(12) United States Patent
`(16) Patent No.:
`US 6,546,003 B1
`
`Farris
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Apr. 8, 2003
`
`USOO6546003B1
`
`(54) TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Robert D. Farris, Sterling, VA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Verizon Services Corp., Arlington, VA
`(US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 08/753,197
`,
`,
`..
`NOV- 21, 1996
`(22)
`P116913
`(51)
`Int. Cl.7 .......................... H04L 12/56; H04L 12/66
`(52) US. Cl.
`..................................... 370/352; 379/88.17
`_
`‘
`_
`led "f Search ““““““““““““““““““ 370/300’ 401’
`(58)
`370/402’ 352’ 353’ 354’ 355’ 356’ 3797/43’
`209’ 89817) 88'18’ 88'19’ 8821’ 201’ :10)
`213’ “14’ 69’ 70’ 84’ 2760’ 261’ 262? “63’
`‘64’ 265’ 266’ 267
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`10/ 989 Hemmady et a1.
`4,872,160 A
`9/ 990 Hemmady et 611.
`4,958,341 A
`9/ 990 Daudelin .................... 379/213
`4,959,855 A *
`9/’ 991 Shepard
`.. 379/213
`5,052,038 A *
`
`.. 379/213
`5,163,083 A * 11/ 992 Dowden et a1
`................. 379/213
`5,239,577 A *
`8/ 993 Bates et a1.
`5,341,374 A
`8/ 994 Lewen et a1.
`5,375,068 A
`12/ 994 Palmer et 211.
`5,410,754 A
`4/ 995 Koltzbach et a1.
`5,434,913 A
`7/ 995 Tung et 211.
`5,479,488 A * 12/ 995 Lennig et a1.
`5,490,247 A
`2/ 996 Tnng et 211.
`5,493,568 A
`2/ 996 Sampat et a1.
`5,608,786 A
`3/ 997 Gordon
`5,613,006 A *
`3/ 997 Reese ......................... 379/213
`
`.............. 379/213
`
`
`
`5,661,790 A *
`5,724,355 A
`57269984 A
`
`8/1997 Hsu ........................... 379/209
`3/1998 Bruno et a1.
`3/1998 KUblef 9‘ al-
`
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner—Huy D. Vu
`‘
`Asszsttmt Exammer—Toan D Nguyen
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or fizrmAeonard buchyta; Loren
`Swingle; Rader, Fishman & Grauer PLLC
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`
`A public switched telephone network utilizing program
`controlled switching systems controlled by common channel
`9169111“ Signaling (Gas) and preferal’ly “1 ad""‘.nced
`intelligent network (AIN) CCIS network is arranged in an
`.
`.
`,
`,
`.
`.
`.
`archltecture to prov1de a methodology for fac1litat1ng tele—
`phone use of the Internet by customers on an impromptu
`basis. The system permits a caller to set—up and carry out a
`telephone call over the Internet from telephone station to
`telephone station without access to computer equipment and
`without the necessity of maintaining a subscription to any
`Internet service. Billing may be accomplished on a per call
`basis. It is a particular feature of the invention that directory
`assistance is offered to callers, with or without call comple-
`tion at the option of the caller. Such assistance is rendered
`through the use of procedures presently familiar to the caller
`from usage of the public switched telephone network. The
`system utilizes existing common channel signaling facilities
`along with Internet signaling and voice switching to permit
`the use of existing public switched telephone network plant
`for providing the directory assistance and call completion
`through a new methodology. A centralized directory number
`database may be provided according to one embodiment of
`the invention. Alternatively and preferably use is made of
`existing databases through interconnection or action to per-
`mit accessing of multiple databases in a hierarchical manner.
`
`37 Claims, 18 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`'____.L____________
`
`INTERNET
`
`MODULE
`
`
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8,2003
`
`Sheet 1 0f 18
`
`US 6,546,003 B1
`
`IlII
`
`
`
`__-_T_-__-__.._____
`
`INTERNET
`MODULE
`
`III II|IIIIll|
`
`fl
`
`INTERNET MODULE
`
`89
`
`
`
`- INTERFACE -. INTERNET
`
`ROUTER
`
`TO
`
`PROC
`
`I +
`
`TO co
`
`87
`
`85
`
`T0 CCIS
`
`FIG. 2
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8,2003
`
`Sheet 2 0f 18
`
`US 6,546,003 B1
`
`100
`
`102
`
`104
`
`106
`
`108
`
`110
`
`FIG. 3
`
`OFF-HOOK DIALS
`INT PREFIX +
`
`RECEIVE
`DIALED DIGITS
`
`RECOGNIZES
`SPECIAL PREFIX
`
`SUSPEND CALL AT
`ORIGINATING CO
`
`COMMUNICATE WITH
`REMOTE CO VIA
`STPS AND CCIS
`
`112
`
`CALLED STATION
`BUSY?
