Temporary Directory Number Bridging Cellular to VoIP Calls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for establishing cellular-to-VoIP calls rely on complex architectures and protocols, such as PSTN-to-VoIP gateways, which can be cumbersome and limit seamless integration between cellular and VoIP networks, requiring users to manage multiple numbers and protocols.
Innovation Solution
A communication system and method that utilizes an application server and media gateway to facilitate a VoIP media session between a cellular telephone and a VoIP destination device by providing a temporary directory number (TDN) and bridging the call across both PSTN and IP networks, simplifying the call establishment process and hiding protocol complexities from the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If PSTN-to-VoIP gateway is used to interface cellular telephone with VoIP destination device, then call establishment between cellular and VoIP networks is enabled, but system complexity increases and seamless integration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an application server as an intermediary component that receives data messages from cellular telephones containing VoIP destination information, processes the routing, and sends SIP INVITE messages to the VoIP destination. This mediator simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the conversion logic between cellular and VoIP protocols, reducing the complexity burden that would otherwise be distributed across multiple gateways and network elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the protocol conversion and call routing functionality from the traditional PSTN-to-VoIP gateway architecture and relocates it to an application server that operates independently on the IP network. This extraction allows the cellular network to maintain its native protocols while the application server handles the VoIP-specific signaling, thereby reducing the complexity of the integrated system by separating concerns into distinct functional components.
2Ease of operation
If permanent telephone number is assigned to VoIP destination device, then VoIP device can be identified and reached, but user must manage multiple numbers and protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The application server acts as an intermediary that shields the user from protocol complexity. The user simply enters the VoIP destination's telephone number in their cellular phone's contact list, unaware of the underlying VoIP protocols. The application server receives the call setup request, translates it into appropriate SIP signaling, and manages the protocol conversion transparently, thereby protecting the user from needing to understand or manage multiple protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the call establishment process into distinct functional layers: the user interface layer (cellular phone contact management), the protocol conversion layer (application server), and the VoIP signaling layer (SIP network). This segmentation allows each layer to operate independently with well-defined interfaces, enabling the user to interact only with the simple contact number management while the complex protocol handling is isolated in the application server layer.
3Ease of operation
If existing cellular-to-VoIP systems are used, then voice session can be established, but call establishment process is cumbersome and not user-transparent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the application server pre-process the call routing information and maintain a mapping between telephone numbers and VoIP destinations. When a user initiates a call to a contact in their cellular phone, the system has already prepared the routing information, allowing the call establishment to proceed directly without requiring the user to perform multiple manual steps or the system to perform complex real-time lookups, thereby reducing call setup time and simplifying the user experience.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of systems, methods, devices, and computer software for establishing a cellular-to-VoIP call are provided. One embodiment is a method for establishing a VoIP media session between an originating cellular telephone and a VoIP destination device. One such method comprises: receiving a first data message from an originating cellular telephone, the first data message comprising an identifier associated with a VoIP destination device; sending a second data message to the originating cellular telephone, the second data message comprising information identifying a temporary directory number (TDN) associated with the VoIP destination device; detecting an incoming voice call to the TDN from the originating cellular telephone; sending an invite message to the identifier associated with the VoIP destination device; sending a ringing indication to the originating cellular telephone; receiving an accept reply from the VoIP destination device; and answering the incoming voice call from the cellular telephone and establishing a VoIP media session between the originating cellular telephone and the VoIP destination device.