FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to person-to-person communication over a telecommunications network, in particular but not only to voice communication over the Internet.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is increasingly common to conduct person-to-person communication over the Internet, due to the proliferation of Internet capable devices and to higher speeds of connection between the devices. A wide range of hardware and software is available through which individuals may use the Internet as a transmission medium for telephone calls or video connections. Users with free or fixed price Internet access can effectively obtain free telephone calls anywhere in the world. The industry relating to Internet telephone calls is commonly called "Internet telephony" or "voice over IP" (VOIP).

Most computers sold today are already equipped or readily upgraded with the hardware and software required to provide VOIP communication. The user generally requires a microphone and a speaker for audio communication, and also a video camera for visual communication, each of which come in many forms. The user software must typically be installed on the computer from a disc or an Internet source, and becomes an integrated component of the overall software system. Well known software such as ICQ and Net Meeting have been available for several years in relation to "Instant Messaging" services of this kind.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a VOP system in which software is only loaded into the user computer on a temporary basis, such as an applet in a web browser, or at least to provide an alternative to existing systems.

The invention may therefore be stated as a method of assisting voice or video communication over a computer network, including: receiving a request to initiate a connection between a caller computer and one or more called computers, sending a message to each of the caller and called computers including instructions for initiation of the connection, sending a control program and network address information to each of the caller and called computers that respond to the instructions, and using the respective control programs to configure transducer systems associated with the caller and called computers to enable transmission of voice or video information between users of the transducer systems.

In a preferred embodiment the request to initiate a connection is received via a web page stored on a web server from a web browser operating on the caller computer. The messages sent to the caller and called computers are email messages containing a url hyperlink to a web server which initiates the call. The control program is an applet such as an Active X or Java program for web browsers on each of the caller and called computers. This enables the caller and called computers to be placed in peer-to-peer communication.

In another aspect the invention may be stated as a system for assisting voice or video communication over a computer network, including: a web server that receives a request to initiate a connection between a caller computer and one or more called computers, and an email server that sends a message to each of the caller and called computers including instructions for initiation of the connection, wherein the web server sends a control program and network address information to each of the caller and called computers that respond to the instructions, and wherein the control program configures transponder systems associated with the caller and called computers to enable transmission of voice or video information between users of the transponder systems.

LIST OF FIGURES

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the accompanying drawings, of which : Figure 1 schematically indicates caller computers in communication over the Internet, Figure 2 outlines how the caller computers may interact with a central system to initiate a VOIP call, Figure 3 schematically shows the main software elements of a caller computer in a VOIP call, Figure 4 outlines operation of the central system via applets that are loaded by the caller computers from the central system, Figure 5 outlines operation of an applet on a caller computer, Figure 6 outlines operation of an applet in the presence of a firewall, Figure 7 outlines how a caller computer may establish a connection to another caller computer through a firewall, and Figures 8 to 12 are screen view examples as seen by a caller in one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings it will be appreciated that invention may be implemented in many forms for a variety of different communication systems. These embodiments are given by way of example only. Details of the operation of computer networks such as the Internet, including both wired and wireless systems, will be understood by skilled readers and need not be produced here. The term "caller computer" may be interpreted as any user device that is capable of connecting to the Internet or similar communication network and providing a voice communication facility for the user, and possibly also a multimedia communication facility such as video.

Figure 1 schematically shows a communication network 10 and virtually any number of caller computers 11 that may be connected for voice communication with assistance from an initiator system 12. The network 10 is preferably a collection of networks, such as the Internet, that operate with common protocols such as TCP/IP and enable a range of services such as email and the world wide web. Computers 11 may be operated by private or corporate users and may connect to the network in many ways such as dialup access, broadband or leased lines. They may be operated by their users with a range of different operating systems such as Microsoft or Linux systems, and a range of different software applications such as web browsers, email clients, word processors and many more.

