(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2006/0077956A1
`Saksena et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Apr. 13, 2006
`
`US 20060077956A1
`
`(54) COMMON TELEPHONY SERVICESTO
`MULTIPLE DEVICES ASSOCATED WITH
`MULTIPLE NETWORKS
`
`(76) Inventors: Vikram Raj Saksena, Acton, MA
`(US); Umamaheswar Reddy,
`Marlborough, MA (US); Michael G.
`Hluchyj, Wellesley, MA (US)
`Correspondence Address:
`PROSKAUER ROSE LLP
`ONE INTERNATIONAL PLACE 14TH FL
`BOSTON, MA 02110 (US)
`(21) Appl. No.:
`10/961,387
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Oct. 8, 2004
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`H04L 2/66
`
`(2006.01)
`
`18O
`
`
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 370/352
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Described are methods and apparatus, including computer
`program products, for common telephony services to mul
`tiple devices associated with multiple networks. A central
`ized packet-based network is provided that is capable of
`providing the common telephony services associated with a
`subscriber to a first telephony device of the subscriber
`associated with a first network and to a second telephony
`device of the subscriber associated with a second network.
`Each call placed to or from a subscriber's device is routed
`to the centralized, packet-based network. Each device can be
`assigned an identical unique identifier. The packet-based
`service provider network can perform a handoff of the call
`while the call is in process from the first device associated
`with the first network to the second device associated with
`the second network.
`
`105
`
`181a 181b.
`
`181 c 181d
`
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`

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`US 2006/007795.6 A1
`
`Apr. 13, 2006
`
`COMMON TELEPHONY SERVICESTO
`MULTIPLE DEVICES ASSOCATED WITH
`MULTIPLE NETWORKS
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`0001. The present invention relates to common telephony
`services to multiple devices associated with multiple net
`works.
`0002 Acronyms
`0003. The written description uses some acronyms to
`refer to various services, messages, and system components,
`defined as follows:
`0004) 1 times Evolution Data Only (1xEV-DO)
`0005] 1 times Radio Transmission Technology (1x-RTT)
`0006 American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
`0007 Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)
`0008 Compact Wireless Markup Language (CWML)
`0009 Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF)
`0010) Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE)
`0011 Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC)
`0012 General Packet Radio Services (GPRS)
`0013 Generic Address Parameter (GAP)
`0014 Global System for Mobile communications (GSM)
`0015 Home Location Register (HLR)
`0016.
`Initial Address Message (IAM)
`0017. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
`(IEEE)
`0018) Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
`0019) ISDN User Part (ISUP)
`0020 Internet Protocol (IP)
`0021 Internet Service Provider (ISP)
`0022 Line Access Gateway (LAG)
`0023. Local Number Portability (LNP)
`0024 Location Routing Number (LRN)
`0025) Mobile Switching Center (MSC)
`0026. Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO)
`0027 Number Portability Administration Center (NPAC)
`0028 Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN)
`0029 Personal Communications Service (PCS)
`0030) Personal digital Assistant (PDA)
`0031) Personal Identification Number (PIN)
`0032) Private Branch Exchange (PBX)
`0033) Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)
`0034) Radio Access Network (RAN)
`0035) Radio Network Controller (RNC)
`0036) Second Generation (2G)
`
`0037) Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
`0038 Signaling System 7 (SS7)
`0.039 Temporary Local Directory Number (TLDN)
`0040 Terminal Adapter (TA)
`0041 Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)
`0.042 Time Division Multiplexing (TDM)
`0043 Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
`(TCP/IP)
`0044) Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
`(UMTS)
`004.5 Uniform/Universal Resource Locator (URL)
`0046) Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
`0047 Wide Area Network (WAN)
`0.048 Wideband Code Division Multiple Access
`(W-CDMA)
`0049 Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)
`0050 Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
`
`BACKGROUND
`0051 Typically, telephony service providers (e.g., AT&T,
`Verizon, Sprint, MCI, etc.) each have built their own net
`works and offer their own services to compete for their share
`of the telephone market subscribers. Probably the most
`popular and widely used telephone in the United States is a
`landline telephone. A landline telephone is a telephone that
`is physically connected to a telephony service provider
`through a wire (e.g., a phone that plugs into a phone jack in
`the wall). These devices are also called wireline devices.
`Although there are wireless varieties that allow a user to
`walk around within their homes, the base receiver is private
`(e.g., not shared by other Subscriber's not living in the
`household), is still plugged into the wall, and transmits/
`receives signals to/from a local service provider via a wire.
