Hybrid Cloud PBX

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for telephones by providing an improved and streamlined user experience and enhanced fail over mechanisms. A decentralized system managed through a web site which allows for continued operation even when the primary systems fail includes a mechanism for restoring the primary systems automatically when they become available again. Phones connect to two PBX systems at the same time, one local and one at a remote location. The two PBX systems synchronize configuration data and media files between them. The website can also be used to manage any number of systems allowing any size organization to manage every phone system in their organization from a single interface.

Claims

1. A hybrid PBX, comprising: at least two private branch exchanges (PBXs), each PBX having at least one connection to an external telephone service provider, each connection selected from the group consisting of: a connection to a VoIP provider, and a connection to a PSTN; one or more extensions, each extension having: a primary connection to a PBX of the at least two PBXs, and a secondary connection to another PBX of the at least two PBXs; and a website operable by a user to configure the at least two PBXs as a single system, wherein the at least two PBXs are operative to route calls to and from the one or more extensions.

2. The hybrid PBX as recited in claim 1, further comprising a mesh network wherein the at least two PBXs operate as nodes in the mesh network.

3. The hybrid PBX as recited in claim 2, wherein mesh headers are used to route calls to and from the one or more extensions.

4. The hybrid PBX as recited in claim 3, wherein SIP headers are used to implement the mesh headers.

5. The hybrid PBX as recited in claim 3, wherein a PBX acting as a node attempts to route a call arriving for a number outside the mesh network through a connection of the at least one connection to an external telephone service provider.

6. The hybrid PBX as recited in claim 5, wherein the PBX adds mesh headers to the call arriving for a number outside the mesh network and routes the call to a neighboring node when it is unable to route the call to a connection of the at least one connection to an external telephone service provider.

7. The hybrid PBX as recited in claim 3, wherein a PBX acting as a node adds or updates mesh headers for a call arriving for a number inside the mesh network, wherein the PBX routes the call to an extension of the one or more extensions if the PBX is the destination node, and wherein the PBX routes the call to the destination node if the PBX is not the destination node.

8. The hybrid PBX as recited in claim 1, wherein each PBX further comprises a database.

9. The hybrid PBX as recited in claim 8, wherein the databases of the PBXs are synchronized between the PBXs.

10. The hybrid PBX as recited in claim 9, wherein the at least two PBXs are configured to route calls from an extension of the one or more extensions through the secondary connection of the extension when the PBX associated with the primary connection of the extension is inoperative.

11. A hybrid PBX, comprising: a first onsite private branch exchange (PBX) at a first location, having a connection to an external telephone provider; a second onsite PBX at a second location, having a connection to an external telephone provider; a plurality of first onsite PBX extensions, each extension of the first onsite PBX extensions having a primary connection to the first onsite PBX and a secondary connection to the second onsite PBX; and a plurality of second onsite PBX extensions, each extension of the second onsite PBX extensions having a primary connection to the second onsite PBX and a secondary connection to the first onsite PBX, wherein the second onsite PBX is operative to facilitate calls made and received by the first onsite PBX extensions when the first onsite PBX is inoperative, and wherein the first onsite PBX is operative to facilitate calls made and received by the second onsite PBX extensions when the second onsite PBX is inoperative.

12. The hybrid PBX as recited in claim 11, wherein the connection to an external telephone provider of the first onsite PBX comprises a connection to a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) provider.

13. The hybrid PBX as recited in claim 12, wherein the first onsite PBX comprises a second connection to an external telephone provider, comprising a connection to a public switched telephone network (PTSN).

14. The hybrid PBX as recited in claim 13, wherein the first onsite PBX further comprises at least three inbound call flows, comprising a normal call flow, a no-internet call flow, and an first-onsite-PBX-offline call flow, wherein the normal call flow routes calls via the VoIP provider through the first onsite PBX to an extension of the one or more first onsite extensions, the no-internet call flow routes calls via the VoIP through the second onsite PBX and the PTSN to an extension of the one or more extensions, and the first-onsite-PBX-offline call flow routes calls via the VoIP through the second onsite PBX to an extension of the one or more extensions.

