System, method and article of manufacture for a call back architecture in a hybrid network with support for internet telephony

• US 6,731,625 B1
• Filed: 02/10/1997
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Eastep, Guido M., Litzenberger, Paul, Orebaugh, Shannon R.
• Primary Examiner(s): MARCELO, MELVIN C
• Application Number:
  US08/795,270
• Time in Patent Office: 2,640 Days
• Field of Search: 310/352, 310/383, 310/389, 310/390, 310/392, 310/401, 310/410, 310/408, 379/89, 379/100.11, 379/114, 379/100.13, 379/93.08, 379/93.07, 379/93.14, 379/93.29, 379/201, 379/209
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/165 Combined use of TCP and UDP protocols; selection criteria therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/169 Special adaptations of TCP, UDP or IP for interworking of IP based networks with other networks protocols for interworking, protocol conversion H04L69/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/5063 Centrally initiated conference, i.e. Conference server dials participants computer conference organisation arrangements H04L12/1818
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0176 Billing arrangements using internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/48 Arrangements for recalling a calling subscriber when the wanted subscriber ceases to be busy
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5166 in combination with interactive voice response systems or voice portals, e.g. as front-ends
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5191 interacting with the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/523 with call distribution or queueing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 Multimedia conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/003 Click to dial services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/128 Details of addressing, directories or routing tables
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0062 Provisions for network management

Abstract

A callback system is created utilizing a hybrid telecommunication system including a switched communication network and a packet transmission network. A call parameter database is stored in a memory. A call is received on the system. The call parameter database is accessed to determine at least one call parameter. The call is routed over the switched communication network and the packet transmission network based on the at least one call parameter. A plurality of service engines is provided, each configured to execute desired service logic utilizing expert system.

Claims

1. A system for media communication over a hybrid network including a circuit switched network, a packet switched network and a directory of internet protocol addresses for the packet switched network, the system comprising:

a processor with control software that prompts a first user for information to initiate a callback session between a second user and the first user on the hybrid network, wherein the information includes an identifier to identify at least one internet telephony capable device; and

a call router connecting the circuit switched network and the packet switched network, configured to route media communication by accessing the directory of internet protocol addresses and identifying an associated internet protocol address associated with the at least one internet telephony capable device,

wherein said information includes a time nad date call initiation information, such that said first user is called at said time and date specified in said time and date call initiation information.

2. The system for media communication of claim 1, further including a processor with control software for recording status information associated with the callback session.

3. The system for media communication of claim 1, further including a processor with control software for accepting information available to a plurality of users during the callback session.

4. The system for media communication of claim 1, wherein the information includes a plurality of identifiers associated with at least two internet telephony capable devices.

5. The system for media communication of claim 1, wherein the information also includes an identifier for at least one telephony capable device connected to the switched network.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one internet telephony capable device is a computer on said hybrid network.

7. The system of claim 1, further including a processor with control software that preserves profile information from the information, wherein the profile information can be accessed, reviewed and modified utilizing a user interface connected to the packet switched network.

8. The system of claim 1, further including an operator assistance that is activated on an exception basis.

9. A system for media communication over a hybrid network including a circuit switched network, a packet switched network and a directory of internet protocol addresses for the packet switched network, the system comprising:

a processor with control software that prompts a first user for information to initiate a callback session between a second user and the first user on the hybrid network, wherein the information includes an identifier to identify at least one internet telephony capable device; and

a call router connecting the circuit switched network and the packet switched network, configured to route media communication by accessing the directory of internet protocol addresses and identifying an associated internet protocol address associated with the at least one internet telephony capable device,

wherein the information includes billing information.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said at least one internet telephony capable device is a computer on said hybrid network.

11. The system of claim 9, further including a processor with control software that preserves profile information from the information, wherein the profile information can be accessed, reviewed and modified utilizing a user interface connected to the packet switched network.

12. The system of claim 9, further including an operator assistance that is activated on an exception basis.

13. A method for media communication over a hybrid network including a circuit switched network, a packet switched network and a directory of internet protocol addresses for the packet switched network, the method comprising:

prompting a first user for information to initiate a callback session between a second user and the first user on the hybrid network, wherein the information includes an identifier to identify at least one internet telephony capable device, and wherein said information includes time and date call initiation information;

accessing the directory of internet protocol addresses and identifying an associated internet protocol address associated with the at least one internet telephony capable device;

utilizing the associated internet protocol address to route media communication through the hybrid network; and

calling said first user at said time and date specified in said time and date call initiation information.

14. The method for media communication of claim 13, further including recording status information associated with the callback session.

15. The method for media communication of claim 13, further including accepting information available to a plurality of users during the callback session.

16. The method for media communication of claim 13, wherein the information includes a plurality of identifiers associated with at least two internet telephony capable devices.

17. The method for media communication of claim 13, wherein the information also includes an identifier for at least one telephony capable device connected to the switched network.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein said at least one internet telephony capable device is a computer on said hybrid network.

19. The method of claim 13, further including preserving profile information from the information, wherein the profile information can be accessed, reviewed and modified utilizing a user interface connected to the packet switched network.

