Systems and methods for multiple mode voice and data communications using intelligently bridged TDM and packet buses and methods for implementing language capabilities using the same

• US 6,366,578 B1
• Filed: 08/04/1999
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Verticle Networks Incorporated
• Inventors: Johnson, Christopher Sean
• Primary Examiner(s): VINCENT, DAVID ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US09/368,460
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: 379/68, 379/85, 379/88.16, 379/88.17, 379/88.18, 379/88.22, 379/88.23, 379/88.25, 379/88.26, 379/88.27, 379/15.02, 379/15.03, 379/88.01, 379/88.05, 379/88.06, 379/102.52, 704/200, 704/231, 704/246-7, 370/401-2, 370/458, 370/448, 370/438, 370/352, 370/353
• US Class Current: 370/353
• 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 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1046 Call controllers; Call servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1053 IP private branch exchange [PBX] functionality entities or arrangements circuit switched PBXs H04M3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/4038 with floor control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/00 Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications user-to-user messaging H04L51/00; network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/324 in the data link layer [OSI layer 2], e.g. HDLC
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/5009 Adding a party to an existing conference conducting a computer conference, e.g. admission detection H04L12/1822
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/5027 : Dropping a party from a conference conducting a computer conference, e.g. admission detection H04L12/1822
• 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 3/563 : User guidance or feature selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0054 : where the data service is an electronic mail service
• 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: H04M 7/128 : Details of addressing, directories or routing tables
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/129 : Details of providing call progress tones or announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1295 : Details of dual tone multiple frequency signalling
• 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. Language support for such systems is accomplished by way of a program/data structure so that additional language support may be readily implemented, for example, by a non-software programmer using grammar and voice prompt files, which are preferably located in a predetermined directory in the system.

Claims

1. In a system for managing voice communications, the system providing voice prompts in one or more particular languages or language variants, a method for providing a set of voice prompts in a particular language, comprising the steps of:

defining high level grammatical rules for the set of voice prompts in the particular language;

storing the grammatical rules for the set of voice prompts in the system;

developing a set of audio files in the particular language;

storing the audio files in the particular language in the system;

receiving a call from a user, wherein the system initiates a request for a voice prompt in response to the call from the user;

in response to the request for the voice prompt, developing a sequential list of audio files, wherein, when the sequential list of audio files is played by the system, the requested voice prompt is played to the user in the particular language;

wherein the sequential list of audio files is produced based on the grammatical rules;

wherein the system is coupled to a wide area communication network comprising a plurality of network resources, the system providing voice and data communications to a plurality of users in an office, the method further comprising the steps of;

transferring packetized data to and from the system via at least a first packet bus coupled to one or more packet-based devices under control of a processor;

coupling voice communications from one or more telephones to at least one time division multiplex (TDM) bus, wherein the TDM bus is selectively coupled to the first packet bus and the wide area communication network;

wherein the processor selectively controls voice communications from the one or more telephones over the TDM bus and packet-based communications over the first packet bus, wherein voice communications that stay in a circuit-switched form in the system occur over the TDM bus and the wide area communication network, and wherein packet-based communications are selectively coupled to the wide area communication network via the TDM bus;

