Patent Grant
9282124
This invention relates generally to the telecommunications platform field, and more specifically to a new and useful system and method for integrating session initiation protocol communication in a telecommunications platform in the telecommunications platform field.
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a signaling protocol often used in establishing communication sessions. Such communication sessions can include voice, video, messaging, and other forms of communication. SIP is meant to be an application layer that is independent of the transport layer. Working with SIP to build applications and provide services may require a specialized skill set, and building applications on top of SIP may be challenging for some developers. In some cases, setting up a SIP endpoint may pose challenges to those hoping to do so quickly and easily. Thus, there is a need in the telecommunications platform field to create a new and useful system and method for integrating a session initiation protocol communication in a telecommunications platform. This invention provides such a new and useful system and method.
The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention is not intended to limit the invention to these preferred embodiments, but rather to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use this invention.
1. System for Integrating Session Initiation Protocol in a Platform
As shown in
The system can be distributed across multiple regions. Each region can include carrier edge services, public SIP edge services, client edge services, a proxy core service, a trunking application, and optionally a communication application service. The system is preferably a multitenant platform wherein a plurality of different distinct users/accounts operates within the same infrastructure of the system. The system can include an account system, a billing system, and additionally services or components to facilitate other features and capabilities of the system. For example, the system can include event logging system, analytics system, recording services, conferencing services, communication queues, text-to-speech (TTS) services, transcription services, and/or any suitable component. A carrier edge service preferably functions to route all traffic to and from a carrier. An edge can be defined as a load balancer and a session-border-controller. A public SIP edge service preferably functions to route all traffic to and from a public SIP endpoint (trunking and non-trunking). A client edge service preferably functions to route all traffic to and from client applications of the communication platform (e.g., web applications or applications using SDK to interface through SIP with the communication platform).
The proxy core is preferably a component that manages/touches traffic of the communication platform as a communication router. The proxy core functions to making routing decisions for incoming and outgoing communications. For an incoming PSTN call (from a carrier to the carrier edge service to the proxy core), the proxy core determines if this is a trunking use case or an application use case. If a trunking use case, the proxy core signals to the trunking application. If an application use case, the proxy core signals to a communication application service. The use case is preferably determined based on the mapping of the destination number to a routing configuration identifier (e.g., a SIP address or an application URI). The proxy core additionally includes a callback engine that monitors SIP transaction messages and can initiate request response interactions with a callback resource over an application layer protocol in response to signaling and/or media events. Callback URIs are preferably configured for the communication platform through an API, a control user interface, or any suitable control mechanism. The communication platform may additionally include a registration record database. The registration record database is preferably used in maintaining routing information for devices that register a communication endpoint with the communication platform.
A trunking application functions to implement trunking functionality such as taking care of REFER SIP messages. In some implementations, the system can include communication application service. The communication application service preferably provides a higher level of communication applications such as voice based applications to play recordings, perform TTS, capture input caller, record messages, connect other endpoints, or control any suitable interaction during a communication session. Preferably the communication application service can function substantially similar to a call router that processes a document of telephony instructions such as in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/417,630.
The system can be operated to provide variety of different features. The system as one aspect can include registering and triggering callback resources, which function to make SIP trunking sessions reactive to signaling and media events. As another aspect, the system can use a unified registration system so that a phone number (or other suitable endpoint identifier) can be configured to perform trunking or run a communication application; further, fallback/error responses can be defined for either trunking or application execution. For example, the system can enable a SIP-URI to be associated with a phone number as a main mechanism for communication, but if the communication does fail, a failure callback can specify an application resource or another SIP-URI. In the case of a SIP-URI, the call can failover to the secondary SIP domain for trunking. In the case of an application resource (e.g., preferably specified as a URI of an application resource), then that application can be executed. Such a unified communication endpoint registration can similarly be used where an incoming call is initially handled by an application and fails over to a SIP-URI. As an example, a customer may have capacity for a set number of concurrent phone calls, and when the customer hits that limit, the system can automatically handle the overflow in accordance the fallback resource. In this example, the unified registration for a number +1-415-555-1234 can have an incoming resource set as “sip:pbx.example.com” and a fallback callback as http://example.com/sorry.xml”. Then if the SIP server at sip:pbx.example.com is busy and responds with an error response, the system can access the fallback callback application. That callback application could play an error message or place in a queue until an agent is available or any suitable application logic.
Similarly, select media features such as recording may be enabled during a trunking communication session. An additional aspect can enable a communication session to dynamically transition between operating modes where a communication session may be established in a low-level trunking mode and then elevated to enable application processing or other media features. Operational mode transitioning can provide better use of resources and possibly allow customers to selectively reduce account usage (and consequently lower platform cost). As another element of the system, a signaling application module can function to provide customizable signaling endpoints wherein a signaling application module will extract and use embedded data of the endpoint identifier to alter signaling. The system is preferably configured to perform any suitable combination and/or subset of processes of the methods described above.
2. Session Initiation Protocol Communication in a Platform
As shown in
The method can be applied to several different signaling and messaging use cases and communication topologies.
The method can be applied to terminating and originating SIP trunking scenarios. In the terminating use case described in more detail below, the call could originate from a PSTN endpoint, an outside SIP endpoint, an internal SIP endpoint, or any suitable type of endpoint. The terminating endpoint preferably depends on mapping of a destination endpoint to a SIP endpoint as shown in
Block S110, which includes receiving a communication request to a resource, functions to prompt, start or initiate a communication session. The resource in one variation can be to an endpoint with an account routing configuration (e.g., outside entities make a call into the communication platform). This variation will be discussed in more detail in method S200. The resource may alternatively be directed to an outside endpoint through the communication platform (e.g., PBX of an account holder sending an INVITE to 415-xxx-xxxx@<accountID>.<platform_domain> to make an termination trunking call to 415-xxx-xxxx). The request preferably includes a specified destination. The communication request can be received as a signaling message directed at a domain of the platform, where the signaling message is requesting to establish a media communication session with a communication endpoint. The outgoing communication request can be received as the platform facilitates SIP trunking termination. For example, a customer could be enabled to use a desk phone or a call center workstation behind an IP PBX to make a call to a cell phone or landline as shown in
An outgoing communication may alternatively be initiated in response to an application programming interface (API) request of a telecommunications platform. The API request is preferably transmitted on behalf of an associated account and received at an API service of the platform. For example, an application or outside entity may make an API request to the communications platform to make an outgoing SIP based call. The outgoing communication may additionally be initiated from a telephony instruction in a communication application. In this use case the communication session is established between the communication platform and the destination endpoint. The callback resource may be used in detecting when the call is answered and beginning application execution or connecting to another endpoint. Though, an API request may be made to connect multiple endpoints.
The communication request is preferably for establishing an audio session between at least two parties. In one variation, the two parties can be the communication platform and a specified signaling and media endpoint. In another variation, the two parties can be the caller/originating endpoint and a destination endpoint. The destination endpoint may be specified in the request. The outgoing communication may alternatively establish a video session, a chat messaging session, an application communication session (e.g., a multi-player gaming session), screen sharing session, multimedia session, presence information session, or any suitable application of a communication session. Once instructions have been processed instructing a communication router to establish an outgoing communication, the communication router will preferably make an outgoing INVITE SIP request to a specified endpoint. Alternatively, the request may be a REFER SIP request or any suitable SIP request. The method may alternatively or additionally be used with other protocols for establishing a session.
Block S120, which includes establishing media communication in a session, functions to initiate, bridge, or connect an originating endpoint with a destination endpoint. The destination is preferably defined by the username identifier of the destination endpoint. The destination endpoint will preferably be another telephony endpoint such as a phone number, which will be connected through PSTN. A carrier can be selected and used to establish a media communication with the phone number. Alternatively, the phone number could be an alternative endpoint identifier wherein the media connection is established with a proxy signaling and media service of that alternative mode of communication. In yet another variation, the phone number of alternative endpoint identifier may be destination registered within the platform, wherein the method below for incoming communications may be used to establish the media communication with another SIP user agent. Once instructions have been processed instructing a communication router to establish an outgoing communication, a communication router will preferably make an outgoing INVITE SIP request to the specified destination endpoint. Alternatively, the request may be a REFER SIP request or any suitable SIP request. The method may alternatively or additionally be used with other protocols for establishing a session. If multiple endpoints are defined and do not have an established signaling and/or media connection, multiple endpoints may be contacted and included in the media communication.
Block S130, which includes registering a callback resource to a signaling event of the session, functions to associate, instantiate, or create a webhook, reactive resource, or event handler that is notified as a result of session messages, signaling patterns, and optionally media events. The registration of a callback resource preferably includes receiving a specified callback URI to associate with communication events. The callback resource may be set for an account, for a sub-account, for an endpoint, for a particular pattern of communication sessions, for a particular instance of communication (e.g., for the specific outgoing communication session) or for any particular categorization of communication sessions. A unique callback resource can be specified for a specific event. The specific event is preferably a type of signaling message, which may be the classification of the signaling message (e.g., INVITE, Ringing, 200 OK, BYE, etc.). The type of signaling message can alternatively be a pattern that can be defined by the parameters of a signaling message. For example, any SIP INVITE to an address with a particular area code in the user field of the ‘to’ field. A signaling event may also be defined by a set of different signaling patterns either generated by the communication platform or received from an endpoint. For example, a signaling event of hang-up could be triggered from the BYE message and/or a timeout in the signaling/media. Multiple callback resources can be registered to handle different types of signaling messages and/or to handle callbacks with different scopes (e.g., one callback scoped for all sessions made in association with an account and a second callback scope for a particular session instance). A multi-purpose callback resource may alternatively be specified, which can be a callback resource to handle callbacks for a variety of callback events. An end user (e.g., an outside developer) can configure the multi-purpose callback resource to parse parameters passed in to the callback resource so as to handle different events. In one exemplary implementation, the callback resource can be used in a SIP-based voice session and be triggered based on call events such as call starting, ringing, pickup, answering machine, hang up, DTMF input, and/or any suitable event of SIP-based voice sessions. Callback resources may alternatively be registered for any event of any suitable type of communication session. The callback resource may additionally be shared between other modalities of communication. For example, a callback URI may be registered for voice session initiation for PSTN voice calls and for SIP-based voice calls. The callback resource is preferably stored in a table mapping the callback resource to an account identifier, an application identifier, and/or an endpoint identifier.
