IPT X11 mediation layer and process

• US 20060256780A1
• Filed: 05/10/2005
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Knowledge Ventures, L.P. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sbc Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
• Inventors: Walter, Edward, Diroo, Yolius
• Granted Patent: US 7,336,968 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/356
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/10 of different types
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4557 Directories for hybrid networks, e.g. including telephone numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5014 using dynamic host configuration protocol [DHCP] or bootstrap protocol [BOOTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/04 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42

Abstract

The present invention discusses a method and apparatus for providing customer information, such as a physical address etc., to a call destination, such as a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), over an Internet Protocol (IP) communication link. A mediation layer maintains a table tracking information such as IP address, physical location of the customer, and MAC (Media Access Control) Address. When a call is placed, an IP address is sent to the mediation layer. The mediation layer selects appropriate caller information and routes the information to the network, which routes the information to the PSAP. The mediation layer maintains customer information through a Virtual Central Repository (VCR), and IP addresses through a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server on an ongoing basis. The mediation layer can comprise multiple interconnected mediation layers in cooperation.

Claims

1. A method of providing customer information to a call destination over an Internet Protocol (IP) communication link, comprising:

obtaining an IP address for a call;

mapping the IP address to customer information; and

routing customer information to the call destination over the IP communication link.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining an IP address further comprises receiving an IP address from a customer premises equipment.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein customer information further comprises at least one of the set consisting of name, phone number, and physical location of a caller.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the call destination further comprises a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).

5. The method of claim 1, wherein mapping IP address to customer information further comprises maintaining a table at a mediation layer of the communication link.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the table tracks i) a physical address of the customer, ii) a physical Media Access Control address of the Customer Premises Equipment, and, iii) an IP address of the Customer Premises Equipment.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein maintaining the table further comprises obtaining an IP address from a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein maintaining the table further comprises obtaining customer information from a Virtual Central Repository (VCR).

9. The method of claim 5, wherein maintaining the table further comprises using an Address Resolution Protocol to determine changes in IP address.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein the mediation layer further comprises a plurality of interconnected mediation layers.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the call destination further comprises a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein obtaining an IP address further comprises receiving an IP address from a customer premises equipment.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein customer information further comprises at least one of the set consisting of name, phone number, and physical location of a caller.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, the mediation layer further comprising a table containing i) a physical address of the customer, ii) a physical Media Access Control address of the Customer Premises Equipment, and, iii) an IP address of the Customer Premises Equipment.

16. The method of claim 5, wherein the mediation layer further comprises a plurality of interconnected mediation layers.

17. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the table is updated using an Address Resolution Protocol to determine changes in IP address.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server for providing IP address data to the mediation layer.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a Virtual Central Repository (VCR) for providing customer information to the mediation layer.

11. An apparatus for providing customer information to a call destination using Internet Protocol (IP), comprising:

an IP communication link for obtaining an IP address for a call and for routing customer information to the call destination; and

a mediation layer linked to the IP communication link for mapping the IP address to customer information.