U.S. patent application number 12/123893 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-08 for systems and methods for messaging using a broadband connection.
Invention is credited to Douglas B. Alston, Valois Gonzalez, Barbara Stark.
Application Number | 20090253404 12/123893 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39387648 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090253404 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Alston; Douglas B. ; et
al. |
October 8, 2009 |
Systems And Methods For Messaging Using A Broadband Connection
Abstract
Systems and methods for sending and receiving text, or data,
messages between wireless communication devices and
wireline-messaging devices utilize a broadband connection to the
wireline premises as the signaling channel. A message application
server sends messages directly to wireline-messaging devices
through a digital network, such as the Internet. Such systems and
methods include wireline-messaging devices integrated with premises
telephones connected to a PSTN, in which the telephones are adapted
with thin client software to send and receive data messages.
Inventors: |
Alston; Douglas B.;
(Fayetteville, GA) ; Stark; Barbara; (Roswell,
GA) ; Gonzalez; Valois; (Marietta, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MERCHANT & GOULD BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
P.O. BOX 2903
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
39387648 |
Appl. No.: |
12/123893 |
Filed: |
May 20, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10236224 |
Sep 6, 2002 |
7376126 |
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12123893 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/405 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/12 20130101; H04L
12/66 20130101; H04M 3/42382 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/405 |
International
Class: |
H04M 11/00 20060101
H04M011/00 |
Claims
1. A method for tracking telephone plan minute status, comprising
the steps of: initializing a first timer, wherein the timer has
timer information, including a time block designation and time
usage variable, associated therewith; adding the time used by a
call to the time usage variable if the call was made within the
time block designation associated with the timer; and notifying the
user of predefined timer information.
2.-25. (canceled)
Description
NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT PROTECTION
[0001] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and its
attachments contain material, which is subject to copyright
protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile
reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent
disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent
files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights
whatsoever.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of
telecommunications. More particularly, the present invention
relates to systems and methods for sending and receiving data
messages between wireless and wireline communication devices using
a broadband connection as a signaling channel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Conventional text messaging systems use narrow-band
signaling techniques similar to call-number delivery currently in
use in the public switched telephone network (PSTN). In such
systems, narrow-band exclusion is used as the signaling channel.
Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) components are also utilized to
send simple, or short, text messages from wireless devices to
modified landline, or wireline, terminal devices. One disadvantage
of such systems is that modifications must be made to narrow-band
analog communication channels to provide the exclusions necessary
to simultaneously transmit digital data messages. Another
disadvantage is that narrow-band transmissions can accommodate only
limited data-file sizes and transmission speeds. In addition, when
text messages are transmitted to the home over narrow-band
frequencies, a user must either leave a personal computer (PC) on
all of the time or experience the inconvenience of having to boot
up a PC to check messages.
[0004] Another disadvantage of using narrow-band connections for
data messaging is that a connection must be made with a user's
internet service provider (ISP) through a dial-up service in order
to check messages. Often, when there is only one telephone line to
a home, a home telephone is in use and one is unable to connect to
the ISP for Internet connection.
[0005] Given such limitations to text messaging to
wireline-messaging devices in the home, an opportunity for exchange
of consumer information is lost. Advertisers are unable to quickly
and reliably transmit advertising information to potential
customers in their homes. Consumers are unable to quickly request
and receive product information, sales notifications, and other
marketing information in the convenience of their homes through
direct data communications using existing telecommunications
equipment.
[0006] As a result, there is a need for systems and methods of
wireless-wireline messaging utilizing a broadband connection to
premises such as the home and small business. There is a need for
such systems and methods that do not require leaving a personal
computer on all the time, or the inconvenience of booting up a PC,
to check messages. There is a need for such systems and methods
that utilize existing home telephones for sending and receiving
data messages.
