Call signaling approach to user self-provisioning of VoIP using a touch-tone interface

• US 20060168162A1
• Filed: 03/22/2006
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard Woundy
• Original Assignee: Richard Woundy
• Inventors: Woundy, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 7,961,716 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/220
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4535 using an address exchange platform which sets up a session between two nodes, e.g. rendezvous servers, session initiation protocols [SIP] registrars or H.323 gatekeepers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5007 Internet protocol [IP] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5014 using dynamic host configuration protocol [DHCP] or bootstrap protocol [BOOTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1026 at the edge
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1036 at the edge
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1043 Gateway controllers, e.g. media gateway control protocol [MGCP] controllers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/65 Network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0069 comprising a residential gateway, e.g. those which provide an adapter for POTS or ISDN terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0075 Details of addressing, directories or routing tables
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0081 Network operation, administration, maintenance, or provisioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0087 Network planning or provisioning

Abstract

A method for providing self-provisioning of VoIP telephony to a subscriber of a VoIP telephony service is disclosed. An un-provisioned residential gateway that is associated with the subscriber is instructed to collect a subscriber numeric identity that uniquely identifies the subscriber and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) information that are associated with the subscriber. An example of a subscriber numeric identity that uniquely identifies the subscriber is the subscriber'"'"'s E.164 address. The E.164 address and Personal Identification Number (PIN) information is verified. A source IP address that is associated with one or more Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP) messages that are sent by the residential gateway is used as a residential gateway IP address for the residential gateway. The residential gateway IP address is then used to provision the residential gateway that is associated with the subscriber. According to certain embodiments, the above steps are carried out by a call agent from a self-provisioning system of a provider of the VoIP telephony services. One or more VoIP connections are established between the residential gateway and an announcement server. The announcement server sends VoIP messages through the VoIP connections to the subscriber via the residential gateway. A protocol server offers the residential gateway, via a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server, a limited access IP address, a location of one or more Domain Name System (DNS) servers, and a Media Gateway Protocol (MGCP) endpoint name of the call agent from the self-provisioning system.

Claims

1. An apparatus providing self-provisioning of VoIP telephony service to a subscriber of the VoIP telephony service, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

means for receiving a first notify command from an un-provisioned residential gateway that is associated with the subscriber, wherein said first notify command is sent in response to a telephone receiver connected to said residential gateway going off-hook;

means for instructing said residential gateway to collect a subscriber numeric identity that uniquely identifies said subscriber;

means for instructing said residential gateway to collect a Personal Identification Number (PIN) information that is associated with said subscriber;

means for receiving and verifying said subscriber numeric identity and Personal Identification Number (PIN) information;

means for assigning an IP address, that is associated with one or more Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP) messages that are sent by said residential gateway, as a residential gateway IP address for said residential gateway; and

means for using said residential gateway IP address to provision said residential gateway that is associated with said subscriber.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

means for instructing said residential gateway to collect a provisioning access number.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for instructing said residential gateway to collect a provisioning access number comprises means for sending a MGCP notification request with a first digit map associated with said provisioning access number.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

means for receiving and storing a provisioning access number from said residential gateway; and

wherein said means for instructing said residential gateway to collect a subscriber numeric identity includes means for instructing said residential gateway to create a first VoIP connection between said residential gateway and an announcement server for sending a first VoIP message from said announcement server to said subscriber via said residential gateway in order to collect said subscriber numeric identity.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:

means for instructing said residential gateway to delete said first VoIP connection; and

wherein said means for instructing said residential gateway to collect a Personal Identification Number includes;

means for instructing said residential gateway, after said residential gateway deletes a first VoIP connection, to create a second VoIP connection between said residential gateway and an announcement server for sending a second VoIP message from said announcement server to said subscriber via said residential gateway in order to collect said Personal Identification Number (PIN) information from said subscriber.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:

means for instructing said residential gateway to delete said second VoIP connection.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

means for a receiving from said residential gateway a request for a location of one or more Domain Name System (DNS) servers, a limited-access IP address, and a Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP) endpoint name of a self-provisioning system call agent of a self-provisioning system that is associated with the provider of said VoIP telephony service.

