WO2006078748A2

WO2006078748A2 - Voip gateway network

Info

Publication number: WO2006078748A2
Application number: PCT/US2006/001784
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alfred R. Nurmberger; Ryan J. Michell
Original assignee: Logitel Corporation
Priority date: 2005-01-19
Filing date: 2006-01-17
Publication date: 2006-07-27
Also published as: WO2006078748A3

Abstract

A VOIP gateway (60) that includes a web server (92). The gateway is configured to accept configuration data over the Internet by wa of the web server. In one embodiment, the VOIP gateway includes a telephone line connection interface (64), able to connect to a telephone line that may carry a plurality of channels. The gateway also includes an Internet connection interface (62) and a channel assigner, user configurable to assign a subset of the channels from the telephone line connection interface to telephone calls incoming from the Internet connection interface that are directed to telephone numbers having a shared characteristic.

Description

VOIP GATEWAY NETWORK

TECHNICAL FIELD

Voice-over-internet protocol (VOIP) telephony has become increasingly popular because it is generally less expensive for the party placing a telephone call than alternative systems . Accordingly, several vendors have begun offering VOIP "gateways, " that is electronic devices for assembling packets of data from the Internet to create a voice signal, and for receiving a voice signal and creating a sequence of data packets that are sent over the Internet to a destination .

BACKGROUND ART Unfortunately, it has proven very difficult to create a VOIP gateway that may be easily configured and put into service by someone other than a professional trained in an arcane computer language . Many of the configuration choices do not occur in other environments, so most users are not familiar with the terms that can be used to describe these choices . This problem has slowed the adoption of VOIP technology.

Another problem may be encountered in the initial installation of the VOIP gateway. After the VOIP gateway has been connected to the Internet it may be used to communicate with technical support from the gateway provider . Before the gateway is connected to the Internet, however, there is no easy way for the user, who may be in a foreign country, to communicate with technical support, so that they can help the user connect to the Internet . This can result in a cycle of frustration on the part of the person who wishes to configure and use the gateway, but is stymied by the first step .

In addition, generally available VOIP gateways typically have no way to direct calls to different channels of a Tl line depending on the characteristics of the telephone number entered. This presents a difficulty to the user who wishes to handle different Tl line channels, or groups of channels differently from others .

Also, there appears to be currently no gateway that translates VOIP data packets directly into wireless telephone encoded signals . Wireless telephony, however, is increasingly popular . Moreover, in many situations the least cost strategy for terminating a long distance telephone call to a wireless telephone is to terminate by way of a wireless unit that is registered with the same carrier as the wireless telephone being called .

Currently, many cell phones have a feature known as "push-to-talk over cellular" or "PoC, " in which a first cell phone may activate a second cell phone and establish a link between the two so that subsequently merely pushing a button on either cell phone opens up the channel with the other, with no need for "answering" the other cell phone . It appears , however, that there is currently no way of achieving the same end with a land line . An additional facet of the modern world is that small to medium sized business, such as real estate offices and other sales offices frequently have high telephone bills . Typically, each salesperson is issued a cell phone by the office and he frequently uses this cell phone to call clients, some of whom may have telephone numbers that it is quite expensive to connect with directly . Although the ability to stay in touch with clients may be absolutely crucial to salesmen, thereby justifying the expense of the resultant cell phone bill, many small businesses would welcome some way to reduce this expense .

Part of the expense of using a first cell phone in the field is that calls placed to land lines or to a cell phone serviced by a provider other than that of the first cell phone are billed at a higher rate than calls to a cell phone serviced by the same service provider .

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In a first separate aspect, the present invention is a VOIP gateway that includes a web server . The gateway is configured to accept configuration data over the Internet by way of the web server . In a second separate aspect, the present invention is a VOIP gateway that includes a telephone line connection interface, able to connect to a telephone line that may carry a plurality of channels . The gateway also includes an Internet connection interface and a channel assigner, user configurable to assign a subset of the channels from the telephone line connection interface to telephone calls incoming from the Internet connection interface that are directed to telephone numbers having a shared characteristic . In a third separate aspect, the present invention is a VOIP gateway that includes an interface adapted to be connected to a display screen and an interface adapted to be connected to a data input device . In addition, the gateway includes an electronic network that is adapted to display on the display screen a sequence of displays, each one of the displays showing prompts to guide a user in inputting configuration data into the VOIP gateway by way of the interface adapted to be connected to a data input device .

In a fourth separate aspect, the present invention is a VOIP gateway that includes an interface adapted to be connected to a standard telephone set and wherein the VOIP gateway is adapted to prompt a user by way of a telephone set connected to the interface, to enter an Internet address by way of the telephone set .

