Abstract:
The invention includes methods for allowing a user to selectively forward incoming POTS telephone calls received at a computer on a LAN to an IP-based device on the LAN. The methods allow a user with an IP-based device on a LAN to place an IP-based telephone call from the IP-based device through the computer and out on a POTS line to destination telephone numbers. Systems and computer media incorporating the methods of the present invention are also disclosed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to voice communications over Internet Protocol-based (IP-based) networks. More particularly, the present invention relates to a placing and receiving Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) calls and IP-based telephone calls over an IP-based network.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology provides an alternative and potentially less expensive means for voice communications relative to conventional telephone systems. Conventional telephone systems utilizing POTS (analog transmission) or the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) (digital transmission) require end-to-end connections comprising switched hard wires or fiber optics during telephone calls. In contrast, VoIP technology allows voice packets to be transmitted over IP-based data networks such as the public Internet. IP-based networks allow packets to take multiple paths before being assembled at the destination.  
           [0003]    The cost of data transmission over the public Internet is typically a fixed monthly fee and is not dependent on the amount of data transmitted. Additionally, the public Internet has global geographic span. An initial motivation for developing VoIP communications systems was to provide alternative and less expensive means of making long distance telephone calls. However, VoIP is now being developed as a universal communications network by consolidating data and voice transmission in a single network.  
           [0004]    A conventional VoIP system may include a pair VoIP gateways in communication with each other over an IP-based network for transmitting voice packets over IP-based networks such as the public Internet and translating between the conventional PSTN and VoIP transmissions. Such VoIP gateways are typically refrigerator sized racks of electronics and very expensive. A simpler conventional VoIP system may include dedicated hardware or software on a couple of computers in communication with an IP-based Local Area Network (LAN), a private Internet or the public Internet. But such simpler conventional VoIP systems may not provide call redirecting, voice messaging and capability to send and receive calls to and from conventional telephone networks such as the POTS and PSTN.  
           [0005]    However, conventional VoIP systems do not appear to provide a method and system for allowing a user to selectively and automatically redirect POTS telephone calls received at a workstation on a LAN to an IP-based device on the LAN and at a location remote from the workstation. Conversely, it would be desirable for a method and system that allows a user with an IP-based device on a LAN distant from a workstation to be able to make an IP-based telephone call from the IP-based device through the workstation and out on a POTS line to destination telephone numbers off-site. Such a method and system provides a “low cost gateway” for translating between IP-based voice communications and conventional POTS voice communications.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The invention includes a method and system for placing and redirecting IP-based telephone calls. The method may include providing an IP-based device configured for communicating IP-based telephone calls over an IP-based network and providing a computer operable for communication with the IP-based device over the IP-based network and in communication with a POTS telephone line. The method may also include selectively forwarding the incoming POTS telephone call to the IP-based device over the IP-based network in response to receiving an incoming POTS telephone call at the computer and receiving the IP-based telephone call at the computer, translating the IP-based telephone call into an outgoing POTS telephone call and routing the outgoing POTS telephone call through the POTS telephone line in response to initiating an IP-based telephone call from the IP-based device.  
           [0007]    Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    The following drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments for carrying out the present invention. Like reference numerals refer to like parts in different views or embodiments of the drawings.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method of receiving a POTS telephone call on an Internet Protocol (IP)-based device connected to an IP-based LAN according to the present invention.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method of placing a telephone call from an Internet Protocol (IP)-based device on a LAN to a POTS line according to the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method of placing and receiving IP-based telephone calls over an IP-based network according to the present invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system for placing and receiving IP-based telephone calls over an IP-based network in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a computer media for storing a computer program configured for implementing a method according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0014]    The invention includes methods for placing and redirecting IP-based telephone calls. The invention also includes a system and computer media incorporating the methods of the invention. Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method  100  of receiving a POTS telephone call on an IP-based device connected to an IP-based LAN according to the present invention. Method  100  may include receiving  102  an incoming POTS telephone call and selectively forwarding  104  the incoming POTS telephone call to an IP-based device over an IP-based LAN using IP-based communications. IP-based communications consistent with method  100  may include VoIP communications, H.323 compliant communications, IP-based protocols such as Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP), Simple Gateway Control Protocol (SGCP), Internet Protocol Device Control (IPDC), Realtime Transport Protocol (RTP), packetized “.wav” files or any other IP-based voice packet communications. Such communications standards and protocols are within the knowledge of one skilled in the art and, thus, will not be further detailed herein.  
         [0016]    Selectively forwarding  104  may further include waiting a preselected number of rings to answer the incoming POTS telephone call. This feature gives the user time to answer the POTS call at a telephone handset or at a computer configured to receive and answer telephone calls prior to forwarding the telephone call according to the present invention. Selectively forwarding  104  may also further include routing the incoming POTS telephone call to a preselected IP address corresponding to the IP-based device over the IP-based LAN as an IP-based telephone call if the incoming POTS telephone call remains unanswered after the preselected number of rings.  
