CN1874382A - Method, system and circuit for initiating an alternate traffic connection - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for initiating an alternate traffic connection in which a connection controller coupled to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) device is adapted to receive information corresponding to a dialed number to which the PSTN device wishes to connect. Upon receiving the information, the connection controller is adapted to automatically search a database for a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) alternative destination associated with the dialed number.

Description

Method, system and circuit for initiating an alternate traffic connection

technical field

The present invention relates to the field of traffic communications, and more particularly to systems, methods, and circuits for suggesting alternative Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) destinations for dialed numbers.

Background technique

Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) is widely considered to be the traffic (and video traffic) technology of the future. However, ignoring the fact that circuit-switched networks were considered to be less efficient than packet-switched networks in the past (mainly because their circuits remained reserved even when data was not being transmitted), in 2005, VOIP communications constituted only part of global traffic. A tiny fraction, and by far the vast majority, are used by business and technical users.

If Internet traffic technology is to become more popular among the masses, it must compete with the ease of operation provided by previous traffic technologies and with the ubiquity of Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) devices everywhere.

Beyond that, as long as both PSTN and VOIP technologies exist, it will be desirable to provide communication devices that can receive a dial-in number, IP address or PSTN phone number, and can respond thereto by providing VOIP associated with the dialed-in number and/or PSTN connection replacement, and establishes a traffic connection with the original destination or with one of the replacement connections in a manner that is substantially transparent to the user.

Contents of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system suitable for searching for VOIP and/or PSTN alternative destinations associated with a dial-in number, and more suitable for selecting one of the alternative destinations or the original destination and establishing a connection with the selected destination, Methods, and devices.

Some embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and circuits for initiating alternate traffic connections. According to some embodiments of the invention, means are provided for initiating an alternate traffic connection. According to some embodiments of the invention, the alternative connection device may include a connection controller coupled to the circuit switched traffic device. The connection controller may be adapted to receive information corresponding to a dialed number to which the circuit switched telephony device desires to connect. In this context, it will be understood that according to the present invention, a PSTN device can dial a number, but in practice, in some cases, as will be explained below, it can be connected to the destination corresponding to the dialed number through an alternative connection device. different destinations outside the Earth. Accordingly, according to some embodiments of the present invention, a PSTN device may connect to another destination than the one it intends to dial. Upon receiving information corresponding to a dialed number to which the circuit switched telephone device wishes to connect, the connection controller may be adapted to automatically search a database for an alternate packet switched network destination associated with the dialed number. According to some embodiments of the invention, the database may include a remote database.

According to other embodiments of the invention, the connection controller may be adapted to select one of the alternative packet-switched network destinations in case the search returns one or more alternative packet-switched network destinations associated with the dialed number And automatically start a communication session (communication session) with the selected alternate packet-switched network destination.

Other embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and circuits for initiating VOIP connections. According to some embodiments of the present invention, means for initiating a Substitute Voice over Internet Protocol connection may include a connection controller coupled to a PSTN device. The connection controller may be adapted to receive information corresponding to a dialed number to which the PSTN device wishes to connect. Upon receiving information corresponding to a dialed number to which the PSTN device wishes to connect, the connection controller may be adapted to automatically search at least one database for an alternate VOIP destination associated with the dialed number. According to some embodiments of the invention, the database may include a remote database.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, in the event that the search returns one or more alternative VOIP destinations associated with the dialed number, the connection controller may be adapted to select one of the alternative VOIP destinations and may automatically initiate communication with the selected Communication session for the selected alternate VOIP destination.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, the means for initiating an alternate traffic connection may further include a local database. The local database may include several entries, and each entry may correspond to a particular number that the PSTN device can call and is associated with one or more alternate VOIP destinations.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, upon receiving information corresponding to a dialed number to which a PSTN device wishes to connect, in addition to searching a remote database, the connection controller may be adapted to search a local database for an alternate VOIP destination associated with the dialed number.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, in the event that a remote and/or local database search returns an alternate VOIP destination associated with a dialed number, the connection controller may be adapted to automatically establish communication with the returned alternate VOIP destination session. According to other embodiments of the invention, in case the search returns more than one alternative VOIP destination associated with the dialed number, the connection controller may be adapted to establish a communication session with the selected alternative VOIP destination.

