Methods of duplex transfer of voice streams between mobile subscribers and clients of IM/VOIP with the corresponding implementation of PBX and of the VOIP-cell gateway based on smartphones

Duplex transmission of voice streams between mobile phone call applications and IM/VoIP service clients installed on smartphones is carried out by connecting audio outputs to audio inputs of smartphone audio interfaces. These voice communication applications can be installed on the same smartphone, on two different smartphones, or on one smartphone and one computer of any type. The inventive method contains connections both between the same type and between different wired and wireless audio interfaces of smartphones. As a consequence of the application of the technical result of the method for duplex transmission of voice streams, an invention is claimed for methods for implementing PBX with various types of routing, and a VoIP-Cell gateway for broadcasting voice traffic between a mobile phone client and a VoIP client running IP-PBX.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention in general belongs to the field of telecommunication, in particular, to methods of transmission of duplex voice streams between IM/VoIP clients and mobile subscribers and to corresponding methods of implementation of a PBX and VoIP-Cell gateway based on smartphones.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The main instrument of activity of the modern person is the smartphone—the gadget with many options of use and a possibility of installation of millions of available applications. One of the most widespread options of use of the smartphone is the function of social interaction by means of communication applications for receiving and making phone calls and also client applications of IM/VoIP services for text and voice communication.

Though phone call applications and IM/VoIP service clients can be installed on the same smartphone or two different smartphones, and have similar functionality, program switching and transfer of voice streams between these applications while only using the resources of one or several smartphones without use of remote services is impossible due to the standards of safety of the operating system of the smartphone (e.g., Android or IOS). That is, despite the fact that each smartphone has redundant hardware and program resources for processing and transfer of audio of streams between voice communication applications of the smartphone and phone applications of the smartphone without the involvement of external services, according to the security policy accepted by developers of popular operating systems of smartphones, the actions described above are prohibited and impossible.

Thus, implementation of additional functions associated with convergence of different smartphone voice communication applications by only installing the corresponding mobile application is also impossible for the same reasons.

The policy of audio safety of an operating system of a smartphone (for example, Android or IOS) prohibits the applications installed by users (for example, applications of IM/VoIP services) from capturing the audio stream of telephone calls for subsequent voluntary routing and modification. Voice traffic telephone and IM/VoIP calls according to audio of the policy of the smartphone operating system is routed by default only on one audio output with a connected load and with a certain priority—to an internal speaker and loudspeaker, or a wired headset, or a Bluetooth headset, or a USB headset without a possibility of modification and routing to IP (including Bluetooth) or telephone networks.

Direct connection via Bluetooth wireless protocol of two smartphones for direct exchange of voice traffic is also impossible because of the absence in the operating system kernel of the necessary drivers of the corresponding Bluetooth profiles on standards of safety.

Taking into account the safety requirements of the audio policy, there are patented methods and systems for transmission of sound streams between clients of IM/VoIP services and subscribers of cellular networks on the basis of translation systems of text messages into voice and back. That is, actually, users exchange text messages transformed from voice which as a result are listened to by both users in real time. Some of them are listed below.

System and method for communicating with instant messaging clients using a telephone—U.S. Pat. No. 7,512,217B2.

Voice and text communication system—US20100150333A1.

Such solutions are not widely used due to technological delays and errors in translating voice into text and back. The user prefers live voice to communicate in real time.

There are also patented methods and systems for transmitting audio streams between two or more telecommunications devices using wireless headsets specially designed for these cases. Such a headset connects wirelessly simultaneously to two or more telephones after the telephones enter a conversational state and can broadcast audio streams between these telephones without the possibility of automatic switching based on routing.

Some of them are listed below.

Wireless headset and a headset system for transferring call between two telecommunication devices—U.S. Pat. No. 9,686,662B2.

Teleconferencing with multiple headsets coupled to a single mobile telephone—US20150072666A1.

The methods described in the patents mentioned above can be used to implement conference calls or reserve a conversational channel between remote subscribers of a telephone network with automatic switching to a backup channel in the event of a failure of the main channel. Headsets with the properties mentioned above are not mass-produced, but in practice other devices with similar properties are used—corporate speakerphones.

A corporate speakerphone is an intercom equipped with a microphone and audio speaker for corporate conferences, which is designed to combine multiple audio sources from landlines, smartphones, computers and microphones using external interfaces including AUX, USB or Bluetooth.

Initialization of communication between participants for each new conference occurs by manually connecting an audio source from each conference participant and then combining the required number of audio streams from various types of sources on the speakerphone for processing and playback with the best quality without the possibility of automatic switching based on routing.

Considering the above objective security problems of “internal” safety of smartphones, the tasks of convergence of mobile telephone and IM/VoIP of voice services are solved by means of “external” resources and services.

It should be noted that there is a considerable number of patents which describe methods and systems of convergence of cellular and IM/VoIP voice services using remote servers and gateways. Some of them are listed below.

Systems and methods for initiating communications between IM clients and mobile clients—U.S. Pat. No. 9,088,877B1. In practice, this is not used, as it requires additional complex non-standard interaction between the mobile phone and the IM/VoIP client through additional servers. That is, the method has not become widespread due to its complexity and the possible use of additional numbering for IM/VoIP clients.

Methods for receiving telephone calls using instant messages—EP1393539B1 and a network system for redirecting telephone calls from telephone networks to VoIP clients for roamers and subscribers who do not answer—U.S. Pat. No. 8,478,277B2. In practice, these solutions are also not used, since they require technological interaction between IM/VoIP operators and telecom services that are not interested in cooperation, since IM/VoIP services are direct competitors of telecom operators in the market for providing text and voice communication services.

To converge telephone and IM/VoIP voice services, IM/VoIP service operators are forced to build or rent their own “telephone” infrastructure in each country to “land” voice calls to/from telephone networks at telephone operator prices. Thus, clients of IM/VoIP services are forced to pay for voice calls to telephone networks, taking into account the costs and profits of IM/VoIP operators.

For example, an IM Viber client running the external Viber Out service has the ability to make outgoing calls to phone numbers for an additional fee. For incoming calls, a dedicated local telephone number is used with forwarding to the IM Viber client, also for an additional fee.

The IM Skype for Business client has the ability to make outgoing and receive incoming phone calls running Skype Server for Business or a third-party IP-PBX for an additional fee.

Thus, direct interaction between mobile telephone and IM/VoIP networks without the use of remote services for exchanging voice traffic does not exist in practice for security reasons.

Accordingly, in the current situation, a simple user cannot make a direct voice call directly from the IM/VoIP client application to a remote mobile network subscriber, just as a mobile network subscriber cannot directly call a remote IM/VoIP service client without using paid remote services.

Let's look at some user-useful scenarios for using carrier-independent and freely user-configurable smartphone functionality to initiate communications and transmit voice streams between the IM/VoIP service smartphone client application and the telephone application.

The user has one or two basic smartphones on the cellular carrier's home network that are specifically configured to initiate communications and transmit voice streams between the IM/VoIP service smartphone client application and the telephone application. As a result, incoming calls from the “home” mobile network will be automatically routed through the IM/VoIP service client installed on the “home” basic smartphone to the IM/VoIP client application of the smartphone that the user has with him while in the roaming region. In addition, the user can make calls to the home mobile network from a roaming area using the IM/VoIP service client to communicate with the “home” IM/VoIP service client installed on the base smartphone, which automatically routes the call to the home mobile network subscriber.

Another use case involves implementing a cheap and easy-to-install and operate PBX (PBX) for small businesses without using a third-party VoIP server. Incoming calls arrive from the mobile network to the underlying smartphone (or smartphones), which are specifically configured to initiate communication and transfer voice streams between the IM/VoIP service's smartphone client application and the phone application, then enabling the IVR system. The mobile caller, based on IVR suggestions, selects the called remote IM/VoIP client. Next, this call is routed through the IM/VoIP client installed on the base smartphone to the remote IM/VoIP client, which is one of the PBX subscribers. In addition, any PBX subscriber, who is also a remote client of the IM/VoIP service, can make a call to any subscriber of the telephone network through the IM/VoIP client application of the base smartphone (or smartphones) by transferring the phone number of the called subscriber from the remote IM/VoIP client service application to the IM/VoIP client of a basic smartphone.

The following scenario contains an implementation of a VoIP-Cell gateway based on a smartphone (or smartphones) that are specifically configured to initiate communications and transmit voice streams between a smartphone IM/VOIP client application and a smartphone mobile phone client application, and which can be used as part of any other IP-PBX.

In fact, basic smartphones are an easy-to-install and operate low-cost user gateway between IP and cellular networks that can be easily and quickly configured by any incompetent user using the user interface of the corresponding mobile application for any task of convergence of telephone and other communication voice services.