15. The hybrid PBX as recited in claim 11, wherein the first and second onsite PBXs each comprise a database, wherein the databases are synchronized between the first and second onsite PBXs.

16. The hybrid PBX as recited in claim 11, further comprising one or more additional onsite PBXs in additional locations, each additional onsite PBX having one or more extensions, and wherein each PBX of the first onsite PBX, second onsite PBX, and additional onsite PBXs is operable to facilitate calls made and received by extensions of one or more other PBXs of the first onsite PBX, second onsite PBX, and additional onsite PBXs when the one or more other PBXs is inoperative.

17. A hybrid PBX comprising: a plurality of private branch exchanges (PBXs), each PBX comprising: a connection to an external telephone service provider, and one or more extensions, wherein each extension of the one or more extensions comprises a primary connection to a PBX of the plurality of PBXs and one or more secondary connections, each secondary connection to a separate PBX of the plurality of PBXs, and wherein each PBX of the plurality of PBXs is operative to facilitate calls made and received by extensions having a secondary connection to the PBX when the PBX of the primary connection of the extension is inoperative.

18. The hybrid PBX of claim 17, further comprising a website operative to configure the plurality of PBXs as a single system.

19. The hybrid PBX of claim 18, wherein each PBX of the plurality of PBXs is connected to a cloud platform to receive configuration changes from the website.

20. The hybrid PBX of claim 17, wherein each PBX of the plurality of PBXs comprises at least three inbound call flows, comprising a normal call flow, a no-internet call flow, and an onsite-PBX-offline call flow, wherein the normal call flow routes calls via a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) provider through the PBX to an extension of the one or more extensions, the no-internet call flow routes calls via the VoIP through another PBX of the plurality of PBXs and a public switched telephone network (PTSN) to an extension of the one or more extensions, and the onsite-PBX-offline call flow routes calls via the VoIP through the other PBX to an extension of the one or more extensions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a business telephone system using a PBX;

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a business telephone system using a VoIP-based PBX;

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates the relation between a hybrid cloud PBX of the present invention and the various networks and entities it interacts with;

[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates the flow of telephone calls through the hybrid cloud PBX under normal circumstances;

[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates the flow of telephone calls through the hybrid cloud PBX when Internet access is unavailable onsite;

[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates the flow of telephone calls through the hybrid cloud PBX in the event of a failure of the onsite PBX or when the onsite PBX is otherwise not operative;

[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates the connection of analog extensions to the onsite and remote PBX using analog telephone adapters;

[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates the connection of analog extensions to the onsite and remote PBX using an intermediate analog PBX;

[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates a hybrid cloud PBX with multiple onsite PBXs connected to a single backup PBX;

[0021] FIG. 10 illustrates a hybrid cloud PBX with multiple onsite PBXs in which each onsite PBX acts as a remote backup PBX to the other onsite PBXs;

[0022] FIG. 11 illustrates a portion of a preferred embodiment of the call flow through a hybrid PBX;

[0023] FIG. 12 illustrates another potion of a preferred embodiment of the call flow through a hybrid PBX;

[0024] FIG. 13 illustrates the route call loop used in a preferred embodiment of the call flow through a hybrid PBX;

[0025] FIG. 14 illustrates administrator user interface elements for managing a hybrid cloud PBX through a website;

[0026] FIG. 15 illustrates administrator user interface elements for managing an extension in a hybrid cloud PBX through the website;

[0027] FIG. 16 illustrates administrator user interface elements for setting an address for 911 calls from a hybrid cloud PBX through the website;

[0028] FIG. 17 illustrates user interface elements for configuring a user's account in a hybrid cloud PBX through the website; and

