Voice over internet protocol telephone system and method

• US 6,141,341 A
• Filed: 09/09/1998
• Issued: 10/31/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cotton, Timothy, Jones, Wesley Stuart, Holland, Robert Victor
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Ajit
• Application Number:
  US09/150,427
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 370/356, 370/260, 370/259, 370/351, 370/352-355, 370/338, 455/414, 455/416, 455/417, 455/413, 379/201, 379/202, 379/210, 379/219, 379/220, 379/221, 379/211, 379/212, 379/120, 379/140, 379/156, 379/258, 379/64, 379/65, 379/66, 379/106
• US Class Current: 370/352
• 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 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4285 Notifying, informing or entertaining a held party while on hold, e.g. Music On Hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/537 Arrangements for indicating the presence of a recorded message , whereby the presence information might include a preview or summary of the message
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0057 Services where the data services network provides a telephone service in addition or as an alternative, e.g. for backup purposes, to the telephone service provided by the telephone services network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0069 comprising a residential gateway, e.g. those which provide an adapter for POTS or ISDN terminals

Abstract

An Internet Protocol telephone system and method uses a telephone (26) to place and receive voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)-based telephone calls and public switched telephone network (PSTN)-based telephone calls. An off-hook condition with the telephone (26) is detected and a sequence of signals generated by the telephone (26) is received. At least a first signal generated by the telephone (26) is buffered while the system attempts to detect a predetermined signal that signifies a VoIP-based call. Upon detection of the predetermined signal, the system intercepts subsequent signals in the sequence, absent the at least first signal that was buffered, and places the VoIP-based call via an internet (12). Otherwise, the system places the PSTN-based call via a PSTN (16).

Claims

1. In an Internet Protocol telephone system using a telephone to place and receive voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)-based and public switched telephone network (PSTN)-based telephone calls, a method comprising:

detecting a presence of an incoming telephone call;

detecting an off-hook condition from the telephone;

receiving a sequence of signals generated by the telephone;

buffering at least a first signal generated by the telephone;

attempting to detect a predetermined signal that signifies a VoIP-based call;

intercepting subsequent signals in the sequence, absent the at least first signal that was buffered, and facilitating the VoIP-based call via an internet when the predetermined signal is detected; and

signaling, via and audible tone, a user of the telephone during the VoIP-based call of the presence of a telephone call, the audible tone having a first ringing cadence when the telephone call is a VoIP-based call and the audible tone having a second ringling cadence when the telephone call is a PSTN-based call.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the incoming telephone call is a VoIP-based call.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the incoming telephone call is a PSTN-based call.

4. The method according to claim 1 further comprising ringing the telephone via the internet when an electronic mail message arrives at a mailbox.

5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising, when the predetermined signal is not detected that signifies a VoIP-based call:

determining that a telephone call is being made;

transmitting the sequence of signals generated by the telephone to a PSTN;

detecting a presence of an incoming VoIP-based call having Internet Protocol address information; and

signaling a user of the telephone during the telephone call of the presence of the incoming VoIP-based call.

6. The method according to claim 5 further comprising:

translating the Internet Protocol address information into a format compatible for caller identification to create VoIP caller identification information; and

presenting to the user of the telephone the VoIP caller identification information.

7. The method according to claim 6 wherein the step of presenting to the user of the telephone occurs at the time of signaling the user of the telephone during the telephone call of the presence of the incoming VoIP-based call.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the telephone is cordless.