Description of drawings

Below in conjunction with accompanying drawing and embodiment the present invention is described in detail:

1 is an illustrative block diagram of an apparatus for initiating a substitute VOIP connection in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an illustrative flowchart of a method for initiating an alternate traffic connection in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

3 is an illustrative flowchart of a method for initiating an alternate traffic connection according to other embodiments of the present invention; and

4 is an illustrative block diagram of an alternative connection arrangement implemented in a set top box (STB) in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

Detailed ways

Before the present invention is described in detail, it should be noted that, for the sake of simplicity and clarity of description, the elements shown in the drawings are not drawn according to actual scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. In more detail, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific illustrations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, it should be clear from the following discussion that terms such as "processing", "calculating", "operating", "determining", "generating", "distributing", or similar terms used in the discussion throughout the specification Vocabulary, classified as the action and/or processing of a computer or computing system or similar electronic computing device that manipulates and/or transforms data in the registers and/or memory of a computing system represented as physical quantities such as electrons into a computing system Memory, registers, or other data similarly represented as physical quantities in other devices such as information storage, transmission, or display devices.

Embodiments of the invention may include means for carrying out the operations described herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the desired purposes, or it may comprise a general purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program can be stored on a computer readable storage medium such as, but not limited to, any computer program including floppy disk, compact disk, compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), magneto-optical disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory ( RAM), Electronically Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), platters of magnetic or optical cards, or any other memory device suitable for storing electronic instructions and that can be coupled to a computer system bus other forms of media.

The processing and display represented here do not necessarily relate to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general purpose systems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may be convenient to construct a more specialized apparatus to carry out the desired method. The desired structure for a variety of systems will appear from the description below. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention are not described with reference to a specific programming language. It will be understood that a variety of programming languages can be used to implement the teachings of the invention as described herein.

Some embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and circuits for initiating alternate traffic connections. According to some embodiments of the invention, means are provided for initiating an alternate traffic connection. According to some embodiments of the invention, the alternative connection device may include a connection controller coupled to the circuit switched traffic device. The connection controller may be adapted to receive information corresponding to a dialed number to which the circuit-switched telephony device desires to connect. Upon receiving information corresponding to a dialed number to which the circuit switched traffic device desires to connect, the connection controller may be adapted to automatically search at least the remote database for an alternative packet switched network destination associated with the dialed number.

According to other embodiments of the invention, in the event that the search returns one or more alternative packet-switched network destinations associated with the dialed number, the connection controller may be adapted to select one of the alternative packet-switched network destinations and may apply for automatically establishing a communication session with a selected alternative packet-switched network destination.

It should be understood that throughout the specification, for convenience of explanation, some embodiments of the present invention are provided with reference to a specific type of circuit-switched communication network, ie, PSTN communication network. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not so limited and that "PSTN" or "PSTN network" or similar terms may be interchanged with "circuit switched network" or similar terms. Similarly, it should be appreciated that throughout this specification, for ease of explanation, descriptions of other embodiments of the present invention may refer to particular classes of packet-switched networks and traffic, namely, the Internet and Voice over Internet Protocol or VOIP, and individually supply. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto and that "Internet" and "Voice over Internet Protocol" or "VOIP" or similar terms may be synonymous with "packet switched network" or "packet switched traffic" or similar Word swap.

