Internet telephone service

• US 20040174880A1
• Filed: 03/22/2004
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Services Corporation (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Farris, Robert D., White, Patrick E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,664,097 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/395.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/12 intelligent networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42297 with number portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/54 Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; to voice mail H04M3/53308
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1245 where a network other than PSTN/ISDN interconnects two PSTN/ISDN networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/128 Details of addressing, directories or routing tables
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0025 Provisions for signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0045 involving hybrid, i.e. a mixture of public and private, or multi-vendor systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 379/902 Auto-switch for an incoming voice data, or fax telephone call, e.g. comp/fax/tel

Abstract

A system and method for providing telephone type services over the internetwork commonly known as the Internet. Public switched telephone networks utilizing program controlled switching systems are arranged in an architecture with the Internet to provide a methodology for facilitating telephone use of the Internet by customers on an impromptu basis. Provision is made to permit a caller to set-up and carry out a telephone call over the Internet from telephone station to telephone station without access to computer equipment, without the necessity of maintaining a subscription to any Internet service, and without the requiring Internet literacy or knowledge. Calls may be made on an inter or intra LATA, region or state, nationwide or worldwide basis. Billing may be implemented on a per call, timed, time and distance or other basis. Usage may be made of common channel interoffice signaling to set up the call and establish the necessary Internet connections and addressing. Calls may be made from telephone station to telephone station, from telephone station to computer or computer to telephone station.

Claims

1. A method of telecommunication over the Internet comprising the steps of:

inputting to a first communication terminal connected to a first telephone system a called directory number with a unique identifier;

responsive to said unique identifier translating the called directory number to an Internet address for an Internet to telephone system gateway capable of serving as a gateway between the Internet and a second telephone system serving said called directory number;

delivering to said second telephone system via said Internet said called directory number; and

establishing through said second telephone system a connection to a second communication terminal identified by said directory number.

2. A method according to claim 1 including the step of conducting two way communication between said communication terminals using telephone system protocol signals in said first and second telephone systems and TCP/IP in said Internet.

3. A method according to claim 1 including the steps of conducting two way communication between said communication terminals using connected circuits through said first and second telephone systems and connectionless virtual circuits through said Internet.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said communication is inputted and outputted at said first and second communication terminals as analog voice.

5. A method according to claim 1 including the steps of:

assembling a packet message addressed to said Internet to telephone system gateway capable of serving as a gateway between the Internet and said second telephone system serving said called directory number and including in said message said called directory number; and

establishing through said second telephone system said connection to said second communication terminal using said directory number delivered in said packet message.

6. A method of telecommunication over the Internet comprising the steps of:

inputting to a first communication terminal connected to a first telephone system a called directory number with a unique identifier;

responsive to said unique identifier translating the called directory number to an Internet address for an Internet to telephone system gateway capable of serving as a gateway between the Internet and a second telephone system serving said called directory number;

delivering to said second telephone system said called directory number;

attempting to establish through said second telephone system a connection to a second communication terminal identified by said directory number;

upon failing to establish said connection to said second communication terminal establishing a connection to a storage associated with said second telephone system;

storing a message for said second station in said storage; and

delivering said message to said second station by connecting said storage to said second communication terminal through said second telephone system.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein said delivery of said message to said second communication terminal is initiated from said second communication terminal.

8. A method according to claim 6 wherein said delivery or said message to said second communication terminal is initiated from said second telephone system.

9. A method of telecommunication over the Internet comprising the steps of:

inputting to a telephone communication terminal connected to a first telephone system a called directory number and a domain or hostname Internet address;

translating the called domain or hostname address to an Internet address for a communication terminal designated by domain or hostname address;

assembling a packet message addressed to said Internet address and including in said message said called directory number;

delivering to said second telephone system said message in telephone system protocol; and

establishing through said second telephone system a connection to said second communication terminal.

10. A method of telecommunication over the Internet comprising the steps of:

inputting to a first communication terminal connected to a first telephone system having a common channel interoffice signaling (CCIS) network a called directory number with a unique identifier;

responsive to the unique identifier translating the called directory number to an Internet address for an Internet to telephone system gateway capable of serving as a gateway between the Internet and a second telephone system serving said called directory number;

delivering to said second telephone system via said Internet and said gateway said called directory number;

establishing through said second telephone system a connection between said gateway and a second communication terminal identified by said directory number;

signaling the establishment of said connection between said gateway and said second communication terminal to said CCIS network in said first telephone system;

establishing through said first telephone system a connection between said first communication terminal and a second gateway between the Internet and said first telephone system whereby a communication link is established from said first communication terminal to said second communication terminal through said first telephone system, said Internet, and said second telephone system.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein said link comprises a connected link through said first and second telephone systems and a connectionless virtual link through said Internet.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein said link transports two way digitized voice signals which are inputted and outputted from said first and second communication terminals as analog sound.