Considering that more than one billion smartphones are decommissioned every year in the world, the secondary use of smartphones based on the claimed inventions will make it possible to create products that are cheap and useful for the user. The application of this invention will likely not be limited to the scenarios described above, as developers and users will be presented with a new ecosystem with new capabilities and use cases. Therefore, there is a need for methods to transfer voice streams between smartphone telephone applications and other smartphone voice communication applications using the hardware and software resources of the smartphone without the involvement of external services.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The technical problem to which the claimed invention is aimed can be formulated as the development of a method for duplex transmission of voice streams between mobile applications, mobile phone clients, and mobile applications, IM/VOIP clients, using only the hardware and software resources of a smartphone without involving external services, taking into account that that the smartphone uses only one common audio input and one common audio output simultaneously for both the mobile phone client application and the smartphone IM/VOIP client application. That is, at one time there can be only one smartphone user, and, accordingly, only one active audio interface for several sound sources and receivers in the same smartphone.

The technical result is achieved by using, in several aspects and variants, a method for duplex transmission of voice streams between an IM/VOIP client mobile application and a mobile phone client application using a connection of audio outputs to audio inputs of a smartphone audio interface of a smartphone audio interface (or smartphones) and automatic control of mobile phone clients and IM/VOIP clients using smartphone software without direct tactile communication with the user.

This software is designed to control a smartphone voice communication application in accordance with logic to determine the circumstances under which it is necessary to make a call, answer a call or end a call and is implemented as a software agent as a separate application for a smartphone, or as part of the operating system functionality smartphone systems, or as an API for use in the development of client applications for IM/VOIP services, or as part of the functionality of an IM/VOIP client mobile application.

Thus, the aspects and options for coordinated pre-connections of audio output and audio input of the audio interface of a smartphone (or smartphones) claimed in this invention along with the corresponding management of IM/VOIP and mobile phone clients provides the technical result of duplex voice transmission between mobile application clients IM/VOIP and mobile phone applications.

Below, a description of the invention necessary for understanding its essence will be presented in the order of content of the claims.

In one aspect, the claimed invention includes a method that includes duplex transmission of voice streams over an electrically matched wire connection between the audio outputs of one smartphone and the audio inputs of another smartphone of smartphone audio interfaces. In one embodiment of this aspect, transmission occurs over a hard-wired analog audio output connection to the audio inputs of the analog wired audio interfaces of smartphones (FIG.1). In another embodiment, the transmission is carried out via a hard-wired digital connection of the audio outputs with the audio inputs of the digital wired audio interfaces of smartphones. The practical implementation of this option is possible both with reconciliation (FIG.2) and without the use of “external” sound cards by directly connecting the audio outputs to the audio inputs of digital wired audio interfaces of smartphones (FIG.1). That is, the audio output of one smartphone for connecting a speaker is connected through electronic matching components to the audio input for connecting a microphone of another smartphone and vice versa.

Another embodiment of this aspect comprises duplexing the wired analog audio outputs and audio inputs of one smartphone with the analog audio inputs and audio outputs of a sound card connected to the digital wired audio interface of another smartphone. This option involves connecting a sound card with analog audio inputs and outputs to the digital audio interface of one of the smartphones, which in turn are connected through electrical matching components to the analog audio inputs and outputs of another smartphone. The sound card is connected to the USB or USB-C interface of the smartphone (FIG.3).

In this way, the audio outputs are connected to the audio inputs of smartphone audio interfaces between the IM/VoIP service client application running on one smartphone and the mobile phone client application running on another smartphone for mutual duplex audio transmission between applications. Accordingly, this embodiment contains a cross-connection between the audio input of one smartphone and the audio output of another smartphone and vice versa through matching electronic components. Analog interfaces of smartphones are AUX and USB-C connectors of the smartphone, and digital interfaces are USB or USB-C connectors.

In another aspect, the claimed invention includes a method that includes interaction between a mobile phone client or a mobile IM/VOIP client and a corresponding software agent installed on a smartphone that, in accordance with logic to determine circumstances, controls functions similar to user commands of mobile clients telephone and IM/VOIP to make a call, answer a call or end a call automatically without direct tactile communication with the user.

That is, the software agent, in accordance with the events of changes in the state of the conversational connection between the telephone network subscriber and the IM/VOIP client, sends the corresponding commands (making a call, answering a call or ending a call) to the mobile applications of the phone and IM/VOIP for execution. For example, in the case of an incoming call to a telephone or IM/VOIP voice communication client, the software agent sends a command to answer the call, etc.

One embodiment of this aspect further comprises the corresponding software agent using accessibility options of smartphone operating systems to control the mobile phone client and the mobile IM/VOIP client through a graphical interface of the smartphone.

That is, this software agent uses special capabilities of smartphone operating systems to access directly the user interface. Thus, the necessary commands (making a call, answering a call or ending a call) are transmitted through the user interface of the smartphone by changing the state (“soft” pressing) of the corresponding on-screen button.

In a further aspect, the claimed invention includes a method that includes duplex transmission of voice streams followed by connecting audio outputs to audio inputs on a switching device with the ability to connect simultaneously to more than one smartphone.

A switching device in the context of the claimed invention is a device that is designed for switching and subsequent duplex transmission of voice streams between communication voice clients that are installed on smartphones or other computers of any type, using audio interfaces, including AUX, USB or Bluetooth. That is, the audio interfaces of smartphones and other computers of any type are previously connected to the same type of switching device interfaces, which, under the control of the software of smartphones or computers, switches duplex voice streams between the corresponding communication voice clients of various smartphones or other computers of any type without direct tactile participation of users.

That is, the corresponding variants of this aspect contain the exchange of voice streams between communication voice clients installed on smartphones or other computers of any type, which occurs through a switching device that provides simultaneous connection of several computers of any type both via wireless Bluetooth interfaces and wired digital and analog interfaces.

Another variant of this aspect involves switching audio streams between different and similar interfaces of the switching device, connected to various smartphones or other computers of any type, and simultaneously arriving at the switching device via wired analog, digital and Bluetooth interfaces. Accordingly, the switching of audio streams does not depend on the type of connected audio interface or computer. That is, any audio streams arriving at the switching device both from interfaces of the same type and from interfaces of different types can be switched with each other.

And another variant of this aspect includes duplex transmission of voice streams with subsequent connection of audio outputs to audio inputs on a switching device with the ability to automatically control mobile phone client applications and IM/VOIP client applications using software of a smartphone or computer of any type. This option for duplex transmission of voice streams between computers of any type with subsequent connection of audio outputs to audio inputs on a switching device is fundamentally different from the options for using speakerphones using automatic switching and routing of audio streams coming from various smartphones and computers using the software of these smartphones or other computers of any type. type.

Thus, in general, all embodiments of the aspect include the implementation of duplex transmission of voice streams with subsequent automatic connection of audio outputs to audio inputs on the switching device using software of smartphones or other computers of any type. An exemplary implementation is illustrated inFIG.4. In fact, a switching device equipped with different types of interfaces, its form factor resembles a corporate speakerphone without local microphones and speakers with the ability to automatically switch audio streams from various communication applications using smartphone software without direct tactile communication with the user, installed on smartphones and other computers of any type connected to different interfaces of the switching device. Accordingly, voice streams for conversational connections between various communication voice applications from different operators installed on various smartphones or other computers of any type can be switched directly without the participation of external services controlled by the corresponding software of smartphones or other computers of any type.

In another aspect, the claimed invention includes a method that includes duplex transmission of voice streams over an electrically matched wired connection using an audio output to audio input connection of a smartphone audio interface between mobile phone client applications and IM/VOIP client applications installed on the same and the same smartphone with channel sharing of voice streams between mobile phone clients and IM/VOIP clients for duplex transmission of audio streams between mobile phone clients and IM/VOIP clients (FIG.5). In this aspect, since mobile phone clients and IM/VOIP clients are installed on the same smartphone and broadcast to the same common audio output and receive an audio stream from the same common audio input, the audio input and audio output of the smartphone physically connected over an electrically matched wire connection through a modulation and demodulation device to separate voice streams from different communications voice clients and eliminate mutual interference.

Accordingly, part of the voice stream separation functionality implemented by smartphone software includes modulation of the voice stream emanating from the IM/VoIP client application with an ultrasonic carrier frequency, and transmission of the modulated audio stream to the audio output of the smartphone, demodulation of the incoming audio stream with audio input of a smartphone with subsequent transmission of the resulting voice stream to a remote client of the IM/VoIP service. Separation of voice streams using smartphone software can be implemented in the form of additional software as a separate smartphone application, or as part of the functionality of the smartphone operating system, or as an API for use in the development of client applications for IM/VOIP services, or as part of the functionality of an client application IM/VOIP smartphone.

Thus, the functionality of the aspect described above transmits the modulated outgoing voice stream to the audio output of the smartphone, and the incoming voice stream from the audio input of the smartphone is demodulated and transmitted to the remote client of the IM/VoIP service. Accordingly, part of the functionality for separating voice streams of this aspect, implemented on a modulation and demodulation device connecting the audio output to the audio input of the smartphone audio interface, includes:detection and demodulation of a voice stream modulated by an ultrasonic carrier frequency coming from the audio output of a smartphone,detection and modulation of an unmodulated real voice stream with an ultrasonic carrier frequency coming from the audio output of a smartphone,addition of a voice stream modulated by an ultrasonic carrier frequency and a demodulated audio stream with subsequent transmission of the resulting voice stream to the audio input of the smartphone.