`
`YES
`
`INFORM
`ORIGINATING CO
`
`116
`
`NO
`
`114
`
`BLOCK CALLS
`
`ORIGINATING CO
`SENDS BUSY SIGNAL
`TO CALLER
`
`118
`
`120
`
`122
`
`NOTIFY ORIGINATING
`CO CALLED LINE
`AVAILABLE
`
`ESTABLISH INTERNET
`CONNECTION
`
`RINGING/RINGBACK
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8,2003
`
`Sheet 3 0f 18
`
`US 6,546,003 B1
`
`124
`
`FIG. 4
`
`ORIGINATING CO
`COMMUNICATES WITH
`INT MOD VIA CCIS
`
`ESTABLISH
`CONNECTION VIA CO
`BETWEEN INT MOD-
`CALLING LINE
`
`INT MODULE ROUTER
`
`REQUESTS
`TEMPORARY IP
`ADDRESSES
`
`TEMP ADDRESSES
`
`ASSIGNED FOR
`CALLING AND CALLED
`STATIONS
`
`
`
`ORIGINATING INT
`ADJ COMMUNICATES
`
`WITH DEST INT MOD
`VIA CCIS
`
`INT MODULE ROUTER/
`PROC INTERFACE
`PERFORMS PAD
`FUNCTION
`
`TCP/IP PACKETS
`EXCHANGED
`BETWEEN INT
`MODULES
`
`ANALOG VOICE
`DELIVERED TO
`
`CALLING AND CALLED
`STATIONS
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8, 2003
`
`Sheet 4 0f 18
`
`US 6,546,003 B1
`
`200
`
`202
`
`
`
`204
`
`OFF—HOOK
`DIALS
`INT PREFIX +
`
`RECEIVE
`DIALED
`DIGITS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RECOGNIZES
`SPECIAL
`
`
`PREFIX
`
`
`
`206
`
`SUSPEND
`CALL AT
`ORIGINATING
`
`CO
`208
`
`
`QUERY
`REMOTE CO
`
`
`VIA STPS
`
`
`AND CCIS
`
`210
`
`216
`
`CALLED
`STATION
`BUSY?
`
`INFORM
`ORIGINATING
`CO
`
`YES
`
`214
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ORIGINATING
`SEIZE LINE
`CO PROVIDES
`PROMPT AND
`
`
`
`CONFIRMATION
`BUSY SIGNAL
`
`
`
`FROM CALLED
`To CALLER
`
`
`
`PARTY
`
`
`218
`
`
`NOTIFY
`ORIGINATING
`
`
`CO
`
`
`FIG. 5
`
`220
`
`222
`
`PROMPT FOR
`ADDRESS
`CONNECT TO
`INT MODULE
`
`ORIGINATING
`CO ALERTS
`DEST CO
`VIA CCIS
`AND SEND NOS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`224
`
`
`ENCODED
`ADDRESS
`
`
`DELIVERED TO
`
`
`ROUTER
`
`226
`
`
`TRANSLATION
`REQUESTED
`FROM DNS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`228
`
`
`TEMP IP
`ADDRESS REQ
`
`FROM DHCP
`
`
`
`
`
`230
`
`
` TEMP IP
`ADDRESS
`
`
`SENT TO
`ROUTER
`
`232
`
`
`
`IP ADDRESS
`SENT FROM
`
`
`DNS TO
`ROUTER
`
`
`234
`
` ROUTER
`ASS AND
`
`
`DISASS
`
`
`PACKETS
`TO AND FROM
`
`INTERNET
`
`
`
`
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8,2003
`
`Sheet 5 0f 18
`
`US 6,546,003 B1
`
` INTERNETMODULE
`
`
`
`
`II *
`
`TOCCB
`
`FIG. 6
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`89
`
`//”83
`
`DNS
`SERVER
`
`DHCP
`SERVER
`
`TOCO
`
`TO
`INTERNET
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8, 2003
`
`Sheet 6 0f 18
`
`US 6,546,003 B1
`
`mo“.