[0029] FIG. 18 illustrates user interface elements allowing a user to manage an extension in a hybrid cloud PBX through the website.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a prior art business telephone system is shown and generally designated 10. Telephone system 10 comprises a PBX 12 with multiple extensions 14. Extensions 14 may include telephones, fax machines, and other devices which connect to the telephone network. Lines 16 between the PBX 12 and the PSTN 18 are shared between the extensions 14. Since all extensions 14 will not generally be making outgoing calls at the same time, there are usually fewer lines 16 connecting the PBX 12 to the PSTN 18 than there are extensions 14 in the PBX 12. Thus one purpose of the PBX 12 is to allow efficient use of a small number of lines 16 between a larger number of users (represented by extensions 14). Moreover, a call from one extension 14 to another extension 14 is routed by the PBX 12 without the necessity of occupying a line 16, allowing for interoffice telephone calls without using the resources of the PSTN 18.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 2, a prior art VoIP business telephone system is shown and generally designated 20. Telephone system 20 comprises a PBX 22 with multiple extensions 24. PBX 22 connects to a VoIP gateway 26, which provides PBX 22 with a connection to the PSTN 28. The extensions 24 of PBX 22 may include telephones, fax machines, and other devices which connect to the telephone network. Standard telephones, fax machines, and other devices may be used, or telephones, fax machines, and other devices specifically designed for VoIP may be used and may provide access to special features provided by the PBX.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 3, a hybrid cloud PBX is shown, comprising an on-site private branch exchange (commonly and hereinafter referred to as a “PBX”) 110 and a remote PBX 112. Onsite PBX 110 and remote PBX 112 are identical or substantially similar, sharing the same configuration parameters and differing at most in some hardware elements. For example, the onsite PBX 110 may have hardware for connecting directly to extensions that use RJ11 jacks). Also, in preferred embodiments, onsite PBX 110 is capable of operating its external lines through a public switched telephone network (commonly and hereinafter referred to as a “PSTN”) 114 and through a VoIP provider 116. A number of phones 118 connect to both onsite PBX 110 and remote PBX 112. Onsite PBX 110 and remote PBX 112 each maintain a copy of database 120 comprising configuration information for the hybrid cloud PBX.

[0033] Configuration of the hybrid cloud PBX is performed through a web site 130, which may be hosted on a cloud platform. Administrators 132 use the website 130 to perform configuration tasks such as adding or removing extensions. Users 134 perform configuration tasks related to their assigned extension, such as setting voicemail options or prompts. The website 130 provides configuration changes over the Internet to the onsite PBX 110 and the remote PBX 112.

[0034] For simplicity in description, the extensions of the hybrid PBX are represented as phones 118 in FIGS. 3 through 6. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the extensions may also connect other devices, such as fax machines, modems, or any device configured for operation in conjunction with the telephone network.

[0035] Although a single onsite PBX 110 and a single remote PBX 112 are described herein for simplicity, it is fully contemplated that multiple onsite PBXs 110, multiple remote PBXs 112, or multiple of both may be used depending on the needs and circumstances of the organization, such as for additional redundancy or to service multiple sites. Moreover, preferred embodiments use multiple websites 130 for redundancy and traffic balancing.

[0036] Referring now to FIG. 4, the normal call flow through the hybrid cloud PBX is illustrated. An inbound call comes through a PSTN 114 to VoIP provider 116, and from VoIP provider 116 to onsite PBX 110, from where the call is routed to the desired phone 118. An outbound call takes the opposite route: from a phone 118, it connects to the onsite PBX 110, and from there to VoIP provider 116, to the PSTN 114, and ultimately to its destination.

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 5, when the onsite Internet connection is interrupted, phones 118 are unable to connect to the remote PBX 112, and the onsite PBX 110 cannot connect directly to the VoIP provider 116. When VoIP provider 116 cannot connect to the onsite PBX 110, an incoming call is directed from the VoIP provider 116 to Remote PBX 112. Remote PBX 112, unable to connect to extensions 118, directs the calls to the PSTN 114 to which the onsite PBX 110 is connected. The call is routed from PSTN 114 through onsite PBX 110 to a phone 118. An outgoing call from a phone 118 is routed by onsite PBX 110 to PSTN 114 and on to its destination. In order to limit costs, a fewer number of lines from onsite PBX 110 directly to PSTN 114 may be available than the number of lines from onsite PBX 110 to VoIP provider 116; in such circumstances, a fewer number of calls may take place during an Internet outage, so the organization may decide to limit outgoing calls during the outage in order to keep lines open for calls to emergency services.

