FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention is related to telecommunication systems. In particular, the present invention is related to telecommunication systems with video and/or voice functions.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Video conferencing and telephones with video capabilities are known in the art. One conventions system makes use of the Internet, in which case the caller has to ensure that the receiver's computer is switched on, otherwise the call cannot be answered. Another convention system makes use of two standard telephone lines, one connecting the voice function, and the other line connecting the video function. There is a need to improve the quality of the video images in these conventional systems.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention is directed to a system and method of telecommunication. According to an aspect of the present invention, the system of telecommunication includes a first videophone and a switch connected to the first videophone. The system also includes a first communication channel

connected to the switch and a second communication channel connected to the switch. The first communication channel includes to a conventional voice telephone, while the second communication channel includes a second videophone.

The switch may be connected to the first videophone and the second videophone via the Internet. The first communication channel may include an IP gateway and a public telephone switch. The IP gateway is connected to the switch of the system, while the public telephone switch is connected to the IP gateway and the conventional voice telephone.

Optionally, the system may further include a third communication channel connected to the switch, where the third communication channel includes a 3G end point. The third communication channel may include a 3G gateway and a 3G switch. The 3G gateway is connected to the switch of the system, while the 3G switch is connected to the 3G gateway and the 3G end point.

Optionally, at least one of the first and second videophones may be assigned with a global number. The global number may be a variable length number or a variable length number with a domain name extension.

The system may optionally include a videophone provisioning system connected to the switch. At least one of the videophones may optionally send a registration request to the switch when connected to the switch.

The system may optionally include an auto-answering with authentication subsystem, an email messaging subsystem, a videophone advertising subsystem, and/or a video response subsystem.

Optionally, at least one of the videophones may be connected to the Internet via a power line infrastructure, and at least one of the videophones may include a NAT router.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the system includes a first sub-telecommunication system and a second sub-telecommunication system. The first sub-telecommunication system includes a first videophone and a switch connected to the first videophone. The first sub- telecommunication system also includes a first communication channel connected to the switch of the first sub-telecommunication system as well as a second communication channel connected to the switch of the first sub- telecommunication system. The first communication channel includes to a conventional voice telephone, while the second communication channel includes a second videophone.

For the first sub-telecommunication system, the switch may be connected to the first videophone and the second videophone via the Internet. The first communication channel may include an IP gateway and a public telephone switch. The IP gateway is connected to the switch of the first sub- telecommunication system, while the public telephone switch is connected to the IP gateway and the conventional voice telephone.

Optionally, the first sub-telecommunication system may further include a third communication channel connected to the switch, where the third communication channel includes a 3G end point. The third communication channel may include a 3G gateway and a 3G switch. The 3G gateway is connected to the switch of the first sub-telecommunication system, while the 3G switch is connected to the 3G gateway and the 3G end point.

The second sub-telecommunication system includes a first videophone and a switch connected to the first videophone. The second sub- telecommunication system also includes a first communication channel connected to the switch of the second sub-telecommunication system as well as a second communication channel connected to the switch of the second sub-

telecommunication system. The first communication channel includes to a conventional voice telephone, while the second communication channel includes a second videophone. The switch of the first sub-telecommunication system and the switch of the second sub-telecommunication system are connected with each other.

For the second sub-telecommunication system, the switch may be connected to the first videophone and the second videophone via the Internet.

The first communication channel may include an IP gateway and a public telephone switch. The IP gateway is connected to the switch of the second sub- telecommunication system, while the public telephone switch is connected to the IP gateway and the conventional voice telephone.

Optionally, the second sub-telecommunication system may further include a third communication channel connected to the switch, where the third communication channel includes a 3G end point. The third communication channel may include a 3G gateway and a 3G switch. The 3G gateway is connected to the switch of the second sub-telecommunication system, while the 3G switch is connected to the 3G gateway and the 3G end point.

At least one of the videophones in the system of telecommunication may optionally be assigned with a global number. The global number may be a variable length number or a variable length number with a domain name extension.

The system of telecommunication may optionally include a videophone provisioning system connected to one of the switches. At least one of the videophones may optionally send a registration request to the switch when connected to the switch.

The system may optionally include an auto-answering with authentication subsystem, an email messaging subsystem, a videophone

advertising subsystem, and/or a video response subsystem.

Optionally, at least one of the videophones may be connected to the Internet via a power line infrastructure, and at least one of the videophones may include a NAT router.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the system of telecommunication includes a first videophone, a switch connected to the first videophone, and a first communication channel connected to the switch. The first communication channel includes a 3G end point.

The first communication channel may include a 3G gateway and a 3G switch. The 3G gateway is connected to the switch of the system, while the 3G switch is connected to the 3G gateway and the 3G end point.

The system may optionally include a second communication channel connected to the switch. The second communication channel includes a second videophone. The switch may be connected to the first videophone and the second videophone via the Internet.

The system may optionally include a third communication channel connected to the switch. The third communication channel includes a conventional voice telephone. The third communication channel may include an IP gateway and a public telephone switch. The IP gateway is connected to the switch of the system, while the public telephone switch is connected to the IP gateway and the conventional voice telephone.

Optionally, at least one of the first and second videophones may be assigned with a global number. The global number may be a variable length number or a variable length number with a domain name extension.

The system may optionally include a videophone provisioning system connected to the switch. At least one of the videophones may optionally send a registration request to the switch when connected to the switch.

