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Embedded Web Phone Module

Abstract: What is claimed is: 1 - A system for enabling Data Network Telephony (DNT) communication through a WEB page, the system comprising: a Web server hosting an interactive WEB page and having an Internet port; a link in the WEB page adapted for launching a DNT-capable telephone module; and a DNT-capabie telephone module associated with the link; wherein, upon selection of the Jink fay a person accessing the WEB page over the Internet using a computer platform, an instance of the IP telephone module is downloaded to computer platform, and an IP call is launched to an IP address pre-stored and associated with the link. 2. The system of claim I wherein the DNT-capable telephone module is adapted for Internet Protocol (IP).

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Patent Information

Application #
Filing Date
05 March 2001
Publication Number
29/2009
Publication Type
INA
Invention Field
COMMUNICATION
Status
Email
Parent Application

Applicants

Inventors

Specification

Embedded WEB Phone Module Field of the Invention The present invention is in the field of Data Network Telephony (DNT) and pertains more particularly to methods and apparatus for providing an Internet Protocol (IP) telephone capability from a WEB page to persons accessing the WEB page, and who do not have the capability. Background of the Invention Data Network Telephony (DNT), which encompasses Internet Protocol Network Telephony (IPNT), is a relatively recent development in the art of telecommunications wherein a communication center connected to a Wide Area Network (WAN) may receive and initiate multimedia transactions such as E-mails, IP phone calls, IP Video transaction, and the like. Man-DNT enhanced communication centers known to the inventor also maintain computer telephony integration (CTI) capabilities for connection-oriented-switched-telephony (COST) telephone systems, which are the conventional, dedicated-connection telephone systems. Such communication centers may receive calls from a digital data packet network such as the Internet, or from a traditional COST telephony network. Continuing development in the field of IPNT has led to varying sorts of IP phone applications that are adapted as communication tools used in business as well as in the private domain. IP phone applications are typically proprietary programs used in a service wherein one must subscribe to or purchase a software application, install an instance of the software on one's personal computer, and run the application whenever calling out or receiving incoming calls from others. Many existing IP phone applications also come with a variety of other options available to a user. These additional options include file sharing, file transfer, messaging, conferencing, and so on. In particular instances, video conferencing is also available with such applications. General requirements for using one of these appIication include Internel connectivity, sound card installation and configuratiori; speaker and microphone apparatus, and in some cases, a video capture device and video data send and receive capabilities. Although these communication programs lend much to the field of DNT, the, are designed largely for recreation or entertainment purposes and there are some inconveniences which must be endured by the user operating such a program. For example, a successful connection from a caller using an IP program to an individual using a compatible program generally requires that the individual and the caller be connected via a directory-network-server adapted to effect connection. These servers are maintained by the company or other organization providing the application. Often, there are several if not dozens of servers to choose from. Many of these servers may be down or off-line when a user attempts to connect. Waiting to connect to a server can frustrate a caller especially if the wait is for a considerable time period. Another issue is that current IP applications are not largely compatible with IP applications of varying manufacture due, at least in part, to their proprietary nature. Furthermore, there are considerable download and configuration requirements with which one must contend when installing an IP application. In some cases, only specific hardware elements are supported and required before the application may be launched. The issues described above apply both to the business community and to the private sector. Therefore, it is desired, at least from a perspective that focuses on business use of IP applications, that a more direct approach to such communication be achieved minimizing inconvenience to users wishing to communicate via IP phone. More particularly in business, such as in the environment of a company-hosled communication center, it is desired that callers have IP programs that are compatible to those supported by the center. If a caller has an IP program that is not compatible with the communication center's supponed IP application(s), he or she may not wish to install and configure yet another program. Software installations of numerous IP programs take otherwise available drive space and can be confusing in terras of deciding which program to use. What is clrarly needed is an embedded IP phone module, such as in a WEB page, that enables a single and direct customer interaction with a predetermined number in a fashion that minimizes any inconvenience