Abstract:
A multi-port VoIP telecommunications system that allows the user to gain access to telephone connectivity through the Internet by connecting directly to the Internet or by connecting to the Internet through the existing Internet connection of a computer or cell phone device. The present system includes an Ethernet port, a Wi-Fi receiver to facilitate the transmission and receipt of Internet protocol signals wirelessly, and a USB plug connectable to the ATA.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a telecommunications system for personal phones or residential users that enables Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony and facsimile services, and more specifically to a multi-port VoIP telephone system that allows the user to gain access to telephone connectivity through the Internet and utilize an analog telephone handset by transmitting through a device that is connected to the Internet by using an USB (Universal Serial Bus) port of a computer already connected to the internet or by connecting directly to the Internet via an RJ 45 port (or Ethernet port) or an existing Wi-Fi network or any other way to get connected to the Broadband Internet such as Wireless 3G (Third Generation) Services or Bluetooth (the short range wireless connectivity standard). 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Land line telephone systems that include telephone handsets with wiring that goes through a publicly switched telephone network (PSTN) with a central office for switching are well known in the prior art. The basic technology behind how these systems are delivered has not changed much since its inception. Besides the fact that each individual phone set must be wired to be connected directly to each other individual handset during the telephone communication, the circuit is connected between both of the handsets and through the central office switch board during the conversation. 
     Wireless telephony, which includes the use of wireless handsets and networks of cellular antennas, has increased immensely. This has allowed telephone users to connect to each other wirelessly from virtually any location that has access to a cellular network. 
     VoIP is a general term for a family of transmission technologies for delivery of voice communications over the Internet or other packet-switch networks. Other terms whose meaning is synonymous include IP telephony, Internet telephony, voice over broadband, broadband telephony, and broadband phone, all of which are used when network connectivity is available over broadband internet access. VoIP systems typically interface with traditional PSTN, allowing for transparent telephone communications world wide. 
     Typically, phones using a VoIP service can work from almost anywhere when connected to a computer that is accessing the Internet. However, some IP networks can be inherently unreliable and not provide a mechanism to ensure that data packets are delivered in sequential order. This can cause problems such as mitigating latency and jitter. Other problems can arise in channel routing VoIP traffic through firewalls and address translators. 
     In the last few years, VoIP services have begun to be marketed commercially. These services have become more feasible in large part because of the increased availability of broadband internet access. Subscribers to these VoIP services are able to make and receive calls as they would over a traditional PSTN. Full service VoIP phone companies provide inbound and outbound calling with direct inbound dialing. 
     In one VoIP scenario, an analog telephone adapter (ATA) is connected to and accesses the Internet through a computer with a broadband Internet connection and an existing telephone jack in order to provide service that is very similar to traditional PSTN. This service is typically offered by broadband internet service providers such as cable companies and telephone companies as a cheaper flat rate telephone service. 
     Another VoIP scenario involves using the signaling protocol Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). SIP is widely used for setting up and tearing down multimedia communication sessions such as voice and video calls over the internet. SIP can be used for creating, modifying, and terminating two party or multi-party sessions consisting of one or more media streams. A motivating goal for SIP was to provide a signaling and call set up protocol for IP based communications that can support a superset of the call processing functions and features present in the PSTN. It is designed to enable the construction of and various functionalities within network elements designated proxy servers and user agents that permit familiar telephone like operations such as dialing a number, causing a phone to ring, hearing ring back tones, or busy signal. 
     A primary limitation of existing VoIP systems is that they must use a computer in order to establish the requisite connection to the Internet. 
     What is needed is a VoIP analog telephone system for personal phones and residential users that allows the user to gain access to telephone connectivity by transmitting through the USB port of a computer or other device that is connected to the Internet or by connecting directly to the Internet via an RJ 45 port or an existing Wi-Fi network. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A multi-port VoIP analog telephone system for connecting personal phones and residential users that includes telephony and facsimile services comprising a conventional telephone or facsimile machine which includes a telephone jack and an ATA device that includes an RJ 45 port and at least one USB port and is connected to the telephone jack. The ATA device can be connected to a computer, a broadband modem through a RJ 45 port or a Wi-Fi router, allowing it to connect to the internet. 
     In its most basic setup, the system comprises the traditional analog telephone or facsimile machine connected to an ATA. The ATA is powered through its USB port either though a connection to a computer or through power adapter. The ATA can access the Internet directly through an RJ 45 port built in or indirectly by connecting through the ATA&#39;s USB port to a computer that is connected to the Internet or a device with access to the Internet through a cell phone network. 