`Some landline phones have no additional features and still
`transmit/receive analog signals to/from the local service
`provider. These “dumb' phones are sometimes referred to as
`black phones. Companies have begun to offer telephony
`services to user via broadband connections (e.g., DSL,
`cable, etc.) to the subscriber's house. For example, subscrib
`ers of cable company telephony services use analog phones
`(e.g., black phones) inside the house. In these situations,
`there is a converter box that converts the analog signal into
`a digital signal transmitted over the cable to the cable
`company's telephony Switches to process the call.
`0052. Other varieties of landline (wireline) phones
`include digital phones and Internet Protocol (IP)-based
`phones. In some examples, these phones plug directly into a
`digital network at a company. The company uses a private
`branch exchange (PBX) switch to route the calls appropri
`ately, either to other extensions within the company, or to the
`public switched telephone network (PSTN) if the called
`party is external to the company. With the continued
`improvement in voice over IP (VOIP) technology, some
`companies are trying to offer phone services over an Internet
`connection, for example, changing the microphone and
`speakers of a desktop computer into a handset for telephony
`services. Any of the landline phone examples above can be
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`referred to as fixed phones because their use is fixed to a
`location set by the connecting wire (or in the case of the
`wireless fixed device, the range of the signal between the
`handset and the private base station with which it is asso
`ciated).
`0053 A class of telephone devices that are not fixed are
`referred to as mobile phones. These phones are mobile
`because they can operate at virtually any location at which
`they can transmit and receive a radio signal to one or more
`base stations that recognize the Subscriber. There are many
`different varieties of mobile phones, for example, cellular
`phones, satellite phones, and wireless local area network
`(WLAN) phones. Cellular phones communicate with base
`stations that provide coverage for a certain geographic area,
`referred to as a cell. Unlike the wireless landline devices,
`these base stations communicate with mobile devices of all
`of the subscribers of that wireless network. As a mobile
`phone moves, the call moves with the device, being trans
`ferred from one base station to another base station, referred
`to as handoff. There are varieties of technologies used to
`implement cellular networks. For example, cellular net
`works can operate within different frequency spectrums, for
`example, the 800 MHz spectrum and the 1900 MHz spec
`trum (e.g., for personal communications service (PCS) net
`works). Cellular networks can use different multiplexing
`technologies to incorporate multiple callers onto a carrier
`frequency channel. For example, networks in the United
`States can be based on a global system for mobile commu
`nications (GSM) standard, a time division multiple access
`(TDMA) standard, or a code division multiple access
`(CDMA) standard.
`0054 Another mobile technology that is emerging is a
`WLAN mobile device. The WLAN device is an IP-based
`mobile device that communicates with access points of an
`IP-based network. In some examples, the communication
`between the WLAN device and the access point conforms to
`the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
`802.11 standards (e.g., 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, etc., also
`referred to as Wi-Fi). The WLAN device enables a phone
`call to occur over an IP-based network using VoIP technol
`ogy. In other examples, the WLAN technology can include
`UltrawideBand (e.g., an IEEE 802.15 standard) and
`WiMAX (e.g., an IEEE 802.16 standard), a Bluetooth com
`pliant network, etc.
`0.055
`Typically, people use two landline phones (e.g.,
`one at home and one at work) and a cellular phone (e.g.,
`commuting between home and work). Some also have a data
`device. Such as personal digital assistant (PDA), that con
`nects to a wireless network to transmit and receive data, Such
`as email and Web pages. These wirelessly connected PDA
`devices also offer phone services to subscribers. Many
`times, the four devices use four different networks operated
`by four different companies. This results in four different
`phone numbers that someone gives out to make Sure he can
`always be reached.
`0056 Some service providers offer follow-me services.
`These follow-me services forward an incoming call to a
`subscriber from one device to another according to the
`prioritized phone numbers that the subscriber gives to the
`service provider. For example, if the subscriber has a follow
`me service with the service provider for his landline phone
`at home, the follow-me service forwards an incoming call
`
`from the landline phone at home to the landline phone at
`work first, and then to his cellular phone, following the
`prioritized list of phone numbers. If the subscriber does not
`answer any device, the service provider sends the call to a
`Voice mailbox associated with the landline phone at home.
