MX2008005964A - Voice over internet protocol (voip) multi-user conferencing - Google Patents

Abstract

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) devices are invited to a conference bridge based on a pre-defined criteria for the conference bridge (e.g., passengers on a plane. The conference invite messages are transmitted using Internet Protocol, which they may or may not accept. The invited VoIP users may be determined based on their physical proximity to the initial caller and other pre-determined characteristics. A VoIP soft switch includes conference bridges that eliminate the conventional requirement that they dial the phone number of another specific VoIP communications device. Instead, location information relating to the initial VoIP user is passed to the VoIP conference bridge, either from the user's VoIP communication device or from their respective location server. Location and other information is then compared by the VoIP soft switch against other VoIP devices, to find potential VoIP conference participants.

Description

CONFERENCE OF MULTIPLE USERS OF VOICE PROTOCOL THROUGH THE INTERNET This application refers to and claims priority of a Provisional Patent Application of the U.S.A. co-pending Serial Number 60 / 723,960, with title "Voice Over Internet Protocol (VolP) Location Based Conferencing ", filed on October 6, 2005, US Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 60 / 733,789, titled" Voice Over Internet Protocol (VolP) Multi-User Conferencing ", filed on November 7, 2005, and the Application US Provisional Patent Serial Number 60 / 723,961, titled "Voice Over Internet Protocol (VolP) Location Based 911 Conferencing ", filed on October 6, 2005, all of the three are expressly incorporated herein by reference BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to protocols and voice over Internet architectures (VolP = Voice Over Internet.) More particularly, it refers to conference services based on VolP. 2. BACKGROUND OF THE RELATED ART The voice-over-Internet protocol (VolP) is a technology that emulates a telephone call, but instead of using a circuit-based system such as the telephone network, it uses data transmission techniques in packages most notably implemented on the Internet. The use of VolP technology is growing rapidly. Given the VolP technology, there are at least three VolP scenarios: 1. A VolP UA that physically connects to a data cable Static in a "home" direction. For example, an analog telephone adapter (ATA = Analog Telephone Adapter) that connects to the "home" data cable and uses traditional telephony devices. 2. A VolP UA that physically connects to a data cable in a different location than your "home" address. For example, a laptop laptop device used away from home as a telephone with VolP software would be a "visitor" device VolP as described by this scenario. 3. A VolP UA that is wireless, physically disconnected from any data cable. In this situation, the VolP UA connects to the VolP service provider either by wireless wide-area technology (eg cellular, PCS, WiMAX) or by wireless local area technology (eg wireless fidelity (WiFi = Wireless Fidelity ), UWB, etc.) using a laptop or handheld or pocket device. VolP phone calls are routed to a VolP voice link gate, from which they are passed to their destination. A VolP voice link gateway or switch per program is a programmable network switch that can process signaling for all types of packet protocols. Also known as "media link gate controller", "call agent" or call server ", these devices are used by carriers or operators that support converged communications services by integrating SS7 telephony signaling with packet networks. program switches can support, for example, IP, DSL, ATM and frame retransmission.

