WO2011119054A1

WO2011119054A1 - An access exchange apparatus for media communication services

Info

Publication number: WO2011119054A1
Application number: PCT/PH2011/000003
Authority: WO
Inventors: James Yiannios
Original assignee: James Yiannios
Priority date: 2010-03-25
Filing date: 2011-03-25
Publication date: 2011-09-29

Abstract

The invention relates to an access exchange apparatus for media communication services that solves the problem of unifying the four major telecommunications media and functions as a Wi-Fi router, an ATA Box and a Cable Modem Router. The access exchange apparatus comprises of a base station being provided with media access exchange software characterized in that said apparatus can share, interconnect, route and customize media communication services to and from multiple communication devices. Likewise, said apparatus can share, interconnect, route and customize media communication services to and from multiple access exchange apparatus users.

Description

AN ACCESS EXCHANGE APPARATUS FOR MEDIA COMMUNICATION

SERVICES

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a distributed communication system but more specifically to an access exchange apparatus for media communication services that will operate on any of the four major telecommunications media- PSTN (Landline), Mobile (GSM, CDMA) , Internet and Cable.

Background of the Invention

Telecommunication technology is constantly evolving and is saturated by different overlapping choices or services available. There are the different mobile telecommunication devices with different service providers, there are business lines, there are home numbers, IM messengers, third-party applications i.e. Skype, Yahoo, Voice Mail, different e-mail accounts and a variety of other highly complicated means of communication. Many professionals find themselves carrying lots of communication devices just to make sure that communication is constant with their family, friends and business associates. Lugging around a laptop to be able to talk to someone through Skype or through a Magic Jack, carrying those extra cellphones, dialing your voicemail number to see if another person called and left a message, making sure the mobile phone you're using is 3G instead of 2G or registering to the international roaming service can be such a terrible inconvenience. The existence of different telecommunication technology with different service providers clutters the communication system of today.

To solve the problem mentioned above, some have come up with the solution of having a system, method and device for providing communications using a distributed mobile architecture as disclosed in United States Patent Application Number US2006/0234774 issued to Lemko Corporation. The device provides a communication path between two or more wireless telecommunication devices via one or more wireless transceivers. The device includes a housing that includes a mobile switching center module and includes a Base Station controller module. Said mobile switching center module includes a program for switching received telephone calls, establish a peer-to-peer connection with a remote distributed mobile architecture server and a program to transmit telephone calls to a remote distributed mobile architecture server via one or more peer-to-peer Internet protocol connections.

Another prior art is disclosed in United States Patent Number 7,548,763 issued to Shaowei Pan which teaches a method of providing a telephone communication that includes, allowing a group call between four or more participants. Each participant calls from a separate telephone device that communicates with a base transceiver station that is coupled to a distributed mobile architecture server. The method also includes providing full duplex calling capability between all participants via one or more of the distributed mobile architecture servers. One or more participants can disconnect from the group call without effecting other participants remaining on the group call. Further, one or more added participants can connect to the group. Another prior art for the present invention is disclosed in United States

Patent Application Number US2007/0202847 issued to Lemko Corporation which teaches an authentication, authorization, and accounting module of a first distributed mobile architecture system that includes a destination preference register. The destination preference register includes a preferred call path for calls to be routed outside of a distributed mobile architecture network that is accessible to the first distributed mobile architecture system. The preferred call path can be selected from a group comprising a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) call path, a mobile switching center (MSC) call path, and an integrated services digital network (ISDN) call path. Further, calls that are placed outside of the distributed mobile architecture network from the first distributed mobile architecture system can be established via the preferred call path. Additionally, calls that are routed outside of the distributed mobile architecture network from a mobile subscriber in communication with the first distributed mobile architecture system can be established via the preferred call path.

