone number associated with the single user and with the media gateway.
  • the method may further comprise sending a challenge to the third telephone line; and establishing the second telephone connection if the third telephone line satisfies the challenge.
  • the present invention provides a system comprising a first telephone line associated with a first user; a second telephone line associated with a second user: a third telephone line associated with the second user: a switching platform including a circuit for establ ishing a first telephone connection between the first telephone line and the second telephone line; a circuit for detecting entry of a service code from the second telephone line, the service code indicative of a request to transfer the telephone connection from the second telephone line to the third telephone line: a circuit for calling the third telephone line; a circuit for detecting whether the third telephone line has been answered; and a circuit for establishing a second telephone connection between the first telephone line and the third telephone line, if the third telephone line is answered.
  • the switching platform may further include a circuit for disconnecting the second telephone line from the first telephone connection.
  • the service code may include a predetermined set of telephone tones. The service code may begin with a common prefix indicating to the switch that an instruction follows. The common prefix may include a single tone.
  • the switching platform may further include a circuit for detecting entry of an I D code identifying the third telephone line.
  • the ID code may identify a home telephone line, a mobile telephone line, a VOIP line. etc.
  • the second telephone line and the third telephone line may be linked with a common telephone number associated with the single user and with the switch.
  • the system may further comprise sending a challenge to the third telephone line: and establishing the second telephone connection if the third telephone line satisfies the challenge.
  • the present invention provides a system comprising means for establishing a first telephone connection between a first telephone line and a second telephone line via a media gateway: means for detecting by the media gateway entry of a service code from the second telephone line, the service code indicative of a request to transfer the telephone connection from the second telephone line to a third telephone line, the second telephone line and third telephone line being associated with a single user; means for calling the third telephone line in response to the detection of the service code; means for detecting whether the third telephone line has been answered; and means for establishing a second telephone connection between the first telephone line and the third telephone line, if the third telephone line is answered.
  • Figure I is a block diagram of components of a telephone network such as may be found in the prior art.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an enhanced service platform, according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 3 is a block diagram of components of a telephone network that includes an enhanced service platform, according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating details of a computer system.
  • Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating simultaneous ringing according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of seamless jumping of a telephone call according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of conference calling according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary system 150. referred to herein as an Enhanced
  • Service Platform 150 which comprises one or more systems that a provider 125 may implement to manage VoIP telephony and/or to provide a gateway between circuit-switched and packet- switched telephony.
  • An Enhanced Service Platform 150 as depicted in Figure 2 may provide certain additional functions accord ins to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the components of the Enhanced Service Platform 150 are connected to one another by one or more data networks 151. Although depicted as a single network 151 in a star topology, one skilled in the art will recognize that other network topologies and/or combinations of networks may connect the components to one another.
  • the Enhanced Service Platform 150 includes a media gateway 155, which connects internally to the network I 51 and. via a digital trunk 108c, to the PSTN 105.
  • the Enhanced Service Platform also includes a session border controller 156 that connects to both the internal network 151 and to the IP network 126.
  • other components of the Enhanced Service Platform 150, connected via the internal network 151 may include, c g., a VoIP application server 157, a database management system 158, a Web server 159, a media server 160. and a media gateway controller 170.
  • the media gateway controller 170 includes a plurality of modules.
  • a supervisory module 175 provides logic that directs the functioning of the media gateway controller 170 and its other modules.
  • a call accounting module 176 provides logic that gathers and stores information about calls, e.g , for billing, performance monitoring, network security, etc. Other modules may provide logic supporting services such as Caller ID 177.
  • simultaneous ringing 178 (described in greater detail with reference to Figure 5).
  • seamless call jumping 179 (described in greater detail with reference to Figure 6), and conference calling 180 (described in greater detail with reference to Figure 7).
  • the media gateway controller may contain other modules (not pictured) with other functions in addition to or instead of some or all of the depicted modules.
  • the media gateway 155 which ma> sometimes be referred to as a "Softswitch,” switches between and within circuit-switched networks, such as the PSTN 105. and packet-switched networks, such as the IP network 126.
  • the media gateway 155 may be configured to translate data and/or control signals between different protocols that may be used on the different networks.
  • the media gateway 155 may appear to be a class 5 switch. ⁇ s such, the media gateway 155 may send and receive both digitized voice and signaling information.
