Automatic called party locator over internet

• US 6,539,015 B2
• Filed: 01/02/2001
• Issued: 03/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Services Corporation (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Voit, Eric A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chau
• Assistant Examiner(s): KWOH, JASPER C
• Application Number:
  US09/750,771
• Publication Number:
  US 20010006519A1
• Time in Patent Office: 812 Days
• Field of Search: 370/352, 370/353, 370/354, 370/355, 370/356, 370/389, 370/401, 370/410, 370/522, 709/217, 709/225, 709/226
• US Class Current: 370/389
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1421 Indication of expected costs
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1439 time-based
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6443 Network Node Interface, e.g. Routing, Path finding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6472 Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6486 Signalling Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/102 applying security measure for e-commerce
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/10 of different types
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4511 using domain name system [DNS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4535 using an address exchange platform which sets up a session between two nodes, e.g. rendezvous servers, session initiation protocols [SIP] registrars or H.323 gatekeepers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4557 Directories for hybrid networks, e.g. including telephone numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• 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 15/46 Real-time negotiation between users and providers or operators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/49 Connection to several service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/55 for hybrid networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/56 for VoIP communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8044 : Least cost routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/83 : Notification aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/90 : using Intelligent Networks [IN] or Advanced Intelligent Networks [AIN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/12 : intelligent networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/20 : hybrid systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/016 : Billing using Intelligent Networks [IN] or Advanced Intelligent Networks [AIN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/018 : On-line real-time billing, able to see billing information while in communication, e.g. via the internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/202 : VoIP; Packet switched telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/22 : Bandwidth or usage-sensitve billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/42 : Least cost routing, i.e. provision for selecting the lowest cost tariff
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/44 : Charging/billing arrangements for connection made over different networks, e.g. wireless and PSTN, ISDN, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/46 : Connection to several service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/56 : On line or real-time flexible agreements between service providers and telecoms operators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/745 : Least cost routing, e.g. Automatic or manual, call by call or by preselection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/82 : Advice-of-Charge [AOC], i.e. notify subscriber of charges/cumulative charge; meter at the substation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4211 : where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42229 : Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location diverting calls from one subscriber to another subscriber, i.e. two different subscriptions H04M3/54; selecting arrangements in intelligent networks H04Q3/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 : Directory assistance 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 7/1235 : where one of the core networks is a wireless network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/125 : Details of gateway equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/126 : Interworking of session control protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/128 : Details of addressing, directories or routing tables
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1285 : Details of finding and selecting a gateway for a particular call
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1295 : Details of dual tone multiple frequency signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 : A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 : Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 : PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1313 : Metering, billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13196 : Connection circuit/link/trunk/junction, bridge, router, gateway
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13339 : Ciphering, encryption, security
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13345 : Intelligent networks, SCP
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13349 : Network management
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0045 : involving hybrid, i.e. a mixture of public and private, or multi-vendor systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0062 : Provisions for network management

Abstract

A system and method using enhanced processing, responsive to domain name translation requests, to provide selective routing services through a public packet switched data network. The name processing applies to translation of a domain name into a group of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and to providing routing information for a packet data network such as the Internet. Following name translation into a group of addresses communication is automatically established between a calling terminal and a terminal designated by one of the addresses and determined through processing which effects linkage with the first terminal to respond. The selective routing is particularly advantageous for processing of voice telephone communications through the Internet packet data network based on domain name translations. One or more domain names can be translated into a group of addresses which may include a mixture of Internet (IP) addresses and telephone number addresses, along with routing procedures with respect to the addresses.

Claims

1. A telecommunication system comprising:

a system of interlinked networks using TCP/IP protocol;

an intelligent domain name server system coupled to the system of interlinked networks, said intelligent domain name server system being configured to translate names into IP addresses; and

said intelligent domain name server system having means for producing at least two different Internet Protocol (IP) terminal addresses responsive to a single domain name address query, and means for transmitting query messages, substantially simultaneously, to coupling points for terminal devices represented by said at least two different IP terminal addresses in order to establish routing.

