A communications terminal, a system and a method for internet/network telephony

ES 2 232 655 T3

DESCRIPTION

Communications terminal, system and method for Internet / network telephony.

This invention relates to a portable electronic communications terminal for Internet / network telephony.

The invention also relates to a system for Internet / network telephony and a method therefor.

The invention further relates to a computer-readable medium comprising a program that can be made to execute the method of the invention on one or more computers or CPUs.

Telephony via the Internet (IP or Internet Protocol telephony) is a very low-cost alternative to ordinary telephony, and particularly for long distances. Such systems convert word information to and from a suitable digital format, which is divided into data packets that are transported through the Internet itself, the actual transport taking place via the Internet typically at a fixed price.

In addition, IP telephony can also be used for communication with a conventional fixed telephone, coupled to the existing telephone network, since the Internet can be used to transmit data to a local (interconnection) door, which is connected to the telephone network. Existing Public Switched (PSTN). Consequently, the user only has to pay a local telephone charge, even for long distance calls, since the Internet is used to transport the data to the door (location) in question.

Such IP telephony systems / solutions will undoubtedly become more attractive as more and more people have access to the Internet and / or are connected in networks, and as the fixed supply, free of charge, of permanent solutions and of broadband in connection with the Internet and / or with other networks.

In patent publication WO 00/51375 a communication system is described in which a dual-mode device is capable of both cell phone communication and phone communication on an IP LAN (IP Local Area Network / network. The dual-mode device connects the LAN / network either through a wired connection directly to the LAN / network, or either by a cable connecting with a wireless communication device in wireless communication with a LAN / wireless network. Establishing a connection to the LAN / network is cumbersome, since a cable is used that restricts the movement of the user when using the device in dual mode, and requires special equipment in the connection port for the case of a LAN / wireless network.

Furthermore, the support of both communication formats makes the dual-mode device of a complicated and more expensive design, with a relatively large power consumption.

Patent Publication WO 98/57508 refers to a system for wireless communication via a DECT terminal and a base station, such as for example a digital cordless telephone connected to a base station. The system uses the IP protocol to pass digital word information through the Internet between several base stations (DECT islands), so that a given DECT terminal will receive a call at the base station in which it is present. the terminal. This provides increased mobility as the terminal can be used at other base stations.

A gateway (interconnection between networks) (GW) constitutes the true interface for the DECT base station and handles the conversion of telephone numbers into IP addresses, since the DECT terminal itself does not know its IP address, which must be only. Furthermore, the DECT terminal (or terminals) has to be known, identified and / or paired with the base station in advance, in order to establish communication.

Patent Publication WO 99/38311 refers to a system and a corresponding method for providing a wireless RF (Radio Frequency) interface between one or more terminals and an Internet Protocol (IP) / Internet telephony telephone system, so that the terminals can be used for telephony over the Internet. The system uses a base station that partially manipulates and controls the distribution of information to the various terminals and partially manipulates Internet access, which means that the base station controls / contains the relevant protocols, among others. , in relation to the Internet.

Furthermore, a terminal associated with a given base station cannot be easily used in relation to another base station, since the base station must know the number of terminals in order to assign each terminal its unique frequency and / or its frequency. frequency hopping for use in communications, so that the correct information is received / transmitted by the correct terminal.

The two aforementioned systems both have the drawback that they require a specialized type of equipment (base station, door, etc.), which constitutes a major obstacle in terms of flexibility with regard to mobility and upgrade / expansion of devices. functionality, since specialized equipment must be physically present in each isolated location where terminals are contemplated for use.

A method and apparatus for facilitating audio communications over a computer network are described in US Patent Specification No. 6,009,469. IP addresses are used in accordance with the IP protocol when establishing a connection between two devices. An apparatus according to this specification comprises output means including at least one modem for wired and / or wireless connection to the Internet or to another network.

An apparatus according to US Patent Specification No. 6,009,469 has relatively high power consumption and complexity. Furthermore, neither mobility nor easy connection is provided.