8. An apparatus for providing self-provisioning of VoIP telephony to a subscriber of a VoIP telephony service, the apparatus comprising:

a network interface that is coupled to a data network for receiving one or more packet flows therefrom;

a processor;

one or more stored sequences of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to carry out the steps of;

receiving a first notify command from an un-provisioned residential gateway that is associated with said subscriber, wherein said first notify command is sent in response to a telephone receiver connected to said residential gateway going off-hook;

instructing said residential gateway, via a call signaling command, to collect a subscriber numeric identity that uniquely identifies said subscriber;

instructing said residential gateway, via a call signaling command, to collect a Personal Identification Number (PIN) information that is associated with said subscriber;

receiving and verifying said subscriber numeric identity and Personal Identification Number (PIN) information;

assigning an IP address, that is associated with one or more Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP) messages that are sent by said residential gateway, as a residential gateway IP address for said residential gateway; and

using said residential gateway IP address to provision said residential gateway that is associated with said subscriber.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said one or more stored sequences of instructions cause the processor to carry out the step of:

instructing said residential gateway to collect a provisioning access number.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said instructions causing instructing said residential gateway to collect a provisioning access number comprise instructions for causing sending a MGCP notification request with a first digit map associated with said provisioning access number.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said one or more stored sequences of instructions cause the processor to carry out the steps of:

receiving and storing a provisioning access number from said residential gateway; and

wherein said instructions causing instructing said residential gateway to collect a subscriber numeric identity includes instructions causing instructing said residential gateway to create a first VoIP connection between said residential gateway and an announcement server for sending a first VoIP message from said announcement server to said subscriber via said residential gateway in order to collect said subscriber numeric identity.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said one or more stored sequences of instructions cause the processor to carry out the steps of:

instructing said residential gateway to delete said first VoIP connection; and

wherein said instructions causing instructing said residential gateway to collect a Personal Identification Number includes instructions causing;

instructing said residential gateway, after said residential gateway deletes a first VoIP connection, to create a second VoIP connection between said residential gateway and an announcement server for sending a second VoIP message from said announcement server to said subscriber via said residential gateway in order to collect said Personal Identification Number (PIN) information from said subscriber.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said one or more stored sequences of instructions cause the processor to carry out the step of:

instructing said residential gateway to delete said second VoIP connection.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said one or more stored sequences of instructions cause the processor to carry out the step of:

receiving from said residential gateway a request for a location of one or more Domain Name System (DNS) servers, a limited-access IP address, and a Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP) endpoint name of a self-provisioning system call agent of a self-provisioning system that is associated with the provider of said VoIP telephony service.

15. An apparatus for providing self-provisioning of VoIP telephony service to a subscriber of the VoIP telephony service, the apparatus comprising:

means for offering to a residential gateway a limited access IP address;

means for offering to said residential gateway a location of one or more Domain Name System (DNS) servers;

means for offering to said residential gateway a Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP) endpoint name of a self-provisioning system call agent of a self-provisioning system that is associated with the provider of said VoIP telephony service;

means for instructing said residential gateway, via a call signaling command, to collect a subscriber numeric identity that uniquely identifies said subscriber;

means for instructing said residential gateway, via a call signaling command, to collect a Personal Identification Number (PIN) information that is associated with said subscriber;

means for receiving and verifying said subscriber numeric identity and Personal Identification Number (PIN) information;

means for assigning an IP address that is associated with one or more Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP) messages that are sent by said residential gateway as a residential gateway IP address for said residential gateway; and

means for using said residential gateway IP address to provision said residential gateway that is associated with said subscriber.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said means for offering a limited access IP address includes means for offering said limited access IP address using a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said means for offering a location of one or more Domain Name System (DNS) servers includes means for offering said location using a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said means for offering a Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP) endpoint name of a self-provisioning system call agent includes means for offering said MGCP endpoint name using a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, comprising means for a protocol server directing a provisioned residential gateway to a standard call agent that is associated with the provider of said VoIP telephony service to enable VoIP calls and services.