[0007] There is a need for such systems and methods that allow
message retrieval without connecting to an ISP through a dial-up
service. There is a need for such systems and methods that allow an
"always on" connection for quick and reliable delivery of data
messages, and that allow transmission of large communications
files, such as for video and multi-media. There is also a need for
such systems and methods that provide a means for quick and
reliable transmission of consumer and advertising information to
potential customers in their homes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides systems and methods for text,
or data, messaging to and from wireline-messaging devices using a
broadband connection to the wireline premises as the signaling
channel. In one embodiment, a system for wireless-wireline data
messaging comprises a wireless communication device for sending and
receiving a data message, a message application server connected to
a computer network, such as the Internet, and in communication with
the wireless communication device, and a wireline-messaging device
connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN). The
wireline-messaging device is adapted to send and receive the data
message. The system includes a broadband connection between the
message application server and the wireline-messaging device.
[0009] In embodiments of the present invention, the wireless
communication device can be a cellular telephone, a personal
digital assistant, a handheld computer, a two-way pager, or other
communication device. Such a system includes a network message
service center for both a wireless network and a wireline network
for storing and forwarding the data message between the wireless
communication device and the wireline communication device.
[0010] The broadband connection employed in embodiments of the
present invention comprises various types of communication delivery
systems. For example, in one embodiment, the broadband connection
comprises a digital subscriber line (DSL), such as an asymmetric
digital subscriber line (ADSL). In other embodiments, a broadband
connection comprises a coaxial cable, or an "integrated
fiber-in-the-loop" (IFITL) connection. Satellite-based data
delivery systems may also be used.
[0011] Systems of the present invention also comprise a premises
broadband gateway connected to a data network, such as the
Internet, for routing a data message to a wireline-messaging
device. In one embodiment, the wireline-messaging device comprises
a premises telephone, a stand-alone device separate from a premises
telephone, or a device integrated into a premises telephone. In
embodiments in which the wireline-messaging device is a stand-alone
device, the device can be connected to the premises broadband
gateway using various connections, for example, using unshielded
twisted pair copper wires, an Ethernet connection, or a wireless
connection. Alternatively, the premises broadband gateway is
integrated with the wireline-messaging device.
[0012] In one embodiment, the wireline-messaging device comprises a
thin client software application to allow the wireline-messaging
device to receive and send the data message independent of voice
call processing. In embodiments, the thin client software
application comprises a session initiation protocol, and can
include support for instant messaging. Alternatively, the thin
client software can comprise a wireless application protocol.
[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, a static
Internet protocol (IP) address is associated with the
wireline-messaging device, and the IP address is stored in the
message application server. In other embodiments, a non-static, or
dynamic, IP address is associated with the wireline-messaging
device. In such embodiments, a current dynamic IP address for the
device is registered with, and stored in, the message application
server. In embodiments in which a plurality of the
wireline-messaging devices or user accounts are connected to the
same premises broadband gateway, a unique static internet protocol
(IP) address is associated with each of the plurality of the
wireline-messaging devices or user accounts. In other embodiments
having a plurality of wireline-messaging devices or user accounts
connected to the same premises broadband gateway, a unique dynamic
IP address is associated with each of the devices or accounts. In
still other embodiments, a single static or dynamic IP address is
associated with a premises broadband gateway, and a unique port is
assigned to each of a plurality of devices.
[0014] Embodiments of the present invention include methods of
wireless-wireline data message communication. One such method
comprises sending a data message from a wireless communication
device to a message application server connected to the Internet,
using a wireline directory number (DN) associated with an intended
premises as a terminating address for the data message. A return
message is sent from the message application server to the wireless
device requesting identification of an intended recipient of the
data message from among a plurality of wireline-messaging devices
associated with the wireline DN.
[0015] A user of the wireless communication device selects an
intended recipient of the data message. The wireless device user
sends a response message from the wireless device indicating the
selected intended recipient to the message application server. The
message application server is connected over a broadband, such as
ADSL, connection with one of the plurality of wireline-messaging
devices having a unique internet protocol (IP) address and that is
connected to a premises broadband gateway. In an embodiment in
which each of a plurality of wireline-messaging devices has a
unique IP address, the connection between the message application
server and each device comprises a point-to-point protocol session.