The callback resource may be registered through an administrator control panel interface, through an API, in headers of an outgoing communication request, in the parameters of an outgoing communication instruction, or in any suitable location. In one instance, an outgoing communication request includes a parameter that defines the callback resource. The parameter can specify a callback resource URI or other suitable identifier and optionally a signaling event definition. In another instance, during a session, a signaling message can be received that includes a parameter defining the callback resource, wherein registering a callback resource comprises registering the callback resource according to the parameter in the signaling message. Accordingly, signaling messages can be processed to identify callback resource registration. In another instance, during the session, an API communication can be received that identifies the session and specifies a callback resource to register for a signaling message type. In another instance a callback resource is registered according to account settings associated with the account making the outgoing communication. Account settings can be set through an administrator control panel or through any suitable interface.
Other resources may additionally be configured for an account or an endpoint to promote robust SIP communication. A fallback URI may be configured to use if an application URI and/or a callback URI fails. A lost connection configuration may specify how a call is handled if a call is dropped. A lost connection configuration may direct the call to an error handling application URI (e.g., to read an error message and provide options). A lost connection configuration may alternatively specify actions to be taken to reestablish the connection.
Block S140 and S150, which include monitoring signaling messages of the session and detecting the signaling message type in the signaling messages of the session, function to process signaling and media transactions of the communication session. The communication messages made by a user agent client (e.g., the caller) or a user agent server (e.g., the callee) are preferably monitored. If a communication router detects a communication that has an associated callback resource, the callback resource is preferably triggered. The SIP communication may be monitored for a Trying message, Ringing (e.g., call is ringing), OK (e.g., answered), Bye (e.g., hang-up) and/or any suitable type of message. The transactional messages of SIP are preferably used to bridge SIP communications to HTTP based world.
Step S160, which includes triggering the callback resource upon detecting the signaling message type, functions to notify, message, or signal to a callback resource that an event has occurred. Triggering of a callback resource preferably enables evented web functionality with SIP communication. Preferably, an application layer communication (e.g., an HTTP request) is made to a configured callback resource URI. The callback resource URI is preferably a resource external to the platform and often controlled and/or operated by the account holder (though the callback resource URI can reasonably be a service operated by any suitable entity). The callback resource may alternatively be hosted and triggered using any suitable protocol. Additionally, communication to a callback resource can be annotated with session metadata such as SIP specific data associated with the session. Preferably, SIP data and/or other parameters from the communication session are passed as parameters in the HTTP request transmitted to the callback resource. For example, header fields of SIP transaction messages may be passed as parameters to the callback resource. The response from a callback resource may be used in the processing and handling of the communication session. For example, the callback resource may supply communication instructions to redirect the call, to hang-up, to record a conversation, to transcribe a conversation, or to perform any suitable action. The use of callback resources preferably enables SIP-based communication sessions to follow a HTTP request/response application model that many developers are familiar with from web development experience. In one variation, the callback resource is triggered and takes appropriate action external to the platform. A simple acknowledgment of being triggered may be returned to the platform. In another variation, a callback resource can provide an actionable response. The callback resource response can include communication instructions that are processed and executed in association with the session. For example, a response may be returned with telephony instructions that connect the session to another endpoint, enable media processing features, alter operating mode, execute telephony instructions, or direct any suitable form of action with the session.
As one exemplary use of the method, a SIP based communication session may be established through an implementation of terminating SIP trunking as described above. A client agent connected through a customer's IP PBX can carry on a synchronous media communication session (e.g., voice, video, etc.) with a destination endpoint accessed over a carrier or otherwise. A callback application can be registered for the session such that the callback application is triggered on detection of a BYE signal communicated from the destination endpoint leg of the communication. When the destination endpoint hangs up, the BYE signal message is received. In response to the BYE signal message, the communication platform can transmit a communication to a URI of the callback application. The callback application can take action within its infrastructure (e.g., logging, updating status, etc.) or alternatively respond with some communication directive to alter the media and/or signaling of the session for the leg of communication with the remaining endpoints connected to the session. In one variation, the operating mode can be upgraded to enable telephony instruction processing or other suitable media features.