     In a more advanced setup, the ATA hardware can be supplemented so that the ATA can access to the Internet wirelessly through a Wi-Fi network (or WiMax, or other standard wireless Internet networks) that is locally available or by a Bluetooth wireless connection to a computer already connected to the Internet. 
     The basic platform for the system includes a central processor, a storage medium, a memory source, a network interface card (NIC), a USB pot, an Internet input, a RJ 11 port (or any telephone port), and a reset switch which is included with an LED. The USB port can be used to input a power source, an Internet connection, or both. CODEC and SLIC circuitry is connected to the processor. The platform also includes an RJ 45 connector and RJ 11. 
     The user can gain access to telephone connectivity either through the USB port of any computer or cell phone like devices with Internet access, through an RJ 45 port connected to a switch, modem, or router without the need of a computer, or via a built-in Wi-Fi receiver without the need for a computer connection. The wireless connection through cell phone like devices can be through a GSN, EVDO, CODMA, and/or WIMAX network or other wireless networks. 
     The system also has an option for onboard dialers, ringtones, ring light, port inter phase for normal and/or Bluetooth auto input/output that completely eliminates the need for an external analog telephone device if the user so desires. 
     The ATA uses a SIP protocol hosted locally to provide the telephony functionality. The telephone system includes normal features such as call hold, call transfer with or without consultation, call waiting, three party conference, call forwarding, do not disturb, speed dial, repeat dial on busy, caller ID number and name, caller ID block, anonymous call rejection, configurable country tones, distinctive ring, hot line, call hunting between extension, speed dial of ten numbers and address, message wait indication, visual message waiting indication, configurable hook flash, adaptive jitter buffer, facsimile (transparent and facsimile relay), 411information, and advanced voice security features such as RTP. 
     The system itself is plug-in-play and may have a CD that will help to install drivers on the computer connected to the Internet. The multi-port functional approach is also plug-in-play. The telephone functionality is auto configured and the ATA will take the user configuration from the network. The user sets the user account from a web page. The ATA can be identified by its MAC address and/or a serial number that can be electronically webbed. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a VoIP analog telephone system that can be connected to the Internet either directly or indirectly, with the ability to use several means of connecting to establish telephone communications. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a VoIP telephone system for personal telephone use that allows for connection to a computer through the USB port wherein the computer does not need an SIP application in order to allow clean computer sharing. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a VoIP telephone system that provides unlimited calls to fixed phones throughout the United States, prepaid premium phone features, and VoIP service with any fixed phone, all while using an analog telephone headset. 
     In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of the connections used in the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a block diagram of the connections used in the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a top plan view of the connections used in the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows a schematic diagram of the preselt invention using a USB connection to a computer. 
         FIG. 6  shows a schematic diagram of the present invention using an Ethernet connection. 
         FIG. 7  shows a schematic diagram of the present invention using a Wi-Fi connection. 
         FIG. 8  shows a schematic diagram of the present invention using a USB connection to a cell phone. 
         FIG. 9  shows a schematic exploded diagram of the present invention with power connector adapters and power adapters 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings and, in particular,  FIGS. 1 through 3  the heart of the present invention is the ATA  10 , which is a rigid device with a tall end  11  and a short end  20 . The tall end  11  houses several of the ports that are needed to enable the numerous functions of the invention. An LED light  12  provides a visual display of the current power and operational state of the ATA  10 . The reset button  17 , when depressed by a user, shuts down and then immediately restarts the ATA  10 . Two USB ports  13 ,  14  perform the function of providing data input/output as well as power input to the device. An Ethernet port  15  allows an Ethernet cord to be directly connected to the ATA  10  so that the invention can be used without a computer with Internet access. The telephone jack  16  is where the ATA  10  can receive a connection from an analog telephone handset. 
