Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02617555 2008-01-09
1 UNIVERSAL LINKING GATEWAY
2 BETWEEN TELEPHONIC DEVICES
3
4 FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gateway for linking between various
6 telephony devices. More particularly, cell phones, voice-over-IP devices,
analog
7 telephones can all be interconnected so that any one of the functions of
sending or
8 receiving can be implemented individually on any one of such individual
transceiver
9 devices connected thereto. Further, telephone-related features are enabled
regardless of the source or destination of a call. The gateway could also
11 interconnect to a PSTN.
12
13 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
14 Docking stations are known for connecting a mobile phone or cell
phone to one or more landline phone sets. An example of such a docking station
is
16 set forth in US Patent 4,775,997 to West, Jr. et al. (West '997). Simply,
one or more
17 analog telephones or landline phone sets are connected through a port to
the
18 docking station. The docking station powers the landline phone sets.
Further, the
19 cell phone is recognized by the docking station and enables calls made to
the cell
phone to be answered on the landline phones sets and calls originating from
the
21 analog phone sets can be made through the cell phone. Basic hardware for a
22 docking station is described therein and is known to those of skill in the
art. The
23 entirety of US 4,775,997 is incorporated herein by reference.
1
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1 In US 6,959,172 (Becker `172), a similar docking station, for
2 connecting a cell phone to analog phone sets, is equipped to power the phone
sets
3 and thus cannot be connected a public switched telephone network (PSTN)
which
4 normally powers the analog phone sets. Becker `172, specifically tests for
powered
lines and must only be connected to unpowered lines for enabling its gateway
to the
6 analog phones sets. Becker's docking station requires isolation of any PSTN
from
7 the landline phone sets for alternatively connecting the landline phone sets
to the
8 cell phone. Becker `172 uses the concept of a 'check line cord' indicator,
such as
9 seen on many landline telephones. It attempts to indicate to a user whether
or not a
device is plugged into a PSTN with battery voltage (powered line) however,
there is
11 no teaching on how to reliably accomplish this.
12 There continues to be a need for a device which enables use of
13 landline phone sets with multiple cell phones, can manage multiple lines
and which
14 could also be connected to the PSTN. Further there is a need for a device
which
that enables multiple telephonic devices to be conveniently coupled and manage
16 multiple and coincident phone calls.
17
18 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
19 In one embodiment of the invention, a universal linking gateway
enables a single telephonic device to be able handle incoming and outgoing
calls
21 from multiple sources. An phone connected to the linking gateway could
answer an
22 incoming call which is received at any one of a plurality of service lines.
23 Implementation of industry standard Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency digits and
hookflash
2
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1 signals enable a generic single line, ordinary telephone set, such as an
analog
2 phone or PBX set to answer calls on multiple service lines, to select and
make calls
3 on any desired service line as well as handle simultaneous calls on either
an active
4 service line or multiple service lines. Accordingly, conventional
multiplexing devices
are obviated, including line splitters, dual line telephones, or other devices
placed
6 ahead of each telephone set.
7 Further, the universal linking gateway can handle a variety of
8 telephonic devices as readily as is embodiments implementing cell phones.
Some
9 of such other devices include PSTN, VoIP, and telephonic intercoms.
In another embodiment, some telephonic devices are equipped with
11 Bluetooth wireless communications using short-range radio frequency for
digital
12 information exchange. The linking gateway enables the intercommunication
13 between multiple Bluetooth audio devices. The gateway functionality can
also
14 extended to other devices such as WiFi enabled devices.
In one broad aspect, a method for managing at least two service lines
16 between two or more telephonic devices is provided comprising: connecting
two or
17 more telephonic devices, including a network of one or more local
telephones,
18 through a gateway for communication of phone signals therebetween;
interpreting
19 phone signals between the telephonic devices for establishing a service
line identity
for each of the at least two service lines and a signal format for each of the
21 telephonic devices, receiving a state signal from an active local
telephone, of the
22 network of one or more analog telephones, for selecting the service line
identity
3
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1 bearing a phone call of interest, and connecting the phone call of interest
the service
2 line for the selected line identity in a form compatible with the active
local telephone.
3 In one embodiment, the at least one of the telephonic devices is an
4 enhanced telephonic device which has enhanced calling features and the
gateway
stores a table of one or more phone signals, which can be generated by the
local
6 telephones, which correspond with one or more of the enhanced features, and
7 wherein upon receiving a phone signal corresponding with one of the enhanced
8 features, the gateway forwards a command to the enhanced telephonic device
to
9 access that enhanced feature. One form of signally enables selection of
service
lines for enabling conferencing and another enables basic phones to access
11 enhance features of an enhanced telephonic device.
12 In an analog phone environment, apparatus for enabling the
13 methodology can comprise: a first port for mimicking a powered FXS
interface and
14 adapted for connecting to a network of one or more analog telephones;
transceivers
adapted for connection to two or more telephonic devices having at least two
service
16 lines associated therewith for carrying incoming and outgoing phone
signals, the
17 phone signals including phone calls; and a controller for managing events
between
18 the one or more telephonic devices and the analog telephones comprising
19 interpreting the phone signals between the transceivers and each of the
telephonic
devices connected therewith for establishing a service line identity for each
of the at
21 least two service lines and a signal format for each of the telephonic
device,
22 receiving a state signal from one of the one or more analog telephones for
selecting
23 the service line identity bearing a phone call of interest, and connecting
the phone
4
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1 call for the selected line identity in a form compatible with the selected
service line
2 identify and the analog telephones.