2. A telecommunication system according to claim 1 wherein the system of interlinked networks comprises the Internet.

3. A telecommunication system as in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of terminal devices coupled for data communication via the system of interlinked networks.

4. A telecommunications system according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of the terminal devices are two way voice communication terminal devices.

5. A telecommunication system according to claim 1, wherein said means comprises at least one translation table and a conditional analysis routing control record.

6. A telecommunications system comprising:

a public packet switched data network;

at least two access servers operationally connected to said public packet switched data network;

at least two terminal devices operationally connected to said access servers;

a domain name server, configured to translate names into IP addresses, operationally connected to the public packet switched data network, said domain name server having means for producing a selected plurality of at least two different Internet Protocol (IP) terminal addresses responsive to a single domain name address query based on predetermined criteria, and means for transmitting query messages, substantially simultaneously, to coupling points for terminal devices represented by said at least two different IP terminal addresses in order to establish routing.

7. A telecommunication system according to claim 6, wherein said terminal devices comprise personal computers.

8. A telecommunication system according to claim 7, wherein said personal computers comprise means for conducting two-way audio communications.

9. A telecommunication system according to claim 8, further comprising a telephone network gateway, operationally connected between the public packet switched data network and a public telephone network, for voice telephone communications.

10. A telecommunication system according to claim 6 wherein the domain name server comprises:

an interface for coupling the domain name server to the public packet data network;

a central processing unit coupled to the interface; and

a data storage system accessible by the central processing unit,

wherein said means comprises software running on the central processing unit for processing said query received via the interface and using data from the storage system to identify said two different IP addresses and engaging in control signaling via the interface to effect said routing.

11. A telecommunication system according to claim 10, wherein the data storage system stores at least one translation table and a plurality of conditional analysis routing control records.

12. A telecommunication system according to claim 6 wherein the public packet switched data network comprises the Internet.

13. A telecommunications system comprising:

a public packet switched data network;

at least two access servers operationally connected to said public packet switched data network;

at least three terminal devices operationally connected to said access servers;

a domain name server, configured to translate names into IP addresses, operationally connected to the public packet switched data network, said domain name server having means for producing a selected plurality of at least two different Internet Protocol (IP) terminal addresses responsive to a single domain name address query based on predetermined criteria, and having control means for directing the establishment of a communication link between two of said terminals via said public packet switched data network, and means for transmitting query messages, substantially simultaneously, to coupling points for terminal devices represented by said at least two different IP terminal addresses in order to establish routing.

14. A system according to claim 13 wherein said two different IP addresses are IP addresses for two of said terminal devices.

15. A system according to claim 14 wherein said control means determines the availability of said two terminal devices for responding to a request to establish a communication link from the third of said three terminal devices, and controls signaling which effects the establishment of such a communication link between said third of said terminal devices and the first to respond of said two terminal devices.

16. A telecommunication system according to claim 15 wherein said terminal devices comprise personal computers.

17. A telecommunication system according to claim 16 wherein said personal computers comprise means for conducting two-way audio communications.

18. A telecommunication system according to claim 13, further comprising a telephone network gateway, operationally connected between the public packet switched data network and a public telephone network, for voice telephone communications, at least one of said terminal devices being connected to said public telephone network.

19. A telecommunication system according to claim 13 wherein the domain name server comprises:

an interface for coupling the domain name server to the public packet data network;

a central processing unit coupled to the interface; and

a data storage system accessible by the central processing unit,

wherein said means and said control means comprise software running on the central processing unit for processing the query received via the interface and using data from the storage system to generate a control message containing the selected IP addresses and information for directing said establishment of said communication link between two of said terminals via said public packet switched data network.

20. A telecommunication system according to claim 19 wherein the data storage system stores at least one translation table and a plurality of conditional analysis routing control records.

21. A telecommunication system according to claim 13 wherein the public packet switched data network comprises the Internet.