DE10053717B4 - Method and device for establishing a telephone connection via an Internet telephony application - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for establishing a telephone connection using a computer program stored in a computer (1), comprising the steps:
Automatic determination of a telephone number character string contained in the code of a website (11) or electronic mail, a telephone number being recognized as such if the code of the website (11) or electronic mail contains one or more character strings (18), in which several digits follow one another directly or separated by spaces and in which more than a predetermined smaller number of successive characters and less than a predetermined larger number of characters are digits
- Identify the determined telephone number string (B1) by changing the presentation on the website or in the electronic mail
- Establishing the telephone connection through the computer program when it is selected by an input device of the computer (1), wherein
- An interface computer (4) between the telephone network and the Internet is selected by the computer program on the basis of the telephone number string, the interface computer (4) being based on the geographic proximity to ...

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for establishing a telephone connection via a Internet telephony application.

In the prior art there are so-called direct and so-called indirect Internet telephony procedures are known. With the direct Internet telephony is a voice signal from a microphone Transmitter computer recorded, digitized in the sound card of the computer, and then compressed. Thereupon an internet connection becomes a conventional one recipient computer built up. The voice data can then with the interposition of ISDN cards or modems on the transmitter and receiver computers in Form of IP packets over transfer the Internet from the sender to the recipient computer become. There the received data is decompressed, in one Sound card of the recipient computer converted to an analog signal, and transmitted to the computer speaker. The transfer of voice data in the opposite direction (i.e. from the receiving computer to the transmitter computer) takes place in a correspondingly reverse manner.

In contrast, the so-called indirect Internet telephony instead of voice data from the transmitter computer a conventional one recipient computer transmitted to a special telephone network internet interface computer (so-called gateway computer). This one chooses the desired Call number of a conventional Telephone connection, and transmits the voice data as an analog signal to the direction assigned to the telephone connection (i.e. from the phone to the transmitter computer) takes place in the opposite direction Way: The telephone network internet interface computer digitized the analog voice signal received by the phone, and transmits it over the Internet to the transmitter computer.

From the JP-A-10336346A A device is known in which a processor has a detection device and a selection device. The detection device can determine a telephone number in processed information and display it in a labeled manner. A telephone connection can be established by dialing the telephone number.

WO97 / 31490 discloses a method for Access to a target device via a communication network. For this a distributed database is used, from which access data for the Communication network can be extracted.

Is the telephone network internet interface computer located near or in the middle distance from the receiving computer, so can the transmission costs z.T. be significantly reduced: in addition to the costs of the Internet connection only fall still (e.g. local call tariff) costs for the Telephone connection between the interface computer and the telephone.

But among other things disadvantageous that the one you want Phone number must be entered manually on the transmitter computer which is time consuming and error prone is.

The present invention has The aim is to simplify the establishment of a telephone connection over the Internet.

This problem is resolved through a process Claim 1 and a device according to claim 2 solved.

With the invention it is possible to create phone number strings to determine those stored in any electronically String are included. The electronically stored string can e.g. be a code of a website, or e.g. a text file, for example a word processing or spreadsheet program. Conceivable is e.g. also that the string in a code of an electronic Mail is included, e.g. in an email, or in a message, sent to a mobile phone, e.g. via SMS (Short Message Service).

The string can be on any medium stored, e.g. on the working memory of a microprocessor a computer or telephone, on a hard drive, a floppy disc, Etc.

The phone number string is advantageous characterized in that their formatting is changed. For example, the telephone number string can be determined after it has been determined highlighted, underlined, and / or flashing display, or by other marking (e.g. with an arrow), etc. compared to other strings, that are not a phone number are highlighted. alternative or additionally can the phone number string be a (invisible to a user) Assigned identifier, which this for the computing device as identifies a string that contains a phone number.

The computing device can e.g. a computer, especially a portable computer (e.g. a pocket computer) be, or e.g. a telephone, especially a cell phone.

The device also particularly preferably contains a Means with which the telephone number string after its determination for automatic execution further process steps can be selected (e.g. by Clicking with a mouse, by pressing a cell phone enter key, Touch a touch screen of a pocket computer, etc.), in particular for dialing the telephone number assigned to the telephone number string.