[0038] Without onsite Internet access, changes made through the website 130 cannot be propagated directly and immediately to the onsite PBX 110, although the changes would be propagated to remote PBX 112. The configuration changes would later be synchronized with onsite PBX 110 when the onsite Internet connection is restored.

[0039] In an alternative embodiment, the remote cloud PBX 112 will communicate configuration changes received from website 130 to the offline onsite PBX 110 through the PSTN 114. In this way, configuration changes may be applied even when the onsite Internet connection is interrupted, although there may be some delay in the application of the changes due to the necessity of communicating them to the onsite PBX 110 over the standard telephone network, PSTN 114.

[0040] Referring now to FIG. 6, when the onsite PBX 110 is offline, calls are routed through the remote PBX 112, allowing phone service to continue uninterrupted. An incoming call is directed from the VoIP provider 116 to the remote PBX 112, which in turn directs the call over the Internet to a phone 118. An outgoing call from a phone 118 is routed over the Internet to remote PBX 112, and from there to VoIP provider 116, to PSTN 114, and ultimately to its destination.

[0041] A device configured for use with traditional (or “analog”) telephone service requires a foreign exchange station (“FXS”), that is, an RJ11 jack through which is provided power, a dial tone, and traditional line signaling protocols. In an embodiment, onsite PBX 110 differs from remote PBX 112 in that FXS ports are provided by onsite PBX 110 for analog devices, including analog telephones and analog fax machines. In this way, analog extensions may connect to the business telephone system, but do not benefit from automatic rollover to the remote PBX 112 when the onsite PBX 110 is inoperative.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 7, the benefits of the hybrid PBX may be enjoyed by an analog extension 140 through the use of an analog telephone adapter (“ATA”) 142. Each analog extension 140 is connected to an ATA 142, which provides an RJ11 jack, DC power, and traditional line signaling to the analog extension 140, and connects to the onsite PBX 110 and the remote PBX 112 using traditional Internet protocols. In conjunction with an ATA 142, an analog extension 140 interacts with the onsite PBX 110 and remote PBX 112 much the same as any other extension 118, and enjoys the benefits of automatic rollover of service to remote PBX 112 when onsite PBX 110 in not operating.

[0043] Referring now to FIG. 8, in certain circumstances, such as when there are many analog extensions 140, it may be desirable to use an intermediate PBX 144 to connect analog extensions 140 to the onsite PBX 110 and the remote PBX 112. Intermediate PBX 144 provides FXS ports for the analog extensions 140, while VoIP-enabled extensions 118 connect directly to the onsite PBX 110 and the remote PBX 112. In a preferred embodiment, intermediate PBX 144 differs from traditional PBX setups in that it provides a one-to-one ratio of analog extensions 140 to “external” lines to each of the onsite PBX 110 and the remote PBX 112, allowing analog extensions 140 to act transparently as if they were individual extension to the onsite PBX 110 and the remote PBX 112, just like extensions 118.

[0044] Referring now to FIG. 9, an organization may have multiple offices in distinct locations. A remote PBX 112 can serve as a backup to several onsite PBXs 110 in different locations. In a preferred embodiment, remote PBX 112 runs on a cloud platform, allowing each extension 118 in each location to connect to it through the Internet, as well as allowing each onsite PBX 110 to synchronize with it over the Internet. In a preferred embodiment, each onsite PBX 110 will have a connection to VoIP provider 116, and from the perspective of the onsite PBX 110, the rest of the hybrid PBX will appear and function as described in connection with FIG. 3.

[0045] Referring now to FIG. 10, a configuration of a preferred embodiment of the hybrid cloud PBX is shown, in which each onsite PBX 110 acts as a remote PBX 112 for other onsite PBXs 110 in other locations. An onsite PBX 110 has a connection to VoIP provider 116, to PSTN 114, or to both. Databases 120 are synchronized between the onsite PBXs 110. When one onsite PBX 110 is inoperative, the extensions 118 at that location make and receive calls through another onsite PBX 110 just as if the other onsite PBX 110 were a remote PBX 112.