The message application server maps the wireline DN associated with
the intended premises to the unique Internet protocol (IP) address
associated with the selected wireline-messaging device recipient,
and sends the data message from the message application server to
the premises broadband gateway. The premises broadband gateway then
routes the data message to the selected recipient
wireline-messaging device.
[0016] Features of systems and methods for messaging between
wireless and wireline devices using a broadband connection of the
present invention may be accomplished singularly, or in
combination, in one or more of the embodiments of the present
invention. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the
art, the present invention has wide utility in a number of
applications as illustrated by the variety of features and
advantages discussed below.
[0017] Systems and methods for messaging between wireless and
wireline devices using a broadband connection of the present
invention provide numerous advantages over prior messaging systems.
For example, embodiments of the present invention advantageously
provide a system and method for communicating data messages
directly from a wireless communication device to a
wireline-messaging device, utilizing existing broadband
connections, such as an ADSL line, without the need for use of a
narrow-band communication channel or AIN components. Another
advantage is that the present invention provides systems and
methods for data messaging at home that do not require leaving a
personal computers on all the time, or the inconvenience of booting
up a PC, to check messages.
[0018] Still another advantage of the present invention is that
because broadband connections are "always on," delivery of data
messages is quick. Data message delivery is also reliable in the
present invention because messages can be stored and/or delivered
even when the premises telephone is in use.
[0019] Another advantage is that the present invention provides for
transmission of large communications files, such as for video and
multi-media, by using broad bandwidth communication channels.
Another advantage is that the present invention utilizes existing
premises telephones and other communications devices, which can be
modified with thin client software, to send and receive data
messages.
[0020] Still another advantage is that the methods and systems of
the present invention provide an efficient mechanism for providing
detailed product, service, and promotional information to
consumers. The methods and systems of the present invention benefit
advertisers, wireless service providers, and current and potential
customers by providing a means for supplying targeted information
to consumers.
[0021] As will be realized by those of skill in the art, many
different embodiments of systems and methods for messaging between
wireless and wireline devices using a broadband connection
according to the present invention are possible. Additional uses,
objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention are set
forth in the detailed description that follows and will become more
apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the
following or by practice of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of wireless to wireline messaging
via a broadband ADSL connection with a stand-alone
wireline-messaging device externally connected to a premises ADSL
gateway in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of wireless to wireline messaging
via a broadband ADSL connection with an integrated premises
telephone and wireline-messaging device externally connected to a
premises ADSL gateway in an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of wireless to wireline messaging
via a broadband ADSL connection with an integrated premises
telephone, premises ADSL gateway, and wireline-messaging device in
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of wireless to wireline messaging
via a broadband ADSL connection with a plurality of integrated
premises telephones and wireline-messaging devices externally
connected to a premises ADSL gateway in an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of wireless to wireline messaging
using a broadband ADSL connection in an embodiment of a method of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and
methods for providing text, or data, messaging between a
wireline-messaging device connected to a public switched telephone
network (PSTN) and another communication device. The
wireline-messaging device is adapted to send and/or receive data
messages. In one embodiment, a message application server is in
communication with a wireless communication device and connected to
a communication network, such as the Internet. A broadband
connection between the message application server and the wireline
premises is utilized as the signaling channel. FIGS. 1-5 show
various aspects of embodiments of the present invention.
[0028] The systems of FIGS. 1-4 comprise a telephone network
environment for sending and receiving a text message. A user of a
wireless communication device 10 creates a text, or data, message
using the keypad on the wireless device 10. In the embodiment
shown, the wireless communication device 10 comprises a digital
cellular telephone capable of originating and receiving voice
messages and short text messages, such as those provided in a short
message service (SMS) system. Wireless devices include digital
cellular telephones, handheld computers, personal digital
assistants, text pagers, and any digital terminals capable of
sending and receiving data messages.