VolP telephony technology is rapidly replacing conventional dial-up technology. A location of a given VolP device can be provided to be in a particular geographic location, or be consulted from a home location register (HLR = Home Location Register) in a mobile system. With given VolP technologies, a VolP user must know the specific telephone number of the individual, business or other entity whom they want to call. There is no conventional technique to allow a conference call between two or more VolP users. On the Internet site, users can find themselves using a "chat room", but the load nevertheless remains in the user to search, identify and use a specific telephone number or universal resource identifier information ( URI = Universal Resource Identifier) to reach specific entities. This creates inefficiency and lack of flexibility regarding the desire to establish a conference call, preventing VolP users from managing their own communications needs and preferences. In general, voice communication using VolP technologies is limited to only point-to-point direct links between parties with whom you are familiar or previously identified. There is a need for an architecture and methodology that simplify the complexity of conferences in VolP calls. COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) conference bridge comprises an active conference bridge application at a targeted site using Internet protocol. A module determines a plurality of potential VolP participants to the conference bridge based on predefined criteria. An invitation module sends invitations to each of the plurality of potential VolP participants to the conference bridge. The conference bridge application has access to a plurality of Internet interfaces, to accept a respective plurality of potential VolP participants to the conference bridge. The given conference is established between the accepted plurality of VolP participants with each of the plurality of VolP participants that meet the predefined criteria. A method for conferences with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) voice communications devices according to another aspect of the present invention comprises establishing at least one conference bridge. At least one criterion is set for participation in a given conference bridge and an IP session invitation message is sent to each of a plurality of participants Potential VolP defined by at least one criterion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows an exemplary architecture of a VolP conference bridge application operating on a switch per program from a VolP provider to provide location-based conference VolP, in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows an exemplary message flow diagram for establishing a VolP location-based conference in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Fig. 3 shows a VolP user that originates an invitation to join a conference bridge in a switch per VolP program in a business-to-business or business-to-consumer scenario, in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Fig. 4 shows example call flow / signal for a VolP user that originates an invitation to join a conference bridge sent to other VolP users as illustrated in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 shows a VolP user that originates the transmission of a series of invitations to meet a conference bridge in a switch per VolP program in a peer-to-peer scenario, in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Fig. 6 shows exemplary call / signal flow for a VolP user that originates an invitation to join a conference bridge sent to other VolP users as shown in Fig. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE MODALITIES A VolP user of time in time you may want to start a conversation with another or others (known or unknown) VolP users based on the location and other criteria / attributes shared. It may be the need for a simple point-to-point connection, or it may extend to the desire for a multi-user conference with other VolP users. Existing conference systems to put VolP users in contact with each other, are based on the prior knowledge and information of existing contacts between the specified users. The present invention provides a way for VolP users to use VolP technology to form "temporary or permanent VolP communities" or VolP conferences when initiating a location-based interaction and other shared attributes, supply / demand relationships or other criteria. Currently, there is no existing mechanism to create a voice link between VolP communications devices based on the location of each VolP user (and potentially other preferences or attributes). Existing VolP technology does not solve this problem for voice calls VolP does not do it for any other conference established based on location. For example, while Internet text chat rooms provide a means of communication between parties, Internet text communication rooms do not use the user's location to find and invite available individuals / businesses / entities. The present invention provides the ability for a VolP user to use their own geographical position to narrow or signal to known or even unknown potential VolP third parties that satisfy the user's criteria based on their physical location, to participate in a telephone conference. Fig. 1 shows an exemplary architecture of a VolP conference bridge application operating on a VolP program switch of a VolP provider to provide VolP based location conferences, in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In particular, as shown in Fig. 1, a VolP communication device 104 is served by its switch by service provider program 102. A location center 106 provides location data upon request of the switch by program 102. Other users VolP 110, 112, 114, etc., are potential members of any given conference.

Conference bridges 100 are implemented in the switch per program VolP 102 located, for example, in the VolP network of service provider VolP. While the program switch VolP 102 is preferably capable of being supplied with so many VolP conference bridges 100 as required in any particular application, only one conference bridge 100 is illustrated in Fig. 1, for simplicity of explanation. Also, while the conference bridge 100 is shown implemented in the switch by program 102, it can be incorporated into another suitable network element having an Internet Protocol type (IP = Internet Protocol) connection (for example TCP / IP). ) with the initial user 104 as well as with the potential speakers 110, 112, 114. The use of a conference bridge 100 eliminates the requirement of another conventional way for the VolP 104 user to dial digits for a direct link to another communication device. Specific VolP 110, 112 or 114. In contrast, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the location information relating to the initial VolP user 104 is passed to the VolP 100 conference bridge, either from the VolP communication device of the user 104 or its respective location server 106. The location information is then compared by the program switch VolP 102 against other devices. VolP 110, 112, 114 etc., to find corresponding predetermined location-based criteria, for example within a geographical vicinity of the VolP communications device of user 104.

