Systems and methods for multiple mode voice and data communications using intelligently bridged TDM and packet buses

• US 8,644,303 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2012
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Inventors: Pickett, Scott K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shah, Chirag
• Assistant Examiner(s): Van, Jenkey
• Application Number:
  US13/506,070
• Publication Number:
  US 20130064240A1
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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 12/2896 Distributed processing, e.g. on line cards
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/43 with synchronous transmission, e.g. time division multiplex [TDM], slotted rings
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6402 Hybrid switching fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6408 Shared Medium, e.g. memory, bus, ring
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6424 Access arrangements
• 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 65/1053 IP private branch exchange [PBX] functionality entities or arrangements circuit switched PBXs H04M3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• 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 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• 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 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 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 7/1295 : 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

In a communications system, a first packet network is provided. Packetized data is transferred between the system and one or more packet-based devices. A TDM network is provided, and data is transmitted in frames having slots. Data transmitted via the TDM network includes data for voice communications for telephony devices. The TDM network is selectively coupled to the first packet network and a WAN. A processor and a control bus interface circuit control transfer of packetized data and transmittal of data for voice communications. The processor controls processing of packetized data and data for voice communications. A switch/multiplexer selectively controls providing data to/from particular slots. The processor selectively controls voice communications from telephony devices over the TDM network and packet-based communications over the packet network. Voice communications that stay in a circuit-switched form occur over the TDM network and the WAN.

Claims

1. In a communication system coupled to a wide area communication network, a system for providing voice and data communications comprising:

a first packet network, wherein packetized data is transferred between the communication system and one or more packet-based devices;

at least one time division multiplexed (TDM) network, wherein data is transmitted in frames, each of the frames having a plurality of slots for transmitting data, wherein data transmitted via the TDM network includes data for voice communications to and from one or more of a plurality of telephony devices, wherein the TDM network is selectively coupled to the first packet network and the wide area communication network;

a processor and a control bus interface circuit that controls transfer of packetized data to and from the system, and transmittal of the data for voice communications to and from the one or more of the plurality of telephony devices;

wherein the processor controls processing of the packetized data and the data for voice communications within the system;

wherein a switch/multiplexer selectively controls the providing of data to and from particular slots of particular frames;

wherein the processor selectively controls voice communications from one or more telephony devices over the TDM network and packet-based communications over the first packet network, wherein voice communications that stay in a circuit-switched form in the system occur over the TDM network and the wide area communication network.

2. The system 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 based on available network resources, type of communication, and/or usage patterns.

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

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes 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.

5. The system of claim 4, 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.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the TDM network comprises an MVIP (multi-vendor integration protocol) bus.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first packet network comprises an Ethernet bus.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein data communications occur via an HDLC (high-level data link control) protocol, wherein a framing/deframing circuit coupled to the switch/multiplexer frames and deframes the data communications to and from the HDLC protocol, wherein the data communications are coupled to the TDM network.

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

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the predetermined allocation rules include rules for allocating voice communication inputs and rules for allocating data communication inputs.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the predetermined allocation rules assign resources according to time of day and/or by prioritizing inputs received by the system.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the packet-based communications comprise voice-based packet communications.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the packet-based communications comprise Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) packet-based communications.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein voice communications that stay in a circuit-switched form in the system occur over the TDM network and the wide area communication network, and wherein VoIP packet-based communications are selectively coupled to the wide area communication network via the TDM network.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the system includes hardware and software resources that provide a VoIP gatekeeper function.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the hardware and software resources determine if acceptable Internet conditions exist for VoIP packet-based communications.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the TDM network coupled to one or more telephony devices is comprised of a wireless network.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein data communications occur via an ATM protocol, wherein a framing/defaming circuit coupled to the switch/multiplexer frames and deframes the data communications to and from the A TM protocol.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes a plurality of TDM networks, wherein the switch/multiplexer maps data to predetermined slots of frames of the plurality of TDM networks.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one time division multiplexed (TDM) network comprises a plurality of TDM networks.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the packet-based communications comprise voice-based packet communications.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the packet-based communications comprise Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) packet-based communications.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein voice communications that stay in a circuit-switched form in the system occur over the TDM networks and the wide area communication network.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein the system includes hardware and software resources to selectively bridge between the TDM networks and a plurality of packet networks to provide voice and data communications to the plurality of users.