Accordingly, the voice stream separation portion of the functionality of this aspect, implemented on a modulation and demodulation device attached to the audio output and audio input, separates the incoming modulated and normal real voice streams, converts or demodulates the modulated voice stream into a normal real voice stream, and the incoming the normal real voice stream is modulated by an ultrasonic carrier frequency. Then both converted streams are added and sent to the output of the device. Accordingly, the device connects the audio output to the audio input of the smartphone's audio interface and changes the characteristics of the two audio streams without changing their information content (FIG.5).

A modulation and demodulation device with the functionality described above can be implemented on the basis of a cheap DSP processor, any smartphone or a simple single-board computer. As an option, a modulation and demodulation device with the characteristics listed above can be implemented in the form of a wired headset. In this case, the user receives a familiar and necessary device with a useful additional function.

This aspect cannot be applied to a wireless connection, since modulation and demodulation of voice streams by ultrasound is not possible due to the use of low bitrate (64 kBit/s) in Bluetooth profiles for telephone calls and the use of a narrow frequency range of the audio stream (up to 4 kHz) for a normal telephone conversation, which is not sufficient for the use of ultrasonic modulation. In addition, the use of Bluetooth profiles adapted for playing music with a wide frequency range is not possible in this case, since the smartphone client application can only work with Bluetooth phone profiles.

In yet another aspect, the claimed invention includes a method that further comprises duplex transmission of voice streams between smartphone mobile phone client applications and any type of computer IM/VOIP application clients using a smartphone audio interface and any type of computer audio interface (FIG.1-FIG.7,FIG.9). The IM/VOIP service client can be developed and installed on any type of computer with a suitable operating system and software libraries. Accordingly, the claimed method contains duplex transmission of voice streams using the audio interface of a smartphone and the audio interface of a computer between client applications of a smartphone mobile phone and IM/VOIP client applications of a computer of any type.

Duplex transmission of voice streams between mobile phone client applications and smartphone IM/VOIP client applications based on the method described above provides safe and operating system-permitted capabilities for manipulating audio streams of smartphone voice communication applications to develop new applications and services that are interesting to ordinary users without providing exclusive rights to the user. For example, root for Android and jailbreak for IOS. Accordingly, the solution can be used by a huge audience of smartphone users within the framework of the security policy of operating system developers.

As a consequence of the application of the technical result of the method described above, an invention is claimed for a method for implementing a PBX, that is, a mini-PBX that connects mobile network subscribers and IM/VoIP service clients without the use of additional remote services. The technical problem to be solved by the claimed invention can be formulated as the development of a method for implementing a PBX for organizing a conversational connection between mobile phone clients and IM/VOIP clients using the audio interface of a smartphone without involving resources of remote services.

The technical result of the PBX implementation is achieved through the use of specially configured smartphones with appropriate interfaces in aspects and variants corresponding to the method of duplex transmission of voice streams described above between mobile phone client applications and IM/VOIP client applications using a connection of audio outputs to audio inputs smartphone audio interface, as well as automatic, without direct tactile communication with the user, control of the mobile phone client application and the IM/VOIP client application using smartphone software for routing and switching connections between remote subscribers of the telephone network and remote IM/VOIP clients. In fact, all PBX functionality required for duplex transmission of voice streams between remote telephone network subscribers and remote IM/VOIP clients is implemented in the hardware and software of basic smartphones using the appropriate resources of mobile and IM/VOIP networks, but without using the functions of third-party additional PBX. Corresponding examples are illustrated inFIG.6,FIG.7andFIG.8.

In the case of using a third-party additional PBX for routing and switching connections between remote subscribers of the telephone network and remote IM/VOIP clients, a managed structure that functionally corresponds to the implementations of the method of duplex transmission of voice streams described above between mobile phone client applications and IM/VOIP client applications base smartphone will have the VoIP-Cell gateway functionality illustrated as an example inFIG.9. Such third-party PBX can be implemented not only on a “separate” hardware platform, but also directly on the hardware platform of one of the basic smartphones.

The claimed invention includes some aspects of the types of routing that can be used on a PBX for connections between remote telephone network subscribers and remote IM/VOIP clients. For example, remote clients of an IM/VoIP service can be internal PBX subscribers, united for both corporate interaction and non-commercial communication.

In one aspect, the claimed invention additionally includes a method that includes routing a connection between remote subscribers of a telephone network and remote clients of an IM/VoIP service, containing an IVR system implemented using smartphone software and included in a conversational channel connecting counter voice streams of the client IM/VoIP application and telephone application using smartphone audio interfaces by dialing numbers in DTMF mode by the remote calling party to select the contact of the remote called party.

Routing a connection between remote subscribers of the telephone network and remote clients of the IM/VoIP service using an IVR system can occur as follows. Incoming calls are sent from the mobile network to the basic smartphone and then connected to the IVR system. The calling remote subscriber of the telephone network, based on IVR suggestions, selects the called remote IM/VoIP client. Next, the call, under the control of the appropriate software agent, is routed through the IM/VoIP client installed on the base smartphone to the remote IM/VoIP client, which can be one of the PBX subscribers (Details in the comments toFIG.6).

Incoming calls are received from the IM/VoIP service network to the base smartphone and then connected to the IVR system. The calling remote IM/VoIP client, based on IVR suggestions, selects the called remote subscriber of the telephone network. Next, the call, under the control of the appropriate software agent, is routed through the mobile phone client installed on the base smartphone to the remote called subscriber of the telephone network. (Details in the comments toFIG.7). After the remote parties respond, a conversational connection is established.

In another aspect, the claimed invention additionally includes a method that contains routing connections between remote telephone network subscribers and remote clients of the IM/VoIP service, containing a DTMF tone signal receiver implemented using smartphone software and included in a conversational channel connecting in duplex mode, voice streams between the IM/VOIP client application of the base smartphone and the mobile phone client application of the base smartphone using the audio interfaces of the smartphone, which is carried out based on dialing DTMF numbers of the remote called party number transmitted by the remote calling party. Routing the connection between the calling remote subscriber of the telephone network and the called remote client of the IM/VoIP service can occur as follows (Details in the comments toFIG.6).

Incoming calls are received from remote subscribers of the telephone network to the mobile telephone client installed on the base smartphone, followed by connecting a DTMF signal receiver on the base smartphone. After the automatic response of the called mobile telephone client under the control of the corresponding software agent of the base smartphone, the calling remote subscriber of the telephone network in DTMF mode dials the number of the called remote client of the IM/VoIP service. Next, the call, under the control of the appropriate software agent, is routed through the IM/VoIP service client installed on the base smartphone to the remote IM/VoIP service client. After the remote parties respond, a conversational connection is established.

Routing the connection between the calling remote client of the IM/VoIP service and the called subscriber of the telephone network can occur as follows (Details in the comments toFIG.7). Incoming calls are received from remote IM/VoIP service clients to the IM/VoIP service client installed on the base smartphone, followed by turning on the DTMF signal receiver on the base smartphone. After the automatic response of the called IM/VoIP client of the basic smartphone under the control of the corresponding software agent, the calling remote client of the IM/VoIP service in DTMF mode dials the number of the called remote subscriber of the telephone network. Next, the call, under the control of the corresponding software agent, is routed through the mobile client of the basic smartphone to a remote subscriber of the telephone network. After the remote parties respond, a conversational connection is established.

In yet another aspect, the claimed invention further includes a method that includes routing a connection between remote subscribers of a telephone network and remote clients of an IM/VoIP service, which is carried out based on text messages transmitted by the remote calling party. Routing connections between remote subscribers of the telephone network and remote clients of the IM/VoIP service based on text messages can occur as follows.

To route the connection between a remote calling IM/VoIP service client and a remote called telephone network subscriber, the telephone network subscriber number is transmitted from the calling remote IM/VoIP service client to the IM/VoIP service client installed on the base smartphone via text message in the appropriate chat. Next, one call from the base smartphone under the control of the corresponding software agent is sent through the mobile telephone client installed on the base smartphone to a remote subscriber of the telephone network. The second call from the base smartphone is routed through the IM/VoIP client installed on the base smartphone, controlled by the appropriate software agent, to the remote IM/VoIP client. After the remote parties respond, a conversational connection is established (Details in the comments toFIG.7).

To route the connection between a remote telephone network caller and a called remote IM/VoIP service client, the remote mobile network subscriber sends to the mobile telephone network client installed on the base smartphone a text message containing the number or name of the IM/VoIP service client. The call is then routed through the IM/VoIP client installed on the base smartphone, under the control of the appropriate software agent, to the number or name of the remote IM/VoIP client received from this text message. The second call from the base smartphone, under the control of the corresponding software agent, is directed from the mobile telephone network client installed on the base smartphone to a remote telephone network subscriber. After the remote parties respond, a conversational connection is established (Details in the comments toFIG.6).