Another prior art is disclosed in United States Patent Application Number US2008/0039144 issued to Nicholas Labun, et. al. Labun's patent application teaches a device for providing a communication path between two or more wireless telephones via one or more wireless transceivers. The device includes a housing that includes a mobile switching center module and includes a Base Station controller module. Further, in another particular embodiment, the mobile switching center module includes a program for switching received telephone calls. Additionally, the mobile switching center module includes a program to establish a peer-to-peer connection with a remote distributed mobile architecture server. The mobile switching center module further includes a program to transmit telephone calls to a remote distributed mobile architecture server via one or more peer-to-peer Internet protocol connections.

Another prior art is United States Patent Number 7.050,414 issued to Far Lin. Lin's patent teaches a method comprising the steps of directing a call intended for a mobile to a virtual tandem switch. The virtual tandem switch, which may include multiple converters queries a home location register to obtain call information for the mobile. The call to the mobile is set up over a packet-based transport network.

Yet another prior art is disclosed in United States Patent Number 6,411 ,825 which teaches a telecommunication Base Station transceiver subsystem that can be easily configured to provide single or multi-carrier frequency service. Capacity is increased and diversity reception is maintained from a single to a dual frequency system without the need for additional antennas. The Base Station is divided into a main unit and a radio unit such that the radio unit is positioned proximate to the antennas and the main unit is remotely located from the radio unit. Furthermore, a single Base Station transceiver can provide service via multiple wireless protocols, such as CDMA, TDMA, GSM or Analog. The Base Station transceiver can also operate on various transmit/receive frequencies as well as variable transmit power settings. Still another prior art is disclosed in United States Patent Number 7,620,033 issued to Alcatel-Lucent USA, Incorporated which teaches a method for optimal path selection in traversal of packets through network address translators. Said patent teaches a reduction of administrative overhead in maintaining network information, rapid convergence on an optimal routing path through the data network, and utilization of only required network resources are realized by a novel method for establishing a call path between network users. The method is based upon deployment of a network information server that stores network topology information and that is addressable by each end user. In this method, the network information server receives a request to establish a call path. The request identifies at least the calling party. In response to the request, the network information server determines a network traversal between the calling party and a root network wherein the network traversal includes call path information about the sub-networks between the calling party and the root network. The request for establishing a call path can also identify the called party. Based on the calling and called party identification, the network information server also determines a second network traversal between the called party and the root network. The second network traversal is sent to either the calling party or the called party or to both the calling and called parties. The server can determine an intersection of the traversals and send the intersection information to the parties. The intersection information is known as a merge point and represents an optimal call path between the parties.

The problem with all the prior arts considered is that none have come-up with the solution of unifying the four major telecommunications media to provide its users the power of total convergence and allowing said users access to any of the four major telecommunications media. The prior arts failed to come-up with the solution of providing an access exchange apparatus that would additionally serve as a Wi-Fi router, an ATA Box and a Cable Modem Router. Object of the Invention

It is therefore the main object of the present invention to provide for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services that would solve the problem of unifying the four major telecommunications media. Another object of the present invention is to provide for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services that would function as a Wi-Fi router, an ATA Box and a Cable Modem Router.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services comprising a Base Station being provided with a media access exchange software characterized in that said apparatus can share, interconnect, route and customize media communication services to and from multiple communication devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services comprising a Base Station being provided with a media access exchange software characterized in that said apparatus can share, interconnect, route and customize media communication services to and from multiple access exchange apparatus users.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services wherein said multiple communication devices are also being provided with said media access exchange software.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services wherein said apparatus measures the existence and quality of media communication services for every type of connection.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services wherein said apparatus is connected to a PSTN.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services wherein said apparatus is connected to a desktop computer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services wherein said apparatus is provided with at least one antenna for Wi-Fi or FEMTOCELL connection. Another object of the present invention is to provide for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services wherein said apparatus is connected to a server where profiles of said communication devices are stored.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services wherein said apparatus bridges different calls into one concurrent voice path.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services that will optimize and leverage the increasing global shift from separate voice and data networks to a single, converged communications infrastructure with on-demand, real-time, multi-point communications control.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services that incorporates a unique hardware backplane and software signaling architecture that bridges voice communications carried over GSM, Wi-Fi, Cable, VoIP (voice over internet protocol) and traditional phone service.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services that would function as an ATA Box and has Wireless Access Point capability with multiple interfaces that creates a centralized solution for seamless interoperability.

