Systems, methods, and computer program products for providing a manual ring-down communication line using session initiation protocol

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for manual ring-down communication using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). A first SIP user agent transmits a message to a second SIP user agent over an Internet Protocol (IP) network to establish a SIP session. The first SIP user agent determines that a signal key associated with a first communication device has been selected and transmits, to the second SIP user agent over the IP network, a start event message to cause a second communication device to activate an alert. The first SIP user agent determines that the signal key has been released and transmits over the IP network an end event message to deactivate the alert. The first SIP user agent transmits, to the second SIP user agent over the IP network, one or more subsequent INVITE messages at a predetermined repetition rate to refresh the SIP session.

1 . A method for providing a private line communication channel using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), comprising the steps of:
 transmitting, by a first SIP user agent to a second SIP user agent over a communication network, an INVITE message to establish a SIP session, wherein at least one of a first communication device associated with the first SIP user agent and a second communication device associated with the second SIP user agent is in either an on-hook state or an off-hook state;   receiving, by the first SIP user agent from the second SIP user agent over the communication network, a  200  OK message confirming receipt of the INVITE message;   transmitting, by the first SIP user agent to the second SIP user agent over the communication network, an ACK message to acknowledge receipt of the  200  OK message; and   transmitting, by either one of the first SIP user agent or the second SIP user agent over the communication network, an event message, to cause the second communication device or the first communication device, respectively, to activate a manual ring-down alert.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the manual ring-down alert includes at least one of an audible alert and a visual alert. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the event message relates to an event and includes at least one of a Real-Time Protocol (RTP) message and an INFO message. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the event includes at least one of a change in a hook state and a change in an alert state of at least one of the first communication device and the second communication device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first communication device and the second communication device includes a hard turret or a soft turret. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising transmitting, by the first SIP user agent to the second SIP user agent over the communication network, a message negotiating a role of session establisher between the first SIP user agent and the second SIP user agent. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising transmitting, by the first SIP user agent to the second SIP user agent over the communication network, an end event message to cause the second communication device to deactivate the manual ring-down alert. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising forwarding, by at least one of a SIP proxy and a back-to-back user agent (B 2 BUA), a message between the first SIP user agent and the second SIP user agent over the communication network. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein either one of the first SIP user agent or the second SIP user agent controls the first communication device or the second communication device, respectively, to activate the manual ring-down alert. 
     
     
         10 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon sequences of instructions, the sequences of instructions including instructions, which, when executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to:
 transmit, by a first Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) user agent to a second SIP user agent over a communication network, an INVITE message to establish a SIP session, wherein at least one of a first communication device associated with the first SIP user agent and a second communication device associated with the second SIP user agent is in either an on-hook state or an off-hook state;   receive, by the first SIP user agent from the second SIP user agent over the communication network, a  200  OK message confirming receipt of the INVITE message;   transmit, by the first SIP user agent to the second SIP user agent over the communication network, an ACK message to acknowledge receipt of the  200  OK message; and   transmit, by either one of the first SIP user agent or the second SIP user agent over the communication network, an event message, to cause the second communication device or the first communication device, respectively, to activate a manual ring-down alert.   
     
     
         11 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein the manual ring-down alert includes at least one of an audible alert and a visual alert. 
     
     
         12 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein the event message relates to an event and includes at least one of a Real-Time Protocol (RTP) message and an INFO message. 
     
     
         13 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 12 , wherein the event includes at least one of a change in a hook state and a change in an alert state of at least one of the first communication device and the second communication device. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first communication device and second communication device includes a hard turret or a soft turret. 
     
     
         15 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein the sequence of instructions further includes instructions which, when executed by the computer system, cause the computer system to:
 transmit, by the first SIP user agent to the second SIP user agent over the communication network, a message negotiating a role of session establisher between the first SIP user agent and the second SIP user agent.   
     
     
         16 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein the sequence of instructions further includes instructions which, when executed by the computer system, cause the computer system to:
 transmit, by the first SIP user agent to the second SIP user agent over the communication network, an end event message to cause the second communication device to deactivate the manual ring-down alert.   
     