In a fifth separate aspect, the present invention is a VOIP gateway that includes an interface adapted to be connected to a standard telephony line and an interface adapted to be connected to the Internet . A maximum number of telephone calls may be processed simultaneously by the gateway and when an additional telephone call is received at a time when the gateway is processing the maximum number of telephone calls , the additional telephone call is placed in a call progress queue and held for up to a maximum time period before either being connected, if a line becomes available, or rej ected if no line becomes available . The foregoing and other obj ectives, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment ( s ) , taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG . 1 shows a high level block diagram of a VOIP gateway according to the present invention . FIG . 2 shows a flow chart of the initial connection to the Internet algorithm of the VOIP gateway of FIG . 1. " FIG . 3 shows a gateway log in screen, adapted to prevent unauthorized access to the VOIP gateway of FIG . 1.

FIG . 4 shows an initial display screen of a Registration Wizard that is part of a graphical user interface (GUI ) that is made available to a user by the VOIP gateway of FIG . 1.

FIG . 5 shows a subsequent display screen of the wizard of FIG . 4 , prompting the user to name the registration . FIG . 6 shows a subsequent display screen of the wizard of FIG . 4 , prompting the user to enter critical information to connect with an internet server of the long distance carrier being registered .

FIG . 7 shows a subsequent display screen of the wizard of FIG . 4 , prompting the user to specify the scope of usage of the registration .

FIG . 8 shows a subsequent display screen of the wizard of FIG . 4 , prompting the user to specify the encoding scheme for DTMF tones, in addition to other items . FIG . 9 shows a subsequent display screen of the wizard of FIG . 4 , prompting the user to name the registration.

FIG . 10 shows a subsequent display screen of the wizard of FIG . 4 , prompting the user to enter data by which the gateway is identified to a long distance carrier .

FIG . 11 shows a subsequent display screen of the wizard of FIG . 4, reporting the results of the registration effort .

FIG . 12 shows a display screen, displaying a list of completed registration and permitting a user to launch the registration wizard shown in FIGS . 3-10. FIG . 13 shows a display screen, showing a least cost routing edit form.

FIG . 14 shows a least cost routing summary screen . FIG . 15 shows a hunt group line reassignment screen .

FIG . 16 shows a channel group management screen .

FIG . 17 is a functional block diagram of the operations performed by a VOIP to wireless gateway according to the present invention .

FIG . 18 is a block diagram showing the components of the VOIP to wireless gateway of FIG . 17.

FIG . 19 is an illustration of a VOIP gateway system according to a preferred embodiment . FIG . 20 is a flow diagram illustrating an emergency call forwarding method, according to an additional preferred embodiment .

FIG . 21 is a block diagram illustrating a cell phone rate saving method, according to another additional preferred embodiment .

FIG . 22 is an illustration of a long distance access method, according to another additional preferred embodiment .

FIG . 23 is an illustration of a sales call transfer method, according to another additional preferred embodiment .

PREFERRED METHODS OF PRACTICING THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG . 1, which illustrates the workings of a VOIP gateway in broad functional blocks , a VOIP gateway 10 according to the present invention, includes an internet protocol (IP) interface 12 , which would typically connected to a DSL line, or a cable modem. Also a standard telephony line interface 14 which is typically connected to Tl lines, if the gateway 10 is being used in the United States . If the gateway 10 is placed in use in Europe or another place using the European standard, El lines would be used. For Japan and other places using the Japanese standard, a Jl line would be used. In an alternative preferred embodiment, gateway 10 includes additional functional blocks that permit it to serve as a private automated branch exchange (PABX) .

A signal routing and processing block 15, includes a set of codecs 16 and a codec selector 17 , which compress the voice data and decompress the internet data, according to which way the data is directed . This is all done in accordance with already well known principals , so it is not described here . A router 19, routs data to a switch matrix 18 , which connects each call incoming from interface 12 to a Tl line channel of interface 14 in accordance with a set of rules, which will be described below.

A nonvolatile memory assembly 20, a webserver 22 and a graphical user interface memory 24 , which includes the information necessary to display a graphical user interface for guiding a new user through a set-up procedure and for facilitating later adjustments to the operation of gateway 10. This process is' used to create a status and control data set 26, which is used to control processing block 15.

Referring to FIG . 2 , when a user first begins to configure his gateway 10 , the first step is to connect the gateway 10 to the Internet . Once gateway 10 is connected to the Internet, the user' s way of communicating with gateway will be through the Internet . Accordingly, prior to connecting to the Internet there must be some temporary means of communicating between gateway 10 and the user, to facilitate the process of connecting to the Internet . This means is a telephone, which comes packaged with the gateway 10 and which is plugged into a phone j ack 28 (FIG. 1) that is a part of gateway 10. Gateway 10 first checks to see if it has a preprogrammed Internet address to use and if so attempts to connect to the Internet, using this address . If a connection is made (decision box 40 ) , the user is advised that the gateway 10 may now contact his gateway 10 by way of the Internet (block 42 ) . If no connection is formed a recorded voice message 30 (FIG . 1 ) is sent over the telephone j ack (block 48 ) , advising the user to locate the Internet address assigned to him by his Internet Service Provider (ISP) and enter into the telephone keypad. This number is read back to the user, and if confirmed, gateway 10 attempts to form an Internet connection with a home base Internet address using the Internet address entered. If this succeeds (decision box