3 In a broad embodiment, a method for managing at least two service
4 lines between two or more telephonic devices comprises: connecting two or
more
telephonic devices, including a local network of one or more local telephones,
6 through a gateway for communication of phone signals therebetween;
interpreting
7 phone signals between the telephonic devices for establishing a service line
identity
8 for each of the at least two service lines and a signal format for each of
the
9 telephonic devices, receiving a state signal from an active local telephone
of the
network of one or more local telephones, for selecting the service line
identity
11 bearing a phone call of interest, and connecting the phone call of interest
to the
12 service line for the selected line identity in a form compatible with the
active local
13 telephone. In one embodiment, the local network is a network of analog
phones and
14 in another embodiment, the local network is a private branch exchange or
key
system unit PBX/KSU network of local phones.
5
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1 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
2 Figure 1 is a flow chart of a gateway according to one embodiment of
3 the invention, the gateway being connected to one or more cell phones and
optional
4 additional telephonic devices,
Figure 2 is flow chart representing operation of a gateway receiving an
6 incoming call having an idle network of analog phones;
7 Figure 3A is flow chart representing response of the gateway operation
8 according to Fig. 2, wherein the network of analog phones is in use;
9 Figure 3B is flow chart representing and optional response of the
gateway operation according to Fig. 2 for enabling a conference call between
two or
11 more service lines;
12 Figure 4 is a flow chart representing the gateway operation for
13 handling outbound calling from a connected telephonic device;
14 Figure 5 is a flow chart representing the gateway management of
Bluetooth enabled cell phones;
16 Figure 6 is a schematic of a gateway according to an embodiment of
17 the invention; and
18 Figure 7 is a schematic of a gateway interfaced with a PBX/KSU
19 system.
6
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1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
2 With reference to Fig. 1, a universal linking gateway is provided
3 between telephonic devices including legacy single line analog telephones or
4 telephones of a private branch exchange, and one or more other telephonic
devices
which can have same or different telephonic interfaces. The telephonic devices
can
6 comprise telephonic transceivers such as analog telephones, cell phones,
internet
7 protocol interfaces and can further comprise various service lines including
networks
8 of analog telephones, connections to public switched telephone networks
(PSTN)
9 and wireless services provided by cell phone service providers. The service
lines
themselves typically connect to one or more telephonic transceivers. The
telephonic
11 devices can be hardwired to the gateway through connection ports or
connected
12 through wireless interfaces. The gateway links phone signals between
telephonic
13 devices including phone calls and other data between telephonic devices and
14 between a telephonic transceiver and one or more of the service lines.
Fig. 1 illustrates a general embodiment of the gateway 10 for
16 interconnecting a plurality of telephonic devices T,T,T... . Telephonic
devices T
17 comprise devices which can transmit and receive telephone calls. Devices T
can
18 include multiple cell phones 11, land lines 12, Voice-over-Internet
Protocol (VoIP)
19 lines 13, and a local network 14n of single line telephones 14,14,14 ... .
There is no
need for the local network 14n of analog phones 14 to be connected to the land
line
21 12, such as a PSTN, or any other form of hardwired external telephone
service. For
22 example, a cell phone 11 may provided the only service line capable of
external
23 telephone service.
7
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1 Communication can be managed between telephonic devices T,T,T
2 without access at all to a service line, such as for data transfer or
intercom service.
3 Connections between the telephonic devices T,T,T and gateway 10 can be
physical
4 or wireless.
Beyond interconnectivity, the gateway 10 can provide added
6 functionality to simplistic telephonic devices through enhanced signalling.
Generally,
7 there is limited signalling available on devices T such as generic analog
telephones
8 14 or desktop phones of a private branch exchange. The gateway can enable a
9 telephone 14, having limited pre-existing functionality, to handle multiple
calls and
enhanced call feature handling through enhanced signalling. Almost all generic
11 analog telephones 14 are equipped with DTMF transmitters and a method of
12 temporarily going onhook. This is typically done with a`hookflash' button
on a
13 telephone or manually manipulating the hookswitch.
14 The gateway stores a table of one or more phone signals, such as
analog phone signals, which can be generated by the analog telephones, which
16 correspond with to one or more of the enhanced features, and wherein upon
17 receiving an analog phone signal corresponding with one of the enhanced
features,
18 the gateway forwards a command in a form compatible with the enhanced
19 telephonic device to access that enhanced feature.
Using these signalling methods, it is possible to select and control calls
21 through one or more service lines, such as those available through a
provider of a
22 cell phone 11, a PSTN, or other connection including VolP 13.
8
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1 Due to varying signal formats between telephonic devices T, the
2 gateway interprets the phone signals between the transceivers and each of
the
3 telephonic devices connected therewith for establishing a service line
identity and a
4 signal format for each of the telephonic device.
With reference to Fig. 2, in one embodiment, starting at A, the gateway
6 10 detects an incoming call at 201 to any of the connected telephonic
devices T.
7 The gateway monitors all telephonic devices for state or conditions such as
call
8 activity, phone signals, hook flash and off hook. If the user subscribes to
caller ID
9 features, the gateway sends a compatible signal, such as an FSK, for the
caller ID at
202 as appropriate, either by an onhook or offhook format/protocol. If the
gateway
11 10 is idle at 203, having no active calls, the gateway generates a ring
signal at 204
12 to the network 14n of telephones 14. If the gateway detects an offhook
condition at
13 205 on the analog telephone network 14n before a ring timeout at 206, then
the
14 gateway connects at 207 the audio path from the source service line to the
local
telephone network 14n, now handing the active call.
16 Returning to 203, if the gateway is not idle, as there is an active call in
17 progress, then the flow is directed to B, as detailed in Fig. 3A.
18 With reference to Figs. 3A and 3B, where an active call is already in
19 progress, the gateway 10 is not idle, and an incoming additional call will
be handled
by the gateway to enable the active user to manage both the active and
incoming
21 calls.
22 One scenario is for the user to place the active call on hold and
23 selecting another service line, such as the incoming additional call. Other
scenarios
9
CA 02617555 2008-01-09
1 selecting some other call previously placed on hold, or conferencing several
calls
2 together. Alternatively, in a less interesting situation, the incoming
additional call is
3 ignored by the user and eventually times out to be directed to voice mail or
merely
4 continues to ring unanswered.