The system may optionally include an auto-answering with authentication subsystem, an email messaging subsystem, a videophone advertising subsystem, and/or a video response subsystem.

Optionally, at least one of the videophones may be connected to the Internet via a power line infrastructure, and at least one of the videophones may include a NAT router.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the system of telecommunication includes a videophone, a switch connected to the videophone, and a first communication channel connected to the switch. The first communication channel includes a conventional voice telephone.

The first communication channel may include an IP gateway and a public telephone switch. The IP gateway is connected to the switch of the system, while the public telephone switch is connected to the IP gateway and the conventional voice telephone.

Optionally, the system may includes a second communication channel connected to the switch. The second communication channel includes a 3G end point. The second communication channel may include a 3G gateway and a 3G switch. The 3G gateway is connected to the switch of the system, while the 3G switch is connected to the 3G gateway and the 3G end point.

Optionally, at least one of the first and second videophones may be assigned with a global number. The global number may be a variable length number or a variable length number with a domain name extension.

The system may optionally include a videophone provisioning system connected to the switch. At least one of the videophones may optionally send a registration request to the switch when connected to the switch.

The system may optionally include an auto-answering with authentication subsystem, an email messaging subsystem, a videophone

advertising subsystem, and/or a video response subsystem.

Optionally, at least one of the videophones may be connected to the Internet via a power line infrastructure, and at least one of the videophones may include a NAT router.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a telecommunication system in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a telecommunication system in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 3 illustrates a method of assigning a global number to a videophone used in a telecommunication system in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 4 illustrates a method of assigning a global number with a domain name extension to a videophone used in a telecommunication system in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 5 illustrates that a videophone provisioning system and a videophone are connected together in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 6 illustrates that a videophone is connected to a switch for registration via the Internet in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 7a illustrates videophones connected to the Internet via a power line infrastructure in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 7b illustrates a videophone with a NAT router connected to the Internet in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 8 illustrates a videophone application system in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a telecommunication system 10 in accordance with the present invention. The system 10 includes a switch 12 provided by a service provider. In the illustrated embodiment, the switch 12 can be a softswitch. The system 10 provides audio telephony and conferencing services over a first communication channel 14. The first communication channel 14 may be utilized for ordinary telephony commonly known as Plain Old Telephone Service ("POTS"). The first communication channel may be connected through an IP gateway 15 and a public telephone switch 16 to a network. The network, for example, may be a Public Switched Telephone Network ("PSTN"), or any single or combination of existing or future telecommunications networks. The public telephone switch 16 includes but is not limited to a PSTN switch or a mobile switch.

The telecommunication system 10 include a first videophone 18 connected to the softswitch 12 via the Internet, so that the first videophone 18 can be coupled to the first communication channel 14. The videophone 18 can be connected to the softswitch 12 through common broadband connections, including but not limited to point-to-point protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE), dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP), or fixed IP. The PPPoE is widely deployed by residential DSL providers, while the DHCP is common in hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) networks. The fixed IP configuration is generally deployed in non-residential broadband networks.

In general, videophones can communicate audio and/or video data and provide motion images and/or voices. Particularly, the videophone used in the present invention is commercially available and includes a video circuit connected to a communication controller. The video circuit and the communication controller enable both transmission of video data to another videophone at a remote location and reception of video data from the

videophone at the remote location. The videophone used in the present invention further includes an audio circuit that is also connected to the communication controller. The audio circuit and the communication controller enable both transmission of audio data to the videophone at the remote location and reception of audio data from the videophone at the remote location.

In accordance with the present invention, the videophone can be set to a privacy mode (1) using software by disconnecting outgoing video signal in the video circuit, or (2) manually using a covering to cover the camera of the videophone. The privacy mode allows bi-directional voice communication and an optional unidirectional video communication, while offering videophone users a privacy choice for different calls under different occasions.

In the illustrated embodiment, a user may use the first videophone 18 to call at least one conventional voice telephone 20 (e. g. , a PSTN phone or a mobile phone) over the first communication channel 14. As used herein, the "PSTN telephone"refers to a telephone that is connectable to the public telephone switch. A user may also use the voice telephone 20 to call the first videophone 18 at its unique assigned number, which can be a local PSTN number of the hosting city. When using the first communication channel 14, only audio data can be transmitted.

In the illustrated embodiment, telephony between the videophone 18 and the conventional voice telephone 20 uses signaling (e. g. , session initiation protocol (SIP) ) and media (e. g. , real time protocol (RTP) ) transmissions. The videophone 18 can communicate with the softswitch 12 utilizing an Internet protocol, such as the SIP. The softswitch 12 can also communicate with the IP gateway 34 through an Internet protocol (e. g. , the SIP). The IP gateway 34's function is to convert the signaling and media message from the Internet protocol to a circuit-switched protocol, and vice versa. When the videophone 18

initiates a voice call to the conventional voice telephone 20, the videophone 18 can send a call setup request to the softswitch 12 in a SIP format. The softswitch 12 can then request a call setup to the IP gateway 34 also in the SIP format. Upon receipt such call setup request from softswitch 12, the IP gateway 34 can convert such IP signaling protocol to a circuit switched signaling protocol, e. g. , integrated services digital network (ISDN) user part (ISUP), and forward it to the public telephone switch 16 for further call processing. The public telephone switch 16 can process the call according to the ISUP protocol and route the call to the conventional voice telephone 20. After successful call setup, the videophone 18 can send out audio message in a RTP format to the IP gateway 34 directly. The RTP audio format can be G. 711, G. 723 or G. 729.