Further advantageous configurations are in the on the independent Expectations referred back further subclaims claimed.

The invention is described below of an embodiment and the accompanying drawing explained.

The drawing shows:

1 a schematic representation of an Internet telephony system according to the invention, wherein a first website is displayed on a computer;

2 a schematic representation of the in 1 drawn system, wherein a second website is displayed on the computer;

3 a schematic Datrstellung of in 1 and 2 shown system, a third website is displayed on the computer.

4a a section from the HTML code in 1 website shown;

4b the in 4a HTML code section shown without telephone number-specific characters, and without spaces;

5a a first set of strings that come from the in 4b shown code section were determined, and which meet a condition a;

5b a subset of the in 5a shown set of strings, which contains strings that additionally meet a condition b;

5c a string that in the in 5b shown subset is included, and which additionally fulfills a condition c;

5d in the 5c string shown after completion.

According to 1 an Internet telephony system according to the invention has a computer 1 with a screen 2 on, as well as a central computer 3 , a telephone network internet interface computer 4 , here: a gateway computer and a (picture) telephone 5 , To the calculator 1 is a speaker / microphone unit 6 connected, as well as a keyboard 7 , a mouse 8th , and (optional) a camera 9 ,

The computer 1 is initially disconnected from the Internet. By making appropriate entries on the keyboard 7 and / or the mouse 8th a user can connect to the internet 10 to the central computer 3 produce. This can be done, for example, by the user entering a (first) URL address. This designates the central computer 3 , the path to a local directory on the central computer 3 in which a particular website 11 and the exact file name of the website 11 ,

The website 11 becomes a computer using an Internet protocol, such as the hypertext transfer protocol (http) 1 transferred, - optionally - temporarily stored there (e.g. in the main or in the main memory of the computer 1 ), and then on the screen 2 of the computer 1 shown (cf. 1 ).

The content of the website 11 can be defined in HTML, for example. It is also conceivable to use HTML extensions, eg Dynamic HTML (such as JavaScript, CSS and Layer), which allow the website 11 to fill with dynamic content.

In the calculator 1 , or alternatively in the central computer 3 (or somewhere else on the Internet) is a computer program stored in the code of the website 11 occurring phone numbers determined.

In 4a is an extract from a text part of the HTML code in 1 shown website 11 shown. This consists of a character string, ie a sequence of numbers and other characters (eg letters, spaces and special characters).

In a first step, the program determines whether the code contains one or more character strings in which more than a first predetermined, relatively small number of consecutive characters - in the exemplary embodiment shown here are more than 7 characters, digits (or alternatively, for example, more than 4 , 5, 6, or 8 consecutive characters) (condition a). Previously, as in 4b is shown from the string 18 a modified string 18 ' generated in the opposite of the original string 18 there are no spaces following the digits; other preselected other characters are also not taken into account there, namely those that are frequently used for the notation of telephone numbers (for example, the telephone number-specific characters + () - /><). As in 5a is shown, the character strings A1, A2, A3 fulfill the above condition a in the exemplary embodiment shown here.

In a second step, the program then determines from the determined character strings A1, A2, A3 (again neglecting the above-mentioned telephone number-specific characters or the blank) the one or more characters that contain fewer than a predetermined, second, relatively large number of consecutive digits ( in the exemplary embodiment shown here fewer than 19 consecutive digits, or alternatively, for example, less than 23, 21 or 17 consecutive digits) (condition b). This condition is met here by the strings A1 and A2, cf. 5b , The strings A1, A2 determined in this way are regarded by the program as telephone numbers.

As an alternative or in addition, the fact that a telephone number often precedes (and / or follows) certain characteristic character strings, for example character strings such as “TEL”, “PHONE”, “NUMBER”, can alternatively or additionally be used to determine telephone numbers occurring in the code "FAX", "NUMBER", "FACSIMILE", "MOBILE" (each only written in uppercase letters, only in lowercase letters, or mixed in uppercase and lowercase letters). Alternatively or additionally, an HTML extension field can also be used for the determination can be used, which explicitly identifies a character string as a telephone number (the algorithm described above can then be used, for example, to verify whether a telephone number was actually entered in the telephone number field as intended, or to remove the above-mentioned telephone number-specific characters).