In addition to using callback application registration to enable signaling and media communication protocols programmable and responsive. The method may additionally include enabling media processing through signaling directives or account configuration. Media processing can include recording, transcription, and/or other suitable media processing processes that can be added on top of basic trunking or communication-bridging services. Media processing services can be enabled similar to registering a callback resource. Media processing features can be enabled through an administrator control panel interface, through an API call, in headers of an outgoing communication request, in the parameters of an outgoing communication instruction, as a parameter passed in a signaling message during a session, or in any suitable manner.
In another variation described more below, the destination SIP endpoints could be a signaling application modules that follow defined application logic in response to data embedded in the destination endpoint. For example, multiple PSTN endpoints could be included in the user field, which may be contacted in parallel or in series until one answers the communication request.
2. Inbound Session Initiation Protocol Communications
As shown in
Block S210, which includes receiving an incoming communication request, functions to initiate communication with a destination. The destination is preferably an endpoint managed by the communication platform. The incoming communication request preferably originates from some form of originating endpoint. In one variation, the communication request is a SIP communication request. The SIP communication request preferably specifies a destination endpoint identifier. The incoming SIP request may be initiated by any suitable device or application. DNS is preferably the mechanism in which the SIP communication request is directed to the communication platform. The inbound SIP request is preferably an INVITE request to start a communication session, but the request may be any suitable initiating instruction. The INVITE request may be received from an outside carrier or communication system. A carrier may use SIP or an alternative signaling and media protocol as a mechanism for bridging PSTN initiated call to the communication platform. The carrier may alternatively be another VoIP provider. Alternatively, the INVITE request may be initiated from within the communication platform (e.g., communication between account instances). In a second variation, the communication request can be any suitable incoming communication such as a PSTN based phone call.
Block S220, which includes establishing a media communication in a session according to the incoming communication request, functions to initiate, bridge, or connect an incoming communication with a destination endpoint. Preferably a media communication or stream can be established through the communication platform with the initiating endpoint (i.e., caller leg) and at least one destination endpoint (e.g., callee leg). The callee is preferably a signaling and media endpoint (e.g., SIP endpoint) connected through a public branch exchange or an alternative proxy. The media may additionally be redirected through additional media services, which have been selectively enabled for the session. For example, enabling of media services such as recording, transcription, analytics, API control, and/or other media processing features may be enabled through account configuration and/or session configuration. An account holder on the communication platform can preferably configure their account and optionally an IP PBX to facilitate originating SIP trunking. As shown in
Block S220 can include extracting an endpoint identifier which functions to map a destination endpoint identifier with an endpoint of the communication platform. In one preferred variation, the destination endpoint identifier in a signaled communication request will include a local portion (e.g., a username or phone number) and domain portion. The destination endpoint identifier preferably maps to an endpoint record. The endpoint record is preferably a stored model of the endpoint configurations, which may be stored in association with an account or sub-account. An endpoint record will preferably store a signaling endpoint, an application URI, and/or any callback URIs. Preferably, the communication platform maintains a database table that maps account secure identifiers to signaling endpoints or application secure identifiers. A second database table may maintain a mapping of application secure identifiers to application URIs. Other tables may maintain callback URI's. In one exemplary implementation, the endpoint identifiers of the communication platform use a syntax pattern with an application secure identifier and an account secure identifier as the local portion of the endpoint identifier. An example of an endpoint identifier may be applicationSID@accountSID.example.com, where accountSID is a unique secure account identifier. The endpoint identifier is preferably specified in a header of the SIP invite, but may alternatively be conveyed in any suitable parameter. The secure account identifier may be used in determining an application URI, any callback URIs, and machine address (e.g., IP address). Any suitable pattern may be used in the endpoint identifier such that the communication platform can properly route the request. In another preferred variation, the destination endpoint may be an endpoint associated with the protocol/medium of the incoming communication. For example, an incoming PSTN phone call may be directed at a phone number destination. The communication destination may additionally or alternatively be mapped to a signaling endpoint, an application URI, and/or any callback URIs in an endpoint record.
The incoming communication may additionally be authenticated. Due to the communication platform preferably being a multitenant platform, the method preferably uses the authentication process in identifying and selecting the proper routing and application settings to use in the communication session. The authentication may be performed at the load balancer, prior to being directed to the communication router, at the communication router, or at any suitable point.