  • the media gateway 155 may also serve as a bridge between the circuit-switched PSTN 105 and an IP data network, such as the Internet 127. As such, it may permit calls to take place between and among, e.g.. VoIP clients connected to the packet-switched network 126 and POTS clients connected to the PSTN 105. This kind of intcropcration is transparent to the participants in any particular call.
  • session border controller 156 may exist between the media gateway 155 and the packet-switched network 127.
  • one function ofthe session border controller 156 is to enable connections between the Enhanced Service Platform 150 and VoIP clients by. e g., traversing firewalls, resolving problems related to the use of network address translation (NAT), and/or routing VoIP calls and/or the packets that contain voice and/or signaling information as a VoIP call is built up. carried on, and torn down.
  • the session border controller 156 may also protect the Enhanced Service Platform 150. e.g., by serving as a network firewall, protecting against dcnial-of-servicc attacks, and/or preventing theft of services.
  • VoIP telephone calls are managed by a VoIP application server 157 as depicted in Figure 2.
  • the VoIP application server 157 may perform one or more functions, such as, e.g., call and subscriber management, VoIP signaling according to one or more protocols, billing and/or accounting, and/or providing enhanced calling features, such as call waiting and caller ID. to VoIP clients.
  • the VoIP application server 157 may work in conjunction with a database management system 158, such as is well known in the art. to store and retrieve. e.g . subscriber, call, and/or directory information.
  • the Enhanced Service Platform 150 may provide administrative interfaces to administrators, subscribers, or both, according to an embodiment of the invention. Depending on the embodiment of the invention, such interfaces may be provided, e.g., in the form of one or more Web applications, which may be provided through a Web server 159.
  • an administrative Web application may be supported by a multiple-tier architecture, such as is well known in the art. In such an architecture, the Web server I 59 provides an interface, presented on. e #., a user's Web browser, to one or more applications that may exist on the VoIP application server 157 and/or another application server (not pictured). Such an application may also provide information hosted by. e.g.. the database management system 158 and/or a media server 160.
  • the switching functions of the Enhanced Service Platform 150 may be directed by a media gateway controller 170.
  • the media gateway controller 170 may exchange signals with the PSTN 150 via the media gateway 155. Such signals may be used. e.g.. to build up. maintain, and/or tear down calls over the PSTN 105.
  • the media gateway controller 170 may use these signals to provide other services, including but not limited to enhanced services according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • modules within the media gateway controller are configured within the media gateway controller
  • the configuration of one or more modules according to an embodiment of the invention may vary depending on the configuration and/or capabilities of some or all components of the Enhanced Service Platform 150.
  • the conferencing module may exist within the VoIP application server 157 instead of the media gateway controller 170 as depicted in Figure 2.
  • multiple components of the Enhanced Service Platform 150 may include modules involved in providing one or more functions.
  • module is to be taken in a broad sense, and the description of embodiments of the invention in terms of one or more modules is to be regarded as illustrative and in no way limiting. Depending on the embodiment of the invention, any module may include hardware, software, or a combination of the two. Additionally, any module may be actual, corresponding to one or more distinct units of hardware, software, or both, or it may be logical, being considered to be that hardware, software, or both functioning as described, regardless of any other function or functions that the corresponding hardware, software, or both may perform or be capable of performing.
  • the Enhanced Service Platform 150 in Figure 3 takes over and expands the role of the interface and control system 125 depicted in Figure 1 .
  • the provider 1 15 may place the Enhanced Service Platform 150 between the PSTN 105 and the IP network 126, e g.. to bridge the networks and/or to support the provider ' s services according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating details of a computer system, of which one or more switches, gateways, controllers, or some or all of them may be an instance.
  • Computer system 200 includes a processor 205. such as an Intel Pentium® microprocessor or a Motorola Power PC® microprocessor, coupled to a communications channel 206.
  • the computer system 200 further includes an input device 207 such as a keyboard or mouse, an output device 208 such as a cathode ray tube display, a communications interface 209.
  • a data storage device 210 such as a magnetic disk, and memory 21 5 such as Random-Access Memory (RAM), each coupled to the communications channel 206.
  • the communications interface 209 may be coupled to a network such as the wide-area network commonly referred to as the Internet.
  • the data storage device 210 and memory 21 5 are illustrated as different units, the data storage device 2 10 and memory 21 5 can be parts of the same unit, distributed units, virtual memory, etc.
  • the data storage device 210 and/or memory 215 may store an operating system
  • the computer system 200 may also include additional information, such as network connections, additional memory, additional processors, LANs, input/output lines for transferring information across a hardware channel, the Internet or an intranet, etc.
  • additional information such as network connections, additional memory, additional processors, LANs, input/output lines for transferring information across a hardware channel, the Internet or an intranet, etc.
  • programs and data may be received by and stored in the system in alternative ways.
  • a computer-readable storage medium (CRSM) reader 220 such as a magnetic disk drive, hard disk drive, magneto-optical reader. CPU. etc. may be coupled to the communications bus 206 for reading a computer-readable storage medium (CRSM) 221 such as a magnetic disk., a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, RAM. etc.
  • CRSM computer-readable storage medium
  • the computer system 200 may receive programs and/or data via the CRSM reader 220.
  • the term "memory" herein is intended to cover all data storage media whether permanent or temporary.
  • FIG. 5 depicts simultaneous ringing 250 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • a caller dials, e.g.. from an analog phone 1 10 ( Figure 3), a common number that has been assigned to one or more telephone lines, which may be referred to herein as ' ⁇ participating lines.”
  • the switch 106 Figure 3) connected to the originating phone 1 10 detects that the caller has taken the phone off the hook and recognizes, e g.. the DTMF tones representing the common number.
  • the switch 106 connects in step 252 ( Figure 5) to the media gateway 155 within the Enhanced Service Platform 150. At this point, from the perspective of the caller's switch 106. a call has been built up.
  • the Enhanced Service Platform 150 attempts to ring participating lines to complete the call.
  • the media gateway 155 informs the media gateway controller 170 of the incoming call request.
  • the supervisory module 175 causes retrieval of data, e.g., from the DBMS 158, for use in deciding how to handle the request. If the requested number is a front end to one or more participating lines, the supervisory module 175 directs the simultaneous ring module 178 to try to establish the call.
  • the simultaneous ring module 178 causes the
  • the Enhanced Service Platform 150 to send a message to the caller in step 253, as it tries to establish the call.
  • the message may be. for example, "Please hold while [name of subscriber! is located. "
  • the Enhanced Service Platform 150 may send a conventional ringing lone to the caller in addition to or instead of a message.
  • the data comprising the representation of the message and/or the ringing tone may be. e.g.. provided by the media server 160 to the media gateway 155 at the direction of the simultaneous ring module 178 of the media gateway controller 170.
  • the simultaneous ring module 178 identifies in step 254 the participating lines that will ring. This step 254 commonly involves looking up the participating line, e.g.. by the DBMS 158. If the simultaneous ring module 178 determines in the process that the call has originated from a participating line, then the module 178 will exclude thai originating line from the group of lines that ring.
  • the simultaneous ring module 178 instructs the media gateway 155 to signal the corresponding switch 107 to attempt to ring the line.
  • the form and transmission method of the signal correspond to the configuration of each signaled switch.
  • a switch in the PSTTs' 105 may be signaled to ring via the SS7 network with an Initial Address Message, or IAM.
  • IAM Initial Address Message
  • the media gateway 155 informs the media gateway controller 170 of the responses to the ring requests. For example, in response to a ring request, a switch 107 may return a busy signal. In an embodiment of the invention, the simultaneous ring module 178 may respond by instructing the media gateway 155 to stop trying to ring that line.
  • the switch 107 may signal that the line is engaged, e g., on another call.
  • the response may depend on the availability of call waiting on the engaged line.
  • the simultaneous ring module 178 ma) respond by instructing the media gateway 155 to send a call-waiting alert to the engaged line if that service is available. If call waiting is not available, e.g.. because the engaged line does not support it or the subscriber has disabled it, the simultaneous ring module 178 may respond by instructing the media gateway 155 to stop trying to ring that line.
  • the Enhanced Service Platform 150 may in step 261 transfer the caller directly to a voice mailbox.
  • the simultaneous ring module 178 may in that case inform the supervisory module 175 that the attempt to set up the call failed.
  • the supervisory module 175 may direct the media gateway 155 to switch the call to a voice mailbox provided by. e.g.. an application on the media server 160 or the VoIP application server, which may in turn retrieve prompting messages and/or store messages through the DBMS 158.
  • the Enhanced Service Platform 150 may in step 261 transfer the caller directly to a voice mailbox.
  • the simultaneous ring module 178 may in that case inform the supervisory module 175 that the attempt to set up the call failed.
  • the supervisory module 175 may direct the media gateway 155 to switch the call to a voice mailbox provided by. e.g.. an application on the media server 160 or the VoIP application server, which may in turn retrieve prompting messages and/or store messages through the DBMS 158.
