IP Library Granted Patent US 8,861,507
Granted Patent B2
US 8,861,507 · App. 12/822,389 · Granted Oct 14, 2014

Systems and methods for automatic public switched telephone network backup of voice over internet protocol services

Inventors: Barbara Roden (Atlanta, GA); John Joe Horton, Jr. (Acworth, GA)
Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
H04L65/1043H04L29/06027H04M7/0057H04L69/40H04L65/1069
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,861,507
App. No.
12/822,389
Granted
Oct 14, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A backup public switched telephone network (PSTN) line is provided to a broadband network connection by detecting unavailability of the broadband network connection and automatically connecting local site wiring to the PSTN line responsive to detecting unavailability of the broadband network connection and disconnecting local site wiring from the PSTN line if unavailability is not detected.

Claims (28)

1. A method of providing a backup public switched telephone network (PSTN) line to a broadband network connection, comprising:

detecting unavailability of the broadband network connection;

automatically connecting local site wiring to the PSTN line responsive to detecting unavailability of the broadband network connection and disconnecting local site wiring from the PSTN line when unavailability is not detected,

wherein detecting unavailability of the broadband network connection comprises detecting a failure of communications on the broadband network connection, and

wherein detecting unavailability of the broadband network connection further comprises detecting failure of a network adapter associated with the local site wiring, and wherein detecting the failure of communications on the broadband network connection comprises:

transmitting a predefined message on the broadband network after a period of inactivity on the broadband network connection; and

detecting the failure when no response is received to the transmitted predefined message; and

automatically disconnecting the local site wiring from the PSTN line when a response is received to the transmitted predefined message, comprising:

determining if a telephone call is in progress using the PSTN line; and

disconnecting the local site wiring from the PSTN line if the telephone call is not in progress using the PSTN line.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting unavailability of the broadband network connection comprises detecting failure of a network adapter connected to the local site wiring to provide power to the local site wiring.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting unavailability of the broadband network connection comprises detecting a power failure at the local site.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein transmitting and determining if a response is received are carried out when the local site wiring is connected to the PSTN line.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing voltage to the local site wiring if the PSTN line is disconnected from the local site wiring.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

providing power from a network adapter to the local site wiring; and

disabling providing power from the network adapter to the local site wiring when the PSTN line is connected to the local site wiring.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the broadband connection comprises a digital subscriber loop (DSL) connection.

8. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable program media having computer readable program code, the computer readable program code, when executed by a processor, being configured to carry out a method comprising:

detecting unavailability of the broadband network connection;

automatically connecting local site wiring to the PSTN line responsive to detecting unavailability of the broadband network connection and disconnecting local site wiring from the PSTN line when unavailability is not detected,

wherein detecting unavailability of the broadband network connection comprises detecting a failure of communications on the broadband network connection, and

wherein detecting unavailability of the broadband network connection comprises detecting failure of a network adapter associated with the local site wiring, and wherein detecting the failure of communications on the broadband network connection comprises:

transmitting a predefined message on the broadband network after a period of inactivity on the broadband network connection; and

detecting failure when no response is received to the transmitted predefined message; and

automatically disconnecting the local site wiring from the PSTN line when a response is received to the transmitted predefined message, comprising:

determining if a telephone call is in progress using the PSTN line; and

disconnecting the local site wiring from the PSTN line if the telephone call is not in progress using the PSTN line.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 4, 2015
From: RODEN, BARBARA; HORTON, JOHN JOSEPH, JR.
To: BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 035081/0357 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 4, 2015
From: AT&T DELAWARE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
Reel/Frame 035081/0391 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 4, 2015
From: BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION
To: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 035123/0264 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 4, 2015
From: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T BLS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 035123/0266 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 4, 2015
From: AT&T BLS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T DELAWARE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 035123/0336 →
Continuity (2)
Division 10922589 · Aug 20, 2004
Related Publication 20100322082A1 · Dec 23, 2010