CA2584821C - A portable voip service access module - Google Patents

A portable voip service access module Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2584821C
CA2584821C CA2584821A CA2584821A CA2584821C CA 2584821 C CA2584821 C CA 2584821C CA 2584821 A CA2584821 A CA 2584821A CA 2584821 A CA2584821 A CA 2584821A CA 2584821 C CA2584821 C CA 2584821C
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Prior art keywords
softphone
computing device
client
code
portable
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CA2584821A
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French (fr)
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CA2584821A1 (en
Inventor
Robb Barkley
Mark Baker
Doug Bender
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MagicJack Vocaltec Ltd
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PERSONAL VOICE FREEDOM LLC
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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2854—Wide area networks, e.g. public data networks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
    • H04L65/1066—Session management
    • H04L65/1101—Session protocols
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
    • H04L65/1066—Session management
    • H04L65/1083—In-session procedures
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/253—Telephone sets using digital voice transmission
    • H04M1/2535—Telephone sets using digital voice transmission adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network

Abstract

A voice over IP(122) (VOIP) soft phone access module (VSAM, 100) comprises a soft phone (102) client installed on a portable memory (106) device (PMD). The soft phone (102) client is installed in its own read-only partition. The soft phone client is adapted to auto-run from the PMD when the PMD is connected to a computing device (120) and to load an instance of the soft phone (102) client in the volatile memory (106) of the computing device. When used with a computing device comprising a duplex audio system with analog-to-digital conversion and an Internet (130) connection, the VSAM permits a VOIP service subscriber to send and receive VOIP telephone calls through a VOIP service (100) provider gateway. The VSAM may be associated with an activation code that when sent to the VOIP service provider gateway (140) associates a user with pre-paid soft phone usage credits. Alternatively, the soft phone client is installed on CD (102).

Description

A PORTABLE VOID SERVICE ACCESS MODULE
BACKGROUND
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to enabling digital telephony and more particularly to systems and methods for providing digital telephone services via a portable media .
[0003] Packet switched networks (PSNs), most notably the Internet, have become increasingly accessible on a worldwide scale. Digital telephony service offers the promise of relatively inexpensive and feature-rich telephone service to users of PSNs.
[0004] One form of digital telephony, voice over Internet protocol or "VoIP,"
has attracted significant market attention. A typical VOID environment comprises a telephone that is connected to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC converts analog voice signal from a plain old telephone (POT) phone and converts it into a compressed audio data stream. The ADC may be a standalone device that is connected to a computing device (eg., a desktop computer, a laptop computer, or a personal digital assistant) or a component of a computing device (e.g., a sound card).
[0005] The computing device runs a software client (sometimes referred to as a "soft phone client"). The softphone client presents the user a graphical interface that provides access to various telephone functions, for example, dialing, answering machine, call log, and number directory. The soft phone client generates telephone-signaling information and converts the signaling information and compressed audio stream into packets. The soft phone client may also use the sound card of the computer to provide two-way voice communication thereby dispensing with the need for the POT.
[0006] The soflphone clients typically use the session initiation protocol (SIP) to establish call "sessions." The softphone client also comprises one more audio compression codecs. Having more codecs allows the audio compression scheme to optimally utilize the network bandwidth.
[0007] A telephone connection may be established directly between two parties in a peer-to-peer configuration or service configuration through a central processor comprising a softswitch and a proxy server. The peer-to-peer configuration requires the two parties to know their respective Internet protocol (IP) addresses. In the service configuration, a softswitch, usually operated for a fee by a third party, can associate a telephone number with an IP address, and provides routing and signaling tasks to emulate services provided by the public switched telephone network (PSTN).
[0008] When a VoIP service subscriber initiates a call, the caller's telephone goes "off-hook"
and the subscriber dials a called telephone number. The softphone client and the softswitch establish a session. The called telephone number is sent to the softswitch. If the call is directed to another VoIP service subscriber, the telephone number is translated to an IP address of the called party. The proxy server attempts to establish a session with the called party's softphone.
