TITLE
TELEPHONE PROGRAMMABLE JINGLE DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to the field of entertainment and communication systems. More particularly the present invention relates to a telephone programmable jingle device to bridge data channels arbitrarily for cross connection, data interception, data inspection and data insertion on all the data channels and capable of online and/or offline usage thus facilitating bridging between circuit-switched (e.g., PSTN or POTS) and packet-switched (e.g., VoIP or digital wireless) communications environments.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Wireless technology enables a plurality of user devices (e.g., mobile telephones, hand-held devices such as PDAs, or laptop computers) to communicate without wires, thereby enabling a wide variety of desirable applications leveraging improved mobility and convenience for the user. Wireless phones that make use of both VoIP and WLAN protocols are now prevalent in the marketplace. In order to use either of these phones, one must have an account with that provider, generally analogous to a service plan from a cell phone service provider for use a particular cellular phone. The phone is then configured the phone to work within the network. VoIP, PSTN/POTS, and cellular telephone networks are currently capable of some degree of interoperation (i.e., a VoIP user could make and receive phone calls with other users of a PSTN or a cellular telephone network via, e.g., a gateway or other bridging device). However, despite this interoperability, such traditional solutions fail to provide adequate support for integrating these various services (i.e., VoIP, PSTN/POTS, cellular, etc.) for a single user. Moreover, traditional call forwarding technologies require changes to their configuration as the user's situation changes.
The relevant prior art methods, which will deal with telephone function facilitating adjunct devices, are as follows:
Indian Patent No. 214798 claims a telephone apparatus which includes a communication apparatus having a microphone and a speaker for providing communication between an operator and a network and outputting sound data from said microphone and said network, a memory card receiving unit for receiving a memory card a memory card detector for generating a detection signal when said memory card is received by said memory card receiving unit a memory for storing said sound data, and a control circuit responsive to said memory card detector an a recording command for storing said sound data in said memory and reading said sound data from said memory only when said memory card is received by said memory card receiving unit.
Indian Patent No. 196270 discloses a digital radio telephone comprising of a radio portion for receiving a radio signal modulated by an encoded digital signal including control information, for demodulating and outputting the encoded digital signal, a control signal processing portion for decoding the demodulated encoded digital signal to obtain the control information, a telephone number information detecting means for detecting whether the decoded control information includes mate telephone number information, a memory for storing the telephone number information, a time information management means for specifying an incoming time of the telephone number information to output a time information, and a memory management means for recording the telephone number information corresponding to the time information into the memory.
Indian Patent Application No: 3923/KOLNP/2006 describes a method for processing telephone call that includes: access number configuration information corresponding to a called number is stored in an access number configuration equipment in a communication system; the calling party requests for the pre-call registration in the communication system, the communication system adds a corresponding pre-call registration record into a pre-call registration list according to the access number configuration information; the calling party initiates the call to the called party, after the communication system receives the call request of the calling party and before calling the called party, the communication system determines whether the calling party has been registered in the pre-call registration list, if the calling party has been registered, connects the call request and initiates the call to the called party; otherwise, refuses to initiate the call to the called party. In the method for processing telephone call according to the present invention, it is ensured that a called party would not miss important incoming calls when he does not want to be disturbed. A calling party can request for the pre-call registration by means of short message or Internet so as to call the called party.
Indian Patent Application No : 5817/CHENP/2010 claims a method for performing a telephone call between a first user and a second user where in case that the connection between the first and second user equipment is interrupted during the telephone call, recording further speech data (D) provided by at least the first user on a data server, and making the recorded speech data of the data server available to the second user. The invention also relates to a computer program product for implementing the method and to a communications network for performing the method.
Indian Patent Application No: 1046/DELNP/2004 claims a content processing apparatus capable of permitting a particular device to reproduce when storing a content in a recording medium. Furthermore, the content processing apparatus can cope with modification of a telephone number and a device type of a cellular telephone. The content processing apparatus capable of inputting/outputting a content into/from a recording medium includes content storage means (RAM) for storing a content, an ID storage unit (ROM) for storing ID capable of identifying the content processing apparatus, a recording medium I/O unit (memory card I/F) for performing input/output to/from the recording medium, and an encryption unit (encryption program) for encrypting the content in the content storage unit by using an encryption key generated from the ID in the ID storage unit and storing the encrypted content from the recording medium I/O unit to the recording medium.
Indian Patent Application No: 868/MUMNP/2005 discloses a communication system that provides call connections and voice mail service to telephone devices. With this system, a called party has the ability to monitor and control an incoming voice mail message, made by a calling party, which is to be recorded onto a voice mail system. The system includes a switch that connects the incoming calls to the called party and the voice mail system. A voice mail intercept service terminal receives a message to be recorded on the voice mail system and also selectively connects the incoming call to the called party for a two-way communication.