     
         17 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein the sequence of instructions further includes instructions which, when executed by the computer system, cause the computer system to:
 forward, by at least one of a SIP proxy and a back-to-back user agent (B 2 BUA), a message between the first SIP user agent and the second SIP user agent over the communication network.   
     
     
         18 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein the sequence of instructions further includes instructions which, when executed by the computer system, cause either one of the first SIP user agent or the second SIP user agent to control the first communication device or the second communication device, respectively, to activate the manual ring-down alert. 
     
     
         19 . A system for providing a private line communication channel using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), the system comprising:
 a first SIP user agent communicatively coupled to a communication network; and   a second SIP user agent communicatively coupled to the communication network,   wherein the first SIP user agent is configured to:
 transmit, to the second SIP user agent over the communication network, an INVITE message to establish a SIP session, wherein at least one of a first communication device associated with the first SIP user agent and a second communication device associated with the second SIP user agent is in either an on-hook state or an off-hook state, 
 receive, from the second SIP user agent over the communication network, a  200  OK message confirming receipt of the INVITE message, and 
 transmit, to the second SIP user agent over the communication network, an ACK message to acknowledge receipt of the  200  OK message, and 
   wherein the first SIP user agent and the second SIP user agent are respectively configured to:
 transmit, over the communication network, an event message, to cause the second communication device or the first communication device, respectively, to activate a manual ring-down alert. 
   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the manual ring-down alert includes at least one of an audible alert and a visual alert. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the event message relates to an event and includes at least one of a Real-Time Protocol (RTP) message and an INFO message. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the event includes at least one of a change in a hook state and a change in an alert state of at least one of the first communication device and the second communication device. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein at least one of the first communication device and the second communication device includes a hard turret or a soft turret. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the first SIP user agent is further configured to:
 transmit, to the second SIP user agent over the communication network, a message negotiating a role of session establisher between the first SIP user agent and the second SIP user agent.   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the first SIP user agent is further configured to:
 transmit, to the second SIP user agent over the communication network, an end event message to cause the second communication device to deactivate the manual ring-down alert.   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising at least one of a SIP proxy and a back-to-back user agent (B 2 BUA) configured to forward a message between the first SIP user agent and the second SIP user agent over the communication network. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the first SIP user agent and the second SIP user agent are further configured to control the first communication device and the second communication device, respectively, to activate the manual ring-down alert. 
     
     
         28 . A method for providing a private line communication channel using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), comprising the steps of:
 receiving, by a first SIP user agent from a second SIP user agent over a communication network, an INVITE message to establish a SIP session, wherein at least one of a first communication device associated with the first SIP user agent and a second communication device associated with the second SIP user agent is in either an on-hook state or an off-hook state;   transmitting, by the first SIP user agent to the second SIP user agent over the communication network, a  200  OK message confirming receipt of the INVITE message;   receiving, by the first SIP user agent from the second SIP user agent over the communication network, an ACK message to acknowledge receipt of the  200  OK message; and   receiving, by either one of the first SIP user agent or the second SIP user agent over the communication network, an event message, wherein the receiving of the event message causes the first communication device or the second communication device, respectively, to automatically activate a manual ring-down alert.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the manual ring-down alert includes at least one of an audible alert and a visual alert. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the event message relates to an event and includes at least one of a Real-Time Protocol (RTP) message and an INFO message. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the event includes at least one of a change in a hook state and a change in an alert state of at least one of the first communication device and the second communication device. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein at least one of the first communication device and the second communication device includes a hard turret or a soft turret. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising receiving, by the first SIP user agent from the second SIP user agent over the communication network, a message negotiating a role of session establisher between the first SIP user agent and the second SIP user agent. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising receiving, by the first SIP user agent from the second SIP user agent over the communication network, an end event message to cause the first communication device to deactivate the manual ring-down alert. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising forwarding, by at least one of a SIP proxy and a back-to-back user agent (B 2 BUA), a message between the first SIP user agent and the second SIP user agent over the communication network. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein either one of the first SIP user agent or the second SIP user agent controls the first communication device or the second communication device, respectively, to activate the manual ring-down alert. 
     