46) the user is advised that he may now contact his gateway 10 over the Internet (block 42 ) . If this does not succeed the user is notified and asked to find a different Internet address or to contact the ISP (block 48 ) . After the Internet connection has been formed the telephone can be used to form a VOIP connection to user support by taking the telephone off hook and/or dialing a short telephone number . A VOIP connection may also be easily placed to the sales department of the gateway vendor, to encourage greater sales contacts .

Referring to FIG. 3, after gateway 10 becomes accessible via the Internet a user must logon through a username and password that has been assigned to him by the vendor of gateway 10. He then may change these items to personalize them.

FIGS . 4-11 show a sequence of display screens that are used to guide a new user through a registration procedure . The gateway 10 is designed to communicate over the Internet with the gateway user, by displaying a set of prompting screens and accepting input over the Internet . Previously available VOIP gateways were constructed according to the notion that configuration of a VOIP gateway was something that was so technically specialized as to only be performed by trained specialists . The present inventors, however, have discovered that this is not the case, and that, contrary to what the experts had previously believed, with some explanation and guidance the average person can configure a VOIP gateway .

FIG . 4 shows a display that is shown to a user when the user first begins to register the gateway 10 to communicate with a particular long distance carrier ( eg . Sprint or ATT ) over IP interface 12. Display 40 guides the user through the selection of data compression algorithm, which may be designated by the acronym SIP, IAX or H .323. Neither the user of gateway 10 nor the reader of this application needs to know a great deal about these algorithms . By the time the user obtains his gateway 10 and begins to configure, he should already have contacted a long distance carrier and learned which data compression algorithm that carriers has chosen to use in sending data over the Internet to gateway 10. The user simply selects the appropriate choice and proceeds to the next display screen by pressing the "enter" key, as will no doubt be a familiar action to the vast maj ority of users . FIG . 5 shows a display screen in which the user is prompted to enter a name by which he will refer to the data set entered during the registration process . The user may choose to give the data set the name by which the long distance carrier to which the data set applies is generally referred to by the public, i . e . "Sprint" or "ATT . "

The screen shown in FIG . 6 permits the user to enter a username and password for the long distance carrier being registered to identify itself by . This typically should have already been supplied to the user at the time he enters the set-up wizard. If, in addition, or in lieu of username designation, the user wishes to accept all calls originating from a particular internet address , he can enter that address in the Remote Host entry blank . Referring to FIG . 7 , a screen is shown by which the user may choose to use the long distance carrier being registered only for incoming calls , only for outgoing call or for both. The "remote does NAT" must be set if a cable modem is being used for the connection between gateway 10 and the Internet, because the internet address of gateway 10 will be periodically changed in this configuration . The "do registration" box must be checked if another gateway is being used in conj unction with the gateway being configured. Referring to FIG . 8 , the user must choose a way that dual tone modulated frequencies (DTMF, i . e . "touch tones") are to be encoded. In one method, they are sampled periodically. In other methods, a simple notation is made that, for example, dial pad key ^V5" has been pressed. Again in making his selection, the user would simply refer to information received from the long distance carrier of FIG . 2. The user may also select an incoming limit and outgoing limit of telephone calls to be handled by the carrier . If the carrier has been parsimonious in negotiation, the user may want to limit the number of calls to a figure on the order of 5, and save space for more generous carriers . Referring to FIG . 9, the user may select and prioritize the VOIP codecs ( compression schemes ) to be used with the carrier . Either party (long distance carrier and gateway 10 ) may use a first codec when bandwidth is at a premium, and a different codec when bandwidth is freely available, as there is generally an inverse relationship between codec data compression ratio and ^' sound quality.

Referring to FIG . 10, the "fromuser" and

"fromdomain" are the unique identifiers for the gateway 10 , when communicating with the carrier . The user is also given the opportunity to test the registration . Referring to FIG . 11, the user is advised of the success of the registration .

The user can go through the registration process with a number of different carriers, in order to generate a continuous stream of business, some from each carrier . FIG . 12 shows a screen providing a summary of the completed registrations and permitti-ng a user to begin a new registration process .

