Automatic conversion of telephone number to internet protocol address
First Claim
1. A system for transmitting a message over an Internet Protocol network from an calling party to a telephone number of a recipient party, the system comprising:
- a. a database for storing the telephone number of the recipient party and a corresponding IP address;
b. a control point coupled to the Internet Protocol network and the calling party; and
c. a telephone network coupled between the control point and the database and configured to return the corresponding IP address to the control point, wherein the database is configured to receive the telephone number and match the corresponding IP address, further wherein the control point is configured to coordinate obtaining the corresponding IP address from the database via the telephone network and transmitting the message to the recipient party over the Internet Protocol network.
17 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A conversion system and method allows a calling party to transmit a message to a telephone belonging to a recipient party wherein the message is transmitted via an Internet Protocol network. This conversion system and method preferably utilizes an Internet Protocol gateway. The Internet Protocol gateway preferably includes a controller and a database. In use, a telephone number of the recipient party is preferably transmitted to the Internet Protocol gateway from the calling party. Then, the controller preferably directs this telephone number to the database. The database preferably matches the telephone number of the recipient party to an Internet Protocol address which corresponds with the telephone number and returns this corresponding Internet Protocol address to the controller. Finally, the Internet Protocol gateway responds to the conversion system and method by returning the Internet Protocol address. This conversion system and method then contacts an appropriate server associated with the Internet Protocol address and transmits the message over the Internet Protocol network. The message is then transmitted from the appropriate server to the telephone number of the recipient party. Once the message is transmitted to the telephone number of the recipient party, a communication link is established between the calling party and the recipient party via the Internet Protocol network. This communication link allows both the calling party and the recipient party to communicate with each other. Further, the Internet Protocol gateway has the messaging capabilities of an Intelligent Network service such as signaling system no. 7 protocol.
64 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for transmitting a message over an Internet Protocol network from an calling party to a telephone number of a recipient party, the system comprising:
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a. a database for storing the telephone number of the recipient party and a corresponding IP address;
b. a control point coupled to the Internet Protocol network and the calling party; and
c. a telephone network coupled between the control point and the database and configured to return the corresponding IP address to the control point, wherein the database is configured to receive the telephone number and match the corresponding IP address, further wherein the control point is configured to coordinate obtaining the corresponding IP address from the database via the telephone network and transmitting the message to the recipient party over the Internet Protocol network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of seamlessly placing a message originating from a calling party through an Internet Protocol network to a telephone number of a recipient party, the method comprising the following steps:
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a. inputting the telephone number of the recipient party via an input device, wherein the input device is coupled to the Internet Protocol network;
b. transmitting the telephone number to a control point, wherein the control point is coupled to the input device, the Internet Protocol network, and a telephone network;
c. querying a gateway with the telephone number of the recipient via the telephone network wherein the gateway is coupled to the telephone network;
d. providing an IP address corresponding to the telephone number of the recipient to the control point; and
e. forwarding the message over the Internet Protocol network to the telephone number of the recipient party. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of transmitting a call through an Internet Protocol network to a telephone destination, the method comprising the following steps:
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a. transmitting a telephone number from a control point to a database via a telephone network, wherein the telephone number corresponds to the telephone destination;
b. matching a corresponding IP address to the telephone number via the database;
c. returning the corresponding IP address to the control point via the telephone network; and
d. completing the call originating from a calling party to the telephone destination via the Internet Protocol network. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of establishing a communications link between an input device of a calling party and a telephone of a recipient party, the method comprising the following steps:
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a. transmitting a telephone number from the input device to a control point, wherein the telephone number is configured to correspond to the telephone of the recipient party;
b. transmitting the telephone number from the control point to a gateway via a telephone network;
c. converting the telephone number into a corresponding Internet Protocol address;
d. returning the corresponding Internet Protocol address to the control point via the telephone network; and
e. connecting the input device and the telephone of the recipient party via the Internet Protocol network. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification