Method and system for manual admission control with user options

• US 6,907,004 B1
• Filed: 10/31/2000
• Issued: 06/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ramsey, Bradley C., Pruski, Kenneth P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Duong, Frank
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jagannathan, Melanie
• Application Number:
  US09/703,424
• Time in Patent Office: 1,687 Days
• Field of Search: 370229-230, 370/235, 370/237, 370/248, 370/252, 370352-356, 370/389, 370/400, 370/468, 370/395.52, 370/465, 370/238, 370/236, 370/395.2, 370/395.32, 370/395.21, 370/420, 370/466, 709228-229, 709/239, 709/250, 379/93.09, 379/213.01, 379/158, 379/202, 379/112.08, 379/114.07, 455/401
• US Class Current: 370/235
• 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 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2011 Service processing based on information specified by a party before or during a call, e.g. information, tone or routing selection
• 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 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

Abstract

A call manager receives a call setup request for a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoP) call from a phone having an associated call originator. The call manager then determines whether sufficient bandwidth exists for the VoP call over a link using a bandwidth table. If insufficient bandwidth exists on the link for the VoP call, the call manager presents a plurality of call completion options to the call originator. One of the call completion options is a public switched telephone network (PSTN) option. In response to the selection of the PSTN option, the call manager routes the VoP call over a PSTN.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a call setup request associated with a voice over packet (VoP) call between an origination and a destination;

prior to establishing the VoP call, determining whether bandwidth is available on a communication link between the origination and the destination;

presenting at least one call completion option for a call originator associated with the call setup request when bandwidth is not available, the at least one call completion option comprising a hold option to hold for a connection between the origination and the destination pending bandwidth availability; and

upon receiving a selection of the hold option from the call originator;

storing the call setup request in response to the selection of the hold option;

determining when bandwidth is available; and

establishing a connection between the origination and the destination when the bandwidth is available.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one call completion option comprises an alternate network option and further comprising:

receiving a selection of the alternate network option; and

establishing a connection between the origination and the destination using a public switched telephone network in response to the selection of the alternate network option by the call originator.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein establishing the connection using a public switched telephone network comprises establishing the connection between the origination and the destination through a gateway coupled to the public switched telephone network.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one call completion option comprises a ring back option and further comprising, upon receiving a selection of the ring back option from the call originator:

storing the call setup request in response to the selection of the ring back option;

disconnecting with the call originator;

determining when the bandwidth is available;

establishing a connection between the origination and the destination; and

alerting the call originator that the VoP call will proceed.

5. The method according to claim 1, and further comprising:

determining available bandwidth on a link to complete the VoP call; and

reducing available bandwidth by the bandwidth used to complete the VoP call.

6. The method according to claim 5, and further comprising updating a call status table in response to completing the VoP call, the call status table comprising a status indication and the status indication comprising an indication of the status of the VoP call.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein presenting the at least one call completion option comprises presenting the at least one call completion option using an interactive voice response system.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein presenting the at least one call completion option comprises presenting the at least one call completion option using at least one programmable key associated with a phone.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining the amount of available bandwidth comprises consulting a bandwidth table, the bandwidth table comprising a first location, a second location, a maximum bandwidth indication and an available bandwidth indication.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the origination and the destination respectively comprise devices that communicate audio information using data packets.

11. A phone comprising:

a memory;

an application stored in the memory,

a processor coupled to the memory, the processor, when executing the application, operable to;

receive a call denial message from a call manager coupled to the phone, the call denial message indicating that insufficient bandwidth exists to establish a phone call originated by a call originator;

determine at least one call completion option to communicate to the call originator, the at least one call completion option comprising a hold option to hold for a connection between the phone and a destination pending bandwidth availability;

communicate the at least one call completion option to the call originator; and

upon receiving a selection of the hold option from the call originator;

communicate the selection of the hold option to the call manager; and

establish a connection between the phone and the destination upon receiving an indication from the call manager that bandwidth is available.

12. The phone according to claim 11, wherein the at least one call completion option comprises an alternate network option and, the processor, when executing the application, is further operable to:

receive a selection of the alternate network option; and

establish a connection between the phone and the a destination using a public switched telephone network in response to the selection of the alternate network option by the call originator.

13. The phone according to claim 11, wherein the determination of the at least one call completion option to communicate to the call originator is based on a status associated with the call originator.