The program switch VolP 102 uses the location information and other existing data or user power (eg existing preferences on file in the switch by program 102, user power through the keypad of the communication device 104 or voice response) . Based on user location and power, the VolP 100 conference bridge identifies other potential participants to invite them to participate in the conference currently established by the initial VolP user 104 on conference bridge 100, and sends out invitations or requests 204 to participate in conference 100 to the specific URLs, telephone numbers and / or other identifying address information that relates to the communication equipment VolP 110, 112, 114 of the other potential participants. The program switch 102 also maintains the attributes and rules of other communication devices 110, 112, 114 etc., to receive conference bridge calls, as well as the fixed location (for example, a business site) or the ability to query a current location (for example for mobile communication devices such as mobile phones) for each device. Based on this information, with or without other user power (for example to select or assign priorities among a list of available third parties), the program switch 102 invites one or more other communication devices 110, 112, 114, etc., to participate in the conference bridge. This creates a voice link between the first user 104 and the other third parties 110, 112, 114 without requiring the first user 104 to know the contact information or name of the third parties 110, 112, 114.

Figure 2 shows an exemplary message flow diagram for establishing a location-based conference VolP, in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In particular as illustrated in Figure 2, the initial VolP user 104 sends a request for a conference bridge call to the program switch 102. Preferably, the initial VolP user 104 includes location information with the conference request call 201. However, as illustrated in Figure 1, the location information may be obtained from an appropriate location server 106 and is not available from the initial VolP user 104. Subsequent to the entry conference call 201, suitable potential conferees are determined and those within the predetermined geographical boundary or previously supplied to conference ge are invited with respective invitation messages 204, 206. In operation, the user's VolP communication device 104 dials a telephone number default (or URL) to start a conference ge 100 in the relevant VolP program switch 102. Various telephone numbers (or URL's) may be available in the VolP 100 conference ge, each corresponding to a VolP conference ge respective 100, each with its own pre-established profile of who will be invited once the conference ge 100 is first accessed by the initial VolP user 104. For example, a VolP 100 conference ge can be profiled to invite all other VolP users within a border geographic, for example, within a radius 1,609 km (1 mile) from a central point formed by the user's location, starting VolP 104. A geographical boundary does not need to be just a distance interval. For example, a geographical boundary may include, for example, the grounds of a school or school yard, a work site, etc. Or be as specific as those VolP users within a certain room (for example gym) in the school or school yard. Another VolP 100 conference bridge with its own telephone number can correspond to inviting all other VolP users 110, 112, 114 etc., currently located in, for example, a certain sports stadium. The profiles used to identify the other potential VolP conference participants can provide additional filter characteristics beyond the location-based information, for example other VolP users that are not only contained within the pre-established geographical boundaries determined for a bridge. 100 given conference, but also cited within a list of "conference friends" previously listed by the user. In this way, as a result, the "friends" that a user has previously cited who are inside a sports stadium at the time of the user's call, will be invited to participate in a VolP conference bridge. While the use of location information is ideal in a preferred embodiment, another embodiment of the invention relates to conference invitation messages, which are sent to those VolP users who fulfill a particular filtering function (for example use of a friends list).

Figure 1 shows the use of a VolP location center (VPC = VolP Postioning Center) 106. The program switch VolP 102 can receive the user's location information, either from each of the communication devices VolP 104, 110, 112, 114 etc., or from the VPC 106. The program switch VolP 102 preferably uses both location information of the starting VolP user 104, together with any established profile criteria for a given conference bridge 100, to determine a list of other potential speakers to send invitation messages to participate to the established VolP conference bridge 100. The profile information for the conference bridge 100 preferably is already pre-established by the VolP service provider (for example, to determine a geographical boundary within a sports stadium) and / or can be to be fed by the initial user through the power supply of the keypad or voice response in the communications device. Alternatively, the profile information for a particular conference bridge may be pre-established by an appropriate page of the network and transmitted via the Internet to the program switch 102 or other host gateway. The program switch VolP 102 preferably also maintains the attributes and rules of other communication devices VolP 110, 112, 114 to receive conference bridge calls, as well as the fixed location (eg, a business site) or the capacity by interrogating a current location (e.g., for mobile communication devices such as mobile phones) for each device. Based on this information, with or without other user power (for example, to select or assign priority among a list of available third parties), the program switch VolP 102 invites one or more other communication devices VolP 110, 112, 114, etc., to participate in the VolP 100 conference bridge. This creates a voice link between the first user VolP 104 who will call or initially call the conference bridge 100 and the other potential third-party speakers 110, 112, 114, etc. , without requiring the first VolP user to know the name or even the contact information of the other potential speakers as third parties 110, 112, 114, etc. Upon receiving an invitation to a conference bridge VolP 204, 206, the other potential users VolP 110, 112, 114, etc., are preferably notified in a manner similar to an incoming telephone call, for example with a bell signal , although they can be adjusted to the extent to distinguish themselves from the sound of an incoming telephone call in another ordinary way. For example, a given single telephone tone may be activated upon receiving an invitation 204, 206 to a conference bridge 100. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, he or the VolP 110, 112, 114 users receiving invitations for Participating in a VolP 100 conference, can be provided with a filter that automatically rejects any / all invitation requests that do not meet their own specific criteria (for example, keeping their VolP 110, 112, 114 devices themselves, although this filtering can alternatively be carried out at a network level, for example, in the program switch of VolP 102 or another centralized location.