The IP gateway 34 can then convert the RTP media message to a circuit switched supported coding format and send it to the public telephone switch 16 and then the conventional voice telephone phone 20. The conventional voice telephone phone 20 can then receive and decode the audio message. Similarly, the conventional voice telephone 20 can send audio message to the videophone 18 via the public telephone switch 16 and the IP gateway 34. The IP gateway 34 can convert the message to the RTP format, which can be decoded by the videophone 18.

Although the telephony between the videophone 18 and the conventional voice telephone 20 of the illustrated embodiment uses transmission methods as described herein, it is to be understood that the telephony between the videophone 18 and the conventional voice telephone 20 may use other single or combination of existing or future method (s) of transmission (s).

The telecommunication system 10 in accordance with the present invention can provide audio and video telephony and conferencing services over a second communication channel 22. Generally, the second

communication channel can be the Internet. A second videophone 24 can be connected to the softswitch 12 provided by the service provider, so that audio and/or video data can be transmitted between the first videophone 18 and the second videophone 24 via the Internet. In the illustrated embodiment, a user may use the first videophone 18 to call the second videophone 24 at its assigned global number. A user can also use the second videophone 24 to call the first videophone 18 at its assigned global number.

In the illustrated embodiment, video telephony between videophone 18 and videophone 24 uses signaling (e. g. , SIP) and media (e. g. , RTP) transmissions. When the videophone 18 tries to call the videophone 24, a signaling request (or invitation request) can be sent from the videophone 18 to the softswitch 12 with signaling information, such as the called number (the assigned global number of the videophone 24) and the calling number (the assigned global number of the videophone 18). The softswitch 12 can then send the invitation to the videophone 24 on behalf of the videophone 18. If the videophone 24 is idle and able to accept call, it can send back an acknowledgement to the softswitch 12 and the softswitch 12 can pass the acknowledgement back to the videophone 18. The detailed information, such as the coding/decoding method and other useful attributes, can also be exchanged in the same manner. When the call is successfully setup, a media session can then be established directly between the videophone 18 and the videophone 24.

The media messages can be exchanged in this media session between the two endpoints.

Although the video telephony between the videophone 18 and the videophone 24 of the illustrated embodiment uses transmission methods as described herein, it is to be understood that the video telephony between the videophone 18 and the videophone 24 may use other single or combination of

existing or future method (s) of transmission (s).

The details of the global number scheme will be described below.

(Inventor, Please add more detailed information on how the first videophone talks to the second videophone. Is this same as two conventional videophones talk with each other?) The user can also use the videophone 18 or 24 to communicate with at least one third generation (3G) end point 28 (e. g. a 3G cellular phone) over a third communication channel 26. In the illustrated embodiment, a user may use the videophone 18 or 24 to call the 3G cellular phone 28. A user may also use the 3G cellular phone 28 to call the videophone 18 or 24 at its unique assigned number, which can be a local PSTN number of the hosting city. Audio and/or video data can be transmitted between the videophone 18 or 24 and the 3G cellular phone 28 via a 3G gateway 30 and a 3G switch 32.

In the illustrated embodiment, video telephony between the videophone 18 or 24 and the 3G cellular phone 28 uses signaling (e. g. , SIP) and media (e. g., RTP) transmissions. The videophone 18 or 24 can communicate with the softswitch 12 utilizing an Internet protocol, such as the SIP. The Softswitch 12 can also communicate with the 3G gateway 30 through an Internet protocol (e. g. , the SIP). The 3G gateway's function is to convert the signaling and media message from the Internet protocol to a circuit-switched protocol, and vice versa. When videophone 18 or 24 initiates a video call to 3G cellular phone 28, the videophone 18 or 24 can send a call setup request to the softswitch 12 in a SIP format. The softswitch 12 can then request a call setup to the 3G gateway 30 also in the SIP format. Upon receipt such call setup request from the softswitch 12, the 3G gateway 30 can convert such IP signaling protocol to a circuit switched signaling protocol, e. g. , ISUP, and forward it to the 3G switch 32 for further call processing. The 3G switch 32 can process the call according

to the ISUP protocol and route the call to the 3G cellular phone 28. After successful call setup, the videophone 18 or 24 can send out audio and video message in a RTP format to the 3G gateway 30 directly. The RTP audio format can be G. 711, G. 723 or G. 729, while the video message can be H. 263 format.

The 3G gateway 30 can then convert the RTP media message to a circuit switched supported coding format, e. g. audio in adaptive multi-rate (AMR) format and video in H. 263 or MPEG-4 format, and send them to the 3G switch 32 and then the 3G cellular phone 28. The 3G cellular phone 28 can then receive and decode the video and audio message. Similarly, the 3G cellular phone 28 can send video and audio message to the videophone 18 or 24 via the 3G switch 32 and the 3G gateway 30. The 3G gateway 30 can convert the message to the RTP format, which can be decoded by the videophone 18.

Although the video telephony between the videophone 18 or 24 and the 3G cellular phone 28 of the illustrated embodiment uses transmission methods as described herein, it is to be understood that the video telephony between the videophone 18 or 24 and the 3G cellular phone 28 may use other single or combination of existing or future method (s) of transmission (s).

