Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Tanel Erm

Christoffer Asgaard Rödbro

Jonas Nils Rune Lindblom

Sergey Sukhanov

A method of controlling a call between first and second user terminals, the method comprising: during the call, detecting a failure of a connection between the first user terminal and a packet-switched network; and in response, causing the call to be conducted at least part way via a PSTN network, via a connection between the first user terminal and the PSTN network. The call may be initiated by the first user terminal (such that the first user terminal is the caller and the second is the callee). The call may be initially conducted, prior to the failure, via a packet-switched connection between the first user terminal and a packet-switched network. The method may be implemented by a client application run on the first user terminal. Alternatively, the method may be implemented by a server.

Communication system

Techniques for call intent notification for establishing a call are described. According to one or more implementations, a user of a first user terminal attempts to establish a call with a second user terminal. Based on determining that the second user terminal and/or a user of the second user terminal is not available to answer the call, a call intent notification is sent to the second user terminal. According to one or more implementations, the call intent notification includes a number that enables the second user terminal to establish a call with the first user terminal.

Call intent notification for establishing a call

When a first user intends a call with a second user via a packet switched communication service (e.g. VoIP), but the second user terminal or second user is currently unavailable to answer a call through the packet-switched service, then a call intent notification is sent to the second user terminal via an out-of-band communication channel, the call-intent notification notifying the second user about the intended call. Includes in the notification is a gateway PSTN number enabling the second user terminal to establish a hybrid PSTN call with the first user terminal via a connection between the second user terminal and a gateway over a PSTN network, and via a connection between the gateway and the first user terminal over the packet-switched network using the packet-switched communication service.

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Tallinn, Estonia

Tanel Erm