Abstract:
Method for providing a connection between a plurality of communication devices coupled to an internet protocol (IP) network. The method includes the steps of: receiving a signal from a first device, the signal including the e-Num of the first device; authenticating the e-num; receiving an e-Num of a second device from the first device; and establishing a connection between the first and second devices via the IP network thereby enabling users of the first and second devices to have an audio communication through the connection. The method enables an e-Num user to make four types of phone calls: e-Num to e-Num, e-Num to public switched telephone network (PSTN), PSTN to e-Num, and PSTN to PSTN.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/851,843, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Making Calls via Internet,” filed on Oct. 13, 2006, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to making phone calls via the Internet and, more particularly, to providing phone services between two communication devices each of which has a unique PC internet number. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    Traditional communication is that we use to write a letter to a recipient by writing the recipient&#39;s address on the envelope and post at the post office. Then, the postmen will deliver the ground mail to the recipient&#39;s address. After the invention of personal computer (PC) and the Internet, electronic mail (email) has become a communication method for sending files, letters, pictures, and documents free of charge. Typically, one who has a PC connected to the Internet owns at least one email account/address which corresponds to the traditional recipient address. 
         [0004]    Telephone service is an important part of our society. As in the case of ground mail, telephone networks are beginning to move from public switched telephone network (PSTN) to an internet protocol (IP) based telephone network. Today, we can make calls through internet services, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) free of charge or at low cost. Existing internet telephony service providers, such as Skype and Vonage, are based on the VoIP and provide phone services between two PC telephones, between a PC telephone (program) and a regular phone connected to the Internet via an Analogue Telephone Adapter (ATA), and between a PC telephone and a mobile/regular phone coupled to a PSTN. However, conventional internet telephony service providers do not provide connection services between two regular phones. Also, a user calling from a regular payphone must keep on changing his card after his airtime credit expires. Thus, there is a need for a technique for providing a phone-to-phone service as well as the PC-to-phone and PC-to-PC services with an efficient approach to payment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0005]    In one aspect of the present invention, a method for providing a connection between a plurality of communication devices coupled to an internet protocol (IP) network, a portion of the devices being coupled to the IP network via a public switched telephone network (PSTN), each device being associated with a unique ID number, e-Num, and able to communicate audio signals to a user thereof upon connection, includes the steps of: receiving a signal from a first device in the portion, the signal including the e-Num of the first device; authenticating the e-Num; receiving an e-Num of a second device from the first device; and establishing a connection between the first and second devices via the IP network thereby enabling users of the first and second devices to have an audio communication through the connection. 
         [0006]    In another aspect of the present invention, a method for providing a connection between a plurality of communication devices coupled to an internet protocol (IP) network, a portion of the devices being coupled to the IP network, each device being associated with a unique ID number, e-Num, and able to communicate audio signals to a user thereof upon connection, includes the steps of: receiving a signal from a first device in the portion, the signal including the e-Num of the first device; authenticating the e-Num; receiving an other signal including information of a second device from the first device; and establishing a connection between the first and second devices via the IP network thereby enabling users of the first and second devices to have an audio communication through the connection. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a communication system having a Multimedia Services over Internet Protocol (MOIP) platform in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a communication system having a Multimedia Services over Internet Protocol (MOIP) platform in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows an exemplary e-number information database of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps to authenticate and authorize e-Num registrant to make a call in the systems of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for installing an e-Num softphone on a PC and making a phone call from the PC in the systems of  FIGS. 1  and  2 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for making a call from a regular/mobile phone to a PC in the systems of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for making a call from a regular/mobile phone to another regular/mobile phone in the systems of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0014]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a communication system shown at  100  and having a Multimedia Services over Internet Protocol (MOIP) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As depicted, the system includes one or more computers  104 ,  112  respectively connected to the IP network or Internet  106  via suitable connection mechanisms  108 ,  117 , such as landlines or wireless connection. Each computer can be a desk top computer, a PC, or a local server for providing services to PCs, and for simplicity, referred to as PC hereinafter. The computers  104 ,  112  may include e-Num softphones or PC telephones  102 ,  110 , wherein the PC telephone is a software that interfaces between a computer and its user and enables the user to make phone calls via the Internet. Hereinafter, the term e-Sky e-Number (or, shortly e-Num or e-Number) refers to a unique and exclusive personal number. 
