Method And System For Computer-Based Private Branch Exchange

Abstract

A computer-based distributed private branch exchange (PBX). Preferred embodiments route calls and perform other functions of a PBX as well as performing services not commonly available on a PBX, such as Internet telephony. In one embodiment, the invention control and operations is distributed among several computers or Personal Computers (PCs) on a computer network.

1 . A private branch exchange comprising:
 a first network interface configured to communicate with a communications network comprising a plurality of computers, each of the plurality of computers configured to receive audio signals from an audio interface means;   a second network interface configured to communicate with an external network;   a processor configured to communicate with the first network interface and the second network interface;   a processor configured to:
 receive a call; 
 determine the recipient of the call; and 
 determine which computer of the plurality of computers the recipient of the call is logged on to, and connect the call to that computer. 
   
   
   
       2 . The private branch exchange of  claim 1 , wherein the communication network is associated with a call center. 
   
   
       3 . The private branch exchange of  claim 1 , wherein the call originates from one of the plurality of computers connected to the communications network. 
   
   
       4 . The private branch exchange of  claim 1 , wherein the call originates from a device connected to the external network. 
   
   
       5 . The private branch exchange of  claim 1 , wherein the external network comprises one or more of: an Internet connection or a public switched telephone network connection. 
   
   
       6 . The private branch exchange of  claim 1 , wherein the audio interface means comprises a telephone. 
   
   
       7 . The private branch exchange of  claim 1 , wherein the audio interface means comprises a microphone and a speaker. 
   
   
       8 . The private branch exchange of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to connect one or more additional computers to the call. 
   
   
       9 . The private branch exchange of  claim 1  wherein the processor is further configured to:
 determine that the recipient is currently on another call; and   place the received call on hold.   
   
   
       10 . The private branch exchange of  claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to play a prerecorded audio message while the call is on hold. 
   
   
       11 . The private branch exchange of  claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 determine that the recipient is no longer on another call; and   connect the received call to the recipient's computer.   
   
   
       12 . The private branch exchange of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to retrieve a voice mail message. 
   
   
       13 . The private branch exchange of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to switch between multiple external networks. 
   
   
       14 . The private branch exchange of  claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine a quality of service of each of the external networks and switch between the external networks based at least in part on the quality of service. 
   
   
       15 . The private branch exchange of  claim 14 , wherein the multiple external networks comprise one or more of: an Internet connection or a public switched telephone network connection. 
   
   
       16 . A method for operating a private branch exchange comprising:
 receiving a call from a computer connected to an internal network, the internal network comprising a plurality of computers, each of the plurality of computers configured to receive audio signals from an audio interface means;   determining an external network to connect the call to, wherein the external network comprises one of the Internet or a public switched telephone network, and wherein selecting the external network is based at least in part on the quality of service of the Internet connection; and   connecting the call to the external network.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the quality of service of the Internet connection comprises a measure of the bandwidth available on the Internet connection. 
   
   
       18 . A method for operating a private branch exchange comprising:
 receiving a call from an external network;   determining the recipient of the call;   determining which computer of a plurality of computers connected to a communications network, the recipient is logged on to;   connecting the call to the computer that the recipient is logged on to.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the external network comprises the Internet. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 determining whether the recipient is on another call; and   placing the received call on hold until the recipient is no longer on another call.