FIG . 13 shows a least cost routing (LCR) edit form. The "pattern match" prompt 50 permits a user to indicate a set of telephone numbers incoming over IP interface 12 , for which the rule to be entered should apply. In the instance shown, the rule should apply to every such telephone number having the 503 area code . The "target" prompt and drop down menu 52 permits a user to select a set of Tl channels to which these calls should be directed. For example, a Tl line could include some channels ("360 channels") that function as telephone lines originating in the 360 area code ( southwest Washington state) and other channels ("503 channels") that function as telephone lines originating in the 503 area code

(northwestern Oregon) . The least cost routing, in this instance, would be to use the 503 lines for calls to telephone numbers having the 503 area code and using the 360 lines for calls to telephone numbers having the 360 area code . The Tl channels that correspond to 503 lines may be grouped together, into a target named, for example, "QWEST trunks at PDX . " This type of grouping is generally termed a "hunt group . "

Routing cost is the amount that it costs, per minute, to route a call according to the rules given . The billing cost, is the amount per minute that the carrier will be charged. Routing cost minus billing cost represents the profit per minute that the gateway owner should realize . In some instances, it may be necessary to strip away digits, for example the international calling prefix, or add a prefix , for greater routing freedom, to complete a telephone call . In addition, the ability to activate the routing specified only during certain times is provided. This is useful in a situation in which the tariffs vary according to day or time of day.

In FIG 14, a summary of routing assignment is provided to the user . In FIG 15, a hunt group reassignment screen is shown . The user may at some point decide that he would like one or more Tl channels reassigned from one apparent origination point to another . For example he may- want one more 360 line (due perhaps to population growth in southwest Washington) and be willing to surrender a 503 line in return. To effect this obj ect, he would contact the Tl provider to have the change made . Contemporaneously with the change going into effect, he would have to reassign the line from the 503 hunt group to the 360 hunt group . In the screen of FIG . 15, the user may choose a hunt group from an "Assign to/from" drop down menu, at which point the screen of FIG . 16 appears, permitting channel reassignment between the hunt group chosen from the drop down menu and the hunt group in the same line from the "Group Name" column . The screen shown in FIG . 16 is adapted to permit the reassignment of a channel in a user friendly manner .

Another feature of gateway 10 is call progress queuing . If all the channels of the interfaces 14 are being used and an additional telephone call is received on interface 12 , it may be kept waiting, with a ringing signal sent back to the caller, for a user specified amount of time . When a channel of interface 14 is freed, the call is promptly connected . This feature permits the user of gateway 10 to keep his gateway more fully employed with telephone calls than it would otherwise be . With 48 channels available the waiting period would typically be quite brief . The maximum waiting period may be set to a short enough duration so that the telephone caller and his called party will not note a discrepancy, with the called party noting that he answered on the first ring and the calling party insisting that the phone rang several times .

FIG . 17 illustrates the workings of an alternative VOIP gateway 60 in broad functional blocks . Although gateway 60 is quite similar to gateway 10, it is numbered differently, to avoid confusion . VOIP gateway 60 includes an internet protocol ( IP) interface 62 , which would typically be connected to a DSL line, or a cable modem. In one preferred embodiment ( IP) interface 62 is a wireless data line port forming a broadband wireless connection, for example an EVDO line . Also a standard telephony line interface 64 which is typically connected to Tl lines , if the gateway 60 is being used in the United States . If the gateway 60 is placed in use in Europe or another place using the European standard, El lines would be used. For Japan and other places using the Japanese standard, a Jl line would be used. In an alternative preferred embodiment, gateway 60 includes additional functional blocks that permit it to serve as a private automated branch exchange (PABX) . In addition to telephone line interface 64 , a bank of wireless transceivers 66 is available for terminating telephone calls incoming from port 62.

A signal routing and processing block 76, includes a set of codecs 78 and a codec selector 80, which compress the voice data and decompress the internet data, according to which way the data is directed . This is all done in accordance with already well known principals , so it is not described here . A router 67 , routs data to a switch matrix 82 , which connects each call incoming from interface 62 to a Tl line channel of interface 64 or a wireless transceiver 66. Turning now to wireless transceivers 66, each of which is essentially the electronics of a cell phone, as the mouth piece, speaker and key pad of a cell phone are all unnecessary. One international standard for cell phone systems, Global System for Mobile Communications (^λλGSM") is used by over a billion cell phone subscribers in more than 200 countries . This standard specifies the use of a subscriber identity module ( "SIM chip" ) , which is removable and bears the telephone number that one must call to reach the cell phone . This scheme permits a cell phone user to dispose of an old cell phone and transfer his telephone number to a new cell phone without having to contact and arrange the matter with his service provider . Other standards also specify the use of a SIM chip .

Also, in Europe and other areas it is very easy to tell which telephone numbers are associated with which wireless service provider because each wireless service provider is assigned a particular area code . In many- regions preferential pricing is provided for telephone calls placed between wireless accounts that both belong to the same service provider . Accordingly, there is an advantage to terminating any call arriving over IP interface 62 by way of a wireless unit that self identifies as being part of the network of the service provider to which the called telephone number belongs .