The telecommunication system 10 in accordance with the present invention provides a number of advantages. The user can use one videophone to call at least one conventional voice telephone over the first communication channel to transmit audio data. The user can also use one videophone to call at least another videophone over the second communication channel to transmit audio and/or video data. Further, the user can use one videophone to call at least one 3G cellular phone over a third communication channel to transmit audio and/or video data. Using the second and third communication channels, synchronized sound and motion images can be provided to users.

Although three communication channels of the telecommunication

system 10 are described herein, it is to be understood that the system 10 may have only one or two of the three communication channels. In other words, the system 10 may include one of the following: (1) the first communication channel 14, (2) the second communication channel 22, (3) the third communication channel 26, (4) the first and second communication channels 14 and 22, (5) the first and third communication channels 14 and 26, and (6) the second and third communication channels 22 and 26.

Fig. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a telecommunication system 50 in accordance with the present invention. The telecommunication system 50 includes at least two sub-telecommunication systems as shown in Fig. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the telecommunication system 50 includes a first sub- telecommunication system 60 in region A and a second sub-telecommunication system 60'in region B. The first sub-telecommunication system 60 includes a switch 62 provided by a first service provider. In the illustrated embodiment, the switch 62 can be a softswitch. The second sub-telecommunication system 60'includes a switch 62'provided by a second service provider, which may or may not be the same service provider as the first one. In the illustrated embodiment, the switch 62'can be a softswitch.

Similar to the telecommunication system shown in Fig. 1, the first sub- telecommunication system 60 includes first and second communication channels 66 and 64, while the second sub-telecommunication system 60' includes first and second communication channels 66'and 64'. The softswitch 62 of the first sub-telecommunication system 60 and the softswitch 62'of the second sub-telecommunication system 60'can be connected together via the Internet or a dedicated lease circuit.

In the illustrated embodiment, a user in region A may use a videophone 68 to call at least one conventional voice telephone 70' (e. g. , a PSTN phone or a

mobile phone) in region B over the first communication channel 66'of the second sub-telecommunication system 60'. A user in region B may also use the conventional voice telephone 70'to call the videophone 68 in Region A at its unique assigned number, which can be a local PSTN number of the hosting city.

Audio data can be transmitted via the Internet and the IP gateway 72'and the public telephone switch 74'in region B. The transmission methods of the telephony between the videophone 68 and the conventional voice phone 70'can be similar to the transmission methods of telephony between the videophone 18 and the conventional voice phone 20 as described in Fig. 1.

Similarly, a user in region B may use a videophone 68'to call at least one conventional voice telephone 70 (e. g. , a PSTN phone or a mobile phone) in region A over the first communication channel 66 of the first sub- telecommunication system 60. A user in region A may also use the conventional voice telephone 70 to call the videophone 68'in Region B at its unique assigned number, which can be a local PSTN number of the hosting city.

The audio data can be transmitted via the Internet and the IP gateway 72 and public telephone switch 74 in region A. The transmission methods of the telephony between the videophone 68'and the conventional voice phone 70 can be similar to the transmission methods of the telephony between the videophone 18 and the conventional voice phone 20 as described in Fig. 1.

In the illustrated embodiment, a user in region A may use the videophone 68 to call at least one videophone 76'in region B at its assigned global number over the second communication channel 64'of the second sub- telecommunication system 60'. A user in region B may also use the videophone 76'to call the videophone 68 in region A at its assigned global number over the second communication channel 64'. The details of the global number scheme will be described below. Audio data and video data can be

both transmitted via the Internet. The transmission methods of the telephony between the videophone 68 and the videophone 76'can be similar to the transmission methods of the telephony between the videophone 18 and the videophone 24 as described in Fig. 1.

Similarly, a user in region B may use the videophone 68'to call at least one videophone 76 in region A at its assigned global number over the first communication channel 64 of the first sub-telecommunication system 60. A user in region A may also use the videophone 76 to call the videophone 68'in region B at its assigned global number over the first communication channel 64.

Audio data and video data can be both transmitted via the Internet. The transmission methods of the telephony between the videophone 68'and the videophone 76 can be similar to the transmission methods of the telephony between the videophone 18 and the videophone 24 as described in Fig. 1.

A user in region A can use the videophone 68 to communicate with at least one 3G cellular phone 78'in region B via a third communication channel 80'of the second sub-telecommunication system 60'in region B. In the illustrated embodiment, a user may use the videophone 68 to call the 3G cellular phone 78'. A user may also use the 3G cellular phone 78'to call the videophone 68 at its unique assigned number, which can be a local PSTN number of the hosting city. Audio and/or video data can be transmitted between the videophone 68 and the 3G cellular phone 78'via the Internet, a 3G gateway 82', and a 3G switch 84'in region B. The transmission methods of the telephony between the videophone 68 and the 3G cellular phone 78'is similar to the transmission methods of the telephony between the videophone 18 and the 3G cellular phone 28 as described in Fig. 1.

Similarly, a user in region B can use the videophone 68'to communicate with at least one 3G cellular phone 78 in region A via a third communication

channel 80 of the first sub-telecommunication system 60 in region A. In the illustrated embodiment, a user may use the videophone 68'to call the 3G cellular phone 78. A user may also use the 3G cellular phone 78 to call the videophone 68'at its unique assigned number, which can be a local PSTN number of the hosting city. Audio and/or video data can be transmitted between the videophone 68'and the 3G cellular phone 78 via the Internet, a 3G gateway 82, and a 3G switch 84 in region A. The transmission methods of the telephony between the videophone 68'and the 3G cellular phone 78 is similar to the transmission methods of the telephony between the videophone 18 and the 3G cellular phone 28 as described in Fig. 1.

