Telephonic communications – Multi-line or key substation system with selective switching...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-22
2003-12-09
Nguyen, Duc (Department: 2643)
Telephonic communications
Multi-line or key substation system with selective switching...
C379S165000, C379S164000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06661883
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to communication networks. It is particularly applicable to telephone communication networks such key system units operating in a networking environment. The invention also extends to a routing agent, that can allow remote key system units to interoperate with one another.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Key telephone system units, such as the product developed and commercialized under the trademark Nortstar by the present assignee are standalone units offering a range of enhanced functions to the terminals physically connected to the unit. Naturally, such units permit a call to extend beyond the physical boundaries of a unit, however such external call can only be provided with limited functions and services. This is a disadvantage to organizations having offices in remote geographical areas, where each office is serviced by an independent key system unit. Users from one office can establish calls to users to other offices, such as through the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network), however those external calls offer the user only the functions supported by the PSTN, and the enhanced services available to internal calls are not accessible.
Therefore, there is a need in the industry to improve the interoperability of key system units such as to allow a broader range of interactions between remote key system units than is presently available.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect, the invention provides a key system unit comprising a first interface suitable for connection to a plurality of local terminals and a control unit coupled to this first interface. The control unit is operative to receive a user data signal from the first interface and to route the user data signal toward a selected destination. In one example, the selected destination could be another local terminal (internal connection). In another example, the selected destination is outside the boundaries of the key system unit (external connection).
The user data signal could be an audio signal, but could also be a video signal or any other signal having user content.
The control unit comprises a registry for storing system status information, the system status information including a local segment and at least one remote segment. The local segment of the registry provides a representation of the functional status of the key system unit while the remote segment provides a representation of the functional status of a remote key system unit. The key system unit further comprises a second interface coupled to the control unit for allowing the control unit to exchange signaling information that conveys status information with an external entity such as for example the remote key system unit.
Preferably, the control unit includes a switching fabric operative for receiving a user data signal from the first interface and routing the user data signal toward a selected destination.
According to a specific implementation, the key system unit is a key telephone system.
In a specific example, the system status information reflects the condition at any particular time of one or more components of the key system unit, such as terminals and lines connected to the key system unit or a remote key system unit. For instance, the system status of a terminal information may indicate information items selected from the set consisting of busy/free status, do not disturb status, name of party associated to the local terminal, last number dialed, user preferences, audio level and call history. Under this example, the local segment of the registry reflects the free/busy status of the local terminals while the remote segment reflects the information items of on or more of the terminals connected to the remote key system unit. In another example of the system status of a line may indicate information items selected in the group consisting of name of the calling party when an external call is received, maintenance test signals, all trunks busy, equipment failure, routing information, flow control.
Under a specific example of implementation of the present invention, the control unit is capable of transmitting to at least one of the local terminals connected to the first interface at least a portion of the information residing in the local segment and in the remote segment of the registry for processing by the at least one of the local terminals. That information can then be displayed to the user. In a specific example where the information items in the status information reflect the busy/free status of the terminals, a user at a terminal physically connected to the key system unit can see whether a terminal physically connected to the remote key system unit is free or is busy. By expanding the scope of the system status information to include additional elements, the two key system units can be made to appear to a user as a single unit, although in reality each key system unit has its own controlling entity.
According to a specific implementation, the system status information also provides a representation of parameters of a call involving a terminal connected to the key system unit. The system status information also provides a representation of parameters of a call involving a terminal connected to a remote key system unit. Specific example of parameters include the name of the calling party, whether call is on hold, whether the call is transferred from another terminal and the duration of the call.
According to another broad aspect, the invention provides a method for enhancing the interoperability between a first and a second key system units. The method comprises storing status information in a registry of the first system unit, the status information including a local segment and at least one remote segment. The local segment provides a representation of the functional status of a first key system unit while the remote segment provides a representation of the functional status of the second key system unit. The method also comprises displaying at least a portion of the information in the remote segment on a display of a terminal connected to the first key system unit.
According to another aspect, the invention provides a routing agent for allowing a first key system unit to interoperate with a remote key system unit. The routing agent comprises a first port through which control information with the first key system unit can be exchanged and a second port suitable for connection to a signaling bridge through which signaling information with an external entity, such as for example a remote key system unit can be exchanged. A processing unit manages the operation of the routing agent. The processing unit receives control information conveying system status information at the first port for transmitting signaling information through the second port, the signaling information being indicative of the status of the first key system unit.
In a specific example, the processing unit in the routing agent is responsive to signaling information received at the second port and indicative of system status information associated with a remote key system unit for issuing control information at said first port to cause the status information associated with the remote key system unit to be imported in a registry of the first key system.
In a more specific example of implementation, the routing agent establishes a functional dialogue with a routing agent associated with a remote key system unit to allow a call to be established between the two key system units. Each routing agent controls the local key system unit to set up a media bridge between them to carry the user data.
In a specific example, a first key system includes a switch fabric operative for receiving a user data signal from a terminal local to the first key system unit and routing the user data signal toward a selected destination. A second key system unit includes a switch fabric operative for receiving a user data signal from a terminal local to the second key system unit and routing the user data signal toward a selected destination
Dowser Michael T.
Egan Brian B.
Macaulay Robert P.
Meijer Frank F.
Solar Christopher R.
Nguyen Duc
Nortel Networks Limited
Smith Kevin L.
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