Benefits of the invention include that there is no effective limit to the number of participants in the so-called conference VolP level, no calls transferred without notice or explanation (cold calls) as the VolP guests enter or leave the conference bridge 100 and there are the ability to continue the conference call even after the initial user VolP 104 is disconnected. The present invention has particular applicability to any / all VolP users, VolP service providers and / or even public security access points (PSAPs = Public Safety Access Points). Figure 3 shows a user VolP that originates an invitation to participate in a conference bridge 100, in a switch per program VolP 102, in a business-to-business or business-to-consumer scenario, in accordance with the principles of the present invention . In particular, as illustrated in Figure 3, a VolP user 104 initiates an invitation or request 204 based on certain predefined criteria for a service provider or a pair or equal attribute. The VolP service provider acquires the user's location information, either directly from a VolP 104 communication device or by request to the LIS 106, and initiates a conference on the conference bridge 100.

The conference bridge 100 sends invitations or notifications to one or more potential VolP lecturer users 110, 112, 114, etc., based on the location of the original user 104 and the specified criteria, by comparison with attribute data or provider for the other users VolP 110, 112, 114, etc. Conference bridge 100 allows participation by multiple parties and does not depend on the knowledge of the participants of or the current access to each other of contact information, profile / attributes / type of business or location. In addition, VolP users can select when they receive notifications based on their current status (absent, available, work / office hours, etc.). For example, user VolP 104 will initiate a call to conference bridge 100, thus starting sending invitations or requests to potential conferees 110, 112, 114, etc., based on certain criteria (e.g. trailers currently in Seattle "). Upon receiving the initial call from the starting VolP user 104, the VolP service provider initiates a conference bridge 100 and sends an invitation or other notification to one or more VolP users 110, 112, 114, etc., who have selected or are have subscribed to receive these conference notifications for this particular conference topic (as defined by their criteria). Subscriptions can be semi-permanent criteria for that particular conference bridge 100 (for example, occupations or interests of the registered user of the relevant VolP device) or temporary criteria (for example, passengers on a specific airline flight, ticket agents with tickets) extra for a specific event, etc.). The conference bridge 100 allows the participation of multiple parties or entities and does not depend on the knowledge of the participants or the current access to the contact information among each other. In addition, VolP users can select when they receive notifications based on their current status (eg absent, available). More sophisticated implementations of the invention include adaptation of the criteria for a given conference bridge 100 to correspond to a particular auction or live auction. For example, in said application, the correspondence database 300 functions as an automated auction tool by accepting as criteria for the auction data such as the proposed service cost and then connecting to the lowest bidder of those potential bidders 110, 112, 114 to the conference bridge 100. Preferably, the start user VolP 104 is allowed to pre-define predetermined criteria for the conference bridge 100, for example, a maximum number of participants (for example, the first 4 providers, equal or peers who accept the conference invitation), or other criteria to select from among multiple users (for example, selecting the user (s) VolP 110, 112, 114, etc., whose location is closest to the starting VolP user 104 who started the conference invitation first). Figure 4 shows exemplary call / signal flow for a VolP user 104 requesting to establish a conference bridge 100, causing invitations to be transmitted to each potential VolP speaker using the IP protocol (e.g., TCP / IP) to participate in the conference. conference bridge 100 as illustrated in Figure 3. In response, each invited VolP user 110, 112, 114 can accept or reject invitation with an accept or reject message transmitted via the Internet protocol back to the switch per program VolP 102 which transmitted the initial invitation messages 204, 