[0029] When the user of the wireless communication device 10 inputs
a wireline device directory number (DN) and sends a message along
with the DN, the wireless device automatically sends the message to
the wireless network short message service center (SMSC) 20, which
includes a SMSC server 21. An SMS service is a means by which short
messages, for example, alphanumeric messages up to 160 characters,
can be sent to and from communication devices. An SMSC operates the
SMS system for sending and receiving messages to and from the
wireless device. The SMSC 20 and server 21 store and forward, or
route, SMS messages and provide administrative functions relating
to the text messaging services. For example, an SMSC can support
point-to-point, mobile-terminated, and mobile-originated messages,
and may handle multiple input and output sources, such as
electronic mail and web-based messaging. In the system in FIG. 1,
the SMS message 22 is sent from the wireless communication device
10 to a wireline-messaging device 150 using a wireline directory
number (DN) associated with the wireline-messaging device 150 as
the routing address.
[0030] SMS messaging provides a targeted and efficient mechanism
for transmitting short, messages to and from a communication
device. An SMS message may be delivered to a wireless or wireline
communication device whether or not the device is active at the
time of attempted message delivery. In addition, an active terminal
device can be configured to receive or submit an SMS message at any
time, independent of whether a voice call or data transmission is
in progress. Because SMS messages are stored in the SMSC until the
terminal destination device becomes available, successful message
delivery rates are quite high. As a result, SMS messaging is
effective for reliable information transfer. Such a system provides
effective information delivery for an advertiser, for example,
because a potential consumer is reliably provided with requested
information, whether or not the terminal device is in use.
[0031] The messaging systems embodied in FIGS. 1-4 comprise
messages and centers of an SMS system. Other embodiments of data
messaging systems include an enhanced message service (EMS), a
multi-media message service (MMS), and messages transmitted using a
wireless application protocol (WAP). Such messages and associated
message service centers operate in similar fashion to that
described herein for SMS messages and SMSCs.
[0032] Referring again to FIG. 1, the SMSC 20 sends the SMS message
22 to the wide area network (WAN) 30, where the SMS message 22 can
be transferred to other cells or frequencies depending on
transmission standards of particular networks utilized to reach the
geographic destination of the message. The WAN 30 can include
networks such as the global system for mobile communications (GSM),
networks utilizing code division multiplex (CDMA) standards, and
networks utilizing time division multiplex (TDMA) standards, as
well as other digital transmission systems. The GSM, CDMA, and TDMA
standards specify how each voice or data signal is transferred from
a mobile switching center (MSC) to the wireless device 10 and back,
as well as which transmission frequency is being used. The WAN 30
may include national and international coverage areas and may
support more than one wireless technology.
[0033] From the wide area network 30, SMS message 22 is forwarded
to a wireline network SMSC 40, which includes an SMSC server 41.
The wireline network SMSC 40 and server 41 store and forward SMS
messages to and from, for example, the wireline-messaging device
150 shown in FIG. 1, and provide administrative functions relating
to the text messaging services similar to SMSC 20 and server 21 in
the wireless network.
[0034] The wireline network SMSC server 41 forwards SMS message 42
in the wireline network to a message application server 50,
configured to send data messages directly to a wireline-messaging
device, for example, the wireline-messaging device 150 in the
embodiment in FIG. 1. The wireline network SMS message 42 comprises
the same message as the SMS message 22 in the wireless network. The
SMS message 42 is transmitted in the wireline network.
[0035] The message application server 50 comprises an
Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) server. The AAA
server 50 authenticates, or verifies, the identification of the
sender of a message, authorizes access to the network to transmit
the message, and provides charge accounting for access to the
system. The message application server 50 composes an Internet
Protocol (IP) message 51 based on the SMS message 42, and sends the
IP message 51 through the Internet infrastructure.
[0036] In the embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS.
1-4, the Internet 60 is connected to a customer premises 100 with a
broadband data connection. IP message 61 is forwarded from the
Internet 60 over the broadband data connection 62. The IP message
61 comprises the same message as IP message 51 forwarded from the
message application server 50, IP message 61 being transmitted over
the broadband data connection 62.
[0037] The IP message 61 is forwarded to a Digital Subscriber Line
Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) 70. The DSLAM 70 shown is a packet
multiplexer device, which serves as the point of interface between
a number of subscriber premises and a carrier network. A DSLAM can
be positioned in the Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier's (ILEC's)
central office or may be enclosed in a digital loop carrier. In the
embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4, the DSLAM 70 transmits the IP
message 71 forwarded from the Internet 70, over ADSL 72.