In the patent specification GB 2 345 613 a mobile communication terminal is described for receiving IP-based audio content through a single call connection. Voice communication using IP or another Internet protocol. This specification relates to portable cellular devices and a problem posed by such devices and networks. A cellular / terminal system requires specialized equipment, such as a base station, that is known to the central office, resulting in a complex system. In addition, cellular communication devices also require a power source

ES 2 232 655 T3 larger, which adds to the minimum size of a device with a useful period of time between recharges.

An object of the invention is to provide a communications terminal in which a network and / or the Internet is used to transfer information / data representing digitized word, sounds, music, etc.

Another object of the invention is to provide a communication terminal that increases flexibility with respect to wireless communication / connection with a network and / or with the Internet.

Another object of the invention is to provide a communications terminal that does not require specialized equipment or functionality to provide connection to a network and / or to the Internet. Still another object of the invention is to enable flexibility with respect to functionality.

Still another object is to provide a communication terminal that enables a relatively simple design, small size, and relatively low / reduced power consumption.

These objects, among others, are achieved by means of a portable electronic communications terminal for Internet / network telephony, which comprises:

* audio means adapted to reproduce sound on the basis of a first electrical signal and to record sound resulting in a second electrical signal, * conversion means for converting said second electrical signal into transmission data, representing sound for transmission, in a suitable data format, and to convert the received data, representing sound received in said suitable data format, into said first electrical signal, and * protocol means connected to said conversion means and intended to manipulate and control the communication of said received and transmission data in accordance with a standardized Internet / network protocol, incorporating and extracting said transmission and received data, respectively. , in / of a first data packet format according to said standard Internet / network protocol.

wherein said terminal further comprises * near field wireless communication means connected to said protocol means and receiving / sending said received and transmission data in said first data packet format from / to said protocol means, the near field communication means being adapted to incorporate said transmission data in said first data format received from said protocol means in a second wireless data format, and to extract said received data in said first data format from said second wireless data format, the near-field wireless communication means being further adapted for near-field wireless communication of said received and / or transmission data incorporated in said second wireless data format, with a connection unit adapted to communicate in said second wireless data format and to establish a connection with a network and / or with the Internet, according to said first standardized Internet / network protocol.

This results in a portable communication terminal that provides telephony over a network or the Internet, which provides a considerable economic advantage.

The communication terminal establishes a wireless connection with a connection unit, which establishes a connection with the relevant network.

Furthermore, a communication terminal is provided that can independently control and communicate data packets in accordance with a standard Internet / network protocol, such as the TCP / IP protocol. This makes it possible to use simplified standard equipment, which must only be capable of establishing a connection to a given network and / or to the Internet. The wireless connection is used precisely to transfer the data packets to the connection unit in an expeditious manner.

Thus, a terminal according to the invention for Internet telephony can be used, if it is precisely in the vicinity of standardized equipment that allows the establishment of a network and / or Internet connection. The local manipulation of the IP protocol also makes it easier to use the terminal in connection with "foreign" connection units, since in certain types of wireless protocols a configuration will be considerably easier, and can be carried out automatically.

There is also the option of dynamically assigning a useful IP address via protocol means, since a valid IP address for a given session (ie for a communication) can be assigned to the communications terminal. This results in even greater mobility, since the allocation can take place depending on the connection unit with which the wireless connection is established, since the protocol means are present in the terminal itself. A user would be able to receive and transmit a call, regardless of the specific location, as long as they have internet / network access.

It is further ensured that the manipulation and functionality of various terminals are considerably facilitated, since, for example, a central database can relate unique and fixed addresses with the users of the terminals, that is, that a unique address is related to a temporary IP address. An example of a local unique address can be the 48-bit unique address used in the Bluetooth protocol, a telephone number, etc.

Furthermore, since it is only necessary that there be present means of communication for DC in the near field, that is to say, that no other means of communication is required, such as a cellular communication medium, etc., complexity and consumption are achieved. relatively low energy costs, and it becomes possible to obtain a terminal of a relatively small size, which makes it very suitable to be carried and / or carried by a user.

ES 2 232 655 T3

Preferably, the wireless data format is a Bluetooth data format.

In a preferred embodiment, said standard Internet / network protocol is the TCP / IP protocol, said terminal is adapted to communicate additional information and / or data with said connection unit, where said additional information and / or data comprise one or more from:

* an IP address of a communications receiver, * an IP address of said terminal, * an IP address of at least one connection unit, * an IP address of a service server, * TCP / IP packets.

In a preferred embodiment, said terminal is adapted to communicate additional information and / or data with said connection unit, in which the information and / or data comprises one or more of:

* word mails, * mailers, * music, * stock and financial news, * chat lines, * chat rooms, * phone meetings.

In this way the relevant information can be sent together with the transmitted word information so that various functionalities can be optionally provided, depending on the profile of the user.

In a preferred embodiment, said terminal is adapted to establish a connection with a service server in said network and / or Internet, via the communication unit, so that information related to a desired communication receiver can be transferred to the server, said server being adapted to pass the information relating to the IP address of the desired communications receiver and / or to provide a direct connection between the desired communications receiver and said terminal.

By this means, a central server can keep abreast of which terminals are accessible and where, so that a user wishing to make a call simply has to know an alias, nickname, IP address, etc., of the user with the one you want to make contact with.

In another embodiment, said terminal comprises word recognition means adapted to analyze and interpret said sounds for registration and / or said data transmission to identify one or more commands.

This makes it easier for the user to operate the terminal and the physical dimensions of the terminal itself can be reduced, since buttons for operating etc. can be completely avoided or their number can be greatly reduced.

In one embodiment, said near field communication means, for near field communication, is adapted to communicate in the form of one or more of:

* a radio frequency (RH) communications protocol, * the near-field wireless communications protocol, * an infrared communications protocol, or * another wireless communications protocol.

Alternatively, the DECT protocol can be used.

In one embodiment, said suitable data format is a compressed data format. This provides a better / optimal utilization of the bandwidth available on the network and / or the Internet being used, since the data packets / digital information are / are compressed prior to transmission.

In a preferred embodiment, said terminal is a hearing aid comprising means for capturing the sound of said recording via the jawbone and soft tissues of the ear canal of a user. Alternatively, the terminal comprises means for picking up sound via a reverb microphone.

This provides a very discreet, compact and hands-free communications terminal, or minimal manual override for operation, of a small physical size. An example of a hearing aid that can be used in connection with the present invention has been described in European Patent Application EP 0 673 587.

In another preferred embodiment, the terminal is a telephone headset comprising a housing comprising the conversion means, the wireless near-field communication means and the protocol means, a headset secured to the housing, comprising means for reproducing the sound on the basis of the first electrical signal, a tie rod secured to the housing at one end and with a sound pickup unit to pick up the sound for transmission in the form of a second electrical signal, located at the other end of the tie rod, thereby allowing easy transportation and use of the terminal and providing a very discreet, compact and hands-free communications terminal, or that requires a minimum of manual operation for its operation, of a small physical size.

In one embodiment, the headset also comprises a second strap, spring, arm, etc., secured to the housing, which can stabilize and secure the headset on a user's head by being adapted for application to the user's ear.

Another object of the invention is to provide a system which has the aforementioned advantages and with which the aforementioned objects are achieved.

This is achieved with a system for Internet / network telephony, said system comprising:

* a portable communications terminal according to the present invention * a connection unit connected to a wireless near-field communications module, adapted for communication

ES 2 232 655 T3 car in a second wireless data format with the portable communication terminal, the connection unit being further adapted to establish a connection to a network and / or the Internet, * a service server connected to the Internet and / or to a network, said server comprising one or more databases comprising the information related to the receivers and / or transmitters for potential desired communications, said server being adapted to pass the information relating to the IP address of a desired communications receiver, and / or to establish a direct connection between the desired communications receiver and a communications transmitter, wherein said portable communications terminal is adapted to act as a communications transmitter, or as a communications receiver, within the system.