206. Offline activity also occurs, separated from the flow of call, for example, to update location data (permanent or temporary) and criteria or attributes for the conference bridge 200 itself. Availability data can also be maintained and updated offline, for example referring to pre-defined times for that the conference bridge 100 and / or the current state of the conference bridge be established 100. Figure 5 shows a user VolP 104 that originates the transmission of a series of invitations 504 to participate in a conference bridge 100 in a program switch VolP 102, in a peer-to-peer scenario or consumer or consumer, in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In particular, as illustrated in Figure 5, the user VolP 104 can call a conference bridge 100 and provide customized criteria for the conference. In a peer-to-peer scenario as shown in Figure 5, user VolP 104 sends a peer-to-peer request 550 such as a call seeking tickets for a specific public event (eg, "tickets to the Falcons"), search for others with a hobby or similar interest (eg, "chess players"), couples search services forming a personal ad (for example, "30-35 man"), etc. In the described embodiment, the peer-to-peer conference is initiated by a call by a start-up user VolP 104. The conference bridge 100 can be pre-set with predetermined criteria and the start-up user VolP 104 only calls the bridge. Appropriate conference 100. In this case, the VolP service provider can establish its own criteria as width of the network, or can allow lecture bridges tailored to the measure as a service to its subscribers. Alternatively, the criteria for the conference bridge can be set by the start user VolP 104. The criteria can be transmitted to the program switch to establish the relevant conference bridge 100, preferably with data contained within the call from the user Startup VolP 104. The desired geographic pair and boundaries attributes of the conference are maintained in a docking database 500 in communication with the VolP 102 program switch or other link gate that houses the conference bridge 100. The switch of program VolP 102 sends a request for par 504 with location data to any / all VolP 110, 112 and / or 114 users who meet the criteria for the conference. In response, those VolP 110, 112 and / or 114 users who accept participation in the conference (for example, by activating an "accept" button on the communications device VolP), return a message to accept 505 to the switch per invitation VolP program 102. The VolP 110, 112 and / or 114 users who do not accept the invitation (either by activating a "reject" button on the VolP communications device, or simply by not responding to the invitation message 204 within a certain period of time), a rejection message 505 returns to the program switch VolP making the invitation 102. The invited VolP users 110, 112, 114 may include a filter that allows pass only acceptable invitation messages, based on criteria established by or on the VolP recipients 110, 112, 114. Figure 6 shows exemplary call flow / signal for a a VolP user that originates an invitation to participate in a conference bridge sent to other VolP users as shown in Figure 5. In particular, the peer-to-peer request 550 sent by the user VolP 104 is illustrated in Figure 6, as well as the respective invitation messages 504 and accept or reject messages 505 from each of the invited VolP users 110, 112, 114. The present invention allows VolP users to find their most appropriate speakers, suppliers or peers that correspond with minimal interaction of user. This is particularly useful for mobile VolP users (for example, when driving, walking, etc.) Furthermore, there is no effective limit on the number of participants in the conference call (within the physical equipment limits of the conference bridge network itself). There is also no risk of transfers without notice or explanation of a VolP phone call since the participants are not transferred in point-to-point connections that are transferred, but rather participate or leave an established conference, at will. In addition, participants in the conference call can continue in the conference even after the initial user disconnects. Potential markets for the present invention include VolP service providers that can implement the VolP multi-user conference of the invention as value-added services for users. Other uses of the invention include VolP users of consumers and businesses with respect to commercial, governmental, educational activities and public safety access points (PSAPs = Public Safety Acess Point), to name a few.