[0038] In a plain old telephone service (POTS) system, a premises
telephone is connected to a POTS central office over copper wires
that are wound around each other and referred to as an unshielded
twisted pair (UTP or "twisted pair"). A premises is defined as any
location, such as a home, factory, or office, having a terminal
communication device and a directory number associated with the
device. Conventional phone systems are designed to exchange voice
information using an analog signal. In an analog system, an input
device, such as a telephone, converts an acoustic signal (a natural
analog signal) into an electrical equivalent in terms of volume
(signal amplitude) and pitch (frequency of wave change). A computer
modem has the ability to "modulate" an analog signal by converting
digital signal data bits represented by 0 and 1 values into
variations on the analog sine wave so that data can be transmitted
over the PSTN. A receiving modem reverses this process and
"demodulates" the analog signal into a digital bit stream.
[0039] Conventional digital subscriber lines are used for
transmitting high-bandwidth information over UTP telephone lines.
Because high-bandwidth transmissions can reach very high
transmission rates, DSL lines enable the continuous transmission of
large files, such as complex video and audio data files. Analog
transmissions only use a small portion of the available amount of
bandwidth, or transmission capacity, over copper wires. DSL
technology allows transmission of digital data over twisted pairs
without converting digital data into and out of analog form. Both
digital signals and analog signals can be transmitted
simultaneously, allowing the telephone service provider to utilize
a much greater transmission capacity. Because a transmission signal
can be separated into analog and digital signals, an analog
telephone and a computer and/or other digital messaging device can
be used on the same line at the same time.
[0040] Such digital signals can be transmitted over a "broadband"
connection to a customer premises simultaneously with analog voice
transmissions in the POTS system. "Broadband" is a transmission
facility providing wide bandwidth transmission capacity that allows
transmission of large amounts of digital data. Broadband channels
comprise twisted pairs or can be fiberoptic in nature. When a
broadband channel connection is configured as "always on," data
messages can be sent and received quickly and efficiently by
messaging devices connected to the broadband channel. A broadband
connection allows data messages to be sent and received at any
time, even while the analog voice service is in use. In embodiments
of the present invention, using a broadband connection allows a
message server to send messages directly to a wireline-messaging
device, thus avoiding any need for transmitting signals over narrow
band channels or forwarding messages through AIN components in a
network.
[0041] In the embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS.
1-4, a broadband ADSL 82 is used as the signaling channel for the
IP message 81. ADSL is a high-speed transmission technology that
sends high-speed digital signals up and down existing telephone
company unshielded twisted pair copper wires using ASDL modems at
both the end office and the subscriber's premises. ADSL is
characterized as "asymmetric" because more information is sent in a
downstream direction to an end user than in the upstream direction
to the telephone company. The high downstream bandwidth allows the
telephone line to bring in large-file, complex data to a user.
Because user requests and responses are usually small, requiring
little upstream bandwidth, a small portion of bandwidth is
available for upstream or user-interaction messages. Typically,
ADSL transmissions are carried on existing telephone lines.
[0042] In other embodiment of the present invention, alternative
forms of DSL may be used. For example, wireless-to-wireline data
messaging can be transmitted using high bit-rate DSL (HDSL), very
high data rate (VDSL), integrated services digital network DSL
(ISDN-DSL), and G.shdsl, which is a single line or single pair
HDSL. The systems and methods of the present invention are operable
with any broadband connection utilizing an Open Systems
Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model Layer 2 data link transport
technology. For example, broadband connections can include
"Integrated-Fiber-in-the-Loop" (IFITL) technology or can be coaxial
cable. Other broadband connections may be used as alternatives.
[0043] In the present invention, analog voice calls and data
messages can be carried over the same physical wires, for example,
lines in a POTS system. In the embodiments in FIGS. 1-4, End Office
91 in PSTN 90 transmits an analog voice signal 92 over POTS line 93
to premises 100. The analog voice signal 92 is transmitted to
premises 100 simultaneously with the IP message 71 over the ADSL
broadband connection 72.