In the next aspect, the claimed invention additionally includes a method comprising routing a connection between calling remote clients of the IM/VoIP network service and called remote subscribers of the telephone network based on messages transmitted by remote calling clients of the IM/VoIP service over a data network and containing contact details of the remote called party. (Details in the comments toFIG.7). Routing the connection between calling remote clients of the IM/VoIP network service and called remote subscribers of the telephone network based on messages transmitted over the data network can occur as follows.

To route the connection between a remote calling IM/VoIP service client and a called remote telephone network subscriber, the telephone network subscriber number is transmitted from the calling IM/VoIP service client to the IM/VoIP service client installed on the base smartphone by a corresponding message over the data network. Next, one call from the base smartphone under the control of the corresponding software agent is sent through the mobile telephone client installed on the base smartphone to a remote subscriber of the telephone network. The second call from the base smartphone is routed through the IM/VoIP client installed on the base smartphone, controlled by the appropriate software agent, to the remote IM/VoIP client. After the remote parties respond, a conversational connection is established (Details in the comments toFIG.7). Routing messages can be transmitted both over the local network of a household or enterprise, and over the Internet.

In yet another aspect, the claimed invention additionally includes a method that includes routing a connection between remote telephone network subscribers and remote IM/VoIP service clients, which is carried out based on a voice command coming from the calling party and containing contact information of the remote called party. Routing based on voice command can occur as follows.

To route the connection to the called client of the remote party, the user of the calling client of the remote party, after establishing a connection with the base smartphone under the control of the corresponding software agent, uses a voice command containing contact information to establish a connection between the base smartphone and the remote called party. After the remote parties respond, a conversational connection is established (Details in the comments toFIG.6andFIG.7).

In another aspect, the claimed invention further includes a method that includes static routing, where the call can only be transferred to a predetermined remote telephone network subscriber or remote IM/VoIP client. Static routing can happen as follows.

Only one called remote client of the IM/VoIP service is predefined to route the connection from the calling remote subscriber to the telephone network. Thus, after answering a call from a remote telephone subscriber by the mobile phone client application of the base smartphone, the connection is routed to a predetermined remote client of the IM/VoIP service under the control of the corresponding software agent (Details in the comments toFIG.6).

Only one called subscriber number of the telephone network is predefined to route the connection from the calling remote IM/VoIP service client. Thus, after a call from a remote IM/VoIP client is answered by the IM/VoIP client application of the base smartphone, the connection is routed to a predetermined number of the telephone network subscriber under the control of the corresponding software agent (Details in the comments toFIG.7).

In yet another aspect, the claimed invention additionally includes a method that includes “manual” routing carried out directly by the user of the base smartphone, who, using the mobile phone application and the smartphone IM/VOIP client application using the smartphone's on-screen interface, independently establishes a connection with the remote telephone network subscriber and remote client of the IM/VoIP service. This type of routing can happen as follows.

The user of a basic smartphone (or smartphones) independently establishes a conversational connection with the calling or called remote subscriber of the telephone network and with the calling or called remote client of the IM/VOIP service by answering an incoming call or making a call using the on-screen interface of the smartphone. Accordingly, a conversational connection is established between the remote subscriber of the telephone network and the remote client of the IM/VoIP service via an audio channel connecting through the smartphone interfaces the mobile phone client installed on the base smartphone and the IM/VoIP client installed on the base smartphone. (Details in the comments toFIG.6andFIG.7).

Any PBX subscriber, who is also a remote client of the IM/VoIP service, can make a call by transferring the telephone number of the called subscriber of the telephone network from the remote client of the IM/VoIP service (PBX subscriber) to the IM/VoIP client installed on the base smartphone, to any subscriber of the telephone network using any of the above methods.

Accordingly, any remote subscriber of the telephone network can make a voice call to any PBX subscriber, who is also a remote client of the IM/VoIP service, by transferring the contact data of the called remote client of the IM/VoIP service from the remote subscriber of the telephone network to the mobile phone client installed on a basic smartphone, using any of the above methods.

Thus, based on the principles of the claimed invention, it is possible to use PBXs of various configurations in practice. In particular, FIG.FIG.8illustrates a specific example of a PBX implementation that uses two mobile telephone clients installed on smartphones as external lines and six remote IM/VoIP clients as internal subscribers (PBX 2×6).

As a consequence of the application of the technical result described above for the method of duplex transmission of voice streams between a mobile application client of a smartphone mobile phone and a mobile application client VOIP of a smartphone using the audio interface of a smartphone, an invention is claimed for a method for implementing a VoIP-Cell gateway for broadcasting voice traffic between the application a smartphone mobile phone client and a VoIP client application running IP-PBX using the smartphone's audio interface. The technical problem to which the claimed invention is aimed can be formulated as the development of a method for implementing a VoIP-Cell gateway with the above properties. As a result of the implementation of the claimed invention, it becomes possible to use appropriately configured smartphones as a VoIP-Cell gateway as part of an IP-PBX.

The technical result of implementing a VoIP-Cell gateway is achieved through the use of smartphones with appropriate interfaces, specially configured according to the aspects and method variants described above for duplex transmission of voice streams between the smartphone mobile phone client application and the smartphone VOIP client application using a connection of audio outputs with audio inputs of the smartphone audio interface, as well as:controlling the smartphone mobile phone client application and the smartphone VoIP client application from the IP-PBX side using the smartphone software;switching and routing connections between remote subscribers of the telephone network and subscribers of accessible IP-PBX networks using a mobile phone client application on a smartphone and a VoIP client application on a smartphone running IP-PBX.

That is, a smartphone with the corresponding interfaces configured contains software in the form of an agent for managing the VoIP service application and the client mobile application. In turn, this agent is controlled by IP-PBX. Thus, this basic smartphone is an IP-PBX component and an object for initiating communication and routing voice streams under IP-PBX control, as well as a client device for the IP-PBX VoIP server (FIG.9).

In one aspect, the claimed invention further includes a method that includes an implementation of an IP-PBX, a VoIP service application management agent, and a client mobile phone application using smartphone software for managing switching and routing between clients of accessible IP-PBX networks, including remote ones telephone network subscribers. That is, a smartphone with the appropriate interfaces configured contains not only the VoIP service application software, the client mobile phone application and the application data management agent, but also the IP-PBX software, which includes a VoIP server. Accordingly, the additional functionality of IP-PBX, implemented on the basis of a smartphone, controls the switching and routing of not only the VoIP service application client of the base smartphone, but also VoIP network clients registered on the IP-PBX installed on the smartphone (FIG.9).

These and other aspects and advantages of the claimed invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, it should be understood that all descriptions are intended to be exemplary only and not limiting of the claimed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following material contains detailed descriptions and drawings of various exemplary implementations for the most complete understanding of the claimed invention and the corresponding technical results. This material provides necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to understand the concepts of the invention and contains exemplary embodiments of the invention in practice. The following detailed description does not limit the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims.

Embodiments of the claimed inventions provide methods for duplex transmission of voice streams between a mobile application client of a mobile phone and a mobile application client IM/VOIP of a smartphone and the corresponding implementation of a PBX and VoIP-Cell gateway using the audio interface of a smartphone. In accordance with the claimed invention, a user can make a direct voice call directly from an IM/VoIP client application to a remote subscriber of a mobile telephone network, just as a subscriber of a mobile telephone network can directly call a remote client of an IM/VoIP service without using paid remote services.

In addition, as a consequence of the application of the technical result of the method for duplex transmission of voice streams between a mobile phone client and an IM/VOIP client installed on a smartphone, the material presented below contains example options for a method for implementing a PBX that connects mobile network subscribers and IM/VoIP service clients without the use of remote services, as well as a method for implementing a VoIP-Cell gateway for broadcasting voice traffic between a smartphone mobile phone client application and a smartphone VoIP client application running IP-PBX.

FIG.1,2,3illustrate embodiments of a method that includes duplex transmission of voice streams between two smartphones over an electrically matched wired connection of the audio outputs of one smartphone to the audio inputs of another smartphone of smartphone audio interfaces. Functionally identical objects shown in the drawings may be designated by the same reference numerals.

FIG.1illustrates a variant of duplex transmission of voice streams over a wired analog connection of audio outputs with audio inputs of analog wired audio interfaces of smartphones. The pre-analog audio output118of the smartphone102for connecting the speaker is connected by wire110through the electronic matching components122to the audio input for connecting the microphone130of the smartphone134, and the analog audio output128of the smartphone134for connecting the speaker is connected by wire110through the electronic matching components122with the audio input for connecting the microphone120of the smartphone102. That is, the audio input of one smartphone and the audio output of another smartphone are cross-connected through matching electronic components. Instead of a smartphone134, you can use any type of computer (132). And AUX or USB-C connectors can be used as analog interfaces for smartphones108and140.