In one preferred embodiment, establishing media communication can depend on selectively routing media according to customizable mapping as shown in
In the variation, where the account routing configuration includes a signaling endpoint, establishing media communication can include establishing media communication from the originating endpoint to the destination of the signaling endpoint. For example if the signaling endpoint is “sip:pbx.example.com” and the call was to “sip:<phone_number>@<platform_domain>” then the destination connected for media communication can be “<phone_number>@pbx.example.com”. In one variation, two endpoints are connected for voice, video, screen-sharing, or other suitable form of a synchronous/real-time communication.
In a related variation, the destination signaling endpoint could be a signaling application module that follows defined logic in response to data embedded in the signaling endpoint stored in the account routing configuration. If the signaling endpoint is a signaling application module, the communication platform preferably routes the message according to the signaling endpoint logic above, but a signaling application module (a signaling and media proxy server) receives the communication request the invite is processed. Accordingly, the method can include routing to a signaling application module; at the signaling application module coordinating signaling with the signaling endpoint in accordance with the metadata. In this variation, the signaling endpoint includes metadata embedded in the endpoint identifier, and the signaling application module is additionally identified.
The signaling application modules are preferably hosted and provided by the communication platform, but outside entities could similarly host and operate the signaling application modules. A signaling application module can preferably be referenced as part of a signaling endpoint identifier. Parameters that define functionality of the signaling application module are additionally a part of the signaling endpoint identifier. A signaling application module preferably functions to provide a defined set of functionality that is commonly implemented for many users. A signaling application module could be defined to set up a conference call of multiple signaling endpoints, to call a set of endpoints in parallel and only connect the first one to pick up, to call a set of endpoints in series one after the other, and/or to serve any suitable use case. A web form or other suitable application can be used by a user to input the parameters of a particular signaling application module instance, and the form outputs a signaling endpoint with the parameters appropriately embedded in the address as shown in
In an alternative variation, an incoming SIP communication request may specify communication application instructions within the SIP request. In one preferred implementation, SIP request headers can specify SIP communication instructions. Communication instructions embedded in the SIP request function to enable an application to be defined specifically for an incoming SIP call. The communication instructions may alternatively be specified in the body of the SIP request or in any suitable portion of the request. The request can preferably enable application control without configuring an application, because communication instructions can be configured directly in the SIP request. For example, a SIP request may enable one or more communication features of the communication platform by including the appropriate directives in the header of the SIP request. Using SIP request instructions may function to alleviate the system from providing full application stack support for the communication if the desired features for the communication are limited.
In the variation, where the account routing configuration includes a application resource identifier establishing media communication can include retrieving a communication application specified by the application resource identifier, which functions to send the request to an application server. A proxy core server preferably invites an application processing server (e.g., a call router), which then retrieves and executes communication application instructions. Retrieving a communication application can additionally be in response to the registered callback resource or optionally the secondary routing configuration used in error handling as shown in
The instructions of the communication application can be processed in establishing media communication of the communication session. The communication platform and more preferably a communication router can convert the instructions of a communication application (e.g., server response) into communication actions or executable operations during the communication session. The communication instructions/actions for voice-based communication sessions may include, for example, playing a pre-recorded sound file at a server-specified URI (such as a static mp3 file located at http://demo.example.com/myapp/1234.mp3), reading text to the caller using text-to-speech technology, calling another number (such as creating a new voice connection through the PSTN, SIP/VoIP, or other IP technology system), collecting digits via DTMF input, recording voice response audio, TTY or other inputs, transcribing spoken words to text, sending an SMS/MMS message, putting a call on hold, ending a call, transferring a communication to another endpoint (e.g., other SIP-based devices, PSTN devices, or other suitable destinations), and/or any suitable combination or sequence of these or other suitable actions. The communication instructions may be any suitable instructions customized to the particular medium of communication such as video, text/media messaging, screen-sharing session, multi-user application session, or any suitable medium of communication. In the variations, where at least one feature is specified in the SIP request, the communication platform may configure the communication request to use a subset of communication resources. For example, if the SIP request included a header that specified that the call should be recorded and not processed by an application, then the communication session may flow through a resource that provides recording capabilities. Similarly, if the SIP request is determined to be one for SIP trunking, the SIP communication session may be established using basic resources for the communication session (e.g., not processing with an application stack).
Block S230, which includes registering a callback resource to a signaling event, functions to associate, instantiate, or create a webhook, resource, or event handler reactive to the communication session. Block S230 is preferably substantially similar to block S130 described above. The registration of a callback resource preferably includes receiving a specified callback URI to associate with communication events. The callback resource may be set for an account, for a sub-account, for an endpoint, for a particular pattern of communication sessions, for a particular instance of communication (e.g., for the specific outgoing communication session) or for any particular categorization of communication sessions. A unique callback resource can be specified for a specific event. A callback resource can be registered through an account routing configuration. In this variation, all calls to an endpoint would have the callback resource registered. A callback resource may additionally or alternatively be registered in response to header field or embedded parameter included in a signaling message. Such registration may require authentication parameters to verify that the registration can be authenticated on behalf of the corresponding account. For example, once a call is connected to an account SIP phone through an IP PBX of the account holder, the account holder could inject header parameters in a signaling message (e.g., an INFO signal) that registers a new or updated callback resource and includes signed tokens to verify that the request comes from the account holder. A callback resource can additionally or alternatively be registered through an API request or through any suitable mechanism.
