System and method for private addressing plans using community addressing

• US 5,761,201 A
• Filed: 02/07/1997
• Issued: 06/02/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avaya Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Octel Communications Corp. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Vaudreuil, Gregory M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Wellington
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, HUY DUY
• Application Number:
  US08/797,563
• Time in Patent Office: 480 Days
• Field of Search: 370/392, 370/352, 370/351, 370/357, 370/389, 370/400, 370/401, 370/432, 370/471, 370/474, 370/475, 370/522, 370/393, 370/394, 370/395, 370/398, 370/410, 370/412, 370/420, 370/428, 370/422, 370/426, 370/349, 379/201, 379/229, 379/219, 379/220, 379/221, 379/225, 379/20, 379/231, 379/232, 379/233, 379/234, 395/187.01
• US Class Current: 370/392
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/063 Content adaptation, e.g. replacement of unsuitable content
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/234 for tracking messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0196 Payment of value-added services, mainly when their charges are added on the telephone bill, e.g. payment of non-telecom services, e-commerce, on-line banking
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42102 Making use of the called party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53325 Interconnection arrangements between voice mail systems
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13174 Data transmission, file transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13196 : Connection circuit/link/trunk/junction, bridge, router, gateway
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13248 : Multimedia
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13336 : Store & forward, messaging systems email H04Q2213/13375
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 : Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber

Abstract

A network hub system (200) is connected to a communications cloud (18) as well as messaging systems (202), (204), (206) and (208). A public access port (212) interacts with a public virtual messaging system (202a). A private access port (214) interacts with a private virtual messaging system (202b). Address translation tables are used to provide for identification of members of messaging communities which allow for the implementation of virtual private networks connected to hub system (200) and other hubs.

Claims

1. A method of processing a message using a communications network comprising:

receiving initial address information as to the identity of a destination user from a source user of the system;

determining an addressing form of the initial address information;

if the initial address information is a public addressing form, accessing a user profile database using the initial address information to retrieve a unique internal identifier and identification confirmation for the destination user;

if the initial address information is a private addressing form, accessing stored user tables using the initial address information to retrieve a unique internal identifier and identification confirmation for the destination user;

transmitting the retrieved identification confirmations to the source user to confirm the intended recipient of the message;

receiving a message from the source user; and

routing the message to the destination user using the unique internal identifier.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

accessing delivery preference information for the destination user; and

routing the message to a particular messaging facility associated with the destination user responsive to the delivery preference information.