US20100034122A1 - Voice over internet protocol (VoIP) location based conferencing - Google Patents

Abstract

A Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) device uses its location to narrow down known and unknown potential VoIP third parties meeting the user's criteria, based on their physical proximity to the initial caller and other pre-determined characteristics, to join in a phone conference. A VoIP soft switch includes conference bridges that eliminate the conventional requirement that they dial digits for a direct link with another specific VoIP communications device. Instead, location information relating to the initial VoIP user is passed to the VoIP conference bridge, either from the user's VoIP communication device or from their respective location server. The location information is then compared by the VoIP soft switch against other VoIP devices to find potential VoIP users within a defined geographic region surrounding the initial VoIP user. Those VoIP users matching the criteria are sent an Invite message to join the conference, which they may or may not accept.

Description

• This application is related to and claims priority from a co-pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/723,960, entitled “Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Location Based Conferencing”, filed on Oct. 6, 2005; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/733,789, entitled “Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Multi-User Conferencing”, filed on Nov. 7, 2005; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/723,961, entitled “Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Location Based 911 Conferencing”, filed on Oct. 6, 2005; the entirety of all three of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• This invention relates generally to Voice Over Internet (VoIP) protocols and architectures. More particularly, it relates to location based conferencing services using VoIP.
• 2. Background of the Related Art
• Voice-Over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that emulates a phone call, but instead of using a circuit based system such as the telephone network, utilizes packetized data transmission techniques most notably implemented in the Internet.
• The use of VoIP technology is growing quickly. Given VoIP technology, there are at least three VoIP scenarios:
• • 1. A VoIP UA that is physically connected to a static data cable at a “home” address. For instance, an Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA) that is connected to the “home” data cable and uses traditional telephone devices.
  • 2. A VoIP UA that is physically connected to a data cable at a location different than its “home” address. For instance, a laptop computer device utilized away from home as a VoIP software telephone would be a VoIP ‘visitor’ device as described by this scenario.
  • 3. A VoIP UA that is wireless, physically disconnected from any data cable. In this situation, the VoIP UA connects to the VoIP service provider via either a wide-are wireless technology (e.g., cellular, PCS, WiMAX) or via a local-area wireless technology (e.g., Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), UWB, etc.) using a laptop computer or handheld device.
• VoIP phone calls are routed to a VoIP voice gateway, from which they are passed on to their destination. A VoIP voice gateway or soft switch is a programmable network switch that can process the signaling for all types of packet protocols. Also known as a ‘media gateway controller,’ ‘call agent,’ or ‘call server,’ such devices are used by carriers that support converged communications services by integrating SS7 telephone signaling with packet networks. Softswitches can support, e.g., IP, DSL, ATM and frame relay.
• VoIP telephone technology is quickly replacing conventional switched telephone technology. A location of a given VoIP device may be provisioned to be at a given geographic location, or queried from a home location register (HLR) in a mobile system.
• With given VoIP technologies, a VoIP user must know the specific phone number of an individual, business, or other entity that they wish to call. There is no conventional technique for allowing a conference call between two or more VoIP users. In the Internet venue, users can find each other using a “chat room”, but the burden nevertheless remains on the user to search for, identify, and use a specific phone number or Universal Resource Identifier (URI) information to reach specific entities. This creates inefficiency and lack of flexibility with respect to the desire to establish a conference call, preventing VoIP users from managing their own communication needs and preferences. Generally, voice communication using VoIP technologies is limited to only point-to-point direct links between familiar or previously identified parties.
• There is a need for an architecture and methodology that simplifies the complexity of conferencing VoIP calls.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) conference bridge comprises a conference bridge application active in a location addressed using Internet Protocol. A module determines a geographic boundary of a given conference. A plurality of Internet interfaces are provided to the conference bridge application, to accept a respective plurality of VoIP telephone users. Wherein a conference is established between the plurality of VoIP telephone users, each of the plurality of VoIP telephone users being within the geographic boundary.
• A method of conferencing Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) voice communications devices in accordance with another aspect of the present invention comprises establishing at least one conference bridge. At least one criteria is defined for participation in the given conference bridge. A VoIP call to the conference bridge is received from an initial VoIP user. A location of the initial VoIP is compared to a location of at least one other VoIP user. An invite message is issued to another VoIP user based on a match of the location of the at least one other VoIP user being within a desired proximity to the location of the initial VoIP user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 shows an exemplary architecture of a VoIP conference bridge application operating in a soft switch of a VoIP provider to provide VoIP location based conferencing, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 shows an exemplary message flow diagram for establishing a VoIP location based conference, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
• FIG. 3 shows a VoIP user originating an invitation to join a conference bridge in a VoIP soft switch, in a business to business or business to consumer scenario, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
• FIG. 4 shows exemplary signal/call flow for a VoIP user originating an invitation to join a conference bridge sent to other VoIP users as shown inFIG. 3.
• FIG. 5 shows a VoIP user originating the transmission of a series of Invitations to join a conference bridge in a VoIP soft switch, in a peer to peer or consumer to consumer scenario, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
• FIG. 6 shows exemplary signal/call flow for a VoIP user originating an invitation to join a conference bridge sent to other VoIP users as shown inFIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
• A VoIP user from time to time might wish to initiate a conversation with other (known or unknown) VoIP users based on location and other shared attributes/criteria. The need may be for a single point-to-point type connection, or it may extend to the desire for a multi-user conference with other VoIP users.
• Existing conferencing systems for putting VoIP users in touch with one another relies upon prior knowledge and contact information existing between the specified users. The present invention provides a way for VoIP users to use VoIP technology to form temporary or permanent “VoIP Communities” or VoIP conferences by initiating an interaction based on location and other shared attributes, supply/demand relationships, or other criteria.
• Currently, there is no existing mechanism to create a voice link between VoIP communication devices based on the location of each VoIP user (and potentially other preferences or attributes). Existing VoIP technology does not address this problem for VoIP calls nor does it for any conference established based on location. For instance, while Internet text chat rooms provide a means of communication between party's, Internet text chat rooms do not utilize the user's location to find and invite available individuals/businesses/entities.
• The present invention provides the ability for a VoIP user to utilize their own geographic position to narrow down or pinpoint known and even unknown potential VoIP third parties meeting the user's criteria based on their physical location to join in on a phone conference.
• FIG. 1 shows an exemplary architecture of a VoIP conference bridge application operating in a VoIP soft switch of a VoIP provider to provide VoIP location based conferencing, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
• In particular, as shown inFIG. 1, aVoIP communications device104 is serviced by their service provider'ssoft switch102. Apositioning center106 provides location data upon request from thesoft switch102.Other VoIP users110,112,114 etc. are potential members of any given conference.
• Conference bridges100 are implemented on the VoIPsoft switch102 located, e.g., at the VoIP service provider's VoIP network.
• While the VoIPsoft switch102 is preferably capable of being provisioned with as manyVoIP conference bridges100 as are required in any particular application, only oneconference bridge100 is shown inFIG. 1 for simplicity of explanation.
• Also, while theconference bridge100 is shown implemented in thesoft switch102, it can be embodied within another suitable network element having an Internet Protocol (1P) type connection (e.g., TCP/IP) with theinitial user104 as well as with thepotential conferees110,112,114.
• The use of aconference bridge100 eliminates the otherwise conventional requirement that theVoIP user104 dial digits for a direct link with another specificVoIP communications device110,112 or114. Instead, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, location information relating to theinitial VoIP user104 is passed to theVoIP conference bridge100, either from the user'sVoIP communication device104 or from theirrespective location server106. The location information is then compared by the VoIPsoft switch102 againstother VoIP devices110,112,114 etc. to find matching predetermined location-based criteria, e.g., within a geographic vicinity of the user'sVoIP communication device104.
• The VoIPsoft switch102 makes use of the location information. Based on the location, theVoIP conference bridge100 identifies potential other participants to be asked to join the conference currently established by theinitial VoIP user104 on theconference bridge100, and outputs invites orrequests204 to join thatconference100 to the specific URLs, phone numbers and/or other identifying address information relating toVoIP communications equipment110,112,114 of the potential other participants.
• Thesoft switch102 also maintains the attributes and rules fromother communication devices110,112,114 etc. for receiving conference bridge calls, as well as the fixed location (e.g., a place of business) or the ability to query for a current location (e.g., for mobile communication devices such as mobile phones) for each device. Based on this information, with or without other user input (e.g., to select or prioritize among a list of available third parties), thesoft switch102 invites one or moreother communication devices110,112,114, etc. to join the conference bridge. This creates a voice link between thefirst user104 and the otherthird parties110,112,114 without requiring thefirst user104 to know the contact information or name of thethird parties110,112,114.
• FIG. 2 shows an exemplary message flow diagram for establishing a VoIP location based conference, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
• In particular, as shown inFIG. 2, theinitial VoIP user104 sends a request for conference bridge call to thesoft switch102. Preferably theinitial VoIP user104 includes location information with theconference request call201. However, as depicted inFIG. 1, location information can be obtained from anappropriate positioning server106 if not available from theinitial VoIP user104.
• Subsequent to theincoming conference call201, suitable potential conferees are determined, and those that are within the geographic boundary pre-set or pre-provisioned into the conference bridge are invited withrespective invite messages204,206.
• In operation, the user'sVoIP communication device104 dials a pre-determined phone number (or URL) to initiate aconference bridge100 on the relevant VoIPsoft switch102. Various phone numbers (or URL's) may be made available at theVoIP conference bridge100, each corresponding to a respectiveVoIP conference bridge100 each with its own pre-established profile of who will be invited once theconference bridge100 is first entered by the initiatingVoIP user104.
• For instance, oneVoIP conference bridge100 may be profiled to invite all other VoIP users within a geographic boundary of, e.g., 1 mile radius from a center point formed by the location of the initiatingVoIP user104. A geographic boundary need not be merely a distance range. For instance, a geographic boundary may comprise, e.g., the grounds of a college or schoolyard, a workplace, etc., or be as specific as those VoIP users within a given room (e.g., gym) at the college or schoolyard. AnotherVoIP conference bridge100 with its own phone number may correspond to invites to allother VoIP users110,112,114 etc. currently located in, e.g., a given sports stadium.
• The profiles used to identify the potential other VoIP conference participants may provide additional filtering characteristics beyond the location based information, e.g., other VoIP users who are contained not only within the pre-established geographic boundaries set for a givenconference bridge100, but also listed within a ‘conference buddy’ list pre-listed by the user. Thus, as a result, ‘buddies’ that a user has pre-listed that are within the sports stadium at the time of the user's call will be invited to join a VoIP conference bridge.
• FIG. 1 shows use of a VoIP positioning center (VPC)106. The VoIPsoft switch102 may receive the user's location information either from each of theVoIP communication devices104,110,112,114 etc., or from theVPC106.
• The VoIPsoft switch102 preferably uses both the location information of the initiatingVoIP user104, together with any profile criteria set for a givenconference bridge100, to determine a list of potential other conferees to be sent Invite messages inviting them to join the establishedVoIP conference bridge100. The profile information for theconference bridge100 is preferably either pre-established by the VoIP service provider (e.g., to set a geographic boundary within a sports stadium), and/or may be input by the initiating user through keypad entry or voice response on the communications device. Alternatively, profile information for a particular conference bridge may be pre-established via an appropriate web page and transmitted via the Internet to thesoft switch102 or other host gateway.
• The VoIPsoft switch102 preferably also maintains the attributes and rules from otherVoIP communication devices110,112,114 for receiving conference bridge calls, as well as the fixed location (e.g., a place of business) or the ability to query for a current location (e.g., for mobile communication devices such as mobile phones) for each device. Based on this information, with or without other user input (e.g., to select or prioritize among a list of available third parties), the VoIPsoft switch102 invites one or more otherVoIP communication devices110,112,114, etc. to join theVoIP conference bridge100. This creates a voice link between thefirst VoIP user104 that initially called into theVoIP conference bridge100, and the other potential,third party conferees110,112,114, etc., without requiring thefirst VoIP user104 to know the name or even the contact information of the other potential,third party conferees110,112,114, etc.
• Upon receipt of an invite to aVoIP conference bridge204,206, the potentialother VoIP users110,112,114, etc. are preferably notified similar to an incoming telephone call, e.g. with a ring signal, though it may be customized to be distinguished from the sound of an otherwise ordinary incoming phone call. For instance, a given unique phone tone may be activated upon receipt of aninvite204,206 to aconference bridge100.
• In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the VoIP user(s)110,112,114 receiving invitations to join aVoIP conference100 may be provided with a filter that automatically rejects any/all invite requests not meeting their own specific criteria (e.g., maintained on theirVoIP devices110,112,114 themselves, though such filtering may alternatively be performed at a network level, e.g., at the VoIPsoft switch102 or other centralized location.
• Benefits of the invention include that there is no effective limit to the number of participants in the conference VoIP call, there are no cold transfers of a call as VoIP invitees enter or leave theconference bridge100, and there is the ability to continue the conference call even after theinitial VoIP user104 disconnects.
• The present invention has particular applicability with any/all VoIP users, VoIP service providers, and/or even Public Safety Access Points (PSAPs).
• FIG. 3 shows aVoIP user104 originating an invitation to join aconference bridge100 in a VoIPsoft switch102, in a business to business or business to consumer scenario, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
• In particular, as shown inFIG. 3, aVoIP user104 initiates an invitation or request204 based on certain pre-defined criteria for a service provider or a peer attribute. The VoIP service provider acquires the user's location information, either directly from theVoIP communications device104 or by request to theLIS106, and initiates a conference on theconference bridge100. Theconference bridge100 issues invitations or notifications to one or more potentialVoIP conferee users110,112,114 etc. based on the location of theoriginal user104 and the specified criteria, by comparison to attribute or provider data for theother VoIP users110,112,114 etc. Theconference bridge100 enables participation by multiple parties and does not depend on the participants' knowledge of or current access to each other's contact information, profile/attributes/business type, or location. In addition, VoIP users can elect when to receive notifications based on their current status (away, available, business hours, etc.)
• For instance, theVoIP user104 would initiate a call to theconference bridge100, thus initiating the sending of invitations or requests topotential conferees110,112,114 etc. based on certain criteria (e.g., “tow truck drivers currently in Seattle”). Upon receipt of the initial call from the initiatingVoIP user104, the VoIP service provider initiates aconference bridge100 and issues an Invite or other notification to one ormore VoIP users110,112,114 etc. who have selected or subscribed to receive such conference notifications for this particular conference topic (as defined by its criteria). Subscriptions may be semi-permanent criteria for that particular conference bridge100 (e.g., occupations or interests of the registered user of the relevant VoIP device) or temporary criteria (e.g., passengers on a specific airline flight, ticket agents with extra tickets for a specific event, etc.)