Referring to FIG. 1 , which is an illustrative block diagram of an alternate connection device 100 for initiating an alternate VOIP connection in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the alternative connection device 100 may be coupled to a PSTN communication device 150 such as a PSTN phone.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, alternative connection device 100 may include a PSTN interface shown as PSTN IF 120. The PSTN IF 120 can be used to operatively couple the PSTN device 150 and the alternative connection device 100, and to connect the alternative connection device 100 with the PSTN network. For example, PSTN IF 120 is operatively coupled to local exchange 160, by which alternative connection device 100 may be adapted to communicate with a PSTN network.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, the alternative connection device 100 may be connected to the PSTN device 150 such that it is located in the communication path of the PSTN device 150 . In this way, the PSTN device 150 can be connected to the PSTN network via the alternative connection device 100 and the PSTN IF 120 included therebetween. Accordingly, regardless of when the number is dialed on the PSTN device 150 , the material corresponding to the dialed number may initially be received on the alternate connection device 100 . As will be explained in greater detail below, the alternate connection device 100 may ultimately decide to connect to the PSTN device 150 with the dialed number, or to connect to the PSTN device 150 with the alternate VOIP destination 196, in order to connect to the selected destination, and may connect the PSTN The device 150 is connected to a PSTN network or the Internet.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the PSTN interface 120 may be adapted to translate communications directed to the PSTN communication device 150 from the alternative connection device 100 (communications generated through the alternative connection device 100 or from outside to the alternative connection device 100) into Formats that can be processed by PSTN communication device 150 and translated into desired content (eg, audio, video, and/or document content). Various PSTN interfaces are known in the industry. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to any specific PSTN interface, and furthermore, according to some embodiments of the present invention, any suitable, currently known, or future proposed PSTN The interfaces can be used for coupling alternative connection devices and PSTN communication devices.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the PSTN device 150 can be used to communicate with various communication devices connected to the PSTN communication network or to various other communication networks (such as mobile communication networks) interconnected with the PSTN network. Whenever a PSTN device is used to communicate with a particular communication device directly or indirectly connected to the PSTN network, the PSTN communication device may enter a number associated with the communication device to which the PSTN device intends to connect. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , it can input the phone number of the PSTN phone 192 or the phone number of the mobile phone 194 into the PSTN communication device 150 .

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , which are flowcharts illustrating a method for initiating an alternate traffic connection according to some embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments of the present invention, whenever a partial number of a desired destination is entered into PSTN device 150, for example, PSTN device 150 may generate, for example, a Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) signal corresponding to the dialed number. ) signal digital information or analog signal. As described above, the alternate connection device 100, which may be located along the communication path of the PSTN device 150, may receive data corresponding to the dialed number (block 210). According to some embodiments of the present invention, regardless of when the number of the desired destination is entered into the PSTN device 150, the PSTN interface 120 may be adapted to receive a dialed call from the PSTN communication device 150 corresponding to the desired connection of the PSTN device 150. Number information, for example, PSTN interface 120 may receive from PSTN device 150 DTMF tones corresponding to the dialed number that PSTN device 150 wants to connect to. According to other embodiments of the present invention, the alternative connection device 100 may include a caller identification module 122 and may utilize the caller identification module 122 to translate data corresponding to the dialed number into a format usable by the connection controller 110 .

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the alternative connection device may include a connection controller 110 . According to some embodiments of the invention, whenever a dialed number (to which the PSTN device intends to connect) is received at the alternate connection device 100, data corresponding to the dialed number may be forwarded to the connection controller 110 ( whether translated or not). According to some embodiments of the present invention, when information corresponding to the dialed number is received at the connection controller 110, the connection controller 110 may be adapted to automatically initiate a search for at least one remote database 170 related to the dialed number. Search for one or more alternate VOIP destinations (such as, for example, Internet telephony 196) (block 220).

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the alternative connection device 100 includes an Internet interface 130 operatively connected to the Internet. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the Internet interface 130 may be used to connect the alternative connection device 100 to the Internet. For example, in order to enable such communication, the Internet interface can be configured to enable the alternative connection device 100 to communicate over the Internet with various communication devices such as the remote database 170 and the Internet phone 196 that are also connected to the Internet, and applicable It is used to communicate with other communication protocols by using various Internet communication protocols, VOIP communication protocols, and/or wireless communication protocols. According to other embodiments of the present invention, Internet interface 130 and PSTN interface 120 and other components of alternative connection device 100 may be used to connect PSTN communication device 150 to the Internet, and in particular to a designated alternative VOIP destination, such as VOIP phone 196 , as detailed below.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, connection controller 110 is operatively connected to Internet interface 130 and is adapted to utilize Internet interface 130 to communicate with remote Internet communication devices, including remote database 170, over the Internet. According to some embodiments of the present invention, connection controller 110 may utilize Internet interface 130 in order to search at least one remote database 170 for one or more alternate VOIP destinations associated with the dialed number.