         [0016]    An e-Num is used, for instance, as a computer telephone number that identifies a PC telephone installed on a computer. An e-Num includes a global number code that starts from 878777, followed by a 9 digit personal ID number. A user can use an e-Num account anywhere in the world to make a call without notifying his physical location to the receiving party and without knowing the location of the receiving party. The user logs into the PC telephone  102  or  110  by entering personal computer telephone number that includes a personal e-Enum and password. Each computer is coupled to the Internet  106  by one of known connection techniques, such as telephone dial-up, ISDN, DSL, etc. 
         [0017]    The system  100  also includes a regular phone  118  connected to an Analogue Telephone Adapter (ATA)  120  via a cable  122 , wherein the ATA is connected to the Internet  106 . The ATA  120  translates an analog signal of human voice to a digital signal. The digital signal travels over the Internet  106  and is translated back into the analog signal upon arrival at its destination, such as the computers  104 ,  112  or another ATA. The ATA  120  is programmed to include an e-Num. In the system  100 , ATA-to-ATA communications may be free of charge. In  FIG. 1 , only one ATA and two PSTNs are shown for brevity. However, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill that other suitable number of ATAs and PSTNs may be connected to the MOIP platform  142 . 
         [0018]    The system  100  further includes a Multimedia Services over Internet Protocol (MOIP) platform  142  that has a Media Gateway Controller  144 , a billing server  146 , an e-number database server  148 , and a session initiation protocol (SIP) proxy server  149 . The Media Gateway Controller  144  includes an interactive voice response (IVR)  150  and is connected to one or more PSTNs  126 . Each PSTN is connected to one or more regular phones  124  via landlines  128  and one or more mobile phones  130  via suitable wireless connection mechanisms  132 . 
         [0019]    The system  100  enables an e-Num user to make PC-to-PC and ATA-to-ATA calls. The system also enables an e-Num user to make PC-to-phone, phone-to-PC, and phone-to-phone calls, where the phone is a regular or mobile phone anywhere in the world. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a communication system shown at  160  and having an MOIP platform  142  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. As depicted, the system  160  includes PSTNs  198 ,  204 , an MOIP platform  142 , Internet  106 , and customer premise  162 ,  164 ,  166 , and  168  connected to at least one of the Internet, MOIP platform, and PSTNs. Communication equipment, referred to as customer premise equipment (CPE) is located at each customer premise. A CPE of the premise  162  includes a fax, a computer  170  having a PC telephone, a regular phone  172 , a mobile or cellular phone  174 , etc. The mobile phone  174  is shown as located at the premise  162 . Since a mobile phone is a mobile communication device, it does not need to be physically located at the premise  162  to operate. The regular phone  172  is connected to the PSTN  198  by a landline  194 , for instance. The customer premise  168  is similar to the premise  162 . The premise  164  includes a regular phone  176  and a mobile phone  178  connected to the PSTN  198 . The customer premise  166  includes a regular phone  180  and a mobile or cellular phone  184  coupled to the PSTN  204  via a suitable connection mechanism  182 . It is noted that the customer premise  164 ,  166  may also include any suitable number of communication devices, e.g., telephones, faxes, computers, etc. It is also noted that each PSTN can be connected to any suitable number of telephone service subscribers. 
         [0021]    The e-number information database server  148  includes an e-number information database  134 . As a variation, the database  134  may be physically located outside the MOIP platform and connected to the database server  148 . Each e-Num user has at least one e-number and password and is enlisted in the database  134 .  FIG. 3  shows an exemplary e-number information database  134  in  FIG. 2 . Each row in the database  134  corresponds to an e-Num registrant. Each row includes an account number  140   a , a user name  140   b , an e-Number  140   c , and a password  140   d . For instance, the first row includes “Jonathan” as the user name, “3311” as the account number, “878777001111123” as the e-Number, and “123456” as the password E-num register and e-Number database  134  are used to store information of other countries MOIP platform which will act as the registry allowing e-Num users at different countries to communicate with each other. Each e-Number  140   c  is installed in the environment of a computer and used by the MOIP platform  142  during authentication and authorization. 
         [0022]    Each account/e-number can be associated with another cell phone and regular phone. For a user account, say 878777010111777, the setting for the Forward service is available. When the recipient is busy or not available, or does not answer, the call from another e-num will be re-routed to the designated phone number: 1.408.373.3858, which is a local cell phone number. That means the e-Num user can set the e-Num to be forwarded to his oversea local phone number even if he is oversea. 
