CSIP Proxy for Translating SIP to Multiple Peer-to-Peer Through Network Resources

• US 20080313265A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Broadsoft Incorporated (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadsoft Incorporated (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Koverman, Chris, Pounds, Greg, Maxwell, Gary L., Kusumi, Timothy, Nachimuthu, Kandasamy
• Granted Patent: US 8,572,269 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/202
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0256 User search
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0257 User requested
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/406 with more than one transmission mode, e.g. analog and digital modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/224 providing notification on incoming messages, e.g. pushed notifications of received messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/103 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/104 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/401 wherein the services involve a main real-time session and one or more additional parallel real-time or time sensitive sessions, e.g. white board sharing or spawning of a subconference
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/60 Scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests, e.g. requests for application data transmissions using the analysis and optimisation of the required network resources admission control or resource allocation H04L47/70
• 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 1/2757 : by data transmission, e.g. downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 : by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 : with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 : for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72502 : with one base station connected to a single line
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/06 : including a wireless LAN interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/08 : home cordless telephone systems using the DECT standard
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0045 : where the text-based messaging service is an instant messaging service

Abstract

A method and apparatus turns a typical home telephone system into a platform for delivery of web based content and services. The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a broadband enabled telephone system for the home and a series of web servers that collect, package, and deliver personalized content and services to all of the telephone handsets throughout the home. With this end-to-end solution, any information or services available via the web can be delivered through a broadband enabled telephone system. Through the web, each member of a family can build a profile which defines what information and services they want available through the handset. In addition, each handset can be dynamically personalized for any family member. The color screens on the handsets become windows through which an individual can view and interact with a broad range of content and services. The audio channels thus become an extension of the voice based services, such as messaging and voice chat.

Claims

1. A method for translating SIP messages to multiple peer-to-peer service providers, comprising the steps of:

providing at least one client device associated with a particular IM user and on which a SIP client is installed;

providing a content delivery service server comprising a SIP proxy for translating SIP requests from said SIP client on said client device into IM communications to multiple peer-to-peer service providers and for rendering IM communications from any of said multiple peer-to-peer service providers for display on said client device;

wherein said server interacts with said peer-to-peer service providers on behalf of the IM user associated with the client device to implement an IM protocol between the client device and the peer-to-peer service providers;

wherein said SIP client has no knowledge of the peer-to-peer service providers, nor of the IM protocol, but does have knowledge of said server; and

wherein said SIP client on said client device can make SIP calls to IM clients associated with any of said multiple peer-to-peer service providers.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

said server keeping a mapping between said at least one client device and said peer-to-peer service providers;

wherein when a particular user identifies himself to a particular client device by logging in, an association of that particular client device to a particular peer-to-peer service provider is invoked at the server; and

wherein at that point, all messages from that client device to the server are associated with that user.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the steps of:

a user initiating a peer-to-peer call to a peer-to-peer service provider by operating said client device;

said server receiving a SIP message that initiates a SIP call;

said SIP proxy retrieving information about the user based upon the user'"'"'s identity as determined from the mapping.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

a user who has an IM account logging into a client device;

the server logging the user into an IM application at the peer-to-peer service provider when the user accesses the IM application; and

said server redirecting any IM session text between the peer-to-peer service provider IM application and the client device.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of:

said SIP proxy registering the user with a peer-to-peer service provider and making an association between the service provider'"'"'s IM application and the SIP proxy.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of:

a user initiating a peer-to-peer call to another user;

forwarding a message associated with said peer-to-peer call to said server;

said server identifying said initiating user;

said server forwarding said message to said peer-to-peer service provider in accordance with said initiating user'"'"'s registration.

7. The method of claim 6, said step of said server identifying said initiating user further comprising the step of:

said server accessing a database to determine information such as said initiating user'"'"'s IM and peer-to-peer calling identity, passwords, and other information;

based on said information, said server translating a message before it is sent to the peer-to-peer service provider so that appears to the peer-to-peer service provider as if the message is coming from one of their clients, and vice versa when a message is sent the other way.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

said server maintaining a user profile that identifies an IM service provider associated with a user;

wherein if the user has an IM service provider and wants to access an IM service through the client device, the user configures a profile on the server so that the server knows the identity of the IM service provider and has the credentials necessary so the user can log in to the service provider'"'"'s IM application.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

implementing said method in a broadband enabled telephone system in which SIP messages are sent to and from a SIP end point.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

providing at least one base station comprising;

a first communications facility;

a broadband network connection for establishing and maintaining broadband access to a network via said first communications facility; and

