Abstract:
An automatic switch-dialing system and method are provided, that can be applied on a telephone set having both of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and the Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) dialing capabilities. During dialing out a phone call, the prefix code and the phone number length of the dialed phone number are compared with those stored in a preset routing table, thus determining the dialing mode of the dialed phone call. As such eliminating the inconvenience of manual setting for the user, and realizing the optimized balance between saving telephone expenses and achieving better communication quality.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a switchable dialing system and method. More particularly, the present invention relates to an automatic switch-dialing system and method by making use of a routing table. 
         [0003]    2. Related Art 
         [0004]    In general, the Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) refers to a telephone service conducted through Internet. Usually, the users of ordinary household or enterprise are capable of making phone calls through wide-band network without having to change their usual dialing habits and procedures just by making use of a VOIP Gateway additionally installed at the user&#39;s end. Nowadays, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is the most popular and widely utilized public communication network, and presently the circuit switching of international phone calls is realized through this kind of network. 
         [0005]    Circuit Switching usually means the actions required to connect the communication route between two points or among multiple points by making use of Private Branch Exchange (PBX). In other words, during a communication, such as route is dedicated to a specific user only. Therefore, no matter the user is talking or keeping silent on the phone, the user is being continuously charged by phone company. In addition, the monopoly of the telephone companies at both calling and receiving parties also contributes to the high cost of telephone call communications. 
         [0006]    After being compressed into data packets through the VOIP, the respective voice signals are sent from the calling end to the receiving end through a network. As such, the voice transmission-related telecommunication application service is provided through the freedom oriented Internet. The application of network has the benefit of providing the real-time voice communication service that may reach various parts of the world, thus the users no longer have to conduct long distance phone conversation through the conventional PSTN. In addition, distortion and crosstalk occur in the transmission process can be eliminated or at least be reduced significantly, and the modifications required can be made, so that the original voice may authentically be reproduced. As such, through the application of the compression technology, the bandwidth required by VOIP can be reduced, thus realizing the benefit of effectively reducing the communication cost and achieving the full utilization of network band width. 
         [0007]    Due to the rapid development of VOIP applications, the manufacturers in the communication industry have started to produce and provide the VOIP related hardware, such as the Terminal Adapter (TA) or VOIP Gateway, so that the ordinary household telephone set may be connected directly to such kind of hardware equipment. As such, the user may enjoy the VOIP service at low cost without having to make any changes to the utilization of PSTN, thus ensuring the conduction of phone conversation in case of emergency or blackout. In addition, the switching of the phone communication can be done manually in case of network congestion or in the condition that the calling party and the receiving party belong to different service providers, thus realizing phone communication of better quality. 
         [0008]    Though the VOIP and PSTN may be utilized-by the user to achieve the optimized switch-dialing, however, for the people often making domestic or international phone calls, usually quite a few switching actions are required. In the design of certain phone sets, a special key thereon must be pressed to realize switching. Or furthermore, a set of verification numbers must first be entered, thus causing quite a lot of inconvenience for the user. Therefore, the design of a better and more convenient dialing and switching method is presently a most urgent task in this field. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In view of the above-mentioned drawbacks and shortcomings of the prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide an automatic switch-dialing system and method, so that the telephone calls can be sent out through automatically switching between VOIP module and PSTN module based on the destination phone number input by the user, hereby eliminating the inconvenience of manual switching for the user, and achieving the result of cost-saving. 
         [0010]    Therefore, to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides an automatic switch-dialing system and method. In addition to the two dialing modules of VOIP module and TSPN module, it further includes: 
         [0011]    an input module, used to receive the destination phone number or establish the settings of a routing table. 
         [0012]    a routing table, used to store a plurality sets of switch-dialing preset condition values set by the user, including the prefix setting condition, the minimum length of destination phone number, and the maximum length of destination phone number; 
         [0013]    a switching module, used to determine what kind of dialing mode to be taken based on the destination phone number input by the user and the switch-dialing preset condition values in the routing table; and 
         [0014]    a connection module, used to connect to VOIP and PSTN, and receive and transmit the voice signal data. 