[0046] FIGS. 11-13 illustrate a method for routing calls used in a preferred embodiment of the hybrid PBX. Failover between an onsite PBX 110 and a remote PBX 112 can operate by using a floating IP address or an intermediary proxy server which directs messages to onsite PBX 110 when available and remote PBX 112 otherwise. Nonetheless, failover and load balancing can be performed by implementing the hybrid PBX as a mesh network. Operation as a mesh network allows calls to be routed between a primary PBX and its backups without introducing any new potential points of failure. The mesh network can be implemented primarily in the application layer of an existing network, such as the Internet, which allows the hybrid PBX to operate primarily over the existing network, but gives it the flexibility to include nodes on other networks. Onsite PBXs 110 and remote PBXs 112 operate as nodes on the mesh network, and a node may complete a call itself, pass it on to a PSTN or VoIP provider, or pass it to a neighboring node.

[0047] To accomplish the goals of the mesh network, mesh call control headers (hereinafter “mesh headers”) are used. In a preferred embodiment, SIP headers are used to implement the mesh headers. Alternative embodiments use other call control protocols. Among the mesh headers are a globally unique ID (“Mesh ID”), a destination header (“MeshDst”) to specify which node should handle the call, and a hop count (“MeshHop”) to prevent endless traversal of the whole mesh network while passing calls between nodes.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 11, the call flow begins with a call 200 arriving at a node, which may originate from an extension 118, a VoIP provider 116, the PSTN 114, or another node. Upon receipt of the call, the node determines 210 whether mesh headers exist.

[0049] If there are no mesh headers for the call, the node looks up 220 routing data for the number being called in database 120. Based on the routing data, the node determines 222 whether the called number is within the mesh network. If not, the node attempts 224 to make the call to VoIP provider 116, if available. If the node is not connected to VoIP provider 116 or otherwise cannot make the call, it attempts to make the call directly to the PSTN 114, if available. If it is unable to make the call through its own available resources (e.g. the VoIP provider and the PSTN), then it adds 226 a set of mesh headers designating the VoIP provider 116 or the PSTN 114 as the destination in the MeshDst header and passes 228 the call to a neighboring node.

[0050] If the number being called is in the mesh network—that is, the number is an extension 118 connected to an onsite PBX 110 (or a remote PBX 112 if its onsite PBX is unavailable)—the node adds 230 mesh headers designating the onsite PBXs 110 and/or remote PBXs 112 to which the called extension 118 is connected as the destination in the MeshDst header. The node then determines 232 whether the destination contains the node's hostname. If so, the node 234 accepts and handles the call. Otherwise, the route call loop 236 is used to iterate through destination nodes.

[0051] If the route call loop 236 failed 238 to send the call to a destination, the node sets 242 the destination in the MeshDst header to a list of nodes for the called number and sends 244 the call to a neighboring node. If the node is unable to send the call to a neighboring node, the node calls 248 a failover number using the connected VoIP provider 116 or PSTN 114, if available. If no resources are available on the node to call the failover number, the node sets 252 the destination header to the VoIP provider 116 or PSTN 114 and sends it to a neighboring node to make the call.

[0052] As seen in FIG. 12, if mesh headers already exist on the call when received by the node, the node then determines 260 based on the MeshID header whether the call has already been processed. If so, then the call is rejected 262. Otherwise, the node decrements 264 the MeshHop header and “disables direct media,” that is, allows the call audio to follow the same path along the network as the call control packets. Generally call audio should take the most direct path between nodes and the VoIP provider 116, but in order to get around a bad connection or avoid a route known to have packet loss, it may be necessary to route the audio through the nodes used to connect the call.

[0053] The node then determines 266 whether the MeshDst header contains the node's hostname, instructions to make the call through VoIP provider 116 or PSTN 114, or neither. If MeshDst contains the node's hostname, the node accepts 268 and handles the call. If MeshDst indicates that the call is to be directed to the VoIP provider 116 or the PSTN 114, the node directs 270 the call through the appropriate mechanism, if available. Otherwise, it sends 274 the call to a neighboring node to do so, as long as the MeshHop header is greater than zero. If MeshDst contains neither the node's hostname nor instructions to direct the call outside the mesh network, the route call loop 236 is used to iterate through destination nodes.