The telecommunication system 50 in accordance with the present invention provides a number of advantages. The user can use one videophone to call at least one conventional voice telephone over the first communication channel across regions. The user can also use one videophone to call at least one videophone over the second communication channel across regions.

Further, the user can use the videophone to call at least one 3G cellular phone over a third communication channel to transmit audio and/or video data across regions. Using the second and third communication channels, synchronized sound and motion images can be provided to users across regions.

Although three communication channels of each of the first and second sub-telecommunication systems 60 and 60'are described herein, it. is to be understood that each sub-telecommunication system may have only one or two of the three communication channels. In other words, each sub- telecommunication system may include one of the following: (1) the first communication channel, (2) the second communication channel, (3) the third communication channel, (4) the first and second communication channels, (5) the first and third communication channels, and (6) the second and third

communication channels.

Fig. 3 illustrates a method of assigning a global number to a videophone used in a telecommunication system in accordance with the present invention.

As used herein, the"global number"refers to a unique number that is assigned to each videophone, regardless where the videophone is physically located. To achieve connections among videophones, PSTN phones, mobile phones and 3G cellular phones, the global numbers can ensure proper routings for all voice/video calls. Each of the videophones in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention can be assigned a variable length global number.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the global number may include a city code (prefix) plus a unique assigned number, which can be either a local PSTN number of the hosting city or a generated sequence number. As used herein, the"city code"includes a country code followed by an area code of the hosting city. Hosting city is a city where the videophone service has deployed and gateways 305-308 have been installed with local PSTN connections. For example, Washington DC's city code is 1-202, and Beijing's city code is 86-10. If the hosting city, such as Hong Kong or Singapore, only has the country code, the city code may be the country code. Special numbering block can be used instead of the city code as long as such numbering block will not conflict with the city code in deployment. For example, a numbering block 87888 can be assigned to the videophone 303. In order to comply with the implementation of the videophone global number, the softswitch 316 is generally configured by a service provider.

In accordance with the present invention, the unique global number for each videophone is required as the videophone is connected to Internet.

Through the Internet, geographical boundary for traditional conventional voice telephone will no longer be applied. For example, if the second videophone

302 is assigned a global number in Hong Kong, which may include a city code 852 (prefix) plus a unique assigned number, the user can still use the first videophone 301 to call the global number of the second videophone 302, when the second videophone 302 is connected to the Internet in the United Kingdom or the United States. The inclusion of city code as prefix can avoid duplication of local PSTN number in different countries/cities.

There are generally three global number assignment schemes in accordance with the present invention, namely: (i) V2V, (ii) V2All-fixed, and (iii) V2All-mobile, which will be described in detail below.

The V2V users can initiate and receive video and/or voice calls among videophones. The videophones have no connection with any conventional voice telephone network. As shown in Fig. 3, the videophone 303 is a V2V user with the assigned city code"87888"plus a generated sequence code"000001".

The user can use the videophone 303 to communicate with any of the videophones 301,302 and 304, but not the mobile phones 323,3G cellular phone 324 or the PSTN phone 321.

The V2All-fixed users can initiate and receive video/voice calls with other videophones and 3G cellular phones, as well as voice calls with conventional voice telephones (e. g. , PSTN phones or mobile phones). As shown in Fig. 3, the videophone 301, for example, is assigned with a V2All- fixed global number having a city code"852"plus a local phone number"3168- 0001. "The local phone number"3168-0001"is a unique number assigned by the service provider and recognized by PSTN. When the videophones 302,303, 304 call the videophone 301, the global number"852-3168-0001"should be dialed. The softswitch 316 can be responsible for routing the calls to the videophone 301 via the Internet. When the PSTN phone 321, the mobile phone 323, or the 3G cellular phone 324 calls the videophone 301, the local number

"3168-0001"can be dialed. The responsible carrier 3G Mobile 314, Telco 311, or Mobile 313 can route the calls to the respective gateway, which is connect to the videophone 301 via the Internet. Overseas PSTN phone 326 can reach the videophone 301 by making a traditional international direct dial (IDD) call.

Overseas network 315 can route such call through traditional international circuit 312 to the videophone 301's default carrier, Telco 311, in the illustrated embodiment.

The V2All-mobile users not only can initiate and receive video calls with other videophones and 3G cellular phones, but also can initiate and receive voice calls with conventional voice telephones (e. g. , PSTN phones or mobile phones). For example, the videophone 302 is a V2All-mobile user with assigned city code"852"and a local number"9123-0001. "The local number "9123-0001"is an active mobile number assigned to mobile phone 323 by Mobile 313 operator. For receiving incoming calls, the videophone 302 needs to be operated in conjunction with the mobile phone 323. In general, the videophone 302 can be operated in either a normal mode or a call-diverting mode. Under the normal mode, all local calls directing to the local number "9123-0001"from the conventional voice telephones (e. g. , PSTN phones or mobile phones) can be received by the mobile phone 323, while the videophone 302 can receive only calls directing to the number"852-9123-0001"from videophones via the Internet. Under the call-diverting mode, the mobile phone 323 can divert calls to the videophone 302 with preset conditions, e. g. , no answer or busy. To overcome potential duplicate number problem (i. e. , the same local number for the videophone 302 and mobile phone 323) in the Mobile 313 network, the operator may add an unused local prefix, e. g. 0123, preceding the local number"9123-0001"for the videophone 302. Such prefix can be truncated by the gateway 307 when the call requesting or call diverting is

passing from the Mobile 313 to the softswitch 316 via the Internet. After successful call diverting from the mobile phone 323, the videophone 302 can also receive phone calls from conventional voice telephones (e. g. , PSTN phones or mobile phones) with calling pattern listed below: when using mobile phone 323 to call videophone 302,"0123- 9123-0001"is dialed; when using 3G cellular phone 324 or PSTN phone 321 to call videophone 302, "9123-0001"is dialed; and when using videophones 301,303, 304 to call videophone 302, "852-9123-0001"is dialed.