A system is hereby achieved in which a central service server can manipulate and control the connection between large numbers of users. In addition, more functionality is also provided to the operator, for example in the form of news, reading emails, word of mouth, commercials, music, Stock and financial news, etc., which can be transmitted to a user of the system, by example, depending on the user's profile. In addition, it is possible to provide functionalities, such as chat lines, chat rooms, telephone meetings, etc., in which several terminals / users can communicate with each other so that everyone can hear what any of them is saying.

In one embodiment, the system further comprises word recognition means adapted to analyze and interpret the sounds representing data to identify one or more commands. The recognition of the word can be achieved by this means without having to place it in a terminal according to the invention, which represents a great advantage, since the recognition of the word requires resources of processor power and relatively large storage capacity.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and embodiments thereof that make it possible to have the same possibilities and with the same advantages through the embodiments of the communication terminal described above.

This is achieved by a method for Internet / network telephony, which comprises the steps of:

* reproduce sound on the basis of a first electrical signal and record sound so as to result in a second electrical signal, by means of audio, * convert said second electrical signal into transmission data representing sounds for transmission, in a suitable format data, and converting the received data, representing sounds received in said suitable data format, into said first electrical signal by means of conversion, and * manipulate / control the communication of said received and transmission data according to a standardized Internet / network protocol, and incorporate and extract said transmission and received data, respectively, in / from a first data packet format according to with said standardized Internet / network protocol, by means of protocol, in which the method further comprises the steps of * receiving / sending by means of wireless near field communications, said received and / or transmission data in said first data packet format from / to said protocol means, said transmission data incorporating in said first data format received from said protocol means in a second wireless data format, and extract said data received in said first data format from said second wireless format, * communicate by said means of wireless near field communication of said received and / or transmission data incorporated in said second wireless data format with a connection unit adapted to communicate in said second wireless data format and to establish a connection to a network and / or the Internet in accordance with said standard Internet / network protocol.

In one embodiment, said standard Internet / network protocol is the TCP / IP protocol, by said method additional information and / or data is communicated with said connection unit, and that said additional information and / or data comprises one or more of:

* an IP address of a communications receiver, * an IP address of said terminal, * an IP address of at least one connection unit, * an IP address of a service server, * TCP / IP packets.

In one embodiment, by said method additional information and / or data is communicated with said connection unit, and consequently said information and / or data comprises one or more of:

* word mails, * mailers, * music * stock and financial news, * chat lines, * chat rooms, * phone meetings.

In another embodiment, by said method a connection is established with a service server in di5

ES 2 232 655 T3 on the network and / or on the Internet, via said connection unit, so that the information related to a desired communications receiver can be transferred to the server, said server being adapted to pass the information related to the IP address of the desired communications receiver and / or to establish a direct connection between the desired communications receiver and said terminal.

In another embodiment, said method comprises word recognition for analysis and interpretation of said sound for recording and / or said data transmission to identify one or more commands.

In still another embodiment, said communication means for near field communication communicate in the form of one or more of:

* a radio frequency (RF) communications protocol, * the Bluetooth wireless near-field communications protocol, * an infrared communications protocol, or * another wireless communications protocol.

In one embodiment, said suitable data format is a compressed data format.

In one embodiment, the method is used in a hearing aid comprising means for capturing sound for said recording, via the jawbone and soft tissues of the ear canal of a user.

In one embodiment, the method is used in a headset comprising a housing comprising conversion means, wireless near field communication means, and protocol means, a headset secured to the housing comprising means for reproducing sound on the base. of the first electrical signal, a tie rod secured to the housing at one end and with a unit to capture sound, to pick up the sound of the transmission in the form of a second electrical signal located at the other end of the tie rod.

The invention further relates to a computer-readable medium comprising a program written thereon, in which the program, when executed, causes the computer to implement the method according to the present invention.

