Private Connection Multi-Media Transition

• US 20170201391A1
• Filed: 11/09/2016
• Published: 07/13/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cloud9 Technologies, LLC (Symphony Communication Services LLC)
• Original Assignee: Cloud9 Technologies, LLC (Symphony Communication Services LLC)
• Inventors: Papadopoulos, Leonidas P., Kammerer, Stephen J., Pappas, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 10,440,155 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for setting up a communication channel over a packet switched network between/among participants to a private line connection which has been established over the packet switched network such that the communication channel is different from the private line connection.

Claims

1. A method for providing, between a plurality of users of a private line connection which has been configured over a packet switched network, an alternate communication channel, the method comprising:

a processor based device identifying said plurality of users who have selected the private line connection;

said processor based device displaying at least a partial list of said identified users on a display associated with said processor based device;

said processor based device receiving a selection of one of said identified users; and

,

said processor based device accessing a network address of the one identified user and setting up an alternate communication channel with said at least one identified user.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said alternate communication channel is a communication channel other than said private line connection.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said alternate communication channel includes an instant messaging channel.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein said alternate communication channel includes a voice channel.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein said alternate communication channel includes a video channel.

6. The method according to claim 1 further including said processor based device converting said communication channel from one type of communication channel to another type of communication channel.

7. The method according to claim 1 further including said processor based device displaying a list of all identified users on the display associated with the processor based device.

8. The method according to claim 1 further including said processor based device receiving a selection of at least two of said identified users;

and said processor based device accessing a network address of said at least two of said identified users and setting up an alternate communication channel between said at least two of said identified users.

9. The method according to claim 1 further including said processor based device receiving a selection of a plurality of said identified users;

and said processor based device accessing a network address of said plurality of said identified users and setting up an alternate communication channel among said plurality of said identified users.

10. A method for providing an alternate communication channel to a private line, the method comprising:

configuring with a server a virtual private line between a plurality of clients via a packet switched network;

a plurality of users accessing said virtual private line via a respective computer;

said server identifying and storing a network address for each computer that accesses said virtual private line; and

,

while said virtual private line is still being accessed by said computers, said server identifying addresses for a group of said computers and configuring an alternate communication channel between said group of said computers;

wherein said group of said computers is less than all of said computers.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein said private line is a permanent virtual circuit.

12. The method according to claim 10 wherein said private line is a switched virtual circuit.

13. The method according to claim 10 further including said server provisioning at least one alternate virtual private line connection via said packet switched network and said server rolling said virtual private line over to said at least one alternate virtual private line connections when the virtual private line connection fails.

14. The method according to claim 10 wherein said alternate communication channel is an instant messaging channel.

15. The method according to claim 10 wherein said alternate communication channel is a voice channel.

16. The method according to claim 10 wherein said alternate communication channel is a video channel.

17. The method according to claim 10 further including said server converting said alternate communication channel from one type of communication channel to another type of communication channel.

18. The method according to claim 10 further including said computers displaying on a display a list of said users who are accessing said virtual private line.