If successful, the calling party's softphone and the called party's softphone exchange voice data packets. The ADC at each end of the call translates the incoming digital audio stream into analog signals that can be received by a POT or the sound card of the computer. When the call is completed (the telephone goes "on-hook"), and the softphone client sends a signal to the softswitch terminating the session.
[0009] A VoIP service subscriber may have access to the Internet at multiple locations using a variety of computing devices. Additionally, the VoIP subscriber may not have authority to install software on the computing device. For example, a VoIP subscriber may be using a computer at a place of employment, at the residence of a friend, or at an "Internet cafe" where Internet access is provided as a convenience or as a service. Currently, VoIP
service access in these and similar situations would require that the softphone be installed and configured on the foreign computing device and, presumably, removed when the subscriber departs.
The subscriber thereby risks disrupting the operation of the foreign computing device and exposing the subscriber's confidential information to capture by the foreign computer.
[0010] A VoIP subscriber may also have multiple computing devices from which VoIP calls can be made. Currently, each computing device is required to have a softphone installed and configured. The multiple softphone implementations each must be maintained individually. For example, updates to the software client and to the subscriber's preference must be installed on each softphone client so that the softphone clients are current.
[0011] What would be useful is a portable digital telephone softphone access module that may be operated from a computing device without significant reconfiguration of the operating system of the computing device.
SUMMARY
[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, a digital telephony softphone access module comprises a softphone client installed on a portable memory device (PMD). The softphone client is installed in its own read-only partition. The softphone client is adapted to autorun from the PMD when the PMD is connected to a computing device and to load an instance of the softphone client in the volatile memory of the computing device. Use of the VSAM is protected by a login process that is known in the art.
[0013] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the digital telephony service is a VoIP service and the digital telephony softphone access module is a VoIP
softphone access module (VSAM). When used with a computing device comprising a duplex audio system with analog-to-digital conversion and an Internet connection, the VSAM permits a VoIP service subscriber to send and receive VoIP telephone calls.
[0014] While embodiments of the present invention will be described in terms of a VoIP
service, the present invention is not so limited. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a softphone access module used in conjunction with other digital telephony services provided over a packet network are within the scope of the present invention.
[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the PMD further comprises read/write memory that is accessible to the computing device. In this embodiment, the read/write memory comprises a telephone directory file and user preference information file.
When the softphone client is loaded, the VSAM locates the files and loads the directory and user preference information into the volatile memory of the computing device.
[0016] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, softhone client resides on a CD.
The softphone client is installed in a closed session. The softphone client is adapted to autorun from the CD ROM when the CD is inserted in an appropriate reader and to load an instance of the softphone client in the volatile memory of the computing device. In yet another embodiment of the present invention the softphone client resides on a mini-disk (MD).
[0017] It is therefore an aspect of the present invention to provide a VoIP
service subscriber with a portable VSAM that may be operated from different computing devices.
[0018] It is another aspect of the present invention to load a softphone client from a portable VSAM into the volatile memory of a computing device when the VSAM is connected to the computing device.
[0019] It is still another aspect of the present invention to unload the softphone client if the portable VSAM is disconnected from the computing device.
[0020] It is another aspect of the present invention to account for usage of the softphone from a central location.
[0021] It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a VoIP subscriber a VSAM
comprising pre-paid softphone usage credits.
[0022] It is still another aspect of the present invention to allow a subscriber using a VSAM
with pre-paid softphone usage to add additional softphone usage credits to the VSAM.
[0023] It is yet another aspect of the present invention to permit a subscriber to add additional softphone usage credits to a VSAM from a home computer and a retailer computer.
[0024] It is another aspect of the present invention to permit a subscriber to add additional softphone usage credits to a VSAM from a telephone.
[0025] It is an aspect of the present invention to integrate a VSAM with a USB
headset.
[0026] It is yet another aspect of the present invention to integrate a keypad with a USB
headset for mouse-free dialing.
