Integrating a communication terminal as the preferred device in a static communication system configuration

Abstract

A computer-implemented method is disclosed for integrating at least one first communication terminal assigned to a user as a preferred device in a static configuration of a communication system and/or for dynamically switching from a first communication terminal used as a preferred device to a second communication terminal as a preferred device for providing a one-number service using the preferred device, to which a one-number service number is assigned, wherein at least two communication terminals are statically assigned to the user and a preferred device is also dynamically assigned to the user through a virtual device. Also disclosed is communication system designed for this purpose.

Claims

1. A communication system for integrating at least one first communication terminal assigned to a user as a preferred device in a static configuration of the communication system and/or for dynamically switching from a first communication terminal used as a preferred device to a second communication terminal as a preferred device for providing a one-number service using the preferred device, to which a one-number service number is assigned, comprising: a first communication terminal; a second communication terminal; a control device communicatively connected to the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal; the control device configured to statically assign the first communication terminal to a user to provide a one number service and statically assign the second communication terminal to the user to provide the one number service; the control device configured to dynamically assign at least one third communication terminal to at least one virtual device to associate the at least one third communication terminal with the user for the one number service so that the dynamic assignment of the at least one third communication terminal occurs without feedback and without updating all affected monitor points of all applications associated with the one number service; and wherein the dynamic assignment of the at least one third communication terminal to the at least one virtual device is performable so that the at least one third communication terminal is dynamically assignable as a preferred device for the one number service in response to user input assigning the third communication terminal as the preferred device without device monitoring for the one number service having to be changed and without updating all affected monitor points of all applications associated with the one number service.

2. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the control device is configured so that a call directed to the user via the one number service is alerted at the first communication terminal, the second communication terminal, and that least one third communication terminal via a first Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) layer, a second CTI layer, and a CTI layer.

3. The communication system of claim 2, comprising: the at least one third communication terminal connected to the control device, the control device associating the at least one third communication terminal with the user via the at least one virtual device of the third CTI layer, the at least one third communication terminal comprising a device that is external to a network that includes the control device, the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal.

4. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to dynamically remove the at least one third communication terminal as a preferred device for the one number service in response to determining that the at least one third communication terminal is inactive and assign a fourth communication terminal that is active to the at least one virtual device as a preferred device without device monitoring for the one number service having to be changed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a first overview arrangement of a configuration according to the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram second overview arrangement of a configuration according to the invention,

(3) FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an overview arrangement of a telecommunication system according to WO 2007/000447 A1.

(4) FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an overview arrangement of a telecommunication system according to the One-Number Service.

(5) FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an overview arrangement of a telecommunication system according to the invention.

(6) FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an overview arrangement of a telecommunication system according to DE 20 2011 003 225 U1.

(7) FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing another view of the invented telecommunication system,

(8) FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C are examples of applications for this invention,

(9) FIGS. 9A and 9B are tables that contain corresponding representations for UC-ONS applications or for CSTA applications.

(10) FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 11A, 11B and 11C are additional examples of applications for this invention.

(11) FIG. 12 is a table that contains corresponding representation for UC-ONS applications.

(12) FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of a group configuration with one group or MULAP per user for his internal devices, wherein the active devices within the group/MULAP are selected by switching the group and MULAP members in and out.

(13) FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of a group configuration with one group or MULAP per user for his internal devices and multiple virtual devices representing external ONDs belonging to the user.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(14) FIG. 5 shows a first embodiment of a telecommunication system 10 in which the invented method is being carried out as described below. The telecommunication system 10 comprises terminals E1, E2, OND 1, and OND 2, as well as other terminals if applicable, assigned to a user T. It also includes a control device 42 in a server, which executes the method using a schematically represented computer program 92 (stored on a CD-ROM 90 as the example of a data carrier).

(15) This method links the dynamic approach to the static approach. This step now allows participant T to advantageously select his dynamic desk phone E1 or any preferred device OND 1, OND 2 and at the same time operate his high-level application without additional synchronization and without feedback. This is represented in the CSTA model according to the invention as shown in FIG. 5.

(16) The CTI layer 3 adjusts itself to the respective selected preferred device and dynamically displays the link between the participant T and the respective preferred device E1, E1, OND 1, or OND 2.