`
`Io._._>>m
`
`mm>mmm
`
`._.2_
`
`53002
`
`NGE
`
`Qmm
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8, 2003
`
`Sheet 7 0f 18
`
`US 6,546,003 B1
`
`mo”.
`
`Iot>>w
`
`mm>mmw
`
`._.2_
`
`53002
`
`mm>mm_w
`
`Hz.
`
`53002
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8, 2003
`
`Sheet 8 0f 18
`
`US 6,546,003 B1
`
`QNNV
`
`mt»
`
`nay
`
`
`
`Im:Jul:00
`
`mow
`
`,Ev
`
`a;
`
`vav
`
`93.
`
`mGI
`
`g\Ew._._mew
`
`mm?
`
`/mme
`
`u_m
`
`m?»
`
`a,
`
`.8».
`
`{
`
`m»?
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`3GEavN
`
`
`
` s,52%;:mEoEBFTlE$58Am;
`
`m
`
`S
`
`0
`
`6
`
`1B
`
`Em2m
`
`wQ?mE7
`
`8)
`
`mE
`
`$58a8»
`
`m.EimmM,EGImaze
`
`A5”aw
`
`8v
`
`._<._._o_o
`
`Io._._>>m
`
`EOmEOH
`
`00
`
`3v
`
`IE20;:
`
`1---+wz:<zo_m
`
`502,52
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8,2003
`
`Sheet 10 0f 18
`
`US 6,546,003 B1
`
`420
`
`422
`
`424
`
`426
`
`428
`
`430
`
`432
`
`434
`
`438
`
`44o
`
`FIG. 12A
`
`CALLING PARTY
`INITIATES CALL
`
`CO RECEIVES DIGITS
`
`CO SENDS QUERY
`TO ITS (A)
`
`ITS (A) SENDS
`ROUTING REQUEST
`TO RAS DB
`
`RAS DB SENDS
`ROUTING RESPONSE
`TO ITS (A)
`
`ITS (A) SENDS
`SIGNALING PACKETS
`TO ITS (B)
`
`ITS (B) RECOVERS
`QUERY FROM
`SIGNALING PACKETS
`
`ITS (B) DETERMINES
`IF CALLED PARTY
`BUSY
`
`YES
`
`N0
`
`436
`
`ITS (B) SENDS PACKET
`TO ITS (A) “AVAILABLE”
`
`ITS (B) SENDS PACKET
`TO ITS (A) “BUSY"
`
`
`
`
`
`ITS (A) RECOVERS ID
`AND CONDITION,
`RESPONDS TO CO
`QUERY
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8,2003
`
`Sheet 11 0f 18
`
`US 6,546,003 B1
`
`FIG. 128
`
`442
`
`444
`
`RING BOTH STATIONS
`
`DATA COMMUNICATION
`
`ITS (A) AND ITS (B)
`ESTABLISH VOICE/
`
`LINK VIA INTERNET
`446 ICALLED STATION
`
`448
`
`450
`
`454
`
`456
`
`OFF HOOK?
`
`NO
`
`BEGIN 2-WAY
`
`TRANSMISSION
`
`ON INTERNET
`
`DISCONNECT
`DETECTED?
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`452
`
`CHANGE IN
`DATA TRAFFIC?
`
`CHANGE DATA
`
`RATE
`
`DETECTING ITS
`SENDS DISCONNECT
`MESSAGE
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8,2003
`
`Sheet 12 0f 18
`
`US 6,546,003 B1
`
`AREA CODE
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 13A
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 138
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`/490
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 13C
`
`CALLING #
`
`GUARANTEED SERVICE LEVEL (Mb/s)
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8,2003
`
`Sheet 13 0f 18
`
`US 6,546,003 B1
`
`
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8, 2003
`
`Sheet 14 0f 18
`
`US 6,546,003 B1
`
`mm>mmw
`
`mm>mmw
`
`EzmmHZ
`
`QB
`
`2GE
`
`new
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8,2003
`
`Sheet 15 0f 18
`
`US 6,546,003 B1
`
`610
`
`AUDIO
`SUB-
`SYSTEM
`
`DB
`
`088
`SWITCH """""""""" STP
`
`516
`
`OPERATOR
`STATION
`
`DIRECTORY
`
`FIG. 16
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8,2003
`
`Sheet 16 0f 18
`
`US 6,546,003 B1
`
`S1
`
`82
`
`83
`
`S4
`
`S5
`
`S6
`
`87
`
`88
`
`39
`
`CALLER DIALS INT
`CALL AND DIALS
`DIRECT ASSIS.
