Internet telephony communications adapter for web browsers

• US 20050163311A1
• Filed: 01/28/2004
• Published: 07/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Managed Inventions LLC
• Original Assignee: theglobe.com
• Inventors: Rose, Leonard Jr., Fowler, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 7,852,997 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42323 PBX's with CTI arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/003 Click to dial services
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 379/90 Internet, e.g. Internet phone, webphone, internet-based telephony

Abstract

A URL adapter for a Web browser that enables the integration of telephone numbers into a web browser'"'"'s address line for parsing as a URI. The URL adapter bypasses traditional search hook functions to identify potential telephone numbers. The URL adapter has access to a name server for translating names entered into the browser into telephone numbers. The URL adapter can also parse Web pages to self-identify telephone numbers.

Claims

1. A method for identifying a telephone number to a computer system for processing a telephone call over the Internet to a user assigned to said telephone number, comprising:

receiving data entered into said computer system by a caller through a web browser;

searching said data for said telephone number or a proxy representing said telephone number;

processing said telephone call to said telephone number if said telephone number is found in said data; and

accessing a name server to translate said proxy into said telephone number for return to said computer system for processing said telephone call to said telephone number if said telephone number is not found in said data.