  • the 150 may also signal the caller that the subscriber is not available; for example, the simultaneous ring module 178 may cause the media gateway 155 to retrieve a voice announcement or a busy signal from the media server 160 and then to send it to the caller.
  • Other possible responses are known in the art, and, in an embodiment of the invention, the type of response may be configured. e.g.. by the subscriber or the provider.
  • the available participating lines ring.
  • one or more of the participating lines e.g., the subscriber's primary home telephone line, may be designated or configured as a preferred line.
  • the ringing signal may be sent to the preferred line or lines shortly before it is sent to other participating lines.
  • the head-start given to the preferred line or lines will vary depending on the embodiment of the invention, but will commonly be long enough to increase the likelihood that a preferred line will be answered before a non-preferred line, yet brief enough that the ringing time of the non- preferred line or lines is sufficient to allow the line to be answered before the caller hangs up. In an embodiment ofthc invention, the head-start will be between one and three seconds.
  • the Enhanced Service Platform 150 may at step
  • a challenge may include a voice announcement, such as. 'This call is for [subscriber's name
  • the simultaneous ring module 178 may effect this step by directing the media server 160 to send the announcement to the answered line. e.g.. through the media gateway 155. and by directing the media gateway 155 to monitor the call for responsive DTMI- ' tones.
  • the media gateway 155 sends any detected input to the simultaneous ring module 178.
  • the simultaneous ring module 178 determines whether the detected input satisfies the challenge. Jf so. the simultaneous ring module 178 may direct the supervisory module 175 to put the call through as depicted in step 266. or to disconnect the line as depicted in step 268.
  • the challenge may prompt for a
  • the Enhanced Service Platform 150 may put the call through. If no response or an incorrect response is given, the Enhanced Service Platform 150 may, depending on the embodiment of thc invention and/or its configuration, prompt the user to try again (not shown) or may disconnect the line as shown in step 268. This may be especially valuable when many people share a single telephone number, such as a home line in. e.g.. a college dormitory. The challenge may be capable of preventing certain roommates from accepting calls intended for other residents.
  • participating lines may be individually configured to require a successful challenge or to put the call through to an answered line without a challenge.
  • such configuration may be done by a user, a system administrator, or both.
  • the simultaneous ring module 178 causes the media gateway 155 to direct the switches associated with other ringing lines, if any. to stop ringing.
  • the Enhanced Service Platform I 50 may. in step 263 cause all participating lines to stop ringing and transfer the call to a voice mailbox.
  • FIG. 6 depicts operation of a seamless jump 280 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • ⁇ managed call is established 285, as depicted in Figure 6, in one of two ways.
  • a managed call may be established by a call to the subscriber's common number in step 250. as depicted in Figure 5 in connection with the discussion of simultaneous ringing.
  • the second depicted way to establish a managed call 285 begins at step 291 and involves originating a call from a line capable of being controlled by the Enhanced Service Platform 150.
  • the provider's switch 107 may support configuring the lines associated with some or all directly attached analog phones 1 12 ( Figure 3) so that the Enhanced Service Platform 150 can manage them.
  • a call is originated in step 291 ( Figure 6) when the caller takes a phone attached to a controlled line off the hook.
  • the caller then enters a service code at step 292. e g . using the I)TMF keys of the analog phone 1 12a.
  • the service code may be, for example "'* l #". and indicates to the provider's switch 107 that this call is to be managed by the Enhanced Service Platform 150.
  • Such management may be brought about, according to an embodiment of the invention, by, e.g.. establishing a circuit from the analog phone 1 12a, to the provider's switch 107, through the PS fN 105. to the media gateway 155 within the Enhanced Service Platform 150.
  • the media gateway 155 may detect and decode the DTMF tones representing the destination number and, at the direction of the media gateway controller 170. may respond by attempting to put the call through normally. Once the ringing destination is answered, then the managed call may be considered to have been established at step 294.
  • Alternative embodiments of the invention may include other methods for establishing a managed call instead of or in addition to one or both of the methods depicted in Figure 6.
  • a switch possibly including a third- party switch 106
  • VoIP gateway, or other device or devices may be programmed and/or configured to place any call from one or more attached lines under the management of the Enhanced Service Platform 150.
  • Such an embodiment of the invention may permit a caller to enter a code to except the call from some or all management features provided by the Enhanced Service Platform 150.