`Because the follow-me service is a call forwarding service,
`the follow-me service does not work in the opposite direc
`tion. If someone calls the subscriber's cellular phone first,
`and there is no answer, the service provider for the cellular
`phone directs the call to the voice mail system for that
`cellular phone network. The subscriber then has multiple
`mail boxes to check to make sure he listens to all of the
`missed calls. If the cellular phone network service provider
`offers a follow-me service also, the subscriber can set up
`another prioritized list of phone numbers with the service
`provider of the cellular phone network. In this typical
`example, the person with the four devices manages four
`phone numbers, four follow-me services, four voice mail
`boxes, etc.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0057 The description describes methods and apparatus,
`including computer program products, for common tele
`phony services to multiple devices associated with multiple
`networks. In general, in one aspect, there is a method for
`providing common telephony services to a Subscriber having
`a plurality of devices associated with a plurality of different
`networks. The method includes assigning an identical
`unique identifier to a first telephony device and a second
`telephony device associated with a first network and second
`network, respectively and receiving, via a packet-based
`network, a call set-up request associated with the unique
`identifier. The method includes routing, via the packet-based
`network, a call to or from the first device, the second device,
`or the first and second devices, based on a routing prefer
`CCC.
`0058. In another aspect, there is a method for providing
`common telephony services to a Subscriber having a plural
`ity of devices associated with a plurality of different net
`works. The method includes providing a centralized packet
`based network capable of providing common telephony
`services, associated with the subscriber, to a first telephony
`device associated with a first network and to a second
`telephony device associated with a second network and
`routing each call placed to or from the subscriber to the
`centralized packet-based network.
`0059. In another aspect, there is a packet-based commu
`nications network configured to provide centralized tele
`phony services to a Subscriber having a plurality of devices
`associated with a plurality of different networks. The net
`work includes a plurality of edge servers in communication
`with respective communications networks offering tele
`phony services using disparate technologies. The network
`also includes one or more provider servers configured to
`route a call to a first telephony device associated with the
`Subscriber through one of the disparate communications
`networks based on a routing preference, wherein the first
`telephony device is one of the plurality of telephony devices
`associated with the subscriber and the plurality of telephony
`devices are assigned an identical identifier and correspond to
`the plurality of communications networks.
`0060. In another aspect, there is a system for common
`telephony services to multiple devices associated with mul
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`tiple networks. The system includes a means for routing a
`first call from a first device associated with a first network
`to a service provider network, a means for routing a second
`call from a second device associated with a second network
`to a service provider network, and a means for applying a
`common set of services to each call made from or to a
`subscriber using the first device or the second device.
`0061. In another aspect, there is a computer program
`product, tangibly embodied in an information carrier, for
`common telephony services to multiple devices associated
`with multiple networks. The computer program product
`including instructions being operable to cause data process
`ing apparatus to assign an identical unique identifier to a first
`telephony device and a second telephony device associated
`with a first network and second network, respectively,
`receive, via a packet-based network, a call associated with
`the unique identifier from the first network or the second
`network, and route, via the packet-based network, the call to
`the first device, the second device, or the first and second
`devices, based on a routing preference.
`0062. In another aspect, there is a method used in a
`centralized, packet-based network with a subscriber having
`a plurality of devices corresponding to a plurality of different
`networks, for handoff of a call from a first device of the
`subscriber to a second device of a subscriber. The method
`includes assigning an identical unique identifier to each of a
`plurality of devices corresponding to a plurality of different
`networks, the unique identifier being associated with a
`subscriber associated with the plurality of devices, receiv
`ing, by the centralized, packet-based network, a call asso
`ciated with the unique identifier, and routing, by the cen
`tralized network, the call to a first device of the plurality of
`devices used on a first communications network of the
`plurality of networks. The method also includes establish
`ing, by the centralized network, a call leg to a second device
`of the plurality of devices used on a second communications
`network of the plurality of networks and routing, by the
`centralized network, the call to the second device after the
`call leg is established.
`0063. In another aspect there is a method. The method
`includes receiving, by a service provider network, a call
`associated with a Subscriber having a plurality of devices
`associated with a plurality of different networks and per
`forming, by the service provider network, a handoff of the
`call while the call is in process from a first device of the
`plurality of devices associated with a first communications
`network to a second device of the plurality of devices used
`on a second communications network.