The remote subscriber of the telephone network114establishes a conversational connection with the mobile client106installed on the base smartphone102, via the network of the mobile operator116. To answer a call or dial the number of the remote subscriber of the telephone network114, the mobile telephone client106installed on the smartphone102, managed by the Phone and IM/VoIP client104management agent.

The remote client of the IM/VoIP service124establishes a conversational connection with the IM/VOIP client138installed on the base smartphone134over the network of the IM/VOIP service126. To answer the call or call the contact of the remote IM/VoIP client124, the IV VoIP client138is managed by the Phone and IM/VoIP136client management agent.

During a conversation between the remote telephone network subscriber114and the remote IM/VoIP client124, counter audio streams are routed between the analog or digital audio interfaces108and140of both smartphones over a wired connection through electrical matching components122. As a result, between the remote telephone network subscriber114and the remote IM/VoIP client124establishes a full duplex conversational connection112. Instead of a smartphone134, you can use any type of computer (132). For example, PC, laptop, tablet, etc.

FIG.2illustrates a variant of duplex transmission of voice streams over a wired digital connection of audio outputs with audio inputs of digital wired audio interfaces of smartphones. This option, like the previous one, contains a wired connection of two smartphone interfaces. Therefore, drawingFIG.2is structurally similar to drawingFIG.1and is distinguished by the presence of digital audio interfaces for smartphones208and244with corresponding sound cards222and234instead of analog audio interfaces.

The pre-digital audio interface208of the smartphone202is connected by wire210to the sound card222, and the digital audio interface244of the smartphone238is connected by wire246to the sound card234. Instead of the smartphone238, any type of computer (236) can be used.

Next, the analog audio output218of the sound card222for connecting the speaker is connected by wire through electronic matching components224with the audio input for connecting the microphone232of the sound card234, which is connected via a wired connection246to the digital audio interface244of the smartphone238, and the analog audio output230of the sound card234for connecting the speaker is connected by wire through electronic matching components224to the audio input for connecting the microphone220of the sound card222, which is connected via a wire connection210to the digital audio interface208of the smartphone202. That is, the digital audio input of one smartphone and the audio output of another smartphones and vice versa are cross-connected through electronic matching components224and corresponding sound cards222and234. Instead of a smartphone238, any type of computer (236) can be used. And USB or USB-C connectors can be used as digital interfaces for smartphones208and244.

The remote subscriber of the telephone network214establishes a conversational connection with the mobile client206installed on the base smartphone202, over the network of the mobile operator216. To answer a call or dial the number of the remote subscriber of the telephone network214, the mobile telephone client206installed on the smartphone202, managed by the Phone and IM/VoIP client204management agent.

The remote IM/VoIP service client226establishes a conversational connection with the IM/VOIP client242installed on the base smartphone238over the IM/VOIP service228network. To answer the call or call the contact of the remote IM/VoIP client226, the IM client/VoIP242installed on smartphone238is managed by Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent240.

During a conversation between a remote subscriber to the telephone network214and a remote IM/VoIP client226, counter audio streams are routed between the digital audio interfaces208and244of both smartphones over a wired connection through electronic matching components224and corresponding sound cards222and234. As a result, a full duplex conversational connection212is established between the remote subscriber of the telephone network214and the remote IM/VoIP client226. Instead of a smartphone238, you can use any type of computer (236). For example, PC, laptop, tablet, etc.

FIG.3illustrates a variant of duplex transmission of voice streams over a wired analog connection of the audio output and audio input of one smartphone with the analog audio input and audio output of a sound card connected to the digital wired audio interface of another smartphone. This option involves connecting a sound card with analog audio input and output to the digital interface of one of the smartphones, which are connected to the analog audio input and output of another smartphone through electronic matching components. The sound card is connected to the USB or USB-C interface of the smartphone. AUX or USB-C connectors308can be used as analog interfaces for smartphone302. USB or USB-C connectors342can be used as digital interfaces for smartphone336. Instead of smartphone336, you can use any type of computer (334).

This option, like previous options, contains a wired connection of two smartphone interfaces. Therefore, drawingFIG.3is structurally similar to the drawingsFIG.1andFIG.2, but contains differences in the use of the digital342and analog308audio interface of smartphones336and302. In this case, the digital audio interface342of smartphone336contains a connection to the sound card332, and smartphone302uses only the analog interface308.

The analog audio output318of the smartphone302for connecting the speaker is connected by wire310through electronic matching components322to the audio input for connecting the microphone330of the sound card332, which is connected via a wired connection344to the digital audio interface342of the smartphone336, and the analog audio output328of the sound card332for connecting the speaker is connected by wire310through electronic matching components322to the audio input for connecting the microphone320of the analog audio interface308of the smartphone302. Instead of a smartphone336, you can use any type of computer (334). That is, the digital audio input of one smartphone and the analog audio output of another smartphone and the digital audio output of one smartphone and the analog audio input of another smartphone are cross-connected, respectively, through electronic matching components322and the corresponding sound card332.

The remote subscriber of the telephone network314establishes a conversational connection with the mobile client306installed on the base smartphone302over the network of the mobile operator316. To answer a call or dial the number of the remote subscriber of the telephone network314, the mobile telephone client306installed on the smartphone302, managed by the Phone and IM/VoIP304client management agent.

The remote IM/VoIP service client324establishes a conversational connection with the IM/VOIP client340installed on the base smartphone336over the IM/VOIP service326network. To answer the call or call the contact of the remote IM/VoIP client324, the IM client/VoIP340installed on smartphone336is managed by Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent338.

During a conversation between a remote subscriber to the telephone network314and a remote IM/VoIP client324, counter audio streams are routed between the audio interface308of the smartphone302and the digital audio interface342of the smartphone336over a wired connection through the electronic matching components322and the associated sound card332. As a result, a full duplex conversational connection312is established between the remote subscriber of the telephone network314and the remote IM/VoIP client324. Instead of a smartphone336, you can use any type of computer (334). For example, PC, laptop, tablet, etc.

FIG.4illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method that includes duplexing voice streams and then connecting audio outputs to audio inputs on a switching device with the ability to connect to more than one smartphone at a time. The exchange of voice streams between communication voice clients of smartphones (and, accordingly, between remote subscribers402of the telephone network404and remote clients434of the IM/VOIP service network432) occurs through a switching device420, which provides for the simultaneous connection of several basic smartphones or computers of any type via wireless interfaces Bluetooth, and via wired digital and analog interfaces.

Automatic management of mobile phone clients and IM/VOIP clients installed on a smartphone is implemented by smartphone software through Phone and IM/VoIP client management agents408-1,408-2,408-3and430-1,430-2,430-3.

It is clear that synchronization of the work of clients of communication applications, control of switching and establishment of conversational connections based on the proposed method can be implemented in completely different ways, including the capabilities of the switching device. The claimed method and, accordingly,FIG.4contains precisely the fact of transmitting duplex audio between communication applications through a communication device with the ability to automatically control this process. More detailed implementations based on this concept (some of the possible ones) will be presented below in the form of the claimed methods for implementing a PBX and VoIP-Cell gateway.

For clarity, an example diagram of the connection through a switching device of several smartphones and a laptop contains various audio interfaces that can be used in practice. Therefore, presented inFIG.4drawing includes functionally identical objects. Functionally identical objects shown inFIG.4are designated by the same reference numerals with different extensions.

Smartphones with active telephone clients are designated by reference numbers406-1,406-2and406-3. A computer in laptop format with an active IM/VoIP client is designated by reference number424-1, smartphones with active IM/VoIP clients are designated by reference numbers424-2and424-3.

FIG.4contains a pre-connection of audio interface ports (420-1and420-6,420-2and420-4,420-3and420-5) directly on the switching device420, installed in the switching phase of the voice connection between remote and core communication clients, for duplex transmission of voice streams between these ports. This preliminary connection can occur using any algorithm, including random selection of any free “counter” port. Illustration and descriptionFIG.4represents only an exemplary implementation of the corresponding method for the most complete understanding of the essence of the invention, the scope of which is determined by the claims.

Previously, the switching device420is connected to the smartphones406-1,406-2,406-3,424-2,424-3and the computer424-1with the same type of audio interfaces. Remote subscribers of the telephone network402-1,402-2,402-3establish a conversational connection with the corresponding telephone clients410-1,410-2,410-3of the corresponding basic smartphones406-1,406-1,406-3via the mobile network operator404. To answer a call or dial a number of a remote subscriber of the telephone network402-1,402-2,402-3, the telephone client410-1,410-2,410-3is controlled by the corresponding Telephone and IM/VoIP client management agent408-1,408-2,408-3.

Remote clients of the IM/VoIP service434-1,434-2,434-3establish a conversational connection with the corresponding IM/VOIP clients428-1,428-2,428-3installed respectively on the computer424-1and base smartphones424-2,424-3, via the IM/VOIP service network432. To answer a call or call a contact of a remote IM/VoIP client434-1,434-2,434-3IM/VoIP client428-1,428-2,428-3is managed by the corresponding Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent430-1,430-2,430-3.