Block S240 and S250, which include inspecting communication signaling messages of the communication session and detecting the signaling message type in the communication signaling messages of the communication session, function to process signaling and media transactions or the communication session. Applied to SIP trunking applications, blocks S240 and S250 can include monitoring SIP transactional messages. SIP transactional messages can be used to interact with evented resources such that SIP initiated communication sessions can be treated as request/response communications. Block S260, which includes triggering the callback resource upon detecting the signaling message type, functions to notify, message, or signal to a callback resource that an event has occurred. Triggering the callback resource preferably includes making an application layer communication to an external resource specified by the callback resource. Blocks S240, S250, and S260 can operate substantially similar to blocks S140, S150, and S160.
3. Registering Session Initiation Protocol Endpoints
As shown in
Block S310, which includes receiving a SIP endpoint registration request, functions to obtain a notification for a registration update of at least one SIP endpoint on the communication platform. The registration request is preferably to add a new SIP endpoint, update an existing SIP endpoint, or remove an existing SIP endpoint. The registration request may originate from a device requesting to be registered. For example a SIP-based phone may be registered. As another example, a client device may use an application to register. The registration request may alternatively be transmitted over an API, submitted through an administrator user interface, or received from any suitable source.
The registration request preferably specifies a namespace identity and a device identity. The namespace identity preferably includes a communication platform identity (e.g., an account id) and a domain name. The communication platform identity is preferably an account identifier that functions as an account denormalizer. The communication platform identity may alternatively be a username, account secure id, sub-account id, or any suitable identifier for an entity of the communication platform. The communication platform identity may additionally include an application identifier. The domain name preferably conforms to DNS routing. The DNS is preferably configured to route SIP communication to that domain to the communication platform. For example, the namespace identity may be example123@example.com, where example123 refers to a particular account and example.com is used as the domain name in routing SIP requests. In one variation, accounts of the communication platform may be allowed to use a predefined domain name space. In another variation, accounts may be able to use any suitable verified domain. Verifying a domain may include receiving DNS configuration for a domain, accessing a verification signature at specified location of the domain (e.g., retrieving a text document with a verification signature from the root of the domain), using an authentication callback of the domain, completing an authentication process with the domain (e.g., oauth), or completing any suitable authentication process. Additionally, the domain registration techniques may be extended to using outside account systems for registering a namespace identity such as completing oauth authentication to use a social network identity as the namespace identity. The device identity preferably includes the IP address and port to contact the device, but any suitable addressing scheme may alternatively be used. A registered device may additionally be configured with a preferred transport such as TLS, UDP, SCTP, WebSocket, TCP, or any suitable protocol, but the use of DNS may also resolve the preferred transport.
Block S320, which includes authenticating the registration request, functions to add a layer of security prior to changing any records. As mentioned the communication platform is preferably a multitenant platform managing multiple accounts. Authenticating the registration request preferably verifies the identity of the request. The authentication may be used in authenticating that the changes to the registration records of the communication platform are allowed. A received registration request is preferably authenticated prior to updating registration records. In one variation, a device is preferably configured with an authentication token that is passed to the communication platform along with the registration request. The communication platform, upon receipt of the authentication token, preferably verifies the token for the registration request. If the authentication token is deemed valid, the registration request is processed.
Preferably, an outside service may be queried for permission. For example, a callback URI may be expected for at least a subset of domains. The callback URI may be based on the domain name of the namespace identifier in the request. The callback URI may alternatively be preconfigured, registered, or mapped by the communication platform to use a particular authentication technique. An authentication request is preferably transmitted to the callback URI along with at least a subset of information from the registration request. The outside resource will preferably perform any suitable authentication and then respond indicating if the registration request is allowed or denied. A preferred embodiment may employ the use of a callback URI to authenticate any suitable SIP communication (in addition to or in place of authenticating registration).