  • the media gateway I 55 continues Io monitor a managed call to detect entry of DTMF tones that signal a seamless jump.
  • the Enhanced Service Platform 150 may achieve this by. e.g., keeping the media gateway 155 in the circuit for the duration of the call, even when doing so extends the length of the circuit.
  • a call from a third-parly to a subscriber's analog telephone line might, according to the prior art. be carried from the third party's switch 106 ( Figure 3), through the PSTN 105 ( Figure 3). and then to the provider ' s own switch 107 ( Figure 3).
  • the circuit may proceed from the third-party ' s switch 106, through the PSTN 105. through the media gateway 155. back to the PSTN 105. and then to the provider's switch 107. (This configuration is sometimes referred to in the art as a "trombone " or "hairpin”.)
  • the media gateway 1 55 is configured to monitor managed calls continuously for DTMF tones, decoding any detected tones and reporting them to. e.g., the supervisory module 175 in the media gateway controller 170.
  • a subscriber may signal a jump by entering, e.g.. a code beginning with a service code -**' " , which may be followed by an ID code of additional keys to indicate the desired destination for the jump.
  • the service code and ID code "**C " may transfer a call to the subscriber's cellular phone
  • the code -**H” may transfer the call to the subscriber ' s home phone
  • the code "** W” may transfer the call to the subscriber's work phone
  • the code "**M” may transfer the call to the subscriber ' s mobile wireless (e.g.. WiFi or WiMax) phone
  • code • ⁇ **p !% may transfer the call to the subscriber's VoIP phone
  • the code "*** " followed by any phone number may transfer the call to that line.
  • the code ' : ** V" may transfer the call directly to the subscriber ' s voice mailbox.
  • pressing the ⁇ '#' " key may cancel a jump in progress.
  • the DTMF tones may be muted after the detection of the service code, e.g., "** "
  • the supervisory module 175 may forward the code to the seamless jump module 179 for execution of the requested jump.
  • the seamless jump module 179 causes the media gateway 155 to send a ring signal to the jump destination, as step 301.
  • the seamless jump module 179 may also send a caller ID number to the jump destination.
  • the caller ID number may be the common number.
  • the caller ID number may be the native number of the other party.
  • the seamless jump module 179 may direct the media gateway 155 to cause ringing tones or another signal to be sent to some or all of the lines still on the call, possibly by retrieving a representation of the signal from the media server 160 ( Figure 2).
  • Enhanced Service Platform 150 may present a challenge to the destination when it is answered, as discussed in connection with simultaneous ringing 250. depicted in Figure 5.
  • the seamless jump module 1 79 may at step 302 signal the supervisory module that the call to the new line has been established, and the supervisory module may consequently direct the media gateway 155 to terminate the call to the old destination at step 303 without further input from any party.
  • the connection to the old destination may be maintained until a connection with the jump destination has been made. F'or example, if the challenge is not met. then the connection with the old destination may be maintained.
  • step 304 the call continues from this point, and. according to an embodiment ofthc invention, further jumps may be made.
  • FIG. 7 depicts establishment 320 of a group call, also referred to as a conference call, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • the call begins when a subscriber calls a designated group call direct inward dial ("DID") number in step 325. which may connect the caller to the Enhanced Service Platform 150 at the media gateway 155.
  • the supervisory module 175 in such an embodiment recognizes that new incoming call has specified a group call DID as the destination and directs the conference call module 180 to handle the request.
  • Certain telephone lines, which may be participating lines as that term was used in connection with simultaneous ringing, above, may be considered "defined numbers.” which may enter a conference without further authentication.
  • the conference call module 180 retrieves the defined numbers associated with the current DID, e.g.. from the DBMS 158, and compares the telephone number associated with the incoming call with the retrieved defined numbers. If the incoming number is found, the conference call module 180 proceeds to step 330 to try to put the call through.
  • the conference call module 180 in step 327 directs the media gateway 155 to prompt the caller, e.g., with a prompt message provided by the media server 160. to enter a pass code.
  • the media gateway 155 detects the pass code, e g., by detecting incoming DTIvII- " tones, and sends the entered code to the conference call module 180 for validation.
  • the conference call module 180 determines whether the entered code is the password. If so, the conference call module 180 proceeds to step 330 to try to put the call through. If not, then the conference call module 180 directs the supervisory module 178 to disconnect the call.