From the character strings or telephone numbers A1, A2 determined in the second step, those telephone numbers A2 which meet certain exclusion criteria are sorted out in a third step, for example those with a specific area code or those which belong to a predetermined area code group. (In other words, in the third step those character strings A1 are determined which do not meet the above exclusion criteria (condition c), cf. 5c .)

For example, you can use all phone numbers foreign Area code not taken into account (or alternatively all those with a domestic area code), namely in relation to the area code of a predetermined country, e.g. 049 for Germany (or +49, ++ 49, or 49 if the phone number specific + character).

Alternatively or additionally, telephone numbers with certain, predefined provider-specific prefixes can be sorted out (e.g. the numbers of mobile phone providers (0170, 0171, 0172 numbers, etc.) - here the mobile phone number A2 - or numbers with prefixes that identify special services are, such as 0190, 0180 numbers, etc.) Then, in a fourth step, the telephone numbers A1 determined in the third step are supplemented to complete telephone numbers A1 '(cf. 5d ), in the present case by prefixing the correct number of leading prefix zeros.

Next, the computer program causes the string B1 belonging to the determined telephone number A1 'of the website 11 that on the screen 2 of the computer 1 is shown, is marked there in a special way. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the telephone number string B1 is highlighted, or its coloring and its colored background background are changed. This happens, for example, in the case of the HTML code string 18 appropriate formatting code characters are inserted before and after the telephone number string B1. As an alternative or in addition, marking by underlining is conceivable, for example, or by copying the character string B1 into an additional, special data input field on the website 11 , Etc.

By making appropriate entries on the keyboard 7 and / or the mouse 8th the user can select the marked telephone number string B1, for example to carry out further method steps, which are explained in more detail below.

This can be done, for example, by the user moving the cursor to the highlighted telephone number string B1 and “clicking” on it. The program then causes that, for example, from the computer 1 (or from the central computer, for example 3 ) another predetermined URL is read out. This is different from the above-mentioned first URL, for example denotes a path to another local directory on the central computer 3 in which another predetermined website 12 is saved (and the exact file name of the other website 12 ), or alternatively, for example, a second central computer 3 ' (not shown here) on which another website 12 'is saved. In this case there is an internet connection between the computer 1 and the second central computer 3 ' built up.

After selection by the user, the telephone number A1 'determined by the computer program is stored in the computer 1 stored, or - alternatively - automatically transferred to the other URL address via the Internet, and on the central computer 3 or the second central computer 3 ' saved.

The other website 12 becomes a computer 1 transferred, - optionally - cached there, and then on the screen 2 of the computer 1 shown (cf. 2 ). The other website 12 can contain, for example, special, user-specific advertisements (banners) - here a banner 13 ,

As in 2 is shown, contains the further website 12 also an input field 14 , This is when the website is called 12 the telephone number A1 'determined by the computer program is automatically entered. For this purpose - depending on where it was previously saved - it is removed from the computer 1 , or the central computer 3 or the second central computer 3 ' read.

By making appropriate entries on the keyboard 7 and / or the mouse 8th the user can enter the phone number A1 'in the input field 14 change and / or select, for example to carry out further process steps explained in more detail below. The selection can be made, for example, by simply "clicking" the input field 14 with the mouse 8th respectively. The program then causes z. B. from the computer 1 (or from the central computer, for example 3 or the second central computer 3 ' ) a third URL is read, which is the interface computer 4 denotes (or more precisely a path to a specific local directory of the interface computer 4 in which a third, predetermined website 15 is saved, as well as their exact file names). This will result in an internet connection 10 ' between the computer 1 and the interface computer 4 built up ( 3 ).

The interface computer 4 (More precisely: its URL) is under a variety of possible further telephone network Internet interface computers according to predetermined criteria, for example, according to geographical proximity to a telephone connection of the telephone assigned to the determined telephone number A1 ' 5 selected.