13. A method of telecommunication over the Internet comprising the steps of:

inputting to a first communication terminal connected to a first telephone system having a common channel interoffice signaling (CCIS) network a called directory number with a unique identifier;

responsive to the unique identifier translating the called directory number to an Internet address for a first Internet to telephone system gateway capable of serving as a gateway between the Internet and second telephone system serving said called directory number and having a common channel interoffice signaling (CCIS) network;

delivering to said CCIS network in said second telephone system said called directory number and determining if a second communication terminal identified by said directory number is available;

upon determining that said second communication terminal is not available, using said CCIS network in said second telephone system to deliver to said first gateway a signal indicating that said second communication terminal is not available;

responsive to said last named signal delivering through the Internet to a second gateway between said Internet and said first telephone system a signal indicating that said second communication terminal is not available;

establishing a connection between said first communication terminal and a first storage associated with said first telephone system;

storing a message for said second communication terminal in said first storage;

delivering said message from said first storage via said Internet to a second storage associated with said second telephone system; and

delivering said message from said second storage to said second communication terminal by connecting said second storage to said second communication terminal through said second telephone system.

14. A method according to claim 13 wherein said delivery of said message to said second communication terminal is initiated from said second communication terminal.

15. A method according to claim 13 wherein said delivery of said message to said second communication terminal is initiated from said second telephone system.

16. A method of telecommunication over the Internet comprising the steps of:

inputting to a first communication terminal connected to a first telephone system a called directory number;

automatically translating the called directory number to an Internet address for an Internet to telephone system gateway capable of serving as a gateway between the Internet and a second telephone system serving said called directory number;

delivering to said second telephone system via said Internet said called directory number;

automatically initiating a ringing signal to a second communication terminal designated by said called directory number; and

establishing a connection between said first and second communication terminals via said Internet.

17. A method of telecommunication over the Internet comprising the steps of:

inputting to a first communication terminal connected to a first telephone system a called directory number;

automatically translating the called directory number to an Internet address for an Internet to telephone system gateway capable of serving as a gateway between the internee and a second telephone system serving said called directory number;

delivering to said second telephone system via said Internet said called directory number;

said second telephone system automatically initiating a connection to a second communication terminal designated by said called directory number; and

conducting voice communication between said first and second communication terminals via said telephone systems and said Internet.

18. A communication network comprising:

a first telephone system connected by central office switching systems to communication terminals identified by directory numbers for selectively establishing connections between said communication terminals;

a second telephone system connected by central office switching systems to communication terminals identified by directory numbers for selectively establishing connections between said communication terminals;

an internetwork separate from said telephone systems comprising multiple remotely spaced computer networks of varying types connecting computers of varying types, said computer networks being connected together by links including telecommunication links and using transmission control protocols for linking dissimilar computers through a TCP/IP protocol to provide addressing to provide connectionless packet service between said computers;

first and second gateways respectively connecting said first and second telephone systems to said internetwork at spaced locations;

said first and second gateways having addresses in said TCP/IP protocol by which said gateways are addressable;

at least one of said first and second gateways having associated therewith a database of (a) directory numbers for said communication terminals and (b) for each directory number a TCP/IP address for a gateway which is capable of connecting said communication terminal from the telephone network to which it is connected to said internetwork;

whereby an internetwork call may be initiated by inputting to one of said communication terminals a directory number for a called communication terminal to which that directory number corresponds and obtaining from said database the TCP/IP address of the gateway which connects the telephone network to which said called communication terminal is connected to said internetwork, and connecting to said last named gateway via said internetwork, and from said last named gateway connecting to said called communication terminal through said telephone network to which said called communication terminal is connected to establish a communication link from said communication terminal into which said called directory number is inputted to the communication terminal designated by said directory number.

19. A communication network according to claim 18 wherein a voice communication is carried over said link.

20. A communication network according to claim 19 wherein each said gateway includes a router which translates digitized telephone network protocol voice signals to TCP/IP packets and vice versa.

21. A communication network comprising:

a first telephone system connected by central office switching systems to communication terminals identified by directory numbers for selectively establishing connections between said communication terminals;

a second telephone system connected by central office switching systems to communication terminals identified by directory numbers for selectively establishing connections between said communication terminals;

an internetwork separate from said telephone systems comprising multiple remotely spaced computer networks of varying types connecting computers of varying types, said computer networks being connected together by links including telecommunication links and using transmission control protocols for linking dissimilar computers through a TCP/IP protocol to provide addressing for connectionless packet service between said computers;

first and second gateways respectively connecting said first and second telephone systems to said internetwork at spaced locations;

said first and second gateways having addresses in said TCP/IP protocol by which said gateways are addressable;

at least one of said first and second gateways having associated therewith a database of (a) directory numbers for said communication terminals and (b) for each directory number a TCP/IP address for a gateway which is capable of connecting said communication terminal from the telephone network to which it is connected to said internetwork;

whereby an internetwork call may be initiated by inputting to one of said communication terminals a directory number for a called communication terminal to which that directory number corresponds and obtaining from said database the TCP/IP address of the gateway which connects the telephone network to which said called communication terminal is connected to said internetwork, and transmitting said TCP/IP address and said called directory number through said internetwork to establish connection to said last named gateway via said internet and deliver said called directory number to the telephone network connected to said last named gateway, and dialing said directory number by said last named telephone network to cause connection to said called communication terminal through the telephone network to which said called communication terminal is connected to establish a communication link from said communication terminal into which said called directory number is inputted to said communication terminal which said directory number designates.