Still another other object of the present invention is to provide for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services being provided with a mobile telecommunication device that remotely controls any medium that is interfaced from the back plane of said apparatus to place or receive calls, as well as bridge any combination of such calls into one concurrent voice path.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services that seamlessly disconnect and reconnect one medium to the other without interrupting a call.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services that allows a user to initially utilize PSTN to place a call, and then, very easily switch to any of the other telecommunications media.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services wherein said mobile telecommunication device is a platform that runs on a familiar Operating System and has an open Application Programming Interface (API) that allows third-party application developers to enter playing field, increasing revenue through diversified application development.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services that will enable individuals to embed code in the form of a script to their web pages which, when clicked by others, initiates a voice path from the computer to the Base Station to enable voice communications. Another object of this invention is to provide an access exchange apparatus for media communication services where said apparatus discloses an exchange portal that allows users to interact with other users using any form of telecommunication media attached to said apparatus.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services that will allow existing and future telecommunication technologies to be interoperable.

The invention will hereinafter be described in greater detail by reference to the attached drawings which show an example of the invention. It is to be understood that the particularity of the drawings does not supersede the generality of the preceding description in the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the present invention for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services;

Figure 1A is a rear view of Figure 1. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the access exchange apparatus for media communication services;

Figure 3 is another perspective view showing the second embodiment of the present invention for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services;

Figure 4 is a block diagram of the second embodiment;

Figure 5 is a flow diagram showing the function of the present invention for an access exchange apparatus for media communication service for mobile communications;

Figure 6 is a flow diagram showing the function of the present invention for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services with VOIP services;

Figure 7 is a flow diagram showing the function of the present invention for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services using traditional landline phone;

Figure 8 is a flow diagram showing the function of the present invention for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services being connected to multitude of local numbers in virtually any country, and

Figure 9 is a flow diagram showing the function of the present invention for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services being connected to other access exchange apparatus;

Figure 10 is a flow diagram showing the present invention in a multi-party calling system;

Figure 11 is a flow diagram showing the present invention in a handover system;

Figure 12 is a flow diagram showing the present invention in a click to call system;

Figure 13 is a flow diagram showing the present invention in a multi-party calling in connection with Figure 10;

Figure 14 is a flow diagram showing the present invention when receiving calls; Figure 15 is a flow diagram showing the present invention in a dial plan system; Figure 16 is a flow diagram showing the present invention with respect to dialing rules;

Figure 17 is a flow diagram showing the present invention in a leas cost routing system, and

Figure 18 is another flow diagram showing the present invention with respect to rules when answering calls.

Detailed Description

Referring now to Figure 1 , there is shown the present invention for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services being designated by reference numeral 10 comprising a Base Station 11 , a cradle/charger portion 12 provided at the top portion of said Base Stationl l , power and handset charger indicator 13 disposed at the upper left area of said Base Station's 1 1 front portion, speaker 14 provided at the top portion, connectivity status indicators 15 provided at the front portion, speaker phone switch 16 disposed just below said speaker 14, Femtocell antenna 17 provided at the left side portion and a Wi-Fi antenna 18 also provided at the rear portion of said Base Station 11. Provided to said cradle/charger portion 12 is a mobile telecommunication device 10A. It is to be understood that said Base Station 11 and said mobile telecommunication device 10A are both provided with media access exchange software in order for both devices to work together.

As shown in Figure 1A, the back plane of said access exchange apparatus for media communication services 10 comprises of two (2) USB ports 19, cable port 20, telephone ports 21 , local area network (LAN) port 22, WAN port 23, SIM Card slot 24 and power connection port 25.