14. A method comprising:

initiating a Voice over Packet (VoP) call using a call setup request from an origination to a destination;

receiving a rejection of the establishment of the VoP call at the origination;

displaying at least one call completion option at the origination in response to the rejection of the establishment of the VoP call, the at least one call completion option comprising a hold option to hold for a connection between the origination and the destination pending bandwidth availability; and

upon receiving a selection of the hold option from a user associated with the origination;

communicate the selection of the hold option; and

establish a connection between the origination and the destination upon receiving an indication that bandwidth is available.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the at least one call completion option comprises an alternate network option and further comprising establishing a connection between the origination and the destination using a public switched telephone network in response to the selection of the alternate network option by the call originator.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein displaying the at least one call completion option comprises programming a programmable key associated with the origination.

17. A system comprising:

means for initiating a Voice over Packet (VoP) call using a call setup request from an origination to a destination;

means for receiving a rejection of the establishment of the VoP call at the origination;

means for displaying at least one a call completion option at the origination in response to the rejection of the establishment of the VoP call, the at least one call completion option comprising a hold option to hold for a connection between the origination and the destination pending bandwidth availability; and

means for, upon receiving a selection of the hold option from a user associated with the origination;

communicating the selection of the hold option; and

establishing a connection between the origination and the destination upon receiving an indication that bandwidth is available.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the at least one call completion option comprises an alternate network option and further comprising means for establishing a connection between the origination and the destination using a public switched telephone network in response to the selection of the alternate network option by the call originator.

19. The system according to claim 17, wherein the means for displaying the at least one call completion option comprises means for programming a programmable key associated with the origination.

20. A method comprising:

receiving a call setup request associated with a voice over packet (VoP) call between an origination and a destination at a first call manager;

determining whether bandwidth is available on a first communications link;

communicating the call setup request to a second call manager coupled to the first call manager using a second communications link;

determining whether bandwidth is available on the second communication link at the second call manager;

determining at least one call completion option at the first call manager for a call originator associated with the origination when bandwidth is not available on either of the first and second communications links, the at least one call completion option comprising a hold option to hold for a connection between the origination and the destination pending bandwidth availability on either of the first and second communication links; and

upon receiving a selection of the hold option from the call originator;

storing the call setup request in response to the selection of the hold option;

determining when bandwidth is available on either of the first and second communication links; and

establishing a connection between the origination and the destination when the bandwidth is available.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the at least one call completion option comprises an alternate network option and further comprising:

receiving a selection of the alternate network option at the first call manager; and

establishing a connection between the origination and the destination using a public switched telephone network in response to the selection of the alternate network option by the call originator.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein establishing the connection using a public switched telephone network comprises establishing the connection between the origination and the destination through a gateway coupled to the public switched telephone network.

23. The method according to claim 20, wherein the at least one call completion option comprises a ring back option and further comprising, upon receiving a selection of the ring back option at the first call manager from the call originator:

storing the call setup request in response to the selection of the ring back option at the first call manager;

disconnecting with the call originator;

determining when the bandwidth is available on the first and second communication links;

establishing a connection between the origination and the destination using the first and second communication links; and

alerting the call originator that the call will proceed.

24. The method according to claim 20, and further comprising updating a first call status table at the first call manager in response to completing the VoP call, the first call status table comprising a first status indication associated with the VoP call originating from the originator coupled to the first call manager, and the first status indication comprising an indication of the status of the VoP call originating from the originator coupled to the first call manager.

25. The method according to claim 24, and further comprising synchronizing the first call status table with a second call status table at the second call manager, the second call status table comprising a second status indication associated with VoP calls originating from a further originator coupled to the second call manager, and the second status indication comprising an indication of the status of a VoP call originating from the further originator coupled to the second call manager.

26. An apparatus comprising:

a memory;

an application stored in the memory;

a processor coupled to the memory, the processor, when executing the application, operable to;

receive a call setup request associated with a voice over packet (VoP) call between an origination and a destination;

prior to the establishment of the VoP call, determine whether bandwidth is available on a communication link between the origination and the destination; and

present at least one call completion option for a call originator associated with the call setup request when bandwidth is not available, the at least one call completion option comprising a hold option to hold for a connection between the origination and the destination pending bandwidth availability; and

upon receiving a selection of the hold option from the call originator;

store the call setup request in response to the selection of the hold option;

determine when bandwidth is available; and

establish a connection between the origination and the destination when the bandwidth is available.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the at least one call completion option comprises an alternate network option and wherein the processor, when executing the application, is further operable to:

receive a selection of the alternate network option; and

establish a connection between the origination and the destination using a public switched telephone network in response to the selection of the alternate network option by the call originator.

28. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the processor, when executing the application, is further operable to establish the connection between the origination and the destination through a gateway coupled to the public switched telephone network.

29. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the at least one call completion option comprises a ring back option and wherein the processor, when executing the application, is further operable to, upon receiving a selection of the ring back option from the call originator:

store the call setup request in response to the selection of the ring back option;

disconnect with the call originator;

determine when the bandwidth is available;

establish a connection between the origination and the destination; and

alert the call originator that the VoP call will proceed.

30. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the processor, when executing the application, is further operable to:

determine available bandwidth on a link to complete the VoP call; and

reduce available bandwidth by the bandwidth used to complete the VoP call.

31. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the processor, when executing the application, is further operable to update a call status table in response to completing the VoP call, the call status table comprising a status indication and the status indication comprising an indication of the status of the VoP call.

32. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the processor, when executing the application, is further operable to present the at least one call completion option using an interactive voice response system.

33. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the processor, when executing the application, is further operable to present the at least one call completion option using at least one programmable key associated with a phone.

34. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the processor, when executing the application, is further operable to consult a bandwidth table, the bandwidth table comprising a first location, a second location, a maximum bandwidth indication and an available bandwidth indication.

35. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the origination and the destination respectively comprise devices that communicate audio information using data packets.

36. A call manager apparatus comprising:

a memory;

an application stored in the memory;

a processor coupled to the memory, the processor, when executing the application, operable to;

receive a call setup request associated with a voice over packet (VOP) call between an origination and a destination;

prior to the establishment of the VoP call, determine whether bandwidth is available on a communications link;

communicate the call setup request to a remote call manager coupled using a second communications link;

determine at least one call completion option for a call originator associated with the origination when bandwidth is not available on the communications link, the at least one call completion option comprising a hold option to hold for a connection between the origination and the destination pending bandwidth availability on the communications link; and

upon receiving a selection of the hold option from the call originator;

store the call setup request in response to the selection of the hold option;

determining when bandwidth is available on the communications link; and

establish a connection between the origination and the destination when the bandwidth is available.

37. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the at least one call completion option comprises an alternate network option and wherein the processor, when executing the application, is further operable to:

receive a selection of the alternate network option; and

establish a connection between the origination and the destination using a public switched telephone network in response to the selection of the alternate network option by the call originator.

38. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the processor, when executing the application, is further operable to establish the connection between the origination and the destination through a gateway coupled to the public switched telephone network.

39. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the at least one call completion option comprises a ring back option and wherein the processor, when executing the application, is further operable to, upon receiving a selection of the ring back option from the call originator:

store the call setup request in response to the selection of the ring back option;

disconnect with the call originator;

determine when the bandwidth is available on the communication link;

establish a connection between the origination and the destination using the communication link; and

alert the call originator that call will proceed.

40. The method according to claim 36, and wherein the processor, when executing the application, is further operable to update a first call status table in response to completing the VoP call, the first call status table comprising a first status indication associated with the VoP call originating from the originator, and the first status indication comprising an indication of the status of the VoP call originating from the originator.

41. The method according to claim 40, and wherein the processor, when executing the application, is further operable to synchronize the first call status table with a second call status table at the remote call manager, the second call status table comprising a second status indication associated with VoP calls originating from a further originator coupled to the remote call manager, and the second status indication comprising an indication of the status of a VoP call originating from the further originator coupled to the remote call manager.

42. A system comprising:

software embodied in computer readable media and operable to;

receive a call setup request associated with a voice over packet (VoP) call between an origination and a destination;

prior to the establishment of the VoP call, determine whether bandwidth is available on a communication link between the origination and the destination;

present at least one call completion option for a call originator associated with the call setup request when bandwidth is not available, the at least one call completion option comprising a hold option to hold for a connection between the origination and the destination pending bandwidth availability; and

upon receiving a selection of the hold option from the call originator;

store the call setup request in response to the selection of the hold option;

determine when bandwidth is available; and

establish a connection between the origination and the destination when the bandwidth is available.

43. The system according to claim 42, wherein the at least one call completion option comprises an alternate network option and wherein the software is further operable to:

receive a selection of the alternate network option; and

establish a connection between the origination and the destination using a public switched telephone network in response to the selection of the alternate network option by the call originator.

44. The system according to claim 43, wherein establishing the connection using a public switched telephone network comprises establishing the connection between the origination and the destination through a gateway coupled to the public switched telephone network.

45. The system according to claim 42, wherein the call completion option comprises a ring back option and wherein the software is further operable to, upon receiving a selection of the ring back option from the call originator:

store the call setup request in response to the selection of the ring back option;

disconnect with the call originator;

determine when the bandwidth is available;

establish a connection between the origination and the destination; and

alert the call originator that the VoP call will proceed.

46. The system according to claim 42, and wherein the software is further operable to:

determine available bandwidth on a link to complete the VoP call; and

reduce available bandwidth by the bandwidth used to complete the VoP call.

47. The system according to claim 46, and wherein the software is further operable to update a call status table in response to completing the VoP call, the call status table comprising a status indication and the status indication comprising an indication of the status of the VoP call.