(17) CTI layer 2 shows the link between the static (virtual) participant E2 and the respective dynamically linked preferred device. E2 is therefore, in a mathematical sense, a function of the preferred device.
E2=f(Preferred Device)−infinite list

(18) CTI layer 1 projects or condenses, for high-level applications, the status of the used terminal E1, E2, OND 1, or OND 2 to the status of the static participant T. The participant T is therefore, in a mathematical sense, a function with a finite list while at the same time having infinite content (preferred device).
T=f(E1,E2=f(Preferred Device))−finite list“with infinite content”
The use of this method allows simultaneous operation of applications on the CTI layers 1-3 without feedback.

(19) This method makes it possible to use a static assignment of the participant T to his used terminals E1 and E2 with simultaneous dynamic assignment of a preferred device. This approach makes it possible to change the runtime without having to update all affected monitoring points of all applications. In other words, for example, through an additional CTI layer, this method offers to prepare a previously static approach for a dynamic operational purpose.

(20) In addition, projecting or condensing the terminals individually assigned to the participant T is not desirable as it is for VSL (classic high-level UC application); instead, the LAS (UC application with new preferred device approach) prefers direct access to the individual terminals.

(21) The following FIGS. 1 and 2 should illustrate this model: FIG. 1 shows the structure of a UC user in a group of devices (group/MULAP) for the purpose of using the One-Number Service. Individual or multiple devices in the group/MULAP are activated or deactivated for the purpose of dynamically specifying one or more preferred devices using CSTA with the Set/AgentState command adapted for this application. If all devices in the group/MULAP are switched to active, this is synonymous with “no preferred device—all devices in the group are active.” FIG. 2 shows the implementation of preferred device(s) with increased flexibility by creating subsets of active devices.

(22) This method is represented from a CSTA point of view as follows:

(23) The technical interface for controlling the communication system, in particular

(24) for implementing the simplified One-Number Service, for dynamic assignment of external telephone numbers to a virtual device, and for dynamic activation or deactivation of individual devices in a group/MULAP, is preferably established through CSTA as is common for communication systems.

(25) Fulfilling the CSTA requirements for basic One-Number Service is extremely complex and very expensive to implement, for both the communications server and the client-side application software. As it progresses, this implementation must involve a complex test and a correspondingly complex service. In addition, its retro-compatibility with already existing applications, in particular already existing One-Number Services (e.g., CallMe and Mobility Entry in OSBiz) must be verified.

(26) This present method offers a significantly simplified alternative to the very complex and therefore expensive solution of the previously known One-Number Service, using known configurations according to DE 20 2011 003 225 U1 and WO 2014/060008 A1.

(27) This method is especially suitable for communication systems that currently have limited or no One-Number Service but do support the concept of group/MULAP groups.

(28) As an example, the following uses OpenScape Business (OSBiz) with its corresponding UC applications. It shows how One-Number Service can be implemented easily, with expanded flexibility, and how the required testing and service expense can be significantly reduced. Here the changing preferred device is associated according to a One-Number Service for the applications by the virtual participant known from DE 202011 003 225 U1 and WO 2014/060008 A1.

(29) In addition, this method allows for expanded flexibility, so that the user can use not only one exact device from the group of devices assigned to him, but also multiple preferred devices at the same time as needed.

(30) According to DE 20 2011 003 225 U1, the external participant is represented within Call Processing initially by a Trunk Device. First, the authentication required for system integration takes place, and only authorized mobile telephones have this access. When authentication is completed, all additional actions of the external participant are linked (associated) with a participant's device within Call Processing. This allows for all types of all external participants (including mobile participants) to be mapped to one internal participant and managed accordingly.

(31) The participating device used is a so-called virtual device, i.e., a device with no physical connection and therefore without additional hardware. The connection to physical items, i.e., to the various hardware types of mobile devices or communication terminals (GSM, WLAN, SIP Endpoint, SIP Provider, Legacy Trunk, and terminals, as well as WebRTC—see WO 2014/060008 A1) is established by means of association. The related signaling of features and sounds toward the trunk is directed by Call Processing via the associated virtual participant to the mobile device. Because the mobile participant is not reached via a fixed trunk device in the system, this association with the virtual device is always made on the existing connection and must be reestablished each time.