As shown in Figure 2, said access exchange apparatus for media communication services 10 comprises I/O circuits 26 where said USB ports 23, SIM Card slot 24, local area network (LAN) port 22 and cable port 20 are connected. Also connected to said I/O circuits 26 are Foreign Exchange Station (FXS) 27 and Foreign Exchange Office (FXO) 28, IPBX/media access controller 29, PBX 30, dock station 31 , central processing unit (CPU) 32, display indicators and switches 33, circuits for said Femtocell antenna 17 and circuits for said Wi-Fi antenna 18. Said foreign exchange office 28 designates a telephone signaling interface that receives plain old telephone service (POTS). It generates the off-hook and on-hook indications at the foreign exchange station's (FXS) 27 end of a telephone circuit.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown the second embodiment of the present invention for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services being designated by reference numeral 10 comprising a Base Station 11 , a power and handset charger indicator 13 disposed at the upper left area of said Base Station's 11 front portion, speaker 14 provided at the top portion, connectivity status indicators 15 provided at the front portion, speaker phone switch 16 disposed just below said speaker 14, Femtocell antenna 17 provided at the left side portion and a Wi-Fi antenna 18 also provided at the rear portion of said Base Station 11.

As shown in Figure 4, said second embodiment of the present invention for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services 10 comprises an I/O circuits 26 where said USB ports 23, SIM Card slot 24, local area network (LAN) port 22 and cable port 20 are connected. Also connected to said I/O circuits 26 are foreign exchange station 27 and foreign exchange office 28, media access controller 29, PBX 30, central processing unit (CPU) 32, display indicators and switches 33, circuits for said Femtocell antenna 17 and circuits for said Wi-Fi antenna 8.

As shown in Figure 5, said access exchange apparatus for media communication services 10 works with the use of a SIM Card provided at the SIM Card slot 24 as shown in Figure 1A. Said mobile telecommunication device 10A is connected to said Base Station 11 through Wi-Fi connection. When another mobile telecommunication device (analog handset) 10A' initiates a call to said mobile telecommunication device 10A (3G Wi-Fi -enabled phone), said Base Station 11 picks-up the call and checks the connection type available. Said Base Station 11 then cross checks said call type against the user of the mobile telecommunication device 10 preferences. Should the user preference be impossible to use (due to the preferred connection type being unavailable), said user then selects a connection type by pressing a Network selection Button 34 (as shown in Figures 1 and 3) to cycle through the options available to make a call. Said Base Station 11 adapts the dialing rules of the user defined-rules to determine the connection to be made and connects the call.

Figure 6 and 7 shows the present invention for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services 10 working with virtual to global services (VOIP) 35 and traditional landline phone (PSTN) 36. A connection through Internet Protocol (VOIP) 35 and a Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) 36 can also be made using the present invention. The true functionality of said mobile telecommunication device 10A is unlocked with the availability of Wi-Fi connection. With an internet connection, said mobile telecommunication device 10A signals said Base Station 11. This signaling encompasses announcing that said mobile telecommunication device 10A has presence, allows for a quick diagnostic to determine the connection quality, and most importantly assigns an IP address to said mobile telecommunication device 10A as determined by said Base Station 11. Outbound connection type selection can be configured automatically or done manually for every call. Whether manually or automatically chosen, if the called party is a landline phone 36 or another mobile telecommunication device 10A, said mobile communication device 10A connects to said Base Station 11 via Wi-Fi to establish a VOIP connection. His VOIP connection allows said mobile telecommunication device 10A to use the physical connections on the back plane (as shown in Figure 1A) to make the call. If it is a PSTN call, said mobile telecommunication device 10A connects via VOIP to the PSTN connection on the back plane of said Base Station 1 .