20. The method of claim 13, further including activating an operator assistance on an exception basis.

21. A method for media communication over a hybrid network including a circuit switched network, a packet switched network and a directory of internet protocol addresses for the packet switched network, the method comprising:

prompting a first user for information to initiate a callback session between a second user and the first user on the hybrid network, wherein the information includes an identifier to identify at least one internet telephony capable device;

accessing the directory of internet protocol addresses and identifying an associated internet protocol address associated with the at least one internet telephony capable device; and

utilizing the associated internet protocol address to route media communication through the hybrid network,

wherein the information includes billing information.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said at least one internet telephony capable device is a computer on said hybrid network.

23. The method of claim 21, further including preserving profile information from the information, wherein the profile information can be accessed, reviewed and modified utilizing a user interface connected to the packet switched network.

24. The method of claim 21, further including activating an operator assistance on an exception basis.

25. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium for media communication through a hybrid network including a circuit switched network, a packet switched network and a directory of internet protocol addresses for the packet switched network, the computer program comprising:

first software that prompts a first user for information to initiate a callback session between a second user and the first user on the hybrid network, wherein the information includes an identifier to identify at least one internet telephony capable device, and wherein said information includes time and date call initiation information;

second software that accesses the directory of internet protocol address and identifying an associated internet protocol address associated with the at least one internet telephony capable device;

third software that utilizes the associated internet protocol address to route media communication through the hybrid network; and

fourth software that calls said first user at said time and date specified in said time and date call initiation information.

26. The computer program for media communication of claim 25, further including fourth software for recording status information associated with the callback session.

27. The computer program for media communication of claim 25, further including fourth software for accepting information available to a plurality of users during the callback session.

28. The computer program for media communication of claim 25, wherein the information includes a plurality of identifiers associated with at least two internet telephony capable devices.

29. The computer program for media communication of claim 25, wherein the information also includes a identifier for at least one telephony capable device connected to the switched network.

30. The computer program of claim 25, wherein said at least one internet telephony capable device is a computer on said hybrid network.

31. The computer program of claim 25, further including fourth software that preserves profile information from the information, wherein the profile information can be accessed, reviewed and modified utilizing a user interface connected to the packet switched network.

32. The computer program of claim 25, further including fourth software that allows operator assistance activated on an exception basis.

33. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium for media communication through a hybrid network including a circuit switched network, a packet switched network and a directory of internet protocol addresses for the packet switched network, the computer program comprising:

first software that prompts a first user a computer on the hybrid network for information to initiate a callback session between a second user and the first user on the hybrid network, wherein the information includes an identifier to identify at least one internet telephony capable device;

second software that accesses the directory of internet protocol addresses and identifying an associated internet protocol address associated with the at least one internet telephony capable device; and

third software that utilizes the associated internet protocol address to route media communication through the hybrid network,

wherein the information includes billing information.

34. The computer program of claim 33, wherein said at least one internet telephony capable device is a computer on said hybrid network.

35. The computer program of claim 33, further including fourth software that preserves profile information from the information, wherein the profile information can be accessed, reviewed and modified utilizing a user interface connected to the packet switched network.

36. The computer program of claim 33, further including fourth software that allows operator assistance activated on an exception basis.

37. A system for media communication over a hybrid network including a circuit switched network, a packet switched network and a directory of internet protocol addresses for the packet switched network, the system comprising:

a processor with control software that prompts a first user using a computer on the hybrid network for information to initiate a callback session between a second user and the first user on the hybrid network, wherein the information includes an identifier to identify the computer of the first user for the callback session; and

a call router connecting the circuit switched network and the packet switched network, configured to route media communication by accessing the directory of internet protocol addresses and identifying an associated internet protocol address associated with the information of the computer of the first user and the information of the second user,

wherein the information includes an option for initiating a collect callback session.

38. A method for media communication over a hybrid network including a circuit switched network, a packet switched network and a directory of internet protocol addresses for the packet switched network, the method comprising:

prompting a first user using a computer on the hybrid network for information to initiate a callback session between a second user and the first user on the hybrid network, wherein the information includes an identifier to identify the computer of the first user for the callback session;

accessing the directory of internet protocol addresses and identifying an associated internet protocol address associated with the information of the computer of the first user and the information of the second user; and

utilizing the associated internet protocol address to route media communication through the hybrid network,

wherein the information includes an option for initiating a collect callback session.

39. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium for media communication through a hybrid network including a circuit-switched network, a packet switched network and a directory of internet protocol addresses for the packet switched network, the computer program comprising:

first software that prompts a first user using a computer on the hybrid network for information to initiate a callback session between a second user and the first user on the hybrid network, wherein the information includes an identifier to identify the computer of the first user for the callback session;

second software that accesses the directory of internet protocol addresses and identifying an associated internet protocol address associated with information of the computer of the first user and the information of the second user; and

third software that utilizes the associated internet protocol address to route media communication through the hybrid network,

wherein the information includes an option for initiating a collect callback session.