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart  220  illustrating exemplary steps for authenticating and authorizing an e-Num registrant to make a call in the system  100 . Hereinafter, the system  100  collectively refers to both the systems  100  and  160 . The process starts at state  222 . In a state  224 , the type of caller device is determined. If the caller device is a PC telephone, the process proceeds to a state  230 . In the state  230 , the caller places a call to another e-number. For the purpose of illustration, the caller is assumed to be the PC telephone installed on the computer  170  while the recipient is a PC telephone installed on the computer  186 . In a state  232 , the data associated with the call is sent through the internet  106  and reach the e-number database server  148  for verification of the caller&#39;s e-Num. In a decision block  234 , it is checked whether or not the current status of the recipient&#39;s status is active. More specifically, in the state  234 , the system  100  receives the e-Num and password from the caller via the SIP signaling from the caller PC or ATA to the SIP proxy server  149  and e-number database server  148  and also the billing server  146 . The billing server  146  checks the remaining balance of the account associated with the e-Num. Once the e-Num user account is active in the database, the system  100  will send a confirmation signal to allow the caller to make a call. If the answer to the block  234  is positive, i.e., the recipient is active, the process proceeds to a state  242 . In the state  242 , IP signal will be authorized by the SIP proxy server  149  ( FIG. 2 ). The SIP proxy server  149  searches for a database entry matching the recipient&#39;s e-Num account and routes the IP signal to the recipient PC telephone in the computer  186 . In a state  244 , the PC telephone at the recipient computer  186  will receive the incoming call signal of the computer  170 . In a state  246 , the calling process is completed when the computer  186  accepts the call from the computer  170 . If the answer to the block  234  is negative, i.e., the recipient is offline, the process proceeds to step  238  to terminate the call. Subsequently, the calling process ends in a state  240 . 
         [0024]    When the caller device is a regular phone, say  172 , coupled to a PSTN, say  198 , the caller dials a network access number in order to get connected to the system in a state  248 . The network access number is connected direct to the Media Gateway controller  144 . Then, a state  250 , the IVR  150  will give to the caller an announcement “Please enter you e-Num and password and press a # key,” for instance. In a state  252 , the caller will dial the last 9 digit of e-Num and password “001111123123456” and the dial-tone-multi-frequency (DTMF) signal will be sent from the caller&#39;s PSTN network to the media gateway controller  144  and thence routed to the SIP proxy server  149  and e-number database  134  for verification. In a decision block  254 , a determination is made whether or not the e-Num and password are valid. In the state  254 , the same processes as in the state  234  are performed. When a caller enters his correct e-Num and password in the state  252 , the signal is send to the SIP proxy  149 , e-number database  148  and also billing server  146  for verification. Once approved and verified that said caller is a valid and active e-Num user, the caller will receive the confirmation signal from the IVR  150  to allow the caller for the next step. 
         [0025]    In the state  254 , the billing server  146  also checks the balance in the account. At this point in time, the caller is at the status of e-number mode and the signal of the caller will be recognized as an e-number user mode. Upon confirmation of e-Num and password, the IVR  150  will announce the balance in the account to the caller and send a new voice prompt “Please key in your destination and press # key” in states  260  and  262 . At this point, the caller can call another e-number or any regular telephone number. In a state  266 , the caller dials an e-number. Then, the signal will go to the SIP proxy server  149  and e-number database server  148  to search for the e-number IP location in a state  268 . In a state  270 , the recipient computer with the e-Num will receive the incoming call signal from the caller. Next, the calling process stops at step  258 . However, if the e-Num is associated with an ATA, say  120 , the call is forwarded to a phone  118 . If the caller makes a call to a regular telephone number (PSTN) in a state  274 , the DTMF signal will be sent to the Media Gateway Controller  144  to route the call to the destination number in a state  276 . Then, the recipient with the regular/mobile phone will receive the call in a state  278 . Subsequently, the calling process stops at step  258 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart  500  illustrating exemplary steps for installing the PC telephone  102  ( FIG. 1 ) on a PC  104  and making a phone call from the PC telephone. The process to install the PC telephone  102  starts at step  301 . In states  302  and  304 , a computer user accesses a website and download the PC telephone and keep in the given e-Number and password. As a variation, the PC telephone may be obtained through any suitable computer storage medium, such as CD, memory stick, etc. At step  306 , the e-Number and password are input to the system. After the authorization of billing server  146 , e-number database server  148 , and SIP proxy server  149 , the e-Num is activated in the system to complete the installing process and the e-Num is ready to call in a state  308 . In a decision block  310 , it is determined whether or not the caller calls another e-Num. If the answer to the block  310  is YES, the call will be connected directly to the receiving e-Num to establish a PC-to-PC (for instance, computers  104  and  112 ) or PC-to-ATA (for instance,  104  and  120 ) connection in a state  314 . It is noted that ATA  120  includes an e-Num programmed to interact with another e-Num. The caller just dials the recipient e-Num in the ATA  120  and the regular phone  118  will ring. The PC-to-PC and PC-to-ATA service may be free of charge anywhere in the world. 