• Theconference bridge100 enables participation by multiple parties and does not depend on the participants' knowledge of or current access to each other's contact information. In addition, VoIP users can elect when to receive notifications based on their current status (e.g., away, available).
• More sophisticated implementations of the invention include adaptation of the criteria for a givenconference bridge100 to correspond to a particular live auction. For instance, in such application, thematchmaking database300 functions as an automated auction tool by accepting as criteria for the auction data such as the proposed cost of service, and then connect the lowest bidder of thosepotential bidders110,112,114 to theconference bridge100.
• Preferably, the initiatingVoIP user104 is allowed to pre-define given criteria for theconference bridge100, e.g., a maximum number of participants (e.g., the first 4 providers or peers who accept the conference invitation), or other criteria for choosing among multiple users (e.g., to select the VoIP user(s)110,112,114 etc. whose location is closest to the initiatingVoIP user104 who initiated the conference invitation in the first place).
• FIG. 4 shows exemplary signal/call flow for an initiatingVoIP user104 calling to establish aconference bridge100, causing invitations to be transmitted to each potential VoIP conferee using IP protocol (e.g., TCP/IP) to join theconference bridge100 as shown inFIG. 3. In response, each invitedVoIP user110,112,114 may accept or reject the invitation with an Accept or Reject message transmitted via Internet Protocol back to the VoIPsoft switch102 that transmitted theinitial invite messages204,206.
• Offline activity also occurs, separate from the call flow, e.g., to update location data (be it permanent or temporary) and criteria or attributes for the conference bridge200 itself. Availability data may also be maintained and updated offline, e.g., relating to pre-defined times for theconference bridge100 to be established, and/or to the current status of theconference bridge100.
• FIG. 5 shows aVoIP user104 originating the transmission of a series ofInvitations504 to join aconference bridge100 in a VoIPsoft switch102, in a peer to peer or consumer to consumer scenario, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
• In particular, as shown inFIG. 5, theVoIP user104 can call aconference bridge100 and provide particular, customized criteria for the conference. In a peer-to-peer scenario as shown inFIG. 5, theVoIP user104 issues a peer-to-peer request550 such as a call searching for tickets to a specific public event (e.g., “Falcons Tickets”), searching for others with a similar hobby or interest (e.g., “Chess Players”), matchmaking services forming a personal add (e.g., “Male 30-35”), etc.
• In the disclosed embodiment, the peer-to-peer conference is initiated by a call by an initiatingVoIP user104. Theconference bridge100 may be pre-established with pre-determined criteria, and the initiatingVoIP user104 merely calls theappropriate conference bridge100. In such case, the VoIP service provider may establish network-wide criteria itself, or may allow customized conference bridges as a service to their subscribers. Alternatively, the criteria for the conference bridge may be established by the initiatingVoIP user104. The criteria may be transmitted to the soft switch to establish therelevant conference bridge100 preferably with data contained within the call from the initiatingVoIP user104.
• The peer attributes and desired geographical boundaries of the conference are maintained in amatchmaking database500 in communication with the VoIPsoft switch102 or other gateway that hosts theconference bridge100.
• The VoIPsoft switch102 issues aPeer Request504 with location data to any/allVoIP users110,112 and/or114 fitting the criteria for the conference. In response, thoseVoIP users110,112 and/or114 who accept entry into the conference (e.g., by activating an ‘Accept’ button on the VoIP communications device), return an Acceptmessage505 to the inviting VoIPsoft switch102. ThoseVoIP users110,112 and/or114 that don't accept the Invite (either by activating a ‘Reject’ button on the VoIP communications device, or simply by not responding to theInvite message204 within a given period of time) return aReject message505 to the inviting VoIPsoft switch102.
• The invitedVoIP users110,112,114 may include a filter allowing through only acceptable Invite messages based on criteria established by or on the receivingVoIP users110,112,114.
• FIG. 6 shows exemplary signal/call flow for a VoIP user originating an invitation to join a conference bridge sent to other VoIP users as shown inFIG. 5.
• In particular, the peer-to-peer request550 issued by theVoIP user104 is depicted inFIG. 6, as are therespective Invite messages504 and Accept or Rejectmessages505 from each of the invitedVoIP users110,112,114.
• The present invention allows VoIP users to find their most appropriate conferees, provider or peer match with minimal user interaction. This is particularly helpful for mobile VoIP users (e.g., while driving, walking, etc.) Moreover, there is no effective limit to the number of participants in the conference call (within network hardware limits of the conference bridge itself). There is also no risk of cold transfers of a VoIP telephone call as participants aren't handled in point-to-point connections that are transferred but rather join or exit an established conference at will. Furthermore, participants in the conference call can continue in the conference even after the initial user disconnects.
• Potential markets for the present invention include VoIP service providers who may implement the inventive VoIP multi-user conferencing as a value added services for users. Other uses of the invention include consumer and business VoIP users with respect to commercial, government, educational activities, and Public Safety Access Points (PSAPs), to name a few.
• VoIP location based conferencing in accordance with the principles of the present invention has particular applicability with any/all VoIP users, VoIP service providers, and/or Public Safety Access Points (PSAPs).
• While the invention has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications to the described embodiments of the invention without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (11)