`
`SWITCH RECOGNIZES
`DIGITS AND
`SUSPENDS CALL
`
`SWITCH SENDS QUERY
`MESSAGE TO
`ORIGINATING SERVER
`
`ORIG SERVER ID'S
`OSS SERVER AND
`SENDS QUERY
`
`088 DIRECTS CALL
`TO AVAILABLE
`OPERATOR
`
`OPER OBTAINS FROM
`CALLER INFO TO ID
`CALLED STATION
`
`OPERATOR ACCESSES
`DB WITH INFO
`OBTAINED FROM CALLER
`
`
`
`088 SENDS DIRECT
`
`
`NUMBER AND INQUIRES
`RE AUTO CALL
`
`COMPLETION
`NO
`
`YES
`
`CALLER DECLINES oss
`
`GENERATES BILLING
`
`RECORD
`
`310
`
`VIRTUAL CONN TO
`OSS DISCONTINUED
`
`FIG. 17A
`
`811
`
`CALLER ACCEPTS
`083 PREPARES
`ROUTING RESPONSE
`
`
`
`312
`
`313
`
`OBSELFIISEFI’QEES
`
`ROUTING AND BILLING
`INFO SENT TO
`ORIG SERVER
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8,2003
`
`Sheet 17 0f 18
`
`US 6,546,003 B1
`
`FIG. 1 7B
`
`314
`
`S15
`
`S16
`
`ORIGINATING SERVER
`
`FORMULATES QUERY
`MESSAGE
`
`QUERY MESSAGE
`SENT TO DESTINATION
`
`SERVER
`
`DEST SERVER
`
`RECOVERS QUERY
`FROM TCP/IP MESS
`
`817
`
`
`
`BUSY SIGNAL
`
`IS CALLED STATION
`BUSYES
`S18 DEST SERVER RETURNS
`BUSY MESSAGE
`
`319
`BUSY SIG RECEIVED AT
`ORIG SERVER AND CO
`NOTIFIED
`
`
`
`S20
`
` CO SENDS
`
`
`
`
`
`N0
`
`821
`
`822
`
`323
`
`DESTINATION CO
`BLOCKS CALLS To
`CALLED STATION
`
`DE§§$éT8ITEO
`
`WAITING MESS
`
`ORIGINATING CO
`RECEIVES CALL
`WAITING MESS
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8, 2003
`
`Sheet 18 0f 18
`
`US 6,546,003 B1
`
`824
`
`
`
`VIRTUAL CIRCUIT
`
`ESTABLISHED
`
`
`
`
`
`THROUGH INTERNET
`
`825
`
`SIG TO ORIGNAL
`
`
`
`RING SIGNAL TO CALLED
`STATION AND RING BACK
`
`
`STATION
`
`
`826
`
`
`DEST AND ORIG
`SERVERS ESTAB
`
`
`2 WAY COMM LINK
`
`
`
`827
`
`
`
`CALLED STATION
`GOES OFF-HOOK
`
`
`828
`
`
`
`VOICE COMMUNICATION
`
`COMMENCES
`
`FIG. 170
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`New Bay Capital, LLC-EX.1008
`
`

`

`1
`TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
`
`2
`BACKGROUND
`
`US 6,546,003 B1
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention relates to a telecommunications
`system which includes telecommunications networks oper-
`ating in conjunction with a wide area internetwork, such as
`the Internet, and more particularly relates to providing
`telephone services through such an internetwork including
`directory assistance for internetwork telephone calls.
