Automatic conversion of telephone number to internet protocol address

• US 6,810,034 B1
• Filed: 02/25/2000
• Issued: 10/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avaya Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Avaya Technology Corporation Miami Lakes FLA US
• Inventors: Brand, Joel
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Chi
• Assistant Examiner(s): JONES, PRENELL P
• Application Number:
  US09/513,030
• Time in Patent Office: 1,705 Days
• Field of Search: 370/352-356, 370/401, 370/389-395, 370/381-385, 370/357, 370/522, 714/4, 714/230, 379/114.15, 379/90.01, 379/93.07, 379/219, 379/88.17, 379/201.01, 455/417, 455/555, 455/439, 455/406, 455/462
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/10 of different types

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.

Claims

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.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the control point is a server.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the database adheres an SS7 protocol.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the data base is configured to be modified globally.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein the telephone network utilizes an SS7 protocol.

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:

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.

7. The method according to claim 6 further comprising matching the telephone number of the recipient party to the IP address via a database within the gateway.

8. The method according to claim 7 further comprising globally updating the database via the telephone network.

9. The method according to claim 6 wherein the gateway adheres to and is compatible with an SS7 protocol.

10. The method according to claim 6 wherein the telephone network utilizes an SS7 Protocol.

11. The method according to claim 6 wherein the input device is a computer.

12. The method according to claim 6 wherein the input device is a telephone.

13. A method of transmitting a call through an Internet Protocol network to a telephone destination, the method comprising the following steps:

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.

14. The method according to claim 13 wherein the telephone network is based on an SS7 protocol.

15. The method according to claim 13 further comprising updating the telephone number and the corresponding IP address within the database.

16. The method according to claim 13 further comprising selecting the database from a plurality of databases in response to the telephone number.

17. The method according to claim 16 wherein the plurality of databases are coupled to the telephone network and adhere to an SS7 protocol.

18. The method according to claim 16 further comprising globally modifying the plurality of databases via the telephone network.

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:

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.

20. The method according to claim 19 further comprising matching the telephone number to the corresponding Internet Protocol address within a database.

21. The method according to claim 20 wherein the database adheres to an SS7 protocol.