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the analog voice signal 92 is
directed to the same wireline number as the IP signal 95. In the
embodiment in FIG. 1, when the analog voice signal 92 and the IP
signal 71 reach the intended premises 100, a low pass (LP) filter
(not shown), integrated with a premises telephone 120, allows the
analog voice signal 92 to pass through to the premises telephone
120 to complete transmission of a conventional analog call. A low
pass filter is a device that allows signals of frequencies below a
certain range to pass. A high pass (HP) filter (not shown),
integrated with an ADSL gateway 130, allows the IP signal 71 to
pass through to digital devices connected to the ADSL gateway 130.
A high pass filter is a device that allows signals of frequencies
above a certain range to pass. A gateway is defined as an entrance
and exit, such as a node, or point connection, into a
communications network. A gateway is typically an electronic
repeater device that intercepts and steers electrical signals from
one network to another.
[0045] An ADSL gateway, such as a modem or router, is an
intelligent service node, or data switch, that connects a premises
terminal communication device over an ASDL line with a data
network, such as the Internet. An ADSL gateway is associated with
an IP address that is stored in a message application server. As
shown in FIG. 1, the ADSL gateway 130 can route the IP message 71
from the message application server 50 to a personal computer (PC)
140 using a point-to-point protocol session (PPP-1) 131 and/or to
the wireline-messaging device 150 using a point-to-point protocol
session (PPP-2) 132. A point-to-point protocol is a protocol that
provides a means for connecting the PSTN from a home personal
computer or other digital computing device to an internet service
provider (ISP).
[0046] In the embodiment in FIG. 1, the wireline-messaging device
150 is a stand-alone terminal device having Internet capabilities.
The wireline-messaging device 150 comprises thin client software
151 that allows the wireline device 150 to receive and send
messages independent of the call processing functions for voice
services operated by the premises telephone 120. "Thin client"
refers to devices containing limited processing power, or RAM, and
software that requests information, such as applications and files,
from a central server or network, and are dependent upon a server
or network to operate.
[0047] In embodiments of the present invention, thin client
software in wireline-messaging devices comprises a session
initiation protocol (SIP) protocol stack. A SIP is an application
layer protocol for the establishment, modification, and termination
of conferencing and telephony sessions using text-based messages
over IP-based networks. SIP addressing can be built around a
telephone number or a Web host name. SIP negotiates features and
capabilities of the session, such as algorithms for converting
voice signals from their analog form to digital signals acceptable
to the terminals, at the time the session is established. In other
embodiments, the thin client software SIP stack comprises an
instant messaging (IM), or real-time, on-line electronic mail,
application. In other embodiments, the thin client software
comprises a wireless application protocol (WAP).
[0048] As shown in FIG. 1, the wireline-messaging device 150 is
connected to the premises ADSL gateway 130 using a data connection
133. The data connection 133 can be accomplished using a cable,
such as an Ethernet connection. In alternative embodiments, the
data connection 133 comprises a wireless connection, for example,
an 802.11 or Bluetooth standard connection. In other embodiments, a
terminal wireline-messaging device can comprise a personal computer
(PC), a personal digital assistant (PDA), and/or other data
communication device.
[0049] The embodiment in FIG. 2 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1,
with the exception that a wireline-messaging device 250 is
integrated with a premises telephone 220. That is, the premises
telephone 220 is adapted to send and receive data messages. In the
embodiment in FIG. 2, a low pass filter (not shown), integrated
with the premises telephone 220, allows the analog voice signal 92
to pass through to the premises telephone 220 to complete
transmission of a conventional analog call. A high pass filter (not
shown), integrated with an ADSL gateway 230, allow the IP message
71 to pass through to digital devices connected to the ADSL gateway
230.