(32) With Unify, the preferred device is represented by the One-Number Service (ONS) used in the OpenScape Voice (OSV) communication platform with the UC application using CSTA, typically as shown in FIG. 6.

(33) This links the preferred device to the virtual device according to the invention. All additional actions of the preferred device are always associated with the same virtual device within Call Processing. Using the CSTA service Call Forwarding (labeled as step (a)) according to the invention (and expanded with additional features), the user now sets the respective preferred device temporarily and links it with the virtual device. Involved applications synchronize themselves with the respective current preferred device, using the CSTA service Call Forwarding. The respective preferred device remains hidden from all other applications. Retro-compatibility is provided. In addition, not only external mobile participants, but also internal participants are linked in.

(34) An expanded approach by means of group generation is possible, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. This approach involves: Creation of one group or MULAP per user for his internal devices and one or more virtual devices representing external ONDs belonging to the user. A subset of devices being selected from the group/MULAP, which being preferred for incoming calls (=active). The active (preferred) devices within the group/MULAP beings elected by switching groups and MULAP participants in and out with proprietary use of the CSTA Set Agent State service (indicated as step (b)).
The first two steps (a) and (b) allow a simplified individual configuration of the preferred device with simultaneous individual selection of the call targets.

(35) Advantages of this expanded approach are: Expanded flexibility: Not just one, but multiple preferred devices can be designated. The special case of “no preferred device” is easy to generate, with all devices set as logged on or available. For outgoing calls, regardless of the number of active devices, a “controlling device” can be designated individually by application instance. Group-specific features of the OpenScape system can be used, e.g., call forwarding rules within the group (similar to an AutoPilot function in OpenScape UC/Circuit, for example).

(36) Different examples of applications for this method are shown in FIGS. 8-12. The lower-case letters used in the connections in FIGS. 8 and 10 have the following meanings:

(37) c: “connected” using switching,

(38) a: “alerting” (ringing) using switching.

(39) The circled designations “C1” and “C2” stand for “Call1” or “Call2.” The devices marked with a letter “V” are virtual devices, and the devices marked with a letter “N” are network devices.

(40) The selections of CSTA services and parameters used are for example only. The same effect can also be achieved using other CSTA parameters.

(41) FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C show the preferred device setup (corresponding to Step a). A user 2 changes his preferred device to the desk phone D2, to an external device D5 (e.g., GSM), or to an internal device D6 (e.g., conference room). User 1 calls User 2.

(42) FIG. 9A shows a corresponding representation for UC-ONS applications, while FIG. 9B shows a corresponding representation for CSTA applications. The representation for CSTA applications is then preferably via the desk phone device D2 or the virtual device V3.

(43) FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C show the preferred device selection (corresponding to Step b). User 1 calls User 2.

(44) A User 2 has a group or MULAP with corresponding preferred devices. Signaling takes place as shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C, with the status before the call shown in FIG. 10A, the status while the call is being connected shown in FIG. 10B, and the status after successful connection of the call shown in FIG. 10C.

(45) If the selection of the preferred device is changed from the desk phone D2 to an external device D5 (e.g., GSM) and to an internal device D6 (e.g., conference room), the signaling is simplified as shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C. User 1 calls User 2 again.

(46) FIG. 12 shows a corresponding representation for UC-ONS applications. The exclusive switching in or out means the same here. The representation for CSTA applications is the same as in FIG. 9B.

(47) Note that the same linking or assignment mechanisms apply to MULAP, GSM only, and the dual-mode mobility configuration.

(48) It should be understood that, with this invention, there is a correlation between features described with respect to method steps and features described with respect to corresponding equipment. In this regard, described method features are to be considered as equipment features that are part of the invention—and vice versa—even when this is not explicitly stated.

(49) It should be noted that the features of the invention described by referencing the presented embodiments, for example the type and configuration of individual components and terminals of the communication system, individual messages, signals, and parameters, can also be present in other embodiments, unless stated otherwise or prohibited for technical reasons. Not all features of individual embodiments described in combination must necessarily always be implemented in any one particular embodiment.