`
`ACRONYMS
`
`The written description. uses a large number of acronyms
`to refer to various services, messages and system compo—
`nents. Although generally known, use of several of these
`acronyms is not strictly standardized in the art. For purposes
`of this discussion, acronyms therefore will be defined as
`follows:
`
`Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN)
`Central Control Unit (CPU)
`Central Office (CO)
`Central Office Code (NNX)
`Common Channel Signaling (CCS)
`Common Channel Interoffice Signaling (CCIS)
`Customer Premises Equipment (CPE)
`Destination Point Code (DPC)
`Domain Name Service (DNS)
`Dual Tone Multifrequency (DTMF)
`Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
`Integrated Service Control Point (ISCP)
`Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
`ISDN User Part (ISDN-UP),
`International Standards Organization (ISO)
`Internet Protocol (IP)
`Internet Telephony Server (ITS)
`Line Information Database (LIDB)
`bocal Access and Transport Area (’LAl‘A)
`Local Area Network (LAN)
`Master Control Unit (MCU)
`Message Signaling Unit (MSU)
`Message Transfer Part (MTP)
`Open Systems Interconnection (OSI)
`Operator Service System (OSS)
`Origination Point Code (OPC)
`Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS)
`Point in Call (PIC)
`Point in Routing (PIR)
`Point of Presence (POP)
`Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN)
`Recent Change (RC)
`Routing and Administration Server (RAS)
`Service Control Point (SCP)
`Service or Switching Point (SSP)
`Signaling System 7 (SS7)
`Signaling Point (SP)
`Signaling Transfer Point (STP)
`Transaction Capabilities Applications Protocol (TCAP)
`Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
`
`including
`The “Internet” is a collection of networks,
`Arpanet, NSFnet, regional networks such as NYsernet, local
`networks at a number of university and research institutions,
`and a number of military networks. The protocols generally
`referred to as TCP/IP were originally developed for use only
`through Arpanet and have subsequently become widely used
`in the industry. The protocols provide a set of services that
`permit users to communicate with each other across the
`entire Internet. The specific services that these protocols
`provide are not
`important
`to the present
`invention, but
`include file transfer, remote log-in, remote execution, remote
`printing, computer mail, and access to network file systems.
`The basic function of the Transmission. Control Protocol
`
`(TCP) is to make sure that commands and messages from an
`application protocol, such as computer mail, are sent to their
`desired destinations. TCP keeps track of what is sent, and
`retransmits anything that does not get
`to its destination
`correctly. If any message is too long to be sent as one
`“datagram,” TCP will split it into multiple datagrams and
`makes sure that they all arrive correctly and are reassembled
`for the application program at the receiving end. Since these
`functions are needed for many applications, they are col-
`lected into a separate protocol (TCP) rather than being part
`of each application. TCP is implemented in the transport
`layer of the OSI reference model.
`The Internet Protocol (IP) is implemented in the network
`layer of the OSI reference model, and provides a basic
`service to TCP: delivering datagrams to their destinations.
`TCP simply hands IP a datagram with an intended destina-
`tion; IP is unaware of any relationship between successive
`datagrams, and merely handles routing of each datagram to
`its destination. If the destination is a station connected to a
`different LAN, the IP makes use of routers to forward the
`message.
`In simplified fashion the Internet may be viewed as a
`series of routers connected together with computers con—
`nected to the routers.
`In the addressing scheme of the
`Internet an address comprises four numbers separated by
`dots. An example would be 164.109.211.237. Each machine
`on the lnternet has a unique number which constitutes one
`of these four numbers. In the address the leftmost number is
`the highest number. By analogy this would correspond to the
`ZIP code in a mailing address. At times the first two numbers
`constitute this portion of the address indicating a network or
`a locale. That network is connected to the last router in the
`transport path. In differentiating between two computers in
`the same destination network only the last number field
`changes. In such an example the next number field 211
`identifies the destination router. When the packet bearing the
`destination address leaves the source router it examines the
`
`first two numbers in a matrix table to determine how many
`hops are the minimum to get to the destination. It then sends
`the packet to the next router as determined from that table
`and the procedure is repeated. Each router has a database
`table that finds the information automatically. This continues
`until the packet arrives at the destination computer. The
`separate packets that constitute a message may not travel the
`same path depending on traffic load. However they all reach
`the same destination and are assembled in their original
`order in a connectionless fashion. This is in contrast to
`connection oriented modes such as frame relay and ATM or
`vorce.
`
`One or more companies have recently developed software
`for use on personal computers to permit two-way transfer of
`real-time voice information via an Internet data link between
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`two personal computers. In one of the directions, the sending
`computer converts voice signals from analog to digital
`format. The software facilitates data compression down to a
`rate compatible with modern communication via a POTS
`telephone line. The software also facilitates encapsulation of
`the digitized and compressed voice data into the TCP/IP
`protocol, with appropriate addressing to permit communi-
`cation via the Internet. At the receiving end, the computer
`and software reverse the process to recover the analog voice
`information for presentation to the other party. Such pro-
`grams permit telephone-like communication between Inter-
`net users registered with Internet Phone Servers.