[0050] The integrated wireline-messaging device 250 comprises thin
client software 221 that allows the wireline device 250 to receive
and send messages independent of the call processing functions for
voice services operated by the premises telephone 220. In
embodiments, the thin client software 221 comprises a session
initiation protocol (SIP) protocol stack. In other embodiments, the
thin client software 221 SIP stack comprises an instant messaging
(IM) application. In still other embodiments, the thin client
software 221 comprises a wireless application protocol (WAP).
[0051] As shown in FIG. 2, the integrated wireline-messaging device
250 is connected to the premises ADSL gateway 230 using a data
connection 233. The data connection 233 can be accomplished using a
cable, such as an Ethernet connection. In alternative embodiments,
the data connection 233 comprises a wireless connection, for
example, an 802.11 standard connection.
[0052] The embodiment in FIG. 3 is similar to that shown in FIG. 2,
with the exception that a premises telephone 320, a
wireline-messaging device 350, and an ADSL gateway 330 are
integrated. In this embodiment, the premises telephone 320 is
adapted to send and receive data messages and the ADSL gateway 330
is internal to the premises telephone 320. In the embodiment in
FIG. 3, a low pass filter (not shown), integrated with the premises
telephone 320, allows the analog voice signal 92 to pass through to
the premises telephone 320 to complete transmission of a
conventional analog call. A high pass filter (not shown),
integrated with an ADSL gateway 330, allows the IP message 71 to
pass through to digital devices integrated with or connected to the
ADSL gateway 330. As shown in FIG. 3, the integrated
wireline-messaging device 350 is internally connected to the
premises ADSL gateway 330 using an internal data connection
333.
[0053] In embodiments of the present invention, multiple users
and/or wireline-messaging devices can receive messages via one
broadband, such as ADSL, gateway. Privacy concerns create the need
to avoid sending a particular data message to multiple terminal
messaging devices or users connected to one broadband gateway. In
such embodiments, multiple users and/or terminal messaging devices
can receive only the messages intended for the particular user
and/or device through the same premises broadband gateway. Each of
the multiple user accounts, or mailboxes, and/or terminal messaging
devices is associated with a unique static, or fixed, IP address,
such as a uniform resource locator (URL) or electronic mail
address. The IP addresses are stored in a message application
server.
[0054] In such embodiments, the broadband gateway has individual
ports assigned to each of a plurality of messaging devices.
Alternatively, each of a plurality of messaging devices comprises a
unique address. As a result, terminal-messaging devices could be
placed at multiple locations in a premises, such as a house or
office, so that a message could be sent to a particular device or
user without being routed to each device or user in the premises.
In addition, using a unique IP address for each terminal device in
a premises allows the use of only one premises broadband
gateway.
[0055] For example, in the embodiment in FIG. 4, both the
wireline-messaging device 250 and another wireline-messaging device
270, both connected to the same premise ADSL gateway 230, can
receive data messages intended specifically for the particular
device. In FIG. 4, the wireline-messaging devices 250 and 270 are
integrated with the premises telephone 220 and the premises
telephone 260, respectively. A low pass filter (not shown),
integrated with the premises telephones 220 and 260, allows the
analog voice signal 92 to pass through to the premises telephones
220 and 260, respectively, to complete transmission of a
conventional analog call. A high pass filter (not shown),
integrated with an ADSL gateway 230, allows the IP message 71 to
pass through to digital devices connected to the ADSL gateway
230.
[0056] The ADSL gateway 230 can route the IP message 71 from the
message application server 50 to a personal computer (PC) 240 using
a point-to-point protocol session (PPP-1) 231, to the integrated
wireline-messaging device 250 using a point-to-point protocol
session (PPP-2) 232, and/or to the integrated wireline-messaging
device 270 using a point-to-point protocol session (PPP-3) 234. The
device to which the ADSL gateway 230 routes the IP message 213
depends on the unique IP address mapped by the message application
server 50 to the premises directory number in response to selection
of the intended recipient of the message by the user of wireless
device 10.
[0057] The integrated wireline-messaging devices 250 and 270
comprise thin client software 221 and 261, respectively, that
allows the wireline devices 250 and 270 to receive and send
messages independent of the call processing functions for voice
services operated by the premises telephones 220 and 260. As shown
in FIG. 4, the integrated wireline-messaging devices 250 and 270
are connected to the premises ADSL gateway 230 using data
connections 233 and 235, respectively.