The computer-readable medium can be a suitable volatile or non-volatile medium, such as, for example, a CD-ROM, a magnetic disk, a ROM circuit, a network connection or, in general, any other medium that can provide a computer system information on how instructions / orders should be followed / executed.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 represents a schematic block diagram of a communication terminal according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2a illustrates a system according to the invention in which two communication terminals and a service server are shown;

Figure 2b illustrates the system according to the invention in which another type of connection unit is represented;

Figure 2c illustrates the system according to the invention in which a user connected to the traditional telephone network (PSTN) has been represented;

Figures 3a and 3b illustrate a flow chart of an embodiment of the method according to the invention;

Figure 4 shows a preferred embodiment of a communication terminal according to the invention;

Figure 5 represents a perspective view of an alternative preferred embodiment of a communication terminal according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication terminal (100) according to one embodiment of the invention. In the figure, audio means (101) have been schematically represented, for example in the form of some type of speaker, sound generator, transducer, etc., and some type of microphone, transducer, or other unit for capturing sound. .

The audio media (101) is used to play / reproduce the received sound information, such as, for example, speech, music, etc., in the form of a first electrical signal, and to capture the sound for transmission in the form of a second electrical signal, respectively.

Conversion means 102 have also been shown that convert the second electrical signal into a suitable digital sound format, suitable for transmission. The conversion means (102) also converts the received sound data in the suitable digital sound format into the first electrical / analog signal, for reproduction via the loudspeaker, the sound generator, the transducer, etc.

The conversion means (102) comprises A / D and D / A converters, and / or and a codec (encoder and decoder) for conversion between analog and digital sound. If a codec is used, the digitized data can be compressed so that the amount of data to be transmitted and received is considerably reduced.

Suitable digital sound format can be, for example, raw data, ADPCM, DTMF, PCM, Wav, MP3, or other suitable digital sound formats, and various formats can be supported, for example , at the same time. Furthermore, for example one or more streaming audio / sound formats could also be supported in the conversion means (102).

The conversion means (102) is connected to protocol means (103) / a protocol stack that provides data / information manipulation in connection with data transmission and reception. The protocol used is preferably TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol), a series of protocols that includes PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol). The IP protocol part makes possible the actual manipulation of data in the form of division or collection of digital information in data packets, as well as the manipulation of receiver and transmitter information (in the form of IP addresses), while that the TCP protocol part is intended for the actual manipulation of the connection between receiver and transmitter.

The protocol means (103) can be constituted, for example, by a microprocessor for special and / or general purposes, a logic circuit, etc.

The protocol means (103) are connected to wireless communication means, which receive digitized sound / data in the form of a packet6

ES 2 232 655 T3 IP devices of the protocol means (103) and to an antenna, etc., (106), for subsequent wireless transmission. The communication means (104) also receives wireless data that is transmitted to the protocol means in the form of IP packets for further processing and reproduction via the conversion means (102) and the audio means (101) / speaker / generator. Sound.

The information received or relayed by the communications media 104 is typically incorporated in a suitable format. Consequently, in this case the IP packets are incorporated in a transmission format according to the wireless communication protocol, for example also incorporated in a packet format.

Preferably, the communication means 104 makes use of an RF (radio frequency) connection in accordance with, for example, Bluetooth, DECT, IEEE802.11 or other wireless protocols. Bluetooth is especially advantageous for portable terminals, as it has been designed with low power consumption in mind. Alternatively, infrared wireless communication protocols can also be used.

The communications terminal (100) also comprises a computing / processing unit, such as a CPU, a microprocessor or the like, to control and coordinate the various parts. Preferably, the microprocessor (105) is connected to one or more memory elements (not shown) such as, for example, of the types RAM, Flash) solid state memory), ROM, etc., for storage and provision of information relevant.

In an alternative embodiment, the microprocessor (105) and the protocol means (103) are comprised of a single microprocessor unit.