         [0017]    In another embodiment, selectively forwarding  104  may further include providing the caller with an audio menu to either forward the incoming POTS telephone call to the preselected IP address corresponding to the IP-based device or to simply record a message without attempting to complete the call by forwarding. This embodiment of selectively forwarding  104  gives the caller flexibility in handling the incoming POTS telephone call. In yet another embodiment, selectively forwarding  104  may further include selectively forwarding the incoming POTS call to the preselected IP address or providing the caller with a audio prompt to record a message based on caller identification information (Caller-ID). This embodiment of selectively forwarding  104  allows the recipient to preselect how to handle an incoming POTS call based on who the caller is (Caller-ID).  
         [0018]    Selectively forwarding  104  may further include providing the caller an audio prompt to record a message if the IP-based device does not answer the IP-based telephone call after a second preselected number of rings. This feature provides message recording capability if the intended recipient of the call is unavailable even after forwarding the call to the IP-based device. The second preselected number of rings may or may not be the same as the first preselected number of rings. This message recording capability allows the caller to selectively record a message, provide a callback number or hang up without leaving a message under the control of the caller. The prompt may be provided by the computer forwarding the incoming POTS telephone call or by the IP-based device to which the POTS telephone call is forwarded. The mechanization of providing a prompt and recording a message or callback number is within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art and, thus, will not be further elaborated herein.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method  200  of placing a telephone call from an IP-based device on a LAN to a POTS line according to the present invention. Method  200  may include initiating  202  an IP-based telephone call from an IP-based device in communication with a LAN, receiving  204  the IP-based telephone call at a computer on the LAN, translating  206  the IP-based telephone call into a POTS telephone call and routing  208  the POTS telephone call over a POTS line. Initiating  202  an IP-based telephone call may include initiating a VoIP telephone call. Initiating  202  an IP-based telephone call may include inputting a destination telephone number or selecting one from a directory or contacts database. Receiving  204  the IP-based telephone call at a computer on the LAN may include receiving the IP-based telephone call at the computer connected to the LAN and to the POTS line.  
         [0020]    Routing  208  the POTS telephone call may include routing the POTS telephone call through a Local Exchange Carrier (LEC), through the PSTN, through another LEC and finally to the destination telephone. Alternatively, the POTS telephone call may be routed to another IP-address on the LAN. The other IP-address may be associated with an IP soft-phone or an IP telephone in communication with the LAN. The POTS telephone call may also be routed over the LAN through a gateway to another IP-based network to an IP address associated with an IP soft-phone or an IP telephone.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method  300  of placing and receiving IP-based telephone calls over an IP-based network according to the present invention. Method  300  may include providing  302  an IP-based device configured for communicating IP-based telephone calls over an IP-based network and providing  304  a computer operable for communication with the IP-based device over the IP-based network and in communication with a POTS telephone line. Method  300  may further include selectively forwarding  306  the incoming POTS telephone call to the IP-based device over the IP-based network in response to receiving an incoming POTS telephone call at the computer. Method  300  may further include receiving  308  the IP-based telephone call at the computer, translating the IP-based telephone call into a outgoing POTS telephone call and routing the outgoing POTS telephone call through the POTS telephone line in response to initiating an IP-based telephone call from the IP-based device. IP-based communications consistent with method  300  may include VoIP communications, H.323 compliant communications, IP-based protocols such as SIP, MGCP, SGCP, IPDC, RTP, packetized “.wav” files or any other IP-based voice packet communications.  
         [0022]    Selectively forwarding  306  may further include waiting a preselected number of rings to answer the incoming POTS telephone call. This feature gives the user time to answer the incoming POTS call at a telephone handset or at a computer configured to receive and answer telephone calls prior to forwarding the telephone call according to the present invention. Selectively forwarding  306  may further include routing the incoming POTS telephone call to a preselected IP address corresponding to the IP-based device over the IP-based network as an IP-based telephone call if the incoming POTS telephone call remains unanswered after the preselected number of rings.  
         [0023]    In another embodiment, selectively forwarding  306  may further include providing the caller with an audio menu to either forward the incoming POTS telephone call to the preselected IP address corresponding to the IP-based device or to simply record a message for the intended recipient without attempting to complete the call by forwarding. This feature gives the caller flexibility in handling the incoming POTS telephone call.  
         [0024]    In yet another embodiment, selectively forwarding  306  may further include either forwarding the incoming POTS call to the preselected IP address or providing the caller with an audio prompt to record a message based on caller identification information (Caller-ID). This feature allows the recipient to preselect how to handle an incoming POTS call based on who the caller is using Caller-ID.  