     The short end  20  of the invention contains a Wi-Fi adapter port  23 . In order to enable the ATA  10  to employ a Wi-Fi Internet connection to utilize VoIP service, a Wi-Fi adapter  24  must be inserted into the Wi-Fi adapter port  23 . When the Wi-Fi adapter  24  is fully engaged with the Wi-Fi adapter port  23 , the ATA will search for available Wi-Fi networks and connect to an available Wi-Fi network. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the control circuitry  25  in the ATA  10  contain several key components, all of which is mounted on to a platform. The heart of the circuitry components is the central processor  25 . The ATA  10  also requires a random access memory component, an NIC component, and a storage medium component. In addition, the storage medium will contain the necessary software to perform the basic VoIP operations, including CODEC, SLIC, and SIP. Each of these components connect work through the processor and the various ports depending upon a particular input from the Internet and output to the Internet that will be achieved from the physical connection to an analog telephone handset. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the basic telephone VoIP system is shown that includes an analog telephone handset  30  as one would find in the conventional residence or even commercially. The analog telephone handset  30  is connected to the ATA  31  through the ATA&#39;s  31  telephone port (RJ 11 or compatible). The ATA  31  is shown connected to a computer  32  through a USB cord that is connected to the computer  32  and to the USB port on the ATA  31 . The computer  32  is shown wired to a modem  33  (or router, modem/router combination device and/or a switch), which the computer is using to obtain access to the Internet. The ATA  31  receives power and accesses the Internet through the computer&#39;s  32  existing power supply and Internet access and is able to provide VoIP service through the computer&#39;s  32  Internet connection. When the VoIP system is configured in this way, a user is able to place and receive telephone calls nationwide without the analog telephone headset  30  being wired through a PSTN. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the VoIP system that does not require a computer is shown that includes a basic analog telephone handset  40 . The analog telephone handset  40  is connected to the ATA  41  through the ATA&#39;s  41  telephone port (RJ 11 or compatible). The ATA  41  is shown connected to a USB electric plug adapter  42  through a USB cord that is plugged into one of the ATA&#39;s  41  USB ports. The USB electric plug adapter  42  allows the ATA  41  to receive electrical power without a computer connection. The ATA  41  is also shown connected directly to a modem  43  (or router, modem/router combination device and/or a switch) with a Ethernet cord (RJ 45 or compatible) plugged into its Ethernet port. This allows the ATA  41  to access the Internet through the modem  43  without a computer connection. The ATA  41  is able to utilize a direct connection to the Internet through the ATA&#39;s  41  NIC component, which is similar to the NIC component found in computers. When the VoIP system is configured in this way, a user is able to place and receive telephone calls nationwide without the analog telephone handset  40  being wired through a PSTN and even without a wired connection to a computer. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the VoIP system that does not require a computer is shown that includes a basic analog telephone handset  50 . The analog telephone handset  50  is connected to the ATA  51  through the ATA&#39;s  51  telephone port (RJ 11 or compatible). The ATA  51  is shown connected to a USB electric plug adapter  52  through a USB cord that is plugged into one of the ATA&#39;s  51  USB ports. The USB electric plug adapter  52  allows the ATA  51  to receive electrical power without a computer connection. The ATA  51  is also shown exchanging wireless signals with a wireless router  53 . This facilitates the ATA  51  to access the Internet wirelessly through the wireless router  53  without a computer connection or even a wired connection to a modem, router, modem/router combination device and/or a switch. The ATA  51  is able to connect to the wireless signal through the ATA&#39;s  51  Wi-Fi adapter and the ATA  51  utilizes the connection to the Internet through the ATA&#39;s  51  NIC component, which is similar to the NIC component found in computers. When the VoIP system is configured in this way, a user is able to place and receive telephone calls nationwide without the analog telephone handset  50  being wired through a PSTN and even without the a wired connection to a computer or a modem. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , the VoIP system that does not require a computer is shown that includes a basic analog telephone handset  60 . The analog telephone handset  60  is connected to the ATA  61  through the ATA&#39;s  61  telephone port (RJ 11 or compatible). The ATA  61  is shown connected to a USB electric plug adapter  62  through a USB cord that is plugged into one of the ATA&#39;s  61  USB ports. The USB electric plug adapter  62  allows the ATA  61  to receive electrical power without a computer connection. The ATA  61  is also shown connected to a cell phone  63  through a USB cord that is plugged into one of the ATA&#39;s  61  USB ports. When configured in this manner, the ATA  61  can access the Internet through the cell phone&#39;s  63  Internet connection. Generally, it is through a cell phone&#39;s  63  connection to the cell phone tower  64 , whether the connection is of a GSM, CDMA, or EVDO standard, that the cell phone is able to obtain access to the Internet. However, the ATA  61  can also access the Internet through the cell phone  63  if the cell phone is connecting to the Internet through an available Wi-Fi or WIMAX signal. 
     Either way, this configuration provides the most flexibility in terms of location and facilitates the ATA  61  to access the Internet wirelessly cell phone  63  without a computer connection, a wired connection to a modern, router, modem/router combination device and/or a switch, or even a nearby Wi-Fi signal. When the VoIP system is configured in this way, a user is able to place and receive telephone calls nationwide without the analog telephone handset  60  being wired through a PSTN and even without the a wired connection to a computer or a modem, or even a WLAN nearby. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9  the system is shown set up to have the analog phone  70  connected to ATA  71  to include the WI-FI device  72  and a series of power adapters  73 ,  74 , and  75  which are power connector adapters. 
     The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.