As with some embodiments of the present invention, remote database 170 may be any searchable database that can be configured to be sent back to VOIP destinations when providing information corresponding to a particular number dialed on a PSTN device. As with other embodiments of the invention, in the remote database 170, VOIP destinations may be associated with specific numbers dialable on PSTN devices, and when searching for alternative VOIP destinations for specific numbers dialed on PSTN devices, The remote database 170 may be adapted to return the VOIP destination associated with the dialed or called number. Remote database 170 is accessible via the Internet and is adapted to receive queries over the Internet and to send responses over the Internet.

Various Internet interfaces are well known in the industry. It should be appreciated that any currently known or future proposed Internet interface may be used to connect the alternative connection device 100, and in particular the connection controller 120, to the Internet according to some embodiments of the present invention.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, in the case that the search for alternative VOIP destinations returns one or more results corresponding to alternative VOIP destinations related to the dialed number to which PSTN communication device 150 wishes to connect (block 230), the connection The controller 110 may be configured to determine whether an alternate VOIP destination is available to receive the call (block 240). For example, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, as determining whether an alternate VOIP destination is available to receive a call, connection controller 110 may determine the alternate VOIP destination associated with the dialed number (e.g., VOIP phone 196) sent back whether the alternate VOIP destination is connected to the Internet; whether the status indicator (busy, away, do not disturb, etc.) Actually responding to VOIP calls and so on.

For example, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention, connection controller 110 may send a request to alternate VOIP destination 196 to authorize or confirm the direction of the call, as determined if the returned alternate VOIP destination is available for receiving the call, and Only in the event that authorization or confirmation is sent back by the alternate VOIP destination, the connection controller 110 will determine that the alternate VOIP destination is available to receive the call.

According to any embodiment of the invention, connection controller 110 may also be adapted to search local or internal database 140 for alternate VOIP destinations associated with dialed numbers (selection block 225). The local database 140 may be implemented as part of the alternative connection device 100, such as a storage device included therein. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the local database search may be performed before, after, or substantially simultaneously with the remote database search. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the local database 140 search may be performed prior to the remote database 170 search. According to other embodiments of the present invention, the connection controller 110 may only be adapted to search the remote database 170 for alternative VOIP destinations after searching the local database 140, and only searches the local database and does not return alternative VOIP destinations or send Carried out when an alternate VOIP destination is determined to be unsuitable for receiving calls. The availability of alternate VOIP destinations returned as a result of the local database search may be determined with reference to block 240 in a manner similar to that described above.

The organization of local database 140 may be similar to remote database 170, as detailed above. However, it should be appreciated that local database 140 may include entries not found in remote database 170, and vice versa. For example, a particular alternate VOIP user may choose not to publicly identify a particular alternate VOIP destination with a particular PSTN number (for example), but may provide this information confidentially to the operator of the alternate connection device 100 .

According to some embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined in block 230 that the search (remote database and/or local database search) does not return an alternate VOIP destination, or if it is not returned in the alternate VOIP destination returned in block 240 If neither is available for receiving calls, the connection controller 110 may decide to connect the PSTN communication device 150 to the original destination 192 or 194 to which the PSTN device 150 originally intended to connect (block 250 ). In this case, the connection controller 100 can connect the PSTN interface 120 to the local exchange 160 associated with the PSTN device 150 . Connecting a PSTN communication device to a destination communication device associated with a dialed number is well known in the art. It should be understood that, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the destination communication device may be a PSTN communication device such as the telephone 192, a mobile communication device such as the mobile phone 194, or any other device directly or indirectly connectable via the PSTN network. In particular, the destination communication device may be connected to the same local exchange as PSTN device 150, or it may not be directly connected to the same local exchange as PSTN communication device 150 and may require the use of a long-distance carrier or other intermediate infrastructure or The communication medium is used to initiate a connection with the PSTN communication device.