[0027] These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from a review of the general and detailed descriptions that follow.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, a VSAM comprises a portable memory device and a softphone client. The portable memory device comprises a read-only memory partition and is adapted to operate when installed in a computing device comprising a duplex audio system. By way of illustration and not as a limitation, the computing device may be a desktop computer, a laptop computer and a personal data assistant.
[0029] The softphone client is stored in the read-only memory partition of the portable memory device and comprises instructions for auto-running the softphone client upon detection of the portable memory device by the computing device, and performing the functions of a plain old telephone.
[0030] In another embodiment of the present invention, the portable memory device further comprises read/write memory. In this embodiment, the computer instructions further comprise instructions for reading and writing a telephone directory file to the read/write memory, reading and writing a user preference file to the read/write memory, and recording a telephone conversation and saving the recording as a file in the read/write memory.
[0031] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a VoIP provisioning system comprises a network, a VoIP service provider gateway connected to the network and comprising a user record, and a VSAM. The VSAM comprises a portable memory device. The portable memory device comprises a read-only memory partition and is adapted to operate when installed in a computing device comprising a duplex audio system. By way of illustration and not as a limitation, the computing device may be a desktop computer, a laptop computer and a personal data assistant. The portable memory device comprises a read-only memory partition, and wherein the portable memory device is adapted to operate when installed in a computing device comprising a duplex audio system.
[0032] The user record comprises soflphone usages credits indicative of minutes of use of the softphone client In one embodiment of the present invention, the softphone usage credits are pre-assigned to a purchaser of a VSAM. In another embodiment of the present invention, the sofphone further comprises instructions for communicating with VoIP service provider gateway to add sofftphone usage credits to the user record.
[0033] A softphone client is stored in the read-only memory partition. The sofiphone client comprises instructions for auto-running the softphone client'upon detection of the portable memory device by the computing device, performing the functions of a plain old telephone, and communicating with the VoIP service provider gateway to initiate and receive telephone calls over the network. In an embodiment of the present invention, the telephone call terminates with a VoIP service subscriber. In another embodiment of the present invention, the telephone call terminates with a public switched network subscriber.
[0034] In another embodiment of the present invention, the portable memory device further comprises read/write memory. In this embodiment, the computer instructions farther comprise instructions for reading and writing a telephone directory file to the read/write memory, reading and writing a user preference file to the read/write memory, and recording a telephone conversation and saving the recording as a file in the read/write memory.

[0034A] In a broad aspect, the present invention seeks to provide a portable telephone device, comprising a portable memory device having a universal serial bus (USB) interface to facilitate communication with a computing device when the USB
interface is coupled to the computing device, and the memory device having a computer readable softphone code embedded therein for execution by the computing device to automatically run the softphone code at the computing device when the portable memory device is coupled to the computing device. The softphone code stops running at the computing device when the portable memory device is uncoupled from the computing device. The softphone code comprises code means for sending and receiving voice communications via a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), code means for storing a telephone directory file on the portable memory device, code means for storing user preference information on the portable memory device, and code means for sending data to a service provider gateway. The data associates the portable telephony device with a service provider account record.
[0034B] In a further aspect, the invention provides a method comprising loading an instance of a softphone client from a portable memory device to a computing system automatically when the portable memory device is coupled to the computer system, sending data to a service provider device to associate the instance of the softphone client with a user account record, and sending and receiving data related to voice communications via the service provider device using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
[0034C] In a still further aspect, there is also provided a method comprising receiving data from an instance of a softphone client via a computing system, wherein the softphone client is stored at a portable memory device, and the instance of the softphone client being automatically loaded to the computing system when the portable memory device is coupled to the computing system, associating the instance of the softphone client with a user account record based on the received data, and tracking usage credits associated with the user account record, wherein the usage credits are related to voice communication sent via the instance of the softphone client.