The analog AUX or USB-C interface412-1of the base smartphone406-1has a matched wired connection414-1to the analog USB-C port420-1of the switching device420. The computer424-1via a digital USB or USB-C interface The426-1has a wired connection422-1to the digital USB port420-6of the switching device420containing the sound card416-1. Accordingly, audio interfaces412-1and426-1via connection418-1of switching device420are switched for duplex transmission of audio streams. As a result, a full duplex conversational connection is established between the remote telephone subscriber402-1and the remote IM/VoIP client434-1.

The USB or USB-C digital interface412-2has a wired connection414-2to the USB-C digital port420-2of the switching device420containing the sound card416-2. The Bluetooth interface426-3of the smartphone424-3is connected via a wireless connection422-3and422-4of the Bluetooth network416to the similar Bluetooth port420-4of the switching device420. Accordingly, the audio interfaces412-2and426-3via the connection418-3of the device switching420are switched for duplex transmission of audio streams. As a result, a full duplex conversational connection is established between the remote telephone subscriber402-2and the remote IM/VoIP client434-3.

The analog AUX or USB-C interface426-2of the smartphone424-2has a matched wired connection422-2to the analog AUX port420-5of the switching device420. The Bluetooth interface412-3of the smartphone406-3communicates via a wireless connection414-3and414-4of the Bluetooth network416with a similar Bluetooth port420-3of the switching device420. Accordingly, audio interfaces412-3and426-2via connection418-2of the switching device420are switched for duplex transmission of audio streams. As a result, a full duplex conversational connection is established between the remote telephone subscriber402-3and the remote IM/VoIP client434-2.

Instead of computers424, any type of computer (436) can be used. For example, PC, laptop, tablet, etc.

FIG.5illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method that comprises duplex transmission of voice streams over an electrically matched wired connection using an audio output to audio input connection of a smartphone audio interface between a phone client and an IM/VOIP client installed on the same smartphone, separating the voice streams between the phone client and the IM/VOIP client. A phone client and an IM/VOIP client installed on the same smartphone broadcast to the same common audio output and receive an audio stream from the same common audio input, and the audio input and audio output of the smartphone are physically connected via an electrically matched wired connection554through a modulation-demodulation device566, which also contains electronic matching components, to separate voice streams from different communication voice clients and eliminate mutual interference.

Analog AUX, USB-C or digital USB, USB-C connectors can be used as connecting interfaces540and556between the smartphone504and the modulation-demodulation device566. The ability to automatically manage the mobile phone client508and the IM/VOIP client522installed on the smartphone504by the smartphone software is implemented through the Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent510.

The wired speaker audio output550of the smartphone504is wired to the audio input552of the modulation-demodulation device566, and the wired microphone audio input546of the same smartphone is wired to the audio output548of the modulation-demodulation device566.

The remote subscriber of the telephone network512establishes a conversational connection with the telephone client508installed on the base smartphone504over the network of the mobile operator506. To answer a call or dial the number of the remote subscriber of the telephone network512, the telephone client508is controlled by the Phone and IM client management agent/VoIP510.

The remote IM/VoIP service client518establishes a conversational connection with the IM/VOIP client522installed on the host smartphone504over the IM/VOIP service network530. To answer the call or call the contact of the remote IM/VoIP client518, the IM/VOIP client The522is managed by the Phone and IM/VoIP510client management agent.

During a conversation between remote telephone subscriber512and remote IM/VoIP client518, multidirectional audio streams circulate as follows. The outgoing audio stream520from the remote IM/VoIP client518is delivered to the IM/VOIP client522installed on the base smartphone504. This audio stream is then ultrasonically modulated in action528under the control of the Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent510. The modulated stream from the remote IM/VoIP client518is sent via channel524to the smartphone operating system mixer526.

The outgoing audio stream514from the remote subscriber of the telephone network512is supplied to the mixer of the smartphone operating system526. Next, on the mixer of the smartphone operating system526, the modulated audio stream524from the remote IM/VoIP client518is summed with the real audio stream514from the remote subscriber of the telephone network512. The resulting audio stream538, containing audio from a remote subscriber of the telephone network512and modulated audio from a remote client of the IM/VoIP service518, is sent to the output of the wired channel550of the wired audio interface of the smartphone540and then to the input552of the modulation-demodulation device566and so on, to a high-pass filter558. The filter558extracts two streams from the resulting stream: the ultrasound-modulated stream562from the remote IM/VoIP client518, and the actual audio stream564from the remote telephone network subscriber512. The actual stream564is then ultrasound-modulated in action529and this already modulated stream574is fed to the adder560. Accordingly, the ultrasonic modulated stream562is demodulated in action570into the real stream572and supplied to the adder560.

Next, at the adder560of the modulation-demodulation device566, the modulated audio stream574from the remote subscriber512of the telephone network506is summed with the real audio stream572from the remote IM/VoIP client518of the service network530.

The resulting audio stream536, containing modulated audio from the remote subscriber of the telephone network512and real audio from the remote IM/VoIP client518, is supplied from the output548of the modulation-demodulation device566to the input546of the wired audio interface of the smartphone540and then to the high-frequency filter frequency544, implemented as an additional function of the Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent510. Filter544extracts two streams from the resulting stream536: an ultrasonic modulated stream534from a remote telephone network subscriber512, and a real audio stream516from a remote IM/VoIP client518. The actual audio stream516through the telephone client508is supplied over the mobile telephone network506towards the remote subscriber512.

Next, stream534, modulated by ultrasound from the remote subscriber of the telephone network512, is demodulated in action542into the actual stream532and fed through the IM/VoIP client522and the service network530towards the remote IM/VoIP client518. As a result, between the remote subscriber512of the mobile telephone network506and the IM/VoIP client518of the service network530establish a full duplex conversational connection. Instead of smartphone504, you can use any type of computer (502). For example, PC, laptop, tablet, etc.

FIG.6andFIG.7illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a method for implementing a PBX (mini-PBX) that connects mobile network subscribers and IM/VoIP service clients without using remote services, taking into account that remote clients of the IM/VoIP service can be considered internal PBX subscribers.

This option includes the technical result of a method for duplex transmission of voice streams between a mobile application client of a smartphone mobile phone and a mobile application client IM/VOIP of a smartphone using the audio interface of a smartphone in the aspects and exemplary embodiments described above, as well as the use of automatic control of the mobile client phone and the IM/VOIP client of the smartphone using smartphone software for routing and switching connections between remote subscribers of the telephone network and remote IM/VOIP clients.

The required smartphone software is implemented as a Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent.

FIG.6illustrates in detail exemplary options for conversational connections and PBX routing for the case of an incoming call to PBX subscribers, that is, to called remote clients of the IM/VoIP service658and658-1from remote subscribers of the telephone network602and602-1.

It is clear that the claimed method includes other implementations of the algorithm for establishing a conversational connection for a given case.FIG.6andFIG.7illustrate one of the possible examples of implementation of the corresponding method for the most complete understanding of the essence of the invention, the scope of which is determined by the claims.

For the case of outgoing calls to PBX subscribers, that is, from calling remote IM/VoIP clients702and702-1to remote telephone network subscribers762and762-1, details are given inFIG.7and will be discussed after the example ofFIG.6.

Preliminarily according toFIG.6audio inputs and audio outputs of audio interfaces624and634of smartphones606and644are connected to each other wired or wirelessly through an audio interface hub630. Instead of a smartphone644, any type of computer (646) can be used.

Similar toFIG.7audio inputs and audio outputs of audio interfaces728and746of smartphones714and734are connected to each other wired or wirelessly through an audio interface hub730. Instead of a smartphone714, any type of computer (712) can be used.

It is assumed that the audio interface hub is630or730, respectively, according toFIG.6andFIG.7can be implemented for a different number of underlying smartphones in the PBX (one, two or more than two) using different types of wired and wireless audio interfaces. More detailed descriptions of implementations for various types of hubs of audio interfaces630or730in the form of corresponding devices are contained above in the descriptions of the method for duplex transmission of voice streams between mobile phone clients and IM/VOIP clients installed on smartphones, and in the figures with the corresponding reference number:FIGS.1and122,FIGS.2and224,FIGS.3and322,FIGS.4and420,FIGS.5and566. Thus, the hub of audio interfaces is630or730, respectively, according toFIG.6andFIG.7can be implemented as a device in any of the above ways, but for simplicity and clarity of the stated implementation principles, the PBX is designated by a single functional block630or730inFIG.6andFIG.7respectively. That is, the proposed PBX implementation example is valid for the application of various types of audio interface hub devices630or730according toFIG.6andFIG.7respectively.

To route the connection, the Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent642of the smartphone644may pass the contact information of the called remote IM/VoIP client658from the calling remote subscriber to the telephone network602.

The contact of the called remote IM/VoIP client658can be transmitted either as text messages or messages over the data network, or over the talk channel614. The connection establishment process and possible routing options over the talk channel are described below in detail.