Accordingly, at least some wireless transceivers 66 are constructed to accept a SIM chip . In this manner the user of gateway 60 may change his assignment of cell modules to wireless service providers . In addition, some SIM chips provide an indication of an amount of prepaid wireless time, potentially simplifying wireless provider billing . The use of wireless transceivers that accept SIM chips may be useful, for example, if one wireless service provider gains popularity over another . Not every wireless service provider, however, supports cell phones that use SIM chips . Accordingly, some cell modules 66 would typically be supplied as registered cell phone equivalents . A nonvolatile memory assembly 90, a webserver 92 and a graphical user interface memory 94, which includes the information necessary to display a graphical user interface for guiding a new user through a set-up procedure and for facilitating later adjustments to the operation of gateway 60. This process is used to create a status and control data set 96, which is used to control data processing unit 63.

In general, the GUI permits a user to configure the system so that telephone calls arriving over digital port 62 are routed in the least cost manner . For example, a telephone call terminating at a cell phone supported by a particular service provider would be recognized (either by the area code of the called telephone number or the prefix) and would be terminated as a telephone call over a wireless transceiver 66 also associated with that service provider . Turning now to the structural block diagram gateway 60 shown in FIG . 18 , a single housing 61 covers and protects both the wireless transceivers 66 and a data processing unit 63 , which performs the functions of the codec selector 80, the codecs 78 and the switch matrix 82. By placing the data processing unit 63 and the wireless transceivers 66 in the same physical unit, with a single housing 61, greater manufacturing efficiency is achieved- then in the prior art, in which these units were separate . Unit 63 is communicatively connected to the bank of wireless transceivers 66 by way of a standard computer bus 98 , such as a peripheral component interface (PCI ) bus , a FireWire bus (also known as an i . Link or IEEE 1394 bus ) , or a universal serial bus (USB) . In a preferred embodiment, data processing unit 63 is resident on a PC motherboard 68 , which is the standard term for the type of motherboard found in an IBM style PC . The use of standard buses and components greatly facilitates assembly and use of the preferred embodiment . Unit 63 also causes the display of the graphic user interface 94 , which prompts a user to enter configuration data during set-up and receives and stores the status and control data set 96. In the prior art, a unit having a bank of wireless transceivers had to be configured separately from the VOIP gateway with which it cooperated. The GUI of the preferred embodiment, however, guides a user through a configuration routine for both the data processing unit 63 and the bank of wireless transceivers 66 in a single communicative and temporal connection. This results in a great user convenience .

Additionally, the data processing unit 63 performs the higher level control functions for itself and for the wireless transceiver bank 66. For example, the task of selecting between functionally equivalent wireless transceivers 66 for terminating a telephone call arriving on port 62 is performed by data processing unit 63. In the prior art this task was performed by a mechanism on a physically separate cell module bank unit . Also, the translation of called telephone number arriving on interface 62 , into a form understandable by transceivers 66 is performed by unit 63. The ability to have unit 63 control both the wireless transceivers 66 and the VOIP gateway functions represents an efficiency in the gateway 60 over previous configurations in which the gateway 60 and the bank of wireless transceivers 66 were separate . Data processing unit includes a microprocessor 71, random access memory (RAM) 73 , for storing voice and internet protocol (IP) data, and read only memory (ROM) 75, in which the control functions and the graphical user interface information are stored. A power supply 65, supplies DC power at the correct voltages to both the wireless transceivers 66 and the data processing unit 63. It is an efficiency of the present embodiment that a single power supply 65 supplies both the data processing unit and the wireless transceivers 66.

In an additional feature, a predetermined signal entering from a particular telephone line of the standard telephony line interface 64 can be used to open a push to talk over cellular, by way of a wireless transceiver 66, with a designated wireless telephone . It is anticipated that gateway 60 may be connected to a private automated branch exchange (PABX) and that this feature will permit a land line user in a facility using the PABX to establish a PoC connection with a wireless telephone, which could in some circumstances greatly ease a communicative task.

Referring to FIG . 19, a preferred embodiment of a voice over internet protocol (VOIP) gateway system 110 includes a VOIP gateway private automated branch exchange (PABX) 112 , having a VOIP gateway portion similar to gateway 10, and a VOIP gateway 114 , also similar to gateway 10 , that is connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 116. PABX 112 and gateway 114 are connected at least over the Internet, as each is connected to the Internet by way of a router . In a preferred embodiment, each also includes wireless transceivers, permitting a wireless link 118. Units 112 and 114 may also be connected by one or more PSTN lines 120. Gateway 114 may be located in an area code other than that of PABX 112. Individual telephones 122 are connected to VOIP gateway PABX 112. In this application, the term "Internet, " when capitalized, means the public Internet which connects a large number of the world' s computers . When not capitalized, the term "internet" means any network that operates on the basis of internet protocol, or IP . PABX 112 and Gateway 114 may also be connected by one or more private internets . System 110 may find application for use as a calling center or a call receiving center ( "call center") . Rather than listing a toll free number, the call center operator can list a number having the local area code in both the location of the PABX 112 and the location of the gateway 114. Those wishing to telephone the call center from the area code of the gateway 114 would dial the number having the area code of gateway 114 and their telephone calls would be sent by way of the Internet to PABX 112.