-5a-DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0035] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of the components of a VoIP
service access module (VSAM) according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0036] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a process for associating Vol?
service access credits with a VSAM 100 according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0037] Figures 3A and 3B illustrate the flow of a process in which a VSAM
acquires softphone usage credits according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0038] Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram of the components of a VoIP
service access disk (VSAD) according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0039] Figure 5 illustrates a block diagram of a VoIP service activation module integrated with a USB-compliant headset and keypad according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, a VolP softphone access module (VSAM) comprises a softphone client installed on a portable memory device (PLAID).
The soflphone client is installed in its own read-only partition. The softphone client is adapted to autorun from the PLAID when the PMD is connected to a computing device and to load an instance of the softphone client in the volatile memory of the computing device. When used with a computing device comprising a duplex audio system with analog-to-digital conversion and an Internet connection, the VSAM permits a VoIP service subscriber to send telephone calls to, and receive telephone calls from, VoIP clients and PSTN clients.
[0041] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of the components of a VSAM
according to embodiments of the present invention. Referring to Figure 1, VoIP service access module 100 connects to a computing device 120 via compatible I/O ports 108 and 128. In an embodiment of the present invention, computing device 120 is a desktop computer. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, this is not meant as a limitation.
Other computing devices maybe used without departing from the scope of the present invention. By way of illustration, computing device 120 may be a laptop computer or a personal data assistant (PDA) having a duplex audio system.
[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, 1/0 interfaces 108 and 128 are USB ports.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, other interfaces may be used to connect VSAM 100 and computing device 120 so long as the interfaces are compatible.
[0043] VoIP service access module 100 further comprises softphone client instructions 102.
Softphone client instructions 102 comprise code executable by the operating system of computing device 120. The softphone client instructions 102 enable computing device 120 to perform the functions of a plain old telephone including dialing, sending voice information, and receiving voice communications.
[0044] In an embodiment of the present invention, softphone client instructions 102 reside in a read-only memory partition. The read-only memory is adapted to auto-run upon detection of the installation of VSAM 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, the read-only memory partition is identified by computing device 120 as a bootable device.
[0045] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, VSAM 100 further comprises read/write memory 106. In this embodiment, the read/write memory 106 comprises a telephone directory file and user preference information file. When the softphone client is loaded, the softphone client instructions 102 locate the files and loads the directory and user preference information into the volatile memory of the computing device. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, softphone client instructions 102 comprise a conversation recording/playback feature for recording a telephone conversation and storing the recording as a file in the read/write memory 106 for later playback by the user.
[0046] Computing device 120 further comprises processor 126, which controls communications over I/O interfaces 128 and 108, the loading of softphone client instructions 102 in random access memory 126, and the execution of those instructions. In an embodiment of the present invention, processor 126 detects the presence of VSAM 100 at I/O interface 128, loads softphone client instructions 102 into RAM 126, and executes those instructions.
[0047] When processor 126 detects the presence of VSAM 100 at 1/0 interface 128, the softphone client instructions prompts the user of VSAM 100 for identifying information. The identifying information is sent to VoIP service gateway 140 for authentication. If the user of VSAM 100 provides the correct identifying information, processor 126 then continues to loads softphone client instructions 102 as previously described. Additionally, the softphone client instructions 102 provide information to VoIP service provider gateway 140 that identifies the network location of the computing device 120 on which the softphone client instructions are located, thereby facilitating telephone calls to and from the VSAM 100. In still another embodiment of the present invention, processor 126 continues to monitor the presence of service access module 100. If service module 100 is removed, the softphone client instructions are unloaded from RAM 126.
[0048] Optionally, the user of VSAM 100 is further prompted for an activation code. A user without an activation code declines the prompt and the softphone client instructions 102 are loaded as previously described. A user with an activation code enters the activation code, and the code is reported to VoIP service gateway 140. The activation code is reported to an accounting server 200 (see Figure 2) and is used to associate pre-paid softphone usage credits with the user of VSAM 100.