a second communications facility for interacting with, and maintaining profile information for, a plurality of handsets.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of:

providing a plurality of handsets, each handset comprising;

means for communicating with, and uniquely identifying itself to, said base station via said second communications facility;

client means for providing an interface to a handset user by which said user operates a handset to interact with said network via said base station and by which said user builds a profile which defines what information and services are provided to a user through a particular handset.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

said base station acting as a proxy for said handsets; and

said base station storing said profile information;

wherein each handset can be dynamically personalized for a plurality of users by user selection of a particular handset profile stored in said base station via said client means.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of:

providing at least one server for collecting, packaging, and delivering personalized content and services on demand to each of said telephone system handsets via said base station in accordance with profile information contained on said base station for said handsets;

wherein information and services available via said network are delivered to a plurality of users of a plurality of handsets through said broadband enabled telephone system.

14. An apparatus for translating SIP messages to multiple peer-to-peer service providers, comprising:

at least one client device associated with a particular IM user and on which a SIP client is installed;

a content delivery service server comprising a SIP proxy for translating SIP requests from said SIP client on said client device into IM communications to multiple peer-to-peer service providers and for rendering IM communications from any of said multiple peer-to-peer service providers for display on said client device;

wherein said server interacts with said peer-to-peer service providers on behalf of the IM user associated with the client device to implement an IM protocol between the client device and the peer-to-peer service providers;

wherein said SIP client has no knowledge of the peer-to-peer service providers, nor of the IM protocol, but does have knowledge of said server; and

wherein said SIP client on said client device can make SIP calls to IM clients associated with any of said multiple peer-to-peer service providers.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, said server further comprising:

a mapping between said at least one client device and said peer-to-peer service providers;

wherein when a particular user identifies himself to a particular client device by logging in, an association of that particular client device to a particular peer-to-peer service provider is invoked at the server; and

wherein at that point, all messages from that client device to the server are associated with that user.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

means for a user initiating a peer-to-peer call to a peer-to-peer service provider by operating said client device;

means for said server receiving a SIP message that initiates a SIP call;

means for said SIP proxy retrieving information about the user based upon the user'"'"'s identity as determined from the mapping.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:

means for a user who has an IM account logging into a client device;

means for the server logging the user into an IM application at the peer-to-peer service provider when the user accesses the IM application; and

means for said server redirecting any IM session text between the peer-to-peer service provider IM application and the client device.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:

means for said SIP proxy registering the user with a peer-to-peer service provider and making an association between the service provider'"'"'s IM application and the SIP proxy.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

means for a user initiating a peer-to-peer call to another user;

means for forwarding a message associated with said peer-to-peer call to said server;

said server comprising means for identifying said initiating user;

said server comprising means for forwarding said message to said peer-to-peer service provider in accordance with said initiating user'"'"'s registration.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, said means for said server identifying said initiating user further comprising:

said server comprising means for accessing a database to determine information such as said initiating user'"'"'s IM and peer-to-peer calling identity, passwords, and other information;

said server comprising means for translating a message before it is sent to the peer-to-peer service provider, based on said information, so that appears to the peer-to-peer service provider as if the message is coming from one of their clients, and vice versa when a message is sent the other way.

21. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:

said server comprising means for maintaining a user profile that identifies an IM service provider associated with a user;

wherein if the user has an IM service provider and wants to access an IM service through the client device, the user configures a profile on the server so that the server knows the identity of the IM service provider and has the credentials necessary so the user can log in to the service provider'"'"'s IM application.

22. The apparatus of claim 14, implemented in a broadband enabled telephone system in which SIP messages are sent to and from a SIP end point, further comprising:

at least one base station comprising;

a first communications facility;

a broadband network connection for establishing and maintaining broadband access to a network via said first communications facility; and

a second communications facility for interacting with, and maintaining profile information for, a plurality of handsets.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising:

a plurality of handsets, each handset comprising;

means for communicating with, and uniquely identifying itself to, said base station via said second communications facility;

client means for providing an interface to a handset user by which said user operates a handset to interact with said network via said base station and by which said user builds a profile which defines what information and services are provided to a user through a particular handset.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising:

said base station comprising means for acting as a proxy for said handsets; and

said base station comprising means for storing said profile information;

wherein each handset can be dynamically personalized for a plurality of users by user selection of a particular handset profile stored in said base station via said client means.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising:

at least one server for collecting, packaging, and delivering personalized content and services on demand to each of said telephone system handsets via said base station in accordance with profile information contained on said base station for said handsets;

wherein information and services available via said network are delivered to a plurality of users of a plurality of handsets through said broadband enabled telephone system.