Distributed CBX system employing packet network
First Claim
1. A distributed, computerized branch exchange (CBX) system for providing a virtual network between remotely located CBXs, comprising:
- at least a first and a second CBX, said first and second CBX being coupled to a voice network for the establishing of calls between said CBXs;
said first CBX including recognition means for recognizing the number of a called station associated with said second CBX, requested by a call initiated at said first CBX, and first data means for preparing a first digital packetized message representative of said number of said called station;
a first line interconnecting said first CBX with a packet network for communicating said first packetized message from said first CBX to said packet network;
a second line interconnecting said packet network with said second CBX for communicating said first packetized message to said second CBX;
said second CBX including status determining means for receiving said first packetized message and for determining the status of said called station, and second data means for preparing a second packetized message representative of the status of said called station, said second data means coupled to said second line for communicating said second message to said packet network;
whereby said first CBX is informed of the status of said called station associated with said second CBX which may be remotely located from said first CBX before initiating a call from said first CBX to said second CBX over said voice network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A distributed CBX system which provides a virtual network between remotely located CBXs is disclosed. The CBXs are connected to both a voice network and a packet network. A first CBX may interrogate a second CBX to determine, by way of example, the status of a called station at the second CBX over the packet network. The second CBX not only provides the status of the called station but also provides, if the called station is clear, the number of a free incoming line at the second CBX. In this manner, the first CBX can place a call to both an available line and station at the second CBX. Alternatively, because of facility availability or tariff structures, the call may be originated over common carrier facilities in the reverse direction originating over common carrier facilities from the called party end.
115 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A distributed, computerized branch exchange (CBX) system for providing a virtual network between remotely located CBXs, comprising:
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at least a first and a second CBX, said first and second CBX being coupled to a voice network for the establishing of calls between said CBXs; said first CBX including recognition means for recognizing the number of a called station associated with said second CBX, requested by a call initiated at said first CBX, and first data means for preparing a first digital packetized message representative of said number of said called station; a first line interconnecting said first CBX with a packet network for communicating said first packetized message from said first CBX to said packet network; a second line interconnecting said packet network with said second CBX for communicating said first packetized message to said second CBX; said second CBX including status determining means for receiving said first packetized message and for determining the status of said called station, and second data means for preparing a second packetized message representative of the status of said called station, said second data means coupled to said second line for communicating said second message to said packet network; whereby said first CBX is informed of the status of said called station associated with said second CBX which may be remotely located from said first CBX before initiating a call from said first CBX to said second CBX over said voice network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A distributed, computerized branch exchange (CBX) system for providing a virtual network between remotely located CBXs, comprising:
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at least a first and a second CBX, said first and second CBX being coupled to a voice network for the establishing of calls between said CBXs; said first CBX including recognition means for recognizing the number of a called station associated with said second CBX and first data means for preparing a digital packetized message representative of said number of said called station; a first line interconnecting said first CBX with a packet network for communicating said packetized message from said first CBX to said packet network; a second line interconnecting said packet network with said second CBX for communicating said packetized message to said second CBX; said second CBX including status determining means for receiving said packetized message and for determining the status of said called station, said second CBX including means for initiating a call from said second CBX to said first CBX over said voice network in response to said packetized message and said determination of said status of said called station; whereby said second CBX may initiate a call to said first CBX if the status of the called station associated with said second CBX is clear. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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8. A distributed, computerized branch exchange (CBX) system for providing a virtual network between remotely located CBXs, comprising:
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a first CBX group comprising a plurality of interconnecting CBXs, said first CBX group being coupled to a voice network; a second CBX, said second CBX being coupled to said voice network for establishing calls between said second CBX and said first CBX group, said first CBX group including recognition means for recognizing the number of a called station associated with said second CBX, requested by a call initiated at said first CBX group, and first data means for preparing a first digital packetized message representative of said number of said called station; a buffer coupled to said first CBX group for receiving said first packetized message; a first line interconnecting said buffer with a packet network for communicating said first packetized message from said packet network; a second line interconnecting said packet network with said second CBX for communicating said first packetized message with said second CBX; said second CBX including status determining means for receiving said first packetized message and for determining the status of said called station, and second data means for preparing a second packetized message representative of the status of said called station, said second data means coupled to said second line for communicating said second message to said packet network; whereby said first CBX group is informed of the status of said called station associated with said second CBX, which may be remotely located from said first CBX group before initiating a call from said first CBX group to said second CBX group over said voice network, and whereby, said first CBX group communicates with said packet network through a single line. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 12, 13)
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Specification