`0064. In another aspect, there is a system that includes a
`plurality of servers. They are configured to assign an iden
`tical unique identifier to each of a plurality of devices
`corresponding to a plurality of different networks, the unique
`identifier being associated with a subscriber associated with
`the plurality of devices, to receive, by the centralized,
`packet-based network, a call associated with the unique
`identifier, and to route, by the centralized network, the call
`to a first device of the plurality of devices used on a first
`communications network of the plurality of networks. They
`are also configured to establish, by the centralized network,
`a call leg to a second device of the plurality of devices used
`on a second communications network of the plurality of
`networks and route, by the centralized network, the call to
`the second device after the call leg is established.
`
`0065. In another aspect, there is a computer program
`product, tangibly embodied in an information carrier, for
`common telephony services for multiple devices associated
`with multiple networks. The computer program product
`includes instructions being operable to cause data processing
`apparatus to assign an identical unique identifier to each of
`a plurality of devices corresponding to a plurality of different
`networks, the unique identifier being associated with a
`subscriber associated with the plurality of devices, to
`receive, by the centralized, packet-based network, a call
`associated with the unique identifier, and to route, by the
`centralized network, the call to a first device of the plurality
`of devices used on a first communications network of the
`plurality of networks. The computer program product also
`includes instructions being operable to cause data processing
`apparatus to establish, by the centralized network, a call leg
`to a second device of the plurality of devices used on a
`second communications network of the plurality of net
`works, and to route, by the centralized network, the call to
`the second device after the call leg is established.
`0066.
`In another aspect, there is a system for common
`telephony services to multiple devices associated with mul
`tiple networks. The system includes a means for routing a
`call from a first device associated with a first network to a
`service provider network, and a means for transferring the
`call from the first device to a second device associated with
`a second network to a service provider network while the
`call is in process.
`0067. In other examples, any of the aspects above can
`include one or more of the following features. One or more
`provider servers can include any combination of a call
`server, a route server, and an applications server. The unique
`identifier can be a phone number. The unique identifier can
`be a universal resource location (URL). The first device
`from the first network can originate the call set-up request,
`including sending a called number to the packet-based
`network via a data channel. In Such an example routing
`includes routing the call to or from the first device, and the
`routing preference is based on the first device originating the
`call. The packet-based network can provide a temporary
`phone number associated with the called number to the first
`device. The packet-based network can associate the tempo
`rary phone number with the called number. The temporary
`phone number can be used to originate the call. The tem
`porary phone number can be provided via the data channel.
`The packet-based network can establish a call leg using the
`called number and connect the call leg associated with the
`called number and the call routed to or from the first device.
`The data path can be based on a general packet radio
`services (GPRS) standard, an enhanced data rates for GSM
`evolution (EDGE) standard, a universal mobile telecommu
`nications system (UMTS) standard, a wideband code divi
`sion multiple access (W-CDMA) standard, a 1 times radio
`transmission technology (1x-RTT) standard, a 1 times evo
`lution—data only (1xEV-DO) standard, or a CDMA2000
`standard.
`0068 The call set-up request can be originated by the first
`device from the first network, wherein routing includes
`routing the call to the second device. The determination of
`the routing preference can use a key press sequence. The key
`press sequence includes an association with the second
`device. A first edge server can be assigned to facilitate
`communication between the packet-based network and the
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`first network and a second edge server can be assigned to
`facilitate communication between the packet-based network
`and the second network. All calls associated with the unique
`identifier originating in the first network can be routed to the
`packet-based network. A dedicated circuit can be employed
`by in the first network to route all calls originated by the first
`device to an edge server associated with the packet-based
`network.
`0069. The first network can add an indicator to all calls
`originated by the first device. The indicator can include a
`prefix of one or more digits. The indicator can include a
`carrier code. The packet-based network can be unrelated to
`the first network or the second network. The first network
`can be unrelated to the second network. The first network
`can be based on a technology different from the second
`network. The first telephony device can be a first radio
`included in a single physical device and the second tele
`phony device can be a second radio included in the single
`physical device. The first radio can transition into a standby
`mode when the second radio is in an active mode. The
`second radio can transition into a standby mode when the
`first radio is in an active mode.
`0070 The first network can include a landline telephone
`network and the second network can include a wireless
`telephone network. The first network can include a landline
`telephone network. In Such a case, the call can be routed to
`the first device in the first network by using a LRN. The
`unique identifier can be inserted into GAP digits. The first
`network can include a cellular telephone network. In Such a
`case, the call can be routed to the first device in the first
`network by using a TLDN. In some examples, neither the
`first network nor the second network include a private
`branch exchange (PBX). The common telephony services
`can include, for example, quiet time, parallel ringing, and
`single voice mail for all devices. The subscriber can be
`enabled to define the routing preference. The default values
`of the routing preference can be defined as routing, firstly, to
`a WLAN device associated with the subscriber, routing,
`secondly, to a cellular device associated with the subscriber,
`and routing, thirdly, to a landline device associated with the
`subscriber.