[0049] Computing device 120 further comprises network interface 122 that permits computing device 120 to send and receive VoIP packets to VoIP service provider gateway 140 via network 130. In an embodiment of the present invention, network 130 is the Internet, however this is not meant as a limitation. Network 130 may be any IP network through which computing device 120 may communicate with VoIP service provider gateway 140. By way of illustration, and not as a limitation, network 130 is a cable network. In this embodiment, network interface 122 connects to network 130 through a cable modem (not illustrated but known to those skilled in the art).
[0050] Network interface 122 may be a wired interface or a wireless interface.
Where network interface 122 is a wireless interface, network 130 is a wireless network that can communicate with the network on which VoIP service provider gateway 140 is located.
[0051] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a process for associating VoIP
service access credits with a VSAM 100 according to embodiments of the present invention.
Referring to Figure 2, an accounting datastore 205 within service provider gateway 140 stores VoIP service credits associated with an account identifier. Accounting server 200 provides secured access to the accounting datastore 205 by computing device 120. Computing device 120 comprises network interface 122, processor 126 and UO interface 128. Computing device 120 accesses accounting server 200 via network 130 through network interface 122. Computing device 120 also accesses the UO interface 108 of VSAM 100 via I/O interface 128.
[0052] In an embodiment of the present invention, a VoIP service subscriber operates the computing device 120. However, the present invention is not so limited. In another embodiment of the present invention, a third party trusted by the VoIP service provider operates the computing device 120.
[0053] Referring to Figure 1, when processor 126 detects the presence of VSAM
100 at U
interface 122, the softphone client instructions prompts the user of VSAM 100 for identifying information. The identifying information is sent to VoIP service gateway 140 for authentication. If the user of VSAM 100 provides the correct identifying information, the softphone client instructions 102 provide information to VoIP service provider gateway 140 that identifies the network location of the computing device 120 on which the softphone client instructions are located, thereby permitting the VoIP service subscriber to send telephone calls to, and receive telephone calls from, VoIP clients and PSTN clients.
[0054] Referring again to Figure 2, VoIP service provider gateway 140 associates the VoIP
service subscriber identifying information and the network location information with a subscriber record (e.g., record A 210) in accounting datastore 205.
Optionally, usage accountant further comprises instructions to permit the VSAM 100 to obtain current usage data from the accounting datastore 205 for display to the subscriber.
[0055] Accounting datastore 205 comprises a record A 210 and a record B 215.
While only two records are illustrated, the present invention is not so limited. It is anticipated that accounting datastore 205 will store a large number of records potentially numbering in the millions. Record A 210 comprises an account identifier 212 associated with the VoIP service subscriber using the VSAM and a softphone usage log 216. At a minimum, softphone usage log 216 comprises the number of softphone usage credits currently available to the account identifier 212 associated with the current VoIP service subscriber using VSAM
100.
[0056] Optionally, the user of VSAM 100 is further prompted for an activation code. A user without an activation code declines the prompt and the softphone client instructions 102 are loaded as previously described. A user with an activation code enters the activation code, and the code is reported to VoIP service gateway 140. The activation code is reported to an accounting server 200 and is used to associate pre-paid softphone usage credits with the user of VSAM 100.
[0057] Figures 3A and 3B illustrate the flow of a process in which a VSAM
acquires softphone usage credits according to embodiments of the present invention.
Referring to Figure 3A, a computing device connects to a VSAM 300. Softphone client instructions are loaded into the volatile memory of the computing device 305. The computing device displays a prompt for user identifying information 310. A determination is made whether the information provided matches the identifying information stored at the service provider gateway 312. If the identifying information does not match the information stored on the service provider gateway, the process ends and usage of the softphone is denied 320. If the supplied identifying information matches that held by the server provider gateway, the user of the VSAM is further prompted for an activation code 314. A user without an activation code declines the prompt and the user is offered an opportunity to add softphone usage credits 325. A user with an activation code enters the activation code and the code is reported to an accounting server 316. The activation code is used to associate pre-paid softphone usage credits with the user 318. The user is then offered an opportunity to add additional softphone usage credits 325.