One problem with this method is that the operator of PABX 112 and gateway 114 does not have control of the internet route taken between gateway 114 and PABX 112. Accordingly, the information sent over the Internet may proceed along a circuitous route that increases transmission time . This can lead to gaps in the sound transmission, leaving a bad impression on the caller . To combat this problem both gateway 114 and PABX 112 may be connected to the Internet by way of at least two different routes and may periodically check calls starting from each route by placing dummy telephone calls back and forth, to determine the best route for sending out telephone calls . When an actual telephone call must be placed, it is placed by the route that has been found to create the most direct connection .

Typically, the use of different routes requires the use of different Internet Service Providers . In one instance the local cable company, the local telephone company and a long distance telephone company are all used and a comparison between the various service providers is periodically made . These comparisons may take place, for example, every few seconds .

The wireless link 118 between PABX 112 and gateway 114 may become extremely important in the event that all of the land lines to PABX 112 are somehow cut . This does happen occasionally, for example because some piece of construction equipment has physically severed a fiber optic cable . This loss of telephone service would represent a disaster for many sales offices and call centers . The wireless link 118 , however, could be used to continue to forward telephone calls to the PABX 112. In addition the wireless link 118 or a PSTN line 120 could be used to forward telephone calls in the event that no Internet link was found to be of high enough quality for forwarding telephone calls . Although these options would be expensive, if only infrequently used the PABX 112 owner could still save money, while maintaining consistently good call quality. Even in a standard telephony system, it would be possible to forward calls to a second, emergency, telephone number in cases were the lines had been cut, if it were possible to forward telephone calls to a specified number if and only if no connection could be established for a first telephone number . Referring to FIG . 20, for users who wish to have their telephone calls forwarded when the first number is not answered, this is possible now. But many users may wish to have their voice mail system answer telephone calls when the first telephone number is not answered . Referring to FIG . 20, these users would need a service that would forward telephone calls placed to the first number if and only if no connection could be established (decision box 152 and block 154 of logic sequence 150) , in order to create an emergency forwarding to a second telephone . This second telephone could be a wireless telephone, which would not be affected if the land lines were cut ( for example in a back hoe mishap) . If a connection could be established, the telephone call would be handled in the ordinary manner (decision box 156 and blocks 158 and 160 ) .

Referring to FIG . 21, The PABX 112 also permits a cell phone user to save on cell phone charges by having his telephone calls directed to go through the PABX 112 ( sequence 168 ) . To achieve this effect, a cell phone is needed, which can call the PABX 112 (block 170 ) and after PABX 112 answers the call (block 172 ) , transmit a further telephone number to the PABX 112 (block 174 ) , representing the party to whom the cell phone user actually wishes to speak . The PABX 112 places a telephone call to this number (block 176) over the least cost route and connects the cell phone to the called party (block 178 ) by way of a first link from the cell phone to the PABX 112 and a second link from the PABX to called party.

In one preferred embodiment a specially configured cell phone automatically directs all telephone calls to the PABX 112 without human intervention . A cell phone can be configured in this manner by setting up a J ava client or an interactive SIM card to automatically proceed ) through the steps . That is to say, the user simply enters a first telephone number and the cell phone automatically telephones the PABX 112 (at a second telephone number) and forwards the first telephone number to the PABX 112 which continues with the process as described above . In another preferred embodiment, the cell phone includes a speed dial function which indicates that the^" telephone call should go through the PABX 112, so that the user would press the speed dial button and enter the first telephone number . In yet another preferred embodiment an existing button ( such as the asterisk key) is assigned the function of routing calls through the PABX 112.

In somewhat related technology, many telephone system users may wish to listen to messages that are being left on the user' s remote voice mail . This permits a user to screen calls, by listening to find who is leaving the telephone call and then answering if the user wishes to speak to the caller . This system innovation may be easily implemented by automatically establishing a conference call between the remote voice mail station, the caller and the call recipient, with the call recipient' s telephone automatically muted. A button on the call recipient' s telephone, such as the asterisk or pound key, would automatically end the muting and the conference call, placing call and called party directly in voice contact when pushed.

In some companies, some employee work stations are equipped with cell phones . This may happen because the company has expanded into an area of its building (or into an additional building) in which there is no hardwired connection to the PABX, and the fastest way to accommodate the new employees is to provide them with cell phones to use . This is sometimes referred to as a "cell island. " Unfortunately, this practice can prove quite expensive, as a telephone call from that employee to another employee whose telephone is connected to the PABX must be switched through the cell phone provider to a land line, which is typically a fairly expensive termination . With PABX 112, which has cellular transceivers , a telephone call from, a cell phone equipped employee may be handled in the same manner as that of a cell phone in the field . New employees may be easily accommodated, without undue expense, by being provided with a cell phone that automatically routes its calls through the PABX . Alternatively, the PABX could include some cordless transceivers for rapid system expansion at places near to the PABX .