After selection by the user, the telephone number A1 'determined by the computer program can be automatically transmitted to the third URL address, for example via the Internet, and on the interface computer 4 get saved.

The third website 15 is a traditional telephony website for indirect internet telephony. The third website 15 becomes a computer via the above internet connection 1 transferred, - optionally - cached there, and then as in 3 shown on the screen 2 of the computer 1 shown.

The third website 15 contains another input field 16 , in which the telephone number A1 'determined by the computer program is shown. For this purpose - depending on where it was last saved - it is made from computer 1, the central computer 3 respectively. 3 ' , or the interface computer 4 read.

By making appropriate entries on the keyboard 7 and / or the mouse 8th the user can enter the telephone number A1 'in the additional input field 16 change and / or select, eg by "clicking" the input field 16 with the mouse B. The interface computer then dials 4 the determined telephone number A1 'in the conventional manner, ie sends the telephone connection dialing characters to the (video) telephone 5 assigned telephone connection. Another user picks up the phone 5 the call, there will be a telephone connection 17 between the phone 5 and interface calculator 4 built up. Thereupon, IP packets with digitized voice or image data can be sent over the Internet connection 10 ' from the computer 1 to the interface computer 4 transmitted, and from there over the phone connection 17 eg as an analog signal to the (video) telephone 5 , This can be done by the computer 1 from transmitted voice data, for example from the loudspeaker-microphone unit 6 of the computer 1 , and the image data from his camera 9 be included. Similarly, from the (video) phone 5 off via the telephone connection 17 and the internet connection 10 ' - with the interposition of the interface computer 4 - Image and / or voice data to the computer 1 transferred, and on the screen 2 shown, or to the speaker microphone unit 6 to get redirected.

Claims (10)

Method for establishing a telephone connection using a computer ( 1 ) Computer program stored comprising the steps: - automatic detection of a code in the website ( 11 ) or an electronic mail containing telephone number string, whereby a telephone number is recognized as such if the code of the website ( 11 ) or electronic mail one or more strings ( 18 ) in which several digits follow one another directly or separated by spaces and in which more than a predetermined smaller number of consecutive characters and fewer than a predetermined larger number of characters are digits - identifying the determined telephone number character string (B1) by changing the representation within the website or electronic mail - the telephone connection is established by the computer program when it is selected by an input device on the computer ( 1 ), whereby - an interface computer ( 4 ) between the telephone network and the Internet is selected by the computer program based on the telephone number string, the interface computer ( 4 ) on the basis of the geographical proximity to a telephone connection of the telephone assigned to the determined telephone number A1 ' 5 is selected - an internet connection between the computer ( 1 ) and the interface computer ( 4 ) is established, - a telephone connection between the interface computer ( 4 ) and a phone assigned to the phone number string ( 5 ) is built up - Transmission of digitized data as IP packets between computers ( 1 ) and interface calculator ( 4 ) via the internet connection ( 10 ), - Transmission of analog or digital telephony data between interface computers ( 4 ) and telephone ( 5 ). Computer ( 1 ), which comprises: means for storing a character string ( 18 ) in electronic form; Means for determining one in the string ( 18 ) contained telephone number string (B1); and means for identifying the determined telephone number string (B1); wherein the computer comprises means for establishing a telephone connection and means for transmitting digitized data as IP packets according to the method of claim 1. Computer ( 1 ) according to claim 1, wherein the telephone number string (B1) is characterized in that the formatting is changed. Computer ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the character string ( 18 ) in a website code ( 11 ) is included. Computer ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the character string is contained in a code of an electronic mail sent by the computer ( 1 ) was received. Computer ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the character string ( 18 ) does not initially contain an identifier which identifies the telephone number string (B1) as a character string which contains a telephone number. Computer ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the telephone number character string (B1) is assigned an identifier which identifies it as a character string which contains a telephone number. Computer ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, which is a portable computer. Computer ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein this is a telephone, in particular a mobile phone. Computer ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, which also contains a means by which the telephone number character string (B1) can be selected for the automatic execution of further method steps, in particular for dialing the telephone number (A1 ') assigned to the telephone number character string (B1).