`The book “Mastering the Internet”, Glee Cady and Pat
`McGregor, SYBEX Inc., Alameda, Calif., 1994, ISBN
`94-69309, very briefly describes three proprietary programs
`said to provide real-time video and voice communications
`via the Internet.
`
`Palmer et al. US. Pat. No. 5,375,068, issued Dec. 20,
`1994 for Video Teleconferencing for Networked Worksta—
`tions discloses a video teleconferencing system for net-
`worked workstations. A master process executing on a local
`processor formats and transmits digital packetized voice and
`video data, over a digital network using 'I‘CP/IP protocol, to
`remote terminals.
`
`Lewen et al. US. Pat. No. 5,341,374, issued Aug. 23,
`1994 for Communication Network Integrating Voice Data
`and Video with Distributed Call Processing, discloses a local
`area network with distributed call processing for voice, data
`and video. Real-time voice packets are transmitted over the
`network, for example to and from a PBX or central office.
`Hemmady et al. US. Pat. No. 4,958,341, issued Sep. 18,
`1990 for Integrated Packetized Voice and Data Switching
`System, discloses an integrated packetized voice and data
`switching system for a metropolitan area network (MAN).
`Voice signals are converted into packets and transmitted on
`the network. Tung et al. US. Pat. Nos. 5,434,913, issued Jul.
`18, 1995, and 5,490,247, issued Feb. 6, 1996, for Video
`Subsystem for Computer Based Conferencing System, dis-
`close an audio subsystem for computer-based conferencing.
`The system involves local audio compression and transmis-
`sion of information over an ISDN network.
`
`Hemmady et al. US. Pat. No. 4,872,160, issued Oct. 3,
`1989, for Integrated Packetized Voice and Data Switching
`System, discloses an integrated packetized voice and data
`switching system for metropolitan area networks.
`Sampat et al. US. Pat. No. 5,493,568, issued Feb. 20,
`1996, for Media Dependent Module Interface for Computer
`Based Conferencing System, discloses a media dependent
`module interface for computer based conferencing system.
`An interface connects the upper-level data link manager
`with the communications driver.
`
`Koltzbach et al. US. Pat. No. 5,410,754, issued Apr. 25,
`1995, for Bi-Directional Wire Line to Local Area Network
`Interface and Method, discloses a bi-directional wire-line to
`local area network interface. The system incorporates means
`for packet switching and for using the internet protocol (IP).
`DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION OBJECTS
`OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is an object of the present invention to provide tele-
`phone service Via the Internet to users of the public tele-
`communications network without a need for such customers
`to have computer access or computer literacy.
`It is a further object of the invention to provide such
`telephone service in a seamless and transparent fashion
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`including special telephone services and particularly pro-
`viding directory assistance.
`It another object of the invention to provide with such
`Internet telephone services directory assisted call comple-
`tion.
`
`It a further object of the invention to provide such Internet
`telephone services directory assisted call completion rising
`for the most part hardware and plant which presently exists
`in public switched telecommunications systems and in the
`Internet.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`A public switched telephone network utilizing program
`controlled switching systems controlled by common channel
`interoflice signaling (CCIS) and preferably an advanced
`intelligent network (AIN) CCIS network is arranged in an
`architecture to provide a methodology for facilitating tele-
`phone use of the Internet by customers on an impromptu
`basis. The system permits a caller to set-up and carry out a
`telephone call over the Internet from telephone station to
`telephone station without access to computer equipment and
`without the necessity of maintaining a subscription to any
`Internet service. Billing may be accomplished on a per call
`basis. The calls may be inter and intra LATA, region or state
`or country. It is a particular feature of the invention that
`directory assistance is offered to callers, with or without call
`completion at the option of the caller. Such assistance is
`rendered through the use of procedures presently familiar to
`the caller from usage of the public switched telephone
`network. The system utilizes existing common channel
`signaling facilities along with Internet signaling and voice
`switching to permit the use of existing public switched
`telephone network plant for providing the directory assis—
`tance and call completion through a new methodology. A
`centralized directory number database may be provided
`according to one embodiment of the invention. Alternatively
`and preferably use is made of existing databases through
`interconnection or action to permit accessing of multiple
`databases in a hierarchical manner.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 shows in simplified block diagram form one
`example of an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) con-
`trolled Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)
`arranged in an architecture to provide Internet telephone
`service.
