System and method for accessing a multi-line gateway using cordless telephony terminals

• US 6,973,058 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2001
• Issued: 12/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Paryani, Harish P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ngo, Ricky
• Assistant Examiner(s): Juntima, Nittaya
• Application Number:
  US09/919,670
• Publication Number:
  US 20030026269A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,589 Days
• Field of Search: 370/328, 370/329, 370/341, 370/338, 370/401, 370352-356, 370465-466, 370/384, 370/431, 370/437, 370/522, 370/468
• US Class Current: 370/329
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1026 at the edge
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1036 at the edge
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/15 Setup of multiple wireless link connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/16 WPBX [Wireless Private Branch Exchange]

Abstract

According to the present invention, simultaneous call-handling and data transfer is achieved between a terminal and a multi-line gateway in a cordless telephony environment. Multiple logical channels are established and used as signaling resources for calls on the multiple lines, and also for data transfers between the gateway and terminal. As a result, terminals can handle multiple calls on different lines and at the same time access data stored at the gateway. According to a first aspect of the present invention, two or more logical channels are established over an asynchronous channel between a terminal and a gateway. These logical channels are assigned to calls that are set-up between the terminal and gateway. When used as a signaling resource, the logical channels allow the terminal to distinguish between signaling information for multiple simultaneous calls. The calls are associated with another speech or data channel that will bear the voice signal, referred to herein as a bearer channel. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a logical channel is also established over an asynchronous channel to handle data transfers between the gateway and terminal. Using this logical channel, the terminal can access data stored at the gateway without disrupting any ongoing calls.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

(a) establishing a plurality of logical channels over an asynchronous channel between a terminal and a gateway, wherein said plurality of logical channels comprise a plurality of Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol (L2CAP) channels; and

(b) assigning said plurality of logical channels to calls that are set up between said terminal and said gateway; and

identifying a plurality of bearer channels to carry voice signals associated with the calls.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(c) associating the calls with said plurality of bearer channels.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said associating comprises determining whether an existing bearer channel is available, and if so, associating a call with the existing bearer channel, and if not, establishing a new bearer channel and associating the call with the new bearer channel.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein two or more of said calls can be associated with a single bearer channel selected from said plurality of bearer channels.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said plurality of bearer channels include at least one Synchronous Connection-Oriented (SCO) link.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein said plurality of bearer channels include at least one Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol channel carrying voice over IP (VoIP) data.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said assigning is accomplished dynamically.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said calls comprise incoming calls, outgoing calls, and intercom calls.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising established an additional logical channel to handle data transfers between said gateway and said terminal.

10. A method for setting up a call between a gateway and a terminal, wherein an asynchronous link is established between said gateway and said terminal, said method comprising:

(a) assigning to the call a first logical channel selected from a plurality of logical channels over the asynchronous link, wherein said terminal and said gateway exchange signaling information using said first logical channel, and wherein said plurality of logical channels comprise a plurality of Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol (L2CAP) channels;

to be assigned to a plurality of voice calls at any given time; and

(b) identifying a bearer channel to carry a voice signal associated with the call.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said identifying comprises determining whether to use an existing bearer channel, and if so, carrying said voice signal on said existing bearer channel, and if not, establishing a new bearer channel to carry said voice signal.

12. A method comprising:

(a) establishing an asynchronous link between a terminal and a gateway;

(b) establishing a first logical channel over said asynchronous link, wherein said first logical channel carries call signaling information, and wherein said first logical channel comprises a Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol (L2CAP) channel; and

(c) establishing a second logical channel over said asynchronous link, wherein said terminal accesses data stored at said gateway using said second logical channel, wherein said second logical channel comprises a Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol (L2CAP) channel; and

identifying a bearer channel to carry a voice call associated with the call signaling information.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

(d) establishing a third logical channel over said asynchronous link; and

(e) associating said third logical channel with said first logical channel, wherein said third logical channel acts as a bearer of voice over IP (VoIP) data.