[0054] As seen in FIG. 13, the route call loop 236 iterates 280 through each node in the MeshDst header. During each iteration, MeshDst is set 282 to the node being iterated over. MeshHop is incremented 284 if the route to the node in MeshDst is indirect, and the call is sent 286 to the node being iterated over or the route node. If the call is successfully processed 288, the loop ends 290; otherwise, the loop iterates 280 over the next node.

[0055] Referring now to FIGS. 14 through 18, preferred embodiments of the hybrid cloud PBX can be managed through an Internet website interface, hosted on website 130. Unique to the hybrid cloud PBX, the single website interface is used to control the configuration of two PBXs at a time: onsite PBX 110 and remote PBX 112, which maintain identical configurations. To be precise, a configuration option is adjusted once in the website interface, as if a single PBX were being configured, and the website 130 communicates the configuration option change to both onsite PBX 110 and remote PBX 112, which implement the change as soon as they receive it. In some embodiments, for simplicity, the website communicates the configuration directly to one of either onsite PBX 110 or remote PBX 112, and the changes are automatically synced to the other. In embodiments having multiple PBXs 110 in a mesh network, the routing database is replicated to all mesh nodes. In an alternative embodiment, the database is implemented and updated over the network as a blockchain.

[0056] The use of website 130 to configure both the onsite PBX 110 and remote PBX 112 allows for an organization's continued cell phone availability even when the organization's ability to operate onsite is curtailed, such as during a major disaster or even a simple LAN outage. Ideally, a mobile phone number corresponding to the extension will already have been entered into the website 130 before the downtime, and thus be present in the database 120. If the cell forward setting were set to “only on down,” the forwarding would automatically take place. However, in some circumstances the field may not have been completed or updated before the downtime. Thus, if the organization's LAN is unavailable, preventing extensions 118 from connecting either to onsite PBX 110 or remote PBX 112, the website 130 may be accessed by an external internet source, such as a mobile phone, and instructed to forward the calls to each extension 118 (or to selected extensions 118) to the mobile phone number of the user of the extension 118.

[0057] As seen in FIG. 14, a navigation tool 300, comprising a menu bar in preferred embodiments, allows a website 130 user to access the various features of the website 130 to set up and manage accounts of other users, create PBX extensions, delete PBX extensions, configure PBX extensions, configure overall PBX options, access call records including listings of calls made and recordings, among other features that may be available. Users are identified by user accounts and divided into categories such as “administrator” and “user.” The features which a user may access may be limited by the user's category and individual permission settings in the user's account. For example, generally only an administrator may set up new accounts, but a user may be permitted to adjust configuration options on his or her own extension. In some embodiments, a “site administrator” category allows a user to adjust configuration options on a particular PBX.

[0058] FIG. 15 shows some user interface elements, designated 320, associated with the configuration of a single extension 118. Among the various configuration options, field 322 allows for entry of a cell phone number of the user associated with the extension being configured. Field 324 allows for control of when calls to the extension are forwarded to the cell phone number in field 322; options include forwarding calls only when a PBX is down and never forwarding calls to the extension. Preferred embodiments include additional options, among them forwarding calls that remain unanswered after a specified number of rings, always forwarding calls. Some embodiments support forwarding calls during certain times, including during predetermined time frames for forwarding, including after business hours, on weekends, and both after business hours and on weekends.

[0059] FIG. 16 shows user interface elements 340 for setting the address associated with direct inward dialing (“DID”) numbers for routing emergency calls. The address is also provided to the emergency operator receiving the call.

[0060] Shown in FIG. 17 are user interface elements 360 for a user of the “user” (non-administrative) category. Among the interface elements available are elements 362 for viewing and editing general account information, elements 364 for viewing and editing the addresses for routing emergency calls, and elements 366 for blocking calls from user-specified phone numbers.

[0061] FIG. 18 shows user interface elements 380 allowing a user of the “user” category to view and edit configuration options for an extension, as well as to delete the extension. The options available are a subset of those available to administrative users, some of which are shown in FIG. 15.

[0062] While there have been shown what are presently considered to be preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.