In Fig. 3A, in the more relevant scenario, that an incoming line is of
6 interest to the user already on an active line. Starting at B, the gateway
10 monitors
7 for user interaction that the incoming additional call should be answered.
The
8 gateway provides a new call indicator such as a call tone, beep or announced
9 connected device name. The gateway monitors for a hookflash at 301 on the
network 14n. If there is no hookflash at 301 the logic loops to B, typically
until a
11 timeout (not detailed), such defaulting to voice mail.
12 If there is a hookflash detected on the network 14n before timeout,
13 then a user has indicated they will take that incoming call. Specialized
hookflash
14 information can select a particular line; hookflash #1 selecting line #1,
hookflash #2
selecting line #2 and so on. Enhanced hookflash information can be implemented
16 on simple analog phones by coordinating analog phone signals and gateway
17 interpretation. The gateway receives a state signal from one of the one or
more
18 telephonic devices for selecting the service line identity bearing this
phone call of
19 interest. The gateway uses the hookflash information to select a new line
at 302, put
any current active calls on hold at 303 and switch the new additional call at
304 to
21 the local network 14n and phone 14 for the user.
22 In many instances, the user merely provides a hookflash without a
23 service line indication, the gateway defaults to selects the incoming
additional call.
CA 02617555 2008-01-09
1 The gateway 10 ascertains the source or line of the incoming call at 305.
Say the
2 active call is on line 1. The incoming call could be a call on a previously
idle line,
3 say a second cell phone on line 2, or it may be an additional new call on a
line at
4 307, such as line 1, already in use. The gateway selects the indicated line
at 306,
puts any current calls on hold at 303 and switches the new call at 304 to the
local
6 network.
7 The gateway can check for a call waiting event on any of the service
8 lines. The gateway can further check for any previous calls on hold and
permit
9 selection of any one of the calls, or joining one or more of the calls in
conference.
As shown in any alternate gateway operation of Fig. 3B, conferencing
11 can now be achieved using telephone devices not otherwise so equipped. In
one
12 embodiment, with the gateway already handling an active call, the gateway
loops at
13 311 seeking a hookflash. If a specific line-selecting hookflash is detected
at 312, the
14 gateway uses the hookflash information to select a new line, putting any
current
active calls on hold at 313 and switching for receiving or making a new
additional
16 call at 314 to or from the local network 14n.
17 In the case of another incoming call or an outgoing call, the gateway
18 looks for a second hookflash sequence for conferencing with the first call.
Where a
19 non-line specific hookflash is detected at 312, the gateway looks for any
held calls at
315, for example the first call. If there are not held calls, the gateway can
select a
21 line to make an outgoing call at 316. If there is one or more held calls,
being the call
22 on the first line, the user can select conference at 317 for completing the
conference
11
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1 at 318 for connecting the first and second lines together at with the user
at the
2 analog phone.
3 This second selected line can enable a traditional '3-way call', such
4 that it uses the same physical line, or it can be a completely different
physical line.
For example, one could place a first call on a cell phone through the cell
network
6 line, being the active call, place the cell phone active call on hold,
select a second
7 line being a land line, place a second call, and switch between the first
cell phone
8 service line, the second land line or conference them together. Selecting
additional
9 and successive lines, the gateway can allow conferencing of more than three
parties
on more than three lines.
11 As a further example, Table 1 demonstrates conferencing of an
12 existing answered call on a first line L1 with a second placed call on a
second line
13 L2.
14
Table 1
User - Analo Phone Gateway Service line 1 Service Line 2
Ringing A - Incoming Call
Fi.2-201
Pickup Offhook ?, 205
Answered Connect, 207 Connected
Want to place second
call
Flash B - Hookflash
Fig. 3B, 311
Flash not-specific Non-specific, 312
None on hold, 315
Select default line, 316
L1 on hold, 313 On hold
L2 selected, 314 Selected
Makes second call Loop B, Hookflash, 311 Active
12
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Flash not-specific Non-specific, 312
L1 is on hold, 315
3-way conversation Conference L1 and L2 Active Active
1
2
3 With reference to Fig. 4, the gateway can handle outbound calls at C.
4 The gateway manages signal compatibility between analog and digital and
between
variable digital protocols. The gateway monitors for an off hook at 401. The
6 gateway allows the user to select which service line to use at 402,
monitoring for a
7 DTMF/hookflash sequence for signalling which line to select. The line select
8 hookflash at 402 must occur within a pre-determined time period 403 else the
9 gateway returns monitoring for an off hook at 401. If a hookflash occurs
within the
time period, the call has not timed out, and a service line is being selected
at 404. In
11 one embodiment, a '1', FLASH, indicates that the gateway should use Line 1
for the
12 next operation, a '3' FLASH indicates that the gateway should use Line 3
for the next
13 operation. The DTMF codes, hookflash duration, DTMF-FLASH timeout, and
prime
14 line can be pre-defined in this case or configurable by the user.
Upon receiving the correct sequence at 403, the gateway connects the
16 audio path to the off hook telephonic device such as the local telephone
network
17 14n, and awaits further call control instructions. The next call control
instructions
18 vary depending on which service line was selected. While the user will only
have to
19 press DTMF digits, the gateway 10 interprets and converts at 405 the
signalling to
match the associated line. For example, dialling an outbound call through a
cell
21 phone service line uses different gateway signalling than dialling an
outbound
13
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1 landline or VoIP call. The gateway transfers the call at 406, including
audio and call
2 control data to the selected line.
3 The operations of the gateway can equally use cell phones and
4 ordinary, non proprietary, single line telephones for access to multiple
service lines.
In the particular instance of Bluetooth enabled telephonic devices T,
6 there are pairing protocols to resolve and certain other challenges.
Applicant is not
7 currently aware of existing methods for coordinating multiple Bluetooth
audio
8 streams to a single control point such as is applicant's gateway 10.
Existing
9 Bluetooth cell phone devices, like docking stations, car kits and headsets,
can be
paired to multiple devices yet do not allow multiple simultaneous voice paths.
The
11 gateway 10, according to embodiments of the invention, provides such an
12 implementation.
13 With reference to Fig. 5, starting at D, when the gateway 10 receives a
14 first request at 501 for a Bluetooth audio connection, the gateway checks
at 502 if
the request is from remote device T, or is an internal request. If the first
request is
16 an internal request, the request is granted and the audio path is
established at 503
17 between the internal device and a remote device T. In this case, as the
gateway has
18 requested the connection, it is the master of the session.
19 Instead, at 502, if the first request is from a remote device, then the
first request is rejected at 504, however, a second internal request from the
21 Bluetooth -enabled gateway is immediately sent back at 505 to the remote
device T
22 which had made the initiating request. As the second request is now an
internal
23 request, this second request is allowed and the audio connection is made at
503.
14
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1 This process allows the gateway 10 to always be the master of all
2 Bluetooth audio sessions that it is part of. Ensuring the gateway is always
the
3 master permits proper arbitration of the remote devices T so as to put them
on hold,
4 switch between various calls handled by the gateway and generally perform
call
control functions as requested by the user using the telephone sets on the
local
6 telephone network. There are additional, known methods for selecting the
roles of
7 master slave, but they are not universal, and not all Bluetooth devices
respond to
8 the official Bluetooth protocol. This embodiment ensures the same result
with an
9 assurance that the gateway will be able to handle the connection between
multiple
Bluetooth devices, or between Bluetooth devices, landlines or VoIP lines
alike.
11 The various embodiments and methodology of the present invention
12 can be implemented using apparatus, one form of which is set forth in Fig.
6. For
13 reference, various of the hardware components implemented in this new
gateway
14 arrangement have been described in US 6,959,172, the entirely of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
16 As shown, the telephonic gateway 10 comprises at least a first link or
17 FXS port 601 which mimics a powered FXS interface, the first FXS port 601
being
18 adapted for connecting to an analog telephone 14 or a network 14n of one or
more
19 analog telephones 14,14,14 ... . A second FXO port 603 mimics an FXO
interface
as an analog link to receive/transmit voice/data to/from a landline or PSTN 12
21 including FSK, DTMF, and DP signalling capability and a plurality of
further
22 connected telephonic devices T.
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1 The gateway 10 further comprises one or more transceivers 605 which
2 are adapted for managing signals from two or more wireless telephonic
devices T
3 and transmitting phone signals therebetween. Exemplary telephonic devices
include
4 one or more cell phones 11, 11 ... .
A controller 610 manages events between the one or more telephonic
6 devices T, including the network of analog telephones 14, interpreting phone
signals
7 between the FXS and FXO interface ports 601,603, transceivers 605 and each
of
8 the telephonic devices T connected therewith and establishing a line
identity for
9 each of the telephonic devices. The controller 610 includes program memory
609
for implementing specific instructions. The controller 610 receives a state
signal
11 from the analog telephones 14 for selecting the line identity of a single
phone signal
12 of interest and forwarding the phone signals for the selected line identity
in a form
13 compatible with the analog telephones 14.
14 In more detail, the FXS port 601, having a Subscriber Line Interface
Circuit (SLIC) provides analog voice/signalling, including frequency shift
keying
16 (FSK), Dual tone multifrequency DTMF, PP, to the analog telephones 14. The
17 transceivers 605 include one or more Bluetooth transceivers 605B and
Universal
18 Serial Bus (USB) transceivers 605U. The Bluetooth or BT transceiver or
19 transceivers 605B are capable of pairing to and connecting to multiple
devices
Bluetooth equipped telephonic devices T, 11 simultaneously. The USB
transceiver
21 605U connects to single or multiple USB devices, host or device side
simultaneously
22 or singularly. An example is a computing device, such as a personal
computer (PC)
23 611.
16
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1 The gateway is provided with faiisafe power outage capabilities.
2 Conventional FXS port hardware, unless equipped with battery backup, will
not
3 function during a power outage. Often PSTN service lines 12 remain
operational
4 during power outages. A failsafe circuit redirects control of the FXS and
FXO
interface ports 601,603 from the controller 610 for directly connecting
therebetween.
6 A hardwired path 612 between the FXS and FXO ports 601,603 bypasses the
7 controller 610 in case of power outage for routing conventional PSTN 12 to
any
8 attached analog phone 14 enabling emergency "911" priority routing for any
911
9 from any analog phone to the PSTN 12.
The gateway 10 can include a keypad 613 for data input and display
11 614, such as LEDs' or LCD. A data/memory bus and control circuits 615
12 interconnect the controller 610 and various components.
13 The FXO interface port 603 enables calls between the gateway 10, a
14 PSTN 12 and a remote telephonic device T. One or more mobile devices T,
including cell phones 11, 11, 11 ... communicate with the gateway 10. The link
16 between the cell phones 11 and the gateway can be wired or is typically
wireless,
17 such as by Bluetooth to transceivers 605B. Internet protocol devices such
as VoIP
18 T,13 communicate with the gateway 10 through a link such as the USB
transceiver
19 605U. A VoIP system typically comprises the personal computer 611 connected
through the internet 620 to other telephonic devices T,T,T ... The gateway may
also
21 be directly connected to a VoIP device (ex: SIP phone) without a PC
17
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1 The gateway 10 can further comprise one or more of the FXS ports
2 601 for supporting multiple analog telephone networks 14n, and multiple FXO
ports
3 603 for supporting multiple PSTN service lines 12.