However, according to some embodiments of the present invention, if it determines at block 230 to search for at least one alternative VOIP destination, for example, the VOIP phone 196, and if it determines at block 240 to return at least one of the alternative VOIP destinations One is available to receive calls, and the connection controller 110 may connect the PSTN communication device 150 to an alternate VOIP destination (block 260). In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, in the event that the search returns more than one alternative VOIP destination, the connection controller 110 may be adapted to select a preferred alternative VOIP destination and may automatically establish a connection with the preferred alternative VOIP destination. communication session. However, other techniques for prioritizing alternate VOIP destinations may be used in situations where searches return more than one alternate VOIP destination associated with a dialed number, according to other embodiments of the present invention.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, in order to connect PSTN device 150 to an alternate VOIP destination, for example, to VOIP phone 196, connection controller 110 may cause Internet interface 130 to establish a VOIP connection with alternate VOIP destination 196 over the Internet. communication session.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, once a VOIP communication session is established between the alternative connection device 100 (via the Internet interface 130 ) and the alternative VOIP destination, the PSTN interface 120 can be used to receive communications from the PSTN communication device 150 . Such communications may be translated into a format compatible with PSTN communication device 150 and may be forwarded to PSTN communication device 150 . Internet interface 130 may be used to receive communications destined for an alternate VOIP destination, such as from VOIP phone 196, and to translate communications received from PSTN communication device 150 into a format compatible with the alternate VOIP destination (e.g., TCP/IP protocol ). As described in some embodiments of the present invention, upon receiving signals from the PSTN interface 120, the PSTN communication device 150 may generate appropriate audio, video and/or text output. As described with other embodiments of the present invention, upon receiving the interpreted signal from the Internet interface 130, the alternate VOIP destination may produce appropriate audio, video and/or text output.

It should be understood that the description of FIG. 1 refers to a specific circuit-switched traffic technology, ie, PSTN technology, but some embodiments of the present invention are not limited to any specific circuit-switched traffic technology. In addition, it should be appreciated that the illustration of FIG. 1 refers to a particular packet-switched traffic technology, namely Voice over Internet Protocol technology or more specifically VOIP technology, however some embodiments of the present invention are not limited to any particular traffic technology. packet-switched traffic technology.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, if the search does not return an alternate VOIP destination associated with the dialed number (block 230), or if none of the returned alternate VOIP destinations is determined to be available for the receiving PSTN device To call (block 240), the alternate connection device 100 may be configured to connect the PSTN device 150 to a dialed number, such as a PSTN phone 192 or mobile phone 194 (block 250), rather than to an alternate VOIP destination.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, connection controller 110 may be adapted to select a preferred connection option desired for connecting PSTN device 150 to a destination associated with a dialed number. Connection controller 110 may be configured to select a preferred connection option based on one or more call characteristics. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the connection controller 110 may be adapted to determine which is the preferred connection based on predetermined rules related to various call characteristics. Call characteristics can be related to the dialed number, for example, whether the dialed number corresponds to a local call, a long distance call, or an international call. However, call characteristics may be related to other call-related parameters, such as call time. Connection controller 110 may include the data and logic needed to enable the connection controller to distinguish between various predetermined call characteristics and to select a preferred connection option based on the call characteristics. In addition, the connection controller may include any necessary information required to connect the PSTN device 150 to the dialed number via the selected connection option.

Referring to FIG. 3 , it is a flowchart illustrating a method for initiating an alternate traffic connection according to other embodiments of the present invention. According to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 3, if the search does not return an alternate VOIP destination associated with the dialed number, or if none of the alternate VOIP destinations returned is determined to be available for the receiving PSTN device call (block 240), and the alternative connection device 100 decides to connect the PSTN device to the initial dialed number (block 250), the connection controller may be adapted to determine whether the dialed number corresponds to, for example, a long-distance or international call (block 252).

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, in cases where it determines that the dialed number corresponds to a long-distance or international call, the connection controller 110 may connect the PSTN device 150 to the dialed number via VOIP-out or similar calling card service (block 256 ). As described for connecting a PSTN device 150 to a dialed number via VOIP-out service, the connection controller 110 can utilize the Internet interface 130 to connect, for example, to a local exchange 180, via which the communication device associated with the dialed number can communicate with the PSTN Network communication. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the connection controller 110 may include or be adapted to obtain any necessary information required to initiate a connection to a dialed number via a VOIP-out service, including but not limited to calling card numbers, passwords, and the like.

