Network operator brokering system and telephone system for providing optimal routing path for voice call using the same and providing method thereof

• US 20070064607A1
• Filed: 08/17/2006
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NHN Corporation
• Original Assignee: NHN Corporation
• Inventors: Moon, Jang, Moon, Jung
• Granted Patent: US 8,737,382 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/230
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1307 Call setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13148 Maximum profit routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13196 Connection circuit/link/trunk/junction, bridge, router, gateway
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13248 Multimedia
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/66 Traffic distributors

Abstract

A system and method for selecting a path for a voice call over an access network from a plurality of access networks. The system includes a call negotiation agent configured to store price information associated with the voice call in which the price information is provided through at least one of the plurality of access networks. According to the present invention, a call negotiation server is configured to store the price information associated with a voice call and store the estimation information indicative of the quality of the access networks after the voice call through the plurality of access networks is completed. The system also performs a call negotiation with at least one network operator in real time using the price information and the estimation information and selects an access network for providing a path among the plurality of access networks

Claims

1. A system for selecting a path for a voice call over an access network from a plurality of access networks, the system comprising:

a call negotiation agent configured to store price information associated with the voice call, the price information being provided through at least one of the plurality of access networks; and

a call negotiation server configured to

store the price information associated with the voice call,

store estimation information indicative of the quality of the plurality of access networks after the voice call through the plurality of access networks is completed,

perform a call negotiation with at least one network operator in real time using the price information and the estimation information, and

select an access network for providing a path among the plurality of access networks.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the call negotiation server is configured to select the access network based, at least in part, on at least one condition that is either pre-stored in the call negotiation server or obtained from a subscriber.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one condition comprises a condition indicative of the lowest price at a commensurate quality of voice call, a condition indicative of the lowest price at a predetermined level of quality of voice call, and a condition indicative of the highest quality of voice call irrespective of price.

4. A telephone system for providing a path for a voice call, the system comprising:

an exchanger configured to operate with a plurality of access networks;

a network negotiation apparatus configured to select an access network to provide the path for the voice call from the plurality of access networks; and

a call relay configured to provide to the network negotiation apparatus information indicative of at least one condition when a call request for the voice call is originated, wherein the network negotiation apparatus is configured to transmit said information over the selected access network to the exchanger, when the access network for providing the path for the voice call is selected, and wherein the exchanger provides a subscriber with access to a counterpart of the voice call through the access network selected based, at least in part, on the information provided by the call relay.

5. The telephone system of claim 4, wherein the network negotiation apparatus comprises:

a call negotiation agent configured to store price information associated with the voice call through the plurality of access networks provided in real time; and

a call negotiation server configured to

store the price information associated with the voice call,

store estimation information indicative of the quality of the plurality of access networks after the voice call through the plurality of access networks is completed,

perform a call negotiation with at least one network operator in real time using the price information and the estimation information, and

select an access network for providing a path among the plurality of access networks.

6. The telephone system of claim 4, wherein the at least one condition comprises at least one condition that is either pre-stored in the call negotiation server or obtained from a subscriber.

7. The telephone system of claim 6, wherein the at least one condition comprises a condition indicative of the lowest price at a commensurate quality of voice call, a condition indicative of the lowest price at a certain level of quality of voice call, and a condition indicative of the highest quality of voice call irrespective of price.

8. The telephone system of claim 6, wherein the subscriber accesses the call relay using an identification number for a specific call negotiation service.

9. The telephone system of claim 6, wherein the subscriber accesses the call relay using a mobile terminal.

10. The telephone system of claim 6, wherein the subscriber accesses the call relay using a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) terminal or a softphone.

11. The telephone system of claim 6, wherein the subscriber accesses the call relay using a wired telephone.

12. The telephone system of claim 4, wherein the access networks comprise at least one of an Internet network, a PSTN wired network, and a mobile communication network.

13. The telephone system of claim 4, wherein the exchanger comprises at least one of a PSTN switch, an Internet telephone gateway, and a media gateway.

14. A method of providing a path for a voice call, the method comprising:

a) receiving a call request for a voice call from a subscriber;

b) performing a call negotiation for at least one of a plurality of access networks, and selecting in real time an access network for providing the path among the plurality of access networks based on at least one condition; and

c) providing the subscriber with access to a counterpart of the voice call through the selected access network to perform the voice call therebetween.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

d) storing price information associated with the voice call and estimation information indicative of the quality about the selected access network after the voice call is completed.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein performing the call negotiation comprises selecting an access network based on price information associated with the access network and stored estimation information about a previous voice call.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein performing the call negotiation comprises negotiating with a plurality of network operators.