A remote subscriber to the telephone network602calls the mobile telephone client612of the base smartphone606over the mobile operator network604. A conversational connection is established after a call from the remote subscriber to the telephone network602is answered by the mobile telephone client612at the command of the Telephone and IM/VoIP client management agent626in action622. Accordingly, a transparent circulation of a duplex voice stream occurs over channel614from a remote subscriber of the telephone network602through the mobile telephone network604, the mobile telephone client612of the smartphone606, then through the audio interface624of the smartphone606, the hub of audio interfaces630, the audio interface634of the smartphone644to Phone and IM/VoIP642Smartphone644Client Management Agent and vice versa.

The contact number or contact of the called remote IM/VoIP client658from the caller602can be transmitted over the talk channel in the following ways:The Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent642of the smartphone644includes the IVR636. The calling remote subscriber of the telephone network602, based on the IVR proposals, selects the called remote IM/VoIP client by dialing the appropriate numbers in DTMF mode.The Phone and IM/VoIP Client Management Agent642of the smartphone644contains a DTMF receiver638. The calling remote subscriber of the telephone network602in DTMF mode dials the corresponding contact digits of the called remote client IM/VoIP658.The Phone and IM/VoIP Client Management Agent642of the smartphone644contains a voice command receiver640. The calling remote subscriber of the telephone network602speaks the contact name of the called remote IM/VoIP client658.The Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent642of the smartphone644in the case of static routing uses the pre-recorded contact of the called remote IM/VoIP client658.

The contact number or contact of the called remote IM/VoIP client658can be obtained by any of the above methods. After the contact of the called remote IM/VoIP client658in action648is received by the Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent642of smartphone644, the call in action652is routed through the IM/VoIP client654installed on the base smartphone644to the remote IM/VoIP client658, which can be one of the PBX internal subscribers. As a result, a full duplex conversational connection is established between the remote telephone subscriber602and the remote IM/VoIP client658over channels614and656.

The contact number or contact of the called remote client IM/VoIP658from the caller602can also be transmitted via message channel610on the mobile phone network604and further on channels628and650via the IM/VoIP service network632in text message format or messages over a data network. In this case, the conversational connection between the remote caller of the telephone network602and the remote IM/VoIP client658can be carried out as follows.

The mobile telephone client612of the base smartphone606receives an SMS with the contact of the remote IM/VoIP client658via channel610. This information is then received by the Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent626of the smartphone606via channel618. Then the client of the IM/VoIP service608basic smartphone606, upon command616of the management agent626, then transmits the contact via channel628and650through the network of the IM/VoIP service632in the form of text or data to the client management agent of the Phone and IM/VoIP642of the smartphone644.

The call inaction652is then routed by the management agent642through the IM/VoIP client654installed on the base smartphone644to the remote IM/VoIP client658, which may be one of the internal subscribers of the PBX.

At the same time, the call in action620is routed by management agent626through the mobile telephone client612installed on the host smartphone606to the remote caller of the telephone network602. After responses from the remote parties602and658, a full duplex conversational connection is established on channels614and656. Instead of a smartphone644, you can use any type of computer (646). For example, PC, laptop, tablet, etc.

FIG.7illustrates in detail an example of the implementation of options for conversational connections and PBX routing for the case of calls originating from PBX subscribers, that is, from calling remote IM/VoIP clients702and702-1to called remote subscribers of the telephone network762and762-1.

To route the connection, the Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent736of the smartphone734may transmit the called remote subscriber contact information of the telephone network762from the calling remote IM/VoIP client702. The called remote subscriber contact of the telephone network762can be transmitted either as text messages or messages over the data network and over the talk channel710. The connection establishment process and possible routing options over the talk channel are described in detail below.

The remote IM/VoIP client702calls the IM/VoIP client716installed on the base smartphone714over the network of the IM/VoIP service704. The conversational connection is established after a call from the remote IM/VoIP client702is answered by the IM/VoIP client716of the base smartphone714at the command of the Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent724in action726.

Accordingly, a transparent circulation of the duplex voice stream occurs over channel710from the remote IM/VoIP client702through the IM/VoIP service network704, the IM/VoIP client716of the base smartphone714, then through the audio interface728of the smartphone714, the audio interface hub730, audio interface746of the smartphone734to the Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent736of the smartphone734and vice versa.

The contact of the called remote subscriber of the telephone network762from the calling remote IM/VoIP client702can be transmitted over the talk channel in the following ways:The Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent736of the smartphone734includes the IVR738. The calling remote IM/VoIP client702, based on the IVR suggestions, selects the called remote subscriber of the telephone network762by dialing the appropriate digits in DTMF mode.The Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent736of the smartphone734contains a DTMF receiver740. The calling remote IM/VoIP client702dials in DTMF mode the corresponding digits of the number of the called remote subscriber of the telephone network762.The Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent736of the smartphone734contains a voice command receiver742. The calling remote client of the IM/VoIP service702pronounces in voice the name of the contact of the called remote subscriber of the telephone network762.The Phone and IM/VoIP Client Management Agent736of the smartphone734in the case of static routing uses the pre-recorded number of the called remote subscriber of the telephone network762.

The contact or number of the called remote subscriber of the telephone network762can be obtained by any of the above methods using the corresponding functionality738,740and742. After receiving the contact of the called remote subscriber of the telephone network762in action752on the talk channel710by the Phone client management agent and IM/VoIP736of smartphone734, the call in action754is routed through the mobile telephone client756installed on the base smartphone734, through the mobile network758to the remote subscriber of the telephone network762. After responses from the remote parties702and762, a full duplex conversational connection is carried out over channels710and760.

The contact number or contact of the called remote subscriber of the telephone network762from the remote IM/VoIP client702can also be transmitted via message channels708,706and732over the network of the IM/VoIP service704in the form of text messages or messages over the data network.

In this case, the conversational connection between the calling remote IM/VoIP client702and the called remote subscriber of the telephone network762can be carried out as follows.

The IM/VoIP client716of the base smartphone714receives a text message or a message over the data network with a contact of a remote subscriber of the telephone network762via channel708. This information is then received by the client management agent of the Phone and IM/VoIP724of the smartphone714via channel720. Then the IM/VoIP client716of the base smartphone714, at the command718of the management agent724, transmits the contact of the remote subscriber of the telephone network762in text or data format via channels706and732through the IM/VoIP service network704to the IM/VoIP client744of the base smartphone734and so on via channel748to the Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent736of the smartphone734.

The call in action750is then routed by the Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent736through the mobile client756installed on the base smartphone734to the remote callee of the telephone network762via the mobile telephone network758.

At the same time, the call in action722is routed by the management agent724through the IM/VoIP client716installed on the base smartphone714to the remote calling IM/VoIP client702over the IM/VoIP service network704. After responses from the remote parties702and762provides a full duplex conversational connection via channels710and760.

Additionally, using the PBX-configured audio inputs and audio outputs of the624and634or728and746smartphone audio interfaces606and644or714and734inFIG.6or according toFIG.7, accordingly, it is possible to use “manual” routing, carried out directly by the user of the base smartphone without using the functionality of the Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent724,736,626and642of the corresponding base smartphones.

The user of basic smartphones independently establishes a conversational connection with the calling or called remote subscriber of the telephone network602or762with the calling or called remote IM/VOIP client702or658by answering an incoming call or making an outgoing call using the screen interface of mobile telephone clients612or756and IM/VOIP clients716or654corresponding basic smartphones. A conversational connection between a remote telephone network subscriber602or762and a remote IM/VoIP client658or702, respectively, is established via channels614and656or710and760, respectively, after the called remote communication clients answer.

FIG.8illustrates an example of a PBX implementation that can generally be used in practice. This example is presented only for a complete understanding of the operation, demonstration of the simplicity and effectiveness of the application of the claimed invention.

Connection establishment processes and routing methods that can be applied in the PBX implementation illustrated inFIG.8are detailed above in the comments toFIG.6andFIG.7and accordingly are not included in the description ofFIG.8.

Thus,FIG.8illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a specific implementation of PBX802consisting of two trunks808,812and six extensions860(PBX 2×6). The PBX802connects six remote IM/VoIP clients860, which are internal subscribers of the PBX802, to “external” telephone networks through two IM/VoIP clients852and854base smartphones844and846, respectively, and two mobile phone clients806and818base smartphones814and816respectively.

The PBX802hardware contains four base smartphones connected in pairs via an electrically matched wired analog audio output connection of one smartphone to the analog audio input of another smartphone of analog audio interfaces of smartphones. AUX or USB-C connectors can be used as analog audio interfaces for smartphones.

Accordingly, preliminary according toFIG.8analog wired audio inputs and audio outputs of audio interfaces824and836of smartphones814and844are respectively connected to each other through electronic matching components832, and analog wired audio inputs and audio outputs of audio interfaces830and840of smartphones816and846are respectively connected to each other via electronic834matching components.