VOIP-out and other calling card services are well known in the industry, and in particular VOIP-out is known for connecting a VOIP compatible device, such as the replacement connection device 100, to a communication device connected directly or indirectly to a PSTN network. In the case of the present invention, the alternative connection device 100 can connect the PSTN device 150 to the dialed number via the alternative connection device 100 using the VOIP-out service. In order to initiate a connection of a PSTN device to a dialed number using VOIP service, the VOIP capability of the alternate connection device 100 may be utilized. In addition, the alternative connection device 100 can be adapted to convert incoming VOIP traffic into a format that is translated into the desired content by the PSTN communication device 150, and to convert outgoing PSTN traffic into a format available to VOIP-out Appropriate VOIP protocol from the service provider, as required by most VOIP-out services.

In cases where it determines that the dialed number does not correspond to a long distance or international call, the connection controller 110 may connect the PSTN device 150 to the dialed number via the PSTN network, according to some embodiments of the invention (block 254). As this connection option illustrates, the alternative connection device 100 can establish a connection to the dialed number via the conventional PSTN network.

It should be appreciated that although the illustration of FIG. 3 refers to particular features that are associated with specified connection options, the invention is not limited thereto and that various connection options may be selected according to various features or combinations of features.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a block diagram illustration of an alternative connection arrangement implemented in a set top box (STB), in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments of the present invention, alternative connection device 100 may be implemented as part of STB 400. For example, the STB 400 and the alternate connection device 100 implemented therebetween may connect to the PSTN device 150 and the television device 420. According to other embodiments of the present invention, the replacement connection device 100 may contain some resources of the STB, such as memory and storage resources, processing resources, audio and video processing resources, and the like. For example, alternative connection device 100 may be adapted to use one or more of the elements of STB 400 , such as tuner 412 , analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converter 414 , audio processor 416 , and video processor 418 . It should be understood, however, that the combination of the alternative connection means shown in FIG. 4 with the STB is illustrative in nature and that the present invention is not limited to any particular embodiment of the STB. For example, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the tuner 412 shown in FIG. 4 may be omitted from the combination of the STB and an alternative connection device.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, in order to provide an enhanced and substantially improved graphical user interface (GUI), and to enhance communication capabilities beyond currently available communication solutions, including solutions based on PSTN or VOIP technology, the connection will be replaced Integration of the device 100 with the STB 400 may enable utilization of the resources of the STB 400 and the television display 420.

Claims (27)