`FIG. 2 shows the functional architecture of one embodi-
`ment of an Internet Module.
`
`FIGS. 3 and 4 show simplified flow diagrams of one mode
`of operation of the system of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 5 shows a simplified flow diagram of another mode
`of operation of the system of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 6 shows the functional architecture of another
`example of an Internet Module.
`FIG. 7 is a simplified diagram of illustrating the archi-
`tecture of the existing public switched telephone network
`(PSTN)
`in the United States modified to implement a
`transoeeanic telephone communication.
`FIG. 8 is a simplified diagram illustrating another
`example of the architecture of the existing public switched
`telephone network (PSTN) in the United States modified to
`implement a transoeeanic telephone communication.
`FIG. 9 illustrates another arrangement for public telecom-
`munications systems :to provide long distance telephone
`service over the Internet.
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`5
`FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the server of FIG. 6.
`FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an alternate archi—
`tecture for providing long distance telephone service via
`public switched telephone networks and the Internet.
`FIGS. 12A and 12B are flow diagrams summarizing a
`method of establishing long distance service according to an
`embodiment of,the present invention.
`FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C are diagrams illustrating tables
`stored in the routing and administration database of FIG. 9.
`FIG. 14 is a diagam illustrating the stored virtual paths in
`a router of FIG. 9.
`
`FIG. 15 is a diagram of an exemplary telecommunications
`network for providing Internet telephone service with direc-
`tory assistance according to one embodiment/0f the inven-
`tion.
`
`FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic illustration of the operator
`service system (058) of FIG. 15.
`FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C are flow diagrams illustrating
`one mode of operation of the system of FIG. 15.
`BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE
`INVENTION
`
`Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a simplified block
`diagram of a public switched telephone network (PSTN)
`equipped to use common channel
`interoffice signaling
`(CCIS) with an advanced intelligent network (AIN),
`arranged in an architecture to provide one embodiment of
`Internet telephone service via one or more PSTNs. In FIG.
`1 there are shown two service or signal switching point
`(SSP) capable central offices 50 and 52, which may be
`located in the same or different states and regions. These
`central offices are connected by trunks indicated at 54 and 55
`to the PSTN indicated by a cloud 57. Each central office, or
`end office (E0) in this illustration, is connected by local
`loops to subscribers is customer premises equipment (CPE)
`such as telephone. terminals 56 and 58. These may be basic
`instruments for providing Plain Old Telephone Service
`(POTS). The subscriber premises are also shown as having
`personal computers (PCs) 60 and 62 connected to the local
`loops via modems 64 and 66. The SSPs associated with the
`central offices 50 and 52 are connected by common channel
`interoffice signaling (CCIS) links to a signal transfer point
`(STP) which in turn may be connected to an integrated
`signal control point (ISCP). While the STP functionality is
`here shown as constituting a single STP it will be appreci-
`ated that this is for the purpose of simplicity and that a
`hierarchy of STPs may be involved.
`Each of the central offices 50 and 52 is provided with an
`Internet Module here indicated at 72 and 74 connected by T1
`trunks 76 and 78. Alternatively the Internet Module hard-
`ware may be situated at the central office and associated with
`the switching system. The Internet Modules may be pro-
`vided with SSP capabilities and connected into the CCIS
`network as indicated by the links to the illustrative STP 80.
`The SSPs serving the Internet Module are inter-connected
`with the central ollice SSPs and CCIS network as shown
`here by illustrative links 79 and 81. The Internet Modules
`may be linked for signaling purposes by conventional F
`links indicated at 82. The Internet Modules are connected to
`the Internet cloud by T1/T3 trunks 86 and 88.
`The functional architecture of one embodiment of such an
`Internet Module is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2. The
`Internet Module, generally indicated at 83, includes a router
`85 of the type now generally used in Internet practice. The
`Internet Module is provided with a central control unit
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`(CPU) (not shown) and processing capability as illustra-
`tively shown at 87. It will be appreciated by those skilled in
`the art that the same CPU may be used to control the router
`85 and that the functionalities of the blocks shown at 85 and
`87 may be combined. Connected to the router are a Domain
`Name Service (DNS) server 89 and a Dynamic Host Con—
`figuration Protocol (DHCP) server 91 of the type conven-
`tionally used by Internet Service Providers in existing Inter-
`net Service. The router interface is connected to the central
`office and to the CCIS network while the router is connected
`to the Internet. The Internet Module is sometimes referred to
`herein as a server, Internet server, or Internet telephony
`server.
