Virtual private communications network

• US 20040085971A1
• Filed: 10/30/2002
• Published: 05/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unify Inc. (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Information And Communication Networks, Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Ozery, Nissim, Samayamantry, Mallik, Domingos, Luiz Henrique
• Granted Patent: US 7,433,360 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4641 Virtual LANs, VLANs, e.g. virtual private networks [VPN] LAN interconnection over a bridge based backbone H04L12/462; encapsulation techniques H04L12/4633; routing of packets H04L45/00; packet switches H04L49/00; virtual private networks for security H04L63/0272

Abstract

A virtual private communications network (VPCN) and method of managing calls on the network. Communications devices are networked together over a private communications network. Each VPCN communications device has a unique private network identification (ID) code and can be contacted by dialing its respective ID. At least one of the VPCN communications devices is a wireless communications device, e.g., a cell phone, connected through a public wireless network to the private communications network. Calls to and from each such wireless device pass through the private communications network.

Claims

1. A virtual private communications network comprising:

a plurality of communications devices networked together over a private communications network, each of said plurality of communications devices having a unique private network identification (ID) code, each of said plurality of communications devices being contacted by selecting a respective said ID; and

at least one of said plurality of communications devices being a wireless communications device connected to said private communications network through a public wireless network.

2. A virtual private communications network as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of communications devices is wire connected to said private communications network.

3. A virtual private communications network as in claim 1, wherein said wireless communications device is one of a plurality of wireless communications devices connected to said private communications network through said public wireless network and said plurality of communications devices further comprises:

a plurality of communications devices wire connected to said private communications network, each one of said plurality of communications devices contacting each other one of said plurality of communications devices by providing an abbreviated ID.

4. A virtual private communications network as in claim 1 wherein said ID for each said wireless communications device is a dial in direct (DID) number.

5. A virtual private communications network as in claim 1 wherein out of network calls from each said wireless communications device pass through said private communications network.

6. A virtual private communications network as in claim 1 further comprising:

a communications network server managing said private communications network; and

a mobility server managing a wireless communications between each said wireless device and said communications network server.

7. A virtual private communications network as in claim 6 wherein each call placed from said each wireless device contains a code identifying said each call as originating from said each wireless device, said code being removed by said mobility server.

8. A virtual private communications network comprising:

a plurality of communications devices networked together over a private communications network, each of said plurality of communications devices having a unique network identification (ID) code, each one of said plurality of communications devices contacting each other one of said plurality of communications devices by providing an abbreviated ID;

a communications network server managing said private communications network;

at least one of said plurality of communications devices being a wireless communications device connected to said private communications network through a public wireless network; and

a mobility server managing connection of each said wireless device through said private communications network.

9. A virtual private communications network as in claim 8 wherein said wireless communications device is one of a plurality of wireless communications devices connected to said private communications network through said public wireless network, calls to and from said plurality of wireless devices having a group code attached to dialed numbers, said group code indicating to said communications server and said mobility server that incoming said calls originated from ones of said plurality of wireless communications devices.

10. A virtual private communications network as in claim 9 wherein at least one said wireless communications device is a cell phone.

11. A virtual private communications network as in claim 10 wherein each said cell phone has a dial in direct (DID) number on said private communications network, every call made from said each cell phone passing through said public wireless network to said private communications network.

12. A virtual private communications network as in claim 9 wherein said mobility server attaching said group code to called numbers forming VPCN numbers for private communications network calls intended for said plurality of wireless communications devices, said private communications network calls being forwarded to corresponding said VPCN numbers.

13. A virtual private communications network as in claim 11 wherein said communications server is a private branch exchange (PBX) server.

14. A virtual private communications network as in claim 8 wherein said private communications network is connected to said public wireless network over a high speed digital trunk.

15. A method of managing wireless calls, said method comprising the steps of:

a) checking whether a call originates from a member of a selected group;

b) attaching a group code to form a VPCN number for each said call determined to originate from a group member;

c) forwarding each call having a VPCN number to an identified private communications network as a private communications network call;

d) checking private communications network calls for a VPCN number, any said private communications network calls having a VPCN number being provided to a mobility server; and

e) stripping said group code from said VPCN number and forwarding each of said private communications network calls to an called party.

16. A method of managing wireless calls as in claim 15, wherein before the checking step (a) said method further comprises:

checking whether said call is an emergency call, any identified emergency call being provided immediately to a public safety answering point.

17. A method of managing wireless calls as in claim 15, wherein before the checking step (a) said method further comprises:

checking whether said call is a request for data services, any identified request for data services being provided immediately to a data service provider.

18. A method of managing private communications network calls, said method comprising the steps of:

a) checking whether a call is directed to a wireless device group member;

b) providing each said call directed to one said wireless device group member to a mobility server;

c) attaching a group code to form a VPCN number to each provided said call;

d) forwarding every said call having a VPCN number to an identified private wireless communications service provider; and

e) stripping said group code from said VPCN number and forwarding each forwarded call to an called said wireless device group member.