wherein the system is controlled at least in part in response to one or more commands entered by the user after playing of the requested voice prompt.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a parser parses the grammatical rules to produce a database structure, wherein, in response to the request for the voice prompt, the sequential list of audio files is produced based on the database structure.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of defining high level grammatical rules, storing the grammatical rules, developing a set of audio files and storing the audio files are repeated a plurality of times for a plurality of particular languages, wherein the system provides voice prompts in each of the plurality of particular languages.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of determining which of the particular languages are to be used for a particular user.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the system includes hardware and software selectively allocating resources within the system, wherein the processor determines a communication path from one or more communication paths in the system for each of the voice and packet-based communications in the office based on available network resources, type of communication, and/or usage patterns in the office.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a LAN bus is coupled to the first packet bus and a second packet bus is coupled to the LAN bus, wherein the processor controls communications between the first packet bus and the second packet bus over the LAN bus.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the system comprises hardware and software selectively allocating resources within the system, wherein the system determines one or more communications paths within the system and over the wide area communication network for processing voice and packet-based communications based on predetermined rules.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the rules selectively allocate resources within the system as a function of time of day, resource availability over the wide area communication network, type of communication and/or usage patterns.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the TDM bus comprises an MVIP bus.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first packet bus comprises an Ethernet bus.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein data communications occur via an HDLC protocol, wherein a framing/deframing circuit coupled to the TDM bus frames and deframes the data communications to and from the HDLC protocol.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein data communications occur via an ATM protocol, wherein a framing/deframing circuit coupled to the TDM bus frames and defames the data communications to and from the ATM protocol.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of telephones are coupled to the TDM bus via one or more interface circuits, wherein the plurality of telephones are coupled together through the TDM bus.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the system controls voice communications between one of the telephones and the wide area communication network, wherein packet-based communications are concurrently occurring between the wide area communication network and the first packet bus.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the system further includes a resource allocation program operable by the processor, wherein the resource allocation program assigns resources within the system according to predetermined allocation rules.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the predetermined allocation rules include rules for allocating voice communication inputs and rules for allocating data communication inputs.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the predetermined allocation rules assign resources according to time of day.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the predetermined allocation rules assign resources by prioritizing inputs received by the system.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein a multiplexer is coupled to the TDM bus, wherein the multiplexer maps data to predetermined slots of frames of the TDM bus.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein a framer/deframer is coupled to the multiplexer, wherein the framer/deframer processes data in accordance with a first protocol and in accordance with a second protocol.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein a digital signal processor circuit is coupled to the framer/deframer and the TDM bus, wherein the digital signal processor circuit provides at least a dial tone or DTMF digit detection for at least certain of the plurality of telephones coupled to the TDM bus.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein, the processor selectively couples data to the digital signal processor circuit for processing, wherein data communications over the wide area communication network in accordance with the first protocol occur via the TDM bus, wherein data communications over the wide area communication network in accordance with the second protocol occur via the TDM bus.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the first protocol comprises HDLC.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the second protocol comprises ATM.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein the first and second protocols each comprise HDLC.

26. The method of claim 20, wherein one of the first or second protocols comprises a raw data protocol.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the packet-based communications comprise voice-based packet communications.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the packet-based communications comprise Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) packet-based communications.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein voice communications that stay in a circuit-switched form in the communication system occur over the TDM bus and the wide area communication network, and wherein VoIP packet-based communications are selectively coupled to the wide area communication network via the TDM bus.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one time division multiplexed (TDM) bus comprises a plurality of TDM buses.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein a multiplexer is coupled to the TDM buses, wherein the multiplexer maps data to predetermined slots of frames of the TDM buses.

32. The method of claim 21, wherein a framer/deframer coupled to the multiplexer, wherein the framer/deframer processes data in accordance with a first protocol and in accordance with a second protocol.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein a digital signal processor circuit coupled to the framer/deframer and the TDM buses, wherein the digital signal processor circuit provides at least a dial tone or DTMF digit detection for at least certain of the plurality of telephony devices coupled to the TDM buses.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein, the processor selectively couples data to the digital signal processor circuit for processing, wherein data communications over the wide area communication network in accordance with the first protocol occur via the TDM buses, wherein data communications over the wide area communication network in accordance with the second protocol occur via the TDM buses.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the first protocol comprises HDLC.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein the second protocol comprises ATM.

37. The method of claim 32, wherein the first and second protocol each comprise HDLC.

38. The method of claim 32, wherein one of the first or second protocols comprises a raw data protocol.

39. The method of claim 30, wherein the packet-based communications comprise voice-based packet communications.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the packet-based communications comprise Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) packet-based communications.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein voice communications that stay in a circuit-switched form in the communication system occur over the TDM buses and the wide area communication network, and wherein VoIP packet-based communications are selectively coupled to the wide area communication network via the TDM buses.