[0058] A user without an activation code declines the prompt and the user is offered opportunity to add softphone usage credits 325. If the user declines, the add-credit process ends 330. If the user accepts, the service provider gateway receives a user account identifier 340.
[0059] In an embodiment of the present invention, the account identifier is provided from the user of the computing device in response to prompt from the accounting server.
In this embodiment, the accounting server associates the rights of the user with the account identifier provided in response to the prompt. The accounting server uses the account identifier to determine the records (210 and 215 in Figure 2) that the user of the computing device may access and modify. This embodiment is particularly useful to a retailer that offers additional softphone usage credits to subscribers of VoIP services provided by a VoIP
service provider.
Additionally, the VoIP service provider may reserve account identifiers for a particular retailer so as to create an exclusive customer relationship between the retailer and a purchaser of a VSAM. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the account identifiers are reserved for members of an organization and made accessible only to an authorized individual within that organization.
[0060] In an alternate embodiment, access to the accounting datastore is limited to the record associated with the account identifier as determined during the verification of the user identifying information. The account identifier is provided to the accounting server by the service provider gateway. This embodiment provides a subscriber limited access to the accounting database to purchase additional softphone usage credits.
[0061] Referring to Figure 3B, a determination is made whether the account identifier matches the account identifier stored on the accounting server 345. If the account identifier does not match the account identifier stored on the accounting server, the add-credits process ends 350.
If the supplied account identifier matches that held by the accounting server but the account identifier is associated with a record that the user is not authorized to access, the process ends 350. If the supplied account identifier matches that held by the accounting server and the account identifier is associated with a record that the user is authorized to access, the accounting server initiates a transaction by which the user may acquire additional softphone usage credits for the account identified by the account identifier 355.
[0062] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the PMD comprises a CD ROM.
The softphone client is installed in its own closed session. The softphone client is adapted to autorun from the CD ROM when the CD is inserted in an appropriate reader and to load an instance of the softphone client in the volatile memory of the computing device.
[0063] Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram of the components of a VoIP
service access disk (VSAD) according to embodiments of the present invention. Referring to Figure 4, CD drive 406 connects to a computing device 420 via compatible CD interfaces 408 and 428. In an embodiment of the present invention, computing device 420 is a desktop computer. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, this is not meant as a limitation. Other computing devices may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. By way of illustration, computing device 420 may be a laptop computer or a personal data assistant (PDA) having a duplex audio system.
[0064] In an embodiment of the present invention, CD interfaces are Intelligent Drive Electronics (IDE; also referred to as Integrated Drive Electronic) interfaces.
In another embodiment of the present invention, CD interfaces 408 and 428 are USB ports.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, other interfaces may be used to connect CD drive 406 and computing device 420 so long as the interfaces are compatible.
[0065] VoIP service access disk (VSAD) 400 comprises softphone client instructions 402.
Softphone client instructions 402 comprise code executable by the operating system of computing device 420. The softphone client instructions 402 enable computing device 420 to perform the functions of a plain old telephone including dialing, sending voice information, and receiving voice communications.
[0066] In an embodiment of the present invention, the softphone client instructions 402 are adapted to auto-run upon detection of the installation of VSAD 400.
[0067] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, VSAD 400 further comprises read/write media and CD drive 406 is adapted to both read from and write to this media. In this embodiment of the present invention, VSAD 400 comprises a multi-session CD.
The softphone client instructions 102 are written to a closed session. A writable portion of comprises an open session. In this embodiment, the writable portion of the CD
comprises. a telephone directory file and user preference information file. When the softphone client is loaded, the softphone client instructions 402 locates the files and loads the directory and user preference information into the volatile memory of the computing device. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, softphone client instructions 402 comprise a conversation recording/playback feature for recording a telephone conversation and storing the recording as a file in the read/write memory 406 for later playback by the user.