A VOIP call is handled differently. First, if the mobile telecommunication device 10A using VOIP (voice over internet protocol) is trying to connect to another VOIP number (in essence a VOIP to VOIP call), the apparatus 10 determines which 3^rd party provider the VOIP connection is going to be used. The present invention for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services 10 allows user to have one landline phone 36 (PSTN) registered number, up to two SIM/GSM number or mobile telecommunication devices 10A, and up to three (3) VOIP 35 numbers. Regardless of what registered number is called, the user can choose to answer said call using an analog handset. It is, literally, as simple as picking-up the phone the way it is being done now. Some subtle differences are present due to the ability to customize and set dialing rules. Said Base Station 11 incorporates an answering machine, and therefore users can set the apparatus 10 to accept messages after a set number of rings. Call forwarding is available as well, and is an option for said users.

Figure 8 shows the present invention for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services 10 having plurality of local numbers in virtually any country. Said access exchange apparatus for media communication services 10 send, receive and conference local calls, resulting in essential free multi-country conference call.

As illustrated in Figure 9, each access exchange apparatus for media communication services 10 is interconnected with other access exchange apparatus for media communication services 10 via an internet protocol (IP) 35 network. As such, there exists a peer-to-peer connection between each access exchange apparatus for media communication services 10 in the system. It should be understood that more than four (4) access exchange apparatus for media communication services 10 can be included in the system and that the inclusion of only four (4) access exchange apparatus for media communication services 10 in Figure 9 is merely for clarity and explanation purposes only.

The versatility of the present invention for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services 10 is highlighted in the combination of the several factors mentioned above. Coupled with the availability of said mobile telecommunication device 10A or any VOIP enabled device, a user can pick-up a local landline phone 36 call while abroad for free. Should a registered number be called, said base station 11 first determines the availability of certain devices: mobile telecommunication device 10A or a VOIP enabled device. It then matches that with what connections are present and available: PSTN 36, Mobile, and Internet. Once those two factors are determined, said Base Station 11 will check the default or user-specified call handling rules.

FIGURE 10 shows an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a flow chart which illustrates how a user uses the present invention for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services 10 in making a Call. The present invention first determines which registered device will be used to make the call (step 801). If the mobile telecommunication device 10A is used (step 802), the system will check for Presence (step 803). A mobile telecommunication device 10A with Presence will go through the Dial Plan as shown in FIGURE 15 and the Dialing Rules of FIGURE 16. Most of the time, said mobile telecommunication device 10A with Presence will route calls via VoIP. Should the called party be available (step 805) the call is connected; if not, the call goes to a busy signal or a ring no answer message. Going back to decision step 803, should an available mobile telecommunication device 10A not have presence, the Dialing Rules will still be run. A mobile telecommunication device 10A out of presence will behave the same way as a normal Mobile phone; the Least Cost Routing (as shown in FIGURE 17) component of this step will be immaterial. Going back to decision step 802, should a mobile telecommunication device 10A not be available, the system checks if there is any other VoIP-enabled registered device (step 806). Should said device be available, the availability of internet is next checked (step 807). With no internet, the call attempt will be as a normal Mobile call, going through the Dialing Plan (as shown in FIGURE 15) and the Dialing Rules (FIGURE 16). Going back to decision step 807, a VoIP enabled device with a live internet connection is then checked for a VoIP application/client (step 808). The lack of said application will prompt the user to download an application. Should an application be present, the Dial Plan (FIGURE 15) and the Dialing Rules (FIGURE 16) will run. Figure 11 shows an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a flow chart which illustrates how an active VOIP call in the mobile telecommunication device 10A of said Base Station 11 periodically reports the signal quality to said mobile telecommunication device 10A. If said Base Station 11 is reporting good signal to said mobile telecommunication device 10A, no further action is taken (604). In an event where handover is necessary (602), 1^st call will be parked (hold) and said mobile telecommunication device 10A will connect to Base Station 11 via available channel (603). Said base station 11 initiates a handover request (605) and passes handover request to available network (606) as a target for handover. After tuning to the assigned channel, said base station 11 will start sending the handover accept message to said mobile telecommunication device 10A. Said mobile telecommunication device 10A receives the handover accept from base station 11 (step 607), and then the Base Station 11 uses the signaling connection to indicate that the handover has been completed (608) and the call will be treated as a new call using a different network (609).