The terminal (100) containing protocol means (103) for manipulation / control allows the use of standardized and simplified connection / coupling equipment, which must only be capable of establishing a connection with a given network and / or with the Internet, and the local manipulation of the IP protocol also makes it easier to use the terminal (100) in relation to "strange" connection units, since in certain types of wireless protocols it is considerably easier to obtain a configuration, and this can be done automatically. The only requirement is to have the same RF communications system in the terminal and in the connection / coupling equipment with Internet / network access.

In an alternative embodiment, the terminal 100 also comprises word recognition means, for example realized via the microprocessor (15) and / or realized via specialized hardware, so that the terminal (100) can be operated in the mode of hands-free in case of word orders. In addition, or alternatively, the terminal comprises one or more operating means, such as buttons, switches, etc.

Terminal 100 also comprises a power / energy source (not shown) such as one or more batteries.

Figure 2a shows a system according to the invention in which two communication terminals (200; 200 ') and a service server (210) have been shown. The figure illustrates how two users (201; 201 ') are interconnected via the communication terminals (200;

200 ') according to the invention.

The terminals (200; 200 ') have been illustrated in the figure as a preferred embodiment, both in the form of a hearing aid, as will be explained in more detail in connection with Figure 4.

Referring to Figure 5, an alternative preferred embodiment of a terminal (200; 200 ') is explained.

Only two users (201; 201 ') are shown in the figure for clarity, but in practice a much larger number of users may be connected to the system at the same time.

Each terminal (200; 200 ') is connected to the Internet (220) and / or to another network, such as, for example, to a local network or an intranet, in a company, in a family home, etc., via a connection unit (202; 202 '). The connection units (202; 202 ') are equipped with a transceiver (203; 203') of wireless communication module / s, such as, for example, a Bluetooth module or the like, so that a communication link is established between a given connection unit (202; 202 ') and a given terminal (200; 200').

There can also be several users (201; 201 ') connected to the same wireless communication module / the same transceiver (203; 203').

The connection units (202; 202 ') can be, for example, a normal computer, a PDA, a mobile phone, etc., with an Internet connection, preferably a broadband connection.

The system further comprises one or more service servers (210) also connected to the Internet / network (220). The service server (210) comprises one or more databases (211) in which the pertinent information regarding the users (201; 201 ') is stored.

The database (211) comprises information such as, for example, one or more user aliases for each user (201; 201 ') and associated current IP addresses. IP addresses can be static (for example, if the user (201; 201 ') is connected to a company network), or dynamic, in which an IP address is assigned to the user (or rather to the terminal (200 ; 200 ')) every time the user (201; 201') connects to the system.

The server can therefore keep abreast of which terminals (200; 200 ') / users (201; 201') are accessible, and where.

The service server (210) further comprises at least one router (212), which establishes the connection between the users (201; 201 ') who have wished to establish contact.

The service server (210) can also be used to provide additional services, functions, etc., such as, for example, news, reading mail, word of mouth, commercials, music, stock market and financial news, etc., which can be sent to a user (201; 201 ') of the system, depending, for example, on the user's profile.

Another functionality that can be provided by the server (210) is a conversation line, chat rooms, telephone meetings, e4tc., In which several terminals (200; 200 ') / users (201; 201') are given It offers the opportunity to communicate with each other so that everyone can hear what either of them is saying.

Another option could be that the user's profile includes a "negative list" of people

ES 2 232 655 T3 with whom you do not want to establish contact.

The system operates so that when, for example, a first user (201) wishes to speak to a second user (201 '), the first user (201) indicates so on the portable communication terminal (200). This indication can take place by keyboard input, by word order, etc., of an alias, an IP address, or the like, of the second user (201 ').

The terminal (200) establishes a connection via the wireless connection to the transceiver (203), to the connection unit (202) and to the Internet (220), where, for example, the user's alias (201 ') is transmitted. The server (210) checks if the second user (201 ') with the alias that has been sent is accessible on the line and, if so, obtains a current IP address of the second user (201'). A two-way connection is then established between the first user (201) and the second user (201 ') via the router (212).

