System for enhancing internet telephony

• US 20020085535A1
• Filed: 12/28/2000
• Published: 07/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Teleconomico USA Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Teleconomico USA Incorporated
• Inventors: Williams, Donald A.
• Application Number:
  US09/750,203
• Publication Number:
  US 20020085535A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/203 composed of PSTN and data network, e.g. the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0054 where the data service is an electronic mail service

Abstract

In one embodiment the invention comprises a method of communication utilizing the Internet which includes receiving on a server an e-mail message transmitted from a first computer, which email includes a request to the intended recipient of the e-mail for a return telephone call to a telephone number designated in the e-mail, and including in the e-mail transmission the address of a gatekeeper for providing the address of a gateway through which a telephone call originated on a computer of the intended e-mail recipient may be routed to the public switched telephone network and to the telephone number designated in the e-mail.

Claims

1. A method for enhancing the use of the Internet, comprising:

installing software into an Internet connection device to enable said connection device to add a link to an e-mail message requesting a recipient of the e-mail to place a telephone call to a designated telephone number; and

wherein said link includes information to enable the e-mail recipient to download a computer program into the e-mail recipient'"'"'s computer to facilitate the placing of said telephone call from the e-mail recipient'"'"'s computer.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said Internet connection device is a personal computer.

3. A method of communication utilizing the Internet, comprising:

receiving on a server an e-mail message transmitted from a first computer, which e-mail message includes a request to an intended recipient of the e-mail for a return telephone call to a telephone number designated in the e-mail;

transmitting said e-mail message to a second computer specified in an address associated with said e-mail message, and including in said e-mail transmission the address of a gatekeeper, said gatekeeper adapted to supply an address of a gateway through which a telephone call originated on said second computer may be routed to said telephone number designated in said e-mail message.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said gatekeeper is further adapted to confirm authentication information supplied in the e-mail about the e-mail user sending the e-mail.

5. A method of providing communications, comprising:

receiving on a first server an e-mail transmission from a first Internet connection device originated by a first e-mail user, said e-mail transmission including a link which when displayed on a second Internet connection device enables a second e-mail user of said second Internet connection device to initiate voice communication between said second Internet connection device and a telephone number specified in said link;

transmitting said e-mail message from said first server to an address of said second Internet connection device; and

generating a telephone call from said second Internet connecting device to said telephone number.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said second Internet connection device obtains from a gatekeeper the address of a gateway through which said telephone call my be connected to said telephone number.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein said first Internet connection device is a personal computer.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein said second Internet connection device is a personal computer.