[0058] In alternative embodiments, rather than each terminal
messaging device or user account having a unique IP address, data
messages can be password protected. For example, consumer premises
equipment (CPE) may include the intelligence to display only the
name of the intended recipient of the message, without displaying
the message. The user for whom the message is intended would then
type in a password to have that entire message displayed.
[0059] In another embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a user of a wireless
communication device 10 sends a SMS message 22, including a
wireline directory number (DN) 23, to a wireless network SMSC 20.
The wireless network SMSC 20 forwards the SMS message 22 to a
wireline network SMSC 40 using the wireline DN 23 as the routing
address. Although the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 includes SMS
messages and SMS Centers, other embodiments include messages and
centers associated with enhanced message services (EMS), and
multi-media message services (MMS), as well as wireless application
protocol (WAP) messages. Such services, messages, and service
centers operate in similar fashion to that described for SMS
messages and SMSCs.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 5, the wireline network SMSC 40 forwards
the SMS message 22 to a messaging application server 50 in a
network infrastructure, including the wireline DN 23 as the
terminating address and the wireless device DN 24 as the
originating address. When multiple users and/or terminal
wireline-messaging devices are associated with the wireline DN 23
and such data is stored in the message application server 50, the
message application server 50 sends a return message 53 to the
wireline network SMSC 40 requesting identification of the specific
intended recipient of the SMS message 22 associated with the
wireline DN 23. The wireline network SMSC 40 forwards the return
message 53 back to the wireless network SMSC 20 using the wireless
DN 24 as the routing address. The wireless SMSC 20 then forwards
the return message 53 back to the wireless communication device 10
requesting identification of the specific intended recipient of the
SMS message 22 associated with the wireline DN 23.
[0061] In response to the return message 53, the user of the
wireless device 10 selects the intended recipient of the SMS
message 22 and sends a response message 26 through the wireless
network SMSC 20 back to the wireline network SMSC 40 using the
wireline DN 23 as the routing address. The wireline network SMSC 40
then forwards the response message 26 identifying the intended
recipient to the message application server 50, including the
wireline DN 23 as the terminating address and the wireless device
DN 24 as the originating address.
[0062] The message application server 50 translates SMS message 22
into IP message 51 for the intended wireline subscriber/recipient.
The IP address and a unique port number associated with the
particular wireline user account and/or terminal wireline-messaging
device 250 associated with the wireline DN 24 are previously stored
in the message application server 50. The message application
server 50 maps the wireline DN 24 to the selected
subscriber/recipient and unique IP address and port number for the
wireline-messaging device 250. A point-to-point protocol (PPP)
session is established between the message application server 50
and the wireline-messaging device 250. The message application
server 50 forwards the IP message 51 to the wireline-messaging
device 250 over an ADSL data connection 82. The ADSL connection 82
is connected to a broadband gateway 60, which provides an interface
with the network through a network service provider.
[0063] The broadband gateway 60 forwards the IP message 51 and
mapped wireline DN/IP address 54 over the ADSL connection 82 to a
premises ADSL gateway 230. The premises ADSL gateway 230 delivers
the IP message 51 to terminal wireline-messaging device 250 over
the PPP session between the message application server 50 and the
wireline-messaging device 250 using the unique IP address 55 of the
wireline-messaging device 250. Because the unique IP address for
wireline-messaging device 270 is not the intended recipient, the IP
message 51 is not forwarded to wireline-messaging device 270, even
though wireline-messaging device 270 is connected to the ADSL
gateway 230. In this manner, data messages are selectively sent to
individual user accounts and/or devices connected to the same
premises broadband gateway.
[0064] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to particular embodiments, it should be recognized that
these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the
present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that systems and methods for messaging between wireless
and wireline devices using a broadband connection of the present
invention may be constructed and implemented in other ways and
embodiments. Accordingly, the description herein should not be read
as limiting the present invention, as other embodiments also fall
within the scope of the present invention.
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