     
         37 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon sequences of instructions, the sequences of instructions including instructions, which, when executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to:
 receive, by a first Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) user agent from a second SIP user agent over a communication network, an INVITE message to establish a SIP session, wherein at least one of a first communication device associated with the first SIP user agent and a second communication device associated with the second SIP user agent is in either an on-hook state or an off-hook state;   transmit, by the first SIP user agent to the second SIP user agent over the communication network, a  200  OK message confirming receipt of the INVITE message;   receive, by the first SIP user agent from the second SIP user agent over the communication network, an ACK message to acknowledge receipt of the  200  OK message; and   receive, by either one of the first SIP user agent or the second SIP user agent over the communication network, an event message, wherein the receiving of the event message causes the first communication device or the second communication device, respectively, to automatically activate a manual ring-down alert.   
     
     
         38 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 37 , wherein the manual ring-down alert includes at least one of an audible alert and a visual alert. 
     
     
         39 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 37 , wherein the event message relates to an event and includes at least one of a Real-Time Protocol (RTP) message and an INFO message. 
     
     
         40 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 39 , wherein the event includes at least one of a change in a hook state and a change in an alert state of at least one of the first communication device and the second communication device. 
     
     
         41 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 37 , wherein at least one of the first communication device and the second communication device includes a hard turret or a soft turret. 
     
     
         42 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 37 , wherein the sequence of instructions further includes instructions which, when executed by the computer system, cause the computer system to:
 receive, by the first SIP user agent from the second SIP user agent over the communication network, a message negotiating a role of session establisher between the first SIP user agent and the second SIP user agent.   
     
     
         43 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 37 , wherein the sequence of instructions further includes instructions which, when executed by the computer system, cause the computer system to:
 receive, by the first SIP user agent from the second SIP user agent over the communication network, an end event message to cause the first communication device to deactivate the manual ring-down alert.   
     
     
         44 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 37 , wherein the sequence of instructions further includes instructions which, when executed by the computer system, cause the computer system to:
 forward, by at least one of a SIP proxy and a back-to-back user agent (B 2 BUA), a message between the first SIP user agent and the second SIP user agent over the communication network.   
     
     
         45 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 37 , wherein the sequence of instructions further includes instructions which, when executed by the computer system, cause either one of the first SIP user agent or the second SIP user agent to control the first communication device or the second communication device, respectively, to activate the manual ring-down alert. 
     
     
         46 . A system for providing a private line communication channel using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), the system comprising:
 a first SIP user agent communicatively coupled to a communication network; and   a second SIP user agent communicatively coupled to the communication network,   wherein the first SIP user agent is configured to:
 receive, from the second SIP user agent over the communication network, an INVITE message to establish a SIP session, wherein at least one of a first communication device associated with the first SIP user agent and a second communication device associated with the second SIP user agent is in either an on-hook state or an off-hook state, 
 transmit, to the second SIP user agent over the communication network, a  200  OK message confirming receipt of the INVITE message, and 
 receive, from the second SIP user agent over the communication network, an ACK message to acknowledge receipt of the  200  OK message, and 
   wherein the first SIP user agent and the second SIP user agent are respectively configured to:
 receive, over the communication network, an event message, wherein the receiving of the event message causes the first communication device or the second communication device, respectively, to automatically activate a manual ring-down alert. 
   
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the manual ring-down alert includes at least one of an audible alert and a visual alert. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the event message relates to an event and includes at least one of a Real-Time Protocol (RTP) message and an INFO message. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the event includes at least one of a change in a hook state and a change in an alert state of at least one of the first communication device and the second communication device. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein at least one of the first communication device and the second communication device includes a hard turret or a soft turret. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the first SIP user agent is further configured to:
 receive, from the second SIP user agent over the communication network, a message negotiating a role of session establisher between the first SIP user agent and the second SIP user agent.   
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the first SIP user agent is further configured to:
 receive, from the second SIP user agent over the communication network, an end event message to cause the first communication device to deactivate the manual ring-down alert.   
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 46 , further comprising at least one of a SIP proxy and a back-to-back user agent (B 2 BUA) configured to forward a message between the first SIP user agent and the second SIP user agent over the communication network. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the first SIP user agent and the second SIP user agent are further configured to control the first communication device and the second communication device, respectively, to activate the manual ring-down alert.