Once an incoming or outgoing conversational connection has been established on channel808using any of the routing methods outlined in the comments toFIG.6andFIG.7, there is a transparent circulation of a duplex voice stream from any remote subscriber804of the telephone mobile network810via channel808to the mobile telephone client806of the smartphone814and via channel822to the Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent820of the smartphone814, then through the audio interface824of the smartphone814and electronic matching components832via channel850to the audio interface836of the smartphone844to the Telephone and IM/VoIP client management agent842of the844smartphone and the IM/VoIP client852of the844smartphone, then via channel856through the IM/VoIP service network862to any client IM/VoIP860, which is an internal subscriber860PBX802, and vice versa.

After establishing an incoming or outgoing other conversational connection on channel812using any of the routing methods outlined in the comments toFIG.6andFIG.7, there is a transparent circulation of a duplex voice stream from any remote subscriber804of the telephone mobile network810via channel812to the mobile telephone client818of the smartphone816and via channel828to the Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent826of the smartphone816, then through the audio interface830of the smartphone816and electronic matching components834via channel848to the audio interface840of the smartphone846to the Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent838of the smartphone846and the IM/VoIP client854of the smartphone846, then via channel858through the IM/VoIP service network862to any client IM/VoIP860, which is an internal subscriber860PBX802, and vice versa.

Any type of computer can be used in place of the860computers. For example, PC, laptop, tablet, etc.

Actually shown inFIG.8PBX can be quickly installed and used by a simple incompetent user using outdated smartphones that have been taken out of service.

FIG.9illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method for implementing a VoIP-Cell gateway for broadcasting voice traffic between a mobile phone client and a VoIP client installed on smartphones under IP-PBX control using the audio interfaces of smartphones.

It is clear that the claimed method includes other implementations of interactions between communication clients of basic smartphones under the control of the Phone and VoIP client management agent for use as part of a VoIP-Cell gateway and IP-PBX.FIG.9simply illustrates one possible example implementation.

The VoIP-Cell gateway can be used not only as part of a third-party IP-PBX938-1, but also under the control of an IP-PBX938-2installed directly on the hardware and software platform of the base smartphone942.

The presented option is based on the application of the technical result of the method for duplex transmission of voice streams between mobile phone clients and VOIP clients installed on smartphones, using the audio interface of the smartphone, in the aspects and exemplary embodiments described above, as well as automatic control of the mobile phone client and a VOIP client using smartphone software to broadcast voice traffic between a mobile phone client and a VOIP client installed on smartphones, under IP-PBX control using smartphone audio interfaces.

As a result of the implementation of the claimed invention, it becomes possible to use appropriately configured smartphones as a VoIP-Cell gateway as part of an IP-PBX. Accordingly, switching and routing of connections between remote subscribers of the telephone network and subscribers of available IP-PBX networks using the mobile phone client application of the base smartphone and the VoIP client application of the base smartphone is carried out under the control of a third-party938-1or “internal” IP-PBX938-2installed directly on the base smartphone942. Both the third-party938-1and the “internal”938-2IP-PBX and the corresponding control channels940-1and940-2perform absolutely identical control, switching and connection routing actions. Thus, for a better understanding of the comments toFIG.9IP-PBX corresponding control channels for both applications will be designated by the same reference number938and940respectively.

The required smartphone software is implemented in the form of Phone and IM/VoIP client management agents906and952installed on base smartphones902and942, respectively.

That is, smartphones902and942with audio interfaces918and948contain software in the form of a management agent906and952of a client mobile application924and a VoIP service application956, respectively. In turn, these agents906and952are controlled by IP-PBX938.

Preliminarily according toFIG.9audio inputs and audio outputs of audio interfaces918and948of smartphones902and942are connected to each other wired or wirelessly through an audio interface hub930. Instead of a smartphone942, any type of computer (958) can be used.

It is assumed that the audio interface hub930ofFIG.9can be implemented for a different number of basic smartphones involved as part of a VoIP-Cell gateway (one or two) using various types of wired and wireless audio interfaces. More detailed descriptions of implementations for various types of hubs of audio interfaces930in the format of the corresponding devices are contained above in the descriptions of the method of duplex transmission of voice streams between mobile phone clients and VOIP clients installed on smartphones, in the figures with the corresponding reference numbersFIGS.1and122,FIGS.2and224,FIGS.3and322,FIGS.4and420,FIGS.5and566. Thus, the audio interface hub930according toFIG.9can be implemented as a device in any of the listed ways, but for simplicity and clarity of the stated principles of implementation of the VoIP-Cell gateway, it is designated by a single functional block930inFIG.9. That is, the proposed implementation example of a VoIP-Cell gateway is valid for the use of various types of audio interface hub devices930according toFIG.9.

The material presented below contains an example of one of many simplified options for the operation of a VoIP-Cell gateway controlled by IP-PBX938in the case when the caller is a remote subscriber of the telephone network904, and the called client is a VoIP client IP-PBX926.

A caller904of the telephone network914dials the telephone number of the mobile telephone client924of the base smartphone902. The Phone and IM/VoIP client management agent906of the base smartphone902receives information from the mobile phone client924on channel922about the incoming call event. Management agent906broadcasts information about this event via channels920and940to IP-PBX938, which, after analyzing the received information, transmits a command to answer the call via channels940and920to management agent906in the reverse order. Management agent906transmits a call answering command on channel922to mobile phone client924. Upon answering the incoming call, a conversation state is established between caller904of telephone network914and mobile phone client924.

Accordingly, there is a transparent circulation of a duplex voice stream from a remote subscriber of the telephone network904through the mobile telephone network914to the mobile telephone client924of the smartphone902via channel910, and then via channel912to the IVR908controlled by the management agent906and vice versa, via the channel928through the audio interface918of the smartphone902to the audio interface hub930, to the audio interface948of the smartphone942via channel950and back.

The remote subscriber of the telephone network904, based on the voice offers of the IVR908, selects the called VoIP client926IP-PBX938by dialing the offered digits in DTMF mode. Management agent906receives dialed digits via channel912and transmits them for routing to IP-PBX938via channels920and940over the VoIP service network932. IP-PBX938analyzes the received information and transmits the contact of the called VoIP client926to IP-PBX938via the network VoIP service932via channels940and944to the management agent952of the base smartphone942. Next, the VoIP client956, installed on the smartphone942, receives the contact of the called VoIP client926IP-PBX938via channel954from the management agent952and, under its control, makes a call to the VoIP client926IP-PBX938. After answering this call, a duplex conversational connection is established between the remote caller of the telephone network904and the called VoIP client926IP-PBX938via channels910,928,950and936through the audio interface hub930.

In this case, the called client can be any client or subscriber of the operator networks of available IP-PBX938. For example, any subscribers of remote telephone networks916and any remote VoIP clients946IP-PBX938.

The following material below contains an example of one of many simplified options for the operation of a VoIP-Cell gateway controlled by IP-PBX938in the case when the calling client is the VoIP client IP-PBX926, and the called subscriber is a remote subscriber of the telephone network904.

The calling VoIP client926IP-PBX938dials the telephone number of the remote subscriber904of the telephone network914and transmits information about the dialed number on channels934and940through the VoIP service network932for the IP-PBX938, which parses the received number and performs routing.

Next, the IP-PBX938connects the VoIP client926and the VoIP client956installed on the base smartphone942by issuing a connection command through the management agent952on channels940,944and954. Accordingly, a transparent circulation of the duplex voice stream from the VoIP client926occurs IP-PBX938through the VoIP service network932, VoIP client956installed on the base smartphone942, then through the audio interface948of the base smartphone942, audio interface hub930, to the audio interface918of the base smartphone902and back via channels936,950and928,910.

Then IP-PBX938gives a command to call the remote subscriber of the telephone network904with his number to the management agent906via channels940and920. Next, the management agent906via channel922transmits a call command with the number of the called remote subscriber of the telephone network904to the mobile client924, installed on the base smartphone902, which calls the remote subscriber of the telephone network904using the received number.

After answering this call, a duplex conversational connection is established between the called subscriber904of the telephone network914and the calling VoIP client926IP-PBX938on channels910,928,950and936through the audio interface hub930.

In this case, the called client can be any client or subscriber of the operator networks of available IP-PBX938. For example, any subscribers of remote telephone networks916and any remote VoIP clients946IP-PBX938.

The examples given above illustrate two approximate options for the operation of a VoIP-Cell gateway under IP-PBX control to implement a conversational connection between a remote telephone network subscriber and an IP-PBX client. It is clear that based on the proposed method, it is possible to give other examples of connecting any clients and subscribers of accessible IP-PBX networks using a VoIP-Cell gateway. Examples according toFIG.9are provided to illustrate exemplary use in practice of the relevant portion of the claims.

Likewise, given the disclosure of the inventions in the description, those skilled in the art can obtain and practice other features of the inventions that are covered by the following claims. Therefore, the present invention is limited only by the following claims and their equivalents, but is not limited by the foregoing description.