Similarly, the videophone 302 can call divert to the mobile phone 323, for example, by keying a special string"**13-9123-0001"in videophone 302.

The softswitch 316 can accept such string and recognize it as"call divert when no answer"command to the mobile phone 323. The mobile phone 323 can then receive calls for the videophone 302 when no answer. Under the call-diverting mode, two concurrent call sessions can be supported by the videophone 302 and the mobile phone 323 together. In the event of the call-diverting mode is enabled but no answer from both the mobile phone 323 and the videophone 302, these phones may ring alternately, e. g. , 10 seconds, until the caller eventually hangs up.

The scheme of the V2All-mobile allows the mobile phone user to receive phone calls via the Internet when he or she returns home or office. The V2All- mobile works without additional number assignment from the local authority, and therefore can be a good supplement to the mobile phone users. The call diverting scheme also applies to video call diverting between a videophone and a 3G cellular phone.

The method of place outgoing calls of the V2All-mobile is similar to that

of the V2All-fixed. For example, the videophone 301 or 302 not only can initiate video call to other videophones by dialing their global number, but also can initiate voice call to local PSTN phone 321, mobile phone 323 and 3G cellular phone 324 by dialing"852-3168-3001,""852-9123-0001,"and"852- 6168-0001, "respectively. The videophone 301 or 302 can call overseas PSTN phone 326 in a hosting city, e. g. , Vancouver, by dialing"1-604-422-8001."The softswitch 316 translates the city code"1-604"and diverts the call to the gateway 308 and Vancouver's local PSTN network.

In the illustrated embodiment, the overseas videophone 304 can be assigned with a city code, e. g. ,"44-207,"and a local number"338-0001," which can register to the first softswitch 316 or the second softswitch 317. If the videophone 304 registers to the second softswitch 317 operated by another service provider and places call to the videophone 301 with destination city code"852, "the second softswitch 317 can pass the call request to the first softswitch 316. The first softswitch 316 can receive the called party number 852-9123-0001 and terminate the call to the videophone 302 accordingly. The allocation of city code therefore enables efficient call routing to other future overseas videophone service providers. In the event of multiple videophone service providers within the same city, it is to be understood that more sophisticated numbering database would be synchronized among all videophone service providers.

Fig. 4 illustrates a method of assigning a global number with a domain name extension to a videophone used in a telecommunication system in accordance with the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the videophones 404 and 405 have the same city code, but belong to different service providers. Accordingly, domain name extensions (e. g., carrierl. com and carrier2. com) can be appended to the global numbers of videophones 404

and 405, respectively. Such format is similar to SIP address format, which can be routed by the softswitch through standard SIP protocol. To minimize the need to input domain name extension for every call, the softswitch can pass the domain name extension to the videophone, which can then store the global number with the domain name extension in its phonebook memory. For example, when the videophone 405 calls the videophone 402, the softswitch 406 can obtain the caller ID"442072260001 (@canier2. com"from the softswitch 408 and pass it to the videophone 402. After storing the videophone 405's global number with the domain extension, the videophone 402 may reach the videophone 405 directly without going through any intermediary or looking up a synchronized numbering database.

The combination of the global number and domain name extension provides a better connection to PSTN by following traditional numbering hierarchy and facilitates low cost and efficient call switching with the latest domain name routing technology.

The domain name extension solution can also apply to 3G cellular phones (e. g., 61680001@3g. com. hk for the 3G cellular phone 411) or other IP enabled communication services to achieve cost efficient call routing to and from videophone service providers. In addition to routing efficiency, such peer to peer domain name routing can offer flexibility in extending video or other multimedia feature across different networks.

Fig. 5 illustrates that a videophone provisioning system and a videophone are connected together in accordance with the present invention.

The provisioning system 502 can assign a global number or a global number with domain name extension to each individual videophone. The provisioning system 502 can also controls the user profile version and the firmware version in each individual videophone. Further, the provisioning system 502 can

provide a TFTP service for distributing user profile and firmware.

In the illustrated embodiment, the videophone 504 can have a built-in mechanism to query the provisioning system 502 for an appropriate user profile and firmware. The videophone 504 can also have a built-in TFTP client for downloading user profile and firmware.

When the videophone 504 is connected to the Internet, it can be first connected to the provisioning system 502 via the request channels 506 and 512 by checking versions of user profile and firmware. The provisioning system 502 can determine whether the videophone 504 has the correct and most up-to-date user profile and firmware by replying to the requests 508 and 514. The user profile contains all necessary configuration information, including the assigned global number, proxy information, communication ports information, and all other phone settings. The firmware can control the behavior of the videophone 504 and can include phone features and functions. If the videophone 504 is turned on to be used or has an out-dated user profile, the provisioning system 502 can instruct the videophone 504 to download the most up-to-date user profile via a TFTP session 510. If the videophone 504 has an out-dated firmware, the provisioning system can instruct the videophone 504 to download the most up-to-date firmware via a TFTP session 516. If the videophone 504 has already had the up-to-date user profile and firmware, the videophone 504 can register directly with the softswitch 518 and can be ready to initiate and receive calls.