         [0025]    In even yet another embodiment, selectively forwarding  306  may further comprise providing an audio prompt to record a message if the IP-based device does not answer the IP-based telephone call after a second preselected number of rings and recording the message if desired by a caller. This feature provides message recording capability if the intended recipient of the call is unavailable even after forwarding the call to the IP-based device. As noted above, the second preselected number of rings may or may not be the same as the first preselected number of rings. Initiating an IP-based telephone call may include inputting a destination telephone number or selecting one from a directory or contacts database.  
         [0026]    Routing the outgoing POTS telephone call may include routing through a LEC, a PSTN, through another LEC and finally to the destination telephone. Alternatively, the POTS telephone call may be routed to another IP-address on the LAN. The other IP-address may be associated with an IP soft-phone or an IP telephone in communication with the LAN. The POTS telephone call may also be routed over the LAN through a gateway to another IP-based network to an IP address associated with an IP soft-phone or an IP telephone.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system  400  for placing and receiving IP-based telephone calls over an IP-based network in accordance with the present invention. System  400  may include an IP-based device  402  configured for IP-based communication over an IP-based network  404  and a computer  406  configured for communication with a POTS line  408  and configured for IP-based communication with the IP-based device  402  over the IP-based network  404 . System  400  may further include the IP-based device  402  further configured to receive and send IP-based telephone calls using the computer  406  and the POTS line  408 . System  400  may further include a telephone  410  in communication with the computer  406  and POTS line  408  for the user to answer the incoming POTS call.  
         [0028]    The POTS line  408  may be connected to the POTS  412 , which may in turn be connected to other telephone system switches and networks such as a local exchange carrier (LEC) and the PSTN, not shown for clarity. IP-based communications consistent with system  400  may include VoIP communications, H.323 compliant communications, IP-based protocols such as SIP, MGCP, SGCP, IPDC, RTP, packetized “.wav” files or any other IP-based voice packet communications.  
         [0029]    System  400  may be configured to forward the incoming POTS call to the IP-based device  402  having a preselected IP address if the incoming POTS telephone call remains unanswered after a first preselected number of rings. This gives a user a window of time (equal to the first preselected number of rings) to answer the incoming POTS call. If the incoming POTS call remains unanswered after the first preselected number of rings, the incoming POTS call may then be forwarded to the preselected IP address of the IP-based device  402  on the IP-based network  404 . System  400  may be further configured to provide a prompt to record a message if the IP-based device  402  does not answer the IP-based telephone call after a second preselected number of rings and recording the message if desired by a caller. Thus, according an embodiment of the present invention, the caller has the option of recording a message for the intended recipient of the call. The mechanization of the call forwarding and voice messaging features are within the knowledge of one skilled in the art and, thus, will not be further elaborated herein.  
         [0030]    The IP-based device  402  may be a laptop computer or a personal digital assistant (PDA)  402 A, as shown in FIG. 4. The IP-based device  402  may also be an IP-based telephone, a computer configured with software to operate as an IP-based telephone or any other IP-based device configured to connect to an IP-based network, capable of transmitting and receiving voice packets and capable of transmitting and receiving audio from a user.  
         [0031]    The IP-based network  404  may be a LAN, a wide area network a private Internet, a public Internet or any other IP-based network consistent with the present invention. Furthermore, IP-based network  404  may be an IP-based wireless network, for example and not by way of limitation, an IEEE 802.11 compliant network, Bluetooth™ compliant network or any other IP-based wireless network consistent with the present invention.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a computer-readable media  500  for storing a computer program  502  configured for implementing one or more methods  100 ,  200 ,  300  according to the present invention. Computer-readable media  500  may be any suitable storage medium for storing a computer program  502 , e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc read only memory (DVD-ROM), Zip™ Disk, Memory Stick™, SD Card™, floppy disk, read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), nonvolatile electrically block-erasable programmable read only memory (Flash), or any other suitable media for storing a computer program  502 . Flash memory for storing a computer program  502  may take many forms, for example and not by way of limitation, Memory Stick™ or SD memory card™. Computer-readable media  500  may also be mass storage on a server configured for downloading software over a network. Computer program  502  may also be firmware embedded in the operating system of the IP-based device  402 , an applet or plug-in down-loadable and configurable computer program, or device driver for execution on the IP-based device  402 . The particular type of computer-readable media  500  and the form of the computer program  502  are not critical to the present invention.  
         [0033]    It is to be understood that the above-referenced arrangements are illustrative of the applications for the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. While the present invention has been shown in the drawings and described above in connection with the exemplary embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications may be implemented without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims.