(51) Int Cl.: H04L 29/08 ( ) H04L 29/06 ( )

Transkript

1 (19) TEPZZ Z_876ZB_T (11) EP B1 (12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION (4) Date of publication and mention of the grant of the patent:.06.1 Bulletin 1/24 (21) Application number: (22) Date of filing: (1) Int Cl.: H04L 29/08 (06.01) H04L 29/06 (06.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US07/ (87) International publication number: WO 07/ ( Gazette 07/48) (4) TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AND METHOD OF INITIATING FILE TRANSFERS FROM VOICE ENDPOINTS TELEKOMMUNIKATIONSSYSTEM UND VERFAHREN ZUM EINLEITEN VON DATEIÜBERTRAGUNGEN VON STIMMENENDPUNKTEN SYSTÈME ET PROCÉDÉ DE DÉCLENCHEMENT DE TRANSFERT DE FICHIERS DEPUIS DES POINTS D EXTRÉMITÉ VOCAUX (84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR GB IT SE () Priority: US (43) Date of publication of application: Bulletin 09/0 (73) Proprietor: Unify Inc. Boca Raton, Florida (US) (72) Inventors: ARABI, Hamid Boca Raton, fl (US) SAHIM, Faramarz F. Boca Raton, fl (US) (74) Representative: Fritzsche, Thomas et al Fritzsche Patent Naupliastraße München (DE) (6) References cited: WO-A-96/2421 GARCIA-MARTIN M ISOMAKI NOKIA G CAMARILLO S LORETO ERICSSON M: "A Mechanism to Enable File Transfer with the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP); draft-garciasipping-file-transfer-mech-00.txt" IETF STANDARD-WORKING-DRAFT, INTERNET ENGINEERING TASK FORCE, IETF, CH, 23 February 06 ( ), XP ISSN: LASS/WORLDCOM D PETRIE/PINGTEL C STREDICKE/SNOM AG S: "SIP Telephony Device Requirements, Configuration and Data draftsinnreich-sipdev-req-00.txt; draft-sinnreichsipdev-req-00.txt" IETF STANDARD-WORKING- DRAFT, INTERNET ENGINEERING TASK FORCE, IETF, CH, 21 February 02 ( ), XP01002 ISSN: "Data protocols for multimedia conferencing; T. 1 (07/96)" ITU-T STANDARD IN FORCE (I), INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION, GENEVA,, CH, no. T1 7/96, 1 July 1996 ( ), XP01739 EP B1 Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). Printed by Jouve, 7001 PARIS (FR)

2 1 EP B1 2 Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention is related to telecommunications systems and more particularly, to transferring data files over digital telecommunications networks. Background Description [0002] Commercial telecommunications platforms have allowed service providers to deliver Internet Protocol (IP) based telecommunications services. Typical such IP telecommunications services feature common channel telecommunications packet switching capabilities, such as Signaling System Number 7 (SS7) signaling capabilities. These capabilities allow for legacy feature support and, further, interconnection with Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN). Digital communications such as Voice over IP (VoIP), for example, normally use Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) protocol for establishing and clearing of connections between network stations. VoIP calls using SIP protocol work well for a relatively simple connection with simple user control, e.g., using a typical user interface. [0003] Frequently, parties engaged in such a VoIP call may find it necessary for one party to pass data (e.g., stored on a local computer) to the other party. For example, a project manager may wish to pass employees project information, e.g., locally stored sensitive project data. If the manager feels that the information is too sensitive for because, for example, it may reside on a server somewhere for some period of time before it is downloaded; then it may be necessary to contact the recipients and find some more secure means of transfer. Once the recipients are contacted, e.g., by a VoIP call, the data can be passed with reasonable certainty that the intended recipient is actually receiving it. So, provided the parties have access to computers at both ends, after placing the call, they can establish a file transfer session and transfer the data, e.g., from the manager s computer to the employees. After the transfer, the parties can verify that the data passed safely, e.g., by a second telephone call. [0004] Unfortunately, however, such a transfer requires that both parties have access to their computers, that any data transfer occurs independently of the personal contact and, that only after the transfer can either party determine/verify that a valid transfer took place. If either party cannot access their respective computer, the transfer cannot be made. Also, ending the call and setting up the transfer is time consuming and, potentially, problematic. If, for example, the originating party enters the wrong address for the destination, only after the files are transferred to the wrong location is either party notified. In document "A Mechanism to Enable File Transfer with the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) draft-garcia-sippingfile-transfer-mech-00.txt" of Garcia-Martin, M. et al.; SIP- PING Working Group, February 23,06, there is described a mechanism to transfer files via a SIP session. SDP extensions to expand the MSRP protocol to enable file transfer in an existing SIP session are defined. WO 96/2421 describes a method and apparatus to switch between voice and visual data transfer on a telephone line. [000] Thus, there is a need for a seamless way to safely transfer files among the parties involved in a SIP voice call and, especially, where either or both of the parties, initiating the file transfers and the recipients of the transferred files, are not required to have access to their respective computers during the entire file transfer. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] It is a purpose of the invention to initiate file transfers between recipients that may or may not have access to a computer during the entire file transfer process; [0007] It is another purpose of the invention to simply transfer files among parties involved in Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) voice calls without entering IP addresses of devices involved in the file transfers. [0008] The present invention relates to a communications system and method of transferring data over the communications system according to claims 1 and 7. The system includes audio communications devices (telephones and/or, soft phones) connected to Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) endpoints with multiple line capabilities and a unique Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) associated with audio communications that has the form x@y.z. A file transfer agent system running a File Transfer Application Agent (FTAA) application is also connected at each of SIP endpoints, and has a unique URI that has the form ft.x@y.z. Parties conducting a phone conversation at SIP endpoints can initiate file transfers between the file transfer agent system from respective audio communications devices without otherwise accessing the file transfer agent system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages will be better understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an example of a communications system including Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) endpoints capable of transferring files between the endpoints according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows an example of initiating file transfer between SIP endpoints; 2

3 3 EP B1 4 Figure 3 shows an example of operation in the file transfer agent of the FTAA application in setting up the file transfer session. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [00] Turning now to the drawings and more particularly, Figure 1 shows an example of a preferred Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) based system 0 including SIP endpoints 2, 4, some of which have multiple line capabilities. The SIP endpoints 2, 4 may be any suitable audio communications devices, such as telephones and/or, soft phones that are connected for voice communications and may be connected to one or more appropriate SIP server(s) 6 (e.g., a registrar server, a location server, a redirect server, a proxy server and/or a presence server) over a network 8, e.g., the Internet, the public switched telephone network/public land mobile network (PSTN/PLMN) or a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) wireless network. Also, a station 1, 112 acting as a file transfer agent system is connected to one of the lines at each of the SIP endpoints 2, 4, respectively. [0011] Thus, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, users carrying on conversations over the SIP endpoints 2, 4 can initiate remote file transfers to each other between respective file transfer agent systems 1, 112. Further, the file transfer may be initiated from the SIP endpoints 2, 4 without either user directly accessing the file transfer agent systems 1, 112. So, the SIP endpoints 2, 4 can be at separate geographical locations from each respective file transfer agent systems 1, 112. Each file transfer agent system 1, 112 may be, for example, a personal computer (PC), running a File Transfer Application Agent (FTAA) application. So, each SIP endpoint 2, 4 passes commands to a respective transfer agent system 1, 112. The FTAA locates pre-selected files and manages the transfer. [0012] So for example, voice communications at each of the SIP endpoints 2, 4, may be associated with a unique Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) of the form 2x@y.z, 4x@y.z. Similarly, the file transfer agent systems 1, 112 are configured with a special URI that has the format ft.2x@y.z, ft.4x@y.z. The FTAA provides the file transfer agents 1, 112 with a number of special capabilities in addition to SIP capabilities. During a normal voice conversation, for example, the respective file transfer agent 1, 112 can search a configured subset of files in the computer file system for files that may be transferred. Also, a voice user can select of those files from a respective SIP endpoint 2, 4 through SIP audio or a computer user interface. Preferably, to provide for selecting these files, the SIP endpoints 2, 4 may include additional phone keys 114 that are also configured as SIP endpoints to act as next/previous/select functions. The URI of each of these endpoints is next.2x@y.z/previous.2x@y.z/select.2x@y.z, and next.4x@y.z/previous.4x@y.z/select.4x@y.z, respectively. Also, each SIP endpoint 2, 4 may include a file transfer indicator 116. Each transfer agent system 1, 112 may include a file selection window 118 and mouse 119. [0013] Activating an appropriate key on each of these endpoints initiates a SIP call to the FTAA. The respective file transfer agent system 1, 112 answers the call to start the transfer process and, immediately, releases the SIP call. Similarly, once the file transfer is complete, the respective file transfer agent system 1, 112 releases SIP call related resources. [0014] Figure 2 shows an example of initiating file transfer, e.g., between SIP endpoints 2, 4 in Figure 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A file transfer begins after SIP endpoints 2, 4 are engaged in a voice conversation in 1, where, typically, the users agree to the file transfer. So, in step 122 one user presses the transfer button on one SIP endpoint, e.g., 2, to initiate the transfer, which places that initiating SIP endpoint 2 on hold. Then, in step 124 the FTAA sets up a message in the associated file transfer agent system 1 that contains the SIP URI for the other, destination SIP endpoint 4. So, for example, initiating endpoint 2 uses the special SIP URI to initiate a SIP call to the FTAA in the associated file transfer agent system 1. The initiating SIP endpoint 2 also passes the SIP URI for the other, destination SIP endpoint 4 to the FTAA. Next in step 126, the FTAA in the file transfer agent 1.verifies that the call is from SIP endpoint 2. If the call is not from SIP endpoint 2 the file transfer agent system 1 ignores the message in step 128 and the call continues normally. Otherwise in step 1, the file transfer agent system 1 answers the call and the FTAA presents an audible menu to SIP initiating endpoint 2 to allow the endpoint user to select a file or files for transfer. Thereafter, in step 132, the FTAA in the file transfer agent system 1 sets up the rest of the file transfer session as explained in further detail hereinbelow. In step 134, the file transfer agent system 1 transfers the selected file(s) to the destination file transfer agent system 112. In step 136 when the file transfer is complete, the FTAA in each file transfer agent system 1, 112 clears the file transfer related calls, which turns off a file transfer indications, e.g., button LED s on SIP endpoints 2,4. [001] In step 1, if the call is being placed through the voice interface in SIP endpoint 2, then for example, the audible menu presented in step 1 may begin with the message "Please press select to choose computer or next for more options." If nothing is entered in the respective SIP endpoint 2 within a set time period, then the file transfer agent 1 uses a default response. Likewise, if the "next" button is pressed to select the same response, the audio menu plays the message "for audio press select or press previous." If the "select" button is chosen, the file transfer agent 1 enters file transfer selection mode. In file transfer selection mode an audible 3

4 EP B1 6 list of transferable files are presented that can be traversed using the next/previous/select keys 114 to navigate and select one or more files. [0016] If however, in step 1, the call is being placed through the computer interface in SIP endpoint 2, then for example, the audible menu presented in step 1 may begin with the message "Please press select to choose computer or next for more options." Again, if nothing is entered in the respective SIP endpoint 2 within a set time period, then the file transfer agent 1 uses a default response. Likewise, if the "select" button is chosen to select the same response, the file transfer agent 1 enters file transfer selection mode and the file transfer agent 1 presents a file selection window. Files are then selected from the file selection menu 118 using a suitable input device, e.g., using the mouse 119. [0017] Figure 3 shows an example of operation of the FTAA application in setting up the file transfer session in step 132 in the file transfer agent system. After selecting the files for transfer, in step 13 the file transfer agent (e.g., 1 in Figure 1) constructs the SIP address of the destination file transfer agent 112 from the destination SIP endpoint 4. So, in this example, the constructed address is ft.4x@y.z. In step 1322 the originating file transfer agent system 1 calls the destination file transfer agent system 112 using the constructed address. Upon receiving the call, in step 1324 the destination file transfer agent system 112 sends a setup message to the destination SIP endpoint 4. The destination SIP endpoint 4 provides an indication of an incoming file transfer request from SIP endpoint 2, e.g., blinking indicator 116. In step 1326 a user at the destination SIP endpoint 4 acknowledges the file transfer and indicates acceptance by pressing a file transfer button or sequence of buttons, e.g., #*#. The destination SIP endpoint 4 acknowledges acceptance to file transfer agent system 112 in step 1328 and in step 13, the destination file transfer agent system 112 forwards that acknowledgement to the originating file transfer agent system 1. In step 1332, the originating file transfer agent system 1 forwards the acknowledgement to SIP endpoint 2, and in step 1334 the user at SIP endpoint 2 is notified that the destination has accepted the request for transfer, e.g., by a tone, verbal message or flashing indicator 116. Finally, in step 134, the file transfer agent system 1 transfers the selected file(s) to other SIP endpoint 4 file transfer destination, i.e., file transfer agent system 112. [0018] Advantageously, the present invention provides a communications system for transferring files between the parties involved in a SIP voice call with the push of a button on the SIP phone. The transfers can be made regardless of whether the parties have access to their computers during the entire file transfer process. Further, both the party initiating the file transfer and the recipient(s) can transfer the file(s) without even knowing, much less entering, the IP addresses of devices involved in the file transfer. [0019] While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the scope of the appended claims. It is intended that all such variations and modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims. Examples and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Claims 1. A communications system (0) comprising: at least two Session Initiation Protocol, SIP, endpoints (2, 4) with multiple line capabilities; an audio communications device connected to each of said at least two SIP endpoints (2, 4) acting as originating or destination SIP endpoints, voice communications being carried out between said at least two SIP endpoints (2, 4) over a respective said audio communications device; a file transfer agent system (1, 112) at each of said at least two SIP endpoints (2, 4); and a File Transfer Application Agent, FTAA, application on each file transfer agent system (1, 112), each said FTAA application managing file transfers between file transfer agent systems (1, 112) responsive to file transfer requests from corresponding audio communications devices conneted to said SIP endpoints, characterized in that an appropriate key on the originating SIP endpoint (2, 4) is adapted to be activated to initiate a SIP call to the associated FTAA of said originating SIP endpoint, wherein the FTAA application on the originating file transfer agent system (1, 112) of the originating SIP endpoint (2) is adapted to present an audible menu to the originating SIP endpoint (2) to allow an endpoint user of said originating SIP endpoint to select files for transfer from the originating file transfer agent system (1; 112) and is further adapted to construct a SIP address of the destination file transfer agent system (112) from the associated destination SIP endpoint (4) after selecting of the files for transfer responsive to said audible menu wherein the originating file transfer agent system (1) is adapted to call the destination file transfer agent system (112) using the constructed SIP address, and wherein the originating file transfer agent system (1) is adapted to transfer the selected file or files to the destination file transfer agent system (112). 2. A communications system as in claim 1, wherein each said audio communications device includes a file transfer button (114) and a transfer request indi- 4