         [0027]    If the answer to the block  310  is NO, it is determined if the caller makes a call to a regular or mobile phone in another decision block  312 . If answer to the block  312  is YES, a connection between the PC telephone and a regular or mobile phone anywhere in the world is established in a state  316 . Otherwise, the process stops at step  317 . As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an e-Num user can place a call to any regular phone  124  and mobile phone  130  anywhere in the world by just dialing in the recipient regular phone. An e-Num will be routed through the Media Gateway Controller  144  to the recipient. 
         [0028]    In the state  314 , when the call is placed to an e-Num recipient. If the recipient is using the PC or ATA, he can answer the call on the spot. If he is out of his home or office, he can&#39;t answer the e-Num call. E-Num call will be forward to his mobile phone or another regular phone which is associated to this e-Num account since he can pre-set the e-Num forward service at the database shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart  320  illustrating exemplary steps for making a call from a regular/mobile phone to a PC telephone in the system of  FIG. 2 . In states  324  and  326 , the caller activates a phone and uses the telephone key pads to enter an access number of an internet calling service, which can be a local access number or a nationwide toll-free number. Typically, in the U.S., this is an eleven digit telephone number, such as 1-800-368-6872. Once the connection is established to the service, the caller enter an e-Number, say 9 digits and password with 6 digits in a state  328 . Then, in a decision block  330 , it is determined whether or not the authentication/confirmation of the billing server  146 , e-number database server  148 , and SIP proxy server  149  is received. If the answer to the block  330  is YES, the caller can dial the recipient e-Num in a state  332  and a calling signal is sent to a corresponding PC telephone in a state  334 . Then, in a state  335 , it is determined whether the user of the PC telephone answers the call. If answer to the block  335  is YES, a connection between the caller&#39;s regular/mobile phone and e-Num of a receiving PC is established in a state  337 . This phone-to-PC call is a breakthrough in the telecommunication industry since a user can use any regular/mobile phone to talk to any e-Num user by using e-Num to e-Num calling methodology. This phone-to-PC call can be free of charge. If answer to the block  335  is NO, the call is forwarded to a regular/cell phone in a state  339 . If the answer to the block  330  is NO, it is checked if a preset time interval has elapsed in another decision block  336 . If the answer to the block  336  is positive, the process ends at step  338 . 
         [0030]    It is noted that the caller can use an e-Num as a calling card and the user can keep on using the same e-Num account anywhere as long as the service provider have the network access number available. It is also noted that the state  316  and  334  respectively represent PC-to-phone and phone-to-PC connections. The system  100  provides new types of communications, eNum-to-PSTN and PSTN-to-eNum, and combines the traditional phone services with internet protocol (IP) signaling. 
         [0031]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart  350  illustrating exemplary steps for making a call from a regular/mobile phone to another regular/mobile phone in the system  100 . In states  354  and  356 , the user activates a regular/mobile phone and uses the telephone key pads to enter an access number of an internet calling service, which can be a local access number or a nationwide toll-free number. Typically, in the U.S., this is an eleven digit telephone number, such as 1-800-368-6872. Once the connection is established to the service, the caller enters an e-Number, say 9 digits and password with 6 digits in a state  358 . Then, in a decision block  360 , it is determined whether or not the authentication/confirmation of the billing server  146 , e-number server  148 , and SIP proxy server  149  is received. If the answer to the block  360  is YES, the caller can dial the recipient regular/mobile phone number in state  364  and a connection between a regular/mobile phone and another regular/mobile phone is established in a state  366 . If the answer to the block  360  is NO, the calling process stops at step  362 . In the state  366 , the billing server  146  can calculate the call charge based on a predetermined rate and the connection time. This is like an international calling card which also allows an e-Num caller to call to anyone in the world even the recipient may not have an e-Num account. 
         [0032]    It is noted that the two phones connected in the step  366  can be remotely separated, i.e., an e-Num user can make an international call to another e-Num user. This provides convenience to the user since he does not need to dial pin codes specific to countries or states. Also, the user can have voice conferencing call by using his cell or home phone. 