In one preferred implementation, authentication of the request may use a policy engine that functions to provide authentication for connection requests. The policy engine preferably authenticates a registration request from the client prior to completing the registration. The policy engine is preferably used in the authentication process of a preferred embodiment in a manner substantially similar to the authentication approach described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/478,495 filed 23 May 2012, herein incorporated in its entirety by this reference. The policy engine preferably authenticates the request by using a token associated with the client and analyzing a signed client communication from the client. If the client communication satisfies the authentication, a preferred embodiment preferably adds or updates the registration in response to client authentication at the policy engine. If the client communication fails to satisfy the authentication, an error may be logged and any suitable error response may be taken. Preferably, the token is sent from the client. In one variation, the client has an embedded token from when an application was instantiated. In another variation, a communication can be made to an authentication application to retrieve a token. Alternatively, a client identifier is sent to a policy engine that has an authentication application authenticate the credentials of the client identifier. Similarly, a SIP backend authentication may alternatively be used. The authentication may occur for registration and/or outbound communications. The token preferably includes an application ID and any additional parameters. The contents of a token are preferably signed with a secret key. A policy engine preferably completes authentication of the token before allowing a registration to complete. A policy engine preferably mediates the call out requests and authenticates any tokens, and may additionally verify permissions associated with application identifiers. Any suitable alternative forms of authentication may alternatively or additionally be integrated into the method. Such security measures may additionally or alternatively be used in authentication and/or authorization for other methods and systems of preferred embodiments described herein.
The authentication may additionally or alternatively be in place to authorize that the request has legitimate permissions to use the included credentials. For example, if the registration request specifies a namespace with an outside domain name, the communication platform preferably verifies that the requester has permissions to use that outside domain. Verifying outside permissions may additionally result in updating or requesting updates in outside services such as making DNS changes. Permissions may additionally be authorized. Permissions may determine the actions allowed by the registered device. The numbers that can be called from that number or the numbers that can call in to the registered device may be limited. The modes of communication such as a messaging, voice sessions, video sessions, screen sharing sessions, application sessions, or other modes of communication may be set in the permissions. In one variation, a device may be limited to registration only and receiving calls. Any suitable permissions may be applied to a device.
Block S330, which includes updating a registration record according to the registration request, functions to add, augment, or remove registration records from the communication platform. The registration records are preferably stored in an accessible registration database. Routing tables and/or any suitable routing data or models may additionally be maintained such that inbound and/or outbound communication sessions can be established for the registered devices. In one use case, updating a registration record includes adding a device registration to the registration records. In another use case, updating a registration record includes editing information of an existing device registration. For example, the IP address may need to be updated for a registered device when the device changes to a different wifi network. The device will preferably transmit a new registration request to update the new IP address. In another use case, updating a registration record includes removing, deleting, or deactivating a registered device from the registration records. Any suitable update may alternatively be made. In one variation, multiple devices may be configured for a single endpoint. The multiple devices may be configured for any suitable cooperative use. In one example, multiple devices are prioritized so that if the highest priority device is not answered then the next highest priority device is called.
The method may additionally include routing inbound communication according to the registration record. An inbound communication may be received over any suitable mode of communication. The mode of communication may include messages, voice sessions, video sessions, screen sharing sessions, application sessions, or any suitable mode of communication. The inbound communication is preferably a SIP communication, but the inbound communication may have been initiated from any suitable protocol such as PSTN. Upon receiving an inbound communication, the registration database is queried to find the appropriate registration record. The registration record will preferably map a communication platform identifier (e.g., account identifier) to a device identity (e.g., a current IP address of the device). The inbound may simply specify the communication platform identifier to connect to the proper registered device. Additionally or alternatively, the inbound communication may specify a telephony endpoint such as a telephony number or short code, a username, or any alternative identifier. The communication platform preferably includes a database record mapping the alternative identifier to at least the communication platform identifier. For example, if the inbound communication specifies a phone number, that number is preferably mapped to an account identifier and then subsequently mapped through the registration database to a current IP address of the device.
Additionally, the method for registering SIP endpoints may include providing access to the registration data. Information from the registration database can preferably be accessed through an API. The registration database may be accessed through a REST API, a client interface (e.g., a JavaScript frontend interface), a device SDK interface (e.g., iOS or Android SDK interface), and/or any suitable interface. The interface can preferably be used to programmatically interact with the registration, see who and what devices are registered, see who is online, history of registration, duration of registration, location of registration, the permissions of registered users (e.g., who is registered to call a particular endpoint) and/or any suitable property of registration. The data in the registration database is preferably associated with at least one account, sub-account, or application id. Requests submitted through the interface preferably authenticate so that the permissions to access the requested registration information can be authorized.