The videophone 504 also checks the provisioning system 502 periodically, so that whenever there is a newer user profile or firmware available, the videophone 504 may download it without the need to reboot the videophone or any human intervention. This provisioning mechanism provides a flexible way to manage videophones that are being used anywhere in the

world. New features can be easily upgraded to the existing videophone units.

From an operator perspective, this provisioning mechanism not only can greatly save operating cost, but also can offer an easy way to change service plan for customers and to perform requests, such as service activation or suspension.

Fig. 6 illustrates that a videophone is connected to a softswitch for registration in accordance with the present invention. The videophone 602 and the softswitch 604 can communicate with each other via the Internet. When the videophone 602 is connected to the softswitch 604 for registration, the videophone sends out a registration request to the softswitch 604. Through this registration process, the videophone 602 informs the softswitch 604 that it is now online, so other devices that have been connected to this network can communicate with it. In the illustrated embodiment, the registration request may contain: (1) the source information 616, (2) the destination information 618, and (3) the request information 614.

The source information 616 represents the IP address 606 of the videophone 602 and the port number 608 to which the videophone 602 is listening. As used herein, the port is a logical connection place for a communication service between two end points, and the port number is a pre- assigned number for the communication service to bind to. The port number can be a fixed number, an assigned number described in the user profile in the videophone, or a dynamic number determined every time when the registration request has been initiated. The source information 616 can be used as the destination information 618 for all the signaling requests in the incoming packets to the videophone 602.

Voice/video over Internet protocol (VoIP) products use the standard and common ports for communication. However, some broadband networks have blocked these ports unintentionally to prevent viruses and hacking activities, or

intentionally for other reasons. The dynamic port assignment mechanism in accordance with the present invention provides a more flexible way for VoIP call signaling and communication by assigning or searching for an available dynamic port. It also enhances the adaptability of VoIP products, such as videophones, in different types of broadband network environments.

The destination information 618 represents the name or IP address 610 of the softswitch 604 and the port number 612 to which the softswitch 604 is listening. If the name of the softswitch 604 is used in the destination information 618, the name can be resolved by the domain name server known to the videophone and can be resolved to an IP address. The port number can be a fixed number, an assigned number described in the user profile in the videophone, or a dynamic number that can be picked from a range of softswitch listening ports every time when the videophone boots up. The destination information can be used for all the signaling requests in the outgoing packets sent out from the videophone 602 to the softswitch 604. The request information 614 describes what the signaling request is about.

Although the registration request described herein contains (1) the source information 616, (2) the destination information 618, and (3) the request information 614, it is to be understood that the registration request may contain other information.

Fig. 7a illustrates videophones connected to the Internet via a power line infrastructure in accordance with the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the system 712 may include a videophone 708, a power line modem 706, and a power line gateway 704. The system 712 may also include a filter 707. As used herein, power line refers to a network of electrical power lines used to transmit and distribute electricity. The details of the power line infrastructure are disclosed in International Application No. WO 2004/066518,

which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present invention entails the use of the videophone 708 with the power line modem 706 and the power line gateway 704 to connect to the Internet. The power line infrastructure offers a number of advantages. For example, expensive rewiring is no longer needed, and almost all devices (e. g., videophone 708) that need to be networked are already connected to the AC wiring.

To overcome electrical noise generated from the videophone 708, a passive filter 707 can be positioned between videophone 708 and wall socket 705. Switch mode power supplies are known to generate electrical noise. This technique can impede the electrical noise from the videophone 708.

For privacy and security reasons, an Internet service provider (ISP) typically blocks peer to peer broadcast packets within the same subnet, the subnetwork or the identifiably separate part of the ISP network. Such blocking will not affect normal web surfing as web servers and a user's PC is unlikely within the same subnet under the same ISP. However, peer-to-peer communications (e. g., VoIP and videophone communications) cannot be established if peer-to-peer broadcast packets are blocked between IP hosts within the same subnet. For example, if videophone 708 and videophone 710 are installed within the same apartment building and assigned within the same subnet under the same ISP, they will not be able to communicate to each other by videophone while their PCs can surf the Internet without problem. To overcome this restriction, a solution is to assign a netmask of 255. 255.255. 255 to the videophone 708. By definition, the netmask 255.255. 255.255 defines a network of only one device. This assignment requires the videophone 708 to be connected to the designated gateway. Through the gateway, the videophone 708 can find and be connected to the videophone 710, which is under another

subnet.

Fig. 7b illustrates a videophone 702 with a network address translation (NAT) router connected to the Internet in accordance with the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, a PC 701 can be connected to the videophone, while the videophone 702 can be connected to the Internet via a modem 703.

The NAT of the videophone 702 translates multiple IP addresses on the private LAN to a public address that is sent out to the Internet. This adds a level of security, because the address of the PC 701 connected to the private LAN is never transmitted to the Internet. Furthermore, NAT allows the videophone to be used with low-cost Internet accounts, such as DSL or cable modems, where only one TCP/IP address is provided by the ISP. The user may have many private addresses (e. g. , the PC 701) behind the single address provided by the ISP. Accordingly, the user can simultaneously use the PC 701 and the videophone 702. The NAT router transmits VoIP utilizing a single TCP/IP address that is provided by the ISP. This alleviates the inherent challenges of a VoIP endpoint behind a NAT private network.