14. A method for communicating between a gateway and a terminal, said method comprising:

(a) receiving a request to set up a call between the gateway and the terminal, wherein said call includes signaling information and a voice signal;

(b) assigning a logical channel selected from a plurality of logical channels to said call, wherein said signaling information is exchanged via said logical channel, and wherein said plurality of logical channels comprise a plurality of Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol (L2CAP) channels to be assigned to a plurality of voice calls at any given time;

identifying a bearer channel to carry the voice signal associated with the call; and

(c) associating said call with the bearer channel to carry said voice signal.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said gateway is coupled to a network via a plurality of lines, and wherein said call is carried on one of said plurality of lines.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said network comprises a public switched telephone network (PSTN).

17. A system comprising:

a terminal for establishing an asynchronous channel and a plurality of logical channels over said asynchronous channel, wherein said plurality of logical channels comprise a plurality of Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol (L2CAP) channels; and

a gateway, coupled to said asynchronous channel, for assigning said plurality of logical channels to calls that are set up between said gateway and said terminal, and for identifying a plurality of bearer channels to carry voice signals associated with said calls.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said gateway is coupled to a network via a plurality of lines.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein said gateway further associates the calls with a plurality of bearer channels, wherein said plurality of bearer channels are established between said terminal and said gateway.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said plurality of bearer channels includes at least one Synchronous Connection-Oriented (SCO) link.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein said plurality of bearer channels includes at least one Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol channel carrying voice over IP (VoIP) data.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein said calls comprise incoming calls, outgoing calls, and intercom calls.

23. The system of claim 17, wherein said terminal further establishes an additional logical channel to handle data transfers between said gateway and said terminal.

24. A gateway in communication with a terminal device via an asynchronous channel, wherein said terminal establishes a plurality of logical channels over the asynchronous channel, said gateway comprising means for assigning the plurality of logical channels to calls that are set up between said terminal and said gateway, and for identifying a plurality of bearer channels to carry voice signals associated with said calls, and wherein said plurality of logical channels comprise a plurality of Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol (L2CAP) channels.

25. The gateway of claim 24, further comprising means for associating the calls with a plurality of bearer channels established between the gateway and the terminal device.

26. At least one machine readable storage, having stored thereon code for supporting communication between a gateway and a terminal, the code operable to cause performance of the operations comprising:

(a) establishing a plurality of logical channels over an asynchronous channel between the terminal and the gateway, wherein said plurality of logical channels comprise a plurality of Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol (L2CAP) channels; and

(b) assigning said plurality of logical channels to calls that are set up between the terminal and the gateway, and identifying a plurality of bearer channels to carry voice signals associated with the calls.

27. The computer readable media of claim 26, wherein said method further comprises associating the calls with a plurality of bearer channels established between the gateway and the terminal device.

28. A system comprising:

an integrated circuit for use in a terminal, said terminal for establishing an asynchronous channel and a plurality of logical channels over said asynchronous channel, wherein said plurality of logical channels comprise a plurality of Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol (L2CAP) channels, wherein said terminal communicates with a gateway coupled to said asynchronous channel, said gateway for assigning said plurality of logical channels to calls that are set up between said gateway and said terminal and for identifying a plurality of bearer channels to carry voice signals associated with the calls.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein said gateway is coupled to a network via a plurality of lines.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein said gateway further associates the calls with a plurality of bearer channels, wherein said plurality of bearer channels are established between said terminal and said gateway.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein said plurality of bearer channels includes at least one Synchronous Connection-Oriented (SCO) link.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein said plurality of bearer channels includes at least one Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol_—

channel carrying voice over IP (VoIP) data.

33. The system of claim 28, wherein said calls comprise incoming calls, outgoing calls, and intercom calls.

34. The system of claim 28, wherein said terminal further establishes an additional logical channel to handle data transfers between said gateway and said terminal.