Systems and method for a communications broker

• US 20040052264A1
• Filed: 09/13/2002
• Published: 03/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.), Alcoa Closure Systems International Incorporated (Howmet Aerospace, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gilbert, Quenton Lanier
• Granted Patent: US 7,356,038 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4523 using lightweight directory access protocol [LDAP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2066 Call type detection of indication, e.g. voice or fax, mobile of fixed, PSTN or IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/12 intelligent networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2272 Subscriber line supervision circuits, e.g. call detection circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42093 Notifying the calling party of information on the called or connected party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42365 Presence services providing information on the willingness to communicate or the ability to communicate in terms of media capability or network connectivity
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/06 using auxiliary connections for control or supervision , e.g. where the auxiliary connection is a signalling system number 7 link
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor

Abstract

Systems provide a memory with a look-up table; one or more connections to associated communications networks; and a processor operative to: receive a phone number and a request for information related to the phone number; utilize the look up table to the determine a communications network associated with the phone number, transmit the request to the communications network for the information related to the phone number; receive a first response to the request, and transmit a second response. Methods and articles of manufacturing perform the steps of: receiving a phone number with a request for information related to the phone number; determining a communications network associated with the phone number; transmitting the request to the communications network; receiving a first response to the request; and transmitting a second response.

Claims

1. A communications broker comprising:

a memory with a look-up table;

one or more connections to associated communications networks; and

a processor operative to;

receive a phone number and a request for information related to the phone number;

utilize the look up table to determine a communications network associated with the phone number;

transmit the request to the communications network for the information related to the phone number;

receive a first response to the request; and

transmit a second response.

2. The communications broker of claim 1, wherein the processor receives the phone number from an API operating in an AIN component.

3. The communications broker of claim 1, wherein the communications network is one of a TDMA, GSM, and CDMA communications network.

4. The communications broker of claim 1, wherein the first response includes the information relating to the phone number.

5. The communications broker of claim 1, wherein the request is transmitted to at least one component of the communications network.

6. The communications broker of claim 5, wherein the response is received from the at least one component of the communications network.

7. The communications broker of claim 1, wherein the request is formatted before the request is transmitted to the communications network.

8. The communications broker of claim 1, wherein the first response is un-marshaled and, based on the information in the un-marshaled first response, the second response is composed.

9. The communications broker of claim 1, wherein the processor runs an API to received the phone number and the request for information.

10. A method for acquiring information relating to a phone number, comprising:

receiving a phone number and a request for information related to the phone number;

determining a communications network associated with the phone number;

transmitting the request to the communications network;

receiving a first response to the request; and

transmitting a second response.

11. The method for acquiring information of claim 10, further comprising utilizing a look up table for determining the communications network.

12. The method for acquiring information of claim 10, further comprising formatting the request before transmitting the request to the communications network.

13. The method for acquiring information of claim 10, further comprising un-marshaling the first response and, based on the information in the un-marshaled first response, composing the second response.

14. The method for acquiring information of claim 10, further comprising utilizing a look up table for determining the communications network.

15. The method for acquiring information of claim 10, further comprising receiving the phone number and the request from an ASP application using an API.

16. A computer-readable medium on which is stored a set of instructions for acquiring information relating to a phone number, which when executed perform steps comprising:

receiving a phone number with a request for information related to the phone number;

determining a communications network associated with the phone number;

transmitting the request to the communications network;

receiving a first response to the request; and

transmitting a second response.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the determining step further includes utilizing a look up table for determining the communications network.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, further comprising formatting the request before transmitting the request to the communications network.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, further comprising un-marshaling the first response and, based on the information in the un-marshaled first response, transmitting the second response.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, further comprising receiving the phone number and the request from an ASP application using an API.