`
`One mode of operation of the system of FIG. 1 is now
`described in relation to the simplified flow diagrams of
`FIGS. 3 and 4. According to this embodiment an Internet
`connection is used to link a calling to a called telephone
`without the necessity of either party possessing or using
`personal or office computer equipment. The subscriber in
`this example uses the POTS station at 56 to initiate an
`Internet call to a called party at the POTS station 58. The
`caller goes off-hook and dials *82. This prefix has been
`established by the Telco offering the service as a predesig-
`nated prefix with which the public may initiate an Internet
`telephone call. The dialing of the prefix *82 is followed by
`the dialing of the directory number of the called party at the
`station 58.
`
`As is illustrated in the method shown in FIG. 3, the calling
`party goes off-hook and dials the prefix *82 at 100. At 102
`the central office switching system responds to an off-hook
`and receives the dialed digits from the calling station. At 104
`the central oflice switching system analyzes the received
`digits and determines from the prefix *82 that the call is an
`Internet call. Responsive to its programming it knows that
`the call must be completed through a remote central office
`and that further processing is necessary. At 106 the local or
`originating central office suspends the call and at 108 sends
`a CCIS query message through one or more of the STP’s.
`The query message goes to the central office to which the
`called station is connected. The receiving or destination
`central office receives the query and determines at 110
`whether or not the called station at 58 is busy. If the called
`station is busy, the receiving central office so informs the
`originating central office at 112. At 114 the originating
`central office provides a busy signal to the calling station.
`If the called station is not busy, the receiving central office
`busies out the called station line by blocking all calls at 116.
`The receiving or destination central office then informs the
`originating central office that the called line is available and
`waiting at 118 and that the processor in the Internet Module
`associated with the central office 52 is available.
`An Internet virtual connection is then established between
`the calling and called stations at 120 as presently will be
`described in detail. The receiving or destination central
`office provides a ringing signal to the called station and the
`originating central office sends ringback tone back through
`the local loop to the calling station at 122. When the called
`station goes off—hook and the Internet virtual connection is
`completed the conversation via the Internet can commence.
`Referring next to the flow diagram in FIG. 4 one example
`of the set up of the Internet connection is now described.
`When the originating central office receives from the desti-
`nation central office the CCIS signal announcing that the
`called station is available and waiting, the originating central
`office may send a CCIS message to the Internet Module 72
`and the processor interface 87 to the router 85. This message
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`US 6,546,003 B1
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`7
`delivers the directory numbers of the calling station and the
`called station and requests establishment of an Internet
`connection (or virtual connection) between the two.
`The processor interface and router may then react to
`receipt of that CCIS signal and request
`the temporary
`assignment of Internet addresses for the processors associ-
`ated with the respective central ofiices. Upon completion of
`he assignment of the addresses the processor 87 may send
`a CCIS signal to the originating central office advising of
`hat fact. This CCIS or SS7 communication between the
`originating central ofiice and the originating Internet Module
`is indicated at 124. When the originating central office
`receives the message that the addresses have been assigned
`he switching system connects the originating local loop to
`he Internet Module 72. This connection is indicated at 126.
`
`As an alternative to this connection procedure the origi-
`nating central office may establish the line or trunk connec-
`ion to the Internet Module 72 immediately upon receipt of
`he CCIS signal indicating that the called station is available
`and waiting. In this alternative the originating central office
`hen sends the directory numbers of the calling and called
`stations along with a request to establish an Internet c011-
`nection or virtual connection between the two stations for a
`voice communication session either via the line or trunk
`connection to the Internet Module 72 or via the CCIS link to
`the Internet Module.
`
`
`
`Following either of the foregoing embodiments of the
`initial connection steps, the Internet Module router 85 in the
`Internet Module 72 sends a request for the assignment of
`temporary IP addresses for the two directory numbers to the
`DHCP server 91 as indicated at 128. The DHCP server hears
`the message and offers an IP address for each directory
`number for a certain time period which may be determined
`by the router or the server. The router may request a
`specified time period and the DHCP server may decline and
`offer a longer or shorter period, seeking mutual agreement.
`Upon agreement the addresses are a