Indian Patent Application No: 90/CHE/2007 discloses a system for the remote control of electrical equipment comprising communication means in communication with at least one telephone; a controller; and at least one electrical equipment, said controller being connected to the said equipment as well as to the telephone, said equipment being given a password, an identity code and an ON- OFF command code, all of which are recorded in the controller, such that whenever the said communication means are operated to establish contact with the telephone, by activation of the password, the said identity code and the command code, the controller is activated to switch ON or OFF the said equipment as the case may be.
However, the purpose and methodology of all the inventions that are part of the above prior art do not envisage the unique embodiment of an apparatus to bridge data channels arbitrarily for cross connection, data interception, data inspection and data insertion on all the data channels and capable of online and/or offline usage thus facilitating bridging between circuit-switched (e.g., PSTN or POTS) and packet-switched (e.g., VoIP or digital wireless) communications environments.
The present invention overcomes these and other problems by providing a telephone bridging device that facilitates interoperability as well as unification or crossover between different call environments and network topologies. Such an improved solution should operate seamlessly and without adversely impacting user experience, so that voice or data available in one domain (e.g. analog PSTN/POTS) can be seamlessly forwarded onto another domain (e.g., digital WLAN or PAN). For example, a user could receive a telephone call via a PSTN/POTS line and forward that telephone call (or information related to that call, such as a caller's message) over another network such as a "local” wireless network (e.g., a WLAN) to the user, where the user can answer the call (or access the forwarded information). Ideally, such bridging device would also be bidirectional in operation so that a user could access the bridge device via the local network, and forward on voice and/or data via the bridge device to a PSTN/POTS or other call environment. Significant flexibility would also be offered to the user in terms of location, and power consumption aspects of the mobile device (e.g., cellular phone or smartphone) acting as a cordless "proxy”.
Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the terminology of the following description and the legal equivalents thereof.
OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
The foremost objective of this invention is to provide a call bridging device, which is a single unit that can be easily and remotely programmed by a user.
Another objective of this invention is to provide a call bridging device, to bridge calls that are charged to the account of a single line.
Another objective of this invention is to provide a call bridging device, that some other telephony device calls to and sends programming instructions.
Another objective of this invention is to provide a call bridging device, which can optionally also call other number(s) proactively to receive programming instructions.
Another objective of this invention is to provide a call bridging device that supports communications over various TDM and VoIP protocols used in the telephony networks.
These and other objects and advantages and features of the present invention will be more readily apparent when considered in reference to the following description.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention may be summarized, at least in part, with reference to its objects.
The invention described herein provides a telephony bridge device which has one control channel and one or more of data channels. The control channel is used to (pre-)program the device in for online and/or offline usage. As a special optimization, the control channel can also be used as one of the data channels. According there is provided a device for call bridging in a telephone system in which continuing three-way calls cannot be set-up by the receiver of a call, comprising the steps of signaling from a first telephone set to a call bridge device, establishing a first call between the call bridge device and the first telephone set, the call bridge device setting up a three-way call, establishing a second call at the call bridge device between the call bridge and a second telephone set, such that a telephone connection is provided between the first telephone set and the second telephone set, and optionally the call bridge device hanging up after establishing the first and second calls.
The present invention device has functionality to bridge data channels arbitrarily for cross connection, data interception, data inspection and data insertion on all the data channels. All the data channels are assumed to carry data for video, voice, and/or fax calls. The control channel exposes the interface to pre-program the internal logic of the device for the control of data channels.
The control channel of the present invention device is used to pre-program the device. The pre-programming interface includes voice data upload/download, bridging configuration and reports & statistics collections from the device. The data channels each support communications over various TDM and VoIP protocols used in the telephony networks.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of particular applications of the inventions and their requirements. The present invention can be configured as follows:
The invention comprises of a telephony call bridging device which functions which has two telephone interfaces (C and S). When an ordinary call comes on C interface, it accepts the call (after some delay), plays a pre-recorded voice message to the caller and bridges the call to another interface (S). The invention is thus a telecommunications device that functions to connect two telephone sets, such that the calls are charged to the telephone line account of the line connected to the call bridging device.