Initiator system 12 in Figure 1 is shown as a simple local network in this example, including a web server 13, email server 14 and database 15, connected to the network 10 through a router 16. Many variations of system 12 are possible in practice, and the functions might even be based in a single caller computer 11 for example. The system typically offers a free service to any caller but may also provide more sophisticated features to subscribers. A confidential prototype system called "Cockatu" is indicated in the examples given below. Figure 2 shows how two or more of the caller computers in Figure 1 may be connected for voice communication with assistance from the initiator system 12, although it is conceivable in some embodiments that little or no involvement of a central system may be required in a particular call. The computers may be standalone or handheld terminals operated by home users, or may be part of relatively large private networks operated by corporate entities for example. The caller computers may also be connected through a common private network with relatively limited access to the network 10. Most of the detailed communication steps that are required between computers communicating over the Internet have been omitted from this diagram for clarity, and given that a wide range of variations will exist in practice.

In step 20 of Figure 2, the user of computer A operates browser software to connect to the web server 13 and proposes a call to computer B. An example of the interaction as seen by the user of computer A is given in Figure 8. Many different browser programs are available and provide a range of different interfaces for their users. Typically the user obtains an IP address or URL for the web server and the browser then requests data from the server using HTTP. The server transmits the data to the user computer and the result is viewed by the user in the browser as a web page. The user inputs details of the proposed call as required by the layout of the web page, typically an email address for each caller and preferably an indication of their time zones, such as shown in Figure 8. The browser transmits these details to the web server when the user indicates that input of the details is complete, by actuating a control on the page.

In step 21 of Figure 2, the web server 13 of central system 12 has received the details of a call proposed by the user of computer A and contacts the email server 14. Typically the web server transmits the email addresses of the parties and other optional details that may be required by system 12 to initiate a call. In this example the call involves just two parties, namely the initiator at computer A and a single called party at computer B, although any number of callers may be involved in practice, and may be subscriber service offered by operators of the system 12 for example. As shown in Figure 8, the email address of the caller is fred@hotmail.com while the email address of the called party is like@hotmail.com. An alternative example showing how multiple parties may be involved is shown in Figure 12.

In step 22, the email server 14 sends a message to each of the parties that are proposed for the call, typically an email message but other forms of communication may be suitable. An example of the message as seen by a called party is shown in Figure 9. The message indicates the calling party and other details of the service contains an invitation to the user, including a URL or hyperlink shown as a telephone symbol in this example, that the user follows to initiate their part of the call. In step 23, each user follows the link in the email message as described above, and initiates the call by way of their browser.

In step 24, the browser on each caller computer contacts the initiator system 12 according to the URL contained in the message and requests download of a small control or initiator program, preferably an applet that runs in the browser. The browser also provides the current EP address or URL of the respective user computer and receives the applet from the web server 13, along with an address or URL of the other user computers. The control program is typically provided as an ActiveX control or as a Java program but may be provided in many forms. In general, the applet exists only temporarily on the user computer, for the duration of the call or the duration of the operation of the browser, and preferably the user computer is not required to install any software to participate in the call. An example of the message that might appear to the user while awaiting the connection to another user is shown in Figure 10.

In step 25, the applet that was loaded to each user computer in step 24 commences several functions as required to enable a voice, or possibly a video connection, between the user computers. This includes configuration of existing hardware and software on the user computer and establishment of a TCP/IP connection to each of the other computers that will be part of the call. The callers then proceed in direct two-way peer-to-peer communication without necessarily requiring further assistance from the initiator system 12. In steps 27 and 28 the applet may simply monitor the status of the call and report to the initiator system from time to time until the call ends. An example of the message that might appear to the user during a call is shown in Figure 11. Details of the call may be recorded in database 15.

Figure 3 shows a caller computer 30 during the process outlined in Figure 2. This is typically a desktop computer, laptop or perhaps a handheld unit, being used individually or as part of a network. Most of the hardware and software features have been omitted for clarity. It will be appreciated that the hardware includes components such as a microprocessor, memory chips, storage media, communication ports and a bus system, or their equivalents, and that the software is generally provided as electronic instructions located in the memory and/or storage as required. The computer includes an operating system 31 and a number of specific software items including browser 32, an email application 33, Internet connection programs such as TCP/IP service routines 34, device drivers such as audio and video programs 35 and 36 for an external headset and video camera respectively, and various other installed software items 37. The Internet connection programs receive and transmit data to an external network through appropriate logical ports 38, when required by the browser, email and other Internet oriented applications. An applet 39 is shown within the browser indicating that this program is executed under control of the browser rather than directly under the operating system. In this example the applet is the control or initiator program downloaded from the web server as described above.