In the rental housing market there is a system for permitting rental housing owners to provide long distance telephone service to house renters . This service is sometimes provided for a flat fee to the rental house owner, with the idea that it makes his rental house more attractive to prospective renters . Referring to FIG . 22 , in one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a number of rental houses 180 in a local area are all connected to a VOIP PABX 182 , which is connected through the Internet 184 to a terminating set of VOIP gateways 186. This permits the long distance service to be offered but costs the unit owner less than if a PSTN was used for the same task.

Referring to FIG . 23, in a sales situation, a sales person at a first station 200 may wish to transfer a telephone call to another sales person at a second station 202. For example in the rental housing market, a first sales agent station 200 who is arranging for the rental may, after the rental transaction is completed, wish to transfer the telephone call to an agent station 202 who sells trip insurance . This sort of transfer can be easily accomplished by way of a VOIP PABX 204 , because the PABX may be incorporated on a computer 206 that can accept the number to which the telephone call will be transferred. This technology is particularly helpful if it is desired that the second sales person be able to view information collected by the first sales person and held in a data storage area 208. A data obj ect 210 identifies or points to the part of the data storage area 208 in which the call information is held, as well as identifying the PABX information associated with the telephone call . When the telephone call is transferred from the first sales person to the second sales person, a program in the PABX computer, being informed of the transfer of the telephone call, displays the information collected by the first sales person on a display device associated with the telephone of the second sales person, permitting him to view, for example, the dates of arrival and departure, unit rented, etc . while he is entering into his sales presentation . It should be emphasized that although in some places in this specification the use of a "cell phone" is noted, this includes all the new technologies that are now being increasingly adopted, including Wi-Fi and WiMax communications . For example, it may be possible for salespeople to use a WiMax phone in the city in which their office is located. This may prove advantageous relative to a cell phone .

The following paragraphs explain various numbered preferred embodiments . A first preferred embodiment is a wireless transceiver card, comprising a multiplicity of wireless transceivers and a standard computer bus interface connected to the multiplicity of wireless transceivers .

In the first preferred embodiment, the wireless standard computer bus interface may be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI ) bus interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a FireWire bus interface or any other standard computer bus interface .

The second through twelfth preferred embodiments are all VOIP to wireless gateways , comprising an IP interface, adapted to be connected to a standard data line; a data processing unit, connected to the IP interface and including an audio port assembly, and adapted to sort streams of IP packets from the IP interface and to arrange them into a set of audio signals which are transmitted by way of the audio port assembly, and to do the reverse operation for signals arriving from the audio port assembly; and a set of wireless transceivers, communicatively connected to the data processing unit . In the second preferred embodiment gateway also includes a power supply that powers both the data processing assembly and the set of wireless transceivers .

In the third preferred embodiment, the gateway also includes a housing, encompassing and protecting both the set of wireless transceivers and the data processing unit . In the forth preferred embodiment, the gateway data processing unit includes a PC motherboard. In the fifth the data processing unit includes a control kernel, which controls both the data processing unit and the set of wireless transceivers . In the sixth preferred embodiment, the data processing unit and the set of wireless transceivers are connected by way of a standard computer bus .

In the seventh preferred embodiment the set of wireless transceivers and the data processing unit can both be configured by way of a connection formed at a single interface and over a single time duration to the gateway. In the eighth preferred embodiment the IP interface is a wireless IP interface, adapted to send and receive data over a frequency assigned to wireless telephony. In the ninth preferred embodiment the data processing unit is configured to match a called telephone number on a telephone call arriving over the IP interface to a least cost option for terminating the arriving telephone call .

The ninth preferred embodiment may further comprise at least one telephone line interface, adapted to connect to a multi-line telephone cable and communicatively connected to the data processing unit and the least cost option for terminating the arriving telephone call may be a line of the multi-line telephone cable . In this case, an incoming call from a specific cellular service provider may be routed to a wireless transceiver contracted to said specific cellular service provider .

In the tenth preferred embodiment for at least some of the wireless transceivers , each has a socket to receive a wireless chip bearing credit toward a prepaid amount of wireless time . In the tenth preferred embodiment the data processing unit may apportions calls to the wireless chips so that all of the wireless chips have their prepaid amount of wireless time exhausted substantially contemporaneously. In the eleventh preferred embodiment, the data processing unit is configured to receive a signal from a telephone line of the multi-line telephone cable, the signal cueing the data processing unit to establish a push to talk over cellular connection with a specified wireless telephone .