22. A communication network according to claim 21 wherein a voice communication is carried over said link.

23. A communication network according to claim 22 wherein each said gateway includes a router which translates digitized telephone network protocol voice signals to TCP/IP packets and vice versa.

24. A communications network comprising:

a first telephone network having central office switching systems connected to subscriber lines connected to subscriber premise terminals for selectively providing switched communications between said subscriber lines;

a second telephone network having central office switching systems connected to subscriber lines connected to subscriber premise terminals for selectively providing switched communications between said subscriber lines;

first and second gateways to the Internet connecting said first and second telephone networks to said Internet;

at least one of said telephone networks including a first centralized message information processing and storage system capable of handling message information of different types;

said telephone networks responding to a busy signal as a result of an attempt to connect a calling subscriber line to a called subscriber line through said Internet by transmitting from the telephone network connected to said called subscriber line to the calling telephone via said Internet whereby a signal from a calling subscriber line in said calling telephone network is stored in said centralized message information processing and storage system addressed to said busy subscriber line.

26. A communications network according to claim 24 wherein said stored signals are digitized voice signals.

25. A communications network comprising:

a first telephone network having central office switching systems connected to subscriber lines connected to subscriber premise terminals for selectively providing switched communications between subscriber lines;

a second telephone network having central office switching systems connected to subscriber lines connected to subscriber premise terminals for selectively providing switched communications between subscriber lines;

first and second gateways to the Internet connecting said first and second telephone networks to said Internet;

said first telephone network including a first centralized message information processing and storage system capable of handling message information of different types;

said second telephone network including a second centralized message information processing and storage system capable of handling message information of different types;

said first telephone network responsive to request received from a calling subscriber line connected to said network storing in said first centralized message information processing and storage system signals from said calling subscriber line, transferring said stored signals via said internetwork to said second centralized message information processing and storage system and storing said signals therein.

27. A communications network according to claim 25 wherein said stored signals are inputted as analog voice signals.

28. In a wide are communications network comprising:

a first telecommunication network having trunked central office switching systems connected to subscriber lines connected to subscriber premises terminals and including signal switching points and at least one signal transfer point for selectively providing switched communications between said subscriber lines;

a second telecommunication network having trunked central office switching systems connected to subscriber lines connected to subscriber premises terminals for selectively providing switched communications between said subscriber lines;

a controller associated with said first telecommunication network and arranged separately from said central office switching systems in said network and being connected to at least said signal switching points connected to said central office switching systems through at least one signal transfer point arranged to convey control data to effect communications, said controller storing processing and routing data;

each said central office switching systems in said first telecommunication network providing selective communications between subscriber lines and a first centralized message processing and storage system for handling multiple different types of message information;

said first and second telecommunication networks being connected through first and second gateway routers to the Internet;

said first gateway router connected to said first telecommunication network having a signal transfer point associated therewith and connected to said controller;

a method comprising;

ascertaining through said signal switching points and at least one signal transfer point in said first telecommunication network and through said gateway routers and said Internet the availability of a designated subscriber premises terminal in said second telecommunication network;

upon establishing the unavailability of said designated subscriber premises terminal through said Internet forwarding to said centralized message processing and storage system message information of a first type addressed to said designated subscriber premises terminal and storing said message information in said centralized message processing and storage system;

subsequently establishing a link between said centralized message processing and storage system through said gateway routers and said Internet to said designated subscriber premises terminal; and

forwarding to said designated subscriber premises terminal through said gateway routers and said Internet said message information.

29. A method according to claim 28 wherein said forwarding of said message information to said centralized message processing and storage system includes establishing a connection to said centralized message processing and storage system from a subscriber premises terminal connected to said first telecommunication network, and transmitting said message information from said last named subscriber premises terminal and storing said message information in said centralized message processing and storage system.

30. A method according to claim 28 wherein said ascertaining step includes the steps of identifying said designated subscriber premises terminal by telephone directory number, translating said directory number to the Internet address of said second gateway router, transmitting to said second gateway router through said Internet said directory number, using said directory number in said second telecommunications network to establish the availability of said designated subscriber premises terminal identified by said directory number, and signaling through said second gateway router to said first gateway router a response to said availability inquiry.

31. A method according to claim 29 including the step of communicating said response through said first telecommunication network from said first gateway router through at least one signal control point and one signal transfer point.

32. A method according to claim 31 wherein said ascertaining is initiated in response to a signal from an originating subscriber premises terminal connected to said first telecommunication network and said response is communicated to said originating subscriber premises terminal.