Virtual Line Channel Reservation in VoIP Call Transfers
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Solution Overview
Problem
IP telephony systems lack features similar to those found in circuit switched communication systems, such as maintaining a reserved communication channel during call transfers and forwarding, which are essential for user experience and functionality.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a virtual line channel in a packet switched network using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) to reserve and maintain communication sessions across different channels, emulating the functionality of an analog trunk in circuit switched networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If VoIP is used to increase user mobility and integrate telecommunications and data transmissions, then user mobility and integration capability are improved, but loss of familiar circuit switched features occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual line channel that copies the behavior and features of traditional circuit-switched telephone lines within a packet-switched VoIP environment. The communication platform emulates analog trunk functionality by maintaining proxy states (Channel Active, Channel Inactive, Line Seized, Line Seized-Channel Active) that replicate familiar circuit-switched operations, allowing users to access traditional telephony features through IP-based infrastructure without requiring retraining or changing user behavior patterns
2Adaptability or versatility
If call transfer functionality is implemented in VoIP to allow flexible call routing, then call routing flexibility is improved, but maintaining channel reservation during transfer becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The communication platform performs preliminary actions by establishing and maintaining proxy states before actual call transfer occurs. When a call is transferred from one IP phone to another, the platform proactively maintains the virtual line channel reservation in the appropriate proxy state throughout the transfer process, ensuring that the channel remains reserved and available even when the original IP phone releases it. This preliminary state management ensures reliable channel reservation maintenance during flexible call routing operations
Data Source
AI summary
A method for implementing a virtual line channel in a packet switched network includes reserving a virtual line channel associated with a first station and establishing a communication session between the first station and a second station over the virtual line channel. The reservation of the virtual line channel is maintained while the communication session is active. The communication session may be transferred to a different channel associated with a third station. The reservation of the virtual line channel is maintained while the communication session is active despite the transfer of the communication session. When the communication session has terminated, the reservation of the virtual line channel is released.