Figure 4 shows operation of the initiator system 12 in Figure 1 in more detail. In step 40 the system receives information regarding a proposed call, including information relating to the proposed parties to the call, as indicated previously in step 20 of Figure 2. The initiator then sends an email containing connection information to each of the proposed parties in step 41. Each party that wishes to participate in the call responds to the email, typically through their respective browsers, and the responses are received by the initiator in step 42. The initiator downloads an applet to the computer of each of the responding parties in step 43 which in turn enables direct voice or video communication between the parties. The initiator preferably monitors the call status in step 44, or is at least advised on termination of the call in step 45 by way of signals sent from the applets. Data relating to the call such as details of the parties and the duration of their call may be recorded in a database in step 46.

Figure 5 shows typical operation of an applet as loaded by a caller computer 11 in Figure 1 from the web server 13. In step 50 the applet first determines the IP configuration of the computer and the audio and/or video devices, generally termed transponder devices, that are connected to the computer. An audio device such as headset with a microphone and speakers is required for voice communication and must normally be configured by the applet before a call can commence. An appropriate message is displayed to the user if suitable devices are not available, hi step 51 the applet then determines a suitable port for transmission of TCP/IP data during the call, and this typically includes special consideration of firewalls as indicated further in Figure 6. Once a suitable port has been determined the applet then commences the local TCP application for the port in step 52 and connects to the web server 13 and the other callers in steps 53 and 54. The web server may be updated by the applet during the call in step 55. Once the call is ended at a respective computer the applet sends an appropriate termination message to the web server and releases the computer resources that were used in the call.

Figure 6 shows how a VOIP call may be enabled when a caller computer is restrained by a firewall, and represents an expansion of steps 52 and 53 in Figure 5. When required in step 60 to determine a port for the call, the applet first determines whether one or more kinds of firewall exist, hi steps 61 and 62 the applet scans for router or system firewalls such as UPnP or Windows ICF respectively. If either firewall is detected the applet adds the appropriate port mapping in step 62 or 64 respectively. If no firewalls are detected then the applet will attempt to determine and capture any available port in steps 65 and 66. If there are no available ports then a dynamic process takes place in step 67 by which a fixed number of ports are tested. Occasionally it may not be possible to find a useable port for possible connection to the server 13 in which case a suitable message is displayed for the user.

Figure 7 schematically outlines an alternative way in which a caller computer A may connect to another computer B that is restrained by a firewall. In step 70 an applet in computer A is running within the browser, as part of step 24 in Figure 2. In step 71 the applet instructs the local TCP routine to initiate a connection to computer B but in step 72 the unauthorised connection is blocked by the firewall. The TCP routine notifies the applet of the blocked connection in step 73 and in step 74 the applet notifies the web server 13. The applet in computer B already has an open connection to the web server by virtue of the response to the initial email message. In step 74 the web server sends an instruction to the applet in computer B to perform an http-stream request to computer A. Normal http requests and responses are usually allowed through firewalls without difficulty. In step 75 the applet in Computer B instructs the browser to send the http-stream request. In step 76 the browser sends the request to computer A and the http stream back from computer A is allowed through the firewall. A connection between the computers is thereby established in step 76 and voice or video call between the computer users can commence. A similar process operates when both computers are restrained by firewalls.

Figures 8 to 12 are examples of screen views that might be presented to a user during various stages of a call and are described above in relation to Figure 2. Entirely different screen views could be presented with or without the advertising material that is shown in this case. In the case of a handheld unit the screen views would be relatively simple. It will be appreciated that a VOIP system according to the invention offers a relatively simple mechanism by which telephone calls can be made over the Internet without necessarily requiring users to install additional software on their computers.