In the twelfth preferred embodiment, the internet protocol interface is a wireless internet protocol interface, adapted to send and receive data over a frequency assigned to wireless telephony. In the twelfth preferred embodiment the wireless internet protocol interface may be adapted to connect to a broadband wireless data line or an EVDO line .

A thirteenth embodiment takes the form of a method of connecting a telephone call to a first telephone having a first telephone number that begins with automatically placing the telephone call to a VOIP gateway PABX having a second telephone number . The first telephone number is forwarded to the VOIP gateway PABX and the call is forwarded by way of the VOIP Gateway PABX over a -least cost route to the first telephone having the first telephone number .

The thirteenth embodiment may be performed by a specially constructed telephone, which may be configured to redirect telephone, calls to telephone numbers having shared characteristics or to which the user has appended a unique suffix or prefix .

A fourteenth embodiment takes the form of a method of doing business that includes controlling a VOIP gateway connected to a PSTN in a first location and providing a VOIP gateway PABX at a second location . The VOIP gateway is controlled to forward over the Internet telephone calls from the PSTN to the VOIP gateway PABX . In the fourteenth embodiment, the VOIP gateway may be in a different area code then said VOIP gateway PABX . Also, additional VOIP gateways may be controlled, some of which may be in different areas codes, thereby possible covering a large part of the United States and extending into another country or countries . Also, the VOIP gateway may be connected to more than one Internet route and may test the various routes to determine which one offers the best connection to said VOIP gateway PABX . If the gateway were to detect that every route has performance degraded below an acceptable level, it could routes calls to the VOIP gateway PABX through a PSTN line or wireless lines . The VOIP gateway and the VOIP PABX may also be connected by way of a private internet .

A fifteenth embodiment takes the form of a call forwarding system for a first telephone number wherein a user may specify a second telephone number to which calls should be forwarded if and only if no connection can be established on the first telephone number .

A sixteenth embodiment takes the form of a voice mail message system wherein voice mail messages are recorded in voice mailboxes at a location remote from a user telephone, and wherein a user may listen to a message being recorded in his mailbox .

A seventeenth embodiment takes the form of a method of quickly expanding a PABX network that includes wireless transceivers, comprising providing a wireless handset connected to the PABX by way of the wireless transceivers .

An eighteenth embodiment takes the form of a long distance service for transient tenants , comprising a set of telephony handsets connected to a VOIP PABX . A nineteenth embodiment takes the form of a method of transferring a telephone call, comprising, linking the telephone call to a set of entries in a computer database and transferring the telephone call together with a pointer to the entries . The terms and expressions that have been employed in the foregoing specification are used as terms of description and not of limitation . There is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A VOIP gateway, comprising : (a) a web server; and (b) said VOIP gateway being configured to accept configuration data over the Internet by way of said web server .

2. The VOIP gateway of claim 1 , being further configured to send information designed to prompt a user to enter configuration information over the Internet by way of said web server .

3. The VOIP gateway of claim 1, further including functions associated with a private automated branch exchange (PABX) .

4. A VOIP gateway, comprising :

(a) a telephone line connection interface, able to connect to a telephone line that may carry a plurality of channels ;

(b) an Internet connection interface; and

(c) a channel assigner, user configurable to assign a subset of said channels from said telephone line connection interface to telephone calls incoming from said Internet connection interface that are directed to telephone numbers having a shared characteristic .

5. A VOIP gateway, comprising:

(a) an interface adapted to be connected to a display screen; (b) an interface adapted to be connected to a data input device; and

(c) an electronic network adapted to display on said display screen a sequence of displays , each one of said displays showing prompts to guide a user in inputting configuration data into said VOIP gateway by way of said interface adapted to be connected to a data input device .

6. The VOIP gateway of claim 5, wherein said data input device that is connected to said input interface is connected to said input device by the Internet .

7. The VOIP gateway of claim 5, wherein said display screen and said input device are both part of a computer that is connected to said VOIP gateway over the Internet .

8. A VOIP gateway, comprising : (a) an interface adapted to be connected to a standard telephone set; and

(b) wherein said VOIP gateway is adapted to prompt a user by way of a telephone set connected to said interface, to enter an internet address by way of said telephone set ,

9. The VOIP gateway of claim 8 , wherein said VOIP gateway attempts to connect to the Internet using said internet address and advises said user as to whether or not said attempt was successful .

10. A VOIP gateway, comprising :

(a) an interface adapted to be connected to a standard telephony line;

(b) an IP interface adapted to be connected to the Internet;

(c) wherein a maximum number of telephone calls may be processed simultaneously and wherein when an additional telephone call is received over said IP interface at a time when said gateway is processing said maximum number of telephone calls, the additional telephone call is placed in a call progress queue and held for up to a maximum time period before either being connected, if a line becomes available, or rej ected if no line becomes available during said maximum time period .

11. The VOIP gateway of claim 10 which sends a "ringing" signal to said additional telephone call while it is being held in said call progress queue .