20. An apparatus for providing self-provisioning of VoIP telephony service to a subscriber of the VoIP telephony service, the apparatus comprising:

a network interface that is coupled to a data network for receiving one or more packet flows therefrom;

a processor;

one or more stored sequences of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to carry out the steps of;

offering to a residential gateway a limited access IP address;

offering to said residential gateway a location of one or more Domain Name System (DNS) servers;

offering to said residential gateway a Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP) endpoint name of a self-provisioning system call agent of a self-provisioning system that is associated with the provider of said VoIP telephony service;

instructing said residential gateway, via a call signaling command, to collect a subscriber numeric identity that uniquely identifies said subscriber;

instructing said residential gateway, via a call signaling command, to collect a Personal Identification Number (PIN) information that is associated with said subscriber;

receiving and verifying said subscriber numeric identity and Personal Identification Number (PIN) information;

assigning an IP address that is associated with one or more Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP) messages that are sent by said residential gateway as a residential gateway IP address for said residential gateway; and

using said residential gateway IP address to provision said residential gateway that is associated with said subscriber.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said instructions causing offering a limited access IP address includes instructions causing offering said limited access IP address using a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said instructions causing offering a location of one or more Domain Name System (DNS) servers includes instructions causing offering said location using a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said instructions causing offering a Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP) endpoint name of a self-provisioning system call agent includes instructions causing offering said MGCP endpoint name using a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server.

24. The apparatus of claim 20, comprising instructions causing a protocol server to direct a provisioned residential gateway to a standard call agent that is associated with the provider of said VoIP telephony service to enable VoIP calls and services.

25. An apparatus for self-provisioning VoIP telephony service to a subscriber of the VoIP telephony service, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a limited-access IP address, a location of one or more Domain Name System servers, and an endpoint name of a self-provisioning call agent that is associated with a provider of VoIP telephony service;

means for sending, to said self-provisioning call agent and from said limited-access IP address, a Media Gateway Control Protocol notify command;

means for receiving, via a first VoIP connection created in response to a command from said self-provisioning call agent, a request for a subscriber numeric identity that uniquely identifies said subscriber;

means for sending to said self-provisioning call agent said subscriber numeric identity;

means for receiving, via a second VoIP connection created in response to a command from said self-provisioning call agent, a request for a Personal Identification Number that is associated with said subscriber;

means for sending to said self-provisioning call agent said Personal Identification Number; and

means for receiving, from said self-provisioning call agent and in association with a remote reboot initiated by said self-provisioning call agent, a long-term IP address and an endpoint name of a standard call agent.

26. The apparatus of claim 25,

wherein said means for receiving a request for a subscriber numeric identity includes means for receiving said request via said first VoIP connection with an announcement server;

and

wherein said means for receiving a request for a Personal Identification Number includes means for receiving said request via said second VoIP connection with said announcement server.

27. The apparatus of claim 25,

wherein said means for receiving a request for a subscriber numeric identity includes means for receiving a Media Gateway Control Protocol notification request for said subscriber numeric identity;

and

wherein said means for receiving a request for a Personal Identification Number includes means for receiving a Media Gateway Control Protocol notification request for said Personal Identification Number.

28. An apparatus for self-provisioning VoIP telephony service to a subscriber of the VoIP telephony service, the apparatus comprising:

a network interface that is coupled to a data network for receiving one or more packet flows therefrom;

a processor;

one or more stored sequences of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to carry out the steps of;

receiving a limited-access IP address, a location of one or more Domain Name System servers, and an endpoint name of a self-provisioning call agent that is associated with a provider of VoIP telephony service;

sending, to said self-provisioning call agent and from said limited-access IP address, a Media Gateway Control Protocol notify command;

receiving, via a first VoIP connection created in response to a command from said self-provisioning call agent, a request for a subscriber numeric identity that uniquely identifies said subscriber;

sending to said self-provisioning call agent said subscriber numeric identity;

receiving, via a second VoIP connection created in response to a command from said self-provisioning call agent, a request for a Personal Identification Number that is associated with said subscriber;

sending to said self-provisioning call agent said Personal Identification Number; and

receiving, from said self-provisioning call agent and in association with a remote reboot initiated by said self-provisioning call agent, a long-term IP address and an endpoint name of a standard call agent.

29. The apparatus of claim 28,

wherein said instructions causing receiving a request for a subscriber numeric identity includes instructions causing receiving said request via said first VoIP connection with an announcement server;

and

wherein said instructions causing receiving a request for a subscriber numeric identity includes instructions causing receiving said request via said second VoIP connection with said announcement server.

30. The apparatus of claim 28,

wherein said instructions causing receiving a request for a subscriber numeric identity includes instructions causing receiving a Media Gateway Control Protocol notification request for said subscriber numeric identity;

and

wherein said instructions causing receiving a request for a Personal Identification Number includes instructions causing receiving a Media Gateway Control Protocol notification request for said Personal Identification Number.