Telephone communication

• US 8,374,168 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2007
• Issued: 02/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rebtel Networks AB
• Original Assignee: Rebtel Networks AB
• Inventors: Lindroth, Jonas, Winbladh, Hjalmar
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Chandrahas
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAMEL, JOEL A
• Application Number:
  US12/300,278
• Publication Number:
  US 20090310598A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,164 Days
• Field of Search: 370352-356, 379/142.01, 379/142.06, 379 881- 8821, 455/415
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/41 Billing record details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure of call data record [CDR]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/50 for cross-charging network operators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/55 for hybrid networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2044 Group features, e.g. closed user group
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0164 Billing record, e.g. Call Data Record [CDR], Toll Ticket[TT], Automatic Message Accounting [AMA], Call Line Identifier [CLI], details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2046 Hybrid network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/52 Interconnection, inter-exchange, reseller billing, billing agreements between different operators, e.g. billing identifier added on the CDR in order to cross charge the other operator, inter-operator accounting, reconciliation, bill directly resellers customers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42008 Systems for anonymous communication between parties, e.g. by use of disposal contact identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42102 Making use of the called party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42229 Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location diverting calls from one subscriber to another subscriber, i.e. two different subscriptions H04M3/54; selecting arrangements in intelligent networks H04Q3/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42297 with number portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/44 Additional connecting arrangements for providing access to frequently-wanted subscribers, e.g. abbreviated dialling at the subscriber's set H04M1/27; automatic redialling H04M3/424
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1245 where a network other than PSTN/ISDN interconnects two PSTN/ISDN networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0045 involving hybrid, i.e. a mixture of public and private, or multi-vendor systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/76 Translation from the called subscriber's number to the outgoing or incoming control information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup

Abstract

A telephone connection is established between a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal is presumed to be associated with a subscription in a first home telephone network in which the terminal is identified by a first network identity. Correspondingly, the second terminal is presumed to be associated with a subscription in a second home telephone network in which the second terminal is identified by a second network identity. A host resource routes a call from the first terminal to the second terminal based on a combination of the first network identity and a first common telephone number in the first home telephone network dialed by the first terminal. The first common telephone number is selected such that it is unique and is adapted to be shared among a group of users in the first home telephone network.

Claims

1. A system for establishing a telephone connection between a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal being associated with a subscription in a first home telephone network in which the first terminal is identified by means of a first network identity, and the second terminal being associated with a subscription in a second home telephone network in which the second terminal is identified by means of a second network identity, characterized in that the system comprises:

a host resource comprising one or more memory storage areas and one or more processors, adapted to, with the one or more processors, route a call from the first terminal to the second terminal based on a first unique combination of the first network identity and a first common telephone number in the first home telephone network dialed by the first terminal, the first common telephone number being adapted to be shared among a first group of users in the first home telephone network,

wherein the first unique combination of the first common telephone number and the first network identity is established by;

receiving an initial dialing instruction from the second terminal, the initial dialing instruction containing data uniquely identifying the first terminal,

receiving user data specifying the second network identity,

deriving the first network identity based on the initial dialing instruction,

allocating the first common telephone number based on the first and second network identities and any first common telephone numbers previously allocated to the first terminal and/or the second terminal in such a manner that a combination of the first network identity, the first common telephone number and the second network identity becomes unique,

storing an entry representing the first unique combination, and

sending a service invitation message to the first terminal, the service invitation message including data specifying an identity of the second terminal and the first common telephone number,

wherein the allocation of the first common telephone number comprises;

an investigation of whether there exists an already stored entry in respect of the second terminal,

an investigation of whether there exists an already stored entry in respect of the first terminal,

if no previously stored entry exists in respect of either the first terminal and the second terminal, the first common telephone number is allocated by an arbitrary selection of one number from a predefined pool of telephone numbers in the first network,

if there exists at least one stored entry in respect of the second terminal however there exists no stored entry in respect of the first terminal, the first common telephone number is allocated to a number which is identical to an already stored first common telephone number, and

if there exists at least one previously stored entry in respect of each of the first and the second terminal, the first common telephone number is allocated to an adjoining number, incrementally or decrementally, of an already stored first common telephone number in respect of the first terminal;

a first interface node connecting the first home telephone network to at least one interconnecting network, and