FIGURE 12 shows an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a flow chart which illustrates the sequence of events that happens in a Click-to-Talk session. From any website wherein the Click-to-Talk application is installed (step 700), a user clicks on a button on a website (step 701) to initiate the call. The system checks whether the person being called has an active session ID. An active session ID means that the called party's base station 11 is plugged in and available to be called as signified by a valid ACK/NACK sequence. If an active session ID is not active, the Click-to-Talk application sends notify requests until it is acknowledged (step 706). Said acknowledgement activates the session. Once the session is active, the URL embedded in the HTTP headers of the Click-to-Talk enabled website sends a notify request to the base Station 11. If the Base Station 11 acknowledges the request (step 704), a connection is made between the website and the Base Station 11. This results in an active Click-to-Call session (step 705), and invitation sends the RTP Media (step 707) to check answering rules (FIG 18) and users in current session.

FIGURE 13 is an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a flow chart which illustrates how multi-party calling happens on the present invention for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services 10. It begins with either an outbound call (FIGURE 10) or an inbound call (FIGURE 14). Should the second call to be joined or merged be an outbound call (step 902), the first call has to be put on hold (station p 903). While the second call is on hold, the user then initiates a second call (FIGURE 10) in the same way the first call was made. A successful second call will allow the user to merge the 2 calls (step 904). This is done by translating the codecs used on the two calls (if they are different) into the a compatible codec. This translation can be done simultaneously on both the mobile telecommunication device 10A and the Base Station 11. Going back to decision step 902, if the second call is an inbound call, the mobile telecommunication device 10A and the Base Station 11 determine how the second call is coming in (step 905). If it is on the same connection type as the original call - for example, the call is going to the landline while said landline is already in use - the system queries determines whether or not that particular connection type service provider has a conference feature. Should that connection type have that feature, the user can opt to use their service provider's conference feature. If the connection type does not support conferencing, the second call could go to a busy signal, ring no answer message, or to call waiting. Going back to decision step 905, if the second incoming call is coming via a different connect type - going back to the previous example, a call comes in to a registered VoIP number while the landline is currently engaged - the system does a simple count of active concurrent calls and the connection types used (step 906). The number of concurrent calls and connection types will determine whether or not the second (or third, or fourth, etc) call can be answered and joined into the conference (step 907). If the call cannot be answered and joined, a check for the voicemail is done (step 406). Should voicemail not be available, the call will go to a busy signal or a ring no answer message.

FIGURE 14 is an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a flow chart which illustrates how a phone call from different sources is received. When a call is placed to any one of the phone numbers registered to the system (step 400), software on both the mobile telecommunication device 10A and the Base Station 11 analyze where the call is coming from and which number the call is going to. Should the caller be dialing the mobile number on the mobile telecommunication device 10A (step 401), the call is routed as a normal mobile phone call. Should the caller be calling any other number registered to the system, the Base Station 11 , the system determines whether a mobile telecommunication device 10A is available and has presence (step 402). "Presence" indicates the availability of the mobile telecommunication device 10A to access the internet from its current location. The call is then translated to a compatible codec (step 403) via software embedded on both the mobile telecommunication device 10A and said Base Station 11. An invite is sent to said mobile telecommunication device 10A via SIP protocol (step 404), that, when answered by the user (step 405), completes the call. Should the user choose not to accept the invite or not answer the call, the mobile telecommunication device 10A signals the Base Station 11 to check whether the voicemail feature is enabled (step 406). If voicemail is enabled, the caller gets a prompt to leave a message. Should the voicemail feature be unavailable, the caller gets a busy tone or a ring no answer message. Returning to decision step 402, if the call is placed to any other number other than that of the number on the mobile telecommunication device 10A and said mobile telecommunication device 10A is not available or not in presence, the Answering Rules (step 407) determine what communications paths are available from the backplane of the Base Station 11 (illustration 10). If the call is answered (step 805), then the call is connected; if not, the system determines whether or not Voicemail is enabled (step 406). If so, the call goes to voicemail; if not, it goes to a ring no answer message.