During the working of the present invention, a first telephone handset is connected to a telephone network. A call bridging device is connected to the telephone network. A second telephone set is connected to the telephone network. In this example, the first telephone set may be a mobile telephone or any other type of telephone sets, and the call bridging device is at the place where the first telephone set is situated. The user could directly use the telephone network to call the second telephone set, but would prefer to take advantage of lower call rates from their home telephone line. The present invention device also accepts instruction to program itself through any of the telephone interfaces. The programming of device allows changing of above mentioned pre-recorded voice message, delay before accepting the call, duration of the message played etc. Also, this programming interface can be used to get reports and statistics from the device (of previous programming and calls). Thus the call bridging device answers a call and announces a message, giving the options of:
1. recording voice messages in the same way as a conventional answer
phone;
2. playing messages already recorded by the device; or
3. making a bridged call.
At the end of the call, the call bridge device detects that either the first or the second handset has been hung up and the call bridge device ends the three-way call by itself hanging up. Optionally the call bridge device may hang up before either the first or the second telephone sets then, if supported by the network, the first and second telephone sets will remain connected while the call bridge device is disconnected. Both the first and the second calls are charged to the telephone number account of the line of the call bridge device.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, some other telephony device calls the device and sends programming instructions. These programming calls can be identified based on pre-specified caller-id of the caller OR by predecided action from the caller (DTMF events) OR by sending a FAX to the device.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device can optionally also call other number(s) proactively to receive programming instructions. The instructions can again be received through voice, DTMF or FAX.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the data channels each support communications over various TDM and VoIP protocols used in the telephony networks. It is to be appreciated that the network may comprise a PSTN network, a wireless network such as GSM or its equivalents, a VOIP/broadband network, or a composite network comprising any combination of PSTN, wireless and VOIP/broadband networks. The connections between devices may take any form suitable for interface with devices compatible with any of these networks. It is to be appreciated that any combination of technologies may be used in enabling and establishing the connection between any given telephone sets and the call bridge device. 
The present invention thus uses a combination of telematics, communications and other technologies that allow a high level of interactivity with the user. Further it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the objects of this invention have been achieved by providing the above features. However various changes may be made in the structure of the invention without departing from the concept of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the terminology of the following claims and the legal equivalents thereof.
Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.
Dated this 6th day of May 2014
N. Surya Senthil - IN/PA-736 For JUS MAXIMA LAW OFFICES (Agent for Applicant)
To
The Controller of Patents Patent Office In Chennai 
CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A telephony call bridging device comprising of:
a first telephone handset connected to a telephone network, a call bridging device connected to the telephone network at the place where the first telephone set is situated, a second telephone set connected to the telephone network,
characterized in that the first telephone set may be a mobile telephone or any other type of telephone sets.
2. A telephony call bridging device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said telephony call bridging device has two telephone interfaces (C and S) and functions to connect two telephone sets, such that the calls are charged to the telephone line account of the line connected to the call bridging device.
3. A telephony call bridging device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein when an ordinary call comes on C interface, it accepts the call (after some delay),
plays a pre-recorded voice message to the caller and bridges the call to another interface (S).
4. A telephony call bridging device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said telephony call bridging device accepts instruction to program itself through any of the telephone interfaces, such programming allowing changing of the pre-recorded voice message, delay before accepting the call, duration of the message played, getting reports and statistics from said telephony call bridging device of previous programming and calls.
5. A telephony call bridging device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said telephony call bridging device answers a call and announces a message, giving the options of recording voice messages in the same way as a conventional answer phone, playing messages already recorded by the device, or making a bridged call.
6. A telephony call bridging device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said telephony call bridging device at the end of the call detects that either the first or the second handset has been hung up and said telephony call bridging device ends the three-way call by itself hanging up.
7. A telephony call bridging device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said telephony call bridging device may hang up before either the first or the second telephone sets then, if supported by the network, the first and second telephone sets will remain connected while said telephony call bridging device is disconnected, both the first and the second calls being charged to the telephone number account of the line of said telephony call bridging device.
8. A telephony call bridging device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said telephony call bridging device can identify programming calls of some other telephony device based on pre-specified caller-id of the caller or by predecided action from the caller (DTMF events) or by sending a FAX to the other telephony device.
9. A telephony call bridging device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said telephony call bridging device can call other number(s) proactively to receive programming instructions through voice, DTMF or FAX.
10. A telephony call bridging device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the data channels on said telephony call bridging device can support communications over various TDM and VoIP protocols used in the telephony networks, said telephone network comprising of a PSTN network, a wireless network such as GSM or its equivalents, a
VOIP/broadband network, or a composite network comprising any combination of PSTN, wireless and VOIP/broadband networks.
Dated this 6th day of May 2014
N. Surya Senthil - IN/PA-736 For JUS MAXIMA LAW OFFICES To (Agent for Applicant)
The Controller of Patents Patent Office In Chennai