Alternatively, the current IP address of the second user (201 ') can be sent back to the terminal (200) of the first user (201), thereby allowing a direct two-way connection to be established between the terminals (200) and ( 200').

After the connection has been established, the Internet (220) is used to transport the word between the two users (201; 201 ') in a suitable digital format in IP packets, as described in connection with Figure 1.

If the terminal (200; 200 ') and / or the service server (210) support word acknowledgments, the operation of the terminal (200; 200') can be simplified, and specific commands related to the service server can be passed. to the server (210), either for its interpretation there, or as one or more binary orders, a query, or the like.

Alternatively, the connection unit (202; 202 ') can be a mobile phone adapted to be connected to the Internet (220), for example via a broadband connection equipped with, for example, Bluetooth, or a DECT functionality. or other suitable wireless connections. This provides the user (201; 201 ') with even greater mobility, and also the economy of IP telephony, as long as the long distance traffic is carried out over the Internet (220). The mobile phone can be, for example, of the GBM, GPRS, etc. type, or of another suitable type.

Figure 2b illustrates the system according to the invention, in which another type of connection unit has been shown. This figure corresponds to Figure 2a, but with the difference that the second user connection unit (201 ') is now formed by a (network interconnection) door (230). The door (230) provides coupling possibilities for several terminals (200; 200 ') / users (201; 201'), for example in a local network, in an Intranet, in a family home, in a block of flats, etc. .

Alternatively, the door (230) can be provided / incorporated in a refrigerator, in a television set, for example via cable or satellite, or in other household devices, providing the possibility of Internet access. Preferably, a gateway (230) with broadband capabilities is used, eg via ISDN, ADSL, "Frame Relay" (Information Unit Relay), xDSL, etc.

Figure 2c illustrates the system according to the invention in which a user connected to the traditional telephone network (PSTN) is shown. This figure corresponds to Figures 2a and 2b with the difference that the connection unit of the second user (201) is now formed by an interface / port with PSTN (240) coupled to the ordinary normal telephone (241) of the user (201 '). This also makes it possible to reach users who are on the traditional telephone network.

A flow chart of an embodiment of the method according to the invention is illustrated in Figure 3a.

In step 301, a wireless connection is established between a communication terminal, such as a hearing aid, a headset, etc., and a connection unit, such as, for example, a computer, a mobile phone. , an Internet access point, PDA or similar, which provides the possibility of establishing a connection to the Internet, or a connection to another network.

In step (302), the terminal transmits information using the TCP / IP protocol to a service server, coupled to the Internet / network through the connection unit, regarding the identity of the user (aliases, etc.), in relation to the user being on the line (wants to be available for calls), and in relation to the physical IP address where the terminal is reached. This information is stored / updated in one or more databases on the server.

Then, optionally according to a user profile, the server can transmit data and information, such as news, reading emails, word of mouth, commercials, music, Stock and financial news, etc., to the user.

In step 303 a check is made to see if the user wishes to make contact with another user.

If so, a request is sent in step 304 to the server, comprising, for example, an alias of the user with whom it is desired to establish contact. The service server verifies if there is a user who has that alias, if the person in question is on the line, and if so, at what physical IP address that other user can be reached.

If that is not what is desired, then it is returned to idle mode, and the check (303) is commonly performed for interrupt, poll, etc. In standby mode, other functions can be performed.

A connection is then established in step 305 between the first and second users, after which the actual conversation can be started. The connection is preferably a TCP / IP connection, either via the service server or directly. If the connection is direct, a new / another TCP / IP connection must be established between the participants in the conversation, and if the connection is via the server, the TCP / IP connection established in step (301) can be used.

In steps (306) - (308), the data received from the second user is manipulated and reproduced, but recording of the sound and transmission of the sound to the second user takes place in steps (309) - (311). These steps can be performed either simultaneously / in parallel, or alternately, for example by multiplexing, etc.

In step (306) the data is received via the wireless interface, in the form of IP packets. Sound data / information embedded in packages

ES 2 232 655 T3

IP are / is converted to a first analog sound signal in step (307), for example by a D / A converter, a codec, etc., and is then played / played for the user in step ( 308), for example through a loudspeaker, sound generator, etc.