4. Method for Transitioning Between SIP Operational Modes
As shown in
Step S410, which includes establishing SIP communication session in a first mode, functions to establish either a communication session in a basic, application, or another alternative communication mode. The method may be used to promote or demote the SIP communication mode. Additionally, modes may be changed any suitable number of times. As shown in
Step S420, which includes receiving a transition signal, functions to obtain or identify a trigger to change modes of SIP communication. The transition signal may be received at any suitable point. The transition signal is preferably established and triggered through the programmatic features discussed above in methods S100 and S200. In one variation, the transition signal may be communicated in a SIP message. Either party may be able to trigger the altering of the operational mode of the communication session. Preferably, the SIP signaling may include an application ID, an authentication token, and/or any other credentials to specify how to transition the communication (e.g., which app to give control to and indicate the request is authentic and/or authorized). The transition signal may alternatively be submitted through an API request (preferably a REST API request). The REST API preferably has a resource in which the SIP session may be accessed and acted upon. The REST API preferably specifies the new mode of operation and, in the case of promoting the communication to an application communication mode, the REST API request may specify parameters for what application should initially control state. In yet another variation, a callback URI may be registered for a communication session and/or an endpoint so that the action may be triggered based on the SIP messages. For example, a callback may be registered for a basic SIP communication session so upon one of the endpoints hanging up the other endpoint is changed to an application communication mode with a pre-specified application. When the communication session mode is an application communication mode, an instruction of the application may trigger the change in the operational mode, essentially ending the application control of that application.
Step S430, which includes altering the operational mode of the communication session, functions to update the communication platform to use the appropriate resources to manage the communication session. When in a basic communication mode, the communication session is preferably routed through a SIP proxy. When in an application communication mode, the communication session is preferably routed through at least a communication router where at least a portion of an application is performed. When transitioning to the application communication mode, the steps associated with initiating a communication session with the communication platform are preferably performed in a substantially consistent manner. In one variation, if the communication is returning to the application communication mode for a second time, the communication router may remember at least partial state within the processing of application instructions. For example, if an application transfers the call to a basic mode, and then the call is returned to the application, the instructions after the initial transfer may be performed without having to retrieve new application instructions.
The method S400 is preferably used in combination with the methods S100 and S200 described above. Various signaling and media management approaches can be applied to achieve transitioning between operating modes. Altering the operational mode preferably includes onboarding new media and signaling resources into the session when upgrading an operational mode off boarding signaling and media resources of the session when downgrading, and/or otherwise modifying the set of signaling and media resources when transitioning.
As shown in
In one exemplary implementation, a basic communication mode may be provided by the communication platform at one usage rate and an application communication mode provided at a second usage rate. SIP trunking can use basic communication where communication is preferably channeled between the communicating endpoints. Since facilitating the basic communication session requires fewer/cheaper resources, SIP trunking communication sessions may be offered to users for a lower price. An agent, application, or service can preferably submit a transition signal if an entity decides to dynamically change the basic communication to use features of an application or service of the communication platform. Upon transitioning to the elevated operational mode, the communication session may be charged at a higher price rate for use of the application resources. The transition signal is preferably received through an API request, but may alternatively be received through any suitable channel. The variation of transitioning the operational mode of a communication session may additionally or alternatively be used with the method of the second preferred embodiment or during any established communication session.
The altering of the SIP communication mode may have numerous applications. In one exemplary use-case, an agent may be connected to a customer representative through a SIP session. The account associated with the phone number of the customer representative is preferably charged the basic communication mode rate (e.g., $0.001/min). When the customer representative has finished, a transition signal is preferably received, and the customer is seamlessly transitioned to a SIP communication session in an application communication mode. With the full capabilities of the application stack, a customer survey application may collect feedback from the customer before ending the call. During this survey application portion, the account may be charged an application customer mode rate (e.g., $0.01/min). In this example, the account was able to easily add a survey application without significantly increasing the cost of basic SIP communication. The communication mode changes are preferably transparent to the customer. In another exemplary use-case, a customer may call an endpoint for a calling card service. The call preferably starts the communication session in an application communication mode. The customer enters the code, and specifies the destination they wish to call. The application then transfers them to the desired number. For the portion of the communication session with the desired endpoint, the communication session is preferably demoted to a basic communication session to benefit from a lower rate. The caller may additionally be transferred to an application communication mode at the end of the call for other application related services, such as reading the balance of the calling card and the option to call another number. The altering of the communication mode may be used in any suitable application.
The system and methods of the preferred embodiment and variations thereof can be embodied and/or implemented at least in part as a machine configured to receive a computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions. The instructions are preferably executed by computer-executable components preferably integrated with the communication platform. The computer-readable medium can be stored on any suitable computer-readable media such as RAMs, ROMs, flash memory, EEPROMs, optical devices (CD or DVD), hard drives, floppy drives, or any suitable device. The computer-executable component is preferably a general or application specific processor, but any suitable dedicated hardware or hardware/firmware combination device can alternatively or additionally execute the instructions.
As a person skilled in the art will recognize from the previous detailed description and from the figures and claims, modifications and changes can be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of this invention defined in the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/783,134, filed on 14 Mar. 2013, which is incorporated in its entirety by this reference.
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