48. The system according to claim 42, wherein presenting the at least one call completion option comprises presenting the call completion option using an interactive voice response system.

49. The system according to claim 42, wherein presenting the at least one call completion option comprises presenting the call completion option using at least one programmable key associated with a phone.

50. The system according to claim 42, wherein determining the amount of available bandwidth comprises consulting a bandwidth table, the bandwidth table comprising a first location, a second location, a maximum bandwidth indication and an available bandwidth indication.

51. The system according to claim 42, wherein the origination and the destination respectively comprise devices that communicate audio information using data packets.

52. A method comprising:

receiving a call setup request associated with a voice over packet (VoP) call between an origination and a destination;

prior to establishing the VoP call, determining whether bandwidth is available on a communication link between the origination and the destination;

presenting at least one call completion option for a call originator associated with the call setup request when bandwidth is not available, the at least one call completion option comprising a ring back option; and

upon receiving a selection of the ring back option from the call originator;

storing the call setup request in response to the selection of the ring back option;

disconnecting with the call originator;

determining when the bandwidth is available;

establishing a connection between the origination and the destination; and

alerting the call originator that the VoP call will proceed.

53. The method according to claim 52, wherein the at least one call completion option comprises an alternate network option and further comprising:

receiving a selection of the alternate network option; and

establishing a connection between the origination and the destination using a public switched telephone network in response to the selection of the alternate network option by the call originator.

54. The method according to claim 53, wherein establishing the connection using a public switched telephone network comprises establishing the connection between the origination and the destination through a gateway coupled to the public switched telephone network.

55. The method according to claim 52, wherein the at least one call completion option comprising a hold option to hold for a connection between the origination and the destination pending bandwidth availability and further comprising, upon receiving a selection of the hold option from the call originator:

storing the call setup request in response to the selection of the hold option;

determining when bandwidth is available; and

establishing a connection between the origination and the destination when the bandwidth is available.

56. The method according to claim 52, and further comprising:

determining available bandwidth on a link to complete the VoP call; and

reducing available bandwidth by the bandwidth used to complete the VoP call.

57. The method according to claim 56, and further comprising updating a call status table in response to completing the VoP call, the call status table comprising a status indication and the status indication comprising an indication of the status of the VoP call.

58. The method according to claim 52, wherein presenting the at least one call completion option comprises presenting the at least one call completion option using an interactive voice response system.

59. The method according to claim 52, wherein presenting the at least one call completion option comprises presenting the at least one call completion option using at least one programmable key associated with a phone.

60. The method according to claim 52, wherein determining the amount of available bandwidth comprises consulting a bandwidth table, the bandwidth table comprising a first location, a second location, a maximum bandwidth indication and an available bandwidth indication.

61. The method according to claim 52, wherein the origination and the destination respectively comprise devices that communicate audio information using data packets.

62. An apparatus comprising:

a memory;

an application stored in the memory;

a processor coupled to the memory, the processor, when executing the application, operable to;

receive a call setup request associated with a voice over packet (VoP) call between an origination and a destination;

prior to the establishment of the VoP call, determine whether bandwidth is available on a communication link between the origination and the destination; and

present at least one call completion option for a call originator associated with the call setup request when bandwidth is not available, the at least one call completion option comprising a ring back option; and

upon receiving a selection of the ring back option from the call originator;

store the call setup request in response to the selection of the ring back option;

disconnect with the call originator;

determine when the bandwidth is available;

establish a connection between the origination and the destination; and

alert the call originator that the VoP call will proceed.

63. The apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the at least one call completion option comprises an alternate network option and wherein the processor, when executing the application, is further operable to:

receive a selection of the alternate network option; and

establish a connection between the origination and the destination using a public switched telephone network in response to the selection of the alternate network option by the call originator.

64. The apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the at least one call completion option comprises a hold option to hold for a connection between the origination and the destination pending bandwidth availability and wherein the processor, when executing the application, is further operable to, upon receiving a selection of the hold option from the call originator:

store the call setup request in response to the selection of the hold option;

determine when bandwidth is available; and

establish a connection between the origination and the destination when the bandwidth is available.

65. The apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the processor, when executing the application, is further operable to:

determine available bandwidth on a link to complete the VoP call; and

reduce available bandwidth by the bandwidth used to complete the VoP call.

66. The apparatus according to claim 65, wherein the processor, when executing the application, is further operable to update a call status table in response to completing the VoP call, the call status table comprising a status indication and the status indication comprising an indication of the status of the VoP call.

67. The apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the processor, when executing the application, is further operable to present the at least one call completion option using an interactive voice response system.

68. The apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the processor, when executing the application, is further operable to present the at least one call completion option using at least one programmable key associated with a phone.