Apparatus and Method for Providing Communications and Connection-Oriented Services to Devices

• US 20100159849A1
• Filed: 12/18/2009
• Published: 06/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert J. Starr, Samuel N. Zellner, Steven Tischer
• Original Assignee: Robert J. Starr, Samuel N. Zellner, Steven Tischer
• Inventors: Starr, Robert J., Tischer, Steven, Zellner, Samuel N.
• Granted Patent: US 8,275,371 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/74
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support

Abstract

An apparatus and method for providing communications and connection-oriented services to devices are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device for providing communications between a first device and a second comprises an input, logic, and an output. The input of the interface device receives data in a first format from the first device. The logic performs a connection-oriented service on the data. The connection oriented service may include overriding caller identification information associated with the data, sending the data to a voicemail system, and storing a detail record associated with the data. The logic also identifies the second device for receiving the data. The logic then identifies a second format compatible with the second device and translates the data to the second format compatible with the second device. The translated data is then transmitted to the second device via the one or more outputs.

Claims

1. An interface device for providing communications between a first device and a second device, comprising:

an input for receiving data in a first format from the first device;

logic configured for

performing a connection-oriented service on the data, the connection-oriented service including blocking identification information associated with the first device that transmitted the data,

identifying the second device for receiving the data,

identifying a second format compatible with the second device, and

translating the data to the second format; and

an output for transmitting the translated data to the second device.

2. The interface device of claim 1, wherein performing a connection-oriented service on the data includes sending the data to a voicemail system associated with the interface device.

3. The interface device of claim 1, wherein performing a connection-oriented service on the data includes storing a call detail record associated with the data.

4. The interface device of claim 1, wherein the logic is further configured for altering substance of the data.

5. The interface device of claim 4, wherein altering substance of the data includes at least one of filtering the data to extract a portion of the data to be transmitted, improving a poor quality signal carrying the data based on known characteristics of a device providing the signal carrying the data, degrading the data, adding a digital watermark to the data to identify the first communications network or a user sending the data, adding information to the data, and annotating the data.

6. An interface device for providing communications between a first device and a second device, comprising:

an input for receiving data in a first format from the first device;

logic configured for

identifying the second device for receiving the data from a plurality of devices based on a delay associated with transmitting the data to each of the plurality of devices,

identifying a second format compatible with the identified second device, and

translating the data to the second format; and

an output for transmitting the translated data to the identified second device.

7. The interface device of claim 6, wherein identifying the second device for receiving the data from a plurality of devices is further based on a cost associated with transmitting the data to each of the plurality of devices.

8. The interface device of claim 6, wherein identifying the second device for receiving the data from a plurality of devices is further based on a bandwidth associated with transmitting the data to each of the plurality of devices.

9. The interface device of claim 6, wherein information regarding the delay associated with the plurality of devices is stored at the interface device.

10. The interface device of claim 6, wherein the logic is further configured for determining if the identified second device is operative to receive the data and wherein the output is further configured for transmitting the translated data to a third device from the plurality of devices if the identified second device is not operative to receive the data.

11. The interface device of claim 6, wherein the logic is further configured for receiving a selection of a third device from the plurality of devices and wherein the output is further configured for transmitting the translated data to the third device in response to receiving the selection.

12. A method for providing communications between a first device and a second device, comprising:

receiving data in a first format from the first device;

identifying the second device for receiving the data from a plurality of devices based on a delay associated with transmitting the data to each of the plurality of devices;

identifying a second format compatible with the identified second device; and

translating the data to the second format.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising transmitting the translated data to the identified second device.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein identifying the second device for receiving the data from a plurality of devices is further based on at least one of a cost or a bandwidth associated with transmitting the data to each of the plurality of devices.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein information regarding the delay associated with the plurality of devices is stored at the interface device.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

determining if the identified second device is operative to receive the data; and

if the second device is not operative to receive the data, then transmitting the translated data to a third device from the plurality of devices.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving a selection of a third device from the plurality of devices; and

transmitting the translated data to the third device in response to receiving the selection.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

identifying a third device from the plurality of devices based on the routing information associated with the plurality of devices; and

handing off transmission of the data from the second device to the identified third device.

19. A computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of claim 12.