1. A device for initiating an alternate traffic connection, characterized in that the device comprises: a connection controller coupled to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) device and adapted to receive information corresponding to a dialed number to which a PSTN device wishes to connect; Wherein upon receiving the information, the connection controller is adapted to automatically search a database for an alternate Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) destination associated with the dialed number. 2. The apparatus for initiating an alternate traffic connection as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the database comprises at least one remote database. 3. Apparatus for initiating an alternate traffic connection as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the database comprises a local database. 4. The device for initiating an alternative traffic connection as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the connection controller is adapted to search the remote database or the local database or both the remote database and the local database Or to find an alternate VOIP destination associated with the dialed number. 5. Apparatus for initiating a substitute traffic connection as claimed in claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, characterized in that the connection controller is adapted to check any substitute traffic returned by the remote and/or local search database Availability of VOIP connection. 6. The device for initiating an alternative traffic connection as claimed in claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5, characterized in that the connection controller is adapted to receive calls only when an alternative VOIP destination is determined to be available , start a communication session with the alternate VOIP destination. 7. Apparatus for initiating an alternate traffic connection as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the connection controller is adapted to initially search the remote database for one or more alternate traffic connections associated with the dialed number. VOIP destinations, and wherein the connection controller is adapted to search the local database only if no available alternative VOIP destinations are returned as a result of searching the remote database. 8. Apparatus for initiating an alternate traffic connection as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the connection controller is adapted to initially search the local database for one or more alternate traffic connections associated with the dialed number. VOIP destinations, and wherein the connection controller is adapted to search the remote database only if no available alternative VOIP destinations are returned as a result of searching the local database. 9. The apparatus for initiating a substitute traffic connection as claimed in claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, characterized in that the connection controller is responsive to a substitute service returned by the remote and/or local database search. VOIP destination to automatically start a communication session with the alternate VOIP destination. 10. The apparatus for initiating an alternate traffic connection as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the connection controller is responsive to more than one search returned by the remote and/or local database. Alternate VOIP Destination to select a preferred alternative VOIP destination and automatically start a communication session with the preferred alternative VOIP destination. 11. The device for initiating an alternate traffic connection as claimed in claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10, further comprising an Internet interface for initiating connection control The server communicates on the Internet. 12. The device for initiating a substitute traffic connection as claimed in claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11, characterized in that it further comprises a PSTN interface for initiating A connection controller communicates over the PSTN network. 13. The device for initiating an alternate traffic connection as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the connection controller is adapted to connect to the database and/or an alternate VOIP destination via the Internet interface. 14. The apparatus for initiating an alternate traffic connection as claimed in claim 12, wherein the connection controller is adapted to connect to the available alternate VOIP destination via the Internet interface and to translate the alternate VOIP communication between the destination and the device to initiate an alternate traffic connection. 15. The device for initiating an alternate traffic connection as claimed in claim 12, wherein the connection controller is adapted to connect to the PSTN device via the PSTN interface and to translate between the PSTN device and the device communication to initiate an alternate traffic connection. 16. The device for initiating an alternate traffic connection as claimed in claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 or 13 or 14 or 15, characterized in that : upon determining that the dialed number has no alternate VOIP destinations or upon determining that the dialed number has no alternate VOIP destinations available for receiving calls, the connection controller is adapted to initiate a communication session with the dialed number. 17. The device for initiating an alternate traffic connection as claimed in claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 or 13 or 14 or 15 or 16, wherein Characteristically, the connection controller is adapted to initiate a communication session with the dialed number via the PSTN network upon determining that the dialed number has no alternate VOIP destination or upon determining that the dialed number has no alternate VOIP destination available for receiving calls. 18. The device for initiating an alternate traffic connection as claimed in claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 or 13 or 14 or 15 or 16 or 17 , characterized in that: upon determining that the dialed number has no alternate VOIP destination or that the dialed number has no alternate VOIP destination available for receiving calls, the connection controller is adapted to utilize a calling card service to establish a connection with the dialed number connect. 19. As claimed in claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 or 13 or 14 or 15 or 16 or 17 or 18 for starting an alternative traffic connection device, characterized in that the connection controller is adapted to utilize a VOIP-out call service to establish a connection with The connection to the dialed number. 20. A device for initiating an alternate traffic connection, characterized in that the device comprises: a connection controller coupled to a circuit-switched network device and adapted to receive information corresponding to a dialed number to which a circuit-switched network device wishes to connect; Wherein upon receiving the information, the connection controller is adapted to automatically search a database for an alternative packet-switched traffic destination associated with the dialed number. 21. The apparatus for initiating an alternate traffic connection of claim 20, wherein the connection controller is responsive to an alternate packet switched traffic destination to automatically initiate an alternate packet switched traffic connection with the alternate packet switched traffic The communication session for the destination. 22. The apparatus for initiating an alternate traffic connection as claimed in claim 21, wherein the connection controller is operable to select one in response to more than one alternate packet switched traffic destination returned by the search A preferred alternate packet-switched traffic destination is selected, and a communication session is automatically initiated with the preferred alternate packet-switched traffic destination. 23. The device for initiating an alternate traffic connection as claimed in claim 20, 21 or 22, characterized in that: upon determining that the dialed number has no alternative packet-switched traffic destination or that the dialed number is not available for receiving calls The connection controller is adapted to initiate a communication session with the dialed number when an alternate packet-switched traffic destination is selected. 24. A method for initiating an alternate traffic connection, characterized in that the method comprises: receiving information corresponding to a dialed number to which a PSTN device wishes to connect; automatically searching at least one database for one or more alternate VOIP destinations associated with the dialed number; and A communication session is automatically initiated with an alternate VOIP destination obtained by searching the at least one database. 25. The method for initiating an alternate traffic connection as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: determining that the dialed number has no alternate VOIP destination or determining that the dialed number has no alternate VOIP destination available for receiving calls , start a communication session with the dialed number. 26. A computer program, characterized in that it comprises computer program code means for implementing the method of claim 24 or 25 when the computer program is executed on a computer. 27. The computer program according to claim 26, characterized in that the computer program is embodied on a computer readable medium.

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