         [0015]    Moreover, to achieve the above-mentioned purpose and advantage of the present invention, the present invention discloses an automatic switch-dialing method, including the following steps: 
         [0016]    Firstly, receive the destination phone number input by the user. Next, obtain the currently preset dialing mode. Then, in case that the currently preset dialing mode is VOIP mode, then determine if the phone call dialing mode of destination phone number needs to be changed and switched according to the routing table. Subsequently, if the answer to question is affirmative, switching to PSTN mode to proceed with the dialing required. Likewise, in case that the currently preset dialing mode is PSTN mode, and if it is determined according to the routing table that this phone call of the destination phone number must utilize VOIP to achieve cost-saving, then switch to the VOIP mode to proceed with the dialing of the phone. Finally, the connection module is used to make the connection for phone communication by making use of VOIP or TPSN. 
         [0017]    Moreover, the present invention further provides a method for the user to establish a routing table, so that the setup of the routing table can be more flexible. Firstly, receive the settings input by the user for establishing a routing table from input device. Next, prompt the messages in the data fields to be set by the user. Then, receive the setting values input into the fields by the user. Subsequently, determine if the user has finished input settings. Finally, if it is determined that the user has finished the input settings, then proceed with the update of the setting values of the various fields stored in the routing table. 
         [0018]    Further scope of applicability of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow for illustration only, and thus is not limitative of the invention, and wherein: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of the system structure of an automatic switch-dialing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a routing table according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an automatic switch-dialing method according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart of the method for establishing a routing table according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    The purpose, construction, features, and functions of the invention can be appreciated and understood more thoroughly through the following detailed description with reference to the attached drawings. 
         [0025]    The present invention discloses an automatic switch-dialing system and method. In the following description, various specific details are described to provide a through understanding of the invention. However, for the people familiar with the technology in this field, the invention can be implemented without these specific details. Or alternative elements or methods can be utilized to realize the invention. In other circumstances, the well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits are not described in particular detail, so as not to unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention. 
         [0026]    Firstly, refer to  FIG. 1  for a schematic diagram of the system structure of an automatic switch-dialing system according to one embodiment of the present invention, including: 
         [0027]    An input module  150 , herein referred to as a physical device, such as a keyboard, a joystick, press keys, a remote controller, or a touch screen, that can be used by the user as an input device, and to receive the signals input by the user, for example, the destination phone numbers input by the user, the settings input by the user for establishing a routing table  130 , or a plurality sets of switch-dialing preset condition values set and input by the user. 
         [0028]    A switching module  140  is connected to a VOIP module  120  and a PSTN module  110  set and initialized by making use of the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). In this connection, the destination phone number input by the user and the switch-dialing preset condition values in the routing table  130  are utilized to determine which dialing mode is used to proceed with the dialing. In case that, if the determined result is different from that of the currently preset dialing mode, then proceed with the switching of the dialing mode, In actual process of communication, for VOIP module  120 , the voice signals are transmitted in the form of digital signals through IP network by means of VOIP communication protocol; while for PSTN module  110 , the voice signals are transmitted in the form of analog signals. 
         [0029]    A connection module  160  is used to receive and transmit voice signal data, including: the Foreign Exchange Office (FOX) port, connected to Private Branch Exchange (PBX) to carry on the phone communication in the conventional TSPN manner; the Foreign Exchange Station (FXS) port is connected to the ordinary analog telephone set or facsimile machine, and is used to transfer telephone calls or process facsimile; and Internet Protocol (IP)/Wireless Foreign Exchange Office (WFXO) port, used to receive the calls from the user of wired/wireless network. 
         [0030]    A routing table  130  is used to store a plurality sets of switch-dialing preset condition values set by the user, is as shown in  FIG. 2 , that is a schematic diagram of a routing table  130  according to one embodiment of the present invention, including: a “prefix code” field, used to record the type of origin and the type of the prefix code; a “minimum length limit” field, used to record the minimum length limitation of the destination phone number; a “maximum length limit” field, used to record the maximum length limitation of the destination phone number; a “destination port” field, used to record the type of communication port utilized in proceeding with data transmission/reception; and a “transfer function” field, used to record and specify other types of communication ports that can be used to transmit/receive data when the originally set destination port is busy. 
