Voice over IP adapter

• US 20070274298A1
• Filed: 05/09/2006
• Published: 11/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Aspect Software Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Aspect Software Incorporated
• Inventors: BenChanoch, Eyal, Strandberg, Malcom
• Application Number:
  US11/430,502
• Publication Number:
  US 20070274298A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/356
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6058 involving the use of a headset accessory device connected to the portable telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection

Abstract

A headset and adapter that converts between Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network of a contact center and an audio signal received and generated by an agent of the contact center wearing the headset is disclosed. A VoIP terminal receives and transmits VoIP instructions and application program interface instructions over a contact center network. An audio terminal receives an audio signal from a microphone and transmits an audio signal to a speaker. A processor of the adapter converts a received VoIP signal to the transmitted audio signal and converts the received audio signal to a transmitted VoIP instruction.

Claims

1. An adapter for converting between Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and an audio signal comprising:

a VoIP terminal for receiving and transmitting a VoIP signal;

an audio terminal for receiving and transmitting an audio signal; and

a processor for converting a received VoIP signal to a transmitted audio signal and converting a received audio signal to a transmitted VoIP signal wherein power for the adapter is supplied by an Ethernet connection at the VoIP terminal.

2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein an availability status of an endpoint associated with the VoIP terminal is determined by a connection to the audio terminal.

3. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the audio terminal is a separate microphone and speaker signal connection.

4. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the audio terminal is a wireless connection to a headset having a wireless transceiver, an amplifier, a speaker, and a microphone.

5. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter is used simultaneously used as a sound device for a personal computer.

6. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter services two or more phones.

7. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter operates independently and is controlled by application on a personal computer

8. A headset that converts between the Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network of a contact center and an audio signal received and generated by an agent of the contact center wearing the headset comprising:

a VoIP terminal for receiving and transmitting VoIP instructions and application program interface instructions over a contact center network;

an audio terminal for receiving an audio signal from a microphone and transmitting an audio signal to a speaker; and

a processor for converting a received VoIP signal to the transmitted audio signal and converting the received audio signal to a transmitted VoIP instruction.

9. The headset of claim 8, wherein availability status of the agent associated with the VoIP terminal is determined by a connection to the audio terminal.

10. The headset of claim 8, wherein the audio terminal is a separate microphone and speaker signal connection.

11. The headset of claim 8, wherein the audio terminal is a wireless connection to a headset having a wireless transceiver, an amplifier, a speaker, and a microphone.

12. The headset of claim 8, further comprising a user interface consisting essentially of a connection indicator.

13. The headset of claim 8, wherein the gain of the audio signal is controlled by an application program interface.

14. The headset of claim 8, further comprising an availability switch wherein availability status of the agent associated with the VoIP terminal is determined by the switch.

20. The headset of claim 8, further consisting essentially of an availability switch wherein availability status of the agent associated with the VoIP terminal is determined by the switch.

15. An adapter for converting between Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and an audio signal consisting essentially of:

a VoIP terminal for receiving and transmitting a VoIP signal;

an audio terminal for receiving and transmitting an audio signal; and

a processor for converting a received VoIP signal to a transmitted audio signal and converting a received audio signal to a transmitted VoIP signal.

16. The adapter of claim 15, wherein availability status of an individual associated with the VoIP terminal is determined by a connection to the audio terminal.

17. The adapter of claim 15, wherein the audio terminal is a separate microphone and speaker signal connection.

18. The adapter of claim 15, further consisting essentially of a connection status indicator.

19. The adapter of claim 15, wherein the audio signal is controlled by an application program interface.