caused by downloading, installing, or configuring operations that are required with traditional IP phone applications. Summary of the Invention In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a system for enabling Data Network Telephony (DNT) communication through a WEB page is provided, comprising a Web server hosting an interactive WEB page and having an Internet port; a link in the WEB page adapted for launching a DNT-capable telephone module; and a DNT-capable telephone module associated with the link. Upon selection of the lick by a person accessing the WEB page over the Internet using a computer platform, an instance of the IP telephone module is downloaded to computer platform, and an IP call is launched to an IP address pre-stored and associated with the link. In a preferred embodiment the DNT-capable telephone module is adapted for Internet Protocol (IP). Also in preferred the WEB page may be a multi-tenant page representing a plurality of hosts, the different hosts represented by different portions of the page, and different DNT calls may be launched to different hosts according to placement of links according to the different portions. In this aspect different organizations may be represented by distinct banners, and DNT modules may be launched and calls placed to the different organizations by iconic links placed in the banners associated with the organization": In some instances there is a computer telephony integration (CTl) server executing on a CTI processor connected to the WEB seryer by a data link. The CTl server may be adapted to provide the DNT-capable telephone module. The CTI server may additionally have a data link separate from the Internet, further adapted to transmit data associated with a launched DNT call on the separate data link. The downloaded instance of the DNT-capable telephone module is one of a Javaâ„¢ Applett, a WEB browser piug-in, or a Macintoshâ„¢ application. In some embodiments the downloaded instance of the DNT-capable telephone module is adapted to uninstall and disappear after a pre-stored number of calls, which may be a single call. In another aspect of the invention methods are provided for practicing the' invention using the system described in general terms above. In yet another aspect a software module is provided with code adapted to provide the functions described above in the system descriptions. The present invention in various aspects and embodiments described in enabling detail below provides for the first time a way to facilitate DNT calls between computer platforms without a necessity for a caller to first install and configure a DNT application, and a way for enterprises to enable quick and efficient communication with virtually any person accessing an enterprise-hosted WEB page, or a WEB page shared by the enterprise with other organizations. Brief Description of the Drawing Figures Fig. 1 is a system diagram illustrating a normal user-to-user IP phone connection scheme according to prior art. Fig. 2 is a system diagram illustrating an embedded IP phone connection scheme according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a WEB form having embedded IP phone modules according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a process flow chart illustrating steps of an embedded IP phone module interaction according to an embodiment of the present invention. Description of the Preferred Embodiments Fig. 1 is a system diagram illustrating a normal user-to-user IP phone connection scheme according to prior art. A network architecture 11 comprises a WAN 13, a communication center workstation 15, and an array of remote IP callers 17a-l 7e. In this prior art configuration, WAN 13 is the well-known Internet wherein both private and business use of an IP application is routine and known in the ari. WAN 13 may be of another form of IP network known in the art such as a corporate Intranet, or other private WAN's. However, in this prior art example as well as embodiments of the present invention, the example of the Internet is used as IP programs are largely designed for use with the Internet, hence the term Internet Protocol (IP). Communication center workstation 15, hereinafter referred to as station 15, represents just one of many such stations that maybe found in DNT-capable communication centers, Station 15 contains all of the necessary equipment and capability for communicating with callers. For example, a personal computer having a video display unit PCADU is illustrated along with speakers, a microphone, and a COST telephone. Other typical equipment and connections (not shown) may include local area network (LAN) connection, internal COST telephony wiring (to phone), and so on. Callers i7a-l 7e represent individuals engaged in communication with each other using prior art IP applications installed on each of their PCA'DU's. Also shown with respect to each caller's capability is a COST telephone. Connection to WAN 13 (Internet) for callers 17a-17e is typically maimained through Internet servioe provider ISP connections 19,21, 23, 25, 27, and 29. Such connections illustrated are defmed as logical network connections as may be achieved through WAN 13. As previously described, each caller such as caller 17a, for example, is running an instance of an IP phone application such as are known in the art. For example, teller 17a and caller 17b ni,ay communicate throughaconne

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