  • step 330 the conference call module 180 checks to see if a conference associated with the DID is already in progress. If such a conference call exists, the conference call module directs the media gateway 155 to add the caller to the conference and. at step 332. notifies the supervisory module that the call has been established.
  • the conference call module 180 creates one.
  • the conference call module 1 80 sets up the call by allocating and/or initializing one or more data structures representing the call and/or directing the supervisory module 175 to do likewise, and then by identifying the other numbers that are to participate in the group call, e g . by requesting configuration information from the DBMS 158. Then, in step 331. the conference call module directs the media gateway 155 to attempt to call the other participating numbers. ⁇ s participating numbers are answered, the media gateway 155 signals the conference call module 180. which adds them to the conference, possibly, according to an embodiment of the invention, alter requiring the answered line to meet a challenge such as that described in connection with simultaneous ringing 250 as depicted in Figure 5.
  • the Enhanced Service Platform 150 provides features that arc accessible to the participants in a conference call. For example, according to an embodiment of the invention . , one or more new participants may be added to a conference call in progress, e.g., by a current participant's entering one or more DTMP tones, which the media gateway 155 may detect and which the con Terence call module 180 and/or one or more other modules within the media gateway controller 170 may interpret and then carry out corresponding commands. Seamless jumping 280 ( Figure 6) may also be available to one or more participants in a conference call according to an embodiment oTtlic invention.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)
  • Exchange Systems With Centralized Control (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé comprenant l'établissement d'une première connexion téléphonique entre une première ligne téléphonique et une deuxième ligne téléphonique par l'intermédiaire d'un commutateur : la détection par l'entrée de commutateur d'un code de service provenant de la deuxième ligne téléphonique, le code de service étant indicatif d'une demande pour transférer la connexion téléphonique de la seconde ligne téléphonique vers la troisième ligne téléphonique, la deuxième ligne téléphonique et la troisième ligne téléphonique étant associées à un utilisateur unique ; l'appel de la troisième ligne téléphonique en réponse à la détection du code de service ; la détection d'une réponse qui a été faite à la troisième ligne téléphonique ; et l'établissement d'une seconde connexion téléphonique entre la première ligne téléphonique et la troisième ligne téléphonique, si une réponse a été faite à la troisième ligne téléphonique.
PCT/US2008/053492 2007-02-09 2008-02-08 Systèmes et procédés pour fournir des services téléphoniques améliorés WO2008098215A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002678148A CA2678148A1 (fr) 2007-02-09 2008-02-08 Systemes et procedes pour fournir des services telephoniques ameliores

Applications Claiming Priority (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/673,528 2007-02-09
US11/673,528 US20080192655A1 (en) 2007-02-09 2007-02-09 Systems And Methods For Providing Enhanced Telephone Services
US11/690,052 US20080192904A1 (en) 2007-02-09 2007-03-22 Systems and methods for providing enhanced telephone services
US11/690,052 2007-03-22
US11/691,448 US20080192656A1 (en) 2007-02-09 2007-03-26 Systems And Methods For Providing Enhanced Telephone Services
US11/691,448 2007-03-26
US11/692,048 US20080192657A1 (en) 2007-02-09 2007-03-27 Systems and methods for providing enhanced telephone services
US11/692,048 2007-03-27

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WO2008098215A3 WO2008098215A3 (fr) 2008-10-02

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5524142A (en) * 1993-11-02 1996-06-04 Lewis; C. Alan Method and apparatus for the billing of value-added communication calls
US20010038689A1 (en) * 2000-02-25 2001-11-08 Pulsar Communications, Inc. Apparatus and method for providing enhanced telecommunications services
US20060203990A1 (en) * 2003-08-18 2006-09-14 Sprint Communications Company L.P. Information correlation system
WO2007008929A2 (fr) * 2005-07-13 2007-01-18 Grape Technology Group, Inc. Systeme et procede permettant de fournir des services de dispositif mobile au moyen de communications sms

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5524142A (en) * 1993-11-02 1996-06-04 Lewis; C. Alan Method and apparatus for the billing of value-added communication calls
US20010038689A1 (en) * 2000-02-25 2001-11-08 Pulsar Communications, Inc. Apparatus and method for providing enhanced telecommunications services
US20060203990A1 (en) * 2003-08-18 2006-09-14 Sprint Communications Company L.P. Information correlation system
WO2007008929A2 (fr) * 2005-07-13 2007-01-18 Grape Technology Group, Inc. Systeme et procede permettant de fournir des services de dispositif mobile au moyen de communications sms

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