`0071 An indication can be received to initiate a transfer
`of the call from the first device to the second device. The
`indication can include a predetermined sequence of one or
`more DTMF tones associated with a sequence of key
`presses. The first device can determine that the transfer is
`desired and the indication can be transmitted to the central
`ized network. The indication can be determined based on
`periodically monitoring registration of the WLAN phone.
`The indication can be determined based on periodically
`monitoring a signal strength. The data path through a
`cellular network can be used for transmitting the indication.
`The centralized network can determine to transfer the call
`from the first device to the second device. The first network
`can include a landline telephone network and the second
`network can include a wireless telephone network.
`0072 Implementations can realize one or more of the
`following advantages. The user of four devices associated
`with four different networks can manage one set of universal
`telephony services for all of his different devices. The user
`can receive one phone number that is actually assigned to all
`of the devices. The centralized service provider of the
`
`universal services can employ an IP network to provide the
`services, taking advantage of the most recent technological
`advances. Further, using an IP-based network allows the
`centralized service provider of the universal services to
`seamlessly integrate voice and data using the same packet
`based technology. The single service provider is a single
`point to the customer for all of their telephony devices,
`including a single bill, one customer Support number, etc.
`The list of features that can be offered by the single service
`provider, using the centralized IP network, goes beyond
`what is available on any single existing network (e.g.,
`PSTN, cellular).
`0073. The details of one or more examples are set forth
`in the accompanying drawings and the description below.
`Further features, aspects, and advantages of the invention
`will become apparent from the description, the drawings,
`and the claims.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0074 FIGS. 1A and 1B are block diagrams showing
`exemplary networks and devices involved with providing
`common telephony Services to multiple devices associated
`with multiple networks.
`0075 FIGS. 2-10 are block diagrams showing exemplary
`processes involved with providing common telephony Ser
`vices to multiple devices associated with multiple networks.
`0076 FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing additional
`exemplary networks and devices involved with providing
`common telephony Services to multiple devices associated
`with multiple networks.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary system 100 for
`0.077
`providing common telephony services to multiple devices
`associated with multiple networks. The system 100 includes
`a plurality of communications networks 105, 110a, 110b,
`110c, 100d, and 110e. The network 105 provides common
`telephony services to multiple devices associated with and
`communicating through the other networks 110a, 110b,
`110c, 110d, and 110e. The network 105 includes edge
`servers 115a, 115b, 115c, and 115d, that serve as the media
`and signal gateways to the networks 110a, 110b, 110c, and
`110d, respectively. The network 110e communicates with
`the network 105 through the network 110a.
`0078. The network 105 also includes a call server 120, a
`route server 125, an application server 130, and a subscriber
`database 135. In general, the call server 120 handles the
`Session management and signaling (e.g., calls, Videos, gam
`ing). The route server 125 provides the routing information
`to route a call. The application server 130 determines the
`services to which the subscriber has subscribed, and often
`remains in the call loop to provide additional services during
`the call. The subscriber database 135 includes information
`about the subscriber and the services to which the subscriber
`has Subscribed and services specific data. The physical
`implementation of each server 115, 120, 125, 130 can vary
`without losing the ability to perform the processes as
`described herein. For example, each server 115, 120, 125,
`130 can be implemented using multiple servers (e.g., dis
`tributed server farm, multiple server blades, etc.) or all of the
`servers 115, 120, 125, 130 can be combined and imple
`mented into a single server, or some partial combination.
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`0079. The networks 105, 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, and
`110e are communications networks capable of routing a call.
`The networks 105, 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, and 110e are
`based on different technologies. The networks 105 and 110d
`are IP packet-based networks that use VoIP technology to
`transform voice information into IP packets and route the IP
`packets through the networks. The network 110d includes a
`WLAN portion 140 that includes one or more wireless
`transceivers (e.g., access points) that communicate with a
`WLAN phone device 143. The system 100 uses the session
`initiation protocol (SIP) standard to communicate with the
`WLAN phone device 143.
`0080. The networks 110c and 110e are cellu