1-13. (canceled)

14. A Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) server, comprising:

a conference bridge established pursuant to receipt of a conference request from a conference-requesting VoIP device;

a user position module to receive a geographic position of said conference-requesting VoIP device;

a location-based conference participant filtering module to determine a plurality of inviteable VoIP devices that are both within a given geographic boundary, and satisfy a user customized VoIP conference participation criteria portion included in said conference request; and

a conference invitation module to transmit a conference invitation to each of said inviteable VoIP devices.

15. The Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) server according toclaim 14, wherein:

said given geographic boundary is centered about said geographic position of said conference-requesting VoIP device.

16. The Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) server according toclaim 14, wherein:

said geographic position of said conference-requesting VoIP device is obtained from a physical location server.

17. The Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) server according toclaim 14, wherein:

said geographic position of said conference-requesting VoIP device is obtained from said conference-requesting VoIP device itself.

18. The Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) server according toclaim 14, wherein said plurality of inviteable VoIP devices comprise:

a plurality of mobile VoIP phones.

19. A method of establishing a conference with a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) server, comprising:

establishing a conference bridge pursuant to receipt of a conference request from a conference-requesting VoIP device;

receiving a geographic position of said conference-requesting VoIP device;

determining a plurality of inviteable VoIP devices that are both within a given geographic boundary, and satisfy a user customized VoIP conference participation criteria portion included in said conference request; and

transmitting a conference invitation to each of said inviteable VoIP devices.

20. The method of establishing a conference with a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) server according toclaim 19, wherein:

said given geographic boundary is centered about said geographic position of said conference-requesting VoIP device.

21. The method of establishing a conference with a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) server according toclaim 19, wherein:

said geographic position of said conference-requesting VoIP device is obtained from a physical location server.

22. The method of establishing a conference with a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) server according toclaim 19, wherein:

said geographic position of said conference-requesting VoIP device is obtained from said conference-requesting VoIP device itself.

23. The method of establishing a conference with a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) server according toclaim 19, wherein said plurality of inviteable VoIP devices comprise:

a plurality of mobile VoIP phones.

Images