4 Audio paths can be interconnected in any combination between cell
phones 11, PSTN 12, VoIP 13 and analog telephone networks 14n. For example,
6 one can conference a phone call between a remote telephonic device T such as
an
7 analog phone 14 and cell phone 11. Other data transfer is supported such as
data
8 between telephonic devices T. For example, a test message stored on cell
phone
9 11 can be sent to telephone 14 or VoIP 13 through personal computer 611.
Data
can be received from one telephonic device T, modified on another device T and
11 transferred to another or return to an originating device.
12 Mobile devices can include cell phones 11 or GSM transceivers,
13 CDMA, and PDA (not detailed) using Bluetooth , through USB interface 605U
or
14 other wireless/wired connection.
The personal computer 611 can communicate with the gateway 10
16 through a Bluetooth , USB or other wireless/wired link. At the personal
computer
17 611, software programs, stored thereon and operated from memory, facilitate
data
18 and voice link transfer and storage. Other software programs can configure
19 operation of the gateway 10, including parameters to define operation of
each of the
gateway interfaces 601, 603, 605. The personal computer 611 can include data
21 storage and memory for storage of data including phone book, text messages,
and
22 audio. The personal computer can configure and communicate with telephonic
23 devices T to make/receive calls, or to further enhance the capabilities
gateway
18
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1 through phone book backup/restore, and Tx/Rx text messages. Application
software
2 for the gateway 10 can be installed on the PC for facilitating dialling
calls. For
3 example, one could select any phone number on the personal computer's GUI
such
4 as by a conventional right-click of the input interface. The number could be
from a
word processing document, or text file, scratch pad, personal organizer or any
other
6 application. The application uses the gateway software to make a call or to
send the
7 number to a phonebook/directory of the connected telephonic device, such as
cell
8 phone 11. This provides a powerful implementation to download numbers into
the
9 phonebook in a quick efficient way. If there is no name attached, the
software may
optionally prompt for a name to be entered, before passing to gateway.
11 Further, the personal computer includes the ability to route audio,
12 store, modify, and/or play back audio to/from any of telephonic devices T
and
13 personal computer-based audio devices including microphone and speakers.
The
14 gateway 10 includes the ability to send audio between telephonic devices.
The network 14n of analog telephones comprises Customer Premises
16 Equipment (CPE) interfaced with the gateway 10. The analog telephones 14,14
are
17 typically corded or cordless and may be programmable. The analog telephones
14
18 can receive data from the gateway via FSK, DTMF or other means for specific
19 enhanced feature use. For example, the gateway 10 can facilitate reading
phone
book entries from cell phones 11,11,11 Tx/Rx, or text messages, or ability to
21 transmit data via line manipulation or DTMF, or other means. The gateway 10
can
22 write phone book entries to cell phones 11, or retrieve voice messages from
the
23 PSTN 14, cell phones 11 or a subscriber's internet services. Gateway
programming
19
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1 includes compatibility with a variety of PBX systems, line equipment and
digital
2 terminals.
3
4 Examples of Gateway Functionality
Utilizing embodiments of the invention set forth above, the gateway
6 can interconnect land lines, cell phones lines and other telecommunication
lines.
7 Embodiments of the invention enhance the functionality of otherwise
conventional
8 and limited signal line analog telephones. For example, single line analog
phones
9 can now access multiple service lines. Further, single line analog
telephones can
access enhanced features on telephonic devices such as cell phones. Such
11 features include speed dialling, voice mail, and conference calling. Data
between
12 more capable telephonic devices can be moved between telephonic devices.
13 The gateway uniquely identifies each telephonic device and a service
14 line associated therewith as appropriate. In further embodiments of the
invention,
aside from the land line, each connected cell phone, cellular-equipped
personal
16 digital assistant (PDA), and internet device typically also have a service
line
17 associated therewith. The controller 10 can assign each telephonic device
T,T ...
18 with a unique identification (ID) and each service line can also be
assigned a unique
19 line ID. Each line ID can be assigned a user-friendly line ID name. Each
telephonic
device, such as each cell phone presents to the gateway 10 with a unique
21 identification or appearance via BluetoothO or wired connection. Cell phone
service
22 line appearances in multi-line, Key Service Unit (KSU-type) systems are
typically
23 given line number, such as 1, 2, 3... . Cell phones typically have some
sort of
CA 02617555 2008-01-09
1 'friendly' name, usually a default name that comes from the manufacturer, or
a user-
2 defined name. The gateway retrieves this friendly name from each cell phone
and
3 uses it as the line ID name. This provides the user with a much clearer
indication of
4 what physical telephonic device is associated with which service line.
Similarly
gateway can assign a PSTN line 12 with a friendly name.
6 Features of a particular line can be programmed with reference to the
7 line name. Events on the line, such as ringing, line in use, caller ID, and
the like, can
8 be provided to the user with the friendly device name, once again providing
more
9 information of which device the event is occurring on. This friendly name is
delivered to the user via FSK to analog sets, digital signalling to digital
sets or over
11 the Ethernet to Ethernet (VoIP sets), or via Ethernet or USB to PC's. The
friendly
12 name of a telephonic device can be sent to an analog phone connected to the
13 gateway (via FSK or DTMF or other signalling) or to a computer or PC which
is
14 connected to the gateway via USB, Ethernet or Bluetooth connection. The
computer or analog phone can also delete paired devices based on this
information.
16 When pairing cell phones, as required by the Bluetooth protocol, the
17 friendly device name can be used to indicate which service line is paired
to which
18 telephonic device. This information can be retrieved from various places.
Analog
19 phones can request this information using DTMF tones and the related line
ID name
will be returned using FSK following industry standard Type I or Type II or
Type III
21 Analog Display Services Interface (ADSI) or custom formats. Digital sets
can request
22 the friendly name using digital signalling. Attached computers can also get
the
23 friendly device names for displayed on a screen.