In step 309, the sound is captured by a microphone, a transducer, etc., in the form of a second electrical signal, which is converted, in an A / D converter, in a codec, etc., into a digital signal, at step 310. The information of this digital signal is divided and incorporated into IP packets by means of a TCP / IP protocol, which are modulated (for example, IP packets are converted / incorporated into packets according to the EF protocol used by the media. wireless / RF communications), and then the packets are transmitted to the second party in the conversation, Through a transceiver that receives the RF packets and extracts the IP packets and transmits the extracted IP packets over the Internet / network, to the second participant in the conversation.

These steps (306-308; 309-311) are repeated until the conversation is over.

After the conversation has ended, which is checked in step (312), the system returns to idle mode in step (303), and waits for a new call (either inbound or outbound) .

The steps of receiving a call, represented in Figure 3b, are similar to the steps of Figure 3a where an incoming call is detected and the user can have the option of accepting or rejecting the call. If you accept the call, a TCP / IP connection is established between the caller and the person who receives the call, either directly or through a service server, and steps such as (308 - 311) are carried out. If a call is rejected, the terminal returns to idle mode. Preferably, the method comprises steps (301-302), a test (303) of whether an incoming and / or outgoing call has been detected, and steps (304-312) in which only step 304 for outbound calls.

Figure 4 shows a preferred embodiment of a communication terminal according to the invention. The figure shows a hearing aid (400). The hearing aid (400) is preferably molded, and can be individually manufactured to conform to the ear of the user. A sound generator 401, such as for example a loudspeaker, is shown that is used to reproduce sound information received through wireless communication means (not shown), as explained above. Some type of microphone, transducer, or other sound pickup unit (shown in part) is also shown with a rubber coating 402 to pick up the sound and to generate a second electrical signal.

The functionality of the handset corresponds to the terminal described in relation to Figure 1 and to the system.

This provides a very discreet, compact and hands-free type communication terminal, or requiring minimal manipulation, of a small physical size, for example 5-8 cm³.

Alternatively, the wireless communication means may be arranged external to the hearing aid 400 itself and be located, for example, in a housing that can be secured to the user's body, for example on the belt. The housing and the hearing aid are then simply connected, for example through a wire or other wireless communication means that require a shorter range than that of the wireless communication means for communication with the connection unit, and can be, therefore, small physical size, lower power consumption, etc.

For more details of an example of a hearing aid reference is made, for example, to European Patent Application EP 0 673 587.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of an alternative preferred embodiment of a communication terminal according to the invention. A very compact telephone headset (500) has been represented, comprising a microphone, a transducer, or other sound-capturing unit (505), to capture the sound for transmission in the form of a second electrical signal, where the unit Sound pickup unit (505) is located at one end of a strut, arm, neck, etc., (504), so that the sound pickup unit can be conveniently located in close proximity to the user's mouth. . The other end of the strut, the arm, the mast, etc., (504) is secured to, preferably, a container, a housing, etc., preferably watertight (502), comprising the electronic elements / parts (except the means audio) that have been described in relation to Figure 1.

Also shown is a strap, spring, arm, etc., (501) secured to the housing (502), which can be used to stabilize and secure the headset (500) on the user's head.

The headset (500) also comprises an antenna, etc., not shown, used for wireless communication, and operating means (506) such as one or more buttons, switches, etc., used, for example, to accept / reject calls. . The antenna can be an internal antenna, located in the housing (502). Alternatively, the strut, arm, mast, etc., (504) may constitute the antenna.

Secured to the housing (502) is a hearing aid (503) which may be molded or individually manufactured to fit the wearer's ear, to be inserted into the wearer's ear. The hearing aid comprises a sound generator, etc., to reproduce the sound received at the ear of the user.

In this way, a very discreet, compact and hands-free type communications terminal is obtained, or that requires minimal manipulation, of a small physical size.