FIGURE 15 is an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a flow chart which illustrates the Dial Plan system of the present invention. Once any operation progresses to the Dial Plan (step 804), the present invention 10 takes the inputted digits and breaks them down to prescribed international formats (step 300). Using that information, the present invention for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services 10 readies the call to be sent to the appropriate country (step 301).

FIGURE 16 is an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a flow chart which illustrates the Dialing Rules. The Dialing Rules are a set of profiles, including system defaults. Said profiles are user-defined for both inbound and outbound calls. The system determines which service provider will receive the call (step 200; also known as terminating). The Least Cost Routing program (FIGURE 17) cross-checks the cost to terminate calls from the registered connections versus the connections available on the backplane of the present invention for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services 10. If a VoIP connection is available, active, and is the cheapest way to terminate the call (step 202), the call is pushed through a VoIP client for connection (step 203). Going back to decision step 202, if the VoIP connection is not available or is not the cheapest way to send the call, the system asks if the mobile connection is available, active, and is the cheapest way to terminate the call (step 204). If so, the call is pushed through a GSM network for termination. Going back to decision step 204, if the call to be made cannot be made via VoIP or Mobile, the call is sent to a PSTN Network Gateway (step 206; also known as PSTN NGW).

FIGURE 17 is an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a flow chart which illustrates the Least Cost Routing program, which checks the termination rates of the registered connections (step 101). It then chooses the lowest cost among the available choices (step 102).

FIGURE 18 is an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a flow chart which illustrates the Answering Rules programmed into the Base Station 11. The Base Station 11 checks whether the settings are on default or have been user-defined (step 92). If the system is still on default, the analog handset attached to the Base Station 11 will ring or return a busy signal, depending on whether said handset is engaged. Going back to decision step 92, if the user has defined rules, the Base Station 11 will check whether or not the rule options (for example, forward all calls via PSTN to user's mobile) are available (step 93). If so, the call is connected. If not, a check for voicemail is done (step 406).

It is to be understood that various alterations, additions and/or modifications may be incorporated into the parts previously described without departing from the ambit of the present invention for an access exchange apparatus for media communication services 10.

Claims

1. An access exchange apparatus for media communication services comprising a Base Station being provided with a media access exchange software characterized in that said apparatus share, interconnect, route and customizes media communication services to and from multiple communication devices.

2. An access exchange apparatus for media communication services comprising a Base Station being provided with a media access exchange software characterized in that said apparatus share, interconnect, route and customizes media communication services to and from multiple access exchange apparatus user.

3. An access exchange apparatus as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that said multiple communication devices are also being provided with said media access exchange software.

4. An access exchange apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 2 characterized in that said apparatus measures the existence and quality of media communication services for every type of connection.

5. An access exchange apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 2 characterized in that said apparatus is connected to a PSTN.

6. An access exchange apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 2 characterized in that said apparatus is connected to a desktop computer.

7. An access exchange apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 2 characterized in that said apparatus is provided with at least one antenna for Wi-Fi or FEMTOCELL connection.

8. An access exchange apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 2 characterized in that said apparatus is connected to a server where profiles of said communication devices are stored.

9. An access exchange apparatus as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that said apparatus bridges different calls into one concurrent voice path.

10. An access exchange apparatus as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that said apparatus allows users to receive voice calls through an application on their websites.