The VolP location-based conference in accordance with the principles of the present invention has a particular applicability to any / all VolP users and VolP service providers. While the invention has been described with reference to its exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications to the described embodiments of the invention without departing from the spirit and actual scope of the invention.

Claims (21)

1. CLAIMS 1. A voice protocol conference bridge over the Internet, characterized in that it comprises: an active conference bridge application in a directed location using Internet protocol; a module for determining plurality of potential Internet voice protocol participants to the conference bridge based on a per-defined criterion; an invitation module for sending invitations to each of the plurality of potential voice protocol participants over the Internet to the conference bridge; and a plurality of Internet interfaces to the conference bridge application, to accept a respective plurality of potential Internet voice protocol participants to the conference bridge; wherein the determined conference is established between the accepted plurality of voice protocol participants over the Internet, each of the plurality of voice protocol participants over the Internet, satisfies the predefined criteria.
2. 2. The voice conference bridge over the Internet according to claim 1, characterized in that: the sent invitations are transmitted using Internet Protocol.
3. 3. The voice conference bridge over the Internet according to claim 2, characterized in that: the sent invitations are transmitted over the Internet.
4. 4. The voice conference bridge over the Internet according to claim 1, characterized in that: the predefined criteria are predefined criteria referring to a service provider.
5. 5. The bridge of voice conference through Internet of according to claim 1, characterized in that: the predefined criteria include at least one pre-defined pair attribute.
6. 6. A conference method for voice communication devices of the Voice Protocol type over the Internet, characterized in that it comprises: establishing at least one conference bridge; define at least one criterion for participation in the determined conference bridge; and sending an invitation message to each of a plurality of potential voice protocol participants over the Internet, defined by the criteria at least.
7. 7. A conference method for voice communications devices of the Voice over Internet Protocol equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises: the criteria as a minimum include information based on location regarding the location of each of the plurality of potential voice protocol participants over the Internet.
8. 8. A conference method for voice communications devices of the Voice over Internet protocol equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises: a geographical boundary corresponding to the criterion at least, is mobile during an active conference established in the conference bridge at least
9. 9. A conference method for voice communications devices of the Voice Protocol device over the Internet according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises: the geographical border corresponds to passengers in a mass transit vehicle.
10. 10. A conference method for voice communications devices of the Voice Protocol device over the Internet according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises: the mass transit vehicle is an airplane.
11. 11. A conference method for voice communications devices of the Voice Protocol equipment over the Internet according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises: the mass transit vehicle is a train.
12. 12. A conference method for voice communications devices of the Voice Protocol equipment over the Internet according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises: the conference bridge is established in a switch per program.
13. 13. A conference method for voice communications devices of the Voice Protocol equipment over the Internet in accordance with claim 12, characterized in that it comprises: the switch per program is located in a network of voice protocol service providers over the Internet.
14. 14. Apparatus for conference of voice communications devices over the Internet, characterized in that it comprises: means for establishing at least one conference bridge; means for defining at least one criterion for participation in the given conference bridge; and means for sending an invitation message to each of a plurality of potential voice protocol participants over the Internet, defined by at least one criterion.
15. 15. The apparatus for voice communications conference to through the Internet, in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that: the criterion at least includes information located in a location referring to a location that each of the plurality of potential voice protocol participants over the Internet.
16. 16. The apparatus for voice communications conference over the Internet, according to claim 14, characterized in that: a geographical boundary corresponds to at least one criterion that is mobile during an active conference established in the conference bridge at least.
17. 17. The apparatus for conference of voice communications over the Internet, according to claim 16, characterized in that: the geographical boundary corresponds to passengers in a mass transit vehicle.
18. 18. The apparatus for conference of voice communications over the Internet, according to claim 17, characterized in that: the mass transit vehicle is an airplane.
19. 19. The apparatus for conference voice communications over the Internet, according to claim 18, characterized in that: the mass transit vehicle is a train.
20. 20. The apparatus for conference of voice communications over the Internet, according to claim 14, characterized in that: the conference bridge is established in a switch per program.
21. 21. The apparatus for conference of voice communications over the Internet, in accordance with claim 20, characterized in that: the switch per program is located in a network of providers of VolP service.