Methods for performing intelligent network services with an ISDN network terminator located at a subscriber's premise

Abstract

Disclosed are call processing methods which are performed by a network terminator located at a subscriber's premise. The network terminator is coupled to a digital network and a communication device at the subscriber's premise and can perform call waiting, caller identification, call conferencing without intervention from a telco's switching system that requires an additional charge to the subscriber for these services. In addition, the network terminator can perform a method which allows two digital communication devices coupled to one S-bus to share a communication session. In another embodiment, up to a six way conference call can be established with an analog telephone coupled to an ISDN network via the network terminator of the present invention.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the InventionThis invention relates generally to telecommunication call processing for a telephone subscriber and more particularly to a network terminator based arrangement located at a subscriber's premise for performing call waiting, caller identification, call conferencing, call forwarding and dual digital device communication sharing on one S-bus.2. Description of Related ArtISDN is defined by internationally accepted standard digital network user interfaces. The resulting network offers a variety of subscriber access lines capable of supporting services including voice, data, facsimile, and video. There are two International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee (CCITT) recommended standard integrated services digital network interfaces for user access. They include a basic rate interface (BRI) and a primary rate interface (PRI). By integrating these various services on a single transport system means, the subscriber avoids buyin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is directed to a network terminator (adapter) based arrangement located at a subscriber's premise which can be connected to a digital telephone network and can perform various call processing functions without the requirement of intervention from a telco switch. The network adapter includes a processor which can perform digital signal processing functions in accordance with the present invention. The adapter is operatively coupled to the digital network and a communication device at the subscriber's premise.

If the subscriber's premise does not include a second communication device coupled to the second communication channel, then after connecting the second call on the second communication channel, the adapter will send a private alerting signal to the user (e.g., beeps). Next, the program will enter a loop whereby the user will have the option to toggle between the first and second calls indefinitely until a disconnect request is made from any of the parties to the call. By connecting the two calls on the two communication channels and toggling between them at the user's option, the adapter eliminates the need for intervention from the telco switch to perform call waiting.

The voice mixing is performed by the processor within the adapter. The local voice signal of one B-channel (B1) is copied downstream of B1 to the upstream of the other B-channel (B2) while the local voice data signal of B2 is copied downstream of B2 to the upstream of B1. This automatically establishes a three way conference call and allows each of the parties to communicate with each other. This voice mixing of the two B-channels by the processor will continue until a disconnect request is made by any one of the parties to the conference call. By connecting each of the calls to a separate communication channel and voice mixing the two channels, the adapter eliminates the need for the Telco's switching system to conference the calls.

Next, the processor will establish a communication path between the incoming call and the alternate destination by mixing voice data on the first communication channel with voice data on the second communication channel such that a voice communication path is established by the adapter between the incoming call and the alternate destination. The processor will continue voice mixing until a disconnect request is made from the incoming caller or the alternate destination. The method according to this embodiment removes the Telco switch from performing call forwarding.

Problems solved by technology

Although ISDN networks are widely used in current telecommunication systems, coexistence between analog and digital terminal equipment at a customer premise on a single subscription line has heretofore been impractical.

A disadvantage to an ISDN subscriber arises from various types of class services (e.g., call forwarding, call waiting, caller ID) which are currently handled by the central office switching system and require the user to pay additional charges for their use.

Another disadvantage to a subscriber arises when a digital class of service is used and more than one digital communication device is connected to a single S-bus at the subscriber's premise.

A further disadvantage results from the lack of a basic electronic key telephone service (EKTS) for analog phones.

However, there is no such EKTS facilities used for analog telephones.

Images