21
CA 02617555 2008-01-09
1 Cell phones and Bluetooth radios have a Received Signal Strength
2 Indication (RSSI). The value of the RSSI provides an indication of how well
the cell
3 phones or radio is receiving the radio signal used to communicate. There may
be
4 multiple RSSI values, one for the cellular radio, one for the Bluetooth
radio (one for
each side of the BluetoothO link). A user may be interested in what the values
of the
6 RSSI are as it can help determine the optimal place to position the cell
phone. On
7 analog phones, DTMF tones can be used to request the RSSI values, which will
be
8 returned via FSK following industry standard Type I or Type II or Type III
(ADSI) or
9 custom formats. The same information can be provided to digital sets or VoIP
sets
using the appropriate communication protocols. An attached PC can display this
11 information in utility applications.
12 Just it is known to lock a cell phone to specific carriers, the gateway
13 can also be locked. Cell phone model, manufacturer, carrier or other
specific
14 information can be read from the cell phone and used to decide whether or
not to
allow the gateway to operate fully or at all. It may also be used to block
specific
16 carriers or allow only a specific set of carriers.
17 Analog telephones typically have limited means to communicate with
18 upstream devices. The forms of communicating are usually limited to DTMF
tones,
19 pulse dialling, and hook flashes of various durations. Said analog
telephones are
designed to be connected to one line. As discussed with reference to Figs. 3A
and
21 3B, the gateway allows these signal line analog telephones to control
multiple lines
22 by interpreting various combinations of DTMF tones and hook flashes are
control
23 sequences. These control sequences can be used to specify a particular line
to use
22
CA 02617555 2008-01-09
1 for an outgoing call. They can also be used to enter programming modes to
program
2 the gateway. They can also be used to request status information from the
gateway,
3 such as RSSI values, cell phone friendly device names, etc... The gateway
can use
4 any combination of these DTMF tones, hook flashes as control sequences. For
examples, if the hook-flash followed by a DTMF digit 2 is detected by the
gateway, it
6 may interpret this as a command to switch to line 2. If a DTMF * * * 1 2 3
is detected,
7 the gateway can interpret this as a command to send the name of the device
8 currently paired to lines 1, 2 and 3 to the analog set as a FSK message. As
9 demonstrated, single line analog telephones are permitted to access multiple
lines.
The gateway can provide extra information to the attached analog
11 telephones when lines are ringing. Typically caller ID includes a name and
a phone
12 number. Because the attached analog telephones are only single line
devices, they
13 are not capable of indicating which gateway line is ringing. The line could
be any of
14 the attached cell phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) or VoIP, or
analog phone
lines. Because each of these lines has a line number (e.g. 1, 2, 3...) and/or
a friendly
16 device name, the gateway can insert this information into the FSK that is
sent to the
17 analog phones so that the analog phone displays it. The line number or
friendly
18 device name can replace or be merged with either the caller name or caller
number.
19 Another way the gateway can cause analog phones to indicate which
line appearance is ringing is to generate different ring patterns for
different line
21 appearances. By default it maybe generate a RING-LONG PAUSE-REPEAT pattern
22 for line 1, and a RING-SHORT PAUSE-RING-LONG PAUSE-REPEAT pattern for
23 line 2, etc.... or completely different ring patterns of any sort can be
used. They
23
CA 02617555 2008-01-09
1 may be selectable by the user using either an attached PC to program the
gateway
2 or using DTMF-hookswitch programming sequences to select a certain ring
pattern
3 for a particular line.
4 The gateway enables legacy, single line analog telephones to access
features available on cell phones. Cell phones have a number of special
dialling
6 features such as speed dials, dialling voicemail, redial and voice dialling.
The
7 gateway can provide access to these features by interpreting DTMF-HOOK FLASH
8 sequences from analog phones as commands to access these features. For
9 example, the DTMF sequence 1 # might mean to dial the voice mail number of
the
currently selected line appearance (which might be a cell phone or other type
of
11 line). The DTMF sequence 3 # might mean to dial speed dial 3 on the
currently
12 selected line appearance (which might be a cell phone of other type of
line). The
13 DTMF sequence # # might mean to activate the voice dialling of the
currently
14 selected line appearance. If the current line appearance is a cell phone,
then the
gateway will activate voice dialling on the cell phone and route the audio
from the
16 analog phone set to the cell phone.
17 Some cell phones may not normally have access to all the above
18 mentioned features. As described previously, some types of lines (e.g.
analog
19 telephone lines) might not have these features at all. The gateway can
simulate
these features by allowing information to be programmed for different lines.
For
21 example, a voice mail number could be programmed for a cell phone line
22 appearance. The number can be programmed from any attached device (analog
23 phone, digital phone, Ethernet phone, PC). Analog phones can program the
gateway
24
CA 02617555 2008-01-09
1 by using combinations of DTMF tones and hook flashes. Therefore, for
example, an
2 analog phone can program a number to the gateway that will be used as the
3 voicemail number whenever a telephonic device requests that the voicemail
number
4 for that particular line be dialled
The gateway can dictate the extent of connectivity and certain
6 operations based on the presence or absence of certain of telecommunication
7 service lines. Users can typically access any of these service lines from
any of the
8 downstream telephonic devices, be they analog, digital or VoIP in nature. It
can be
9 advantageous for the gateway to detect if any one these possible service
lines are
not present and perhaps restrict the operation of the gateway based on this
11 detection. For example, using an appropriate algorithm, the gateway may
determine
12 that there is no land line connected. Accordingly, the gateway is
configured so as to
13 limit its operation or cease to function all together.
14 The methodology for detecting whether or not there is an attached land
line can be challenging. The following embodiments demonstrate methodologies
for
16 detecting the presence of a land line for use by a cellular telephonic
device.