         [0033]    E-Sky e-num is based on e-sky Multimedia services over Internet Protocol platform (e-sky MOIP) and used for authenticating/authorizing users to register their computers in the e-Sky e-Num database  134 . 
         [0034]    An e-Num is a unique and exclusive computer telephone number that identifies the PC telephone installed on a computer and is not associated with any regular telephone number. Currently, email is used to exchange information between two parties without knowing their exact physical locations insofar as each party has a unique email address. Likewise, e-Num is used to make phone calls between two PC telephones without knowing their exact locations insofar as each party has a unique e-Num. As such, each e-Num does not include any country code or area code to identify where the user is. The Multimedia Services over Internet Protocol (MOIP) platform  142  manages the global e-Num registry, issues e-Nums and updates the e-Number database  134 . 
         [0035]    E-Sky e-Num can be considered as a protocol that converges the international standard for telephone numbering sanctioned by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), i.e., E.164, with Internet networks by using a technique based on the Domain Name Server (DNS) of the Internet. E-Num is described in Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) document RFC 2916, which is an approved protocol document that discusses the use of DNS for the storage of telephone numbers and available services connected to a telephone number. 
         [0036]    E-Num is implemented by using E.164 numbers and the DNS. E.164 is an accepted standard that is used throughout the world for telephone numbers, and the DNS includes the ability to correlate alphanumeric information with IP addresses. Currently, DNS is used to correlate webpage addresses with their corresponding Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, i.e., the DNS allows user computers to find website servers over the Internet using easy to remember website addresses instead of complicated Internet addresses. E.164 numbers, like the website names, remain relatively static requiring relatively infrequent updates, e.g., as individual service subscribers change their telephone or internet services. 
         [0037]    A fully qualified E.164 number will now be described. An E.164 number includes a country code, an area or city code, and a phone number. The ITU issues country codes to sovereign nations, e.g., the United States has a country code of “1.” Area or city code, and phone numbers are administered by the sovereign nations through local telecommunications regulatory agencies. For example, a fully qualified E.164 number for the phone number, 555-1234, in Washington, D.C. (area code 202) in the United States would be +1-202-555-1234 The “+” indicates the number is a fully qualified E.164 number. 
         [0038]    E-Num addresses the challenges discussed above in regard to the VoIP service and other services while providing telephone customers with many benefits. E-Num enables companies to offer a wide range of IP-based services for communicating with another person when the user knows only a telephone number or has access to only a telephone keypad. The user is allowed to access these IP-based services and resources from Internet-aware telephones, ordinary telephones connected to Internet gateways or proxy services, and/or other devices coupled to the Internet where input is limited to numeric digits. E-Num enables users to specify their preferences for receiving incoming communications, and gives greater user control over communications. For example, a user can set up voice mail preferences or can input a destination phone number in a call forwarding service. 
         [0039]    Since e-Sky e-Num can offer different types of services, e-Sky e-Num has a wide range of potential customers including residential and business customers. Just like email accounts, an e-Num account can be used to identify our presence in the cyber world. E-Num can be applied for not only the PC telephone services, but also the future multimedia services, like video, data, finance, TV, and music. The same e-Num account can be used for all these multimedia applications. 
         [0040]    Since the concept of e-Sky e-Num is not tied up with other local telephonic service, each call does not require the conventional steps for authenticating/authorizing the user. Customer information is registered and stored in the e-Num database. The e-Num protocol works in the following manner. Once an e-Num is entered, it is translated into an Internet address according to the following steps: 1) The phone number is translated into a fully qualified E.164 number by adding the city (or area) and country code. For example, a user dials +878777-001-555-123 as an e-Num, where “878777” represents the global telephone number code, “001” represents Tier 1 operator, “555” represents the city or area distributor, and “+” indicates that the number is a fully qualified E.164 number. 2) All characters are removed except for the digits. For example, +878777-001-555-123 becomes 878777001555123. 3) The order of the digits is reversed. For example, 878777001555123 becomes 321555100777878. 4) Dots are placed between each digit. For example, 321555100777878 becomes 3.2.1.5.5.5.1.0.0.7.7.7.8.7.8. 5) The domain “E.164.arpa” is appended to the end. For example: 3.2.1.5.5.5.1.0.0.7.7.7.8.7.8. becomes 3.2.1.5.5.5.1.0.0.7.7.7.8.7.8.e164.arpa. 
         [0041]    E-Num then issues a DNS query on this domain. Once the authoritative name server is found, e-Num retrieves relevant NAPTR Resource records from an e-Num database and will perform according to the user&#39;s registered services for that number. 
         [0042]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.