Systems and methods for multiple mode voice and data communications using intelligently bridged TDM and packet buses and methods for performing telephony and data functions using the same

• US 6,208,658 B1
• Filed: 09/25/1998
• Issued: 03/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Vertical Networks Incorporated (Vertical Communications Incorporated)
• Inventors: Pickett, Scott K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Olms, Douglas W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VINCENT, DAVID ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US09/161,550
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 370/465, 370/466, 370/473, 370/474, 370/458, 370/395, 370/438, 370/439, 370/440, 370/401, 370/402
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2856 Access arrangements, e.g. Internet access asynchronous transfer mode networks H04L12/5601; broadband local area networks H04L12/2801; optical access or distribution networks H04Q11/0067; access to open networks H04L12/5691; digital subscriber line end-user equipment and bit-level processing of data on a PSTN-based network H04M11/00; home network gateways H04L12/2834; wireless access networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2874 Processing of data for distribution to the subscribers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2881 IP/Ethernet DSLAM
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/43 with synchronous transmission, e.g. time division multiplex [TDM], slotted rings
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6459 Multiplexing, e.g. TDMA, CDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6472 Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6481 Speech, voice
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0213 Standardised network management protocols, e.g. simple network management protocol [SNMP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/06 Management of faults, events, alarms or notifications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/103 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/104 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1043 Gateway controllers, e.g. media gateway control protocol [MGCP] controllers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2254 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42314 in private branch exchanges
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42323 PBX's with CTI arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/51 Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention , e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 : Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/54 : Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; to voice mail H04M3/53308
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 : Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 : Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/04 : for time-division multiplexing H04Q11/0001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 : A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 : PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13377 : Recorded announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0045 : involving hybrid, i.e. a mixture of public and private, or multi-vendor systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 : Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber

Abstract

Systems and methods by which voice/data communications may occur in multiple modes/protocols are disclosed. In particular, systems and methods are provided for multiple native mode/protocol voice and data transmissions and receptions with a computing system having a multi-bus structure, including, for example, a TDM bus and a packet bus, and multi-protocol framing engines. Such systems preferably include subsystem functions such as PBX, voice mail and other telephony functions, LAN hub and data router. In preferred embodiments, a TDM bus and a packet bus are intelligently bridged and managed, thereby enabling such multiple mode/protocol voice and data transmissions to be intelligently managed and controlled with a single, integrated system. A computer or other processor includes a local area network controller, which provides routing and hub(s) for one or more packet networks. The computer also is coupled to a buffer/framer, which serves to frame/deframe data to/from the computer from TDM bus. The buffer/framer includes a plurality of framer/deframer engines, supporting, for example, ATM and HDLC framing/deframing. The buffer/framer is coupled to the TDM bus by way of a switch/multiplexer, which includes the capability to intelligently map data traffic between the buffer/framer and the TDM bus to various slots of the TDM frames. Preferably, a DSP pool is coupled to buffer/framer in a manner to provide various signal processing and telecommunications support, such as dial tone generation, DTMF detection and the like. The TDM bus is coupled to a various line/station cards, serving to interface the TDM bus with telephone, facsimiles and other telecommunication devices, and also with a various digital and/or analog WAN network services.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling voice and data communications over a wide area communication network, comprising:

a processor;

at least one control bus coupled to the processor;

at least one packet bus communicating packetized data to or from the processor, wherein the packetized data is received from one or more computing devices coupled to the at least one packet bus;

at least one time division multiplex (TDM) bus defining a predetennined number of slots in a predetermined interval of time and adapted to couple at least voice and data communications to and from the communications network and a plurality of telephony devices connected to the apparatus;

a first protocol processing circuit adapted to transfer raw and protocol processed data to and from the TDM bus and the processor in accordance with one or more communication protocols;

a digital signal processor (DSP) coupled to the processor and the first protocol processing circuit adapted to selectively process data coupled to and from the TDM bus;

a multiplexing circuit coupled to the first protocol processing circuit and the TDM bus and selectively coupling voice and data communications to particular slots of the TDM bus;

a plurality of first interface circuits coupled to the TDM bus and interfacing with the communications network;

wherein the first interface circuits couple voice and data communications to and from the communications network and to and from the plurality of telephony devices; and

a second interface circuit coupled to the TDM bus and coupled to the packet bus, wherein the second interface circuit includes a WAN interface adapted to couple voice and data communications to and from the communications network and a LAN interface communicating packetized data to and from the packet bus, wherein the second interface circuit includes a router/bridge circuit coupled between the TDM bus and the packet bus, wherein the router/bridge circuit couples communications between the TDM bus and packet bus through a second protocol processing circuit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the TDM bus, the packet bus, and the control bus form a backplane adapted to receive at least certain of the first interface circuits and the second interface circuit.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first and second interface circuits include printed circuit boards and cards.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the TDM bus is selected from the group consisting of a multi-vendor integration protocol (MVIP) type bus, a derivative of an MVIP type bus, a signal computing system architecture (SCSA) type bus, and a derivative of an SCSA type bus.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein voice and data communications occur over the TDM bus based on circuit switching.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the circuit switching includes pulse code modulation.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control bus comprises a peripheral communication interface (PCI) type bus.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control bus comprises an industry standard architecture (ISA) type bus.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the TDM bus receives voice and data inputs via the first interface circuits, and wherein the processor monitors the voice and data inputs and determines a connection path between the TDM bus and the packet bus according to software allocation rules.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor further comprises a memory storage unit storing a resource allocation program operable by the processor, wherein the resource allocation program assigns resources within the apparatus according to predetermined allocation rules.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the predetermined allocation rules include rules for allocating voice communication inputs and rules for allocating data communication inputs.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the predetermined allocation rules assign resources according to time of day.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the predetermined allocation rules assign resources by prioritizing inputs received by the TDM bus.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of TDM buses.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of packet buses.