17 As discussed with respect to Fig. 6, the FXS port or ports of the
18 gateway generate conventional battery voltages delivering dialtones and
ring
19 voltages for enabling plain old telephone sets (POTS). Historically, FXS
ports have
had the same physical connector as conventional land lines generally
associated
21 with PSTN. An active land line is already powered. There are also cases
where
22 inactive lines may still be powered, i.e.: have a battery voltage present.
As they are
23 indistinguishable, a user could inadvertently connect a powered and line to
the
CA 02617555 2008-01-09
1 powered FXS port of the gateway which, if unprotected, can damage either the
2 gateway or the phone company hardware. Such a connection could also cause
3 service on the land line and the FXS port to fail.
4 One methodology comprises temporarily removing the FXS voltage,
typically about 48V, from the FXS interface. The gateway monitors for the
"tip/ring"
6 voltage to drop zero. If the voltage does not drop to substantially zero
within a
7 certain threshold duration, the gateway can assume that there is another
source
8 connected such as an active land line. Difficulties with this approach
include that
9 circuit characteristics can cause the response to be too slow to be
practical.
Realistically, a connected analog phone would be offhook which places an
11 impedance across tip/ring, causing an FXS-applied voltage to drop more
quickly.
12 In another methodology, according to an embodiment of the invention,
13 a possibly less intrusive way for the gateway 10 to detect an active land
line is to
14 slowly vary the onhook voltage at the FXS interface by several volts around
the
nominal value. For example, if the nominal tip/ring voltage is 48 volts, the
FXS
16 voltage can be slowly ramped down to 40 volts. This will not affect any
legacy
17 analog telephones connected. Even if the network 14n of analog telephones
are
18 onhook there should be no current flowing across tip/ring. However, if
there is an
19 outside power source, a current will flow out of or into the FXS port. The
gateway
detects the current and with cut power from the FXS port so as not to cause
21 damage. The gateway varies the voltage because if the outside voltage
source
22 happens to be identical to the FXS voltage, then no current will flow. By
varying the
23 FXS voltage, a voltage differential develops and some current flow can be
detected.
26
CA 02617555 2008-01-09
1 The gateway can enable recording of calls where otherwise no
2 capability has previously existed on a local network of analog phones. As
all audio
3 signals flow through the gateway, the gateway can redirect the signal or
copy the
4 audio signal to another telephonic device having recording capability. The
gateway
can route a copy of the audio signal to an attached recording device, such as
the
6 personal computer. The receiving device can then record all calls. All
events that
7 occur on any telephonic devise can also be routed to the receiving device so
it can
8 maintain a log of everything occurring. This allows all calls over any of
the cell
9 phones to be monitored or recorded. Calls over the VoIP lines can also be
monitored or recorded. All calls and events over all lines and telephonic can
be
11 monitored or recorded. This includes inbound and outbound call traffic as
well as
12 call duration, dialled number, Caller ID and times.
13 As a result of the ability to route all audio signals any which way in the
14 gateway, a telephonic device, such as the personal computer, can answer any
calls
and thus become an auto attendant or answering machine.
16 The gateway can assign each telephonic device, including each analog
17 phone of a network of analog telephones, a default service line for
outgoing phone
18 calls. For example, a first cell phone might be setup to use a second cell
phone for
19 outgoing calls; a second analog telephone might be setup to have outgoing
calls
routed over the internet as a VolP call. However, neither of these methods of
calling
21 is particularly well suited to emergency 911 calls. The gateway can
intercept any
22 outgoing call to directed emergency services (e.g. 911 or other emergency
number)
27
CA 02617555 2008-01-09
1 and always route it via an attached land line connection as described above
for Fig.
2 6.
3 Further, as discussed for Fig. 6, the gateway can contain physical
4 hardware or connection that ensures that in the case of a power outage, the
FXS
ports are routed to a landline connected to the gateway. A failsafe switch
along the
6 FXS-FXO connection enables redirection of the gateway control to the FXS-FXO
7 connection. The gateway senses a power outage and failsafe connects the FXS
8 port to the FXO port. The tip/ring of each FXS port can be redirected from
the usual
9 enhance gateway control and instead is directly connected to the land line
FXO port
during a power outage, so that all analog telephones can continue to make
11 emergency calls if necessary. This avoids a common pitfall associated with
VoIP-
12 only gateways.
13 The gateway can further make VoIP services and features available to
14 all connected telephonic devices. A few of the numerous personal computer-
based
VolP providers include Skype and MSN Messenger . The gateway can access
16 these providers via the personal computer connection. The gateway can then
make
17 VoIP services accessible to all attached telephonic devices, be they
digital, Ethernet
18 or legacy analog based. This includes the ability to use enhanced features
such as
19 speed dials, dialling by voice, and dialling by username. The gateway can
also pass
the name of the calling party and/or service type via FSK to analog telephones
or by
21 other means to digital/Ethemet sets.
22 The attached personal computer can communicate with the gateway
23 for instructing the gateway to perform actions including, but not limited
to: dialling
28
CA 02617555 2008-01-09
1 calls, answering calls, generating tones, and routing audio. The gateway can
2 retrieve phonebook information from connected cell phones via the Bluetooth
3 connection or a cabled connection. The phonebook information can be passed
to the
4 attached personal computer. The personal computer can then store this
information,
or import the information into some other client application. Having the
information
6 stored in the personal computer allows the process to be reversed to
copy/restore
7 the phonebook data to another cell phone. Further, the gateway can direct
the
8 contents of cell phones or other mobile devices to the computer for storage,
backup
9 and other manipulation. This includes redial lists, call history, text
message history
and phone books or other configuration information stored on the mobile
device.
11 These may also be directed to cell phone devices, being the same or other
devices,
12 to 'copy' one set of data to another mobile device.
13 Analog telephones can browse phonebooks that may be stored on cell
14 phones using DTMF and hookflash sequences as commands and can return
responses via tones and FSK messages. For example, DTMF "8" might represent a
16 "next" operation. Each time "8" is pressed a new FSK message burst is sent
17 (formatted as either Type I or Type II or Type III or some other custom
format) that
18 causes the analog telephone to display the information on its display.
