Method and system for distribution of voice communication service via a wireless local area network

• US 7,349,412 B1
• Filed: 12/20/2002
• Issued: 03/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sprint Spectrum LLC (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Spectrum LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Everson, John M., Jones, Bryce A., Delker, Jason R. A.
• Primary Examiner(s): HO, DUC CHI
• Application Number:
  US10/327,257
• Time in Patent Office: 1,922 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways

Abstract

A method and system for distributing voice communication services via wireless local area networks. An entity sells, loans, gives or otherwise distributes wireless access points, each of which is pre-configured with virtual private network (VPN) security settings to establish a VPN tunnel over a packet network with a VPN terminator on a remote telephony services network. A recipient may thus install the wireless access point on a local area network (LAN), to allow users of voice-capable wireless devices to engage in voice calls via the wireless access point, VPN tunnel and telephony services network. The distributor of the access point, or another entity, may then charge users for placing and receiving voice calls through this system.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

distributing a wireless access point that is preconfigured with security settings to establish a VPN tunnel, over a packet network, with a VPN terminator on a remote network;

operating a call control device on the remote network, the call control device providing voice-over-packet (VoP) telephony service for nodes that have IP addresses routable on the remote network;

operating a server on the remote network to assign an IP address, via the VPN tunnel, to a wireless terminal that associates with the wireless access point; and

operating the call control device to provide VoP telephony service to the wireless terminal, via the VPN tunnel,

wherein operating the call control system to provide VoP telephony service to the wireless terminal comprises (i) paying a service provider for supplying a voice transport network, (ii) interfacing the call control device with the voice transport network, and (iii) interfacing the call control device with the wireless terminal on the remote network, whereby voice communications flow between the wireless terminal and the voice transport network via the call control device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

charging a user of the wireless terminal for use of the VoP telephony service.

3. A method comprising:

operating a call control system to provide voice-over-packet (VoP) telephony service to nodes operating on a first network;

operating a virtual private network (VPN) server on the first network, the VPN server providing connectivity between the first network and a second network;

distributing wireless access points for use on remote local area networks (LANs) communicatively coupled with the second network, wherein (a) each wireless access point includes an integrated VPN client configured with predefined VPN security settings, and (b) each wireless access point is configured (i) to use the predefined VPN security settings, after the wireless access point is connected with a remote LAN, to establish a VPN tunnel with the VPN server over the remote LAN and the second network, and (ii) to then function as a bridge between an air interface and the VPN tunnel; and

after a wireless terminal establishes a WLAN association one of the wireless access points, authorizing the wireless terminal to engage in voice communications via the call control system,

whereby VoP traffic then flows between the wireless terminal and the call control system over a communication path comprising the air interface, the wireless access point, the VPN tunnel, the VPN server, and the first network.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein operating a call control system to provide VoP telephony service to nodes operating on the first network comprises:

paying a service provider for supplying a voice transport network;

interfacing the call control system with the voice transport network; and

interfacing the call control system with the nodes on the first network,

whereby voice communications flow between each node and the voice transport network via the call control system.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

receiving payment for allowing the wireless terminal to engage in voice communications via the call control system.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first network is operated by a company having employees, and wherein distributing wireless access points comprises distributing wireless access points to the employees, in order to enable the employees to engage in voice communications via the call control system when the employees are not physically located on premises of the company.