5 7 EP B1 8 cator (116). 3. A communications system as in claim 1, wherein a unique Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) is associated with each said audio communications device having the form x@y.z and with each said file transfer agent system (1, 112) having the form ft.x@y.z. 4. A communications system as in claim 3, wherein each audio communications device further includes next/previous/select keys (114) configured as SIP endpoints with unique URIs having the form next.x@y.z/previous.x@y.z/select.x@y.z.. A communications system as in claim 4, wherein said file transfer agent system (1, 112) comprises means for presenting a navigable voice menu responsive to said next/previous/select keys. 6. A communications system as in claim 4, wherein file transfer agent system (1, 112) comprises: means for presenting a file selection window (118); and means for receiving file selection (119) responsive to said file selection window (118). 7. A method of transferring files between stations in a communications system (0), said method comprising the steps of: a) sending a file transfer request from a first audio communications device at a first network endpoint (2) to a first file transfer agent system (1) at a first station at said first network endpoint (2); characterized in thereby activating (122) an appropriate key on the first network endpoint (2) to initiate a Session Initiation Protocol SIP, call to a first File Transfer Application Agent, FTAA, application on the first file transfer agent system (1); b) presenting, by said first FTAA application, an audible menu at said first audio communications device; c) selecting, by a user of said first network endpoint (2), files for transfer from said first station to a second station responsive to said audible menu, said second station being at a second network endpoint (4), a second audio communications device at said second network endpoint (4) being in voice communication with said first audio communications device; and d) constructing (13) by the first file transfer agent system (1) at the first station, a SIP address of a destination file transfer agent system (112) at the second station from the second network endpoint (4); e) calling (1322) the destination file transfer agent system (112) using the constructed SIP address by the first file transfer agent system (1); and f) transferring (134) selected said files from said first station to said second station. 8. A method of transferring files as in claim 7, wherein the step (a) of sending said transfer request comprises selecting a button (114) on said first audio communications device. 9. A method of transferring files as in claim 7, wherein a unique Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) is associated with audio communications device at each network endpoint (2, 4), said unique URI having the form x@y.z and, wherein another unique URI is associated with said file transfer agent system (1, 112) in each of said first station and said second station, said other unique URI having the form ft.x@y.z.. A method of transferring files as in claim 9, wherein said each network endpoint (2, 4) is a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) endpoint and the step (a) of sending said transfer request comprises initiating a SIP call at said first SIP endpoint (2) from said first audio communications device to said first file transfer agent system (1) at the first station using a corresponding said other unique URI. 11. A method of transferring files as in claim, wherein each audio communications device includes next/previous/select keys (114) configured as SIP endpoints with unique URIs of the form next.x@y.z/previous.x@y.z/select.x@y.z. 12. A method of transferring files as in claim 11, wherein the step (c) of selecting files comprises navigating said voice menu using said next/previous/select keys. 13. A method of transferring files as in claim, wherein the step (c) of selecting files comprises the steps of: i) presenting a file selection window (118) at said first station; and ii) selecting files through said file selection window. 14. A method of transferring files as in claim, wherein before the step (a) of sending a file transfer request, said method further comprises running the File Transfer Application Agent (FTAA) application on each station. 1. A method of transferring files as in claim 14, wherein said FTAA application in said each station manages transferring said selected files in step (d).

6 9 EP B1 16. A method of transferring files as in claim 1, wherein the step (d) of transferring files comprises the steps of: i) notifying said FTAA application in said second station of a pending file transfer; ii) notifying (1324) said second audio communications device of an incoming pending file transfer; iii) acknowledging (1326) said incoming pending file transfer; iv) receiving acknowledgement from said second audio communications device in said second station; v) notifying (1334) said first audio communications device of said acknowledgement; and vi) transferring (134) selected said files from said first station to said second station. 17. A method of transferring files as in claim 16, wherein the step (i) of notifying said second station comprises the steps of: 1) constructing (13) the SIP address of said second station from said unique URI for said second audio communications device; and 2) calling (1322) the constructed said SIP address. 18. A method of transferring files as in claim 16, wherein the step (ii) of notifying (1324) said second audio communications device comprises sending a setup message to said second audio communications device. 19. A method of transferring files as in claim 16, wherein the step (iii) of acknowledging (1326) said pending file transfer comprises: 1) providing an indication of an incoming file transfer at said second audio communications device; 2) receiving an indication of acceptance at said second audio communications device; and 3) returning (1328) an indication of acceptance to said second station as an acknowledgement. Patentansprüche 1. Kommunikationssystem (0), umfassend: wenigstens zwei Session-Initiation-Protocol(SIP)-Endpunkte (2, 4) mit einer Vielzahl von Leitungskapazitäten; eine Audiokommunikationsvorrichtung, die mit jedem der wenigstens zwei SIP-Endpunkte (2, 4) verbunden ist, die als Ausgangs- oder Ziel-SIP-Endpunkte dienen, wobei Sprachkommunikation zwischen den wenigstens zwei SIP- Endpunkten (2, 4) über eine jeweilige Audiokommunikationsvorrichtung durchgeführt wird; ein Dateiübertragungsagent-System (1, 112) an jedem der wenigstens zwei SIP-Endpunkte (2, 4); und eine File-Transfer-Application- Agent(FTAA)-Anwendung an jedem Dateiübertragungsagent-System (1, 112), wobei jede FTAA-Anwendung Dateiübertragungen zwischen Dateiübertragungsagent-Systemen (1, 112) in Reaktion auf Dateiübertragungsanfragen von entsprechenden Audiokommunikatiönsvorrichtungen durchführt, die mit den SIP-Endpunkten verbunden sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein geeigneter Schlüssel am Ausgangs-SIP-Endpunkt (2, 4) dazu angepasst ist, aktiviert zu werden, um einen SIP-Ruf an die zugeordnete FTAA des Ausgangs-SIP-Endpunkts einzuleiten, wobei die FTAA-Anwendung auf dem Ausgangs-Dateiübertragungsagent-System (1, 112) des Ausgangs-SIP-Endpunkts (2) dazu angepasst ist, ein hörbares Menü an den Ausgangs-SIP- Endpunkt (2) zu präsentieren, um es einem Endpunktbenutzer des Ausgangs-SIP-Endpunkts zu ermöglichen, Dateien für die Übertragung von dem Ausgangs-Dateiübertragungsagent-System (1; 112) auszuwählen, und ferner dazu angepasst ist, nach dem Auswählen der Dateien für die Übertragung in Reaktion auf das hörbare Menü eine SIP-Adresse der Ziel- Dateiübertragungsagent-Systems (112) von dem zugeordneten Ziel-SIP-Endpunkt (4) zu konstruieren, wobei das Ausgangs-Dateiübertragungsagent-System (1) dazu angepasst ist, das Ziel-Dateiübertragungsagent-System (112) mithilfe der konstruierten SIP-Adresse anzurufen, und wobei das Ausgangs-Dateiübertragungsagent-System (1) dazu angepasst ist, die ausgewählte Datei oder die ausgewählten Dateien an das Ziel-Dateiübertragungsagent-System (112) zu übertragen. 2. Kommunikationssystem nach Anspruch 1, wobei jede Audiokommunikationsvorrichtung eine Dateiübertragungstaste (114) und eine Übertragungsanfrageanzeige (116) aufweist. 3. Kommunikationssystem nach Anspruch 1, wobei ein eindeutiger Uniform-Resource-Identifier (URI) jeder Audiokommunikationsvorrichtung zugeordnet ist und die Form x@y.z aufweist und wobei das Dateiübertragungsagent-System (1, 112) die Form ft.x@y.z aufweist. 6

7 11 EP B Kommunikationssystem nach Anspruch 3, wobei jede Audiokommunikationsvorrichtung ferner Weiter/Zurück/Auswahl-Tasten (114) aufweist, die als SIP-Endpunkte mit eindeutigen URIs konfiguriert sind, die die Form weiter.x@y.z/zurück.x@y.z/auswahl.x@y.z aufweisen.. Kommunikationssystem nach Anspruch 4, wobei das Dateiübertragungsagent-System (1, 112) Mittel zum Präsentieren eines navigierbaren Sprachmenüs umfasst, das auf die Weiter/Zurück/Auswahl- Tasten anspricht. 6. Kommunikationssystem nach Anspruch 4, wobei das Dateiübertragungsagent-System (1, 112) Folgendes umfasst: ein Mittel zum Präsentieren eines Dateiauswahlfensters (118); und ein Mittel zum Empfangen einer Dateiauswahl (119), das auf das Dateiauswahlfenster (118) anspricht. 7. Verfahren zum Übertragen von Dateien zwischen Stationen in einem Kommunikationssystem (0), wobei das Verfahren folgende Schritte umfasst: a) Senden einer Dateiübertragungsanfrage von einer ersten Audiokommunikationsvorrichtung an einem ersten Netzendknoten (2) an ein erstes Dateiübertragungsagent-System (1) an einer ersten Station an dem ersten Netzendpunkt (2); dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass dadurch eine geeignete Taste am ersten Netzendpunkt (2) aktiviert wird (122), um einen Session-Initiation-Protocol(SIP)-Ruf an eine erste File-Transfer-Application- Agent(FTAA)-Anwendung im ersten Dateiübertragungsagent-System (1) einzuleiten; b) Präsentieren, durch die erste FTAA-Anwendung, eines hörbaren Menüs an der ersten Audiokommunikationsvorrichtung; c) Auswählen von Dateien zur Übertragung von der ersten Station an eine zweite Station in Reaktion auf das hörbare Menü durch einen Benutzer des ersten Netzendpunktes (2), wobei die zweite Station ein zweiter Netzendpunkt (4) ist, wobei eine zweite Audiokommunikationsvorrichtung an dem zweiten Netzendpunkt (4) in Sprachkommunikation mit der ersten Audiokommunikationsvorrichtung steht; und d) Konstruieren (13), durch das erste Dateiübertragungsagent-System (1) an der ersten Station, einer SIP-Adresse eines Ziel-Dateiübertragungsagent-Systems (112) an der zweiten Station von dem zweiten Netzendpunkt (4); e) Anrufen (1322) des Ziel-Dateiübertragungs agent-systems (112) unter Verwendung der konstruierten SIP-Adresse durch das erste Dateiübertragungsagent-System (1); und f) Übertragen (134) ausgewählter Dateien von der ersten Station an die zweite Station. 8. Verfahren zum Übertragen von Dateien nach Anspruch 7, wobei der Schritt (a) des Sendens der Übertragungsanfrage das Auswählen einer Taste (114) an der ersten Audiokommunikationsvorrichtung umfasst. 9. Verfahren zum Übertragen von Dateien nach Anspruch 7, wobei ein eindeutiger Uniform-Resource- Identifier (URI) der Audiokommunikationsvorrichtung an jedem Netzendpunkt (2, 4) zugeordnet ist, wobei der eindeutige URI die Form x@y.z aufweist und wobei ein weiterer URI dem Dateiübertragungsagent-System (1, 112) in jeder von der ersten Station und der zweiten Station zugeordnet ist, wobei der weitere URI die Form ft.x@y.z aufweist.. Verfahren zum Übertragen von Dateien nach Anspruch 9, wobei jeder Netzendpunkt (2, 4) ein Session-Initiation-Protocol(SIP)-Endpunkt ist und der Schritt (a) des Sendens der Übertragungsanfrage das Einleiten eines SIP-Rufs an dem ersten SIP- Endpunkt (2) von der ersten Audiokommunikationsvorrichtung an das erste Dateiübertragungsagent-System (1) an der ersten Station unter Verwendung eines entsprechenden weiteren URI umfasst. 11. Verfahren zum Übertragen von Dateien nach Anspruch, wobei jede Audiokommunikationsvorrichtung Weiter/Zurück/Auswahl-Tasten (114) aufweist, die als SIP-Endpunkte mit eindeutigen URIs konfiguriert sind, die die Form weiter.x@y.z/zurück.x@y.z/auswahl.x@y.z aufweisen. 12. Verfahren zum Übertragen von Dateien nach Anspruch 11, wobei der Schritt (c) des Auswählens von Dateien das Navigieren im Sprachmenü mithilfe der Weiter/Zurück/Auswahl-Tasten umfasst. 13. Verfahren zum Übertragen von Dateien nach Anspruch, wobei der Schritt (c) des Auswählens von Dateien folgende Schritte umfasst: i) Präsentieren eines Dateiauswahlfensters (118) an der ersten Station; und ii) Auswählen von Dateien durch das Dateiauswahlfenster. 14. Verfahren zum Übertragen von Dateien nach Anspruch, wobei das Verfahren vor dem Schritt (a) des Sendens einer Dateiübertragungsanfrage ferner das Ausführen der File-Transfer-Application- 7

8 13 EP B1 14 Agent(FTAA)-Anwendung auf jeder Station umfasst. 1) Bereitstellen einer Angabe einer eingehenden Dateiübertragung an der zweiten Audiokommunikationsvorrichtung; 2) Empfangen einer Angabe der Annahme an der zweiten Audiokommunikationsvorrichtung; und 3) Zurücksenden (1328) einer Angabe der Annahme an die zweite Station als eine Bestätigung. 1. Verfahren zum Übertragen von Dateien nach Anspruch 14, wobei die FTAA-Anwendung in jeder Station das Übertragen der ausgewählten Dateien in Schritt (d) verwaltet. Revendications 1. Système de communication (0) comprenant : 16. Verfahren zum Übertragen von Dateien nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Schritt (d) des Übertragens von Dateien folgende Schritte umfasst: i) Benachrichtigen der FTAA-Anwendung in der zweiten Station über eine bevorstehende Dateiübertragung; ii) Benachrichtigen (1324) der zweiten Audiokommunikationsvorrichtung über eine eingehende bevorstehende Dateiübertragung; iii) Bestätigen (1326) der eingehenden bevorstehenden Dateiübertragung; iv) Empfangen der Bestätigung von der zweiten Audiokommunikationsvorrichtung in der zweiten Station; v) Benachrichtigen (1334) der ersten Audiokommunikationsvorrichtung über die Bestätigung; und vi) Übertragen (134) der ausgewählten Dateien von der ersten Station an die zweite Station. 17. Verfahren zum Übertragen von Dateien nach Anspruch 16, wobei der Schritt (i) des Benachrichtigens der zweiten Station folgende Schritte umfasst: 1) Konstruieren (13) der SIP-Adresse der zweiten Station aus dem eindeutigen URI für die zweite Audiokommunikationsvorrichtung; und 2) Anrufen (1322) der konstruierten SIP-Adresse. 18. Verfahren zum Übertragen von Dateien nach Anspruch 16, wobei der Schritt (ii) des Benachrichtigens (1324) der zweiten Audiokommunikationsvorrichtung das Senden einer Einrichtungsnachricht an die zweite Audiokommunikationsvorrichtung umfasst. 19. Verfahren zum Übertragen von Dateien nach Anspruch 16, wobei der Schritt (iii) des Bestätigens (1326) der bevorstehenden Dateiübertragung Folgendes umfasst: au moins deux points d extrémité (2, 4) du protocole d ouverture de session, SIP, dotés de possibilités de lignes multiples ; un dispositif de communication audio connecté à chacun desdits au moins deux points d extrémité SIP (2, 4) agissant en tant que points d extrémité SIP émetteur ou destinataire, des communications vocales étant effectuées entre lesdits au moins deux points d extrémité SIP (2, 4) par un dispositif respectif desdits dispositifs de communication audio ; un système d agent de transfert de fichier (1, 112) à chacun desdits au moins deux points d extrémité SIP (2, 4) ; et une application d agent d application de transfert de fichier, FTAA, sur chaque système d agent de transfert de fichier (1, 112), chacune desdites applications FTAA gérant les transferts de fichiers entre les systèmes d agent de transfert de fichier (1, 112) en réponse à des demandes de transfert de fichier émanant de dispositifs de communication audio correspondants connectés auxdits points d extrémité SIP ; caractérisé en ce qu une touche appropriée située au point d extrémité SIP émetteur (2, 4) est apte à être activée pour déclencher un appel SIP vers la FTAA associée dudit point d extrémité SIP émetteur, dans lequel l application FTAA du système d agent de transfert de fichier émetteur (1, 112) du point d extrémité SIP émetteur (2) est apte à présenter un menu audible au point d extrémité SIP émetteur (2) pour permettre à un utilisateur de point d extrémité dudit point d extrémité SIP émetteur de sélectionner des fichiers à transférer depuis le système d agent de transfert de fichier émetteur (1 ; 112) et est apte en outre à constituer une adresse SIP du système d agent de transfert de fichier destinataire (112) à partir du point d extrémité SIP destinataire associé (4) après sélection des fichiers à transférer en réponse audit menu audible, dans lequel le système d agent de transfert de fichier émetteur (1) est apte à appeler le système d agent de transfert de fichier destinataire (112) en utilisant l adresse SIP constituée, et dans lequel le système d agent de transfert de fichier émetteur (1) est apte à transférer le ou les fichiers sélectionnés au système d agent de transfert de fichier destinataire (112). 8

9 1 EP B Système de communication selon la revendication 1, dans lequel chacun desdits dispositifs de communication audio comprend un bouton de transfert de fichier (114) et un indicateur de demande de transfert (116). 3. Système de communication selon la revendication 1, dans lequel un identifiant uniforme de ressources unique (URI) est associé à chacun desdits dispositifs de communication audio ayant la forme x@y.z et à chacun desdits systèmes d agent de transfert de fichier (1, 112) ayant la forme ft.x@y.z. 4. Système de communication selon la revendication 3, dans lequel chaque dispositif de communication audio comprend en outre des touches suivant/précédent/sélectionner (114) configurées en tant que points d extrémité SIP avec des URI uniques ayant la forme suivant.x@y.z/précédent.x@y.z/sélectionner.x@y.z.. Système de communication selon la revendication 4, dans lequel ledit système d agent de transfert de fichier (1, 112) comprend des moyens pour présenter un menu vocal navigable en réponse auxdites touches suivant/précédent/sélectionner. 6. Système de communication selon la revendication 4, dans lequel le système d agent de transfert de fichier (1, 112) comprend : des moyens pour présenter une fenêtre de sélection de fichiers (118) ; et des moyens pour recevoir une sélection de fichiers (119) en réponse à ladite fenêtre de sélection de fichiers (118). 7. Procédé pour transférer des fichiers entre des stations d un système de communication (0), ledit procédé comprenant les étapes suivantes : a) l envoi d une demande de transfert de fichier émanant d un premier dispositif de communication audio d un premier point d extrémité réseau (2) à un premier système d agent de transfert de fichier (1) d une première station dudit premier point d extrémité réseau (2) ; caractérisé en ce que cela active (122) une touche appropriée du premier point d extrémité réseau (2) pour déclencher un appel de protocole d ouverture de session, SIP, vers une première application d agent d application de transfert de fichier, FTAA, sur le premier système d agent de transfert de fichier (1) ; b) la présentation, par ladite première application FTAA, d un menu audible sur ledit premier dispositif de communication audio ; c) la sélection, par un utilisateur dudit premier point d extrémité réseau (2), de fichiers à transférer de ladite première station à une seconde station en réponse audit menu audible, ladite seconde station se trouvant en un second point d extrémité réseau (4), un second dispositif de communication audio au niveau dudit second point d extrémité réseau (4) étant en communication vocale avec ledit premier dispositif de communication audio ; et d) la constitution (13), par le premier système d agent de transfert de fichier (1) de la première station, d une adresse SIP d un système d agent de transfert de fichier destinataire (112) dans la seconde station à partir du second point d extrémité réseau (4) ; e) l appel (1322) du système d agent de transfert de fichier destinataire (112) à l aide de l adresse SIP constituée par le premier système d agent de transfert de fichier émetteur (1) ; et f) le transfert (134) desdits fichiers sélectionnés de ladite première station à ladite seconde station. 8. Procédé de transfert de fichier selon la revendication 7, dans lequel l étape (a) d envoi de ladite demande de transfert comprend la sélection d un bouton (114) sur ledit premier dispositif de communication audio. 9. Procédé de transfert de fichier selon la revendication 7, dans lequel un identifiant uniforme de ressources unique (URI) est associé à un dispositif de communication audio à chaque point d extrémité réseau (2, 4), ledit URI unique ayant la forme x@y.z et dans lequel un autre URI unique est associé audit système d agent de transfert de fichier (1, 112) dans chacune de ladite première station et de ladite seconde station, ledit autre URI unique ayant la forme ft.x@y.z.. Procédé de transfert de fichier selon la revendication 9, dans lequel chacun desdits points d extrémité réseau (2, 4) est un point d extrémité de protocole d ouverture de session (SIP) et l étape (a) d envoi de ladite demande de transfert comprend le déclenchement d un appel SIP dans ledit premier point d extrémité SIP (2) dudit premier dispositif de communication audio audit premier système d agent de transfert de fichier (1) de la première station au moyen dudit autre URI unique correspondant. 11. Procédé de transfert de fichier selon la revendication, dans lequel chaque dispositif de communication audio comprend des touches suivant/précédent/sélectionner (114) configurées en tant que points d extrémité SIP avec des URI uniques de la forme suivant.x@y.z/précédent.x@y.z/sélectionner.x@y.z. 12. Procédé de transfert de fichier selon la revendication 9

10 17 EP B , dans lequel l étape (c) de sélection de fichiers comprend la navigation dans ledit menu vocal au moyen desdites touches suivant/précédent/sélectionner. 13. Procédé de transfert de fichier selon la revendication, dans lequel l étape (c) de sélection de fichiers comprend les étapes suivantes : i) la présentation d une fenêtre de sélection de fichiers (118) dans ladite première station ; et ii) la sélection de fichiers au travers de ladite fenêtre de sélection de fichiers. 14. Procédé de transfert de fichier selon la revendication, dans lequel avant l étape (a) d envoi d une demande de transfert de fichier, ledit procédé comprend en outre l exécution d une application d agent d application de transfert de fichier (FTAA) sur chaque station. 1. Procédé de transfert de fichier selon la revendication 14, dans lequel ladite application FTAA de chacune desdites stations gère le transfert desdits fichiers sélectionnés à l étape (d) ) la constitution (13) de l adresse SIP de ladite seconde station à partir dudit URI unique pour ledit second dispositif de communication audio ; et 2) l appel (1322) de ladite adresse SIP constituée. 18. Procédé de transfert de fichier selon la revendication 16, dans lequel l étape (ii) de notification (1324) auprès dudit second dispositif de communication audio comprend l envoi d un message de configuration audit second dispositif de communication audio. 19. Procédé de transfert de fichier selon la revendication 16, dans lequel l étape (iii) de confirmation (1326) dudit transfert de fichier en instance comprend : 1) la fourniture d une indication de l arrivée d un transfert de fichier dans ledit second dispositif de communication audio ; 2) la réception d une indication d acceptation dans ledit second dispositif de communication audio ; et 3) le renvoi (1328) d une indication d acceptation à ladite seconde station comme confirmation. 16. Procédé de transfert de fichier selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l étape (d) de transfert de fichier comprend les étapes suivantes : i) la notification auprès de ladite application FTAA de ladite seconde station d un transfert de fichier en instance ; ii) la notification (1324) auprès dudit second dispositif de communication audio de l arrivée d un transfert de fichier en instance ; iii) la confirmation (1326) de ladite arrivée du transfert de fichier en instance ; iv) la réception d une confirmation provenant dudit second dispositif de communication audio de ladite seconde station ; v) la notification (1334) auprès dudit premier dispositif de communication audio de ladite confirmation ; et vi) le transfert (134) desdits fichiers sélectionnés de ladite première station à ladite seconde station Procédé de transfert de fichier selon la revendication 16, dans lequel l étape (i) de notification auprès de ladite seconde station comprend les étapes suivantes : 0

11 EP B1 11

12 EP B1 12

13 EP B1 13

14 EP B1 REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader s convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard. Patent documents cited in the description WO A [0004] Non-patent literature cited in the description GARCIA-MARTIN, M. et al. A Mechanism to Enable File Transfer with the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) draft-garcia-sipping-file-transfer-mech-00.txt. SIP- PING Working Group, 23 February 06 [0004] 14