a second interface node connecting the second home telephone network to at least one of the at least one interconnecting network, wherein

at least one of the at least one interconnecting network is represented by a packet switched network, and each of the a first and second interface nodes is adapted to handle telephone traffic over packet switched networks.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the host resource is adapted to route calls from each of a first number of first terminals in the first home telephone network to each of a second number of second terminals in the second home telephone network, the host resource being associated with a database storing an entry for each first unique combination of:

the first network identity of each of the first terminals,

the second network identity of each of the second terminals, and

a respective first common telephone number to be dialed by each first terminal to reach each of the second terminals.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one packet switched network is represented by the Internet.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein, after having routed the call, the host resource is adapted to set up a bi-directional primary connection between the first terminal and the second terminal provided that a call-accept message is generated by the second terminal.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the primary connection comprises a first leg between the first terminal and the host resource and a second leg between the host resource and the second terminal, and the host resource is adapted to:

receive a termination request from the second terminal , and in response thereto disconnect the second leg,

maintain the first leg during a threshold period after having disconnected the second leg, and

establish a bi-directional secondary connection between the first terminal and the second terminal if a return call to a predefined telephone number is received from the second terminal before expiry of the threshold period.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second home telephone networks is a wireless network.

7. A method of establishing a telephone connection between a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal being associated with a subscription in a first home telephone network in which the first terminal is identified by means of a first network identity and the second terminal being associated with a second home telephone network in which the second terminal is identified by means of a second network identity, characterized by

receiving a dialing code from the first terminal, the dialing code identifying a first common telephone number in the first home telephone network, the first common telephone number being adapted to be shared among a first group of users in the first home telephone network,

receiving user data specifying the first network identity, and

routing a call from the first terminal to the second terminal based on a first unique combination of the first common telephone number and the first network identity, wherein the first unique combination of the first common telephone number and the first network identity is established by:

receiving an initial dialing instruction from the second terminal, the initial dialing instruction containing data uniquely identifying the first terminal,

receiving user data specifying the second network identity,

deriving the first network identity based on the initial dialing instruction,

allocating the first common telephone number based on the first and second network identities and any first common telephone numbers previously allocated to the first terminal and/or the second terminal in such a manner that a combination of the first network identity, the first common telephone number and the second network identity becomes unique,

storing an entry representing the first unique combination, and

sending a service invitation message to the first terminal, the service invitation message including data specifying an identity of the second terminal and the first common telephone number;

wherein the allocation of the first common telephone number comprises;

investigating whether there exists an already stored entry in respect of the second terminal,

investigating whether there exists an already stored entry in respect of the first terminal,

if no previously stored entry exists in respect of either the first terminal and the second terminal, the first common telephone number is allocated by arbitrarily selecting one number from a predefined pool of telephone numbers in the first network,

if there exists at least one stored entry in respect of the second terminal however there exists no stored entry in respect of the first terminal, the first common telephone number is allocated to a number being identical to an already stored first common telephone number,

if there exists at least one previously stored entry in respect of each of the first and the second terminal, the first common telephone number is allocated to a number adjoining, incrementally or decrementally, an already stored first common telephone number in respect of the first terminal; and

setting up a bi-directional primary connection between the first terminal and the second terminal provided that a call-accept message is generated by the second terminal, wherein the primary connection is established via at least on interconnecting network of packet switched type.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the at least one packet switched network is represented by the Internet.

9. The method according to claim 7, comprising:

receiving a termination request from the second terminal, and in response thereto;

disconnecting the second leg,

maintaining the first leg during a threshold period after having disconnected the second, and

establishing a bi-directional secondary connection between the first terminal and the second terminal if a return call to a predefined telephone number is received from the second terminal before expiry of the threshold period.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the first unique combination of the first common telephone number and the first network identity is established by:

receiving an initial service request from the second terminal, the initial service request containing data uniquely identifying the first terminal,

receiving user data specifying the second network identity,

deriving the first network identity based on the initial service request, and

allocating an identity-number pair representing the first unique combination, the identity-number pair further containing a second common telephone number in the second home telephone network, the second common telephone number being adapted to;

be used for routing a call from the second terminal to the first terminal based on a second unique combination of the second common telephone number and the second network identity and

be shared among a second group of users in the second telephone network.