         [0031]    In addition, the data setting portions include: a preset routing area  210 , used to select the preset routing according to the type of origin, when there is no matching routing setting; a setting routing area  220 , used to record a plurality sets of switch-dialing preset condition values set by the user. In this connection, row 1 of this setting routing area  220  is taken as an example and explained as follows: the prefix code “11” means that the first two codes of the destination phone number received from the input module  150  input by the user is “11”; while the minimum length limit and maximum length limit of 3 means that the destination phone number contains only three codes (for example: 911). As such, when the user dials 911, then the conventional PSTN module  110  is utilized to proceed with the necessary connection, and in this case, if FXO port is presently occupied and busy, that means that other user is currently using FXO port and making the phone conversation, and in this case, if the content of “transfer function” field is set at “enable”, then other idle communication ports such as IP port may be utilized immediately. 
         [0032]    Then, refer to  FIG.3  for a flowchart of an automatic switch-dialing method according to one embodiment of the present invention, including the following steps: 
         [0033]    Firstly, receive a destination phone number input by the user (step  310 ), in this case, suppose that the phone number input by the user and received at the input module  150  is 0912345678. Next, determine the currently preset dialing mode (step  320 ), in this case, the afore-mentioned dialing 911 without line-busy instance is taken as an example, such that the preset FXO port is utilized, namely, the PSTN  180  is utilized (step  340 ). Therefore, since it matches the setting in row 2 of setting routing area according to the setting conditions as shown in  FIG. 2 , so the destination port in use is set as the IP port. Then, determine if switch-dialing is required for dialing the phone call of the destination phone number according to the routing table  130  (step  350 ), and if the answer to question is positive, then the phone call connection is switched to the VOIP module  120  via the switching module  140  to proceed with the dialing. Likewise, in the case the afore-mentioned dialing 911 having line-busy instance is taken as an example, then it is preset to use IP port, namely, the VOIP (step  330 ). Then, determine if switch-dialing is required for dialing the phone call of the destination phone number according to the routing table  130  (step  350 ), and if the answer to question is negative, then at this time the switching module  140  does not have to take any actions Finally, the connection module  160  is used to establish a connection for phone communication via Internet  190  (step  360 ). 
         [0034]    Subsequently, in order that the routing table  130  may be utilized in a manner compatible with the habit of user making a phone call, refer to  FIG. 4  for a flowchart of the method for establishing a routing table  130  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Through the application of this method, the user may set the switch-dialing setting conditions in compatible with his ordinary way of dialing and making a phone call, so that the setting of routing table  130  can be more flexible. Firstly, receive the settings for establishing a routing table  130  input by the user from the input module  150  (step  410 ), to proceed with the process of writing in the routing table  130 . Next, prompt messages for the user to set fields (step  420 ), for example, “please enter the prefix code” through voice or screen display. In case that the local phone calls made by the user usually is dialed and connected through the conventional PSTN to achieve low cost and better quality phone communication. As such, upon entering 2 via the input module  150 , a specific key (for example, the non-numeric press key “*”, “#” . . . etc.) is pressed to indicate the completion of setting this field (step  430 ). Then, continue the message prompting for reminding the user to input the minimum length limit, the maximum length limit, and the destination port. 
         [0035]    Upon the completion of entering the switch-dialing setting conditions, a specific key is pressed similarly to indicate the completion of the setting of the switch-dialing setting conditions, so that the input module  150  is informed to know the completion of setting upon receiving the input signal generated by such a specific key (step  440 ). Finally, update the setting values of the various fields stored in the routing table  130  (step  450 ), as shown in the switch-dialing setting conditions in row  3  of the setting routing area  220  of  FIG. 2 . According to the similar design concept, two additional time fields used for the time starting and a time terminating may be added to the routing table  130 , so that the switch-dialing of phone communication may be realized according to the routing table incorporating such time conditional values. 
         [0036]    In conclusion, through the application of the present invention, the users are provided with different dialing modes to proceed with phone dialing. Furthermore, through the determination of the destination phone number input by the user, the automatic switch-dialing utilizing VOIP module or TSPN module can be achieved, thus eliminating the inconvenience of manual switching for the user, and realizing the optimized results of reduced operation cost and better communication quality. 
         [0037]    The present invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.