Other features
19 of the gateway can also be accessed this way.
The gateway has numerous advanced options that can be enabled or
21 disabled. The gateway also has various settings can be specific to
different
22 regions/countries. Despite the enhanced functionality of analog telephones
23 connected to the gateway, it can be tedious to various these options via
the legacy
29
CA 02617555 2008-01-09
1 interface. Optionally, special software can be executed on a connected
personal
2 computer which communicates with the gateway for providing an more
convenient
3 method to set the desired settings of the gateway. Software implemented on
the
4 personal computer can backup or upload current settings from the gateway and
can
restore or download new settings.
6 In another embodiment, the gateway may be used as an adjunct within
7 digital key systems or Private Branch Exchanges (PBX's) having a local
network of
8 local telephone or desktop telephones. This allows the gateway to monitor
the traffic
9 between the key system and the terminals or desktop telephones attached
thereto.
In this way the gateway can also intercept messages. This gateway can use an
11 physical or signal actuator such as a key, programmable button or signal
sequence
12 on the proprietary terminal as a cell phone line key. Correspondingly, the
gateway
13 can inject a signal to cause the desktop telephone to ring when the mobile
device
14 rings and inject signals for caller ID and all call control. This means the
desktop
telephone would have the ability to have a cell phone added to it, but still
be
16 integrated with all other existing features of the key system, including
conference,
17 hold, redial and call log. The gateway then acts as an inline filter which
can interpret
18 and even add events into the digital system's protocol stream to manipulate
its
19 behaviour. This will allow it to add virtual cell phone lines and have them
appear on
the desktop telephones.
21 Referring to Fig. 7 a digital key system comprises a PBX or a key
22 system unit (KSU) and a network of one or more desktop telephones. The
digital
23 key systems, such as a PBX 700, implements a proprietary data stream
between the
CA 02617555 2008-01-09
1 PBX and each desktop telephone 701. In an embodiment of the invention, the
2 gateway 10 can be situate between the PBX 700 and desktop telephone 701,
each
3 being a telephonic device T having a known protocol, and monitor the data
stream
4 therebetween. Further, the gateway 10 can insert events into the data
stream. For
example, a user of the system programs the telephone 701 with a special line
6 identity or virtual line, e.g. '99', such as through a programmable button
or key 703.
7 When the programmable key is actuated, a state signal is generated and the
8 gateway 10 intercepts that data request but does not pass it to through to
the PBX
9 700. Recognizing the code identifies a cell phone 11, the gateway responds
on
behalf of PBX 700 and telephone 701 now behaves as through this programmable
11 key 703 is programmed to instruct the PBX 700 to connect through that
service line
12 '99'. Accordingly, whenever this programmable key 703 is pressed at the
telephone
13 701, the gateway 10 intercepts the data stream, routes call through to the
service
14 line associated with the cell phone 11 and manages the phone call
therebetween.
Any features other features needed by a cell phone 11 can be
16 intercepted and dealt with by the gateway 10 including redial access and
dial, caller
17 list access and dial. Similarly, if a phone call comes in on the cell phone
11, the
18 gateway 10 can insert a message to cause the desktop telephones 701,
19 programmed with the cell phone line appearance, to ring. This technique
enables
the gateway to show virtual lines on any telephone 701 connected to the PBX
700
21 without disrupting the PBX's normal mode of operation. The gateway enables
22 grafting of a cell phone onto a system that wouldn't normally support cell
phones.
31
CA 02617555 2008-01-09
1 The gateway can be configured to enable analog telephones to
2 simulate a cell phone operation for dialling a number and keying the 'send'
key. One
3 example is to allow the user using the analog telephone to use the '#' key
as the
4 send key. Alternatively, the gateway can also run an algorithm which detects
when
dialing is finished and automatically sends the number without requiring the
user to
6 press the send key. Such an algorithm works as follows: there are two
timeouts, a
7 first timeout after entry of phone numbers of standard length; in North
America this
8 would be 7, 10, or 11 digits, and a second timeout for phone numbers of non-
9 standard length. The timeout is longer for numbers having a non-standard
number
of digits. As DTMF digits are entered by the user, the algorithm calculates
how many
11 have been entered so far and then starts a timer. If the timer expires,
reaching the
12 first timeout, before another DTMF digit is entered, then the number is
automatically
13 dialled. The two timers ensure that if 7 or 10 or 11 digits have been
entered, the
14 number will be dialled more quickly, after the first timeout, then if a
different amount
of digits have been entered, after the second timeout. The algorithm also
checks for
16 emergency numbers. For example if 911 has been entered then it will be
dialled
17 immediately.
18 As discussed, the gateway can connect to multiple cell phones via
19 Bluetooth , the gateway handling pairing and master. There is a separate
hardware
button and lamp indicator for each cell phone connection. The lamp will
indicate the
21 current status of each cell phone connection via different cadences or
colors. For
22 example, if the line is currently connected the lamp may be solid on, if
the line is
23 currently not connected the lamp may be flashing. A separate button for
each virtual
32
CA 02617555 2008-01-09
1 line makes it simple to pair cell phones to a virtual line appearance and to
2 connect/disconnect the Bluetooth connection. The 1 button per line
appearance is
3 an important tool for simplifying the user interface. To pair a BluetoothO
cell phone
4 to a particular line appearance, the appropriate button can be pressed to
start the
pairing process; one button for one touch per line.
6 As set forth above, the embodiments enable universal connectivity of
7 telephonic devices including multiple cell phones, land lines, wireless
devices.
8 Analog phones can now access enhanced features of modern telephonic devices,
9 Some examples of such enhanced operability have been included but in no way
limits the implementation of any additional features, all of which implement
11 communication through the gateway.
33