[0068] Computing device 420 further comprises processor 426, which controls communications over CD interfaces 428 and 408, the loading of softphone client instructions 402 in random access memory 426, and the execution of those instructions. In an embodiment of the present invention, processor 426 detects the presence of VSAD 400 at CD
interface 428, loads softphone client instructions 402 into RAM 426, and executes those instructions.
[0069] When processor 426 detects the presence of VSAD 400 at CD interface 428, the softphone client instructions prompts the user of VSAD 400 for identifying information. The identifying information is sent to VoIP service gateway 440 for authentication. If the user of VSAD 400 provides the correct identifying information, processor 426 then continues to loads softphone client instructions 402 as previously described. Additionally, the softphone client instructions 402 provide information to VoIP service provider gateway 440 that identifies the network location of the computing device 420 on which the softphone client instructions are located, thereby facilitating telephone calls to and from the VSAM 400. In still another embodiment of the present invention, processor 426 continues to monitor the presence of service access module 400. If VSAD 400 is removed, the softphone client instructions are unloaded from RAM 426.
[0070] Optionally, the user of VSAM 400 is further prompted for an activation code. A user without an activation code declines the prompt and the softphone client instructions 402 are loaded as previously described. A user with an activation code enters the activation code, and the code is reported to VoIP service gateway 440. The activation code is reported to an accounting server 200 (see Figure 2) and is used to associate pre-paid softphone usage credits with the user of VSAM 400.
[0071] Computing device 420 further comprises network interface 422 that permits computing device 420 to send and receive VoIP packets to VoIP service provider gateway 440 via network 430. In an embodiment of the present invention, network 430 is the Internet, however this is not meant as a limitation. Network 430 may be any IP network through which computing device 420 may communicate with VoIP service provider gateway 440. By way of illustration, and not as a limitation, network 430 is a cable network. In this embodiment, network interface 422 connects to network 430 through a cable modem (not illustrated but known to those skilled in the art).
[0072] Network interface 422 may be a wired interface or a wireless interface.
Where network interface 422 is a wireless interface, network 430 is a wireless network that can communicate with the network on which VoIP service provider gateway 440 is located.
[0073] Figure 5 illustrates a block diagram of a VoIP service activation module integrated with a USB-compliant headset and keypad according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to Figure 5, VoIP service access module (VSAM) 500 connects to computing device 120 (see Figure 1) via USB port 508. VSAM 500 comprises softphone client instructions 502.
Softphone client instructions 502 comprise code executable by the operating system of computing device 120. The softphone client instructions 502 enable computing device 120 to perform the functions of a plain old telephone including dialing, sending voice information, and receiving voice communications.
[0074] In an embodiment of the present invention, softphone client instructions 502 reside in a read-only memory partition. The read-only memory is adapted to auto-run upon detection of the installation of VSAM 500. In an embodiment of the present invention, the read-only memory partition is identified by computing device 520 as a bootable device.
[0075] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, VSAM 500 further comprises read/write memory 506. In this embodiment, the read/write memory 506 comprises a telephone directory file and user preference information file. When the softphone client is loaded, the softphone client instructions 502 locate the files and loads the directory and user preference information into the volatile memory of the computing device. VSAM 500 further comprises a USB-compliant headset comprising speaker 525R and speaker 525L and a microphone 530, which are connected to USB interface 508.
[0076] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the root USB hub at the computer senses the presence of a new device and initially communicates with the device on "pipe 0," the default physical device communications channel. Pipes are the data sub bands of the hub architecture that maintain the physical connections of devices. Once a device is recognized, the root hub interrogates the device for its configuration. All of the devices on the USB ports are then enumerated and each is assigned a unique device number, which also includes a corresponding pipe number for physical device communications. The computer loads the software needed to control the device and handles its information flow. The hubs are then running and information is passed in and out of the computer over the signal leads. In this embodiment, the configuration of VSAM 500 comprises interfaces for both the memory components and the audio components. As the audio components are managed by the USB
system, the duplex audio system 124 of computing device 120 (see Figure 1) is not used.