Figure 8 illustrates a videophone application system in accordance with the present invention. The videophone application system 800 may include one or more of four subsystems: (i) auto-answering with authentication subsystem, (ii) email messaging subsystem, (iii) videophone advertising subsystem, and (iv) interactive video response subsystem.

The auto-answering with authentication subsystem of the illustrated embodiment includes (1) a videophone 802 and a 3G cellular phone 803 connected together via the Internet, or (2) a videophone 802 and a videophone 801 connected together via the Internet. This subsystem may use dual tone multi frequency (DTMF) signals as an authentication mechanism for the auto-

answering feature of the videophone 802. The auto-answering feature enables the videophone 802 to establish a connection with the caller's end point according to a preset number of rings.

The DTMF (e. g. , Inband DTMF, RFC2833 Inband DTMF) signals can be generated when an ordinary telephone's (touch-tone enabled) touch keys are pressed. DTMF authentication can be a preferred method for interoperability with conventional voice phones (e. g. , PSTN phones or mobile phones). With DTMF, each key pressed on the 3G cellular phone 803 generates two tones of specific frequencies. One tone can be generated from a high-frequency group of tones, while the other can be generated from a low frequency group.

After a voice and/or video call is established between the videophone 802 and a DTMF endpoint (for example, videophone 824), the videophone 802 can detect DTMF tones during the call session. The DTMF tones can then be captured. The captured DTMF tones can be paired and sorted to a sequence code. The sequence code can be matched with a corresponding digit sequence code set by the user. If the two sequence codes are equal, voice/video media can stream from the videophone 802. If the two sequence codes are not equal, the voice/video media will not stream from the videophone 802. If the time duration or the number of unsuccessful tries exceeds a preset limit, the videophone 802 can disconnect the call session.

The email messaging subsystem of the illustrated embodiment includes a videophone 801 connected to an email messaging server 811 via the Internet.

The user can use the videophone 801 to communicate with an email server 811 that is connected to the Internet. When, for example, the 3G cellular phone 803 or the PC 804 sends an email to the videophone 801, the email message can be sent to the associated email address of the videophone 801. The email address can be the videophone 801's global number and its domain name extension,

e. g., 85231680001 (cvfoneworld. com. The email server 811 can receive and store the email on behalf of the videophone 801. The videophone 801 can be configured to poll the email server 811 periodically, e. g. , every three or five minutes. Whenever there is any new email sent to 85231680001 (Ehfoneworld. com, the videophone 801 can retrieve the email from email server 811 by means of post office protocol 3 (POP3) 813. When the videophone 801 sends an email to the 3G cellular phone 803 or the PC 804, the email can be sent through the email server 811 by means of simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP). With a built-in email client in the videophone 801, the user can send or receive emails with the one or more formats, including but not limited to a text file, an audio file, an image file (e. g. , JPEG format) or a video file (e. g. , H. 263 format).

These functions can substitute short message service (SMS) and multimedia message service (MMS) in mobile telephony, which requires substantial investment and complicated setup in a short message service center (SMSC) or a multimedia message service center (MMSC). Due to the nature that the videophone is always turned on, such email messaging subsystem offers an instant email receiving capability compared to traditional PC's email system.

In addition, the ease of image and video acquisition offered by videophone enables videophone 801 to send or receive not only text message but also multimedia message with image and video.

The videophone advertising subsystem of the illustrated embodiment includes a videophone 801 connected to an ad server 816 via the Internet.

When a user makes a voice call using the videophone 801, the service provider can offer advertising through the idle video screen. This can be achieved by integrating a streaming client in the videophone 801, which can automatically connect to the ad server 816 during the voice call. In order not to interfere the

user during the voice call, audio data will not be included in the video stream.

The service provider can charge the sponsor such"voice call banner"by called duration recorded by the softswitch 810. The other way of offering advertising through idle video screen is to download video/image files as videophone screensavers. The videophone 801 can be configured to download video or image files from the ad server 816 on a periodic basis, e. g. , once a week. Such files may contain advertisements from different sponsors and can pop up and replay on the videophone 801 periodically, e. g. , once every 10 minutes, whenever videophone 801 is idle.

The interactive video response subsystem (IVRS) 822 of the illustrated embodiment provides interactive responses to the videophone 824 using a client-server technology by means of HTTP protocol 826 via the Intemet. The IVRS 822 can be a web application server listening and responding to the request from the videophone 801. The IVRS 822 also includes one or more information service systems 828, which contain different information sources provided by the content providers. The videophone 801 may include a graphical interface that can present basic HTML or XML format of the information. The videophone 824 may also include an input device that can capture input data and navigation instructions from the user. This input device can be the existing keypad of the videophone 824.

When the user uses the videophone 824 to connect to the IVRS 822 via the HTTP protocol 826, the IVRS 822 returns a portal page containing a list of information services (such as stock quote, news, weather report, etc. ) to the videophone 824 via the same transport session. The user can make a response or selection from the available information services. The user may also need to input data along with the selected information service. According to the request, the IVRS 822 can retrieve the corresponding detail information from the

information service systems 828 and can response back to the videophone 824.

The IVRS 822 extends the use of the videophone and allows users to retrieve information from the same device. The videophone 824 is not only a VoIP device for video and voice communication, but also can be an always-on kiosk providing information anytime according to the interactive requests from the users.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.