11. A computer program product for establishing a telephone connection between a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal being associated with a subscription in a first home telephone network in which the first terminal is identified by a first network identity, and the second terminal being associated with a subscription in a second home telephone network in which the second terminal is identified by a second network identity, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:

an executable portion configured to route a call from the first terminal to the second terminal based on a first unique combination of the first network identity and a first common telephone number in the first home telephone network dialed by the first terminal, the first common telephone number being adapted to be shared among a first group of users in the first home telephone network,

wherein the first unique combination of the first common telephone number and the first network identity is established by;

receiving an initial dialing instruction from the second terminal, the initial dialing instruction containing data uniquely identifying the first terminal,

receiving user data specifying the second network identity,

deriving the first network identity based on the initial dialing instruction,

allocating the first common telephone number based on the first and second network identities and any first common telephone numbers previously allocated to the first terminal and/or the second terminal in such a manner that a combination of the first network identity, the first common telephone number and the second network identity becomes unique,

storing an entry representing the first unique combination, and

sending a service invitation message to the first terminal, the service invitation message including data specifying an identity of the second terminal and the first common telephone number, wherein the allocation of the first common telephone number comprises;

an investigation of whether there exists an already stored entry in respect of the second terminal,

an investigation of whether there exists an already stored entry in respect of the first terminal,

if no previously stored entry exists in respect of either the first terminal and the second terminal, the first common telephone number is allocated by an arbitrary selection of one number from a predefined pool of telephone numbers in the first network,

if there exists at least one stored entry in respect of the second terminal however there exists no stored entry in respect of the first terminal, the first common telephone number is allocated to a number which is identical to an already stored first common telephone number, and

if there exists at least one previously stored entry in respect of each of the first and the second terminal, the first common telephone number is allocated to an adjoining number, incrementally or decrementally, of an already stored first common telephone number in respect of the first terminal;

an executable portion configured to connect the first home telephone network to at least one interconnecting network, and

an executable portion configured to connect the second home telephone network to at least one of the at least one interconnecting network, wherein

at least one of the at least one interconnecting network is represented by a packet switched network, and each of the a first and second interface nodes is adapted to handle telephone traffic over packet switched networks.

12. A non-transitory computer readable medium, having a program recorded thereon for establishing a telephone connection between a first terminal and a second terminal the first terminal being associated with a subscription in a first home telephone network in which the first terminal is identified by a first network identity, and the second terminal being associated with a subscription in a second home telephone network in which the second terminal is identified by a second network identity, where the program is to make a computer at least:

route a call from the first terminal to the second terminal based on a first unique combination of the first network identity and a first common telephone number in the first home telephone network dialed by the first terminal the first common telephone number being adapted to be shared among a first group of users in the first home telephone network,

wherein the first unique combination of the first common telephone number and the first network identity is established by;

receiving an initial dialing instruction from the second terminal, the initial dialing instruction containing data uniquely identifying the first terminal,

receiving user data specifying the second network identity,

deriving the first network identity based on the initial dialing instruction,

allocating the first common telephone number based on the first and second network identities and any first common telephone numbers previously allocated to the first terminal and/or the second terminal in such a manner that a combination of the first network identity, the first common telephone number and the second network identity becomes unique,

storing an entry representing the first unique combination, and

sending a service invitation message to the first terminal, the service invitation message including data specifying an identity of the second terminal and the first common telephone number, wherein the allocation of the first common telephone number comprises;

an investigation of whether there exists an already stored entry in respect of the second terminal,

an investigation of whether there exists an already stored entry in respect of the first terminal,

if no previously stored entry exists in respect of either the first terminal and the second terminal the first common telephone number is allocated by an arbitrary selection of one number from a predefined pool of telephone numbers in the first network,

if there exists at least one stored entry in respect of the second terminal however there exists no stored entry in respect of the first terminal the first common telephone number is allocated to a number which is identical to an already stored first common telephone number, and

if there exists at least one previously stored entry in respect of each of the first and the second terminal the first common telephone number is allocated to an adjoining number, incrementally or decrementally, of an already stored first common telephone number in respect of the first terminal;

connect the first home telephone network to at least one interconnecting network and, connect the second home telephone network to at least one of the at least one interconnecting network, wherein

at least one of the at least one interconnecting network is represented by a packet switched network, and each of the a first and second interface nodes is adapted to handle telephone traffic over packet switched networks.