[0077] In another embodiment of the present invention, VSAM 500 further comprises keypad 540. In this embodiment, keypad 540 permits a user to enter data without a mouse or similar pointing device. By way of illustration and not as a limitation, keypad 540 may be used to enter telephone numbers and to respond to make voice menu selections.
[0078] A portable VoIP service access module has been described. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed and that the examples and embodiments described herein are in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art of the present invention will recognize that other embodiments using the concepts described herein are also possible. Further, any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles "a," "an," or "the" is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.

Claims (18)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A portable telephone device, comprising:
a portable memory device having a universal serial bus (USB) interface to facilitate communication with a computing device when the USB interface is coupled to the computing device; and the memory device having a computer readable softphone code embedded therein for execution by the computing device to automatically run the softphone code at the computing device when the portable memory device is coupled to the computing device, wherein the softphone code stops running at the computing device when the portable memory device is uncoupled from the computing device, and wherein the softphone code comprises:
code means for sending and receiving voice communications via a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP);
code means for storing a telephone directory file on the portable memory device;
code means for storing user preference information on the portable memory device; and code means for sending data to a service provider gateway, wherein the data associates the portable telephony device with a service provider account record.
2. The portable telephone device of claim 1, wherein the softphone code is executable to load the telephone directory file to the computing device automatically.
3. The portable telephone device of claim 1, wherein the softphone code is executable to load the user preference information to the computing device.
4. The portable telephone device of claim 1, wherein the automatically running the softphone code comprises loading an instance of the softphone code into volatile memory medium of the computing device.
5. The portable telephone device of claim 1, wherein the softphone code is executable to facilitate the user to interact with duplex audio system of the computing device.
6. The portable telephone device of claim 1, wherein the softphone code is executable to maintain a call log.
7. The portable telephone device of claim 1, wherein the portable memory device comprises a read-only memory configured to store the softphone code, and a read/write memory portion to store user data.
8. A method comprising:
loading an instance of a softphone client from a portable memory device to a computing system automatically when the portable memory device is coupled to the computer system;
sending data to a service provider device to associate the instance of the softphone client with a user account record; and sending and receiving data related to voice communications via the service provider device using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
9. The method claim 8, further comprising reading or writing a telephone directory file at the portable telephony device.
10. The method of claim 8, further comprising reading or writing a user preference file at the portable telephony device.
11. The method of claim 8, further comprising writing data to a call log file.
12. A method comprising:
receiving data from an instance of a softphone client via a computing system, wherein the softphone client is stored at a portable memory device and wherein the instance of the softphone client is automatically loaded to the computing system when the portable memory device is coupled to the computing system;

associating the instance of the softphone client with a user account record based on the received data; and tracking usage credits associated with the user account record, wherein the usage c-edits are related to voice communication sent via the instance of the softphone client.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising permitting voice communication via a service provider gateway based on the received data.
14. The method of claim 12, further comprising authenticating a user of the instance of the softphone client based on identifying information received from the computing system.
15. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving identification information via the instance of the softphone client, and determining whether the identification information matches information associated with the user account record.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising inhibiting voice communication from the instance of the softphone client via a service provider gateway when the identification information does not match information associated with the user account record.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising permitting voice communications from the instance of the softphone client via a service provider gateway when the identification information matches information associated with the user account record.
18. The method of claim 12, wherein the receiving comprises receiving data including network location information related to the computing system.
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US20060088025A1 (en) 2006-04-27
JP4971987B2 (en) 2012-07-11
US20080025291A1 (en) 2008-01-31
WO2006045031A2 (en) 2006-04-27
WO2006045031A3 (en) 2006-09-28
US20070248081A1 (en) 2007-10-25
EP1803324A2 (en) 2007-07-04
MX2007004713A (en) 2007-08-03
CA2584821A1 (en) 2006-04-27
BRPI0516386A (en) 2008-09-02
CN101084698B (en) 2011-03-23
CN101084698A (en) 2007-12-05
EP1803324A4 (en) 2009-05-20
US7336654B2 (en) 2008-02-26

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